To update on my mom - she's doing much better than last week. She's been eating pretty well and has since gained more and more strength every day. She looks good.
Her appointment with the surgeon today went very well. As soon as she feels strong enough, he's released her to return to Greenville for her job. I know she's not ready yet, so we'll wait a week or two still.
Nathan & I will be relocating to Dallas within the next month, and we'll only be about a 40 minute drive from my mom. So much happening.
Showing posts with label Mom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mom. Show all posts
Monday, November 03, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
End of the Road
So sometime around 11 a.m. today, my mom was released from MD Anderson. We were both a bit emotional when we got in the car. "Thank you, God," were the words from her mouth.
All seems to be going well so far. She has follow-up appointments next week to remove the stitches and then with the pain management people. Other than that, we're hopeful to just visit the clinic for semi-annual check-ups.
It doesn't seem like the end of something. I guess what I mean is that there hasn't really been closure yet...at least not in the ceremonial way I would want there to be. I think I'll have to get the family involved in throwing a party or something.
All seems to be going well so far. She has follow-up appointments next week to remove the stitches and then with the pain management people. Other than that, we're hopeful to just visit the clinic for semi-annual check-ups.
It doesn't seem like the end of something. I guess what I mean is that there hasn't really been closure yet...at least not in the ceremonial way I would want there to be. I think I'll have to get the family involved in throwing a party or something.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Empty Room
Good news - last night Mom had forward progress, and we had a good night...except when the commotion took place next door. The nursing asst had just left the room from doing vitals signs, and we were getting back to sleep when at 4:20 a.m. we hear things drop next door and nurses raise their voices commanding others to do this and that and get this and that and page such and such doctor...and then I heard, "Start CPR!" I tried to close my ears. I heard doctors in and out and within 30 minutes they were wheeling someone from their room. I couldn't sleep anymore. Around 7 one of mom's doctors came in to check on her, and when he left I finally had the guts to go down the hall to fill my cup with water. I realized that both of the people on either side of our room were gone. One room was being thoroughly cleaned the way they do when a patient is released. The other room still had belongings in it. A couple of hours later, the gentleman with belongings in his room was back in his bed.
You know, you (we) try to mind our own business here. We never like to stare into people's rooms if the door is open. Sometimes, though, you just can't help but glance. These days I don't really pay much attention to the other rooms. Yesterday, however, the lady from the room next door made it a point to greet us, smile, and make positive comments. It was nice. When I heard the commotion, I couldn't help but think of her. Her husband is now back in his room. But the other room is empty.
We hadn't experienced anything like that in our time here. We're now on one of the 'heart floors.' I think that means these are people with some kind of heart cancer. I didn't like the sound of all that commotion without knowing what was happening.
So back to my mom - in spite of the restless hours, she had BMs this morning, and she's holding liquids down. I ordered her a drink that's supposed to be sort of a meal supplement. Months ago she couldn't stand the taste. Today she can handle a few sips here and there. She knows she needs the nutrition and doesn't want to go the TPN route again. She was asking for food this morning, so let's see what the doc says about moving to that this evening or tomorrow morning.
You know, you (we) try to mind our own business here. We never like to stare into people's rooms if the door is open. Sometimes, though, you just can't help but glance. These days I don't really pay much attention to the other rooms. Yesterday, however, the lady from the room next door made it a point to greet us, smile, and make positive comments. It was nice. When I heard the commotion, I couldn't help but think of her. Her husband is now back in his room. But the other room is empty.
We hadn't experienced anything like that in our time here. We're now on one of the 'heart floors.' I think that means these are people with some kind of heart cancer. I didn't like the sound of all that commotion without knowing what was happening.
So back to my mom - in spite of the restless hours, she had BMs this morning, and she's holding liquids down. I ordered her a drink that's supposed to be sort of a meal supplement. Months ago she couldn't stand the taste. Today she can handle a few sips here and there. She knows she needs the nutrition and doesn't want to go the TPN route again. She was asking for food this morning, so let's see what the doc says about moving to that this evening or tomorrow morning.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
1 Step Forward and 50 Steps Back
We had a pretty good night last night and actually got more sleep than usual. Unfortunately, this morning hasn't been that great even though we've done the things the doctors say to do. Once again it's a roller coaster.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Patience, Iago, Patience
Mom has now had a full 24 hours without vomiting, and I'm praying to God that the trend continues. This morning her bowels 'moved around' as the doctors were hoping, and so it seems that we're progressing...little by little. Last night it got to where they had to insert the tube, but the process itself made Mom gag and vomit even more. They wanted to give it a little longer before they took more drastic measures (putting her under in order to get the tube in). So no tube last night and no tube today.
God, give us a good night...and a good day...and better days than what we've had.
And what's up with the Colts???
God, give us a good night...and a good day...and better days than what we've had.
And what's up with the Colts???
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Finally Room at the Inn
Okay so we are finally in an inpatient room almost 48 hours later. I took off for a few hours today to shower and nap. They don't have showers or real sleeping places (only beds for the patients) at the ER.
I was hoping for a better day, but it was just kinda there and kinda blah. Mom slept through most of it except to walk and do the breathing exercises every hour. A couple of hours ago the nausea started again, and that makes her miserable because it just lingers. It's also a discouraging thing for her. Coupled with feeling yuck, it's a bit of a downer. She's tolerated ice chips okay, and she also had a little jello, but then the nausea.
Hoping for a better Sunday...
