Update on Mom

Oh,Mishele-that sounds good.Glad to know it hasn't spread.I have wondered about you and you mon,you both will be in my prayers :D ...Karen

I am so happy!! That's awesome news!! You will continue to be in my prayers.

Good to see you back!! Everyone here will be happy with the good news. Medicine has advanced a lot over the few years. With proper diagnosis and medication, cancer can be stopped from spreading over. After some researches in medical science, there will be a complete cure of this disease.

I am sure there are good doctors in your area taking care of your mother and giving out good results. We all are praying for your mother every now and then. Be positive! Everything will be alright, Mishele

Mishele, that is wonderful news for your family. I am so happy for you. I miss seeing you around here, you missed all the fun this afternoon!

Thanks everyone for the well wishes, I feel like I've been gone forever :cry: I've just been very busy with my mom, work, etc. All in all, things are good!

I miss ya Mishele! :) I'm so happy that everything came out good with your mom! :) *hugs*

Good to hear from you Mishele! Glad to hear things are going well :D We'll be here waiting for you when things calm down...Karen

I was just thinking about you today too!!!
Glad you're doing ok, so good to see ya!

We've missed you! I'm glad your mom is great, how are YOU?

Hey fin & all,

I have good days and bad. My sister and I are trying to find a local support group for family members of cancer patients. We found one that we are really interested in because this is very much the emotional roller coaster. Fin, how is your hubby doing?

Mishele-it's good to hear you are trying to find a support group.It is such tremendous help to be and talk with others that are going through what you are,just like this forum! Call the American Cancer society. They have a wealth of info.,and can direct you to some groups. I wish they had these when my dad had cancer,it would have been great help. Good Luck-your family and you are in my prayers. If you ever need to talk,let me know,or PM me :D ...Karen

hey mishele, also try your mom's oncologist or the faacility where she gets the chemo, either may have some great referral groups for boty your family and your mom

Well, I got to my first support group tomorrow night. JJ, I was able to go through her cancer institute to find it. I just asked for some info and whamo I got it. I need it because today I broke down in tears. The chemo and radiation is starting to hit my mom hard. I met her at her radiation appt today and she was crying. I tried not to cry in front of her but it was contagious. They are also offering a seminar on stress management Monday night. I registered for that as well. :)

Good for you,Mishele-get all the help and support you can.Are they able to give your mom any of the new meds they have out for the nausea and stuff? I know they gave my day some,and it helped,and that was years ago,now they supposedly have new ones out. Am keeping you all in my prayers. :D ...Karen

Mishele, I am glad you are getting some help for yourself. I cannot imagine what you are going through and you are in my thoughts! Take care of yourself, your mom needs you there for her.

Mishele, take this treatment course with a strong heart. I know it is tough to control the emotions but see, the doctors are doing everything so that she gets well soon. I will pray for all of you there and think about you during my prayers tonight.

Bossy,

My mom hasn't really felt any nauseau from the chemo but her oncologist has stated they have good drugs for that. It's bottom that is starting to get sore from the radiation but her other oncologist gave her a suave for that. She says it doesn't help much though. She is still working which is a good thing.

I am so glad you found a support group..Watching my Dad suffer from lung cancer for 18 months was the most difficult thing I ever had to face. I wish that I had thought to find a support group, it may've helped me out ultimately.

My prayers are with you and your mom. She sounds like a real fighter! I'm glad that she's responding well, the prognosis sounds terrific!

Fin,

How is your hubby doing?

Hang in there,Mishele :D It's also very important that the caregivers take really good care of themselves too. It's hard,I'm one ,myself,but so necessary...Karen

Thanks for asking, Mishele..

He's doing great! It's so scary, because pulminary embolism is the third leading killer in alll age groups..Luckily he's in good shape.

