hello

itrustgod

hi everyone...

just didn't know who to talk to anymore...

mom's been in the hospital due to a staph infection for a week now. the infection has been kept at bay with antibiotics, but because she had diarrhea for a long time (side effect of radiation), she's being kept longer to restore a lot of lost body fluids... now because of blood thinners and heparin use, her platelet count is fluctuating at low levels (41-49-37..) so doc has even mentioned a possible bone marrow test to make sure everything in there is ok.

Im just so worn out, it's like one thing after another. I'm 19, an only child, and about to head back to school in a week--- and i'm just plain exhausted.

Just wanted to ask you guys for your prayers for my family. I know my parents are in just as much ordeal as I am in going through all this...

TereB

Hi,

I'm sorry you and your family are going through all this. I had a hysterectomy about two months after finishing radiation treatment. After surgery I caught every bug floating around in the hospital so had to stay in the hosp longer and was on all kind of antibiotics. When you are in radiation or chemo, your immune system goes down.

Being in the hospital to restore your Mom's fluids is good and they will be able to do something about her low platelet count.

I can understand how tired you must be, this is not easy. Try to rest and relax, even if it is just a little bit.

I will remember you and your family in my prayers.

A big healing (((hug))) to you!!

All the best,
Tere

TereB

I forgot to mention the survivors chat room. It is for survivors and caregivers, people of all ages. You might like to give it a try, they are all very nice people and help with support, hold your hand, if necessary, share experiences, etc.

Tere

Unknown

Hello itrust...
I am so sorry. I can only echo what Tere said. Sending you prayers. And hope you can join us in chat if that is your 'thing'.
And honey, ASK FOR HELP. I know that sounds simplistic, but the time comes when you just can not do it all.....I sincerely hope you have good family and friend support. Even if you are not the only caregiver, it is always hardest on those closets to the one who is ill. You just MUST take care of yourself. God bless.

LindaR48

I was a caregiver for my mom and now I have BC. You need to take care of yourself, if you want to help her. I will be praying for you and your mom.

sandys

I can't remember ever telling a 19 year old this, but you must be more selfish! ;-) As much as you need to and want to help with your mother's illness, you can't help her and your family if you make yourself sick. I noticed the post time for your message was 3:02 a.m., so I'm guessing you're exhausted but too stressed to sleep. See your own doctor if you need to and see if they can help. If you feel you can't go back to school right now, talk to a teacher or administrator and see if you can work out a leave. Most schools deal with this all the time and can construct leaves as short as a week or two or as long as a year - and most schools have some VERY good listeners!
sandys

itrustgod

you are all angels. thank you for your prayers.

My mom stayed in the hospital for another week since my last post. we went home last Friday. she's at home now, trying to recover and trying to regain her strength. it's so difficult to leave her at home (alone) some days because i've gone back to school and my dad is also back to work. but she does have a home care nurse that comes every once and a while to make sure that everything is going well. next week we will probably be going back to the cancer agency to see the updates on her cancer. I pray that it has remained stable, especially with the intense setback that she went through that were all somehow caused by her radiation treatments.
she only had 5 treatments to her abdominal area, and 10 on her pelvic bone, but it debilitated her so much. how long does one go through side effects of radiation?

I can't wait for my mom to get better and to regain most of her strength. she is too cool of a woman to be as weak as this. God is working His many miracles though! He worked wonders for us while in the hospital.

now, through the Grace of God, my mom has been getting better, slowly but surely.... it's time for me to get better too! you all are right, I am not helping my mom by making myself sick as well... anyway, I just thought I'd give you an update.

I want you (again) to know that I very much appreciate your well wishes, kind thoughts and most especially your prayers. please know that you're all in mine too. i don't know what each of you are going through right now, but hey, who can't benefit from prayers being sent their way?

God bless!!

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle" - Plato

TereB

itrustgod said:

you are all angels. thank you for your prayers.

My mom stayed in the hospital for another week since my last post. we went home last Friday. she's at home now, trying to recover and trying to regain her strength. it's so difficult to leave her at home (alone) some days because i've gone back to school and my dad is also back to work. but she does have a home care nurse that comes every once and a while to make sure that everything is going well. next week we will probably be going back to the cancer agency to see the updates on her cancer. I pray that it has remained stable, especially with the intense setback that she went through that were all somehow caused by her radiation treatments.
she only had 5 treatments to her abdominal area, and 10 on her pelvic bone, but it debilitated her so much. how long does one go through side effects of radiation?

I can't wait for my mom to get better and to regain most of her strength. she is too cool of a woman to be as weak as this. God is working His many miracles though! He worked wonders for us while in the hospital.

now, through the Grace of God, my mom has been getting better, slowly but surely.... it's time for me to get better too! you all are right, I am not helping my mom by making myself sick as well... anyway, I just thought I'd give you an update.

I want you (again) to know that I very much appreciate your well wishes, kind thoughts and most especially your prayers. please know that you're all in mine too. i don't know what each of you are going through right now, but hey, who can't benefit from prayers being sent their way?

God bless!!

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle" - Plato

I am glad your mom is already out of the hospital and at home where she will be able to recover a little more comfortably. I know it's difficult leaving her alone at home while you are in school and Dad at work but sometimes there is nothing else that can be done and she does have the home care nurse that checks on her. It was the same for me, my kids had to go to school and my husband had to work, nothing we could do to change that. My cats didn't leave my side so I was not completely alone.

Radiation is not easy, it was hard for me the first time but has gotten easier with time, not only because I am more used to it but because over the years there have been changes in radiation treatments and even the machines.

I've had radiation in the pelvic area, mostly on the bones, several times. Almost any time you have radiation in the abdominal area you get nausea which is what I hate the most. If your mom has nausea, there are good pills that take care of that. Since it affects your immune system, you feel weak and tired. The best thing is to rest, take naps, just do what you can without overdoing. Little by little your strength will return, appetite will return, etc.; it will take a few months because healing is a slow process but it happens, so don't lose hope. The side effects of radiation go away faster starting the moment treatment ends. For many of the side effects there are medicines that can help.

I'm sure your mom is going to get well, you need to be patient which is not always easy. Try to relax a little.

Many oncology depts. have social workers who can help the patient and family deal with the whole thing. Try it if you feel you, your mom or dad need it.

I hope your mom remains stable and heals completely fast.

Hugs and prayers,
TereB