I was hoping for a better day, but it was just kinda there and kinda blah. Mom slept through most of it except to walk and do the breathing exercises every hour. A couple of hours ago the nausea started again, and that makes her miserable because it just lingers. It's also a discouraging thing for her. Coupled with feeling yuck, it's a bit of a downer. She's tolerated ice chips okay, and she also had a little jello, but then the nausea.
Hoping for a better Sunday...
Friday, October 24, 2008
These Chairs Aren't Made for Sleeping
We are still in the ER room waiting for a permanent 'home.' I refuse to focus on the negative, though, because that gets depressing really quickly.
My mom has actually had a little bowel progress, so that's good. That's really good news. She's tolerating the ice chips well, so maybe we'll do the clear liquids tomorrow.
Okay, and these chairs they have in the ER rooms are so not for sleeping. The regular inpatient rooms have the same chairs, but they also have these big recliner looking things that turn into beds. They're not bad at all. Well, they really need to invest into bringing some of those chairs into these rooms because the current chairs are pretty dumb. And they need WD40. If I move too much, my mom wakes up from the squeaking, so I try my hardest to sit here as still as possible. Oh but no more negative. Okay, so at least there are chairs to sit in, right? At least they let me stay here with her 24/7 because we'd both be a mess if I couldn't. And I'm finding ways to get up and move around in the chair without "Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!"
Oh, and some of these ER rooms are custom fit with these toilets that fit under the sink. You just open the cabinet under the sink, and the toilet pulls out. It's stainless stuff, and they keep it immaculate, so it's not like this dirty feeling place. The TP is on the other cabinet door. And the flushing mechanism - it's all a pretty cool set up. It definitely beats the bedside commode things. Way cleaner. Hey, just finding the positives. ??
My mom has actually had a little bowel progress, so that's good. That's really good news. She's tolerating the ice chips well, so maybe we'll do the clear liquids tomorrow.
Okay, and these chairs they have in the ER rooms are so not for sleeping. The regular inpatient rooms have the same chairs, but they also have these big recliner looking things that turn into beds. They're not bad at all. Well, they really need to invest into bringing some of those chairs into these rooms because the current chairs are pretty dumb. And they need WD40. If I move too much, my mom wakes up from the squeaking, so I try my hardest to sit here as still as possible. Oh but no more negative. Okay, so at least there are chairs to sit in, right? At least they let me stay here with her 24/7 because we'd both be a mess if I couldn't. And I'm finding ways to get up and move around in the chair without "Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!"
Oh, and some of these ER rooms are custom fit with these toilets that fit under the sink. You just open the cabinet under the sink, and the toilet pulls out. It's stainless stuff, and they keep it immaculate, so it's not like this dirty feeling place. The TP is on the other cabinet door. And the flushing mechanism - it's all a pretty cool set up. It definitely beats the bedside commode things. Way cleaner. Hey, just finding the positives. ??
Starting Over
The vomiting has been under control now since...the middle of the night sometime. They're going to start fresh with Mom only eating ice chips and maybe small sips of water. We'll progress slowly.
We got here over 15 hours ago and are still at the ER waiting for a room to open.
Yesterday we learned that since January of this year, MD has acquired approximately 30,000 new patients.
We got here over 15 hours ago and are still at the ER waiting for a room to open.
Yesterday we learned that since January of this year, MD has acquired approximately 30,000 new patients.
ER's and Job
So guess where we are...the ER. Unbelievable! My mom just can't catch a break, and I just feel so so sad for her sometimes.
Yesterday (Thurs) morning she woke up with more pain than on Wednesday, and I could tell she just wasn't feel as well as the day prior. Her surgeon's fellow, Dr. Smith, who was beginning a habit of coming by at 6 a.m. to check on her, thought she'd be well enough to go home so began writing the process. She had a little bit of breakfast, but had to stop because of nausea. Then she had a crazy pain incident where for like 20 minutes she was in some pretty good pain. They gave her some stuff...but by that time, the pain was already dying down. I told them I wouldn't take her home like that. The day got better, but I could tell she wasn't feeling as well.
Mom ate only some broth for lunch and walked a couple of times. Dr. Skibber came at a point during which she was feeling okay, and so he gave the orders to release her once the pain management people had worked with her. That took place, and we started heading home at approx 7:57 on Thursday night. Mom slept most of the way, and then it happened...
...we were probably 20 or 30 minutes from her house (I was driving pretty slowly) when she woke up very suddenly and told me she was going to vomit. I pulled over, and that she did. We turned right back around to make it to the ER around 10. They didn't get her in a room until 1:30 this morning.
The first doctor thought she might have some obstruction so he ordered X-rays. Nothing. He called one of the surgeons in, and she basically said that this was somewhat 'normal' for some people after this type of surgery. Her large bowels haven't had to work since May, and they haven't really woken up. Initially they were going to do a CT scan to see if there was in fact obstruction, but she said that if there was, they wouldn't change the course of action.
So Mom is being admitted one more time. They'll keep the fluids going so that she only drinks for taste at the beginning. She'll have to really walk, walk, walk because that's what will help her intestines wake up...that and slower progression into the whole eating thing.
Things have settled now, but let me tell you how angry, upset, hurt, sad, and crazy this all made me when it was happening. Vomiting while you have stomach incisions is NOT fun. I absolutely hate that this is yet one more thing my mom has to endure. It's like it never stops.
So for those of you who read and believe the Bible - I was thinking earlier - do you remember in the book of Job when God was having conversations with satan (lower-case s emphasized)? He was like, "Here's my man, Job...there is no one on earth like him...he fears the Lord..." Satan comes back and says to him basically that the only reason Job is so upright is because God has blessed him so much. However, if He were to strike everything he had, Job would surely curse God. So God allowed Satan to touch everything that Job had. Everything, including his children.
