I've been gone for almost four days, since early Friday morning.
On Friday morning, I had to take my mom to the ER at St Clares. She was coughing dark, heavy green mucus, with a little blood, and Dr B admitted her to the hospital. Then, of course, the fun began again!
Of course, many tests were taken, the most significant of which were of my mom's heart. The doctors called in a heart specialist. After tests on her heart, the heart Dr, a very nice man, determined that she has nothing structurally wrong with her heart. However, she's been having very weird blood pressure, and a rapid, racing heartbeat. The Dr thinks it could be from the chemo.
While we were there, in addition to the tests, my mom had her last radiation treatment, which was today.
As happened the last time, Dr B, perhaps with pressure from Medicare, and hospital adminstration, released her. My mom feels weak. Medically, there is no reason for us to stay in Denville. She has no more Dr visits, no more chemo sessions, and no more radiation treatments. Our next meeting is in anywhere from two to four weeks from now.
We really should go home tomorrow. As everyone knows, we have spent thousands of dollars to be here, for what we believe are the best doctors.
Yet, when I bring up going home to my mom, she keeps putting it off, saying she doesnt want to discuss it, and using an upcoming heat wave as an excuse not to. Granted, as some may remember, we were forced to hospitalize her in Lancaster General, after she was released from the hospital too soon last October, resulting in a ten day hospital stay in Lancaster.
While I realize she might not want to go home tomorrow, and rest.. a day.. or two... and while I understand her apprehension and fear, I dont understand the idea of staying here much longer than we need to, considering the significant sums we have spent.
Honestly, I dont know when we're going home. Mom claims she's not feeling well, but part of me believes it is a bit of a self fulfulling prophecy. The thing she was hospitalized with was partially a reaction from the end of radiation, and perhaps a chest infection. This has supposedly passed, due to antibiotics.
As I've posted before, I havent been home since June 19th, and I've been home two weekends since May 26th.
This thing is my mom's call. However, I hope she gets better, and decides to go home soon.
Anyhow, so thats the update. The next steps are going home. (Hopefuily) and then meetings with the chemo Dr, and radiation Dr, 2 to 4 weeks later, and then a scan, about two months later.
Thanks to all those who have supported me through this situation. Oh, and btw, the food at St Clares is TERRIBLE! I have lost some weight this weekend, which probably wasnt a bad thing.
Mitch
On Friday morning, I had to take my mom to the ER at St Clares. She was coughing dark, heavy green mucus, with a little blood, and Dr B admitted her to the hospital. Then, of course, the fun began again!
Of course, many tests were taken, the most significant of which were of my mom's heart. The doctors called in a heart specialist. After tests on her heart, the heart Dr, a very nice man, determined that she has nothing structurally wrong with her heart. However, she's been having very weird blood pressure, and a rapid, racing heartbeat. The Dr thinks it could be from the chemo.
While we were there, in addition to the tests, my mom had her last radiation treatment, which was today.
As happened the last time, Dr B, perhaps with pressure from Medicare, and hospital adminstration, released her. My mom feels weak. Medically, there is no reason for us to stay in Denville. She has no more Dr visits, no more chemo sessions, and no more radiation treatments. Our next meeting is in anywhere from two to four weeks from now.
We really should go home tomorrow. As everyone knows, we have spent thousands of dollars to be here, for what we believe are the best doctors.
Yet, when I bring up going home to my mom, she keeps putting it off, saying she doesnt want to discuss it, and using an upcoming heat wave as an excuse not to. Granted, as some may remember, we were forced to hospitalize her in Lancaster General, after she was released from the hospital too soon last October, resulting in a ten day hospital stay in Lancaster.
While I realize she might not want to go home tomorrow, and rest.. a day.. or two... and while I understand her apprehension and fear, I dont understand the idea of staying here much longer than we need to, considering the significant sums we have spent.
Honestly, I dont know when we're going home. Mom claims she's not feeling well, but part of me believes it is a bit of a self fulfulling prophecy. The thing she was hospitalized with was partially a reaction from the end of radiation, and perhaps a chest infection. This has supposedly passed, due to antibiotics.
As I've posted before, I havent been home since June 19th, and I've been home two weekends since May 26th.
This thing is my mom's call. However, I hope she gets better, and decides to go home soon.
Anyhow, so thats the update. The next steps are going home. (Hopefuily) and then meetings with the chemo Dr, and radiation Dr, 2 to 4 weeks later, and then a scan, about two months later.
Thanks to all those who have supported me through this situation. Oh, and btw, the food at St Clares is TERRIBLE! I have lost some weight this weekend, which probably wasnt a bad thing.
Mitch
so maybe it is good you're still very close to what seems like the best doctors & hospital (with much better AC too!! 
