I just don’t have the heart to retype/edit an update. Please forgive my “family version” dialogue:
After a painfully long and concerning wait dealing with insurance issues, Jeff finally received his cancer fighting drug, Zytiga. He started taking the Zytiga/Prednisone combo Friday, August 6th.
The effects seemed immediate and severe. We knew to expect fatigue, but Jeff was so profoundly tired that he struggled to keep his eyes open, even while at work.
He managed to finish his work day and after getting home he drifted off to sleep around 5:30. At 7:30 he was startled awake by his phone. He found himself a bit disoriented and his vision was blurred. He reported to Channing that he felt “off”.
Although his symptoms resolved in approximately 20 minutes we worried he was having a reaction to the Zytiga. Erring on the side of caution, we contacted the on call oncologist who in turn sent us directly to the ER for an “emergency” CT scan.
The oncologist suspected Jeff experienced a transitional brain bleed. This means the bleed would have come and gone, however they needed to ensure all was ok.
After waiting over 3 hours in the ER waiting room, I questioned staff how emergent Jeff was. If he had a brain bleed, seemed we were wasting critical time. Admittedly though we had a false sense of comfort as Jeff was acting totally “normal”, his vitals checked good, and he easily passed every basic neurological test.
Nonetheless, my expressed concern got the ball rolling. Shortly after, they came and got Jeff for the CT scan and then followed with doing blood work. It would be a total of about 12 hours before we got a room back in the ER.
Once we were taken back and finally met with a doctor, we were given the devastating news that they feared Jeff’s cancer had metastasized to his brain. Not his skull, his brain.
A repeat CT scan and an MRI confirmed the awful news.
Additionally, Jeff could not maintain his oxygen levels unless on oxygen. He was admitted to the hospital.
Monday/Tuesday Jeff will follow up with neurology and/or radiation to discuss possible treatment options.
Despite everything, Jeff is hanging in there. He’s grossly disappointed to be in the hospital and annoyed at the hospital imposed low carb diet, however, thus far he remains in fairly good spirits.
Drake and Brittany were wonderful and in between working overnight shifts, dropped things at the hospital and helped care for the dogs, CJ and Bella.
Please continue to keep Jeff and our beautiful children in your hearts, thoughts, and prayers.
#teamjeffgallagher ❤️
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Pancake_Lefse
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I’ve gathered you’re not a huge fan of the oncologists available at Mayo - Rochester, however, Jeff’s *radiation* oncologist has been amazing. I’m afraid I’m worried about Jeff’s overall care and have mentioned the doctors at the UofM, but I’m comforted somewhat as I emphatically trust Dr. Shumway (radiation oncologist).
Devastating news. I can’t imagine your pain. Your simple reference to “my Jeff” in your posts shows your deep devotion to your husband. You two have had such a long journey over such a short period of time. Wishing you the best.
I’m actually Jeff’s ex wife. We haven’t been a couple for over 18 years. Although I’ve been with my current spouse for 17 years, I will forever love Jeff. He holds such a giant piece of my heart, is the father of our 2 precious young adult children, a dear friend, and just an amazing human being.
When I started posting about our circumstances, “my ex” wasn’t acceptable, “my friend” wasn’t enough, “my husband” wasn’t true … he is lovingly “MY JEFF” ❤️
As he is not remarried or involved, I will walk every step with him, solidly by his side. He will know how very much he is loved and supported and I’m trying with everything I have to make his journey more bearable.
He is my hero…. So very brave and courageous.
He’ll forever be My Jeff.
Thank you so much for your kind words and well wishes.
God bless you ,your wonderful he needs you and your there for him. I always call my husband my Stuart. Keep doing what your doing. Prayers and love sent to you all SheilaFxx
Now, this is what true unconditional love means! He is so lucky to have you and your love by his side in this most difficult time. Prayers for your Jeff!
This has shaken me to my core... Overwhelming emotions and realization that the human spirit and love can transcend boundaries which normally inhibit individual emotional expression free from the bounds established by societal norms, or perceived norms! You have a wonderful heart and even more so compassionate feeling of love an affection for someone, and seeing that, reading it, is truly amazing! I'm fighting through tears writing this as my heart is wanting to tear through my chest!
God Bless you and your best friend Jeff! I sincerely hope you may find variable relief and treatment that helps him and that you both get to share as much as possible your time together as it may be!
To have such a severe reaction right off the bat and then this .? Too much to comprehend ..True Love is eternal … I’m praying for your strength to be by his side .. wonderful indeed . 🙏🕊💔
Thankfully we are allowed to visit from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m.
He is being monitored due to his oxygen levels. The low oxygen readings are also a new complication, but no mention of it being related to brain mets. Hoping this matter resolves or they get to the bottom of it quickly.
We all want him back home, but Jeff especially wants to be home.
Yours is the kind of love Christ wants us to have for one another. You and your Jeff will be provided the grace to endure this however it is resolved. 🙏
I just have to say this my Stuart my darling husband was told pancreatic cancer nearly 30 years ago and survived. Goodness when l look back it was such a terrible time major surgery weight lossBut like you we were there for each other the whole of the way all seems lost at times but together we got though it. My Stuart helping me fight my incurable ovarian cancer and lm going to beat this with his help. Im so lucky to have someone who lve always been able to depend on. Yes we've been through alot together but were a team and we will keep on fighting this together. God bless you for helping your Jeff with his battle you will make all the difference. Sending love ❤️ to you all. SheilaFxxx
Such a touching tribute to your Jeff. Jeff, you and your husband remarkable people and your children are so blessed by the relationship you have been able to continue. If only more couples could follow your example... Prayers for healing sent.
My Jeff’s heart is (mostly) ok. There’s a little blockage in the vein in his neck going to his heart, but no action needed! His heart looks and sounds good!!!
The blockage is causing the fluid retention. It may or may not have been caused by radiation, they don’t know and they don’t know if the blockage will resolve on its own, but they aren’t gonna medicate and obviously no surgery. (He will likely go home with a Script for Lasix for the retention.)
Aannndddd he’s off oxygen today!!! As of yesterday, they were talking about sending him home on oxygen which wasn’t making him happy at all.
Discharge is hopeful for tomorrow afternoon.
Pulmonology tomorrow. They are doing a procedure to remove the fluid that’s around his lungs.
Hemoglobin has dropped to 6.8, so getting a blood transfusion tonight. As well as iron as that’s now low too.
Neurology is just following him on his chart … they won’t get more involved until after discharge.
I was mistaken, radiation was never on the agenda. That’s also for after discharge.
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