LindaL
Well-Known Member
I just got back a few days ago from my trip back to Oregon to see friends and family...had a really good time (for the most part). My mom, who is not in good health (had open heart surgery and broke her hip 4 yrs ago along with having insulin dependent diabetes, arthritis, congestive heart failure, etc, etc) had been feeling very weak and "cold" for a few weeks, so my dad finally took her to the ER one day before my trip. They immediately admitted her with severe anemia and gave her 2 blood transfusions. They figures she had a "bleed" somewhere and my mom admitted that she had bloody diarrhea recently. The next day, she had 2 more transfusions and they scheduled a colonoscopy. However, my mom is on blood thinners for her heart valve, so they had to wait while they took her off them. Then, the anethesiologist decided he could not "clear" her for the procedure, because she had an irregular heartbeat...and sent her to the cardiac floor in the hospital. She was admitted on Thursday and had the colonoscopy on Sunday.
In the meantime, I arrive in Portland late Monday night and get settled in at my friend Teresa's house. I go visit my mom in the hospital on Tuesday and she is in good spirits even tho she just wants to go home. She is adamant that she was going to still have the graduation party at her house that Saturday! At the time, they had not had a chance to look over lab reports, but did find that she had a bleeding ulcer, so would treat that. My dad says "At least there is no cancer" (I hadn't even considered that possibility, so it kind of shocked me when he said it...and remember this is before lab reports were back).
I am concerned about my mom, but also continue with my visit...going out to dinner with my friends and my daughter. Also, had plans to go to the coast on Friday for Teresa's wedding and come back on Saturday for the party. My mom was sure she'd be out of the hospital by Thursday. After the procedure they had to put her back on the blood thinners, so had to wait til that was back to the level she needed for her heart.
Thursday evening comes and I get a phone call...lab results are back...colon cancer!! I am in shock and freaked out by this news!! My parents are in "denial" and are still planning the freaking party!! I am also questioning whether I go to the beach or not...My mom tells me to go; that there is nothing I can do here.
So, Friday morning I leave for the beach after having coffee with my sister (I feel really bad, because not only is this whole thing going on with our mom, but she is having a really tough time right now in her marriage, which I find out is becoming even violent! That is a whole LONG story in itself! I really need to be a support system for her, but it is hard from 3000 miles away!).
I do manage to have a good time at the beach...spent 5 hours out on it with the wedding and then the "reception". It was good to see Teresa so happy. I've known her for 8 years and she has been thru a lot...she really deserves this happiness in her life and was glad I was able to be a part of her special day!
Saturday morning I get a call saying my mom was finally being discharged from the hospital and the party was still on!! So, I leave the coast and head to their house to help out. Most of the work is done by my dad and my brother and SIL also came early to help out, so my mom was not doing any work.
Had a really good time...lots of laughter and chatting...I really think my mom NEEDED this party for herself, even tho it was for my daughter.
Sunday comes and time for Taylor's graduation. Over 5000 graduates from Portland State University and it is held at the Rose Garden! So proud of her and was glad she decided to "walk" her graduation and that I was able to see it!
Monday I go visit with my parents one more time. My mom tells me she starts chemo later in the week and also radiation. In 6 months, they will re-test. She seems to be "adjusting" to her new life as a now cancer patient (along with being a heart patient, etc).
My son Scott picks me up and we go to dinner before my flight home to Florida.
So, like I said...had a really good visit...for the most part...but it also was stressful and included some not anticipated events. I was glad that I was able to be in Portland when it all came about, tho...If timing was a factor I couldn't have asked for better!
Please keep my mom in your thoughts and prayers as she fights her newest battle...I'd love for her to say in 6 months that she is cancer-free and a survivor!
Here are a few pics from my trip...(Teresa and Rose, my mom and me with my kids)... thanks for letting me share!!
In the meantime, I arrive in Portland late Monday night and get settled in at my friend Teresa's house. I go visit my mom in the hospital on Tuesday and she is in good spirits even tho she just wants to go home. She is adamant that she was going to still have the graduation party at her house that Saturday! At the time, they had not had a chance to look over lab reports, but did find that she had a bleeding ulcer, so would treat that. My dad says "At least there is no cancer" (I hadn't even considered that possibility, so it kind of shocked me when he said it...and remember this is before lab reports were back).
I am concerned about my mom, but also continue with my visit...going out to dinner with my friends and my daughter. Also, had plans to go to the coast on Friday for Teresa's wedding and come back on Saturday for the party. My mom was sure she'd be out of the hospital by Thursday. After the procedure they had to put her back on the blood thinners, so had to wait til that was back to the level she needed for her heart.
Thursday evening comes and I get a phone call...lab results are back...colon cancer!! I am in shock and freaked out by this news!! My parents are in "denial" and are still planning the freaking party!! I am also questioning whether I go to the beach or not...My mom tells me to go; that there is nothing I can do here.
So, Friday morning I leave for the beach after having coffee with my sister (I feel really bad, because not only is this whole thing going on with our mom, but she is having a really tough time right now in her marriage, which I find out is becoming even violent! That is a whole LONG story in itself! I really need to be a support system for her, but it is hard from 3000 miles away!).
I do manage to have a good time at the beach...spent 5 hours out on it with the wedding and then the "reception". It was good to see Teresa so happy. I've known her for 8 years and she has been thru a lot...she really deserves this happiness in her life and was glad I was able to be a part of her special day!
Saturday morning I get a call saying my mom was finally being discharged from the hospital and the party was still on!! So, I leave the coast and head to their house to help out. Most of the work is done by my dad and my brother and SIL also came early to help out, so my mom was not doing any work.
Had a really good time...lots of laughter and chatting...I really think my mom NEEDED this party for herself, even tho it was for my daughter.
Sunday comes and time for Taylor's graduation. Over 5000 graduates from Portland State University and it is held at the Rose Garden! So proud of her and was glad she decided to "walk" her graduation and that I was able to see it!
Monday I go visit with my parents one more time. My mom tells me she starts chemo later in the week and also radiation. In 6 months, they will re-test. She seems to be "adjusting" to her new life as a now cancer patient (along with being a heart patient, etc).
My son Scott picks me up and we go to dinner before my flight home to Florida.
So, like I said...had a really good visit...for the most part...but it also was stressful and included some not anticipated events. I was glad that I was able to be in Portland when it all came about, tho...If timing was a factor I couldn't have asked for better!
Please keep my mom in your thoughts and prayers as she fights her newest battle...I'd love for her to say in 6 months that she is cancer-free and a survivor!
Here are a few pics from my trip...(Teresa and Rose, my mom and me with my kids)... thanks for letting me share!!
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