Monday, May 31, 2010

Dr. Dabbs - Post Surgery Checkup

I drove Mom up to Edmonton this afternoon for her Post-Op Consultation and check-up with the surgeon who performed surgery, Dr. Kelly Dabbs in Edmonton. We had a bit of a wait in the most uncomfortable chairs. The doctor removed Mom's drainage tubes and informed Mom of the severity of the cancer, and told her that she would need more surgery but needed chemotherapy to loosen the tissue first.

We didn't even make it to the car before we broke down in tears.

I don't think I can even cry enough to express my distress over this news.

Pathology reports local metastasis of the breast/chest wall UNDER and into the TRAM as well as positive lymph nodes. The cancer is lobular and Estrogen positive. Unknown lymphatic invasion.

Mom has been referred to Oncologist Dr. Fenton at the Cross Cancer Institute. If we haven't heard from his office by Friday we are to call Dr. Dabbs.

Dr. Dabbs also said she would be seeing Dr. Fenton this evening and would be discussing Mom's case with him.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Home Care Visit

Home Care came and visited today. Nice lady.
She checked Mom's surgery site and drainage tubes. Everything looking good.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Post Surgery - Mastectomy - Dr. Dabbs

Went back up to Edmonton early in the morning. I guess I was hopeful that Mom would be stable. There was no point in calling up in advance to see if she would be discharged. Either way I was going up.

Got there to discover Mom severely nauseated and vomitting.
She never reacts well to anaesthesia or pain meds.

We were allowed to go whenever though.
Mom knew she'd stabilize once the Morphine stopped, and the anaesthesia wore off completely.

They gave Mom some gravol and pain meds intravenously one last time but we had to sit for a bit before leaving, so around 16:30 Mom felt stable enough to make our escape. I had to go on a mission to find a wheelchair and I did manage to find one in ER thanks to some very helpfuil staff. We got some air sick bags for the road, we loaded up and I wheeled her as fast and gently as I could down to the car which I had parked in front of the doors. I got Mom into the car and she was sick right away.

I really hate when people need to stare. It`s a hospital. People are sick, why are you staring.

I emptied her dish in the washroom and we got the heck out of there.

On the Anthony Henday to get out of town there was a rather large piece of lumber which ended up popping a hole in the radiator of the car in front of us and he swerved off. I tried to dodge the thing and hit it with what I think was the tire, but I pulled over to make sure everything appeared OK. It was, so I continued on. Mom made it halfway home before she was sick again. It`s a good thing it doesn`t bother me.

Got home around 18:30

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Dr. Dabbs Surgery

Surgery, Lt "Mastectomy" and Lymph node removal. I use " " because is it really possible to have a mastectomy twice on the same side? No, because it is a term associated with the breast, and Mom already lost that breast in 1995.

Today was really hard.

Michael drove us up to the hospital and we checked in and waited. Signed final consent forms and stuff, and then waited. There was a bit of a wait, but that was OK. Things don't always go as planned in surgeries.

They let me accompany Mom all the way into the OR waiting room. I never had that opportunity the last time Mom was diagnosed with Cancer - of course I was also 15, and it was 1995. I maintained composure for most of the time. Dr. Dabbs came in and explained what she was going to do to Mom. I turned away, as I didn't want to infringe on Mom's privacy. The anaesthesiologist also came in and spoke with Mom. It's nice, to remind people that they will be working on People and not... objects. I stayed with Mom until it was time, it came up suddenly really. The nurse came in and he asked Mom identification questions and they were ready to go... so I said I love you and walked away... I barely made it two steps before I started crying my eyes out. So scared.

I was thankful Michael came with me (even though his employer flew a technicality card and wouldn't allow him to use a family illness day) to occupy me while Mom was in surgery. We headed out of the hospital and went to Whyte Ave. Had lunch and Canada Tap House. Best chicken wings ever. Was a good distraction there. Awesome pictures and historical stuff for Canada. Then I dragged Mike up and down Whyte Ave into some of the shops. Even found a place for a buddy of ours.


Went back to the hospital. Mom was really groggy, but I was relieved she made it back alive. We didn't stay too too long. I sat for a bit with her but rest was all she was going to be able to do and she was in the place she needed to be.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Misericordia Pre-Op

Mom went up to Edmonton today for Pre-Op @ Misericordia, still unsure if plastic surgeon required as Dr. Dabbs is away.

Mom signed all paperwork and requested a private room if available.

Misericordia showings it's age but an excellent hospital.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

CT & Bone Scan

Mom went back up to Edmonton today to the Cross Cancer Institute for CT Scan.

CT scan delayed by ~3hrs due to one CT machine breaking down. Results inconclusive and unclear due to TRAM(Mom's reconstruction).

Bone Scan - no bone metastssis, just showed signs that she was getting old. *relief*

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

MRI

Mom went up to Edmonton's Cross Cancer Institute today for an MRI. It turns out she CAN have an MRI. All these years we thought she couldn't because of the metal plate in her head.

MRI was one of the worst things she ever experienced and NEVER wants another one. She said you could feel it, like punching you I guess. They don't even talk to you, althought because Mom's heart rate peaked a bit they did start walking her through it. Telling her each step they were going to take.

She wished she had taken an ativan before hand.

Results ended up being inconclusive/difficult to see due to TRAM.... making having taken this test all the more pointless.