Mom Update 10-4-11

A “Mom Update” is LONG overdue and I feel so bad that I haven’t done it before now.  I think it has been over a year since I did an official update.

Mom went in for her long day at the doctor’s office last Thursday.  Long day means she goes to Baylor for blood work.  Then, drinks her contrast.  Gets a CAT Scan.  Gets an IV for a chemical contrast.  Then, goes for another CAT scan.  Then, goes in for a 2 hour infusion to get rid of the contrast because her liver has a really hard time “digesting” it.  Then, waits to see the Oncologist. 

The report wasn’t that great.  Her doctor said that her tumors had grown about 50%.  For example, one of the tumors in her liver had grown from 2 CM to 3 CM since July.  Her tumors had really been pretty stagnant in growth for quite some time.   She currently has Carcinoid tumors throughout her liver and a tumor/mass about the size of a quarter in her pelvic area.    She also has tumors in her right lung but they showed no signs of change.  She will be going back in 6 weeks to begin a new oral Chemo treatment.  I know she is weary of this because the last one she took about two years ago seemed to be the root cause of her kidney failure that lead to being hospitalized and on dialysis before her heart valve replacement surgery in January 2010 .  She also continues to take two very painful Sandostatin chemo shots every three weeks plus a Aranesp shot for chronic anemia. 

He also told her that she needed to loose 15-20 pounds of fluid.  She has been having a hard time breathing (she has remained on oxygen for almost 2 years).  But, has really had a hard time the last week or so.  Most likely due to her fluid build up.  So, she has been taking her “fluid” pills the last couple of days, but it isn’t coming off as quickly or easily as normal.  These fluid pills really restrict her.  Not only can she not leave the house on those days, they seem to really hurt her tummy on those days and the days after.

He also suggested she make an appointment with her heart doctor to get a check up.  Maybe there is valve leakage again?   Also, he might have an alternate plan for taking off and keeping off the fluid.

Thankfully, her lungs were clear of fluid. 

Mom has also just finished up several weeks of physical therapy.  Several months ago, she was pretty much bed-ridden.  She had done something to her arm/neck/shoulder and she was in so much pain.  She stayed in bed, could hardly talk to you because she was in so much pain, and wasn’t eating much or taking her meds.  Pain meds weren’t seeming to help her much.  This turned into her being very weak and her falling frequently.  Turns out that she had a torn rotator cuff and she also has degenerative arthritis in three vertebras.  Surgery isn’t an option for her.  As if she didn’t already have enough going on, right?  Thankfully, she eventually got into a doctor and he gave her a steroid shot in her shoulder and they have made her feel SO. MUCH. BETTER!!  Praise the Lord! 

Another praise is that her diabetes is no longer a problem.  She doesn’t have a need to check her blood sugar or take insulin because of her weight loss.  YAY! 

All this to say, Mom still does all the normal day to day things. Go to the local grocery store, beauty shop, therapy, etc.  Wash clothes.  Cook dinner.  Now, she isn’t ready to run a marathon, but she is one amazing woman, let me tell you! 

Please continue to keep Mom in your prayers.  She is the strongest woman I know.  I have so much admiration for her physical, emotional, and mental strength, her courage, and her fight to not let any of this get the best of her. 

I love you so much Momma. 

If you would like to read Mom’s Journey over the past two years, you can go here.