Mom has seen the surgeon, oncologist and pulmonologist since her surgery. Healing well, no chemo/radiation/hormone therapy indicated. Started her on an inhaler for her COPD, with a pulmonary function test ordered for January. Got her fake boobs from the orthotic/prosthetic store in Meridian. I highly recommend Temple Orthotics (or whatever it is called now.) Ms. Jeri is FANTASTIC.
Mom's doing pretty good. No more 'fall down go booms' and sugar has been pretty stable.
There is a spot about the size of a pencil eraser that just will not heal. It's worrisome. I will be calling the clinic tomorrow to see what we need to do.
Thanks for the prayers and pick me ups during the last couple of months. It's hard to believe all this was just 2 months ago. My, how time does fly.
I don't know if I will post anymore on here, but thanks again for stopping by.
Remember:
CHECK YOUR BOOBIES!
SAVE THE TA-TAS!
SAVE SECOND BASE!
~:>
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Big News
Bad News: Not only did Mom have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, 1.5cm dia, margins clean,etc., but also had 2 smaller DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ) tumors.
Good news: ALL GONE! A blessing that she insisted on a mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy.
Both drains and all THIRTY-THREE staples removed today.
B/P med changed AGAIN due to her flippin' high potassium and suck-a$$ kidneys, Lab in 2 days. (Like that will be enough time to make a difference....)
Awaiting appointment with oncologist. Cancer was Estrogen-Receptor NEGATIVE! So no Tamoxifen therapy. Still refusing any chemo or radiation, so if they insist, she will promptly tell the doc where to shove it. For example (from today even):
Doc: "When will you consider quitting smoking?"
Mom: "When you look in my casket and there's not one hanging out of my mouth, you will know I have quit."
OUCH. He looked bitch-slapped.
The next 6 months are chock-full (what DOES that mean, anyway?) of various and assundried medical appointments. *siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh*
Sis is planning to stay a little longer to help out. Thank God.
~:>
Good news: ALL GONE! A blessing that she insisted on a mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy.
Both drains and all THIRTY-THREE staples removed today.
B/P med changed AGAIN due to her flippin' high potassium and suck-a$$ kidneys, Lab in 2 days. (Like that will be enough time to make a difference....)
Awaiting appointment with oncologist. Cancer was Estrogen-Receptor NEGATIVE! So no Tamoxifen therapy. Still refusing any chemo or radiation, so if they insist, she will promptly tell the doc where to shove it. For example (from today even):
Doc: "When will you consider quitting smoking?"
Mom: "When you look in my casket and there's not one hanging out of my mouth, you will know I have quit."
OUCH. He looked bitch-slapped.
The next 6 months are chock-full (what DOES that mean, anyway?) of various and assundried medical appointments. *siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh*
Sis is planning to stay a little longer to help out. Thank God.
~:>
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Over and Out
This is going to take a while. I tried to blog from the hospital, but somehow my phone gives me the finger every time I try to 'publish post.' *sigh*
We made it home today.
The beginning:
Monday morning, up at the butt-crack of dawn to get to the hospital at 7. "Oh, we had you down for 8 this morning." (Here's your sign.) They get Mom to a room in the pre-op area. Start the IV, draw a little blood, check a few vitals..HOLY SHIT. Her blood glucose is 41. Yes, you read correctly. FORTY ONE. Normal is 80-110. I asked I know at least five different people when we were going through the pre-admission bullshit if she shouldn't skip her bedtime insulin, or at LEAST cut the dose in half. "Oh No! Just nothing to eat or drink after midnight!" What they failed to realize is that Mom is a Midnight Rambler in the kitchen. Her doc understands this, and that's why her insulin is what it is. But no, Big Sis was there to guard the gates, so NPO she remained. I knew she slept all the way to the hospital...and normally, she is like me and talks your ear off when she is nervous or upset. OK, here comes the D50...and her sugar is up to 130. MUCH better. Well...except for her through the roof blood pressure-242/168. Not compatible with normal cardiac function, ya know? And guess what? CHEST PAIN! So yeah, she got the IV Apresoline THREE TIMES, and a nitro or two, and the pressure is compatible with life. Then we waited. And waited. And waited. (Did I mention, we had to WAIT???) At 1230 IN THE AFTERNOON, she was finally whisked off to surgery.
At 115, we got word that the surgery was over, everything looked good, was in recovery and would be in the room soon. WOW, that was quick.
At 200, she is rolled into the room. Good news-she looks a hell of a lot better than she did when she went in to surgery. Behold! She has COLOR! Bad news-where an A cup used to be, a DD dressing was in its place. With 2 JP drains. Ouch.
For the next FOURTEEN HOURS, someone stuck her finger. Yes, FOURTEEN HOURS. She was hurting, exhausted and just really about to lose it when I opened the can. Yep, THE CAN. You know the one. It says WHOOP ASS on the label.
To be continued.
