31 October 2009

Feeling helpless, but blessed.

I want to thank everyone for their kind comments, support and prayers that have been sent my families way. The little messages on Facebook, here on my blog and via email mean so much to me. Thank you everyone for your love & support. I feel blessed to know you all. Please keep sending those prayers. xo

My Mum back in 50's - My absolute favourite photo :)
Update on Mum:

It's been 11 days since my last post.
My Mum isn't doing too well :(
We went to see the Oncologist at Royal Perth Hospital on Thursday. We didn't get much information - except to confirm the worst. The Dr was rather serious, but seems very thorough. He has organised for a CT Scan from my Mum's waist up - to check her lungs (He did indicate that's where he thinks her Main cancer is) but he also want's to check her Brain because of the headaches and nausea she has been having. He organised for a blood test, which she had on Thursday.
A lung function test has also been ordered - which Mum has had several times before due to her already failing lungs. Two years ago Mum was diagnosed with Interstitial Pneumonia, Pulmonary Fibrosis (Honeycomb Lung) and Emphysema!
Once the results are back from the CT scans, the Dr is then going to determine if he can do a biopsy into an area with cancer to find out more information. He didn't want to insert a needle into her rib - the rib with the large bone cancer/deformity - as there would be a chance of it breaking or crumbling.
The bone cancer is in both her ribs, the top part of the spine (which the Dr said has caused two vertebrates to compress and cause nerve pain) It's also in part of her pelvis and her femur.
He thinks the nerve pain in the back is the main pain that Mum is been feeling.

He more or less asked us to watch her for signs of organ failure...... that scared the crap out of me!! The warning was.... if she feels numbness, tingling in her arms or legs, keeps vomiting, doesn't do poo-poop after a couple of days on laxatives, if she feels dazed or confused and if she doesn't wee-wee - and also said if she can't stand on her tip toes, then take her to the ER.

The Dr prescribed more pain medication - which doesn't really seem to be helping a great deal!!
Now she has a concoction of things to remember, and we are all helping her with this.
I have written in black texta which is for which and when she should be taking them. Most of the time someone is with her, which is good.

The poop-poop hasn't really happened properly for 9 days.
Mum has only eaten one proper meal in about 5 days, she is unable to keep food down.
Today she ate 3 icecream wafers and at 10pm I managed to get her to eat a bit of a banana.
I'm worrying :(
She doesn't want to go to the hospital, because she knows she wouldn't be comfortable as she isn't sleeping well at all - mostly an hour at a time, two to three tops! I also think she is scared that she might not come out of the hospital, and she doesn't want to die there!
Amy and I have been trying to get her to eat something, so at least if she is sick she will have something inside to come out.
If the nausea hasn't settled tomorrow and the laxatives (& enema!!) haven't worked, I think it will be necessary that we take her to the hospital.

I wanted to share some pictures -

This is my favourite picture of me with my parents as a child

Here's us girls - a pic from a few years back.
left to right: Amy, Me, Mum & Bec

This photo below, is from about a year ago. I was trying out my 'macro' on my camera, and this is my Mum's finger modelling her beautiful ring - On Wednesday my Mum gifted me a beautiful owl ornament (you know I love owls right?) and it opens up and inside was this ring :)
All sparkly and as beautiful as her.

9 comments:

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  2. Sounds like you're doing very well being brave and strong for you Mum. Take care of yourself as well and all my best wishes for you both.

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  3. Hugs Lorri! Keeping you and your Mum in my thoughts. I met your Mum some years ago - I went by the store on one of my visits home, your mum and I had a good chat - she's a treasure! Hope the docs get that pain under control, be a squeaky wheel until they get it right, there's no reason for your mum to suffer pain with the alternatives that are available now.

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  4. Oh, and there's also medication to improve her appetite if necessary, find someone in Palliative Care for a ton of good information and help.

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  5. I am thinking of you, I have been there too. I am sending good thoughts your way. suzie. xxx

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  6. Sue's advice about pain control is spot on, Lorri! We had a similar situation with my Da - he never complained to the doctor or nurses about his pain so we had to be sure to speak up when we knew he was struggling with it. We will continue to keep all of you in our prayers!

    She is a beautiful woman (as are you all!) Thanks for sharing those special photos!

    Love U!
    Eileen

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  7. Keep in there Lorri she needs your strength.Beautiful photos. Hugs Nicole

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  8. You and your mom are in my thoughts and prayer. Keep well and strong.

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  9. What lovely photos Lorri. I continue to keep your mom and your family in my prayers. It is good that she has you to advocate for her and to make sure she gets what she needs right now.

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