Maybe I need a support group..I tell myself I can't live my life being afraid, but what do I do? I'm taking care of him, that's for sure. He's only 30, he has a lot of years left in him

Mishele, I have been thinking about you alot. My prayers are with you. It is so hard to take care of someone but I dont think anything could be harder than your mom or child. You helped me so much when I first came here and I will always appreciate you. GOD BLESS KYSIDE38

kyside,

Thanks for the kind words. I really needed to hear those today. Yeah, I'm glad I found the support group even though my sister won't go with me. She didn't like it for some reason. Of of the ladies I work with is going to go with me, her father was diagnosed with cancer right after my mom. We've been helping each other out through the rough moments at work. Fin, I'm glad to hear that your hubby is doing better. :)

I really need to learn to type again LOL! :lol:

Hang in ther Mishele,I'm here if you need to talk~I am glad you are continuing the support group. Maybe if your sister sees it is helping you,she will come back.Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family...Karen

hey mish, just wanted to say hi and that my thoughts are with you and your family. Take care and take care of yourself

Very true, we all are here just behind you, Mishele and finsfan. Bad days will go by. These are like separating clouds, they don't stay for long. Take care.

Well, just a little update on mom. The chemo really isn't bothering her too bad and she is still working right now. I haven't had to take any time off work that I haven't been able to make up. I will take the time when she goes in for surgery down the road. The only thing that bothers her is her sore bum bum from the radiation. My sister bought her a donut to use and she says that helps. She did say that her chemo pump kept resetting in a meeting on Friday and no one could figure out the noise. She just kept quiet. She's in good spirits though and is getting the rest that she needs. She's a strong woman and she says thank you for all of all the prayers and well wishes. They are working for her :D

What a relief to get this positive update! :)

I'm so glad! Stay strong, both of you. You always have my prayers.

I've missed you..How are YOU doing?

I've missed you guys too! I had a bad week last week and I was in a pissy mood at work all week. It just seems that anything can rub me the wrong way right now. I'm trying to watch out for things like that but I told my boss that when this happens, please let me have a few minutes to myself. I think sometimes he forgets that my mom is sick or he acts like it. I am actually going to take two half days off later this week so I can meet my mom at her doctor's appointments. Friday, she said she wanted to go shopping after her chemo appt so I'm going to drop her off at work in the morning and then pick her up before her appt. We work about 15 miles apart so she said I could use her car to do this. I don't mind because it's a nice ride LOL! And I will be getting to spend the rest of the weekend with my mommy. She asked me to stay this weekend when I stopped after work tonight. I have extra clothes and other things there now so we always have fun. She said she is ready for a Scrabble marathon.

That sounds like fun! You need the rest just as much as she does. Please make sure you take care of yourself.

I'm so glad your mom is doing great! I lost my Daddy to cancer last year, and I remember the battle of watching one of the people I love the most in this world die too well. Your mom sounds like a real hoot! Sounds like she has lots of time ahead of her. But..I know the stress you are under. If you ever need to talk, I'm here for you.

I think that weekend will do you a lot of good, Mishele! :)

Take things as easy as possible, and don't overdo it! I love ya! *hugzies* :)

Mishele-it sounds like you both need the weekend and a scrabble marathon-what fun. And how neat you two have such a great relationship. Take care,both of you are in my prayers...Karen :D

Thanks guys for the kind words and thoughts. We've really been close and she she's been very proud of the work that I have done getting myself out of the pdl mess. She saw what it did to me. She also thinks it is neat that I am able to help and learn from others on the forum. We have gotten even closer during this difficult time. I can say my mom is my best friend :)

You know, sometimes it takes the worst things in life to make good things happen.

Very very true.. Such a deep meaning in it.

I too am glad your mom is doing OK--and like fins, I also lost my dad to cancer last year (Leukemia) and it was the worst thing that ever happened to me. Have you also thought about taking Family Medical Leave if you need to? It would be a way to protect your job, should your mom need you. Take care and sending good thoughts your way!

