prayformymama
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ONE OTHER NOTE:
As I continue to do my research I find it very weird that my mother hasn’t experienced any jundice whatsoever. It makes me want to ask more questions and challenge her doctor as the only cancerous tumors they’ve discovered thus far on intrahepatic or on the outside of the liver on both lobes. They did mention though that they saw build up of what they think is meta activity in her abdomen lymph nodes but feel as if they should’ve biopsy that before determining that this was CC. I could also be tired and delusional in telling myself that maybe they misdiagnosed her and that I’m just dreaming all of this up. I only say this because if it was determined that the cancer hasn’t spread to her lymph nodes that maybe a transplant could be an option….again I’m just speaking out loud and partly in frustration with my mother’s current doctor and medical facility. I feel like others on this discussion board had much more of a team then she currently has. I could also just be reading and watching too much on the web and driving myself crazy but thats what a son is suppose to do for his mother…..just looking for any other signs of hope in all of this.
UPDATE:
Christmas was wonderful, truly never wanted the day to end. Reality was quickly back into the mix as chemo started back up today. All went well and my mom is back on the chemo train to fight and hopefully shrink some tumors to help with pain and have her here a bit longer than most have anticipated. My emotions yesterday driving home was gratitude for this time with her mixed with full on agony, my tears were heavier than ever thinking this could be the last time we exchange love on Christmas and it shatters my heart to even try to stomach.
All this aside she’s back to fighting and I pray that this time she doesn’t end up in the hospital with low blood counts again as I’m sure it’ll wear on her and put the plan in jeopardy all together.
If anyone has a good diet plan they had created while on chemo and would love to share that would be helpful. I’m trying so hard to get my mother to eat as healthy as possible but she doesn’t have much money and I can’t always be there for her to cook healthy food for her. It is a struggle and I’ve even started a weekly delivery of healthy foods for her that shows up every week to assure this can happen as I know nutrition and overall attitude is the success to the best results.As always thanks to everyone who continues to pray for my mother Debbie, your prayers mean the world to us and I know this would be miles harder to go thru without all of your support. Thank you and Happy Holidays!
Joe
UPDATE:
Sorry for the lapse in an update. Monday my mother was released from the hospital which was wonderful news to all of us! Her body was making the needed WBC and platelets for them to approve releasing her. So again thanks for all your prayers it’s wonderful to have her home!
Met with the doctor on an updated schedule since she has missed what will be 2 round of chemo Monday and they have suggested a lower dosage and starting back up on the 26th of the month. They mentioned that they couldn’t fit her in any sooner which was a bit frustrating to here given that I’ve read many stories about missing scheduled chemo and the effectiveness lost when a lapse in time has taken place.
Regardless we’re all very happy to have her home. Only thing she battles is night sweats and swelling in her legs which they are saying is from all the IVs she received when she was in the hospital, as of now her swelling is only that of a visual discomfort so they don’t seem worried about it at all.
Looking forward to Christmas together as a family. Thanks again for all your prayers. I’ll post an update later this week.
JoeUPDATE:
It has been 3 weeks of chemo in my mother’s body and 1 week total by the end of today that she’s been in the hospital for low whit blood cell and platelets. Her numbers keep going up and then go back down, the momentum we had running into chemo seems to be running low and today were just told that she’ll need her second blood transfusion. I’m scared out of my mind and I can for the first time see that my tough mom is also scared. I keep hearing that this isn’t uncommon but we’ve now been in the hospital for a week and I’ve watched a half a dozen platelet bags put in her and massive amounts of antibiotics.
Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you
JoeI wish. I can hardly seem to get the attention of our doctor let alone another one for a second opinion on what is going on. Beyond frustrating, I’ve about lost it with our medical system.
UPDATE:
Well we’re now day 3 in the hospital still. Her platelets and white blood cells are having a difficult time being stabilized. Really feel blind sided here as the only real rebuttal from the doctor was…oh well I guess we need to lower the amount of chemo dosage as if he didn’t think thru it hard enough from the start. Very frustrated over here watching my mother in this uncomfortable situation while we can be spending better quality time together instead.
More updates to come….here’s to praying for the best tomorrow as they are on the 3rd bag of platletes and still her levels aren’t even close to normal.
JoeUPDATE:
Today was exactly 2 weeks of starting chemo and my mother hit 100.7 degrees. We took her to the ER as instructed by the MD and have been able to control the fever. Problem is they didn’t see a very stable blood count, both with white and red blood cells so a transfusion was completed along with a bag of platelets. The MD said that this is common with chemo patients and there is no need to worry. All is a bit shocking since she has had little to no side effects during treatment so far and yesterday I took her out Christmas shopping and we had a great time and she showed zero signs of fatigue or sickness. She’s still in the hospital and we’re being told she probably won’t be released until Wed or Thursday of this week. I ask for your continued prayers as this has been a major curve in our road and was a reminder of how quick things can change while getting treatment.
As always thanks to everyone and your continued support and prayers. My mother, family and all appreciate it very much!
JoeSecond Week of Chemo is underway. So far so good. My mother has been doing well, so far no stomach issues or side effects other than being tired. She did have to go into the doctor’s office today for a white blood cell shot since her count was low yesterday but we were told that this is common. But here’s to continued success with no side effects or minimal.
Thanks again to all for your continued support and love. Means the world to me!
JoeThank you all for your continued support! It means the world to me and my mother! Thank you!
I’ll post an update next week after her second go at chemo tomorrow.Thank you all above, your responses mean the world to me and my mother!! We actually just got home from a visit at the University of Chicago for our second opinion with Dr Sharma and they suggested a clinical trial as an option that is only 4 months old. The trial is called FOLFIRABRAX. Problem is it hasn’t been a trial long enough to hear of much if anything for results. Long story short the Doctor suggested to stick with the originally suggested chemo of Gem + Cis. The doctor also mentioned that with treatment of this chemo her average extension of life would be about a year……which was difficult to hear given the chemo itself can take all of 2-3 months. I wish today had gone a bit different, any other suggestions as our time is running out for exploring options before our fright turns to flight as Lainy put. Anything and everything is appreciated as we near a decision to push forward. Thanks and god bless to all of you who have taken the time to respond. Just the feeling of not being alone in this is truly a gift in itself. Thank you
Debbie’s Son Joe
