With two advanced degrees in this household, you would think we could handle something as simple as the application of a trans dermal patch. The small pouch that holds the patch refers you to the "instructions supplied." Dutifully, we read all 12 pages of warnings, cautions, side effects and the paragraph about how to apply the patch ("press on to clean, dry skin for 30 seconds until patch sticks; use tape if needed"). After 48 hours, Ernie's pain persisted so we called the doctor who said we could add a second patch. This time, the patch did not stick as well so we got suspicious. When we dug to the bottom of the box of patches, we found another set of directions which included a step not found on the first set: peal off the film covering before applying! Poor Ernie went 2 and 1/2 days missing a key part of his pain meds due to the omission. No wonder he was miserable.
He has had the patch on properly for 24 hours and it seems to be providing some relief but not enough. His throat and mouth are so sore he still can't eat and it even hurts to drink water. Tonight we will go ahead and add the second patch.
We are corresponding with a woman and her husband that we met during radiation. She was being treated for colon cancer and rang the bell a week before Ernie did. She said that after week 4, she began to feel much better. Next Tuesday will be a month for Ernie. Hope springs eternal.
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