Yes, I can take family medical leave when I want to but I have to burn my vacation time first. My mom had been working up until today. She went to work but had her daily radiation and weekly chemo appointments today. Folks, we've had a set back. I got a call from my sister a little after six this evening saying they were admitting my mom to the hospital. You know these types of phone calls are never good and of course I just heard the bad words, Blood Clot! They had done another cat scan because of some pain and swelling on her left side/shoulder area. Her chemo oncologist wanted to make sure everything was alright. I'm glad my sister was with her today because mom probably wouldn't have gone to the hospital until tomorrow or something. Parents just don't listen to their children :cry: Honestly, my grandpa died several years ago due to a blod clot to the brain so this was all I could think about while I was driving to the hospital. When I got there, the cat scan had been done. We know there are some blood clots but we don't know the exact location yet. It sounds like one could be on her lung. Yikes! And we don't know what caused them yet. She is doing okay but was in quite a bit of pain. My mom is very independent and it's hard for her to accept help from others, even with us girls. I know it bothers her but I told her to listen to her kids. She actually chuckled on that one. They gave her some pain medicine and started her on some type of iv to help get rid of the blood clots. She was sleeping when my sister and I left awhile ago. I'm actually staying at my mom's house tonight because it's closer to the hospital. I did some cleaning and started some laundry for my mom. I've been trying to sleep but no such luck. So I thought of my second family. I'm really trying not to ball my eyes out but I failed on that note. Please wish us well for tomorrow. I will keep you updated.

Mishele even though I dont know you or your mom I feel like I do. I put her on my prayer line at church. Because God knows each one of us. So I know prayer can help. I also say a prayer for you for strenght. I am 42 and lost my mom to renal cancer when I had just turned 17. Its hard. Take Care of Yourself. KYSIDE38

Mishele,
Gosh, I'm so sorry that this happened.
But these days they have alot of medication they can use to disolve these clots.
After that they'll probably start her on some type of oral med, like coumadin, so she should have no further trouble with it.
Candles are lit for all of you!

Mishele-I am so sorry for the set back,but thank God she went to the hospital. You both are still in my prayers. If you need to talk-I'm here for you. Take care of yourself,too. I am a care giver for my mother,and I know how easy it is to not eat right,get enough rest,etc. You are right,they don't like to listen to their children! Take Care...Karen :D

Mishele, I pray that everything turns out good for your mother and you. She will get well soon. Not to worry, God is there for everyone.

Hi Everyone,

Just got back from a day of visiting at the hospital with mom. My sister and I wanted to leave a little earlier today so she can get some sleep. She needs her rest right now. She was doing much better today and they are planning on keeping her through the weekened. The blood clot was in her lung which can be a side effect of the cancer. They started her on a heprin (sp) drip last night and tomorrow they will start her on coumadin (sp). She said she did get some rest last night but they also have her on percacet (sp) for the pain. Today, we finally got to start telling the rest of the family so I'm sure she will have other visitors this weekend. Thanks for the prayers. Love ya guys!

We love you too,Mishele :D Glad to know they found out where the clot is and started her on meds.You get some rest too!...Karen

You hang in there and take care of YOU--cuz your mom needs you!! And BTW, you can put in for FMLA now while you're taking vacation--it's unpaid and just a way to protect your job. If you're in California, you can also use half of the sicktime you accrue during the year to take care of a loved one in the home (We call it CESLA time for short). If not, you might want to check with HR at your job to see if there are similar programs in your state.
I didn't get to be with my dad till the last day of his life , so I would love to see you take as much time as you can now--and did I say take care of YOU??? Well DO IT!!! :))

I have done all my FMLA paperwork already. It's approved so I can go from there but thanks for the concern and suggestions. Today, my mom was a different person, well almost. I went to the hospital this morning and she was moving so much better. They gave her a shot for the pain last night. That seemed to do the trick but she's still a little sore. She is moving much better now. She is able to get in and out of bed with less problems so that is a step in the right direction. I went to work for an about an hour this afternoon but people were grating on my nerves. I guess I'm just sensitive today so I just took my home work with me.
My boss understood and he knows I will make up the hours this weekend. Actually I really don't need to with the overtime that I haven't turned in yet. I went back this afternoon and mom said she had a little set back earlier. One of her iv tubes came out while she was in the bathroom. She started crying and she said blood was going everywhere. Luckily, my sister was there and able to calm her down. The nurses helped her get cleaned up and started a new iv for her. She was chipper this evening but was getting tired so I just let her sleep. They interrupt her every couple of hours to check on her or check her vital signs. She might be able to come home on Sunday :D

Yes, I'm starting to take care of myself a little bit better. I slept pretty good last night and I'm making sure that I'm eating. They had a cook out at work today but I didn't eat anything. Of course, I go a lot of lectures but I told them I had a late breakfast. I really did and I ate lunch later this afternoon. I'm planning on sleeping in since tomorrow is Saturday.