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Post by ChamZilla on May 23, 2005 15:47:34 GMT -5
Hey everyone,
I just wanted to give everyone the heads up of where I have been in the last week or so.
For the past 12 years or so my mom has been paralyzed on her right side from a stroke. Well within the last 3 years she has had breast cancer which has migrated into her bones. So for 3 years at least that we are aware of she has had cancer, probably for a few years before that too.
Now she has lost the full use of her legs in walking and standing up, so we admited her to the hospital. After waiting 10 hours last Wednesday they finally admited her because of 2 disks that are deteriorating in her spine.
I am telling this so you are aware not for you to feel sorry for me or her. She is a fighter and has been doing so for a long time. So one day she won't have to fight and be in pain anymore. The hospital says she may be able to return home this week. But she will need nursing care throughout the day.
Just keep her and my family in your prayers and that will be appreciated.
Stephanie
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Post by Marie on May 23, 2005 16:59:05 GMT -5
Stephanie
I will keep you and her in my thoughts and prayers.
Marie
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Post by skjonnhet on May 23, 2005 19:40:59 GMT -5
Its good to hear that your mom is a fighter. The fighters always pull through. She will be kept in our prayers.
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Post by Patrick Kubeja on May 24, 2005 15:17:57 GMT -5
Hi Steph
I am Sorry to here that and you know that your Mom and you are in my thoughts and prayers. She is a fighter and that a good thing so best wishes for her and you!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by ChamZilla on May 31, 2005 21:10:37 GMT -5
So since I posted last time, my mom has came home on last Friday.
She is bed ridden and needs a lift to get her in and out of bed and anywhere else in the house she needs to go.
Her cancer medication wasn't working so they put her on a trial medication just for people that have had breast cancer of various types. So hopefully it stops the spread of cancerous cells.
As the hospital promised that I would have caregiver relief I have had it for one day now. From 1 - 5 pm it helps a lot. Makes things a little easier on me, as I have been taking care of my mom for 11 years of my life already. It is hard to watch someone's health deplete infront of your eyes. Day by day, week after week.
She is happy to be home but is deffinatly not the person she was when she left. Hopefully she is able to go the vaccation they have been planning for the last 3 years. It will break her heart if she can't. But most of all she is in good spirit and is confortable. It amazes me how many people now a days have cancer of some type.
I'll give you the whole story since I have a minute. When I was 14 years old my mom had an anurism in her brain or what they now call a stroke. Her right side was paralyzed from this brain trauma. She went to rehab for only a short time before refusing to go anymore. Since I was the only one living at home other than my brother. At 14 I was to take care of my mom and go to school. Needless to say I failed school that year. Instead of going out with friends and doing fun things, I was stuck at home teaching my mom how to read, write and eat again. She gained use of her left side and could do limited walking and very limited personal things. She was basically a baby in a big body. It took me a long time to get her able to be alone. When I was 17 I dropped out of highschool and got a job. I worked part time for 3 years until she started to get sick again. She was diagnosed with Lung disease from smoking for so long. Then not long after that she was diagnosed with breast cancer, broken hip and bone cancer. And that brings us up to the era we are at today.
If she would have went to the doctor for her regular check ups the breast cancer could have been caught. But as for the stroke she was a nurse and knew better than to ignore signs of black outs, headaches and other things. So even if something is as tiny as repeted headachs or just something doesn't feel right. Your probably in need of a check up, Just to make sure everything is ok.
Don't ignore signs that your body gives you. We arn't perfectly manufactured machines, we are humans we do get sick and sometimes we do even break down. So listen if your body is telling you something. We are all so overwhelmed by our busy schedules and lifes, but we still need to take some time to ourselfs and relax.
Good luck everyone!
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Post by ChamZilla on May 31, 2005 21:11:51 GMT -5
This was just to bring people aware of things that do happen today. We are so advanced in care and medications but it is still up to us as a person to go and make sure everything is ok.
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Post by Marie on Jun 1, 2005 1:35:36 GMT -5
Stephanie,
I am glad you got a little help now. I have cared for my Auntie Merle and Uncle Louie while working full time and know how hard that is but I can not imagine caring for someone at such a young age. I also know what is like not being able to go out with friends and have fun during those years but it was for different reasons than yours. But you must be a very strong individual to go through both during those years.