Job still didn't curse God. Satan came back and told God this time that if He struck Job's flesh and bones, he (Job), would certainly curse God. You know the rest.
Do you ever wonder if God still has conversations with satan? Why not? During the past couple of years, and especially this one, I not only wonder, but I almost certainly have to believe that God is having conversations with satan about some of us. The same kind of Job conversations.
I think I may have failed the test, but like Job, I find in my mom someone who (as God said of Job) hasn't cursed God and who has kept her integrity. I haven't had to endure much of anything, and I've pretty much cursed everything that exists. I can't imagine what shape I would be in if I had to endure even just a bit of what my mom has seen the past year. It's just unbelievable. It's like God has been saying to satan, "...she is in your hands...but spare her life." That's what he said to him about Job. He put Job in satan's hands (*jaw drops*). Theologically, I don't even know if any of this...works out, but if he conversed with satan back then, why wouldn't he now? I'm just saying. Whether or not it theologically works out, it's my story and my blog.
Here's some more confession for ya - sometimes I feel like Job's wife who said to Job, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" I really hate watching this process take place with my mom. All the little things and then the big things - they add up, and they make me want to say that sometimes.
What I'm trying to remember is not to believe lies. And what I'm trying to remember is that I'm a believer that there is this God somewhere who loves my mom beyond anything I can imagine. It's beyond a parent's love for his child. It's beyond everything. Yuck junk things happen in this sinful world of ours, and we'll never, on this side of heaven, understand it all. Don't try to explain it to me because I've reasoned with everything and everyone. We'll never on this side understand it. What I am choosing to stand on is my faith. It's all I have left. Faith in this God, who in my belief, is watching out for each of us. You may be someone who doesn't believe that, and that's fine. I don't feel sorry for you. I feel sadness that you don't have that hope that I have. Without it, I would be in terrible, terrible shape. Some can live that way, but I know I can't. I wouldn't make it without the comfort of believing that there is a God who truly cares.
Yesterday (Thurs) morning she woke up with more pain than on Wednesday, and I could tell she just wasn't feel as well as the day prior. Her surgeon's fellow, Dr. Smith, who was beginning a habit of coming by at 6 a.m. to check on her, thought she'd be well enough to go home so began writing the process. She had a little bit of breakfast, but had to stop because of nausea. Then she had a crazy pain incident where for like 20 minutes she was in some pretty good pain. They gave her some stuff...but by that time, the pain was already dying down. I told them I wouldn't take her home like that. The day got better, but I could tell she wasn't feeling as well.
Mom ate only some broth for lunch and walked a couple of times. Dr. Skibber came at a point during which she was feeling okay, and so he gave the orders to release her once the pain management people had worked with her. That took place, and we started heading home at approx 7:57 on Thursday night. Mom slept most of the way, and then it happened...
...we were probably 20 or 30 minutes from her house (I was driving pretty slowly) when she woke up very suddenly and told me she was going to vomit. I pulled over, and that she did. We turned right back around to make it to the ER around 10. They didn't get her in a room until 1:30 this morning.
The first doctor thought she might have some obstruction so he ordered X-rays. Nothing. He called one of the surgeons in, and she basically said that this was somewhat 'normal' for some people after this type of surgery. Her large bowels haven't had to work since May, and they haven't really woken up. Initially they were going to do a CT scan to see if there was in fact obstruction, but she said that if there was, they wouldn't change the course of action.
So Mom is being admitted one more time. They'll keep the fluids going so that she only drinks for taste at the beginning. She'll have to really walk, walk, walk because that's what will help her intestines wake up...that and slower progression into the whole eating thing.
Things have settled now, but let me tell you how angry, upset, hurt, sad, and crazy this all made me when it was happening. Vomiting while you have stomach incisions is NOT fun. I absolutely hate that this is yet one more thing my mom has to endure. It's like it never stops.
So for those of you who read and believe the Bible - I was thinking earlier - do you remember in the book of Job when God was having conversations with satan (lower-case s emphasized)? He was like, "Here's my man, Job...there is no one on earth like him...he fears the Lord..." Satan comes back and says to him basically that the only reason Job is so upright is because God has blessed him so much. However, if He were to strike everything he had, Job would surely curse God. So God allowed Satan to touch everything that Job had. Everything, including his children.
Job still didn't curse God. Satan came back and told God this time that if He struck Job's flesh and bones, he (Job), would certainly curse God. You know the rest.
Do you ever wonder if God still has conversations with satan? Why not? During the past couple of years, and especially this one, I not only wonder, but I almost certainly have to believe that God is having conversations with satan about some of us. The same kind of Job conversations.
I think I may have failed the test, but like Job, I find in my mom someone who (as God said of Job) hasn't cursed God and who has kept her integrity. I haven't had to endure much of anything, and I've pretty much cursed everything that exists. I can't imagine what shape I would be in if I had to endure even just a bit of what my mom has seen the past year. It's just unbelievable. It's like God has been saying to satan, "...she is in your hands...but spare her life." That's what he said to him about Job. He put Job in satan's hands (*jaw drops*). Theologically, I don't even know if any of this...works out, but if he conversed with satan back then, why wouldn't he now? I'm just saying. Whether or not it theologically works out, it's my story and my blog.
Here's some more confession for ya - sometimes I feel like Job's wife who said to Job, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" I really hate watching this process take place with my mom. All the little things and then the big things - they add up, and they make me want to say that sometimes.
