Mom- Update June 2

[Knotmeg]

Thank you again for your love and support.... It meant so much to see that this morning.

Mom is doing okay... she seems chipper and in good spirits...

Here's what's going on.... (very personal and could be called TMI by others outside of this battle)

So the cancer was wrapped around her bowel and she had 4 resections during her massive "almost didn’t make it, 3 weeks in the ICU" surgery and debulking.

So since she's been eating food/drinking liquids and at home, she's been feeling the effects of this surgery in her bowl and her digestion more than any other way/location… When she gets chemo, she gets nauseas, but the real effect comes in diarrhea etc.
She has a few days of “leaking” and has resigned herself to wearing large sanitary pads to help her feel more comfortable. She’s been embarrassed and humiliated (Humility seems to play a huge role in fighting cancer) and trys to just keep moving on and forward with the hopes it goes away…or gets better.

So I took off from work on Friday and we drove to the cancer center at the hospital, where she was going for PET and CT scan post 3rd chemo treatment…. And while there I bring up ( its easier for me to say I suppose ) that she’s been having a longer reaction to chemo this time… more diarrhea and more “leaking” and she’s getting concerned about it.  So the nurse asks her to describe things and she says “I know this is impossible, but I almost feel like what’s coming out of my front should come out the back”…
(insert jaw drop here)
So the nurse goes and asks for a sample and they have the chemo doc take a look at the CT scan (not for a cancer thing but from the surgery perspective) and found that she has a Enterovaginal fistula (google it)…. In layman’s terms… what she thought was impossible, is very very possible…and was happening.

So she’s in the oncology unit since Friday (and will remain until they know what to do)…. With no food or water…. On liquid food and fluids… also a string of antibiotics, hoping to help heal this issue without having to go back in for surgery.


It's hard seeing her back in the hospital... but she's obviously much better this time... so it's not as bad. I did get chills going back to the oncology floor and saw her ICU doctor and thought I might get sick on the elevator.  

I KNOW this is a long road... I KNOW more about what kinds of things lay ahead... I read your stories your experiences and I know.... but it doesn't make it any less hard.


I pray that she's healed through meds and does not have to go to surgery....

Thanks again for your love and support.
Meg

[crecco]

Meg,
  You are right, this is a long road, with many bumps along the way. I am sorry that your mom is back in the hospital but hopefully they will fix the problem and let her get back home. It is good to hear though that she is feeling much better now.
  I am sure going back to the oncology ward was hard for you, but just try to remember that they are doing a lot for your mom.
  And you are also right in saying that humility is a large part in fighting cancer. I think that eventually you lose most of the humility you have because you realize that in order to be taken care of you cannotbe shy with what you talk to your Dr about. I found it hard at first to be talking with anyone about bowel movements, diareahh, constipation etc, until I realized that they are used to hearing this stuff, and in order to help, there are certain things they have to know.

  Your mom sounds like a brave and strong woman, and she has got an excellent caregiver in her daughter. So I am sure that she will get over this latest bump in the road. I will keep her in my prayers that it canbe done with meds and no sugery.
        Love Chris

[Jan214]

It is not easy being a caregiver to a cancer patient. There are SO many things that can and do go wrong, that you have to adapt quickly.  You have been doing a WONDERFUL job of doing that.  
I have a small idea of what your mom is going through.  Not long after my surgery, I developed a fistula in my bladder and it was very embarrassing. I just all of a sudden had no control.  At first it was kind of slow, but I went from pads to adult diapers, within 1 month.  I went to a urologist and had to have a catheter for 4 months.  I did not keep it that long.  It leaked around the catheter, chemo urine in that plastic bag was noxious, I had horrible bladder spasms that were VERY painful and a bag of smelly pee on your leg is no fun.  I had them take it out and stuck to the diaper thing.  I could not have surgery while on chemo because it would not heal.
There are some women on here who have had to have colostomy's & ileostomy's.  
We somehow survive these things but your mom has been through enough and I hope and pray that she gets through this with just meds and NO surgery.
Oh, I am from Howard County.  I hope your mom is at JH.
Jan

[jamiann5]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your mom.  I know that it means the world to her to have you there by her side during all of this.

[bohan54]

How fortunate your mom is to have your advocacy and love.  She will prevail!!!

[Teresa222]

You are an excellent, caring daughter.  My prayers go out to you and your Mother.
Teresa

[kimmywah]

I am so sorry that your Mum has to go through this as well.  She is obviously one amazing lady and she has a wonderful and supportive daughter.
All my love and prayers for her..
Peace...Kim

[gma718]

Praying for your mom and also for you....I am hoping this gets cleared up without anymore obstacles....May God Bless you both always...Stay Strong and know you can always count on me to be here for you....Love, Gia

[survivor_susie]

Here's the result of a quick google search, for all the rest of us:
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Eeeewwwww.  How irritating!  What a brave lady your mom is. I only hope that when they get this cleared up, she is definitely done with yucky stuff.
Best of luck to you both.

[dian07]

Oh wow, girl......sometimes it seems things couldn't get worse and then it does.  Your mom sounds like the bravest woman I have heard of in a long while......please know you and your mom are in my heart and prayers.  Please do let her know how many of us there are wishing her the very best.
Peace.
dian

[vegas2cr]

Sending you and your mom the most positive vibes around... It is so tough to go through cancer by itself without all the other goodies that come along for the ride.. Best of luck to your Mom... Ronni

[msjazz]

Bless your heart, I know you have been through it. I hope they can resolve this for her, and she can get home soon.   Love Donna