#77852 08-01-2008 04:05 AM | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | OP  "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 | (I'm not sure what the appropriate board is for this post. Apologies if I'm not is the right place.)
It appears that my mother, who has been my rock through my previous illnesses and this one, had a small stroke yesterday. She looks much younger than her 70 years, and I think we both forget just how old she really is.
Yesterday afternoon, on our way home from my radiation, she began to garble some words and feel woozy/nauseous/disoriented. She didn't let on how just how bad she felt, and was blaming it on a bad breakfast burrito, but when she couldn't tell me the date, I insisted we go to the local hospital. Thank God I did! There was no sign of stroke on the CT scan, but she'll be having an MRI today, along with some other tests so the docs should be able to tell just what happened. She was trying to be brave yesterday, but I know she was scared.
My friend is driving me in to my treatment today, including some fluids and Aloxi for my nausea, and then I'll head over to see my Mom this afternoon.
My own illness I can handle, but I don't know if I can handle my Mom's.
Stage IV SCC lt lateral tongue, surgery 5/19/08 (partial gloss/upper neck dissection left side/radial free flap reconstruction) IMRT w/weekly Cisplatin & Erbitux 6/30/08, PEG 1 6/12/08 - out 7/14 (in abdominal wall, not stomach), PEG 2 7/23/08 - out 11/20/08, Tx done 8/18/08
Second SCC tumor, Stage 1, rt mobile tongue, removed 10/18/2016, right neck dissection 12/9/2016
Third SCC tumor, diagnosed, 4/19/2108, rt submandibular mass, HPV-, IMRT w/ weekly Cisplatin, 5/9 - 6/25/2018, PEG 3 5/31/2018
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 | Margaret- Hang in there. Doctors can do amazing things for stroke patients and it seems like you got her treatment early.
Sue
cg to husband, 48 Stage 1V head and neck SCC. First surgery 9/07. Radiation and several rounds of chemo followed. Mets to chest and lungs. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." Went home to God on February 22, 2009.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 |
Margaret:
Sorry that you have this to go thru on top of everything else. The hospital is the right place for your mom, they will find out whats wrong and help her. She is in good hands.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Margaret,
Continue to get this checked out. My MIL, 75 at the time, was having "memory lapses" and her doctors were blaming old age. and her diabetes. This from a lady with 2 PHD's. Finally my wife persisted and found one that did extensive tests and determined she was having mini strokes and she was put on some meds and as long as she takes them she's fine. It was scary and funny at times as she would be sitting there and then just go quiet for a few seconds and then not remember what happened or even what day it was. Scary because it could happen while she was driving but funny because she would swear she was "awake" the whole time.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 | My mother came 'home' last night. The MRI, ultrasound and echo-cardiogram were all clear, so we don't really know what happened, but she is taking this episode as a stern warning from her body to take better care of herself. The docs did adjust some of her meds, and it turns out she is hypothyroid so she'll be taking thyroid medication but for the most part she's feeling damned lucky it wasn't worse.
Thank you all for your good thoughts. I really appreciate them!
Stage IV SCC lt lateral tongue, surgery 5/19/08 (partial gloss/upper neck dissection left side/radial free flap reconstruction) IMRT w/weekly Cisplatin & Erbitux 6/30/08, PEG 1 6/12/08 - out 7/14 (in abdominal wall, not stomach), PEG 2 7/23/08 - out 11/20/08, Tx done 8/18/08
Second SCC tumor, Stage 1, rt mobile tongue, removed 10/18/2016, right neck dissection 12/9/2016
Third SCC tumor, diagnosed, 4/19/2108, rt submandibular mass, HPV-, IMRT w/ weekly Cisplatin, 5/9 - 6/25/2018, PEG 3 5/31/2018
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 |
Glad your mom is doing better.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 507 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 507 | Margaret,
Gosh! I was just reading thru this thread and I am really glad it seems to have turned out OK and your Mom is home.
How are you doing? If my tally is correct you have two weeks of RT to go.
I hope knowing your Mom is better and the weekend break gives you a little relief (physically and mentally); or, is there a point where there is no bounce back on weekends?
