Dr. Hough was in to see Mom and has decided to keep her in the hospital through the weekend at least. She is scheduled to have a biopsy done at St. Joseph's Hospital in Bloomington Monday morning. They will transport her there by ambulance from St. James.
They have her on an iv anti-biotic and have given her a couple units of blood. She is taking new heart medicine and is given pills to help her sleep at night. She looks much better tonight as we watched American Idol. She is still weak from everything but is alert and getting her appetite back. The primary reason to keep her for now is to clear up the infection in her lung and to monitor her heart on the new medication, which seems to be doing fine. My guess is that she will be home soon after the biopsy and will be up and around again.
For right now it is rest, rest, rest.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
No Surgery Tomorrow
Dr. Proehl came in to see Mom early this evening and spoke to her about the surgery to install the medi port. As her white blood count has risen he knows there is infection somewhere. He had a blood sample drawn and it is not in her blood. He checked all other scans, urine etc., and believes it may be pneumonia. His concern is that there is a chance he could get some of the infection on the port. If this happens and she returns with a high fever they may have to remove/replace the port. He was not yet aware that she was going to have a new biopsy performed next Monday with the results not coming in until about Thursday. At that point he said there was absolutely no way she should take a chance with this. He will contact Dr. Morar and speak to her about it, then reschedule the surgery for later.
They did prescribe an iv antibiotic and started that tonight. Also, later (after dancing with the stars, lol) she will get another iv that will help her sleep through the night. She was having pain in her back so they also gave her a pill for that. Hopefully with all of this she will get a long night of sleep she so desperately needs. Sweet Dreams Mom!!!!
They did prescribe an iv antibiotic and started that tonight. Also, later (after dancing with the stars, lol) she will get another iv that will help her sleep through the night. She was having pain in her back so they also gave her a pill for that. Hopefully with all of this she will get a long night of sleep she so desperately needs. Sweet Dreams Mom!!!!
Brain Scan Clear - Biopsy Not
Pat, Peg, Bob, Becky, Karen, Tim, Boomer and I all listened on speaker phone as Dr. Morar called to explain test results. First was the good news that the brain scan came back clear. We were all relieved to get this news.
The frustration level increased significantly as we spoke about the cancer though. Unfortunately we still do not have an answer on the type of cancer she has in her lung. We only know that the lung, bronchial tube and surrounding lymph nodes are the only areas that show cancer at this point. It is possible that the interior and exterior linings, although inflamed, may also not be involved. The upper lobe is showing clouding, which along with increasing white blood cells, may indicate pnuemonia still in this part of the lung due to the decrease airflow. This may well be the reason she is feeling so sick and causing so much breathing/caughing problems. The antibiotics she took in Texas made her so sick but, if they can get her on an iv perhaps it will be better.
Mom has only had one biopsy performed so far and that was the one done in Texas. If you recall, this was performed by going thru the nasel passage, down the bronchial tube to the lung. As they hit an obstruction her heart began to race and they were forced to stop with less samples then they wanted. With starting out with a lesser sample and then sending a portion of the sample back to Illinois, there simply is not enough material to perform a definative conclusion as to the cancer type. Therefore, a new biopsy has been scheduled for next Monday. This will be performed much like the proceedure to drain her lung. They will use a needle, pin pointed at the areas they want samples from. They believe they will get exactly what they need and then be able to offer a complete diagnosis by next Thursday. Ahh, one more test. One more follow up visit. No wonder the poor lady is so wore out. I feel so sad for her. But, she is a trooper, and she will get through this too.
Also, they will try again tomorrow morning to get the operation done to install the medi port in her upper chest. Take care, Jim
The frustration level increased significantly as we spoke about the cancer though. Unfortunately we still do not have an answer on the type of cancer she has in her lung. We only know that the lung, bronchial tube and surrounding lymph nodes are the only areas that show cancer at this point. It is possible that the interior and exterior linings, although inflamed, may also not be involved. The upper lobe is showing clouding, which along with increasing white blood cells, may indicate pnuemonia still in this part of the lung due to the decrease airflow. This may well be the reason she is feeling so sick and causing so much breathing/caughing problems. The antibiotics she took in Texas made her so sick but, if they can get her on an iv perhaps it will be better.