What I'm trying to remember is not to believe lies. And what I'm trying to remember is that I'm a believer that there is this God somewhere who loves my mom beyond anything I can imagine. It's beyond a parent's love for his child. It's beyond everything. Yuck junk things happen in this sinful world of ours, and we'll never, on this side of heaven, understand it all. Don't try to explain it to me because I've reasoned with everything and everyone. We'll never on this side understand it. What I am choosing to stand on is my faith. It's all I have left. Faith in this God, who in my belief, is watching out for each of us. You may be someone who doesn't believe that, and that's fine. I don't feel sorry for you. I feel sadness that you don't have that hope that I have. Without it, I would be in terrible, terrible shape. Some can live that way, but I know I can't. I wouldn't make it without the comfort of believing that there is a God who truly cares.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
They Deserve Cookies
So Mom has walked quite a number of times today. Around 6:30 this evening she also had her first solid meal. It wasn't a steak or anything like that, but so far so good. No nausea, no vomiting. Good stuff. Not just that, but she's moving around really, really well. I'm thankful.
Our experience at MD Anderson has been a very positive one, and I attribute that to the staff. I've said it before, they have been wonderful (all except for the crazies on the 4th floor). Tonight one of her nurses from her last surgery came in because she saw her name on something and just wanted to see how she was doing. This is a nurse that Mom and I talk about often because she was so great. She came and gave my mom this big hug and seemed so genuinely happy to see her and to see her doing so well. How nice is that?! Oh, and yesterday while she was still in the recovery area, the nurse that attended her in the ICU during her last surgery came to check on her. He, too, was one of our favorites. It takes a gifted, yes, gifted man to care for patients the way a woman would. Women are naturally nurturing so we sometimes wonder how it'll be with the males. No complaints. Some are more nurturing than others, but they've all been great.
Okay so the one thing that's a lil concerning to me right now is my mom's incision site area thing. I call it that because it's not really a cut, but it's where ...they put her back together. Anyway, they didn't staple it because it's what they consider a contaminated area (it's where the ileostomy was draining). They only sowed it shut with what looks like just 2 really big stitches. It's more swollen now than it was yesterday, and the nurses have said it's fine. Mom's temperature is just steadily climbing, and so of course, I wonder if something is developing there. They don't consider anything a fever until it hits like 101, and she's only at 99.4. When we were here during the other hospitalizations, low-grade fevers didn't concern me. Today, this paranoid daughter just wonders...and prays. Yes, sometimes these temps are because the body is going through abnormal trauma, etc. I know. I just wonder. Yes, they're keeping an eye on it...
...as they do all other things. Again, I'm thankful for the great care my mom has received here. I've heard and seen terrible things from other places, and I'm just glad that with all the setbacks we've seen, that my mom's doctors and nurses have been so understanding, attentive, and just plain nice.
Our experience at MD Anderson has been a very positive one, and I attribute that to the staff. I've said it before, they have been wonderful (all except for the crazies on the 4th floor). Tonight one of her nurses from her last surgery came in because she saw her name on something and just wanted to see how she was doing. This is a nurse that Mom and I talk about often because she was so great. She came and gave my mom this big hug and seemed so genuinely happy to see her and to see her doing so well. How nice is that?! Oh, and yesterday while she was still in the recovery area, the nurse that attended her in the ICU during her last surgery came to check on her. He, too, was one of our favorites. It takes a gifted, yes, gifted man to care for patients the way a woman would. Women are naturally nurturing so we sometimes wonder how it'll be with the males. No complaints. Some are more nurturing than others, but they've all been great.
Okay so the one thing that's a lil concerning to me right now is my mom's incision site area thing. I call it that because it's not really a cut, but it's where ...they put her back together. Anyway, they didn't staple it because it's what they consider a contaminated area (it's where the ileostomy was draining). They only sowed it shut with what looks like just 2 really big stitches. It's more swollen now than it was yesterday, and the nurses have said it's fine. Mom's temperature is just steadily climbing, and so of course, I wonder if something is developing there. They don't consider anything a fever until it hits like 101, and she's only at 99.4. When we were here during the other hospitalizations, low-grade fevers didn't concern me. Today, this paranoid daughter just wonders...and prays. Yes, sometimes these temps are because the body is going through abnormal trauma, etc. I know. I just wonder. Yes, they're keeping an eye on it...
...as they do all other things. Again, I'm thankful for the great care my mom has received here. I've heard and seen terrible things from other places, and I'm just glad that with all the setbacks we've seen, that my mom's doctors and nurses have been so understanding, attentive, and just plain nice.
Walking
So it's a bit past a 11 a.m., and already Mom has been walking twice! Since she's tolerating the clear liquids well, she has been bumped up to an all liquid diet. The surgeon's fellow came just before 6 this morning to remove the dressing and let Mom know that she could go home as early as tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Snap
We're not settled in my mom's room, and she's already been up walking...well, to the facilities, but it's walking nonetheless. We finally got to see her for the first time after her surgery around 6 this evening. After everyone took their turn, I stayed with her from 7-8, when they transferred her to a room. Seeing her was completely different from her last surgery. She didn't have all those tubes coming out of her body, and she was pretty much awake. Sure, she was still sleepy from the anesthesia, but she was fully aware of everything taking place. Uber cool.
They've given her ice chips, which she is tolerating well, and tomorrow she will be on a liquid diet. As long as she tolerates that without nausea or vomiting, they'll move her onto solids, and that's when we'll see how her intestines like that idea. As I wrote to someone earlier, the doctor gave us the good, the bad, and the ugly; we're taking it one step at a time. It's hard to know what to expect because everyone is different. God says to pray and ask Him for what we wish...according to His will...I don't know that I'll EVER understand how that works completely, but I think I'll just ask Him to help us deal with whatever comes our way for now. I don't know of other specifics. I'm sure by the time my mom is eating I will.