~:>
We made it home today.
The beginning:
Monday morning, up at the butt-crack of dawn to get to the hospital at 7. "Oh, we had you down for 8 this morning." (Here's your sign.) They get Mom to a room in the pre-op area. Start the IV, draw a little blood, check a few vitals..HOLY SHIT. Her blood glucose is 41. Yes, you read correctly. FORTY ONE. Normal is 80-110. I asked I know at least five different people when we were going through the pre-admission bullshit if she shouldn't skip her bedtime insulin, or at LEAST cut the dose in half. "Oh No! Just nothing to eat or drink after midnight!" What they failed to realize is that Mom is a Midnight Rambler in the kitchen. Her doc understands this, and that's why her insulin is what it is. But no, Big Sis was there to guard the gates, so NPO she remained. I knew she slept all the way to the hospital...and normally, she is like me and talks your ear off when she is nervous or upset. OK, here comes the D50...and her sugar is up to 130. MUCH better. Well...except for her through the roof blood pressure-242/168. Not compatible with normal cardiac function, ya know? And guess what? CHEST PAIN! So yeah, she got the IV Apresoline THREE TIMES, and a nitro or two, and the pressure is compatible with life. Then we waited. And waited. And waited. (Did I mention, we had to WAIT???) At 1230 IN THE AFTERNOON, she was finally whisked off to surgery.
At 115, we got word that the surgery was over, everything looked good, was in recovery and would be in the room soon. WOW, that was quick.
At 200, she is rolled into the room. Good news-she looks a hell of a lot better than she did when she went in to surgery. Behold! She has COLOR! Bad news-where an A cup used to be, a DD dressing was in its place. With 2 JP drains. Ouch.
For the next FOURTEEN HOURS, someone stuck her finger. Yes, FOURTEEN HOURS. She was hurting, exhausted and just really about to lose it when I opened the can. Yep, THE CAN. You know the one. It says WHOOP ASS on the label.
To be continued.
~:>
Friday, July 11, 2008
59 hours and counting...
Anderson's at 7 a.m.
Preop's went well..I'm worried about the left bundle branch block on her EKG. That can mean trouble with anesthesia.
Shock and awe..another miracle.
Mom has MEDICAID. We had NO clue. Now she can heal instead of freaking out about the medical bills. Thank you Jesus.
~:>
Preop's went well..I'm worried about the left bundle branch block on her EKG. That can mean trouble with anesthesia.
Shock and awe..another miracle.
Mom has MEDICAID. We had NO clue. Now she can heal instead of freaking out about the medical bills. Thank you Jesus.
~:>
Friday, July 4, 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Verdict
Modified Radical Mastectomy. Period. Discussed reconstruction, decided to wait until she healed from the initial surgery. Dr. E was so nice, explained more to her than anyone has, showed her where the incision would be, how big it would be, what would be taken, etc. And he LISTENED to her, so she listened to him. It was great.
Dragged her kicking and screaming to the medical prosthetic shop to see what she will be dealing with. The lady was SO nice! Showed her everything, I made her play with them..LOL. They have a nice camisole with a prosthesis and a pouch for the drain (what a COOL idea!) that is stretchy so she can step into it since she won't be able to raise her arm for a while. She gets 6 bras a year(and here I am wearing the one I have had for almost 3 YEARS..LOL) Anyway, the lady explained how often Medicare replaces prosthesis, etc. and Mom felt a lot better.
Called the main surgeon's office to tell them the decision, and to call ASAP so we can set up her surgery. Mom wants to wait until the 10th or so...we will see what they decide.
We both did better today. Now just ready to get this over with.
~:>
Dragged her kicking and screaming to the medical prosthetic shop to see what she will be dealing with. The lady was SO nice! Showed her everything, I made her play with them..LOL. They have a nice camisole with a prosthesis and a pouch for the drain (what a COOL idea!) that is stretchy so she can step into it since she won't be able to raise her arm for a while. She gets 6 bras a year(and here I am wearing the one I have had for almost 3 YEARS..LOL) Anyway, the lady explained how often Medicare replaces prosthesis, etc. and Mom felt a lot better.
Called the main surgeon's office to tell them the decision, and to call ASAP so we can set up her surgery. Mom wants to wait until the 10th or so...we will see what they decide.
We both did better today. Now just ready to get this over with.
~:>
Monday, June 30, 2008
Tomorrow, Tomorrow...
You're only a day away...
Tomorrow is the appointment with the plastic surgeon to determine the best way to proceed re: mastectomy with immediate reconstruction vs. bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders or no reconstruction period. Mom does not want chemo or radiation, so mastectomy is a very real probability.
*sigh*
Tomorrow is the appointment with the plastic surgeon to determine the best way to proceed re: mastectomy with immediate reconstruction vs. bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders or no reconstruction period. Mom does not want chemo or radiation, so mastectomy is a very real probability.
*sigh*
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