Mom has only had one biopsy performed so far and that was the one done in Texas. If you recall, this was performed by going thru the nasel passage, down the bronchial tube to the lung. As they hit an obstruction her heart began to race and they were forced to stop with less samples then they wanted. With starting out with a lesser sample and then sending a portion of the sample back to Illinois, there simply is not enough material to perform a definative conclusion as to the cancer type. Therefore, a new biopsy has been scheduled for next Monday. This will be performed much like the proceedure to drain her lung. They will use a needle, pin pointed at the areas they want samples from. They believe they will get exactly what they need and then be able to offer a complete diagnosis by next Thursday. Ahh, one more test. One more follow up visit. No wonder the poor lady is so wore out. I feel so sad for her. But, she is a trooper, and she will get through this too.
Also, they will try again tomorrow morning to get the operation done to install the medi port in her upper chest. Take care, Jim
No Surgery Today
About 2 a.m. this morning Mom had another episode of her heart racing. Dr. Hough was in this morning to see her and has increased her dosage of the medicine to prevent this. The surgery to install the port in her chest has been postponed for now. Today will be a day of rest and recovery.
So what's causing this? It is due to high blood pressure. When the pressure gets too high the upper chamber spikes very high and the lower chamber tries to compensate causing the two to get totally out of synch. So what causes the high blood pressure? Medication, thyroid, even the cough medicine she takes has codine, which can do it. Fortunately, she was in ICU at the time and they were able to detect it right away, vs. being at home trying to shower as she was yesterday morning.
She is awake and alert at this time and was able to receive holy communion just a little while ago. They were able to take her down to perform the brain scan this morning also. After, she was able to get some toast and coffee. Tim said he noticed she looked much better after getting something in her stomach.
Today is also the day we are to hear back from her oncologist Dr. Morar. We are scheduled to have a phone conference with her at 2 p.m. to learn the final results of the cancer test. Hopefully we will learn exactly what she has and what the recommendation is for treatment. Mom will then have plenty of decisions to make. I will post later to let you all know what we find out. Thanks for all the feedback on here, I'm glad that this is comforting to you all. Jim
So what's causing this? It is due to high blood pressure. When the pressure gets too high the upper chamber spikes very high and the lower chamber tries to compensate causing the two to get totally out of synch. So what causes the high blood pressure? Medication, thyroid, even the cough medicine she takes has codine, which can do it. Fortunately, she was in ICU at the time and they were able to detect it right away, vs. being at home trying to shower as she was yesterday morning.
She is awake and alert at this time and was able to receive holy communion just a little while ago. They were able to take her down to perform the brain scan this morning also. After, she was able to get some toast and coffee. Tim said he noticed she looked much better after getting something in her stomach.
Today is also the day we are to hear back from her oncologist Dr. Morar. We are scheduled to have a phone conference with her at 2 p.m. to learn the final results of the cancer test. Hopefully we will learn exactly what she has and what the recommendation is for treatment. Mom will then have plenty of decisions to make. I will post later to let you all know what we find out. Thanks for all the feedback on here, I'm glad that this is comforting to you all. Jim
Monday, April 27, 2009
911 - Ambulance Ride - ER Room - Admitted
Today was supposed to be the day that Mom had surgery to install the port in her chest. Instead, she ended up at the hospital by ambulance. Peg spent the night last night and Mom woke up to get ready for her surgery by showering with an antibacterial soap. She started to have problems while in the shower. She was unbalanced, nausious and as light headed as she has been yet. Pat and Peg both were there and when Mom nearly passed out they realized they needed help and dialed 911. At the hospital hooked up to the monitor her heart rate was all over the place. Spiking in the upper chamber and trying to catch up in the lower. She was given a shot and an IV and after awhile they were able to stabilize her.
