Introduction

Welcome to my blog about my mom, Loretta, and our journey through learning of her cancer and treatment.

Just a little background. Mom is 61 and hadn't been to a doctor in about 18 years until this past June 2011. The reason for this is due to the surmountable cost of insurance, even when your spouse has insurance it can be cost prohibitive.
So, Mom finally got approved by JPS in June and it was a good thing too, she had Basil cell carcinoma on the bridge of her nose. She underwent surgery to remove the tumor and plastic surgery reconstruction. She also has high blood pressure and Thyroid problems. We thought she was finally getting the attention she was missing and was going to be OK. Boy were we mistaken.
Mom started having some abdominal pain the first of January 2012. After talking with her and the pain getting worse, she finally agreed that she needed to go to the clinic or ER.
The following blog posts chronicle the events since then. Future posts will continue to explain treatment, issues concerning her condition and general comments.
I appreciate you taking the time to learn about what it means to be diagnosed and this type of cancer. Mom has been a trooper so far, she says "I'll beat this".

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Feb 8th - Feb 12 - Progress & Home

2/8/12 - Wednesday
Mom & I got a lot done today. I'm off work recovering from my sinus surgery, so what 
a better time to spend it with Mom in the hospital! I applied online for her Social Security Disability, that took the better of 2 hours. All the while, mom is in and out taking naps. 
They have her on heavy pain meds.
Mom felt well enough that she wanted to go out for a smoke around 1:30pm. While we were
downstairs, we contacted Dr Isa's nurse to try and get a visit from him so that Mom, Kent & myself could ask some questions and get all the facts, instead of bits and pieces. His office told us that he was working the hospital this week and that he should be on the floor this afternoon. When we got back upstairs, Dr Isa was at the nurses station and said he could meet with us around 3-3:30.. What a deal! Mom called Kent and work and asked him to get to the hospital quick!
Dad, Mom & I met with Dr Isa. Dad had no idea just how serious mom's condition really is. Probably due to mom shielding him from it like she does with everything else. She would rather deal with it and then let him in on what's up.
Dr explained that because of the location of the tumor and size, it's inoperable. Because its a rare cancer, they have no proven protocol of chemo to treat it effectively. We asked Dr for all info needed to get 2nd opinion. It was 4pm when the Dr called the floor nurse in the room to help with the paperwork. Sylvia was able to call radiology and get a CD of moms scans and she made copies of all of mom's tests and reports. By 4:45 I had everything!! It was amazing.
Mom was nauseous all day, prob due to having Taco Bueno the night before. She didn't have any breakfast or lunch. She was better by dinner.
I bought her some new pj's and Kathy put elastic around the hem so they wouldn't ride up when she was in bed.
I went to get meds for Gran & Kathy at WM and then went to Gran's to explain everything to her. She took the news pretty well, considering.

2/9/12 - Thursday
Got copies of medical records and prints made for mom to sign for SS application.
Mom took a shower and donned her new PJ's. She was feeling really good today. Dr's came in around 4pm to ask if she wanted to start chemo. (really!!??) then at 8pm they ordered 2 pints of blood to give her more energy. (really!!??)

2/10/12 - Friday
She got her 2 pints of blood and a chaser of Benadryl for good measure. O2 sats are at 96 off oxygen!
I went to SS office to give them the medical records, it was the last step in the process. 
It was pretty amazing, I was in and out in less than 15 min. I couldn't believe it. They said we should know something in a few days.
Mom called and the Doc says its possible she could go home Sunday. I didn't feel well that afternoon so I stayed home.

2/12/12 - Sunday
Mom came home today! 17 days in the hospital, but she's finally home. Very little pain, but she's tired.
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