My leukemia's back.

[ronott1]

I have been reluctant to post this - perhaps a childish, if-I-don't-look-it-isn't-there kind of thing . . . . But my mother is in the hospital.

Brief recap - she was diagnosed with breast cancer 20-some years ago. Lumpectomy, radiation, drugs; she'd been cancer-free for about 20 years. About 5 years ago, it came back. Mastectomy, more radiation, more drugs. There have been several "is this something to worry about or not" episodes since, but sometime between last Thanksgiving and Christmas, a definite, "yes, it is back, again." In addition to treatments for that increasingly stubborn disease, she has had other conditions related to being older (and side effects of the treatments) - like random broken bones (the latest is a collarbone that snapped when she reached for something).

My brother (the one I call "the Ubergeek") quit his job a few months ago to help look after my parents (Dad isn't getting younger, either, y'know?). For me, knowing my brother is there is a huge relief; it's at least an hour and a half drive to where they live, so I can't just drop by to see how they are doing, and Mom's hearing loss makes phone calls difficult . . . besides, she is prone to just not saying stuff.

Mom's latest complication has been increasing shortness of breath. She has been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, and was put on oxygen a couple of weeks ago. Over the weekend, even the oxygen wasn't helping; a trip to the ER finally got a diagnosis of a blood clot in her lung . . . so she has been admitted.

I agree with the others, It is time to go see Mom!



I hope the surgery goes well

 

[Alaskan]

I have been reluctant to post this - perhaps a childish, if-I-don't-look-it-isn't-there kind of thing . . . . But my mother is in the hospital.

Brief recap - she was diagnosed with breast cancer 20-some years ago. Lumpectomy, radiation, drugs; she'd been cancer-free for about 20 years. About 5 years ago, it came back. Mastectomy, more radiation, more drugs. There have been several "is this something to worry about or not" episodes since, but sometime between last Thanksgiving and Christmas, a definite, "yes, it is back, again." In addition to treatments for that increasingly stubborn disease, she has had other conditions related to being older (and side effects of the treatments) - like random broken bones (the latest is a collarbone that snapped when she reached for something).

My brother (the one I call "the Ubergeek") quit his job a few months ago to help look after my parents (Dad isn't getting younger, either, y'know?). For me, knowing my brother is there is a huge relief; it's at least an hour and a half drive to where they live, so I can't just drop by to see how they are doing, and Mom's hearing loss makes phone calls difficult . . . besides, she is prone to just not saying stuff.

Mom's latest complication has been increasing shortness of breath. She has been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, and was put on oxygen a couple of weeks ago. Over the weekend, even the oxygen wasn't helping; a trip to the ER finally got a diagnosis of a blood clot in her lung . . . so she has been admitted.

I am so sorry!

Terribly difficult to have stuff that can't be fixed.

I will pray for your mom and your family.



Feel free to vent.. . And keep us updated.

 

[bruceha2000]

Today I was taking books off the shelf... cleaning dusting... and sorting... with a pile TO GO AWAY!!!

Al, that is a GOOD THING!

I need her here!

Me too but DW wouldn't let anything leave the house even if it hasn't been used for 10 years.

@Bunnylady, I'm so sorry to hear of your mother's illness. I hope things work out well and quickly.

 

[Alaskan]

Al, that is a GOOD THING!

True...true... still painful.

But now that the ball has started rolling...it is getting easier.

 

[bruceha2000]

You might find that you enjoy the "new" storage (or in the case of our house, walking) space!

 

[oldrooster]

I have been reluctant to post this - perhaps a childish, if-I-don't-look-it-isn't-there kind of thing . . . . But my mother is in the hospital.

Brief recap - she was diagnosed with breast cancer 20-some years ago. Lumpectomy, radiation, drugs; she'd been cancer-free for about 20 years. About 5 years ago, it came back. Mastectomy, more radiation, more drugs. There have been several "is this something to worry about or not" episodes since, but sometime between last Thanksgiving and Christmas, a definite, "yes, it is back, again." In addition to treatments for that increasingly stubborn disease, she has had other conditions related to being older (and side effects of the treatments) - like random broken bones (the latest is a collarbone that snapped when she reached for something).

My brother (the one I call "the Ubergeek") quit his job a few months ago to help look after my parents (Dad isn't getting younger, either, y'know?). For me, knowing my brother is there is a huge relief; it's at least an hour and a half drive to where they live, so I can't just drop by to see how they are doing, and Mom's hearing loss makes phone calls difficult . . . besides, she is prone to just not saying stuff.

Mom's latest complication has been increasing shortness of breath. She has been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, and was put on oxygen a couple of weeks ago. Over the weekend, even the oxygen wasn't helping; a trip to the ER finally got a diagnosis of a blood clot in her lung . . . so she has been admitted.

Bunny, this is a place to unload, these folks have helped me a lot it's the least I can do with them to listen. to be honest I could say for myself that you need to get it out and unload the pain somewhere that place can be here. I hope they can find a treatment that works for her. I (among others on this thread) know that there are usually many options and that past treatments may weigh in deciding what is possible for other treatments. I hope they can do one of those "modern" genetic treatments for her (IDK if there is one for her form) because that seems to help more in some instantses

 

[Bunnylady]

Oldrooster, as a founding member of Team Rachel, it is very gratifying to me to know that this thread continues to be a place of uplifting and healing. It's good to see so many familiar faces, and a few new ones, too, since the last time I posted here.

GAC, I'm not sure that anyone is saying "surgery" at this point, more like "blood thinners and monitoring." Apparently, they've drawn a lot of blood for testing, and gave her a couple of units of blood (she's on Ibrance, which can slow the production of RBC's [or something like that], so she's been getting a bit anemic). She has also been moved to a room in the the oncology section.

I agree with you all, I need to go - but I can't stay. I may have to rent a car just to make the trip.*sigh* It feels like even molehills are immovable at times.

 

[ronott1]

Oldrooster, as a founding member of Team Rachel, it is very gratifying to me to know that this thread continues to be a place of uplifting and healing. It's good to see so many familiar faces, and a few new ones, too, since the last time I posted here.

GAC, I'm not sure that anyone is saying "surgery" at this point, more like "blood thinners and monitoring." Apparently, they've drawn a lot of blood for testing, and gave her a couple of units of blood (she's on Ibrance, which can slow the production of RBC's [or something like that], so she's been getting a bit anemic). She has also been moved to a room in the the oncology section.

I agree with you all, I need to go - but I can't stay. I may have to rent a car just to make the trip.*sigh* It feels like even molehills are immovable at times.

It is a great thread still for sure.

I hope you can get there to see her even briefly

 

[Alaskan]

It feels like even molehills are immovable at times.

That I know too well!!!

 

[room onthebroom]

My mom is here for a few months...

And she is helping to clean and declutter my house.

It is emotionally difficult for me.

Today I was taking books off the shelf... cleaning dusting... and sorting... with a pile TO GO AWAY!!!

Getting rid of good books feels like parting with small pieces of my soul.
I'm all about decluttering, but you don't have to get rid of anything that you don't want to.