Donna,

Don't worry about not calling back. I understand and this is a good way to get the info I'm seeking.

As soon as she's home, things will start getting better. I'm sure of that. You do need to take better care of yourself and getting sick at least gave you some down time from the running.

I'll be in touch and I'm hoping by next week Rose will be up to a visit from me.

Jerry

She's home and no real time to post. Addicted to OCF! Had to stop and get my "fix".
Quick note-
Mom was released yesterday, brought her home. She cried when told she can come home. She sat awake enjoying every moment of the ride--even the jerky drivers!

Hey that's great news.

Tried your cell today...no answer...didn't leave a message.

I'll try to reach you tomorrow.

Jerry

Jerry,
It's been really tough the last two days. I just realized that I don't know which day that changed mom's patch at the hospital! I think it was over the weekend. Probably was due today. I'm exhausted but afraid to go to sleep because mom went to sleep while I was at back to school night, she's still sleeping. I woke her briefly and asked if she needed any pain meds, if she was hungry, needed to clean her trach? She said she just wanted to sleep, so I let her. Now I'm sitting her waiting for her to wake up in pain, or upset in some manner. I wish I were more adept in handling all her needs. I feel so bad for her, I screw up and although she has tears in her eyes, or cries out loud, she is still reaching out to me as I am tearing up....ever the mom.
Dad is coming down with what Jackie and I had, Jessie is still fightin a cold. I hope omnicef is strong enough to protect mom.
By the way, I mentioned to mom that you would like to see her someday soon, she smiled and wrote she would like that....and then went on to cry.
The crying...I knew that we would go through this stage again with this tx, so why am I so concerned? I imagine her body is still reeling from her three surgeries on 9/17.
I am suddenly tired. Good night all.

Donna, bless your mom, she has been through so much. Please take some comfort in knowing that it WILL get better, it DOES improve. I remember my darkest hours during my treatment. I'm hoping to do better this second time around, since I already know what to expect!
Please tell your mother that she has done such a great job, putting some of us "young ones" to shame. I also hope you and the rest of your family get healthy again soon!
Love,
Minnie

Hello Minnie,
Hope this finds you doing well and in good spirits.
I know that it will get better but feel so in the dark about these last procedures. I seem to be grasping at any idea that seems like it will help. I've read and learned so much here that I feel fortunate to understand some of what is going on. Everyday I am grateful for this wonderful board, I know I would have been drowning if I didn't find the OCF and all of you.
So many people here are inspirations, and I refuse to give up trying hard to be mom's cheerleader, nurse from hell--the one that just started and has no idea which end is up at times and mostly trying to remind her to fight everyday because she is so loved.
I ended up taking her to the ER today. She felt like she wasn't able to really breath and her neck began to swell up. I called her surgeon and RO and was directed by both to the ER. I really wanted to take her back to the CCC, I can't beleive I just wrote that!, but I really would have felt better for them to compare the reports to previous ones. They did basic metabolic panel bloodwork ups. They said everything was normal but as I am looking at this report which I asked for a copy of, I'm not so sure. I should probably post all of this somewhere else but not sure if I need to start a new thread?
With your neck dissection, did you ever feel swelling so much that it made you feel as if you couldn't breath? She also had reddish/purple color around her neck, and she was sweating at times. It has been such a nervewracking day.
I need to go and research what these tests are, for instance, blood urea nitrogen. her reulst was a 4, range is 8-20. Creatinine 0.7, range 0.6-101, glomerular filtration rate 90, range 97-137.
CBC tests show:
red blood count 3.93, range 4.10-5.70
red cell distribution width 15.9, range 11.5-14.5

I am going to try to figure all this out, they seems out of range and were not addressed.
Also going to fax reports to RO and surgeon.
I hear mom calling. I hope I get more than 2 hrs sleep. Have a nice night