Dr. Wilson's office called Mom yesterday for some basic info; she will go to his office for her radiation. She also received a call from the woman who will assist her in purhasing mastectomy bras and her "cadillac of fake boobs". She has a deductible of $5 per bra and $60 for the fake boob. Absurd isn't it that you have to pay for a fake boob?
Her appt. is for Dec. 17th, so I will take her to Cranberry that day. The woman will meet us at Dr. Malay's office. I don't even know the name of the company; I will have to ask Mom. They will size her and all of that good stuff.
Mom sees Dr. Simon tomorrow for her post surgery visit, as well. She'll find out tomorrow if she has to continue seeing her or not.
She is improving slowly, but surely.
As always, thank you for the prayers!
Mo
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
No More Drains!
Mom went to see her surgeon again today and the drains were removed! Mom was so excited! Dr. Malay's office is going to have someone call Mom to set up an appointment to see about a fake boob ("cadillac" version, remember?) and they will also have someone call Mom to assist her in dealing with her emotions.
The tears have been flowing like Niagra Falls the past few days. I can talk until I am blue in the face with cheerful words of wisdom and such, but the truth is: I am not in her shoes. I don't understand what she is feeling or why she is feeling that way. It breaks my heart that I cannot bring back that spark, but I have faith that it will return to Mom soon enough.
Dr. Malay's office will set up her radiation appointments and Mom goes back to see her in 3 months. At that time, she will have a clean bill of health (fingers crossed, prayers said, faith strong - :) !!!!!)
I spoke to one of Mom's good friends today and she & 4 or 5 other gals are going to surprise my Mom for her birthday in December by bringing her a cake and ice cream. It is very difficult to pull off a surprise for my mother, but I am going to do my damndest to pull this off.
It is refreshing to see the good in so many people when someone you love is ill. We have been truly blessed by so many wonderful friends and neighbors. Thank you to everyone who has prayed and will continue to pray.
We all love you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Mo
The tears have been flowing like Niagra Falls the past few days. I can talk until I am blue in the face with cheerful words of wisdom and such, but the truth is: I am not in her shoes. I don't understand what she is feeling or why she is feeling that way. It breaks my heart that I cannot bring back that spark, but I have faith that it will return to Mom soon enough.
Dr. Malay's office will set up her radiation appointments and Mom goes back to see her in 3 months. At that time, she will have a clean bill of health (fingers crossed, prayers said, faith strong - :) !!!!!)
I spoke to one of Mom's good friends today and she & 4 or 5 other gals are going to surprise my Mom for her birthday in December by bringing her a cake and ice cream. It is very difficult to pull off a surprise for my mother, but I am going to do my damndest to pull this off.
It is refreshing to see the good in so many people when someone you love is ill. We have been truly blessed by so many wonderful friends and neighbors. Thank you to everyone who has prayed and will continue to pray.
We all love you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Mo
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Monday's Dr. Appt.
Monday the 10th Mom had her appointment with Dr. Malay. Dad told me that Mom had been crying that morning. She said she looked "ugly" without her breast. Spirits were low.
She was so looking forward to having the drains removed. Her appt. was for 1:30 but she wasn't called in until 2:30. She was not too happy about sitting and waiting. She was extremely anxious.
The nurse came in 1st and took the dressing off Mom's incision. The look on Mom's face said it all. She was "down". Tears filled her eyes and I almost had to leave the room. I hate when she cries. I know she is entitled and I know she will have many days like that, but I still hate when she cries. I just want to fix everything. NOW.
Then the nurse gave us the bad news that the drains would not come out. Dr. Malay came in and confirmed. Mom was draining too much, still. If they would have removed the drains, she would have swelled and they would have had to put them back in, which would mean another operation.
Dr. Malay told us to keep stripping the drains and let her know if the drainage was less than 30 ml for at least 3 days in a row. That is when the drains can be removed. :(
Dr. Malay gave Mom a hug, though and Mom smiled at that! She has another appt. for next Monday. Let's hope the drains come out then.
I was off work on Tuesday due to Veterans Day. When Mom got up, we prepared to do our nursing duties and strip the drains. Well, the damn things had somehow partially slid out of her during the night! I called the Drs office, who told me to call Home Health Care. They sent a nurse out to check on Mom. Thank God everything was fine. She said that as long as the fluid was still draining and there was no leakage from the incision, there was nothing to worry about. Mom's blood pressure was good and her heart and lungs were in great shape, as well.
Now we pray that things move along as they are supposed to and the Dr. removes the drains next Monday.
Mom has her next appt. with Dr. Simon (oncologist) on Nov. 20th. At that time we will find out when radiation begins. She still has 6 1/2 weeks of that to look forward to. Dr. Simons will make her smile. She has a way of cheering Mom up.
I will keep you updated.
Mo
She was so looking forward to having the drains removed. Her appt. was for 1:30 but she wasn't called in until 2:30. She was not too happy about sitting and waiting. She was extremely anxious.
The nurse came in 1st and took the dressing off Mom's incision. The look on Mom's face said it all. She was "down". Tears filled her eyes and I almost had to leave the room. I hate when she cries. I know she is entitled and I know she will have many days like that, but I still hate when she cries. I just want to fix everything. NOW.
