kwaltke

Stroke Survivor - female
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About kwaltke

  • Birthday October 3

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  • First Name
    Karen
  • State
    Colorado

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  1. Happy Anniversary kwaltke!

  2. Happy Anniversary kwaltke!

  3. Happy Anniversary kwaltke!

  4. Considering that Bill was released out of the Hospital to begin a new phase of Pallitive Care only.....it was a bittersweet Chrismas. We are sure or at least relative sure this will be our last Christmas...Christmas eve it looked like maybe that would not be but we got better control on the pain and we had a nice Christmas at our Grandaugters....Now we are looking to ring in the New Year much the same way We sleep as we can . I average 2 hours a night most nights if that The cancer has spread and the tumors are now larger than the Pancrease itself. All chemo failed even an experimental one. Each day we find blessings and joy and some peace despite that other guys best efforts to destroy. God is so Good and each day is a blessing. I gave up long ago listening to the predictions of what kind of time we may have remaining. Time is irrelevant except to enjoy what remains. Bill is doing his best and I am going the very best I can to take care of him. We have applied to get into assisted living. That would make it so much better for us. Bill is on substantial medication to keep him as comfortable as possible. We confirmed it was cancer one year ago today. they thought then 6 months tops No one can explain how it is he is still here. Thats easy prayer. I dont know when we only know he has really amazed the doctors Ill take it!!! Happy New Year to you all I dont know what the New Year will bring most likely more of a series of lasts. We are simply grateful for each day. Karen
  5. kwaltke

    A SPARK FROM GOD

    Thank you Leah you have no idea how much I needed to hear these words Bill is hanging on each day is a juggle of pain meds vs the pain Each day is unto itself now. You give me courage and hope and remind me where to find the strength when of myself I cant barely make it on another 2 hours of sleep broken up through the day. Love Karen and Bill
  6. What an honor, what a joy

    to tell you that the

    world is a better place

    because you were born.

    Rachel

  7. Happy Birthday hostkaren!

  8. Happy Anniversary hostkaren!

  9. kwaltke

    FILEMAN UPDATE

    Leah I am so sorry to hear this news. Bill is on the last chance chemo for his cancer its a week to week thing Its difficult and you will be in our prayers Karen
  10. I dont know in my case as I am a survivor of 4 strokes and a TIA that I will ever not have that fear I think though I am more concerned about the aneurisms I would be dead before I hit the floor. That is ok as long as I dont suffer Karen
  11. There is no denying that he is getting sicker and sicker I love him so but how much can he endure for the love of his family? One day one day at a time love Karen
  12. LeahI do know about all the knots in the stomach. Bill is now just starting what will be his last chemotherapy option I swore I could never go from being the cared for to the caregiver and slowly but surely that is what I have done. Out of necessity there was no one else to do it and it had to be done Now at last the home nurse comes to check on him every week now that he has this pump installed But again who would have dreamed that my beloved darling Bill could have survived his devastating cancer that alone survived it since Last October. I am beyond exhausted and worn the doctor said my keee has to be replaced its bone on bone from trying to be on a cane too much. If at any time this chemo drives his blood cell count over the top we are done and a home hospice care plan will be developed The cost of this is over Ten thousand per session ever other week. This is already considered experimental as it is out of Europe and not Authorized by the FDA for here. He uterly failed at the Gemcetabine and Folfow is the ony other thing out there. We wont be blessed with remissiong but perhaps a bit of extra time and knowing that the statistics may benefit others down the road I believe I shared that it is all experimental You are in my prayers If ever there was a formidale foe it was Stroke and now I HAte Cancer of any kind In the midst of this we have had a friend kill herself with drama played out on the news as Swat was called in How can Life be of such value to one and be nothing to another I was going to update the forum on Bill Maybe Sue or one of others could Use this Blog in some way I have little strengh to try to repeat I will keep Jerry in our Prayers Do let me know the results and Leah remeber you can only do what you can Sainthood is not all its cracked up to be Hugs Karen I am Bills only caregiver and we are in the late stages of terminal Pancreatic Liver Spleen and Lung cancers I am talking my response to Leah and cheating in away. I have niether the time or strentgth to go into the many details I will say this, Bill has alrealdy beaten every odd to be where he is at he by all accounts should have been gone months ago. This is the last treatment authoried and it is listed as experimental or it would not be offered If he gets any benefit from it that is wonderful if not hospice and Palitive care is all we have left as an option Love Karen Sorry for the format of this Its all i can manage for now Karen
  13. kwaltke

    Jerry to surgery

    I do know about all the knots in the stomach. Bill is now just starting what will be his last chemotherapy option I swore I could never go from being the cared for to the caregiver and slowly but surely that is what I have done. Out of necessity there was no one else to do it and it had to be done Now at last the home nurse comes to check on him every week now that he has this pump installed But again who would have dreamed that my beloved darling Bill could have survived his devastating cancer that alone survived it since Last October. I am beyond exhausted and worn the doctor said my keee has to be replaced its bone on bone from trying to be on a cane too much. If at any time this chemo drives his blood cell count over the top we are done and a home hospice care plan will be developed The cost of this is over Ten thousand per session ever other week. This is already considered experimental as it is out of Europe and not Authorized by the FDA for here. He uterly failed at the Gemcetabine and Folfow is the ony other thing out there. We wont be blessed with remissiong but perhaps a bit of extra time and knowing that the statistics may benefit others down the road I believe I shared that it is all experimental You are in my prayers If ever there was a formidale foe it was Stroke and now I HAte Cancer of any kind In the midst of this we have had a friend kill herself with drama played out on the news as Swat was called in How can Life be of such value to one and be nothing to another I was going to update the forum on Bill Maybe Sue or one of others could Use this Blog in some way I have little strengh to try to repeat I will keep Jerry in our Prayers Do let me know the results and Leah remeber you can only do what you can Sainthood is not all its cracked up to be Hugs Karen
  14. Katrina my husband is dying he is hanging on to life with everything he has and is fighting monumental battles for added days or weeks. This was a car accident the Humvees tires did not squash your head Everything is fine the only thing injured here was a material things which can be replaced You have come so far dont throw in the towel now. Look at all you have overcome and triumphed over Hugs This is another day that the Lord has made and We shall rejoice and be GLAD in it Love Karen
  15. I so totally agree It is you that has really got to step up to the plate He is going to need a care provider not another to care for if this makes sense For you to have a list if demands is really so very sad as you have nowhere to go but to get hurt. If he was totally self sufficient it would still be uphill both ways but he might post stroke be able to meet you half way As it is how can he possibly tend to your needs at every turn I know that all sounds so harsh but the kindest thing to do would be to have a realistic check list as you will be taking on a huge load here None of which will lighten your load at all we are not talking about coping with a wheel chair but the reality of brain damage and it "sounds" like your needing him to lighten the load on you and that is simply not reality. I wish you nothing but the best but I think some time in couple couseling would be a wonderfu tool to consider right now I think you both want the same thing You want him to take care of you and he needs you to really step up to care for him I wish you noting but the best and always I wish you love Both of you Karen