Oh, here's a cool thing - last time they had big time issues dealing with my mom's pain. Not so this time. Of course, this surgery isn't as drastic, but either way, her pain is pretty well managed right now. Her lil pump is working, and they didn't need to get the acute pain management team involved. I'm just amazed that she can get up and walk so soon. That's pretty crazy.
They've given her ice chips, which she is tolerating well, and tomorrow she will be on a liquid diet. As long as she tolerates that without nausea or vomiting, they'll move her onto solids, and that's when we'll see how her intestines like that idea. As I wrote to someone earlier, the doctor gave us the good, the bad, and the ugly; we're taking it one step at a time. It's hard to know what to expect because everyone is different. God says to pray and ask Him for what we wish...according to His will...I don't know that I'll EVER understand how that works completely, but I think I'll just ask Him to help us deal with whatever comes our way for now. I don't know of other specifics. I'm sure by the time my mom is eating I will.
Oh, here's a cool thing - last time they had big time issues dealing with my mom's pain. Not so this time. Of course, this surgery isn't as drastic, but either way, her pain is pretty well managed right now. Her lil pump is working, and they didn't need to get the acute pain management team involved. I'm just amazed that she can get up and walk so soon. That's pretty crazy.
It Is Well
Dr. Skibber, my mom's surgeon, came out about 25 minutes ago to let us know that all went well with the surgery. He was able to use the ileostomy area for incision and didn't have to make additional cuts. That's great news! Because this surgery isn't as drastic as the last one, I believe her pain is being well-managed seeing as the doctors haven't come out seeking consent for an epidural. Hopefully we'll get to see her in the next couple of hours and then get into a room sometime this evening.
Today's 'surgery day' experience has been different than the last - a good thing. Last time it seemed like everything that could go wrong did, and it was just a messy morning. Today has been pretty relaxing, even for my Mom. She wanted me to ask people to pray that her 'plumbing' would all work okay - that's the key to recovery right now. They say the first couple of weeks after this reversal can be quite difficult, but we're hoping for better.
Today's 'surgery day' experience has been different than the last - a good thing. Last time it seemed like everything that could go wrong did, and it was just a messy morning. Today has been pretty relaxing, even for my Mom. She wanted me to ask people to pray that her 'plumbing' would all work okay - that's the key to recovery right now. They say the first couple of weeks after this reversal can be quite difficult, but we're hoping for better.
Monday, October 20, 2008
The Beginning of the End?
No, I'm not speaking of the Cowboys of the Colts...although, they're pretty close to it. No, I speak of this cancer nonsense with my mom. Tomorrow morning she goes into her last surgery to reverse the ileostomy. Today the doc had to examine and do all kinds of tests - not fun. Let me just say that all forms of cancer are junk, and all the little issues that come with colon cancer are ridiculous. Really, my mom has been such a trooper through all of this, and she's the bravest person I know. The recovery time for this surgery won't be as long as the other, but there are different issues to deal with this time. It's all a bit personal to my mom and can get complicated, but it is what it is, and we're looking forward to good things. Please pray for her tomorrow.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Greenville, Broken Phones. Ridiculous Politics.
So I'm writing from Greenville, Texas, where my mom is now residing. It all happened very quickly. Upon my return from Italy, she said her job might be relocating...and within a week and a half or so we were here. Crazyness. We've been staying in a hotel for almost 2, but just yesterday my mom found an apartment she liked, and we're moving into it today. More crazyness. So far she's been doing extraordinarily well. Sure, she has her days...stuff happens, her body aches, etc., but for the most part she's feeling and looking really well. Thank God. We will travel down to Houston on the 17th for her last surgery, which will take place on Oct 21. This will be to reverse the ileostomy, and then we're home free.
After having been dropped about 618 times, my phone finally gave up. It has been on its last leg for a while, but I didn't want to part with it. Who wants to shell out $$ for a new phone? And I had grown accustomed to its weirdness..ess. Well, last week it gave out in a 1/2 inch flood in one of my bags...or something like that. How an open water bottle ended up in there anyway is still a mystery. It's been ages since I've picked out a phone, and I didn't want to do it without the hubby because although I'd like to consider myself technically literate, I could make some pretty poor choices when it comes to stuff. I want to wait until he's around. In the meantime, I have a lil' $20 phone from Wal-Mart. It serves its purpose. So then the question is, do I REALLY need a high-tech phone with all the gadgets. Hmmm...do I really need any of the frivolous stuff? Sometimes I think and say, "I could never justify spending such-and-such money on _____." Yet I know must waste so much on nonsense that really isn't necessary. Moving on...
So how about the election? And how about Wall Street? Awesome, huh? This year it's been somewhat difficult for me to educate myself on anything political, but I've tried here and there. The thing is I'm just so tired of how political politics is. You know, it's all just a game, and those in Washington are just pawns moved around by lobbyists and everyone else. So I'm pessimistic today. Whatever. The debates - they're just a show. The last one was pretty much boring to me, with only a real couple of questions asked at the end. It was about the same ol' stuff, and yes, it's important, but for real, wasn't that forum supposed to be at least a little different? I'd heard all that stuff before. I only continued to watch to see if it would somehow turn. It didn't.
