Meet The Contributors

Mandy ~ I am a stay at home mom who has been on a medical roller coaster ride going from doctor to doctor trying to figure out what is wrong with me. All of the doctors agreed that there is something medically wrong with me, they just don't know what... Basically, just about every time that I go to the doctor, I wind up with a new diagnosis. It is very frustrating. I hope that some of these links will maybe help you or lead you in the right direction.

Ferd ~ I have had the honor and pleasure of practicing Internal Medicine for over 25 years. I am now enjoying sharing my thoughts and experience in the blogosphere in a number of ways. I am grateful to Mandy for including me on her excellent blog, Texas Medical Freak!

Friday, November 7, 2008

My last post was an update on my grandmother and her fight with Pancreatic cancer. Originally the doctors had told her that she had two to six months to live. She decided to start the chemo treatment (not to save her life only to give her more time, she had one chemo treatment.

Two weeks ago, I my dad called to tell me that I needed to get to my grandmother. The doctor had told a family member that the cancer had spread much faster than they thought that it would and that she had hours to days left. It had spread to and completely attacked her liver. I emailed my husband and he arranged to take off work and called my sons school to get his work for the rest of the week so that he would not have so much homework to make up after we got back. We packed the car and drove to my grandmother. By the time that we got there they had already moved her to the hospice section of the hospital. When we got to her room, she recognized all of us, I did not think that she would one of the symptoms of liver failure is mental disorientation or confusion. I am glad that she did recognize us, mainly my youngest.

By Saturday, her liver and kidney function had deteriorated greatly. They had her on a saline drip and my dad asked if there was any medical necessity for it. When they told him no, he had the saline stopped. Then late Saturday night. my dad called me to tell me that she was gone.

I am so glad that I got to spend time with her in the end and that she recognized me. But, I was so hoping to be able to spend time with her before she go so bad. It has really been hard for me and the kids, since it has only been two years since we lost my mother. I don't think anyone can ever get use to death but, it really makes it hard when loved ones go so close together.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mandy, My heart goes out to you for both the loss of your mother and grandmother, and at their passing so close together.

Wishing you comfort as you grieve for them both. Hoping that your health stay as strong as possible through the process.

Mandy said...

Kerry ~ Thank you.

Ferd said...

Mandy, I am so sorry to hear that about your grandmother. : (
It happened so fast!
I'm glad you got to spend a little time with her, and glad that she got to see all of her family before she died.
I hope YOU are alright. Those are some big losses in a short period of time.
A big hug to you, Mandy! Take good care!

Mandy said...

Ferd ~

Thank you =)

It did happen really fast, I think much faster than the doctors excepted too. I am so glad that I had the time that I did have with her.

I am doing pretty well, I think that it has been easier than with my mother. With my mother I never really got to say good bye since she was in a coma.

Thanks for the hug =)

M

Keli said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your grandmother. I lost my mom to pancreatic cancer. It took her in 5 weeks. Luckily she was home the entire time, and the whole family was with her for those final moments. But it doesn't take the sting away. Cancer is a horrible illness. I hate it. I'm so very sorry.

Mandy said...

Keli ~

Thank you and I am sorry about your mom. Pancreatic cancer is terrible, all cancer is but I think that this is one of the worst. It is basically a death sentence.

Mandy

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