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".

Friday, May 11, 2012

Day 11 in the hospital

5/11/12 - Friday

Wednesday mom starting feeling better and Thursday he was even better.
The transitioned her from IV pain meds to oral and things were going well for her. They even started making provisions for her discharge.
Until Mom called me at 4:50am to tell me she's in pain and that what they have given her isn't working. She also told me she didn't think she would make it through the day.
She's scared. I'm thinking she's scared she will get home and there won't be anyone there come Monday when kent goes to work.
I spoke with the doctor and asked that we get a new CT scan so that we can determine the extent of her tumor and if it has metastasized. So, we are currently waiting on that.
She also doesn't want the NG feeding tube. It's hard for her to swallow and it's hurting. Dr tried to get her a PEG feeding port installed in her stomach, but with the fluid on her abdomen they can't do it. It would leak.
We've also been trying to get her a surgery for a pain block. JPS transitioned to their new electronic patient charting system and it had severely effected major areas like Surgery, admissions and the ER. surgery cancelled all non life threatening surgeries all week.

I've spoke to a social worker and they are contacted Hospice care. We are waiting to hear back from them.

Please pray for Mom, she's been praying hard.
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