We're Back

Pretty sure, I saw this coming since Tuesday night. But we're back. My Mom basically slept all day yesterday. I got her up, long enough to take her medications. And to eat a few bites of a breakfast burrito. I've been worried. To say the least.

Earlier she had a coughing fit, and couldn't catch her breath. Then she asked me to bring her to the ER. I called the Oncology nurse. Who promptly told me to get her to the ER. She'd be waiting to hear from me. Or she'd call 911 to meet us somewhere. Off we went.

Today I got to wait inside with my Mom. The ER was much busier. So we waited a bit longer. But still safely in the Oncology Corner. Honestly, I think my Mom's appearance is what allowed me to wait with her today. Again, they started off with X-rays. Around 5:30PM, I left to call my Auntie. To let her know what was happening. Then the new staff wouldn't let me back into the ER.

All was good. I took a walk. Updated family. Snapped a few pictures. And ultimately found a chair to sit on and read my book. But OMG it was HOT out there! I happened to get a chair right outside the employees door. So I was grateful every time it opened and blasted me with cold air. At shift change, that was quite nice.

At 6:30PM, I looked into the Waiting Room and didn't see my Mom. So I called the ER and found out she had gotten a room. An ER doctor came almost immediately and let us know, they'd be admitting my Mom. Because it was obvious she was having trouble breathing. The doctor could also hear crackling in her right lung. 

They started fluids, some meds, and electrolytes. It's looking like a new strain of the flu and the earliest signs of pneumonia. My Mom has had it before. So it was kind of likely to happen again. Even with her vaccine.

And because business is booming...we'll be spending the night in the ER. With Nemo starring at me. And a bed made out of 2 chairs. More than likely oncology won't have a room until tomorrow around lunchtime. But as long as my Mom is getting the care she needs, I don't care. 

I snuck off to grab some food around 9:30PM. Learned my lesson on Tuesday. But I missed the next doctor. The hospitalist. The nurse filled me in. By the way, he's awesome! We've never had such a great nurse before.

I had dinner. My Mom had half a milkshake and a little bit of a fish sandwich. But hey. That's more than she's eaten in 48 hours. So we'll call it a win. I also managed to bring a sweatshirt today. My tablet, a book, a crochet project, chargers, and my vitamins. I'm calling it a win. Because the last few days feel like a blur. Off to catch a little sleep. Hopefully. With Nemo and Dory watching over us. 💜

 

Always Grateful

We're very grateful today. My Mom gets to go home. She is super excited. Am I 100% convinced that she is ready? No. But I'm her daughter and her caregiver. So I tend to worry too much as well. 

I will never stop believing in miracles. Or in prayer. I'm super grateful that my Mom is doing so much better. I'm grateful for all the amazing nurses, techs, therapists, everyone in the food department, and all of the people who helped with testing. Also the housekeeper. She was so sweet. We also got the best visit from the Support Dogs today. It made my Mom so happy and excited!

Most of all, I'm grateful for her doctors. Her oncologist, whom we trust so very much. He always treats my Mom with such care and respect. To Dr. Iggy...he's been my Mom's doctor before. He is just so straight forward. And I appreciate that. We cannot forget our nephrology team. Who have been so supportive during such rocky times. 

I'm grateful. I believe that God is watching over us. He's listening to our prayers. And sending all of these amazing men and women...to take care of my Mom. I'm grateful. You just don't understand how much. My heart is so full...because my Mom gets to go home. The smile on her face...is worth a million words. Now we just pray for good test results. 💜

She Is Brave

 I keep telling my Mom just how brave she is. I don't think she realizes it. I think she doubts herself. My Dad's journey keeps creeping in. When you don't want it to. She thinks of everything he went through. And she gets scared. I get it. 

But with all her injuries. All the set backs. All the pain. My Mom is pushing forward. Yesterday was the first time, I saw her super anxious and not in full control. It was tough. And I was struggling with that. 

Because anyone that knows my Mom, knows how strong she is. She is fierce! The kind of lady that you don't want to fight with. I don't remember her falling apart when my Dad was sick. We all had that initial shock. Cried. And then picked up the pieces to help him on his journey.

Yesterday we couldn't calm my Mom down after her MRI. She's had them before. But something was different yesterday. And today, she needed a Lumbar Puncture. It's not anxiety before the procedure. So much as it's post-scan/test. And the anxiety isn't even about waiting on results. It's about the procedure. 

Today they needed to see if she could lay on her stomach or right side. And we were struggling. The techs downstairs kept calling. My Mom was in so much pain. But she was trying. Eventually the doctor made the decision to just send her downstairs. Let that team, take a go at it. So we'd stop tiring her out.

They ordered transport. And we prayed. It also happened that a priest had come by earlier. To pray, bring us communion, and to anoint her. So we prayed some more. I asked various people to pray. And right now, they are downstairs.

But my Mom is so brave. She needs this test to confirm the type of cancer that is present. And so they know how to move forward. I know my Mom was scared. I saw the shaking hands. The silent tears that escaped her eyes. And I heard it in her voice. But when her tech walked in the room, she told her, "Let's do this."

My strong Mom is out there being strong. She's so brave. And she's a fighter. Boy is she a fighter! Please keep her in your prayers. I don't normally document these things on here. But I want you to know, my Mom is brave. And we're going to fight this fight together. 