Someone asked me in Italy what my opinion was about Sarah Palin. At that point, I knew little about her. I just knew she was a conservative pro-lifer from Alaska who knew a bit about energy. I couldn't really say what I thought about her until I knew more about her stand on issues, but here's MY issue - is this just a political move? In my opinion, yes. But it's perfectly fine because that's what it's about...right? Out of anyone that John McCain could've chosen, is she the most qualified? I honestly don't know. There are others out there that would seem to have more experience and the more likely choice, right? ??? You decide.
I don't typically talk politics with people because it can become quite annoying...depending on who it is, much less would I blog politics when 1) I am less informed right now than I would like to be, and 2) don't like to open up the can of worms when I can't speak to someone face to face about it. Just because I don't talk politics, though, doesn't mean I don't believe very strongly in politics...most of the time.
Okay and how about the $700 billion? Wow. So you know when they were voting on the proposition the first time (I think it was the first), and our oh-so-lovely Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, was firing off her mouth about NOTHING? The market had been up and down all day. It was fluctuating. She opened her mouth, and from there it was ALL down hill. Thanks for bringing our reps together on this one, Nancy. I really am not a fan of politicians - Republican or Democrat - blabbing aimlessly. Anyway, it's funny how they all wanted to blame everyone else. Hey, we are after all Americans - we think we deserve this and that, and when it doesn't work out because we can't afford it, we get a free get out of jail card. The blame can go all over - greedy CEO's, the gov, our parents...anybody. But maybe today I should ask myself if I'm being responsible with what I've been given. Maybe.
After having been dropped about 618 times, my phone finally gave up. It has been on its last leg for a while, but I didn't want to part with it. Who wants to shell out $$ for a new phone? And I had grown accustomed to its weirdness..ess. Well, last week it gave out in a 1/2 inch flood in one of my bags...or something like that. How an open water bottle ended up in there anyway is still a mystery. It's been ages since I've picked out a phone, and I didn't want to do it without the hubby because although I'd like to consider myself technically literate, I could make some pretty poor choices when it comes to stuff. I want to wait until he's around. In the meantime, I have a lil' $20 phone from Wal-Mart. It serves its purpose. So then the question is, do I REALLY need a high-tech phone with all the gadgets. Hmmm...do I really need any of the frivolous stuff? Sometimes I think and say, "I could never justify spending such-and-such money on _____." Yet I know must waste so much on nonsense that really isn't necessary. Moving on...
So how about the election? And how about Wall Street? Awesome, huh? This year it's been somewhat difficult for me to educate myself on anything political, but I've tried here and there. The thing is I'm just so tired of how political politics is. You know, it's all just a game, and those in Washington are just pawns moved around by lobbyists and everyone else. So I'm pessimistic today. Whatever. The debates - they're just a show. The last one was pretty much boring to me, with only a real couple of questions asked at the end. It was about the same ol' stuff, and yes, it's important, but for real, wasn't that forum supposed to be at least a little different? I'd heard all that stuff before. I only continued to watch to see if it would somehow turn. It didn't.
Someone asked me in Italy what my opinion was about Sarah Palin. At that point, I knew little about her. I just knew she was a conservative pro-lifer from Alaska who knew a bit about energy. I couldn't really say what I thought about her until I knew more about her stand on issues, but here's MY issue - is this just a political move? In my opinion, yes. But it's perfectly fine because that's what it's about...right? Out of anyone that John McCain could've chosen, is she the most qualified? I honestly don't know. There are others out there that would seem to have more experience and the more likely choice, right? ??? You decide.
I don't typically talk politics with people because it can become quite annoying...depending on who it is, much less would I blog politics when 1) I am less informed right now than I would like to be, and 2) don't like to open up the can of worms when I can't speak to someone face to face about it. Just because I don't talk politics, though, doesn't mean I don't believe very strongly in politics...most of the time.
Okay and how about the $700 billion? Wow. So you know when they were voting on the proposition the first time (I think it was the first), and our oh-so-lovely Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, was firing off her mouth about NOTHING? The market had been up and down all day. It was fluctuating. She opened her mouth, and from there it was ALL down hill. Thanks for bringing our reps together on this one, Nancy. I really am not a fan of politicians - Republican or Democrat - blabbing aimlessly. Anyway, it's funny how they all wanted to blame everyone else. Hey, we are after all Americans - we think we deserve this and that, and when it doesn't work out because we can't afford it, we get a free get out of jail card. The blame can go all over - greedy CEO's, the gov, our parents...anybody. But maybe today I should ask myself if I'm being responsible with what I've been given. Maybe.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Italy. Ike.
Since my last blog, life has been pretty crazy.
Mom - she was released from the hospital the following day, September 2. All of the heart tests came back fine, and they believed the reactions were a result of the stress her body was experiencing. She's finished with the chemo and is getting prepared for her last surgery, which was just scheduled for October 21. This will be to reverse the ileostomy. Needless to say, she's pretty excited about that.
My granny came to stay with my mom on Sep 3, while I headed to Lake Jackson 1) to chop of the hair to donate it and 2) to help with Allison and Jacob, my niece and nephew, while my SIL had surgery. So that Thurs, Fri and Sat was filled with getting the kiddos to school, hospital visits, school projects, etc. I left on Sat afternoon to pack up my stuff for my trip to ITALY...
I'm not talking Italy, Texas. That amazing husband I have decided I was due for a trip and sent me (with a friend) to Italy...for which I left on Sunday, Sep 7. I actually met her in Georgia that day, and we left the following afternoon for a 9.5 day trek through Milan, Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre, and Rome. I'll post pictures soon. It was the BEST thing ever at the BEST time ever. Thought it wasn't a sit-by-the-beach-and-relax kind of trip, it was completely refreshing.
