Cancer is a game of numbers that only a Las Vegas bookie could keep straight. Every week or so, you are gaming new numbers discerned from yet another blood draw. Red blood cells–too low and you are anemic and need a blood transfusion. My mom has had several this year. White blood cells–too high and […]
Good news: pain and nausea have subsided. No pain meds since yesterday. Today she started on clear broth and some fruit juice. I had discussions with both the hospitalist and GI doctor. Pretty much a “your guess is as good as mine” answer to my question (including multiple choice options that I had to research
Mom is back in the hospital. She called me last night from the emergency department, in extreme pain. Again. ER doc said it was likely a bowel obstruction again. Her oncologist doesn’t think so. She had an X-ray last night and another one this morning. How much can really change in 8 hours that they
I got my official European Union/Portugal passport today! So it’s all official! I didn’t think I’d be quite so excited and proud, but I am. My aunt sent me a great email congratulating me, and within it a message with deep meaning: Congratulations on being Portuguese; and remember Prince Henry, Vasco da Gama, the Padeira
We visited with the oncologist today. He seemed genuinely surprised that my mother is pain-free with no pain medicine. She also has virtually no nausea, except a little queasiness the day after chemo, which is managed with ativan. Now the primary issue is getting her weight up. She’s down to 95 pounds, very small even
Knocking down the bowling pins Read More »
It’s official. I picked up my Portuguese National ID card today at the consulate. Hurray!
Eu sou uma Portuguêsa. Read More »
Mom was discharged yesterday, and had a pretty good night. She sounds good, feels good. Back to chemo on Friday.
We requested a GI consult yesterday. In plain English it means we requested that a gastroenterologist (gut doctor) come consult with my mother. I figured we could add another expert into the mix and see if we come up with yet another diagnosis. He and I spoke by phone last night at 9:30 after he
The “Art” of Medicine Read More »
I am comfortable in hospitals. I practically grew up in them, between my family’s too-frequent hospitalizations and my mother working in one for over a decade. As a kid, I knew the local hospital’s phone number by heart——I was to call my mother at work as soon as I walked in the door after school.