As a caregiver, I might cry. Like today. In the stairwell. Because my Mom was in so much pain. And trying to be brave. Not asking for meds. I might cry, when the doctor says something. And I'm so grateful we have to wear these masks. That absorb all my silent tears. That I hope I'm hiding...but they're probably falling anyway. 

I've been trying to practice some self care. Even here at the hospital. Sunrise walks around the hospital. Visiting the little bunnies in the garden...2 or 3 times a day. Running up and down 6 flights of stairs...4 times. At least twice a day. Little things. Taking a few minutes to shower. Also allowing myself to feel things as they're happening. Even if I cry in the stairwell. I'm not ashamed. I know this is hard. I know we have a long road. And I know I'm only human. I just hope...I'm half as brave as my Mom. 💜

Sometimes We Crack

To be honest, I thought I was going to meltdown today. The Hospitalist came in. Had a very serious look on his face. And told me to sit down. He had some serious things to talk about. I literally thought I was going to throw up. 

It's hard going through another Cancer Journey. Having the history with my Dad can be good and bad. It prepares us for what's next. But then...we sort of know what's coming next. It's like having Cancer PTSD. Is that a thing? 

So there is this spot on the base of my Mom's head. Where your head sits on your spine. She's going to need a Lumbar Puncture. My Mom is so anxious about everything. And doesn't want to talk about anything. It makes me nervous. And she doesn't seem 100% after yesterday. So I pray everything is going to be OK.

There is still no concrete reason for such a high white blood count. The oncologist and the doctor that performed the bone marrow biopsy both told us her cancer is accelerating. But not active enough to be concerned. But Dr. Iggy gets me all nervous.

Tells me it's the cancer. And there is probably a lymphoma along with her 2 leukemias. Her brain bleed looks to be improving. As do her kidneys. But there is just so much. And then I look across the courtyard...and remember it hasn't yet been 2 years...since she almost died. Here. In the ICU.

I know how precious life is. I've watched my Dad as he crossed over. I've watched my Mom fight...for nearly 5 years now. I know...anything can happen. But it's a lot to bare. All by myself. Especially when my Mom's anxiety was so high. The MRI here...just totally struck something in her. And last night was so rough. Her anxiety after Dr. Iggy's visit got worse. And the anticipation of another test...has her near the edge.

Her oncologist came to visit her. He calmly explains the lumbar puncture to her. Tries to reassure her. He gets down to her level. To really talk to her. Look her in the eyes. It's so reassuring to her. It calms me down. Because I know he really does care.

After he left, my Mom was doing a bit better. But still super anxious. Then the nurse and I tried to get her to lay on her side. Trying to get her to her stomach. The nerves got worse. Her pain got worse. Dr. Iggy said she had to have this test. Emotions were high.

I told the nurse I was going to the bathroom. In reality, I sat in the stairwell and cried. And that's OK. Sometimes you have to let the feelings out. You need to just feel what is going on. I like to do it away from my Mom. So she doesn't see when I'm struggling. I want her to lean on me.

It's just been an emotional day. Soon we'll try again. And see if she can get on her belly. For the 30 minutes they'll need her to. She is so strong. I know she can do it. And because I know she can do it...I know I can remain strong for her. Because honestly, she doesn't really have anyone else to lean on. So I have to be strong. 💜

It's a New Day, It's a New Dawn

 Today we woke up very differently than normal. Maybe our new normal? Either way it seems so unreal.

My Mom's cancer has made a fast progression. And all at once she's had another medical emergency. It quite honestly worries me to the core. I didn't want to leave her last night. But with corona virus, being at a hospital so far from home, and having dogs...I headed home late last night. Got the dogs fed. And prepared for a day or 2 without us. Watered the garden at midnight. And prepared some supplies for us.

I should have been back sooner this morning. But exhaustion kicked my butt. The dogs didn't want me to leave. I almost didn't make the trash today. I woke up to hear the truck driving by. But our trashman is super nice. And came back for ours. I even got the recycables set out for tomorrow.

We still got plenty of visits. From plenty of doctors. Tomorrow My Mom's oncologist will be here first thing tomorrow morning. To discuss chemo. Chemo! The thought gives me so many feelings. It's been nearly 5 years since my Mom's diagnosis. But I didn't think chemo was this close. Because the leukemia had been stable. Stable!

My Mom spoke with the director of oncology this morning. And the dietitian. I spoke with her hospitalist, nephrologist, the oncologist, another hospitalist, and the team who will be doing another bone marrow biopsy. So much is happening! We even had a visit from a Eucharistic Minister who prayed over my Mom. And gave us eucharist. 

First thing in the morning, my Mom will have a bone marrow biopsy. And if her kidneys are doing better, which they've greatly improved already, she'll have another MRI with contrast. If not, she'll have a CAT scan. Potentially there will also be a bone density scan. 

It's so hard being that the weekend is near. So do they start chemo in the hospital? Do they send us home? What tests can they do in the hospital? Lots of things. We do know, she won't be discharged before Sunday. Honestly, I feel like we'll be here until early next week.

Great things are already happening. Like my Mom's blood chemistry is improving. Her kidneys are working great. Just needed some help with meds. Now we just try and get her to eat. That's the big thing. Eat Momma, Eat!

It feels almost like my Dad's journey. Because it goes from nothing...to full force. And you're left with your head spinning. But we're making a plan. And have some amazing doctors on our team, #TeamIrene Most importantly I have full confidence in our doctors. 💜