She was later admitted to ICU and was resting well by afternoon and all vitals seemed to be back to normal. This was quite a scare for all including Mom. As she said to me "This just is not the way it is supposed go". Fortunately, the doctor said her heart is actually well for a woman her age. He has her on medication to control this and does not expect her to experience this type of episode again.
Just got the call that the doctors believe she is well enough now to go ahead and have the port put in tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. This is not a lock yet, all depends on how she is in the morning and if the hospital can get it all worked out. Lets all just pray that tomorrow is a better day for her than today. Take care, Jim
She was later admitted to ICU and was resting well by afternoon and all vitals seemed to be back to normal. This was quite a scare for all including Mom. As she said to me "This just is not the way it is supposed go". Fortunately, the doctor said her heart is actually well for a woman her age. He has her on medication to control this and does not expect her to experience this type of episode again.
Just got the call that the doctors believe she is well enough now to go ahead and have the port put in tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. This is not a lock yet, all depends on how she is in the morning and if the hospital can get it all worked out. Lets all just pray that tomorrow is a better day for her than today. Take care, Jim
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Non Emergency - Emergency Room Visit Today
Peg called at 11:15 this morning to ask that I help Karen take Mom to the emergency room. Since Mom had the procedure Thursday to remove the fluid from her lung, she has had steadily increasing pain in her left side and back. It got to the point of being unbearable. Also, she started experiencing some nausea and dizziness late last night and again this morning.
After contacting an oncologist the suggestion was made to take her to the hospital to have her checked out. It says a lot that she was more than willing to go. The short story is that sometimes this sort of pain is not uncommon after a fluid drain like she had.
All her vitals were checked and x-rays taken to make sure the lung had not collapsed. She was given a shot for her pain and after a few hours she was back home resting again. The doctor on call informed her to absolutely return if the pain gets to this level again. She still has a persistent cough and it is then that her pain is the worst.
At this point she is still on schedule to have her surgery tomorrow morning to install the port in her upper chest. Peg is going to stay over night tonight and Karen is staying with her tomorrow night. Say an extra prayer tonight that her surgery tomorrow goes well. Take care, Jim
After contacting an oncologist the suggestion was made to take her to the hospital to have her checked out. It says a lot that she was more than willing to go. The short story is that sometimes this sort of pain is not uncommon after a fluid drain like she had.
All her vitals were checked and x-rays taken to make sure the lung had not collapsed. She was given a shot for her pain and after a few hours she was back home resting again. The doctor on call informed her to absolutely return if the pain gets to this level again. She still has a persistent cough and it is then that her pain is the worst.
At this point she is still on schedule to have her surgery tomorrow morning to install the port in her upper chest. Peg is going to stay over night tonight and Karen is staying with her tomorrow night. Say an extra prayer tonight that her surgery tomorrow goes well. Take care, Jim
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Doctors today and tomorrow, surgery Monday
Mom met with Dr. Proehl today at St. James. He will be performing the surgery next Monday to install the port in Mom's upper chest. He also had her get a chest x-ray while she was there. Mom found him to be quite humorous. He asked her "How many kids did you have!?" Mom said 12. He said "Didn't you figure out what was causing that?" "My wife and I figured it out after just 2." "First one was because we used the same toilet seat, and the second one was because we washed our underwear together!" That sure made her comfortable I bet. Lol.
Tomorrow morning Pat is taking Mom to Bloomington to the Cancer Center where Dr. Morar will drain the first liter of fluid from her lung. I sure hope that eases her discomfort and cough. She is having some pain in her side and back. Dr. Morar is sure this is because of the fluid buildup. Mom is finding it difficult to wear her bra. I said "Hell Mom just leave the damn thing off." She just chuckled and said Ach!
