Cancer Support and Caregivers Who Are Trail Blazers!

[pynkkameleon]

I'm just a posting fool this morning. This time I am asking for prayers, good vibes and positive thoughts for myself and my mother.

I'll start with Mom. She was dx last week with a very large abdominal aortic aneurysm. It's over 7 cm as of yesterday. Last week it was 6.3. She is scheduled for open repair surgery on the 29th.. Personally, I wish it were sooner but because she's a heavy smoker, they want her to have at least a week or two without a cigarette before they cut her open. At first she refused the surgery but once they told her it would be fatal if she doesn't have it, she changed her tune. She's only 61. Way too young to give up and wait for the inevitable to happen.

As for me. I had my gallbladder removed yesterday. No stones located but the lil bugger was adhered to my ovary and appendix. That explains much of my pain right there. I'm up and walking around today but it sure does feel like someone kicked me in the belly with a pair of steel toe boots. Ouch! On Tuesday, I go in for two spinal MRI's. My physician is concerned that I may have mets in my spine. I'm not overly stressed but of course I still have that little bit of nagging fear that goes along with every one of these tests we all get thrown at us. I was officially diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in both of my feet this past Tuesday. Can't feel hot or cold in either one of them. It's in my hands too but not as bad as the feet; although there may be an indication that one hand may need surgery to repair the trigger finger that I have more recently developed. I also have achilles tendonitis that they believe is also related to the chemo. Next week I will be undergoing testing for Lupus, B12 deficiency, MS, diabetes and whatever else she comes up with.

I am happily soliciting and accepting any and all positive thoughts and healing energy that can be thrown our way with a great big thank in advance.

I sure do miss those days when life was boring and any chaos that occurred, I generally had control over. I don't care so much for this "new normal".

Many hugs to all!

[clay]

((((((((((((((((((((((((Vonni & Mom)))))))))))))))))) consider it done..you both are in my thoughts and prayers...sending white light and warm energies your way!! Keep those positive thoughts...know you are among lovng and kind people. Big hugs...Clay

[JustJo]

Sending you big hugs Vonni...for you and your Mom.

[pynkkameleon]

Thank you for the good thoughts! Mom's surgery is on Wednesday. She's scared but playing the "it's no big deal" card. I can relate. I've played that card too when I was half scared out of my wits. The aneurysm was even larger on last weeks scan (7cm) but the Doc feels confident that they can repair it and Mom really likes this doctor, which is always an added bonus.

I got the GB out and am healing just fine. Doctor couldn't couldn't find a thing wrong with it other than the fact it "stopped" working. Well that and that it was adhered to my appendix which was in turn adhered to an ovary. Go figure? Nothing surprises me anymore as far as this body is concerned. I had a couple of spinal MRI's earlier this week. I have to go back again for another next week to look at a 14mm lesion located on my T-Spine. Keeping all the parts crossed that it isn't "that" and is just a benign nuisance. In the meantime, I've decided not to think too much about it and spend the weekend watching movies, eating naughty food, laughing all I can and pretty much doing whatever I feel like rather than what I should be doing. We all need a break from time to time I think.

The board has been quiet. Hopefully that means everyone is doing well and getting ready to enjoy their own relaxed and stress free weekend. Thinking of you all and sending out big hugs!

[mustangjeano]

Originally Posted by Vonni

I'm just a posting fool this morning. This time I am asking for prayers, good vibes and positive thoughts for myself and my mother.

I'll start with Mom. She was dx last week with a very large abdominal aortic aneurysm. It's over 7 cm as of yesterday. Last week it was 6.3. She is scheduled for open repair surgery on the 29th.. Personally, I wish it were sooner but because she's a heavy smoker, they want her to have at least a week or two without a cigarette before they cut her open. At first she refused the surgery but once they told her it would be fatal if she doesn't have it, she changed her tune. She's only 61. Way too young to give up and wait for the inevitable to happen.

