Omaha is nearly out of ideas

Two of the doctors actually said today that they are out of ideas on what to try next.  Not exactly what we wanted to hear.  We are now in the process of evaluating whether to go to Mayo's up in Minnesota or MD Anderson in Houston.  

We did have a glimmer of good news last night when I was talking with John (who happens to be the brother-in-law of one of the premier neuropsychiatrists in the country).  He indicated that we should be evaluating Dad for low dopamine/stimulant levels and a full cognitive assessment to determine if the radiation damaged the brain sooner or more than previously thought.  This would cause very low energy levels, no motivation, tremors/shakes, and confusion.  We have an appointment tomorrow with a psychiatrist locally to get part of that evaluation done.

In the meantime, we're taking shifts playing the "mean" caregiver and forcing fluids and nutrition.  I scared Dad straight a bit tonight with the news that if he didn't start eating/drinking on his own, a home health care nurse would do it for him via an NG tube.  He told Mom upon going back to bed that tomorrow he was going to "hit it hard; walk more, drink and eat more, too."

He's pretty confused, and has no concept of time.  I asked him tonight what year it was, and he said, "Eighty-something?  I don't know."  Just before this though, he looked much improved for a few minutes and actually ran the electric shaver himself with me holding the mirror.  Glimmers of progress, but then it's short-lived.

I'm talking with the social worker tomorrow at the cancer center on next steps of getting to another location (Mayo's/MD Anderson) for more options on finding out what's going on.  If he can fly, we may see if we can get a flight arranged to get him there.

I'll keep you updated when I can. It's been pretty busy talking to the ensemble of doctors and health care workers (and a stint in the ER yesterday where all tests were normal!), but we're determined to find out what's going on.

Tracy brought Sam out tonight for a little visit/boost.  Sam was really happy to see Grandpa, and kept going back to the bedroom to "show Grandpa this shell with the ocean in it."  It did offer a boost for us all, I think.