cott01 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Please go here - really about the surgery part. I am totally stressed. I need some real people to tell me that my mom can pull through the worst. Thanks.... http://cancergrace.org/forums/index.php?topic=2526.0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 It is possible for your mother to pull through this. Although it all sounds like a comedy of errors, take comfort in the fact that she is being treated for every symptom they have found - low oxygen sats, pneumonia, etc. Never, ever lose hope. No matter what, keep the thought in your mind that someone beats the odds and there's no reason it can't be your mother. Believe...and don't forget to breathe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I've heard of people with reactions as bad or worse pulling through and doing fine. I will keep your mom in my prayers. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millie's girl Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 My mom had a pneumonectomy (removed her left lung) October 13th, 2009. It has been a very difficult time for her as well as all of us who love her. Right after the surgery she went to CVICU and was on a ventilator. She was weaned off the vent within 24 hours. Her heart rate got up to 130-140, she spiked a temp several times. Her oxygen level dropped on nasal oxygen and she had to wear an oxygen mask. It was heartbreaking to watch her go through this. ESPECIALLY ME BEING A NURSE ... she remained in CVICU for 5 days and there were many emotional highs and lows for her and us. She finally was transferred to what is called "intermediate care" and seemed to be doing fine. She was discharged from the hospital October 20,2009 with Home Health care. Well, on October 23, 2009 we had to take her back to the hospital b/c of chest pain and shortness of breath. She was diagnosed with pneumonia and probable pericarditis(infection around the lining of the heart). She was placed on 2 strong IV antibiotics. Several test were done and she was finally discharged October 29, 2009. She is home and seems to be doing fair (I HAVE MY FINGERS CROSSED). I said all of this to say I can empathize with you. This is such a monster of a disease and it has shaken me to the core. I wish I could solve this problem for my mom and your mom...HANG IN THERE...MOMMA NEEDS YOU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cott01 Posted November 5, 2009 Author Share Posted November 5, 2009 Well we had to mom on a ventilator yesterday morning. She is in such a panicked/psychotic state that its best to keep her sedated (she gets violent and hysterical). She looks good - lung are better than yesterday although I just spoke to the ICU nurse and he said they pulled a bit of gunk out this morning but not bad. He thinks she will be there for the next three days he would estimate. He said she looks better than he expected and better than yesterday. My mom is very deceiving though - I thought we had this in the bag - until three days after her surgery, she declined so quickly. Anyway, no change really this morning...still zonked and vented. For me - it seems no light at the end of the tunnel....I dont like not knowing and I am NOT a patient person at all. Plus my mom is my bestfriend and neighbor. Its always been just us girls....hard to imagine life without her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michellep Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 Sorry to hear about your Mom....I'm sending prayers for you both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cott01 Posted November 10, 2009 Author Share Posted November 10, 2009 Thank you Michelle Mom is still on a ventilator. The pneumonia is cleared up and she has gone from 80 O2 on the vent to 35. Her bloodwork has not changed since we started with this a week ago. If she doesnt come around by Thursday, the doctor is putting a tracheotomy. He is also considering paralyzing her since her breath rate is so high. Yesterday it was 45-55 (should be 15-20). Tonight when we visited it was 28-33. I kissed her and it spiked to 44 so obviously we shouldnt touch her. OMG I already miss her so much I cant believe this is happening. The oncologist said it would be a slow process but geezzzzz....cant she get a break! My mom is such a good person - she doesnt deserve this, neither do my children! This is a nightmare! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaminkw Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 My heart goes out to you and your family and what you are going through. Like Susan said, we've seen many "worst case" scenarios here and seen people bounce back. That doesn't make it any easier to get through it though. Judy in Key West Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cott01 Posted November 22, 2009 Author Share Posted November 22, 2009 My mom is still hanging in there. This past Tuesday - the surgeon said we should basically "pull the plug'. He thinks her shot of coming out of this is "non existent". Tuesday was devastating. The pulmonlogist disagreed and said there is still hope and that it can take a long time. We havent tried to wean her yet so we need to at least give it a shot and not just turn the darn vent off. So far so good. Everything is still in good shape for now. Still praying. Thanks for the warm thoughts and prayers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kukla Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 I'm so sorry you and your family are going through this. Your mom certainly sounds like a fighter! Thoughts and prayers coming your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cott01 Posted December 13, 2009 Author Share Posted December 13, 2009 Well - mom is still here - funky as can be. She ended up with another case of pneumonia (bacterial this time). We held out and decided to give her one last shot. We decided to wean her from the vent slowly. Looks like she is handling her own. She is now on only wall oxygen through her trach (33% oxygen). She coughs a lot. The resp therapist put in her talking trach a couple days ago - she has put it to use for sure! The nurses are calling her their miracle baby. We are working on physical therapy now to get her strength back. Come on Nanna! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb73 Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 Here is my take on this after walking the walk for five plus years: Do not cave into the negative. Like Bill, you can give the stats a run for their money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 Prayers go up for blessings to rain down! Hope and pray for some continued good news!!!! every breath represents a fighting chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 It sounds like your mom has a powerful will to survive and is gaining strength each day. I'm happy she is making progress. Please keep us informed and tell her that there are a lot of people here rooting for her. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaminkw Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Your Mom is definitely a fighter. You must watch and wonder where she get the strength to stay at it. Miracle baby for sure! You hang in there now and keep us posted. Just an idea, one of our members printed all the posts in response to her Mom's struggle and read them to her. She was delighted and astounded that so many people who don't know her except from a daughter's posts were rooting for her. Judy in Key West Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstdzy Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Your Mom is amazing! Tell her Happy Holidays for me! And give her a kiss! Dana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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