How I Spent My T-Giving Vacation
Nov. 29th, 2006 09:35 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
galdrinTook two(2) weeks off to help my folks transport more stuff From Texas to Florida and help get my great-aunt moved from re-hab (after surgery a month or so ago) to a long-term care facility. The T-Giving 2006 events transpired as follows:
Sat. 11NOV06 - Finished loading and tying down the last of the stuff on the flatbed trailer and headed south and east for Marksville, LA.
Later than we intended but sooner then we thought we'd get out. Arrived in Marksville LA.
Sun. 12NOV06 - Departed Marksville for Baton Rouge LA and lunch at Hooter's (my parents official stop to and from FL.) After lunch, my father went to the restroom. While he was gone, my mother stood up from her stool, slowly slid the length of the table and collapsed to the floor. She was non-responsive for about 10 minutes, then she "came back" to awareness of her surroundings and the people about - couldn't sign her name on the EMS form. After 2 CAT scans, 2 chest x-rays and neck ultrasounds at the ER in Baton Rouge - it has been established she had a transient ischemic attack or TIA. Looking back now, she's prolly been having these for at least the last 5 years or longer. Never went to a doctor, even when urged by everyone around her for the last 2 years. In addition, the chest x-rays showed a mass on her left lung, perhaps a smaller one on the right, and one on her stomach. They eventually released her, along with copies of all the tests, with the advice that she see a doctor as soon as we got to Sanford FL.
Tue. 14NOV06 - Arrived in Sanford FL. Parked the Motor Bus at my great-aunt's house, dropped my mother off at their mobile home a few blocks away, and drove over to see my great-aunt and let her know we'd arrived. Spent about 30-45 minutes visiting with her (she was mumbling under her breath - weak from a bronchial infection and bacterial infection she'd picked up Sun. 12NOV while we were in transit) and then told her we had to go unload the trailers and we'd back later in the afternoon. We had got 10 minutes down the road when we got called back. She'd stopped breathing and her heart stopped. Unable to resuscitate her, Great Aunt Eloise Engle was pronounced dead at the nearby ER.
Wed. 15NOV06 - Went out to eat at Don Pablo's Mexican Restaurant in Sanford FL. Mother was a bit wobbly afterward, so I helped her to the car and into the house at their mobile home, and went to my great-aunt's to go to bed.
Thur. 16NOV06 - About 1:30 AM, my mother falls attempting to get out of bed to go to the bathroom. My father can't really move her as a dead-weight, so the EMS is called and she's taken to the ER and admitted. Over the course of the next 6-7 days, they have confirmed that:
a.) she's been having these TIA's over the past several years (just like her mother did - no one ever told us about that) which came to a head during the trip down as 2 mini-strokes. After pumping two pints of blood in her for her anemic condition, she "woke up" to almost her old self again. She needs both carotid arteries cleared out to restore normal blood flow.
b.) The mass in her stomach and on her lung have had biopsies done - both are malignant. The stomach one is supposedly inoperable.
Tue. 21NOV06
I depart for Texas, knowing that my mother is to be released later that day. I drive straight through to Texas without stopping and arrive about 1:30 AM.
Thur. 23NOV06
Mother is released from the hospital to enjoy the 4-day holiday. Oncologist appointment Mon. 27NOV. Stroke-doctor appointment Wed. 29NOV.
Mon. 27NOV06
Mother is readmitted to the hospital this morning. She a little weak and pale ... not using her right arm or hand at all. The anemia is back again, probably more internal bleeding from the stomach tumor. Supposed to get an update tonight.
Tue. 28NOV06
Oncologist informs my parents that my mother is Stage 5 and that my father needs to start looking around for hospice care or facility. No time frame given. One the positive side ... the doctor did say that the lung cancer was not the result of her smoking. Started in her stomach, got into the lymph system, got into her lung.
That's all for now.
Sat. 11NOV06 - Finished loading and tying down the last of the stuff on the flatbed trailer and headed south and east for Marksville, LA.
Later than we intended but sooner then we thought we'd get out. Arrived in Marksville LA.
Sun. 12NOV06 - Departed Marksville for Baton Rouge LA and lunch at Hooter's (my parents official stop to and from FL.) After lunch, my father went to the restroom. While he was gone, my mother stood up from her stool, slowly slid the length of the table and collapsed to the floor. She was non-responsive for about 10 minutes, then she "came back" to awareness of her surroundings and the people about - couldn't sign her name on the EMS form. After 2 CAT scans, 2 chest x-rays and neck ultrasounds at the ER in Baton Rouge - it has been established she had a transient ischemic attack or TIA. Looking back now, she's prolly been having these for at least the last 5 years or longer. Never went to a doctor, even when urged by everyone around her for the last 2 years. In addition, the chest x-rays showed a mass on her left lung, perhaps a smaller one on the right, and one on her stomach. They eventually released her, along with copies of all the tests, with the advice that she see a doctor as soon as we got to Sanford FL.