Tomorrow morning Pat is taking Mom to Bloomington to the Cancer Center where Dr. Morar will drain the first liter of fluid from her lung. I sure hope that eases her discomfort and cough. She is having some pain in her side and back. Dr. Morar is sure this is because of the fluid buildup. Mom is finding it difficult to wear her bra. I said "Hell Mom just leave the damn thing off." She just chuckled and said Ach!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The good, The bad, and The ugly......
Mom had plenty of company today at her appointment with Dr. Morar at the Cancer Center in Bloomington. Pat, Peg, Clutch and Tim all rode along and sat through the hour long explanation of the results of last weeks tests.
These tests had a twofold purpose. First, to check all other vital organs for additional hot spots and to check the extent of cancer in the lungs. Second, to create a benchmark for future comparisons when new tests are performed. This will identify if treatments are working.
The good news is that no additional cancer was detected outside of the chest area. The bad news is that her cancer has encompassed a large percentage of her left lung and does include the lymph nodes in the area of the left lung along with her bronchial tube. Additionally, it is affecting the inner and outer lining of the lung. The ugly part is that they still are unsure as to what type of cancer it actually is. (Dr. Morar and her pathologist are communicating with the pathologist in Dallas who originally diagnosed it as spindle cell carcinoma, at this point they are only sure it is non-small cell because the sample they are working with was too small.)
Next Tuesday at 2 p.m. Dr. Morar will call with a final word as to what type it is for sure and therefore what type of chemotheropy. At any rate chemo will start in 2 weeks. Before that begins she wants Mom to have a few more things done. One is a brain scan, this is due to the dizzyness she experiences, also precautionary as historically that is where lung cancer travels. Second, she wants to remove some of the fluid built up in and around the lung. This should help her breath easier and can be done repeatedly as they can only remove approximately a liter at a time without causing too much stress. Third, they want to install a port in her upper chest that will be used not only for the chemo treatments but also for blood draws, etc. This will avoid using needles in her arms.
Further, Dr. Morar explained that soley using radiation as a treatment is not an option. She may use some pin point radiation if she believes it can shrink the tumor and provide some breathing relief. She expects to order new ct scans two months into treatment and compare results.
This is pretty much what I learned from lunch with all that attended. If I missed anything I'm sure they can add in the comments below. Take care and I'll let you know what we find out with next Tuesdays phone call. Jim
These tests had a twofold purpose. First, to check all other vital organs for additional hot spots and to check the extent of cancer in the lungs. Second, to create a benchmark for future comparisons when new tests are performed. This will identify if treatments are working.
The good news is that no additional cancer was detected outside of the chest area. The bad news is that her cancer has encompassed a large percentage of her left lung and does include the lymph nodes in the area of the left lung along with her bronchial tube. Additionally, it is affecting the inner and outer lining of the lung. The ugly part is that they still are unsure as to what type of cancer it actually is. (Dr. Morar and her pathologist are communicating with the pathologist in Dallas who originally diagnosed it as spindle cell carcinoma, at this point they are only sure it is non-small cell because the sample they are working with was too small.)
Next Tuesday at 2 p.m. Dr. Morar will call with a final word as to what type it is for sure and therefore what type of chemotheropy. At any rate chemo will start in 2 weeks. Before that begins she wants Mom to have a few more things done. One is a brain scan, this is due to the dizzyness she experiences, also precautionary as historically that is where lung cancer travels. Second, she wants to remove some of the fluid built up in and around the lung. This should help her breath easier and can be done repeatedly as they can only remove approximately a liter at a time without causing too much stress. Third, they want to install a port in her upper chest that will be used not only for the chemo treatments but also for blood draws, etc. This will avoid using needles in her arms.
Further, Dr. Morar explained that soley using radiation as a treatment is not an option. She may use some pin point radiation if she believes it can shrink the tumor and provide some breathing relief. She expects to order new ct scans two months into treatment and compare results.
