Hi all, My mother recently got diagnosed with cancer. Being an allied health major, I pushed my mom to see a GI specialist as she mentioned pain, blood, hemorrhoids, and narrow bm. Prior to this, she had so many scans for osteoporosis.Dr. thought maybe bone cancer? She was put on Forteo and 2 years later, she was diagnosed with Colon cancer.She didn't have colonoscopy prior for almost 10 years! I am a little upset that her general dr. didn't make her get one. Sometimes dr. piss me off! I wish I was a doctor sometimes & I feel like I know more than them sometimes.
Anyhow, I used to work in the cancer center with radiation oncologists 15 years ago when the MRI films were big and the chemo was different. I go through my ups and downs with my mom. Some days, she feels good and I feel good, and other days she is in pain and then I get sad for her. She feels scared, sometime than I feel scared. She lives two houses down from me, lucky her! (like the movie "Greek wedding") I quit my job for my mom as I was only working part time. She will be living with me all summer so I can care for her, be her nurse, be her doctor, her chef, be her buddy. I will take care of her as much as I can as I have been to every single appt with her. I bent over backwards to switch her insurance to medi medi so she is covered for life. Found her the best colorectal surgeon that will perform 3D laparoscopy surgery and he mentioned he could save her rectum and will hand sew her one so she won't have perm colostomy (pray) I notice that she wants to lay down a lot in her bedroom watching movies more often, even in weather of 85 degrees.She has not started chemo/radiation yet. Next week, she will. I'm putting together a chemo bag for her. I will do anything for my mom, as stubborn as she can be. I even gave her an enema before her MRI and helped her prep with KY Jelly anal injection prior to CT SCAN.I even sat in on a few of her appt when the dr. gave her anal exam. I was there for support and I think she really appreciates me being there since my dad just had triple bi bass and cannot be there. Sorry for the TMI. We were laughing while doing it.. she said "you came out of there'.. really? no I didn't .. lol but we were crying laughing hysterical. omg. I am okay with stuff like that, it doesn't bother me.
I will admit, the word chemo freaks me out. I know there are so many different kinds but this oral chemo is new to me. I hear it's the same, I hear she will do great and that if she completes the 6 weeks, she will be okay. But I am scared and worried because she is in pain now and has nausea. I knew for a long time that something was wrong with my mom.She would curl in a ball on her bed, break sweat and then she was okay. Not sure why she let it go for so long. I don't know why she would never share this with her doctor. Then she became uninterested going to places. Fun places like Disneyland or shopping. She would always say "no thanks".
Any tips? I am all alone and so glad I have this group to talk to. I so happen to find this colon talk on my own by searching on google. I try to talk to my husband, but he always says the same things. I let my friends know and they just ask how my mom is doing, or offer childcare. I have a good friend who I thought was my good friend, but she never contacted me after I let her know about my mom. She ain't a true friend, she is a fake friend. I guess you really know who your real friends are when you get older. I notice some people do not say anything at all cause they don't know what to say or they just don't care. Now I think to myself being on the other end of what not to say to cancer patient. It's a very particular topic. Today, I am scared, nervous, and not strong. It's okay not to be strong so they say. She has an amazing oncology team/ surgeon. I would say the best of the best with great research! I just wish cancer never existed in this world. I hate cancer. I hate everything about it. Sorry I had to vent. Thinking about all of you, prayers, hugs, sending positive vibes. When you see the fireworks, think of me, it's my birthday on 4th of july. God bless thank you