Cancer is a very devastating disease. My grandmother did not go to the doctor on a regular basis either. She started feeling run down while visiting my mother and that is when it was found she had cancer. It was very advanced but she decided to go home and go for the operation anyway. She had a stroke though half way through it. The first few years after the divorce my dad would send the money for us to go stay with my grandparents. Memories of rootbeer floats, strawberry shortcake, homemade applesauce, and 4th of July cookouts always came to mind when I thought of her. So when I found out, I borrowed the money from Dad and flew out. It broke my heart to see her that way. And knowing that maybe it might have been different if it had been caught early was even harder.
So you are definitely right about seeing the doctor on a regular basis.
I hope that you will continue to get some help with her and I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless and keep you.
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Post by Denise on Jun 1, 2005 8:45:03 GMT -5
Stephanie,
I'm very sorry for your mom and will be keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers! I'm glad you got some help now. I lost my mom to Cancer and she was only 24. So I didn't even know her as I was 2. Hers went from her breast to her brain. Treatments weren't as good then as they are nowadays either.
You're right about early detection is the key!! As I found my cancer myself,so do those self examinations,they are very important!! And visit your doctors regulary! Thanks for writing about this and sorry I haven't been here to answer this sooner,,Take care.
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Post by ChamZilla on Jul 27, 2005 22:56:44 GMT -5
Hi Everyone, Just to update you. My mom's cancer has progressed since she came home in my last post on this thread she was in pain and getting limited movement. So she was now re-admited into the hospital an hour from here as of Monday July 25th. She was sent for an MRI today and to our knowledge nothing would stop her from getting one. Until the dr asked if she'd had an anurism anytime in her life. And my dad said yes. Well when you have one of those they put an implant in your brain where your "weak site" was to help keep you alive an assure that you have a better chance of survival. While the MRI magnets can unlodge this metal implant and cauz death. So good thing my dad did go up there. Her cancer is probably progressing So we go one day at a time again. She has an agressive cancer even with the treatment of chemo drugs. But all in all I guess everyone around here is doing as best as we can with all the crazy circumstances. Thanks for caring everyone it makes all the difference in my life
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Post by Marie on Jul 28, 2005 0:22:06 GMT -5
I am really sorry to hear things have taken a turn for the worst. I know it has been very hard on you. I hope they can help your mother's pain. If you need to talk you know where to find me. I will be praying for your family. Take Care.
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debbie
Member
I don't own the Ig's, they own me
Posts: 204
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Post by debbie on Jul 28, 2005 17:30:39 GMT -5
Stephanie, I am so sorry to hear about your mothers cancer progressing. I will keep you and your mother in my prayers andthought every day. And as Marie said if you need to talk we all are here for you.
God bless and take care.
Debbie Iggy Bam-Bam and Miss Zak
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kessa
Member
love your pets as if they were your children, and they will love you as if you were there parents
Posts: 142
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Post by kessa on Jul 28, 2005 22:21:55 GMT -5
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Post by ChamZilla on Jul 28, 2005 23:11:09 GMT -5
Thank you all again. THey sent her for another CT scan and they haven't told us anything yet. I am going to visit her tomorrow. I miss her a lot. Thank you again everyone for your support and if and when I need anything I won't be afraid to ask for help
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Post by elizabeth on Aug 1, 2005 10:35:53 GMT -5
Steph I know how hard this has been on you and for such a long time now!! I wish your family the best in such a hard time!! I know from meeting you and talking to you and talking about how things are with your mom that you are such a wonderful strong woman to deal with so much!! I am sorry that your mom has to go through so much, as well as you being right along with her for the whole ordeal! I know you do a lot to take care of your mother, be sure to take care of you too!
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Post by ChamZilla on Aug 20, 2005 9:52:11 GMT -5
Hey there, Everyone. I just wanted to update you on my crazy life. I've been sick with a cold for the last two weeks and I wasn't able to visit my mom at all. So that kinda sucked. I did go and visit her last night and she did seem in good spirits even though I know she doesn't want to be there at all. Her pain seems to be managed wonderfully in the hospital and they are getting her out of bed on a daily basis also. I can't help but feel bad for her having to stay in the hospital. I know I'm only 24 and I shouldn't have to be a babysitter and nurse to my own mother. But I wouldn't want to be left in some hospital until I died either. The dr's finally said that it would be better if she stayed in a facility that could properly take care of her. I guess it is human nature to feel guilty of the people you care about the most. But it was comforting to see that she was actually doing pretty good considering the situation and what she's had to deal with in her 57 years of life, so far. I have done as much as I could to make her stay at home the longest time available, so I shouldn't feel bad for that. I should be proud. But no matter what she is still my mom and I love her. I really hope everyone keeps there health in check even if its something dumb, cuz someone wants you around as long as they can have you , even if they don't say it
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