To everyone...

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-04-2005
To everyone...
9
Tue, 03-21-2006 - 10:41am
Thank you all for your prayers and positive thoughts. They must be working. Mom had her surgery as Halo told you, last Thursday.
She was in ICU at first. Now she is on a floor for progressive care where they specialize in working with patients with Mom's types of conditions.
The cancer had was a type T-1 (best type) due to shrinkage from the chemo and radiation treatments prior to surgery.
They were able to get all of the cancer and the margines and lymphnodes are all cancer free.
Mom was able to start eating food yesterday, but then this drainage thing turned cloudy from the pancreas and she might have to go back to fluids for a bit. It is not an infection and they said not to worry about it.
We have pretty much been camped out at the hospital as the surgery she had was very major. It is called "The Whipple Proceedure". They take out a third of the pancreas, the whole duodenum, the bile duct, the gall blader, and sometimes, but not in Mom's case a part of the stomach.
So, there is a lot of healing going on. They are pleased with how Mom is doing and she might come home at the end of the week. It will take 2 months to heal without any complications.
They are not sure now if she will need 4 more months of 100% chemo after this or not. She will talk to the chemo DR. Later.
We met a lady who had the Whipple proceedure done 4 years ago and is doing great. This is what we needed to hear because the chances of the cancer returning in 1 - 2 years is 80 - 90 %.
Mom is hoping to heal and be able to help other's to get through this and encourage families.
There has not been alot of research on pancreatic cancer so she volunteered to be a research patient as well. They have been doing alot of tests etc, on her for research now too.
My step Aunt is here and is helping out. Now that Mom is doing better we are taking shifts at the hospital.
We will do the same when she comes home.
I hope this will help me be more regular here at the board and in other things in my life too.
The Dr's have said that it is important for everyone to try to continue with their normal lives as much as possible.
I have decided that I can be here more now since I do this from home.
I have met alot of nice people who are also camped out at the hospital with sick family members going through this.
I am staying in contact with a lady from Ohio as we have become pretty quick friends and go eat and then hide out to sneak a smoke somewhere. Her husband is in for the same thing as my Mom and they had their surgery the same day at the same time. So, we spent time camping out in ICU and on the other floor together. She is here alone since they are from out of town so, I have been showing her where to go to eat etc, and going with her when she wants company. We are the same age and have had alot of good laughs and tears together already.
Today we have had alot of snow and Mom has requested that I come later with my step Dad and then drive home with my sister who is already there. ( She still worries about us )
My step Dad has spent every night by Mom's side and will not sleep at home until she is there. He was crying and said that is just doesn't feel right at home without my Mom. He said he loves her so much he does not know how he would live without her. I felt so bad for him. I just hugged him and let him cry.
Sorry this has become so long. I better close for now.
Thank you everyone for all your kind words and e-mails. I am still behind on the e-mails, but I plan to catch them all up very soon!
Hugs,
Laurie
Check out my new blog.
co-cl of Lesbian Life Message Board
Email- didoangst@comcast.net
http://didoangst.blogspot.com/
http://www.4-lesbianlife.com/
Hugs, Laurie Check out my new blog. co-cl of Lesbian Life Message Board Email- didoangst@comcast.net http://didoangst.blogspot.com/ http://www.4-lesbianlife.com/
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2004
Tue, 03-21-2006 - 11:08am

I'm glad that things are going better. And of course, prayer does work. Please hang in there.

Hope you come back soon.

Hugs!

 


Hugs,


Sebastian


 


http://www.facebook.com/sebastianbruce

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-06-2001
Tue, 03-21-2006 - 11:10am

I will continue to keep your Mom, you,

~Ginny~ <-- Click to send me email

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-04-2005
Tue, 03-21-2006 - 11:19am
Thank you gigi, yes it sure does work!
Hugs,
Laurie
Check out my new blog.
co-cl of Lesbian Life Message Board
Email- didoangst@comcast.net
http://didoangst.blogspot.com/
http://www.4-lesbianlife.com/
Hugs, Laurie Check out my new blog. co-cl of Lesbian Life Message Board Email- didoangst@comcast.net http://didoangst.blogspot.com/ http://www.4-lesbianlife.com/
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-04-2005
Tue, 03-21-2006 - 11:19am
Thank you ginny! : )
Hugs,
Laurie
Check out my new blog.
co-cl of Lesbian Life Message Board
Email- didoangst@comcast.net
http://didoangst.blogspot.com/
http://www.4-lesbianlife.com/
Hugs, Laurie Check out my new blog. co-cl of Lesbian Life Message Board Email- didoangst@comcast.net http://didoangst.blogspot.com/ http://www.4-lesbianlife.com/
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2005
Tue, 03-21-2006 - 12:49pm

(((((((Laurie))))))))) It's sooo great to see you. I'm sorry I haven't emailed you in a while.


Your mom has come a long way since her initial diagnosis. I'm glad she got some good news. Also glad that you met someone to commiserate with. I'm sure that helps a lot.


We all look forward to having you back on the board. You bring so much life to it!


Hugs


Photobucket


iVillage Member
Registered: 02-04-2005
Tue, 03-21-2006 - 3:37pm
Thank you ting-a-ling.
Don't worry about having not e-mailed in awhile, we have both been so busy it is understandable.
I have not e-mailed either so, we are even.
Let me know a good time to call you.
I am thinking that I will be more on track now. At least I will have a little more time at my computer for the board etc.
Hugs,
Laurie
Check out my new blog.
co-cl of Lesbian Life Message Board
Email- didoangst@comcast.net
http://didoangst.blogspot.com/
http://www.4-lesbianlife.com/
Hugs, Laurie Check out my new blog. co-cl of Lesbian Life Message Board Email- didoangst@comcast.net http://didoangst.blogspot.com/ http://www.4-lesbianlife.com/
Avatar for nursepam2000
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
Tue, 03-21-2006 - 10:02pm

(((((((Laurie)))))))


Great news!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2003
Tue, 03-21-2006 - 11:17pm

(((((((Hugs Laurie))))) So great to hear prayers are helping.. I know there are miracles even what may seem like small ones to some.. So out of this hard sad time came a few good things also Huh? Great that you have this lady from Ohio (A new beginning friendship) to talk and share with your ups and downs during this as you both are sharing


 C  >^. A .

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2004
Wed, 03-22-2006 - 12:00am

Laurie, it was very kind of your mom to agree to become a research patient - that is so so important and generous of her. What a wonderful woman she must be to be willing to help, even in one of the hardest times in her life. You're good people, she is a great role model. You can always find someone responsible when you find truely good and loving families - it's likely the mother. In your family's case it looks like it must be her. She is so loved and you all love and accept one another - what a gift. And your mother - what a blessing she is. I'm happy for you all.


huge hugs!

Sandr