Hi everyone,
I hope your all well.
This has been a long journey for our family. I'll try and make this as brief as I can...
My beautiful mum was diagnosed with stager4 bowel cancer in July 2019.
She has been receiving chemo since August. She was also offered clinical trials which she accepted.
My mum had to have a major operation in July and she was left with a stoma.
We had to wait until August for the wound to heal, she has 33 stitches.
1st round of 48hr chemo, you wouldn't know she was on any chemo. She was great.
Nurse came to flush pick, noticed my mums hand was swollen, she was admitted to hospital. We suspected bloot clot as we understood this was common. A Dr at the hospital told my mum the picc like was infected and for someone to remove it ASAP. My mum stayed in hospital for 2.2weeks, however it wasn't clear if it was an infection or a blood clot.
After mum was discharged we went back to start chemo again. We discussed the picc and we were told It WASN'T infected, it never should have been removed it was just a clot and all that was needed was fragmin injections. My mum was told she wasn't allowed another picc in the same arm, and her right arm her vains weren't any good.
We then went home, with no chemo and we had to wait 2 weeks for a date of when my mum could have a stent fitted. (all these weeks of missed chemo through no fault of my mums.)
Mum went back for her stent, the radiologist asked if she would prefer picc or stent. We explained the situation and luckily this amazing man was able to get another picc in her right arm!
Chemo started the next day (round 2) she had side effects but was really good.
In her week break she became poorly, she was admitted to hospital were she had an Abbess which had formed from her wound from her stoma. She was in for 2 days and all was fine. However her wound opened up again due to the abbses.
I understand that part is nobodys fault. It was just unfortunate she has an abscess.
Chemo was delayed 2 weeks again.
She started chemo again, she was fine all week.
In her week break she came ill, she was in hospital again with suspected nutrepenic sepsis. She was in intensive care for 2 days, and was in a ward for 5
She came home weak but that's accepted for anyone who's just has sepsis!
We waited a week we went back to the cancer centre and she had a scan. This scan was always planned. She was sent home and we waited another week for the results.
We went back, to discuss the dreaded results.
My mums liver lisions have halfed!
My mums tumor has increased by 2 cm
And my mums lung lesion has increased by 2mm
This is all with 3 rounds of chemo because of all our set backs. She didn't have all the treatment as planned.
We were told that my mum is to week to handle treatment, that her legs have swollen (YES they have swollen, she wasn't able to be prescribed anything incase the cancer was in her legs. Which it is NOT. We brought her in, in a wheelchair to make it easier for my mum. We have always had the wheelchair at home, it used to be my nans. we didn't but one especially!) its water retention in her legs. My mum can walk.
Then Said your not the same, somethings changed overnight.. Look at you? (we are thinking yes she's been extremely poorly she'd just had sepsis!)
We are told she has now 2 months to live.
We then left with my mums picc line still her arm! As no one told us what to do. We just left.... This is currently still in.
We were told if macmillian haven't contacted us in a week then to call back?
My poor mum x
My sister is pregnant shes actually over due by 3 days so as you can imagine we are all and our lose ends.
We were never told of a next step, or plan of action. I don't understand why my mum cant have chemo when she's better. Yes she's not well right NOW.
Change the chemo? Operate? So many more solutions instead of just writing my mum off that's how we feel. My mums stronger than they know. She was ready for chemo but we were told it's all now finished.
Mum's since seen a GP and she was given tablets for her feet (the words were, but why suffer??) that's exactly my point! Already my mums legs have reduced and she can walk better!
My mum eats drinks walks (slowly) does all the house hold. We have no careers my mum is so strong. Yes she lost weight, that's normal with a stoma.
All my family are not happy with the opinion that there's nothing that can be done, would like some advice as we were told we have 2 months with her. I'm the sister in the family keeping us all together xxx