This is pretty much what I learned from lunch with all that attended. If I missed anything I'm sure they can add in the comments below. Take care and I'll let you know what we find out with next Tuesdays phone call. Jim
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Friday's oncologist appointment
Peg and Becky took Mom to St. James Hospital last friday for Mom's first appointment with Dr. Morar. They all reported that she was very a very nice person. Dr. Morar reviewed all of the test results from Texas and she disagreed with the original diagnosis of spindle cell carcinoma. She believes this is a large cell cancer and that she has had it for quite some time. She drew diagrams and explained that the mass in her lung is located at the main entrance to her left lung. This is obstructing air flow into the left lung and is responsible for the shortness of breath. She further stated that the swollen lymph nodes in the lung are probably cancerous and therefor she believes this cancer is stage 4. The lower portion of the left lung shows thickening and fluid buildup.
She ordered 3 tests for this week. Today Mom went back to the hospital for blood work. Tomorrow she will go back at 1:30 for another CT Scan. This should take approximately 2 hours. Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Mom is scheduled for an appointment at the Cancer Treatment Center in Bloomington at 9:30 a.m. for a PET Scan. This will scan her from chest to groin and check for 'hot spot' such as the swollen lymph nodes in the chest to determine if they are indeed cancerous and if the chest is the primary location of the cancer.
Next Tuesday Mom will go back to Bloomington to get the results of these test and hear recommendations for treatment. Dr. Morar also indicated that she will want CT Scan's every 2 months. I will post to this blog after next Tuesday's appointment to let you know what we find out. I apologize for not getting this out sooner as I know everyone is concerned. We all had a great Easter weekend and Mom was so excited to see everyone. Karen's son Christopher made it home Friday from Afghanistan and was able to celebrate Easter with us, much to Mom's satisfaction. She was so happy to see him home safe and sound.
Take care and look for more info after next Tuesday's appointment. Jim
She ordered 3 tests for this week. Today Mom went back to the hospital for blood work. Tomorrow she will go back at 1:30 for another CT Scan. This should take approximately 2 hours. Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Mom is scheduled for an appointment at the Cancer Treatment Center in Bloomington at 9:30 a.m. for a PET Scan. This will scan her from chest to groin and check for 'hot spot' such as the swollen lymph nodes in the chest to determine if they are indeed cancerous and if the chest is the primary location of the cancer.
Next Tuesday Mom will go back to Bloomington to get the results of these test and hear recommendations for treatment. Dr. Morar also indicated that she will want CT Scan's every 2 months. I will post to this blog after next Tuesday's appointment to let you know what we find out. I apologize for not getting this out sooner as I know everyone is concerned. We all had a great Easter weekend and Mom was so excited to see everyone. Karen's son Christopher made it home Friday from Afghanistan and was able to celebrate Easter with us, much to Mom's satisfaction. She was so happy to see him home safe and sound.
Take care and look for more info after next Tuesday's appointment. Jim
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Theres no place like home, Dorothy!
Tim, Maria and the kids were in town this weekend so we got together for pizza at Mom's last night. She has been feeling better for a few weeks now and being home is agreeing with her. Her healing process from pneumonia started in Texas and made great progress there, and after being home this week I have to say it's hard to tell she has been sick. She looks just great! Lets pray for continued success and a good prognosis next week at her oncologist appointment.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Mom's Appointment with Dr. Hough Yesterday
Mom's appointment with Dr. Hough went very well yesterday, Tuesday. She does tend to get out of breath very easily when she has to walk a ways {of course she didn't want to use her new wheels}, and when she has to talk a lot. Dr. Hough had the nurse put a breathing device on her finger to see how her breathing was, and it read fine. It's just the obstruction in her lung that gets her out of breath. He took her blood pressure and it was just fine. He just wants her to get to the oncologist asap and that will happen next Friday. I will be going and so will Pat if Becky doesn't get here by then. The Oncologists name is Dr. Morar and the appointment will be out at the hospital. I'll let you all know what's going on after the appointment. Take care and love to all. Peg
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