Prayers Please: MIL

[Turtleheadfred]

My husband's mom was admitted to the hospital last Friday... seemed better - then worse. Long story short, she's a colon cancer survivor - and a stomach and esophegus (sp?) cancer survivor... the lady's intestine connects to the bottom of her throat and she's learned to eat that way...

She's 86 and weighs maybe 75 pounds at 5'10"!

Tonight found out the surgeon came in and said the cancer is back obstructing her colon. He described this as "the march to the end". The family is getting together to discuss/decide with my MIL what to do.

We desperately need prayers.

[heather6773]

You got it THF...I will think of this courageous lady!!!

[Csara]

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear this. Your MIL and entire family will be in my thoughts.

[meliz]

I am so sorry to hear this. I'll be thinking of you and your family.

[Turtleheadfred]

Thank you all.

It's hard because we have 2 drs saying one thing - 2 drs saying something else. We'll figure it out together and she's a tough lady. Thank you for helping me pray... I do believe what is best will happen - we just have to trust and be there for each other... but it's hard.

Thank you...

[heather6773]

yur so welcome THF!! I hope she is doing better!!

[Turtleheadfred]

Real quick update...

No surgery - brought her home (to her home) today - signed up for Hospice.

She can't eat much - now without IV's... and knowing the cancer is back - she just wanted to die at home to be honest. I've spent the day cleaning and organizing hospice information since I'm the only one who's gone through hospice care before. Which makes it difficult for me because I feel I need to be somewhat careful in that it's my MIL and I don't want to "take over".

I just ate something for the first time today... but that's how this goes. I've encouraged my hubby to make sure he and his sisters are "on the same page" with what they expect from here on out with his mom's care, who's staying with her, everything. Now isn't the time for petty BS.

We're very tired... but this is only the beginning and I know it... please continue to pray. I may not be able to be here much... I don't know what the coming days will bring.

[IUgrad02]

I'm so sorry to hear this. It sounds emotionally draining and so sad. I will pray for you guys.

[heather6773]

THF how is she holding up? How are you feeling? Make sure you eat and rest!!!! Thats an order!!!!

[Turtleheadfred]

Thank you guys SO much for thinking of us and for asking... where do I begin?

Let's see if I can make this as short as possible.

She IS getting stronger. Needs a walker now to get around, but CAN now get up (stand) without help which is a BIG improvement! Can get into and on to the toilet (with a thing that raises the seat up and has arms) and back off by herself, and into and out of the bed by herself! TRUST me... this is a BIG accomplishment compared to when she came home from the hosp!

Still only eating a soft diet and not much... but more than before. Still not very "cooperative" about giving the nurse FULL info on what she's eating, how much, etc. And she wants to stay by herself. I've been the one to meet with her and anyone from hospice when they come out... so today they said MAYBE she can try 30 minutes or an hour by herself at a time... little by little. (She wants everyone the HELL out of her house to be perfectly honestly!)

The problem is if she doesn't feel good, she WON'T tell us because she won't want us "coming back"... if she falls - she WON'T tell us... if she's in pain - she WON'T tell us! This is the only issue hubby's oldest sister and I have with this... Hubby and I had just a "few" words about it and I explained that I don't have the strength to take care of his mom AND argue with him like a District Attorney about the degree of her truthfullness. They just need to decide what they want done and that will be that...

I'm just tired. If I wasn't married to "the law" I swear I'd be buying DRUGS!

Oh, and my old sweet bassett hound, Ella J. Mutt had a stroke night before last and we had to bury her yesterday... When it rains...

[Csara]

Oh, I'm so so sorry about your doggie.

That sounds like such a stressful situation with your MIL, but it's really good to hear that she is doing so much better. I hope things continue to improve for you guys. I know it's rough!!!

[heather6773]

I'm sorry for your loss of your baby girl. I hope things start looking better for you!!