When it rains... our 2006 medical saga

[Margarita]

This year has not been good to my family so far.

To clarify, this all involves direct blood relatives. My mom and her two siblings, and me.

As most of you know, my aunt was recently diagnosed with metastisized breast cancer. She had radiation on the tumors at her lower back and cannot have anymore in that location. She is participating in a hormone therapy research group so will receive that treatment free (a big deal since she has no insurance and almost no income except disability - she also has a debilitating bone disease). They will see how the hormone therapy works before going any further with more radiation, chemo, etc. At least, I'm pretty sure that's how things stand.

My mom ended up in the ER in January worried about her heart. Her heart is fine, but she is waiting to find out what else is going on, possibly gall bladder. Her blood test this week found elevated liver levels again, so she has an appointment Monday to find out what to do next.

I am have fertility issues (no surprise) and also some recurring pain around my ovaries that they don't know the cause of. I'm just waiting to see if it happens again.

Now the most recent development is with my uncle. He had been having some weird symptoms - numb lips, slurred speech, feeling "funny" - for a few days. Tuesday, he left for work, and came back pretty quickly. His wife thought he'd forgotten something, but he was taking a long time coming in. She went out to see, and he was struggling to walk up the sidewalk. She took him to the doctor immediately. His blood showed some TIA cells, which are indicative of a stroke. I guess their presence is a kind of predictor of a coming stroke. He is on meds to thin his blood and for high blood pressure and was told to improve his diet. He is a long-time alcoholic, so I'm sure was told to stop drinking. And I'm also sure he won't. (If you remember, my grandfather had a major stroke several years ago, so my uncle's risk is increased.)

Holy crap. We can't take much more of this.

[shan]

:hug: I hope you guys start doing better! :itsok: I have your family in my prayers! Big hugs your way!!

[Sydneyp]

About 6 years ago, my family went through a spell like this.

Honestly, it felt like we were hanging on by our fingernails.

My friend gave me the best advice on getting through the really bad times - keep your head down and your feet moving.

I've always interpreted it to mean, "don't get caught in the details and pondering the what - if's, focus on the NEEDS and don't stop doing what needs to be done." Eventually, you look up and find out the bad stuff is behind you.
I'm not good at words of comfort so I'll just say - keep breathing, it truly will come out okay eventually.

[IUgrad02]

OH man, I feel your pain just with the small family issues we've had this year. With my nephew and a few other surgeries and minor scares, we have been through a few things too, and it really hurts. But, the good news is it brings a family close together, it sometimes inspires a renewed faith (if that applies), and it can make life more appreciated in the end. It sure puts an end to worrying about the trivial matters-- at least that is what I've found to be true. You realize how good you've had it all along and just didn't know until something *bad* came up to remind you.

I will say a prayer for your family and hope it helps you through this to know that you are loved and being cared for by so many.... near and far! Kiss Naomi several extra times a day and realize that you have one beautiful daughter that loves you, and that is more than so many will ever have... so she is such a wonderful blessing in her own. Keep your faith that things will turn around soon. I will be thinking about you. :itsok: :itsok: :itsok:

[Margarita]

Thank you, Shan, Sydney, and Megan, for you kind words. It is rough. Today was worse. I guess eventually it has to start getting better, though.

My uncle got his test results back. He had a full-blown stroke. His blood pressure was 220/165. :eek: The doctors believe that he will be able to walk and speak normally again. My grandparents talked to him, and I guess he wasn't slurring or anything, but they said he didn't sound like himself. It's scary because I know what my grandfather's strokes did to him. He can walk and talk and usually is fine, but he's just...different.

I've cried quite a bit today (when Naomi wasn't looking), but I really feel badly for my mom. She has had enough and took this really hard. She hadn't cried since hearing the news about my aunt, but with the news of my uncle too (they are her only two siblings), she completely lost it. She was crying when she told me, and she went home from work because she couldn't concentrate. She is also having asthma and sick with a cold. I think it's all starting to get to her, and I am worried wishing I could do something to help. It's also hard because he is in Alaska, while we are all here in Colorado.

Unfortunately, all we can do is wait and hope for the best.

Shan, we can use all the prayers we can get. Thanks.

Sydney, you are totally right. We just have to keep going and get through it.

Megan, I have a lot of prayers to say these days. I don't know about bringing family closer yet, but one thing I have definitely started thinking is that B and I need to start having regular, full physicals. And I want to see if I can convince my brother to do the same. He drinks quite a bit, eats whatever he wants (loves meat), and never goes to the doctor. He really needs to get his cholesterol checked. It's in the family. My grandparents are both on meds for life, my grandfather had a stroke, my uncle has now had a stroke, my mom's cholesterol is high but controlled with diet so far. We need to take care of ourselves.

[shan]

Hey sweetie hope everything is going a little better for you guys!! Keep your chin up and remember "what don't kill you will make you stronger" It always does no matter the situation. Your still in my prayers. :thumb2: for going in and getting regular checkups!!

[Margarita]

Thank you, Shan. We're hanging in there.

My aunt got a bit of a scare Monday. She was talking to one of her doctor's nurses about getting into the emergency Medicare program more quickly than the 18-month wait. The doc thought she could, but the nurse told her he's mistaken. That can only be done for terminal patients, and even though she's stage 4, she's not terminal.

My aunt freaked out. She hadn't known she was at stage 4 (that's as high as it goes). We only knew because my mom read online that any metastisized cancer is stage 4. She felt better after my mom explained that and told her she hadn't found out anything she didn't already know - they just hadn't named it before. Also, she found out that she's not terminal, so that's good.

Over the weekend, she had wanted to spend some time with her best friend, who said she was too tired. This poor lady is taking this news very hard and has battled depression throughout her life. I hope she is okay and doesn't back out of my aunt's life because of it. That would be devastating to my aunt.

Update on my mom: She's having an upper GI tomorrow morning and has to have more blood tests in another month. All I have to say is that she cannot keep eating the way she has been forever! No spices, no raw fruits/veggies, extremely low fat, etc. Ugh.

[shan]

I am so glad your aunt isn't terminal! It must have been such a relief to hear that! I hope your mom's GI went well. Everything so far sounds like it is working itself out. Keep us updated :D

[MissRyry]

Gosh girl!! So sorry to hear about all of this. Your family will be in my prayers. :(

>'.'<

[honeybunny]

Marg, I am so sorry for all that your family is going through. I hope that everything turns out ok for each of them. You are all in my prayers.

[Margarita]

Thank you, ladies. :)

[tommysgirl18]

Margs~ I hope things are looking up now. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.

[sherry]

Oh shame....hope your family is doing well ...

We all have crosses to bear - and mountains to climb but eventually we get there..

Thinking of u....:cloud9: