My mom's health . . .

[Tina ☺]

Hey all. As some of you know from reading my other thread, my mom had a needle biopsy on her lung yesterday. Before she went in, the doc told us some of the risks, one of which was a chance of getting air in her chest cavity, which would mean an overnight stay in the hospital.

Just our luck, the worst happened, so my mom had to have a chest tube inserted to get air out of her chest cavity. She spent the night in the hospital. What sucks even more is that when the doc saw her this morning, he told her that she has to also stay tonight because she hasn't improved enough to be sent home. *sigh*

What's even worse is that when I went back to the hospital to visit her last night, she had not been given any dinner. The poor woman had not had a bite all day long! Well, I asked the nurses about it and after about 45 more minutes, they told us that she could have anything she wanted. But by then the cafeteria had closed so they brought her some crappy frozen meal they keep on hand in the nursing station's freezer.

It's a good thing I was there because I made her day by going out to a fast-food place and grabbed her a hamburger. When she called this morning around 7:00am, those idiots had not given her any breakfast... not even a cup of coffee! That place really sucks I tell you! It's a big, fancy, expensive hospital and yet their patient care totally bites! They also did me that way when I had to stay overnight last year.

Anyway, in a little while, I'm going to go visit and spend several hours with her to make sure they don't starve her to death or something. In the meantime, any positive vibes, thoughts, prayers, etc you send our way will be much appreciated. Hopefully she'll be able to get out of there tomorrow. I know she hates being there.

Bottom line is, I certainly am grateful to have all of you here rooting for us. I don't know what I'd do without you guys. I love you all!

Also, I certainly let Mom know that she has a world-full of folks thinking of her. Thanks again for being here everyone! *HUGS*

[valpre1983]

Tina, I'm sending you a billion hugs and ten billion positive energy waves to you and your mom. Patient care is really going to the dogs and I thought it was only here in SA

Just this past monday medical staff went back to work after almost 3 weeks of wage protest/strike (I don't know what you guys call it over there). I mean people were losing their lives and the people who've decided to devote their lives to nursing the ill couldn't be bothered.

But, yeah, the treatment your mom got in hospital is unacceptable and isn't there anyone you can report it to?

I'll be thinking of you and your mom and I hope your girls are doing okay

[amylu1988]

Blimey, I always forget we're the only ones with the NHS, even more hugs to you Tina. *hhhhhuuuugggsssss* And I'll make a virtual cup of tea for your Mum, not that it'll help, but you get the idea. Hope she recovers from the after-effects of the biopsy soon; and that she gets a decent full meal. We're all here and thinking of you and your Mum, Tina.

[Aussie Karima]

I thought our hospital system stunk,because of the waiting time to get in,but,I will take that back,as we get so well feed & checks on blood pressure & the like so much you are glad to get home from hospital so you can grab a decent sleep!But that does not help your mum! I am sending all my prays & good wishes your way,from Down under, I hope they help! love you,so don't forget what a large network of people who care for you & yours,from all over the globe!

[joandsarah]

Also sending virtual (((hugs))) bickies and cups of tea. That stinks! I would try and see if they have her down someplace as nil by mouth, just in case she isn't on the food roster thingy. Our local hospital is a lot of things But agreeing with karima, they do at least feed us well.

Let her know even people in Australia are thinking of her Tina and that we hope she makes a fast recovery.

[Sarie]

I'm sorry to hear all that Tina, it kinda makes me feel like kicking a doctor (just kidding though). I send virtual hugs your way!

[Tina ☺]

Thank you so much everyone! *huge hugs*

Mom finally got out of the hospital around 9:00pm on Sunday night. I sat there all day with her waiting while they kept on having to take x-rays, etc to see how her lungs were doing before and after removing the chest tube. It was rough!

It was a very exhausting four days for me... five if I count the fact that I had to go back there again on Monday for my own doctor's appointment. I was so tired that it took me forever to recover from all the stress, running around, etc. The hospital is an hour's drive from my house and I went there every day to sit with her for a while so she wouldn't be there alone. Being in the hospital is bad enough, but it's even worse if you're there alone all day and night.

On a brighter note, my mom is feeling better. In fact, she feels well enough that we have planned a trip together this weekend. It's the first time my mom and I have ever had a 'vacation' with just the two of us. We're going to Cherokee, NC, where there is an Indian Reservation with a huge casino. My mom said she has 'gambling fever' and wants to win her fortune...lol.

We are planning to leave around noon tomorrow and will be coming back on Sunday. I booked us a nice motel room beside the river which has a balcony overlooking the river. I think it will be a nice weekend. Unfortunately, RL will begin again on Monday and on Tuesday, we will be going back for a follow-up visit to the doctor. That is most likely when we will learn the results of her biopsy. I'm praying for good news, but I have a bad feeling the news won't be very good.

But, in the meantime, we have resolved ourselves to not think about until that time comes. We plan on having a great time on our weekend getaway. I will be taking my laptop, so I'll log on and be in touch while I'm away. I also plan to take lots of pictures and even shoot some video.

Again, your concern, love, and support means the world to me and I thank you so much for being here to keep the place going while I've been away!

[amylu1988]

That sounds really rough for your Mum at the hospital, I bet she was so grateful to have you there with her though, Tina.
Hope you have a lovely weekend, a nice break sounds just what you both need, and I'll have my fingers crossed for you all weekend that the news is good from the follow up visit. Enjoy the holiday, many hugs to you and your Mum. *hugs*

[Sarie]

Your mom is funny. Have a fun weekend!

[Tina ☺]

Thanks Amylu and Sarie! *hugs* Wow, seems no one else even noticed the mention of our weekend getaway, and here I was feeling all guilty and whatnot for not having posted back to y'all until now...lol

Anyhow, we have had a great time here, but now it's time to pack up and go home. It's so peaceful here I wish I could stay longer, but all vacations have to end sometime. *sniff*

I'm in no hurry, but my mom seems to be getting 'antsy' for some reason. Therefore, I must pack up this laptop and everything else, so we can hit the road again soon. I will post more later about everything from my home computer. I hate typing on this laptop...ack! lol

[valpre1983]

Aw Tina, sowry I missed this somehow. It sounds like you had a fun weekend. I'm glad, you and your mom needed a bit of fun and some downtime. I'll hold thumbs for the biopsy results and you and yours are always in my prayers

[jillyson]

What a great treat for the both of you! It sounds like a fabulous weekend & we can't wait to hear the details!
More prayers, hugs, "Grandma's comfort soup", and all other types of positive vibes coming your way!

[Tina ☺]

Thanks guys! *HUG* Well, we are back, but I'm too pooped to type out all the details just now. We had a great time, but it was exhausting enough to make us both happy to be home again.

[Deleted]

Aw. Glad to hear that you had a fun vacation Tina. Positive vibes to you and your mom!

[Tina ☺]

Thank you, Ashley! *HUG*

Tomorrow afternoon is when we are scheduled to learn the biopsy results. I'm am terrified we are going to learn that my mom has cancer. I'm doubly worried that if so, the chemotherapy will be worse for than just letting things alone. Either way, we will be up the creek without a paddle.