As for me. I had my gallbladder removed yesterday. No stones located but the lil bugger was adhered to my ovary and appendix. That explains much of my pain right there. I'm up and walking around today but it sure does feel like someone kicked me in the belly with a pair of steel toe boots. Ouch! On Tuesday, I go in for two spinal MRI's. My physician is concerned that I may have mets in my spine. I'm not overly stressed but of course I still have that little bit of nagging fear that goes along with every one of these tests we all get thrown at us. I was officially diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in both of my feet this past Tuesday. Can't feel hot or cold in either one of them. It's in my hands too but not as bad as the feet; although there may be an indication that one hand may need surgery to repair the trigger finger that I have more recently developed. I also have achilles tendonitis that they believe is also related to the chemo. Next week I will be undergoing testing for Lupus, B12 deficiency, MS, diabetes and whatever else she comes up with.

I am happily soliciting and accepting any and all positive thoughts and healing energy that can be thrown our way with a great big thank in advance.

I sure do miss those days when life was boring and any chaos that occurred, I generally had control over. I don't care so much for this "new normal".

Many hugs to all!

Vonni, Sending healing energy and prayers to you and your Mom.

[JustJo]

Hello everyone,

Talked to mom yesterday. She's glad to be home, but finding herself exhausted and unable to do much of anything. She's still having trouble eating, as well as much nausea. They're increasing her TPN again....from 12 hours on/ 12 off to 16 on / 8 off. She says her weight is stable....but I have my doubts.

The lesions on her liver are progressing rapidly and the oncologist wants her to begin an entirely new kind of chemo with drugs she has never been on before. His summary was that her body might be able to tolerate it and, if it can, the chemo might put the liver lesions into remission.

That feels like a lot of "mights" to me, but there are no other alternatives. If this chemo doesn't work, or if she refuses it, then she has 4 to 8 months left. This is the first time they've given her a specific number. She has decided to try it in hopes that different drugs will be more tolerable, but isn't counting on it given her experience with chemo so far.

She talking to realtors about listing her house for sale, meeting with her executor, donating odds and ends, cleaning out drawers and closets, and basically getting things squared away.

I've reiterated my offer for her to come back here, whenever she wants and for as long as she wants, including to the end. I know it means a lot to her to have the offer, but I have the feeling she won't be taking me up on it. She doesn't want Rooster to see her at the end.

I keep reminding myself that she's lived longer than anyone expected several times....after all, the first time they told her she didn't have long was 42 years ago. She defied everyone's expectations then, and again 8 years ago, and again when she survived this latest surgery. Unfortunately 50+ years of Crohn's disease takes an incredible toll on the body.

[clay]

hugs Jo & Mom!!!

[DapperButch]

Hi, Jo. I have been wondering how things were going, so I am glad that you posted.

I am sorry that she is not doing especially well. But, I am glad that she had the opportunity to spend some time with you and Rooster before the end. No doubt she found it to be very special.

Take care and remember that I am around if you need support.

[JustJo]

Sooooo....life changes in an instant.

I got a call a couple days ago from a friend of my mother, saying mom was on her way to the hospital.

She was admitted and has been there a couple days....dehydrated, electrolytes all out of whack, and an unidentified mass in the digestive system that isn't allowing her to absorb anything (food or liquid) taken by mouth.

Right now she has a nose tube in to try to clear whatever blockage is there...they're doing every kind of test to identify what the heck is going on...and she sounds pretty much awful.

I had a long talk with Rooster, and we agreed that she needs to come back here once the hospital lets her go....pretty much whether she wants to or not.

She and I had that conversation this evening and she agrees. There is a part of her that still would like to be home at her own house for the summer....but I'm not sure about that.

Now we wait and see when they will let her go and consider her fit to travel.

[DapperButch]

Jo,

I'm sorry your mom isn't doing well. That nose tube is a bitch, but is necessary when you have an obstruction of any sort. Please know you are in my thoughts.