Over the holidays, mom wasn't feeling well. She had a persistent cough that just wouldn't go away. A family member convinced mom to get a chest x-ray. Maybe it was a chest cold? Maybe pneumonia?
Over a period of weeks, it was determined on Monday, January 8th, that she had cancer. We didn't know what type or how severe. We were convinced though that it had to be stage 1. Her doctor was sending her records to a cancer specialist who would review and do additional tests. We would not lose control of our emotions...we did not know what we were up against...yet.
On Wednesday, January 10th....the bad news. Mom had stage 3b lung cancer. The last stage is stage 4. WHAT?? She quit smoking 7 years ago. The specialists said it was due to second hand smoke. My uncle did smoke in the house for a few years after mom quit smoking. But come on! Wow. No way could this be happening. We can't lose our mom! It's so unfair! How did we miss so many stages?? What do we do now? How and when do you begin treatment? How do we pay for this? How will mom be taken care of? All these thoughts go through your mind, some that you don't or shouldn't have to think about yet...and don't end. It was a total shock to us all. But then again, anyone receiving news that they or a loved one has cancer IS a shocker, isn't it.
Mom, Elisa and I had to take several days for ourselves to let it sink in before we (especially mom) were able to tell close friends and family members. It was difficult but necessary.
And so mom's journey (as well as mine and Elisa's) begins.....
Mom is receiving two different kinds of chemo. One (on the "short days") is not as intense as the other given on her "long days".
Monday was her first round. Lots of paperwork to complete and the procedure took about 3 hours total. They gave her steroids to help with nausea and other things for pain. This round we call her "short days".
Tuesday mom had a 6 hour round of chemo. These rounds are called her "long days". This type of chemo is more potent and can hurt the kidneys. It takes longer to administer as they have to do the drip at a slower rate. She receives all her chemo through an IV in her hand. For this chemo they need to giver her a liter of saline to hydrate her body. Then the chemo begins and later a diuretic. Then another liter of saline. This is to have her body flush alot out to protect her kidneys as much as possible. The clinic at Clifton Springs provide comfortable leather recliners for the patients. Only one person at a time can be with each patient (we get very uncomfortable chairs, lol).
During the "long day", mom watched TV while I read all kinds of magazines as well as brochures on cancer. The time went by faster than than what we thought. Mom's only justifiable complaint was having to go to the restroom about every 5-10 minutes for an hour because of all the liquids and the diuretic. She's a trooper and she is doing very well. She is optimistic and handling all the information, treatment, schedules, schedule changes well. I'm very proud of her. She hasn't experienced any severe side effects...yet. Each person is different. She may experience none, some or all. Hair loss, fatigue, nausea, loss of sleep, constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite...just to name a few.
Today, mom had her first round of radiation. This only takes about 5-10 minutes. She also received chemo again today. It was a short day. Mom will receive radiation each day and chemo sporadically for the next 30 days (excluding weekends). Elisa is listed as the primary on mom's Healthcare proxy and I will be her Power of Attorney should it ever come to that.
We are taking it one day at a time. I've been in touch with Social Services to see if mom will qualify for any type of financial assistance during this difficult time. Surprisingly, they returned my call the very next day! They are sending me an application to see if mom can qualify for anything. She currently has AARP but that doesn't go into effect until August 1 and medicare only pays 80%.
Thanks to all of you who have helped or offered help and information thus far. We really appreciate it. Elisa and I are doing better and making sure we stay strong for mom. She was always there for us...still is...and we most certainly will be there for her.
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