Cancer Support and Caregivers Who Are Trail Blazers!

[deb_U_taunt]

Glad to hear she is being admitted, so they can keep a watch on her. They can rehydrate her fairly quick.

Originally Posted by JustJo

I think we were typing at the same moments and you, my friend, are anything but an asshole.

She has a colostomy and says things are working normally....but she's also barely eating and dehydrated....so I'm not sure.

I'm dialing the hospital (again) as I type to see if she's settled in there yet....ugh.

[JustJo]

Originally Posted by Debby

It is normal. The reason I didn't get a port because of I won't be doing hormone treatments after chemo and they did't need as many blood draws. I can tell you I wish I got a port early on. (The nurse didn't get it first try today, but only ONE left!!!!!!!!!!)

Ouch....I can only imagine how rough that is....the port does seem easier and makes a lot of sense. I'm so glad you have only one left!

Originally Posted by Debby

Glad to hear she is being admitted, so they can keep a watch on her. They can rehydrate her fairly quick.

Me too....her BP is back up to 113 over something....it was down to 90...and she sounds better. Her weight of 96 was fully dressed....can't even imagine that for a woman who has been slim her whole life at 145ish.

They've already gotten 2 quarts or liters (whichever it is they use) of fluid into her, and the TPN to be started shortly. I'm sure that will help a lot.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Debby

It is normal. The reason I didn't get a port because of I won't be doing hormone treatments after chemo and they did't need as many blood draws. I can tell you I wish I got a port early on. (The nurse didn't get it first try today, but only ONE left!!!!!!!!!!)

Jo's mom has the port due to having 48 hour long chemo infusions. The chemo pack is attached by a tube into the port in her chest.

My every other week blood draws were taken from my arm (not port). There shouldn't be any hormone treatments afterwards (for the standard colon cancer chemo tx).

Originally Posted by JustJo

Ouch....I can only imagine how rough that is....the port does seem easier and makes a lot of sense. I'm so glad you have only one left!

I would much prefer to not have had the port. Even if there was no 48 hour infusion period...having that thing in my chest...being reminded every minute that I have cancer. No, would have much preferred no port. Plus, the surgery to put it in and the surgery to take it out. Plus, the two scars (one from each surgery). No, definitely would have preferred no port.

Me too....her BP is back up to 113 over something....it was down to 90...and she sounds better. Her weight of 96 was fully dressed....can't even imagine that for a woman who has been slim her whole life at 145ish.

They've already gotten 2 quarts or liters (whichever it is they use) of fluid into her, and the TPN to be started shortly. I'm sure that will help a lot.

I am glad you got some info. on your mom. I hope she starts getting better quickly.

[JustJo]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Jo's mom has the port due to having 48 hour long chemo infusions. The chemo pack is attached by a tube into the port in her chest.

My every other week blood draws were taken from my arm (not port). There shouldn't be any hormone treatments afterwards (for the standard colon cancer chemo tx).



I am glad you got some info. on your mom. I hope she starts getting better quickly.

They do blood draws from her arm too...and I guess she's having problems with her veins due to the dehydration.

Preliminary info says that she'll be in the hospital at least until early in the week, then going home with the TPN and IV fluids....I'm guessing done through the port (?)....but long term. And they'll set up nursing services for her at home when she does go home, too.

The thing that may come into play is the tests being done to determine why she still has pain in her abdomen....and whatever those show.

When we spoke last night, she was glad to be back in the hospital...and I'm relieved that she's there too so they can get a handle on this weight loss and dehydration.

[Dominique]

Originally Posted by JustJo

They do blood draws from her arm too...and I guess she's having problems with her veins due to the dehydration. Your guess would be correct. A big indicator of dehydration, is when a blood draw is attempted, and the vein, rolls. Sometimes they have to pull out and start over. Also, each
stick, causes a little bit of scar tissue to form. Sticking, hitting the scar tissue, causes the needle to clog. The process has to start all over again. Hopefully this will explain *why the port* a little better for you too.

When we spoke last night, she was glad to be back in the hospital...and I'm relieved that she's there too so they can get a handle on this weight loss and dehydration.

You've mentioned she is stoic. I'm sure she has issue with asking for help. Feels like somehow, she is burdening people who want to help....who really do care for her. (common) you almost have to force Home Nurse Care. This will help her tremendously and ease some of your worries. Someone trained, will be making the assessment of her health. And conveying that to you. Not a friend with good intentions, wanting to abide by mom's wishes to not burden Jo with this (refer back to won't ask for help) Hang in there, this fork in the road~ try to think of it in terms of an
intervention~

When you don't feel well, and you live alone, the last thing you want to do is eat. Sometimes fatigue is greater than hunger, and walking to the kitchen to get a box of cereal, to eat dry, just isn't worth it. Dehydration can occur from the obvious manners...sweating (fever), diabetes, Diarrhea...and even what a patient under going chemo thinks is *just from the chemo*, lots of fluid gets lost. Vomiting (?) Nausea can come from dehydration and or the chemo. The inability to eat or drink will bring about weakness. Eating, well, foods contain water. It's all pretty cicular, as much as it makes sense Jo, it doesn't make sense. Because it's cancer. And as I've seen it written many times. It sucks.

Dehydration goes hand in hand with the electrolytes and she is in the right place to get everything balanced out. Here, since Mrs. Jo is stoic, and won't admit pain...they will know, pain makes the heart race faster. Usually, when the pulse goes up, the blood pressure goes down. And the opposite, if the BP goes up, the pulse comes down. Mrs. Jo
and her *Oh, I'm ok* has made it a little harder for them to treat her. This way,she will be monitored, and with the help of the fantastic advancements in science and medicine. They'll be able to help her much better. Sux that it took all of this, to get to this point. Patients have rights. Hello Hippa.

Enough from me. Thinking about you Jo.

[JustJo]

You're so right Yellow Band...thank you. Having the iliostomy (and no more colon) makes the dehydration issues so much harder, too.

She hates asking for help, and the only place she seems to be willing to take it is (literally) in the hospital. I think having the doctor order at-home nurse care will help too....the whole "doctor's orders" thing is easier for her to swallow.

[deb_U_taunt]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

[COLOR="Blue"]Jo's mom has the port due to having 48 hour long chemo infusions. The chemo pack is attached by a tube into the port in her chest.

Sorry I was referred to why I didn't get a port, with chemo brain I don't always make a clear point.

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by Debby

Sorry I was referred to why I didn't get a port, with chemo brain I don't always make a clear point.

Debby,
I was behind a car with this bumper sticker this morning.

[deb_U_taunt]

Originally Posted by Tommi

Debby,
I was behind a car with this bumper sticker this morning.

Wow, I so need that bumper sticker. lol I have been so unfocused and am usually the queen of multitasking. Now, I am lucky if I can remember what I went into the other room for.