Hi Donna, Hope the food got out okay and that you've enjoyed Mother's Day with your Mom and daughters.

There's no question that they have been completely insensitive to your Mom's feelings on having the surgery cancelled. That's probably because they don't experience the emotional roller coaster. They don't know what that feels like so to them it's just following procedures.

I know it's frustrating but try to let it go and focus on the next hurdle as Paul said. This week it will be about the cardiac issues, then you'll get to the cancer ones. The waiting is miserable and I feel for you. Hope you get some clarity on Monday when the cardiologist calls you.

Regards JoAnne

Hi Donna,
I can't believe all the screw ups you are experiencing at HUP. Is she now going to see the cardiologist at Penn? I would assume there had to be a script for this so why did she get a stress test when they wanted an echo? They should be able to get you in for the echo and see cardiologist right away since she needs other surgery. PUSH FOR IT.

Meanwhile you need to take care of yourself. Get some meds to calm you down and allow you to get some sleep.

I feel so sorry for your Mom. Just when she gets herself all set for the oral surgery something else rears its ugly head. Hopefully, they can get the heart issue resolved quickly so she can get rescheduled.

Take care,
Eileen

Hello and thanks...again!! I am trying to remember what has transpired today...and it's only 2:07pm! We spoke with the cardiologist, he is with Presb hosp, he is doing a cath tomorrow...while I am acared I also have a sense of calm...hopefully not that 'calm before the storm'. I am getting a little more used to this wicked ride, though, still feel like I am going to be sick at any time. I haven't shown that to anyone else except you guys and Eddie. It's tough being strong, at least pretending to be.
I also set up an appt with a rad-onc in case tomorrow's surg dictates that what is currently planned for surg can't be done. Mother's Day was nice, it was nice to watch my mom with the kids, especially with Livy, my sister's baby. I think everyone who is down should have a little person reminding them how wonderful life is. I am overwhelemed at times but also so very thankful that we found out that she has both these diseases, I keep telliong her this, left untreated we could have lost her. I'm going to go outside with her now...JoAnne, we went out and spent about $200+ on flowers...working on them today. I just realized I have to get a neighbor in to water them, it would be awful to come home and find them dead

Absolutely get the neighbor to water those plants, you want Mom to come home to see how pretty they look and think about the 2 of you doing that together. Worth every penny.

Good luck with the cath tomorrow I hope it goes well and that the wicked ride slows down for you both. Glad to hear that you are also seeing the radiation oncologist. That may be an alternative option to consider. Not everyone gets surgery.
We all have sides of ourselves that we pick and choose who we show to. It's self protection.

Regards JoAnne

I don't know where to start....
she had the cath done yesterday, we found out that sometime in the past she has had a heart attack. She has some blockages, but the cardiologist said that they could be taken care of later, that the surgery for cancer is more important. He gave her a script for lipitor. He mentioned that there is a 15% chance of something happenening to her heart on the table, heart attack or fatal...15% seems like a lot to me. The more I think about it the happier I am that we have an appt with a rad onc tomorrow. I think I am coming undone...
for a laugh for anyone reading this... normally, whatever that means, I am a semi intelligent person. Yesterday when the nurse came in with mom's instructions he started reading them off, he came to the one about stairs....I have no idea where my brain was, I asked does that mean she can't watch a lot of tv? as in stares.!!! My sister and I laughed so hard she could barely breathe, even the nurse got to laughing, he couldn't look at me. I'm sure that they all got a good laugh out of me, and I'm pretty certain that the next time he gives someone instructions in regards to stairs,he'll think of me!

Dear Donnarose- finding ways to laugh is a good thing! What you all are dealing with is not so good and the stress is normal. Altho I don't know "percentages", I do remember John signing forms before wvery surgical procedure that stated there was a percentage of danger involved- it's just something we have to live with. Hee's a story you might relate to- a dear friend of mine, who is a very smart nurse with 30 yrs.experience is now caregiver to her husband with liver cancer. During a recent Dr. appt., the surgeon told them that he was going to remove 1\4th of Ray's liver- my friend, dazed, asked "and what percent is that?". She has shared that with all of us, laughing about it while pointing out that dealing with cancer will put your brain and emotions into a tailspin. STay strong. Amy in the Ozarks

Dear Donna, when you stop laughing at it is the time to worry. See what the radiation oncologist says tomorrow because doing that with chemo may be the best option under these circumstances. Always something - and when you get used to it then it changes again. Hang in there. Regards JoAnne

Hey,
Thanks. The rad onc said he thinks mom's best move would be to continue with procedure dr.w set forth. I ran into dr. w. today, he actually remmebered me and asked how mom made out? he was smiling and very congenial...shocked me to no end. i told him what she has been through--alll of it! and he asked me to contact the office for a follow up so that they could make sure that it was the best way to go. i was overwhlemed that he knew who i was. very tired...these appts exhaust me. by the way, loved the rad onc...he's dynamite!

Looks like things are finally falling into place. Although you don't have to like the doctors, it sure helps if you do. Mine doesn't have a great "bedside" manner, but he is a great surgeon. That's what counts.

You know where I am and you can call whenever.

Jerry

Hi Donna, he actually has an amazing memory for his patients. Of course you're exhausted, this is a draining experience when it's going as expected let alone when you are revising plans. Glad you liked the radiation oncologist, people really seem to like him. Sounds like they are looking at this from every angle. It's a CCC and they do consult with each other on the best approach. Get some rest.
Regards JoAnne