bunny Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 whew. this is one heck of a rollar coaster, ain't it? after a stellar post-op report, my mom was flying high on hope. that was Wed. on Thurs. afternoon she felt a little more tired and SOB than she had been, but we chalked it up the the walk she took that morning, her best one yet. by mid-day Fri., she could not catch her breath and was on oxygen all the time, as opposed to every once in a while, as she had been since she came home. she went to her GP's office on the advice of her surgeon. he was away and the MORON filling in for him diagnosed a "possible" blood clot (!!), prescribed Advair and sent her to the radiology department of a local hospital (NOT the ER). needless to say, I wasn't there - a family friend agreed to take her and doesn't have my questioning nature . so they go to the rad. dept., and are told no one is there to give her the right test, COME BACK MONDAY. the 'doctor' agreed, told her to come back when the office was open. !!?!?!? THAT'S when she called me. it took me an hour and half to make the 20 minute trip to her place from mine (NYC Fri. afternoon traffic) and by the time I got there, she was gasping for air even with the oxygen on. after a couple more phone calls, I took her back to MSKCC, and they admitted her. so far, we know she has a small pulmonary embolism, a slight pericardial eflusion and a urinary tract infection. Sat. was a horrible day. she had to pee all the time, but wasn't able to get out of bed fast enough so she had a couple accidents. she couldn't catch her breath all day, and she couldn't sleep. this, and they still aren't 100% sure what is making her SO SOB - the PE might cause it all, or it might not. the eflusion is the same as what existed immediately following her surgery, so it may or may not be problematic. watching and waiting on that one. they're doing an Echo-cardiogram [sic] today hoping to get more info. in the meantime, they are treating the PE and the UTI. yesterday she was a little better, and actually did a couple laps around the hospital floor. her sat level is good with oxygen, but goes down into the 80's without it. has anyone else experienced this? such a sudden, and complete turnaround? it's really scary. it's horrible to be back there. still, she remains cancer free and, remarkably, her surgical pain is subsiding. I can see in her eyes that she's a little demoralized. I can also see she's thinking twice about chemo, after all this discomfort, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it. I REFUSE to let this make me a pessimist (again). she is still a miracle, this is just a glitch. still, I'd be lying if I didn't admit to a few disheartened moments. the worst part of all of it is her fear. I can't stand to see it. I missed you guys SO MUCH, but with all the unknowns I couldn't stand to be away from her at all this weekend. I am at work now for a few hours, just to get some things squared away, and will head back over to her. we'll see what they say today about sending her home with the blood thinners. this is long, thanks for reading, and thanks for any input. xoxo bunny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finster Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 Wow! What a weekend! My mom had a pulmonary embolism and pleural effusion. I'm not sure if one caused her to be short of breath more than another, but she had to use a 100% non-rebreather mask when she was in the hospital. They treated her with Lovenox for the blood clot. Are they saying anything about draining the pericardial effusion? Well, good luck to you and Suki. I'll be thinking about you and saying prayers for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny Posted July 18, 2005 Author Share Posted July 18, 2005 thanks, Melissa. yes, they are talking about possibly draining the eflusion today after her echo gives them more info re: her heart. they are treating the PE with tinzaparin (shots in the tummy ). she's also getting cipro for the UTI, so hopefully if there's some other infection that will treat it. hoping for an aspiration, if anything, for the pericardial eflusion (as opposed to another surgery). thanks again for input, and for PRAYERS. xoxo amie PS. remember when "PE" just meant gym class? sheesh. 'new normal', huh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patkid Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 LOTS of prayers being lifted up! Suki, we are thinking of you! Amie, strength, honey, and admiration. Love Pat and Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail p-m Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 Lots of prayes being sent to your mom and you! Gail p-m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 Hi Amie, You are right, this is a rollercoaster ride. These ups and downs could make you crazy. You poor mom must be so scared and confused. I am confident that the doctors will do what has to be done and your mom will be fine. Sending prayers out to Suki... Hang in there, as this is just a setback that will be corrected. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pammie Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 Keep up the positive outlook even though its tough. Will be keeping you and your mom in my prayers. pammie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missyk Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 Amie... Good lord, i don't check posts for ONE day and you come on with this one! Kick Suki in the tush and tell her to knock it off! You know (and i hope everyone else does!) i'm kidding. Man! Would be nice to just have all the possible complications NOT show up!!! I'm SO sorry, hun, that she's having to deal with this and that you're one busy "bunny" yet again. It WILL slow back down, i promise!!!! Sending lots of prayers for Suki's quick recovery from this complication and lots of love to both of you!! Remember to take a few moments each day, if nothing else, for AIME!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Amie: I was sorry to see your mom is having post op problems. Hopefully things are more resolved by now. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny Posted July 20, 2005 Author Share Posted July 20, 2005 thanks Don. Suki is going home today, having been in the hospital since Fri. (longer than for her surgery!) her pulmonary embolism is being treated with tinzaparin (a nurse will come & give her injections, they don't want me to 'learn how' with a blood thinner). the perocardial eflusion is being watched, and she'll have another CT as an outpatient next week. she shows no signs of heart trouble, so they're hesitant to do anything invasive. it's a littel scary - she's still more SOB than she was immediately following the surgery, but less than she was Fri./Sat. I had an amazing moment yesterday where my mom re-learned how to breathe - it was stuff we'd been encouraging her to do, but for some reason when a new nurse said it, she heard it and it really helped. I will stay with her until at least the weekend. I trust that she is through this crisis. we're keeping her first oncologist appointment on Tues., as well. thanks, everyone, for love and support. (and prayers - they worked!!) xoxo amie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 That is great news Amie, I am so glad your mom is home. It is so nice that you went through this with her. Keep us posted on her condition. Prayers sent for a speedy recovery and her SOB to subside. Just give it time. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilliBr1 Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Happy to hear your mom gets to go home today. Keeping her in my prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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