mother-in-law update

HI everyone, I know I haven’t posted much but I feel like all I ever have is bad news and I’m trying so hard to not be a “debbie downer”.

My MIL’s bili finally got down really low and was able to have the CT in chances of having the SIRspheres. Well, the CT showed excessive amounts of fluid in her abdomen. On Good Friday, she had her first abd tap – they removed 5.9 liters of fluid. The CT also showed several new tumors on the liver. They range from 4cm to 6 cm. The main tumor is still as large 85 mm x 80 mm. They could not exclude “something” on her lung. Her insurance denied PET scan, even with 2 appeals from the doctor at RWJ New Brunswick. Her oncologist feels that he would not treat her any differently even with PET scan results.

My MIL continues to want to do chemo. She had 2 rounds – about 5 weeks apart – of gem/cistp. It made her quite uncomfortable so she was changed to gem/oxal and has had 2 rounds of that. It was after the first round of gem/oxal that she complained of abdominal discomfort but we didn’t investigate fluid until the CT identified it.

She had a tap again Friday, 4/20 two weeks after the first, and they drained 6.7 liters this time. This is quite concerning to my husband and I.

Sadly, we feel his brother and his mother remain in denial of how severe this is and how very limited our time is. She is not getting her affairs in order. We don’t really know how to get them to understand and maybe it’s better that she doesn’t. We really don’t know.

On top of all this, my husband is a career fire fighter and last week he blew out his knee at work. He’s on crutches, non-weight bearing on his knee and will be having surgery in the next 2 weeks. He is extremely down and feels that he cannot be the support his mother needs.

So, that’s my update for now. I may not post often but I read these posts and they encourage me, help me, and guide me. I appreciate you all listening!!

Jen