I missed the whole Ike thing. My family is fine, though. They all evacuated and went to Dallas and New Braunfels. THANK YOU all for your concern. I'm so sorry I didn't get back with you, but I was in the middle of Venice and Florence...and it's not always easy to respond to texts or emails while traveling abroad. Anyway, I've only seen a bit of the aftermath...it's quite messy. Apparently Ike was 1 MPH short of being a category 3 when it landed, but it did quite the damage to Galveston and even our beach, Surfside...even though Surfside is west of Galveston and didn't get the brunt of it all.
Okay, so that's a basic nutshell of the past couple of weeks. More to come soon.
Mom - she was released from the hospital the following day, September 2. All of the heart tests came back fine, and they believed the reactions were a result of the stress her body was experiencing. She's finished with the chemo and is getting prepared for her last surgery, which was just scheduled for October 21. This will be to reverse the ileostomy. Needless to say, she's pretty excited about that.
My granny came to stay with my mom on Sep 3, while I headed to Lake Jackson 1) to chop of the hair to donate it and 2) to help with Allison and Jacob, my niece and nephew, while my SIL had surgery. So that Thurs, Fri and Sat was filled with getting the kiddos to school, hospital visits, school projects, etc. I left on Sat afternoon to pack up my stuff for my trip to ITALY...
I'm not talking Italy, Texas. That amazing husband I have decided I was due for a trip and sent me (with a friend) to Italy...for which I left on Sunday, Sep 7. I actually met her in Georgia that day, and we left the following afternoon for a 9.5 day trek through Milan, Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre, and Rome. I'll post pictures soon. It was the BEST thing ever at the BEST time ever. Thought it wasn't a sit-by-the-beach-and-relax kind of trip, it was completely refreshing.
I missed the whole Ike thing. My family is fine, though. They all evacuated and went to Dallas and New Braunfels. THANK YOU all for your concern. I'm so sorry I didn't get back with you, but I was in the middle of Venice and Florence...and it's not always easy to respond to texts or emails while traveling abroad. Anyway, I've only seen a bit of the aftermath...it's quite messy. Apparently Ike was 1 MPH short of being a category 3 when it landed, but it did quite the damage to Galveston and even our beach, Surfside...even though Surfside is west of Galveston and didn't get the brunt of it all.
Okay, so that's a basic nutshell of the past couple of weeks. More to come soon.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Still Here
Happy Labor Day.
We're still at the hospital, hoping my mom is released tomorrow after they complete a final heart test. Little by little she's been able to eat more every day. The key word there being LITTLE. Her nausea has been better managed, and her chest pressure has stopped. Her blood pressure is still bouncing all over the place and gets a bit high in the evenings, but we're hoping maybe the test tomorrow will reveal why. I don't really want it to reveal heart damage or anything, but I would like to know why the spikes in the blood pressure.
Other than that, things are okay here.
We've been keeping up with the democratic convention, the republican vp nomination and of course, Gustav. All very interesting. I don't typically comment on my political opinions, but let me just say that I was somewhat taken back by the VP nomination. Whether I think it's a positive or negative thing for the Republican party, I was a bit surprised.
We're still at the hospital, hoping my mom is released tomorrow after they complete a final heart test. Little by little she's been able to eat more every day. The key word there being LITTLE. Her nausea has been better managed, and her chest pressure has stopped. Her blood pressure is still bouncing all over the place and gets a bit high in the evenings, but we're hoping maybe the test tomorrow will reveal why. I don't really want it to reveal heart damage or anything, but I would like to know why the spikes in the blood pressure.
Other than that, things are okay here.
We've been keeping up with the democratic convention, the republican vp nomination and of course, Gustav. All very interesting. I don't typically comment on my political opinions, but let me just say that I was somewhat taken back by the VP nomination. Whether I think it's a positive or negative thing for the Republican party, I was a bit surprised.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Out of My Hands
It's been a frustrating day for me. Yes another. At this point I'm just fed up with all the drugs my mom is on. Her body needs to detox more than anything, but because her blood pressure is out of whack as well as the nausea, they just keep feeding her the drugs. Ugh. It's no wonder she can't get well and her body is just a mess. How is her frail, little frame supposed to metabolize all the poisons they're feeding her?
I appreciate all of the suggestions, recommendations, etc., but it's really out of our hands. I think once she's finally stable, we'll be able to do all of those things at home, but in the meantime really what I have to do is trust that God will do a miracle. I think that's what we need. We need Him to just get her over this thing so that she can begin the detox. So pray that God would do just that - a miracle.
I appreciate all of the suggestions, recommendations, etc., but it's really out of our hands. I think once she's finally stable, we'll be able to do all of those things at home, but in the meantime really what I have to do is trust that God will do a miracle. I think that's what we need. We need Him to just get her over this thing so that she can begin the detox. So pray that God would do just that - a miracle.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
As Time Goes By
Not such a bad day today was. Definitely better than yesterday, but we continue to look forward to better days.
Mom woke up with no nausea so she was able to eat the equivalent of about one egg and a piece of toast. She was also able to get up to shower. Of course, that wore her out, and she went down for a nap. Upon waking the nausea had returned and remained until earlier this evening. She's been taking in liquids pretty well, just not enough yet.
The good news is that the results from the CT scan and EKGs all came back fine. In fact, the blood clots Mom developed about a month ago that traveled from her arm into her lungs have all dissolved. VERY COOL!