Tue. 14NOV06 - Arrived in Sanford FL. Parked the Motor Bus at my great-aunt's house, dropped my mother off at their mobile home a few blocks away, and drove over to see my great-aunt and let her know we'd arrived. Spent about 30-45 minutes visiting with her (she was mumbling under her breath - weak from a bronchial infection and bacterial infection she'd picked up Sun. 12NOV while we were in transit) and then told her we had to go unload the trailers and we'd back later in the afternoon. We had got 10 minutes down the road when we got called back. She'd stopped breathing and her heart stopped. Unable to resuscitate her, Great Aunt Eloise Engle was pronounced dead at the nearby ER.
Wed. 15NOV06 - Went out to eat at Don Pablo's Mexican Restaurant in Sanford FL. Mother was a bit wobbly afterward, so I helped her to the car and into the house at their mobile home, and went to my great-aunt's to go to bed.
Thur. 16NOV06 - About 1:30 AM, my mother falls attempting to get out of bed to go to the bathroom. My father can't really move her as a dead-weight, so the EMS is called and she's taken to the ER and admitted. Over the course of the next 6-7 days, they have confirmed that:
a.) she's been having these TIA's over the past several years (just like her mother did - no one ever told us about that) which came to a head during the trip down as 2 mini-strokes. After pumping two pints of blood in her for her anemic condition, she "woke up" to almost her old self again. She needs both carotid arteries cleared out to restore normal blood flow.
b.) The mass in her stomach and on her lung have had biopsies done - both are malignant. The stomach one is supposedly inoperable.
Tue. 21NOV06
I depart for Texas, knowing that my mother is to be released later that day. I drive straight through to Texas without stopping and arrive about 1:30 AM.
Thur. 23NOV06
Mother is released from the hospital to enjoy the 4-day holiday. Oncologist appointment Mon. 27NOV. Stroke-doctor appointment Wed. 29NOV.
Mon. 27NOV06
Mother is readmitted to the hospital this morning. She a little weak and pale ... not using her right arm or hand at all. The anemia is back again, probably more internal bleeding from the stomach tumor. Supposed to get an update tonight.
Tue. 28NOV06
Oncologist informs my parents that my mother is Stage 5 and that my father needs to start looking around for hospice care or facility. No time frame given. One the positive side ... the doctor did say that the lung cancer was not the result of her smoking. Started in her stomach, got into the lymph system, got into her lung.
That's all for now.
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no subject
Date: 2006-11-29 04:09 pm (UTC)I'm sorry about both your great aunt and your mom. I'll be thinking of you and your family.
no subject
Date: 2006-11-29 04:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-29 05:16 pm (UTC)My condolences on your great-aunt, and best wishes for your mom's health.
*hugs*
no subject
Date: 2006-11-29 05:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-29 05:43 pm (UTC)Game plan of the moment is for each of we three boys (and our wives) to make a visit to Florida around and during the X-mas vacation period. One goes and visits for a couple 3 days and comes home ... then the next one goes ... then the last one goes.
After X-mas - we'll just see how things work out. I have to go back around mid-January to deliver a vehicle anyway.
no subject
Date: 2006-11-29 05:50 pm (UTC)Difficult T-giving, etc. but, ya know, my great aunt was 96 years old, so she'd seen a lot of life plus she was the last of my grandparents generation. I'm sure she was probably ready to go. The hip surgery and rehab was just too much so, knowing we were all on our way, she waited until my Dad and I got there and visited and finally said "I'm done." It was peaceful from what I could tell. She wasn't in excrutiating pain or anything. She just gave it up and closed the book on that generation.
My mother, on the other hand, is only 20 years older than me so we're all keeping a close eye on what's going on - plus learning all kinds of neat health issues we were never told before. One way or the other, we'll get through this as well.
no subject
Date: 2006-11-29 06:15 pm (UTC)That's always difficult. You're filled with frustration -- why didn't you tell me, Mom?! -- and concern simultaneously, I know. :(
Hang in there, Galdrin. I'm so sorry. Lots of love and good thoughts and hugs going your way.
no subject
Date: 2006-11-29 07:20 pm (UTC)Our biggest frustration is that nothing seems to phase her. I want her to fight back and not let this beat her. But she just won't do it or give any indication that there's anything that would move her to some kind of on her own behalf. It's like she's resigned herself to her fate. So like her - and so unlike me. While I'm a very private person much as she is, I'm not willing to turn my back on my family and withdraw away from everyone.
I know it's high risk, but I'd at least like to see her opt for clearing out the carotid arteries so she doesn't suffer from the TIA's any more. But, you start disturbing things - like having to take blood thinners before they do the surgery - and who knows what delicate balance would be disturbed. The blood thinners do their work, the stomach cancer starts bleeding, the cancer travels twice as far in half the time ... sheesh ... isn't that like Catch-22?
Hang in there, Galdrin. I'm so sorry. Lots of love and good thoughts and hugs going your way.
Thanks a ton for the good wishes.
no subject
Date: 2006-11-29 08:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-29 09:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-29 09:35 pm (UTC)I just sorry it had to be bad news this time, esp on a "vacation".
Despite the severity of the illness i hope some sort of miracle
occurs here and things turn to the better.
But whatever happens, my best wishes and thoughts to you and your family.
no subject
Date: 2006-11-29 09:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-30 05:43 am (UTC)dragonette
no subject
Date: 2006-11-30 01:14 pm (UTC)