A lot has happened since I last updated you all on Kim'c condition. She has had 2 chemo treatments and she seemed to respond well to them - no serious side effects other than fatigue, which was great.
The evening after her second treatment, Kim had a plug in her trach and she couldn't breathe. My dad called 911, and my mom was trying to call Kim down to give her a breathing treatment, but Kim was too scared and worked up. She actually pulled her trach out while waiting for the EMT. They did put another trach in that night and so far so good.
A week ago, she had a port put in her chest so that they could administer the chemo. They surgery to implant the port went well. Kim came home that same day and slept for a good part of the day. She was told not to shower until the following Tuesday to prevent any infection or irritation to the area.
On Monday, Spet 6th (Labor Day), my mom called to inform me that Kim had a fever of 103 and she was coughing up a greenish-yellow phelm from her trach. The last time she had this fluid it was from an infection. She called Kim's nurse and was directed to take Kim to the emergency room because her port could be infected.
Kim was not happy by any means. The last place she wanted to go was to the hospital since everytime she goes to the emergency room, she gets bad news and ends up staying in the hosiptal for days or weeks.
She was admitted to the hospital and they found an infection, but they weren't sure if it was from the port or if it was an upper respiratory infection. They put her on antibiotics and kept her until Thursday.
Kim is home now, but she is not doing as well as we all hoped. She has side effects from the anti biotics (head aches, nausea, vomitting). My mom thinks that Kim is swelling more and that Kim's cancer is spreading. I am hoping that it isn't and that the swelling is a side effect from the chemo. I'm hoping that this chemo kicks butt! The doctors didn't say anything about it spreading, but my mom has a gut feeling.
A white cottage cheese like substance discharges from Kim's swollen neck when she puts pressure on it. We were hoping that it was from infection, but Kim's doctor said that it's from the cancer eating at Kim's neck - not the greatest news to hear.
Kim sleeps a lot right now and has bad head aches daily. I really wish there was a way to make all of this go away for her. I know she has only had 2 chemo treatments, but I guess I was hoping for a miracle - that this chemo will work. I don't want to believe that there is any option other than survival and beating this. Please keep Kim in your prayers, as we have all of you in ours.
I signed her up with chemo angels, but I guess her application was not accepted since we haven't heard anything in a month.
I will keep you updated as her treatments continue.
God Bless!
**Does anyone know where I could get her a bracelet that signifies Oral Cancer. I have seen breast Cancer bracelets, but no oral cancer. I know she is looking for anythig out there.