Now we just patiently wait for Mom to get better and better, little by little. I get a little eager beaver in me and automatically think we'll have 100% progress in one day when we rise to a good start. It wasn't that way, and that was disappointing to me. What can I say? I'm a girl of high expectations and somewhat a microwave at that. I do, however, realize that this will take a little time and a little effort. I still stand on the fact that my mom is in God's hands. His hand is not removed from the situation, and I take comfort in that.
Mom woke up with no nausea so she was able to eat the equivalent of about one egg and a piece of toast. She was also able to get up to shower. Of course, that wore her out, and she went down for a nap. Upon waking the nausea had returned and remained until earlier this evening. She's been taking in liquids pretty well, just not enough yet.
The good news is that the results from the CT scan and EKGs all came back fine. In fact, the blood clots Mom developed about a month ago that traveled from her arm into her lungs have all dissolved. VERY COOL!
Now we just patiently wait for Mom to get better and better, little by little. I get a little eager beaver in me and automatically think we'll have 100% progress in one day when we rise to a good start. It wasn't that way, and that was disappointing to me. What can I say? I'm a girl of high expectations and somewhat a microwave at that. I do, however, realize that this will take a little time and a little effort. I still stand on the fact that my mom is in God's hands. His hand is not removed from the situation, and I take comfort in that.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Heart
Today, like many days, has been an emotional day. It's hard to remember what happened when, but the day included (and all as it relates to my mom):
HBP
Nausea
Vomiting
Chest pressure
Leg jerking/spasms
A harsh scare of high heart rate that made about 6 nurses all come in here and yell this and that to each other with bring this and that and page doctor and do this. That was actually a very uncomfortable moment. It also really upset Mom. It started with vomiting, then the high heart rate from the vomiting and along with it some high blood pressure. She's just really, REALLY tired of dealing with the nonsense that comes with cancer and the treatments. Who can blame her? She's had more to deal with than most of us can begin to imagine.
After that I just read some Scripture to her for a while until she fell asleep. Her oncologist came by to let us know they were taking a closer look at her heart because of the chest pressure. It could be one of the side effects from that particular type of chemo. It's too long of an explanation to go into, but yes, it can cause a heart spasm type of thing. That would cause the pressure she was feeling. They did a CT scan this evening to see what else they could find with her heart. Of course, they want to rule out heart damage, etc. If there was any kind of plaque in those arteries, they'll be able to tell as well.
I was thinking earlier...a long train of thought that it's too late for me to go into right now, but I was thinking...good will come of this. We may never know what it is, but what if it had something to do with finding heart plaque? Maybe they'll find it; maybe they won't. But if they did, it could be a great way to foresee something to be able to prevent it later. God willing, they won't find anything, but ...
So this evening Mom was actually feeling better, and I could so tell. No, she's nowhere near to what she was last Friday before the chemo started, but I'll take any victory. There are lots of small victories that I don't want to forget, and I'm trying to keep track. This is one. It's no small one to me. To have the 5 minute conversation we were able to have tonight because she felt that much better brought me some pretty good almond joy. She even wanted to make a phone call. AND she smiled a very real and hopeful smile. Nice. Very nice.
How to pray:
-that there would be no heart damage or abnormal scan results
-appetite. Now that the nausea seems to be under control, my mom really needs to eat, eat, eat to get her strength back.
-nausea. before she can eat, the nausea has to be kept under control.
-regulated blood pressure and heart rate
-infection-less stay at the hospital
-uh, and this is more of an overall request - pray that this Gustav tropical-storm-turning-into-hurricane would uh...steer clear at least for a while.
HBP
Nausea
Vomiting
Chest pressure
Leg jerking/spasms
A harsh scare of high heart rate that made about 6 nurses all come in here and yell this and that to each other with bring this and that and page doctor and do this. That was actually a very uncomfortable moment. It also really upset Mom. It started with vomiting, then the high heart rate from the vomiting and along with it some high blood pressure. She's just really, REALLY tired of dealing with the nonsense that comes with cancer and the treatments. Who can blame her? She's had more to deal with than most of us can begin to imagine.
After that I just read some Scripture to her for a while until she fell asleep. Her oncologist came by to let us know they were taking a closer look at her heart because of the chest pressure. It could be one of the side effects from that particular type of chemo. It's too long of an explanation to go into, but yes, it can cause a heart spasm type of thing. That would cause the pressure she was feeling. They did a CT scan this evening to see what else they could find with her heart. Of course, they want to rule out heart damage, etc. If there was any kind of plaque in those arteries, they'll be able to tell as well.
I was thinking earlier...a long train of thought that it's too late for me to go into right now, but I was thinking...good will come of this. We may never know what it is, but what if it had something to do with finding heart plaque? Maybe they'll find it; maybe they won't. But if they did, it could be a great way to foresee something to be able to prevent it later. God willing, they won't find anything, but ...
So this evening Mom was actually feeling better, and I could so tell. No, she's nowhere near to what she was last Friday before the chemo started, but I'll take any victory. There are lots of small victories that I don't want to forget, and I'm trying to keep track. This is one. It's no small one to me. To have the 5 minute conversation we were able to have tonight because she felt that much better brought me some pretty good almond joy. She even wanted to make a phone call. AND she smiled a very real and hopeful smile. Nice. Very nice.
How to pray:
-that there would be no heart damage or abnormal scan results
-appetite. Now that the nausea seems to be under control, my mom really needs to eat, eat, eat to get her strength back.
-nausea. before she can eat, the nausea has to be kept under control.
-regulated blood pressure and heart rate
-infection-less stay at the hospital
-uh, and this is more of an overall request - pray that this Gustav tropical-storm-turning-into-hurricane would uh...steer clear at least for a while.
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