I had an appt with Dr. O'Malley on Thursday, May 5th to see if he had any answers as to why I keep getting these partial bowel obstructions and what he could do about them. I have had 3 hospitals stay in the last 4 weeks! Unfortunately, I again began to have pain right there in the office. He sent me immediately to OSU to be admitted for another go round...
NO, I WILL NOT HAVE AN NG TUBE!
I had an NG tube(nasogastric tube) one time and THAT was horrible! So, ice chips and nothing else by mouth will have to do!! After discussing all my colon problems with O'Malley he suggested I get a PEG tube(Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) inserted so I can drain my stomach when I start having the bloating, nausea, vomiting, and/or abdominal pain from the area in my colon that is kinking off. And I can always use it if I need it later for food, he said. So I had the PEG inserted on Tuesday. Fun, fun, fun! :(
My obstruction had resolved mostly by Sat but I hung around just to see what else they could do for me...
On Monday, Dr. O'Malley wanted to have a "family talk" about what my options are (or ARE NOT) and so I gathered Gary, Laci, my Mom, sis, brother, and sis-in-law for this. I also invited my dear friend Ruth, I knew she would hear things that I didn't and having another nurse's opinion makes lots of sense to me.
The verdict...he really can't do much more for me. I have too much pelvic scar tissue from the first surgery and the radiation to allow another successful surgery. It would be like chipping away at cement. Hummmmm...can't this be done? He said there was a 20% chance that he could successfully remove the pelvic tumor and not have major complications. Uggghhh!
Ok, how about more chemo? Yes, we could, but he doubts it would give me much more time and I am so fragile right now it would only weaken me more. "Enjoy the summer" he says. Ok, these options suck!
So the really bad part of this story...I "have 6 to 12 months to live".
The good side to my story is... I am NOT stopping here! I need more opinions! So off to Philly Ruth & I go on Thursday, May 19th to Cancer Treatments Centers of America.
Friday, May 13, 2011
The past week...the good with the bad...
Posted by Linda Vaughan at 5:15 PM
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It's 2010! Time to Reflect...
Almost 18 months cancer-free...how long will it last? Such an aggressive cancer, this damn Leiomyosarcoma! Every CT/MRI I have had since my completion of radiation in August 2008 was VERY stressful. Even when I didn't realize it, "SCAN"XIETY loomed in the back of head. Knowing that I had a 50% chance of the cancer returning. Wondering if NOT having chemo back then was the right path. Since my doc's hadn't dealt with many sarcomas, did they really know the BEST treatments?
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The last year and half has brought me so much joy and contentment. To be a GRANDMA! Wow. I love it! To become so much closer to my family. My sis is my best friend now! My husband and I couldn't be any closer. I get to see my daughter and her family every week when I go to babysit my little Maxton. My stepdaughter moved in with our youngest grandson, Marcus, for 6 months. He is a little angel. My Mom has been so much help to me through all my health issues. My stepdad and I have become closer than I ever thought possible. He has been down the cancer road as well. My Mother-in-law has moved closer to us and our relationship has grown. And then I began working at Samaritan and have some wonderful friends! I love that place so much! It's worth the 45 minute drive.
I HAVE A WONDERFUL LIFE!
And I know how to live it...by the seat of my pants! :)
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive well preserved body, but rather to slide in sideways, chocolate in one hand, a beer (or tequila) in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, screaming "woo hoo, what a ride"
**HEY! DON'T FORGET TO GO TO "OLDER POSTS" JUST ABOVE THIS ON THE RIGHT. LOTS OF COOL INFO THERE TOO! YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS ME WITH TIM MCGRAW!
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The last year and half has brought me so much joy and contentment. To be a GRANDMA! Wow. I love it! To become so much closer to my family. My sis is my best friend now! My husband and I couldn't be any closer. I get to see my daughter and her family every week when I go to babysit my little Maxton. My stepdaughter moved in with our youngest grandson, Marcus, for 6 months. He is a little angel. My Mom has been so much help to me through all my health issues. My stepdad and I have become closer than I ever thought possible. He has been down the cancer road as well. My Mother-in-law has moved closer to us and our relationship has grown. And then I began working at Samaritan and have some wonderful friends! I love that place so much! It's worth the 45 minute drive.
I HAVE A WONDERFUL LIFE!
And I know how to live it...by the seat of my pants! :)
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive well preserved body, but rather to slide in sideways, chocolate in one hand, a beer (or tequila) in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, screaming "woo hoo, what a ride"
**HEY! DON'T FORGET TO GO TO "OLDER POSTS" JUST ABOVE THIS ON THE RIGHT. LOTS OF COOL INFO THERE TOO! YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS ME WITH TIM MCGRAW!
1 comments:
hey linda this is renea i hope every thing works out for you are truely a good person what they say only happens to the best of us made me tear up to hear about whats going on with ya i hope cancer treatment of america can do some good good luck
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