Then the nurse gave us the bad news that the drains would not come out. Dr. Malay came in and confirmed. Mom was draining too much, still. If they would have removed the drains, she would have swelled and they would have had to put them back in, which would mean another operation.
Dr. Malay told us to keep stripping the drains and let her know if the drainage was less than 30 ml for at least 3 days in a row. That is when the drains can be removed. :(
Dr. Malay gave Mom a hug, though and Mom smiled at that! She has another appt. for next Monday. Let's hope the drains come out then.
I was off work on Tuesday due to Veterans Day. When Mom got up, we prepared to do our nursing duties and strip the drains. Well, the damn things had somehow partially slid out of her during the night! I called the Drs office, who told me to call Home Health Care. They sent a nurse out to check on Mom. Thank God everything was fine. She said that as long as the fluid was still draining and there was no leakage from the incision, there was nothing to worry about. Mom's blood pressure was good and her heart and lungs were in great shape, as well.
Now we pray that things move along as they are supposed to and the Dr. removes the drains next Monday.
Mom has her next appt. with Dr. Simon (oncologist) on Nov. 20th. At that time we will find out when radiation begins. She still has 6 1/2 weeks of that to look forward to. Dr. Simons will make her smile. She has a way of cheering Mom up.
I will keep you updated.
Mo
Monday, November 10, 2008
Thank You God
Thank you, God................
Mom's surgery went very well. They removed 11 lymph nodes, with only 2 showing any signs of cancer. Her left breast was removed as well. Her surgery lasted approximately 2 1/2 hours. Everyone at UPMC in Cranberry was so nice. Mom was placed in a private room, which she was very happy about!
She was up and in the bathroom the night of surgery and was sent home less than 24 hours later. She came home with two drains, which we had to empty and record. We have had two home health visits, both of which were by two more angels on earth. Mom has had so many angels taking care of her.
The most pain she is experiencing is under her arm where the lymph nodes were removed. She has been utilizing the pain killers as directed. She has been relaxing in her recliner and getting lots of rest. We all kept a close watch on her to ensure she didn't try to do anything she wasn't supposed to. She is so stubborn and does not like to sit still. You have to watch her 24 hours a day or she will try to do something she should not be doing!
Her spirits are high and I am so relieved for that. Your attitude is so important to recovery.
We see Dr. Malay at 1:30 today. Hopefully the drains will be removed. Mom is anxious to get them out. My sister-in-law sent her a neat item that is called a kangaroo pouch I believe. It is a little pouch that holds her drains. It has been a lifesaver, let me tell you. No pinning the drains to her bra or shirt. What a lifesaver that was.
I will update after we see Dr. Malay this afternoon.
Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers.
Mo
Mom's surgery went very well. They removed 11 lymph nodes, with only 2 showing any signs of cancer. Her left breast was removed as well. Her surgery lasted approximately 2 1/2 hours. Everyone at UPMC in Cranberry was so nice. Mom was placed in a private room, which she was very happy about!
She was up and in the bathroom the night of surgery and was sent home less than 24 hours later. She came home with two drains, which we had to empty and record. We have had two home health visits, both of which were by two more angels on earth. Mom has had so many angels taking care of her.
The most pain she is experiencing is under her arm where the lymph nodes were removed. She has been utilizing the pain killers as directed. She has been relaxing in her recliner and getting lots of rest. We all kept a close watch on her to ensure she didn't try to do anything she wasn't supposed to. She is so stubborn and does not like to sit still. You have to watch her 24 hours a day or she will try to do something she should not be doing!
Her spirits are high and I am so relieved for that. Your attitude is so important to recovery.
We see Dr. Malay at 1:30 today. Hopefully the drains will be removed. Mom is anxious to get them out. My sister-in-law sent her a neat item that is called a kangaroo pouch I believe. It is a little pouch that holds her drains. It has been a lifesaver, let me tell you. No pinning the drains to her bra or shirt. What a lifesaver that was.
I will update after we see Dr. Malay this afternoon.
Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers.
Mo
Monday, November 3, 2008
So Scared............
Hopefully by this time tomorrow, Mom will be out of surgery and the damn cancer will finally be removed from her body.
I am so scared. Seriously. Mom is too. Scared shitless we all are. I wish tomorrow was overwith. Mom is depressed and sad and I wish I could fix it and make it all better.
But I can't and that sucks.
Please keep Mom in your thoughts and prayers. We go to the hospital at 10:30 AM tomorrow. Dad, Rob, me, Aunt Bonnie & Uncle Jim will be there and Brittany is coming up from Pitt, also.
Love all of you so much. :)
Mo
I am so scared. Seriously. Mom is too. Scared shitless we all are. I wish tomorrow was overwith. Mom is depressed and sad and I wish I could fix it and make it all better.
But I can't and that sucks.
Please keep Mom in your thoughts and prayers. We go to the hospital at 10:30 AM tomorrow. Dad, Rob, me, Aunt Bonnie & Uncle Jim will be there and Brittany is coming up from Pitt, also.
Love all of you so much. :)
Mo
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