Remembering Dave Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 OK, my Mom has Stage IV colon cancer - spread to her liver once, tumors in colon and liver removed last summer, she started chemo then had to stop to get a huge hernia repaired on her colon surgery incision. so she had to stop chemo for three months. so, she started back up and has had two chemo treatments. she had a chest/ab ct scan on Monday and today we saw the onco doc (Dave's onco doc as well) and she now has more mets in her liver. we kinda expected that, but it's disappointing. my mom can barely tolerate the lowest dose of chemo, she can't tolerate hardly any drugs . . . now this. She's 72 and doesn't have the fight in her that Dave has. Guess I'm just whining a little. Sometimes I feel like I'm living in a bad dream. Just hope like heck Dave's brain MRI on Monday shows him to be empty headed . . . KC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eileen Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 I am so sorry to hear the bad news about your Mother--- I am really hoping you get good news from David's MRI---you are overdue for some good news for a change! best wishes, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDianneB Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 What a bummer. Last summer, my a/c went kaput, and I called the guy who comes around twice a year to service the unit. I was just out of the hospital, NOT needing a/c troubles at all, but there ya go. The guy that works on it is barely pushing 40, and was diagnosed with colon cancer just before I found out about my cancer. Double bummer. He had no insurance, and had to sell just about everything he had to pay for his chemo. The "not for profit" place he goes here wouldn't give him the chemo without the money up front, so he was having to work like a demon while having chemo, just to keep up. He and his wife have 2 young children, and it broke my heart that he has to fight cancer at such a young age, and right in the middle of his life too. Now, with 8 months under my belt, I know that it doesn't matter what age you are when stricken with cancer - it's a scourge and a beast no matter what. My mom is 91 -- tell your mom that my mom would consider her a young sprout! My very best to your mom while she fights this awful disease. Di Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 Karen, sorry to hear that once more your plate runneth over.Wishing strength to your mom as she fights this,and as always the best to you and David and your gorgeous daughter.Hang in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 Karen~ We have a friend that had colon cancer and was given approximately 2 months to live because it had gone to his liver. He went for a second opinion at the University of Michigan hospital. They put in a line that pumps chemo to his liver and he is still here almost 3 years later. He feels good so the chemo must not be too harsh. Maybe there are other options for your mom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 Suck a duck I am so sorry Karen, this is way more than one person should have to handle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelliemacs Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 Oh no, I can't believe what your under. I wish I could come up with some magic phrase that would open the clouds you seem to be walking under and make a smile come to your face. Moms are wonderful special people in a daughters life and when they are sick, it just tears the soul out of you. All my prayers to her and you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remembering Dave Posted February 4, 2005 Author Share Posted February 4, 2005 First of all - Andrea - yes, I love the new photo! Ry - you know, we discussed getting her the line thing - it's actually an infusion pump that's installed into the artery that leads to the liver. That was discussed with the liver surgeon when he was getting ready to take out the first liver met (which we thought/hoped was the only one). My mom resisted it and our onco doc didn't think it was necessary. I brought that back up today. He said that since last summer, that infusion pump to the liver has been pretty much totally discounted. The only two places that are still doing it is Mom's surgeon here in Richmond and Sloan-Kettering. Well, he said he was exaggerating a little, maybe other places are still doing it - but it's been totally disapproved to be any more helpful than regular chemo - which folks get in addition to the pump. The real problem with my mom is that she can't tolerate much chemo at all. she can't have more than the lowest dose possible. she can't tolerate much drugs at all. in fact, she had psychotic episodes in the hospital just taking a regular dose of demerol. quite different from Dave. He says sock it to me and doesn't complain about the side effects. Every little side effect really EFFECTS my mom. So I'm pretty worried about her. I just hope that her low dose of chemo gets the liver tumors. KC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justakid Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 Damn Karen it's always something! Sorry about Mom's liver! Still thinking good thoughts for Dave on Monday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnmynatt Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 Karen, All I can offer is prayers for your mom, Dave, you and the whole family. Take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betplace Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 Oh ((((Karen)))), I wish there was something I could do to lighten the load that your family is under. It is so darn unfair. All I can do though is send hugs and prayers that you folks find the strength to keep on fighting your battles. So I'm sending loads of hugs and loads of prayers and a special kiss for that swweet little Faith! Blessings Betty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 . . . . once more your plate runneth over. Ditto Frank! You are getting too much at once, Karen. Hang on tight. You are on a bumpy road, but it's passable. Do a lot of swerving and take detours so you don't get stuck in a pot hole. Sending hugs and prayers for your mom, Dave, you and Faith, and anyone else in your family that needs them! Love, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail p-m Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 Sorry to hear the news about your mom. That's definitely not what you or your mom need. As others have mentioned, second opinions are sometimes helpful when things seem hopeless. As for Dave, prayers going out that he is "empty headed". Your about due for some good news I would think. Gail P-M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukiss Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 im sorry that you are going through all this sorrow and pain, I know how it is, and it makes life unreal at times.... hang in there though... lukiss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 So sorry Karen. What a lot you are having to bear at the moment. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers and hope that Dave's scans will prove negative. Love, Paddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyCW Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 I'm sooooo sorry to hear this latest news about your mom. Please tell her she remains in my prayers, and I hope her treatments will knock this out -- and without knocking her out too much. This would be tough anytime, but especially now with everything else you're going through. Praying hard for all of you, and especially for good news on David soon. BeckyCW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 Karen, I just can't believe all that you are going through....I don't think I have seen a break in the cloudy sky for you once. I am so sorry that your mom's news wasn't better. You are getting slugged from all sides. Please tell Dave that I hope that his noggin has nothing in it but good sense as always. I think you are doing a great job, Karen. And I am hoping that your sinus infection holds off for you while you tackle the problems of the day. I will keep your mom in my prayers, Dave in my prayers, Faith in my prayers, and especially you for strength and for health to continue to hold the family together. Cindi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 Karen, Wow! You really have your plate full at this point. I am so sorry that your mother's mets came back in her liver and hope that the low does chemo is enough to knock them out. I wish for Dave's scan to be "empty headed" and if anything, only small, squashed peas. Didn't you say that small squished peas would be ok? Praying for you all. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C. Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 Karen, Sorry for all the sickness in your family. Sending prayers to all. J.C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 Karen you have too much lousy stuff going on at once and your once has lasted way too long. I hope the low dose chemo does the trick for your Mom and that Dave is welcomed into the 'Empty Headed' club on Monday. Lots of people cheering you guys on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 Karen, Will be looking for good news about Dave's head.. So sorry your mom is having such a rough time. I just feel at such a loss for words. I just want you to know that you are in my prayers. sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 Too, too much for anyone to handle. Sending you strength and comfort. gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 Hi Karen, I feel so bad for everything that you are going through. I can't imagine how stressed out you must be that beside dealing with your hubbys condition, now you have your mom. My heart goes out to you. I pray that Dave's test does come back empty headed. You still have your sense of humor, thats great. good luck Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berisa Posted February 6, 2005 Share Posted February 6, 2005 Dear Karen, your mom and Dave are definitely in my thoughts and prayers. I also hope your infection is getting well. Hang in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhutch1366 Posted February 6, 2005 Share Posted February 6, 2005 Karen, What Ginnyde said. XOXOXOXOXOX Chin up, kiddo.....hang in there.... Prayers... MaryAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.