Don
TXN2bM0 Stage IVa SCC-Occult Primary
FNA 6/6/08-SCC in node<2cm
PET/CT 6/19/08-SCC in 2nd node<1cm
HiRes CT 6/21/08
Exploratory,Tonsillectomy(benign),Right SND 6/23/08
PEG 7/3/08-11/6/08
35 TomoTherapy 7/16/08-9/04/08 No Chemo
Clear PET/CT 11/15/08, 5/15/09, 5/28/10, 7/8/11
| | | | | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 | Don -
I am doing as well as can be expected! It was truly stressful thinking my Mom was sick and the relief is tremendous. For me, there is a little bounce back on the weekends, mostly because I'm a little over an hour's drive from my cancer center and to not have to make that trip is a bonus. I do try to get out on the weekends as well, at least to look at something other than the inside of a building. I pack up some cans of Jevity and my meds and my Mom and I drive to someplace beautiful. I love filling my brain with new images and thoughts. It makes sitting in the hospital a little more pleasant.
I have 11 radiation treatments left, and two weekly chemo treatments. It is getting tougher, but so far my skin is in pretty good shape, my tongue is a mess and I'm having to take all my nutrition and meds through the tube. I am being good about doing my swallowing exercises though and I thank this forum for telling me how important that is.
How are you holding up?
Stage IV SCC lt lateral tongue, surgery 5/19/08 (partial gloss/upper neck dissection left side/radial free flap reconstruction) IMRT w/weekly Cisplatin & Erbitux 6/30/08, PEG 1 6/12/08 - out 7/14 (in abdominal wall, not stomach), PEG 2 7/23/08 - out 11/20/08, Tx done 8/18/08
Second SCC tumor, Stage 1, rt mobile tongue, removed 10/18/2016, right neck dissection 12/9/2016
Third SCC tumor, diagnosed, 4/19/2108, rt submandibular mass, HPV-, IMRT w/ weekly Cisplatin, 5/9 - 6/25/2018, PEG 3 5/31/2018
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 507 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 507 | Margaret, You really are a "Trooper". My Nutritionist was telling me how much better you gals are at handling this � pain management and all. She was nicely inferring how us guy seem to hit the wall and turn into wimps. After having emasculated me she politely caulked it up to child bearing. Interestingly that day I showed with my friend Betty wearing her gardening hat since I am starting to look like a lobster and my ball caps won�t cut it anymore. On the way Betty had remarked that we had to find me something more suitable or she was going to paint my nail and put lipstick on me. Apparently she thinks her gardening hat is not suitable lunch attire and made me look like an aging drag queen � well, might that be close enough to help a little with that pain management?? Anyway yesterday we went and found me a killer straw cowboy hat! Wow, I thought it made me look like a Texas Stud, but Betty says no, �more like a hokey Oki� (slang for Oklahoman). Maybe with a pair of cowboy boots?.... and then maybe not! Anyway the mouth and throat have almost hit the wall, other than that I am fine. Today I was looking for soft food again. Found numerous cans of Mushroom soup left over from my tonsillectomy, but the milk to mix it with was out of date and sour, so I figured what the hell and mixed it with a can of PEG Nutren. A bit thick, added some water�. Well my taste buds are bit shot, but not that shot. So, shortly I am off the grocery, in a cowboy hat, once again in search of soft food (anything to avoid the dreaded PEG). I know, next week I must confront PEG reality, but not today Hope you and your Mom find a beautiful place and have a wonderful outing (Jevity Picnic).
Don
TXN2bM0 Stage IVa SCC-Occult Primary
FNA 6/6/08-SCC in node<2cm
PET/CT 6/19/08-SCC in 2nd node<1cm
HiRes CT 6/21/08
Exploratory,Tonsillectomy(benign),Right SND 6/23/08
PEG 7/3/08-11/6/08
35 TomoTherapy 7/16/08-9/04/08 No Chemo
Clear PET/CT 11/15/08, 5/15/09, 5/28/10, 7/8/11
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 | Margaret, I am just getting caught up here. Sorry to hear about your mother but I'm glad that it came out pretty well all things considered. Hope you both got some good rest over the weekend and you are both doing well this week.
Nelie
SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
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