The Dreaded Cancer
Accompanied my mom-in-law (m.i.l.) to the hospital at 10am.
I already know she had colon cancer after she told us during her Thursday review, that the doctor wanted the "growth" removed immediately before it spreads, but when the surgeon actually, physically showed me the biopsy report and the words "Adenocarcinoma" jumped out at me I can't help but feel the shock. I can only imagine what my mom-in-law felt like, I barely kept my tears in check, I had to walk around the day room before I went back to her.
I had the surgeon explain to us what the operation (colectomy) would entail. http://www.healthsquare.com/mc/fgmc6015.htm Basically it would be a cut either on the side of the abdomen or mid-abdomen. Then the part of the colon with the growth would be removed and the 2 cut ends would be joined together (note to medical professionals: please excuse the blasé explanation of this I'm sure very complicated procedure, but am still in shock).
However, the thing that really got to me was when the surgeon mentioned that there was a risk that if they were not able to join the 2 ends together, my mom-in-law would have to have a colostomy bag! (functions to drain stool (feces) from the colon into the colostomy bag.) Omigawd! I really, really hope not, but he did say that this was unlikely, that he just had to mention the risk.
I've only ever seen one colostomy bag on a patient, and it DOES NOT look like fun! I mean would you want to have poo draining into a bag from a hole in your abdomen into this bag that's attached to you?! I think not.
Fortunately, my m.i.l. did not seem to comprehend this new bit of information, (as she was busy trying to convince the surgeon to let her sleep at home tonight, poor girl - he let her, but warned us to get in early tomorrow at 7am!) which is good in a way, I didn't really want her worrying about it. I might have to advise her tomorrow though, so she won't be surprised if they do decide to put her on one.
She was immediately put on a no solid diet until the operation on Monday (no food whatsoever, just drinks, but no milk). She was also given a rectal suppository to rapidly clear her bowel ( I suddenly remembered going through the same thing the night before my transplant - refer Dec. 7th 2004).
Then followed more blood tests, an echocardiogram, a chest X-ray, a CT scan and a barium enema. After speaking to the anaesthetist, and being given a cathartic liquid (another bowel clearing concoction) we all gladly but tiredly trudged home. It was 3pm. I feel so drained, I don't know if it's because I'm fasting or my feeling sorry and helpless for my mom-in-law. God give us strength.
I already know she had colon cancer after she told us during her Thursday review, that the doctor wanted the "growth" removed immediately before it spreads, but when the surgeon actually, physically showed me the biopsy report and the words "Adenocarcinoma" jumped out at me I can't help but feel the shock. I can only imagine what my mom-in-law felt like, I barely kept my tears in check, I had to walk around the day room before I went back to her.
I had the surgeon explain to us what the operation (colectomy) would entail. http://www.healthsquare.com/mc/fgmc6015.htm Basically it would be a cut either on the side of the abdomen or mid-abdomen. Then the part of the colon with the growth would be removed and the 2 cut ends would be joined together (note to medical professionals: please excuse the blasé explanation of this I'm sure very complicated procedure, but am still in shock).
However, the thing that really got to me was when the surgeon mentioned that there was a risk that if they were not able to join the 2 ends together, my mom-in-law would have to have a colostomy bag! (functions to drain stool (feces) from the colon into the colostomy bag.) Omigawd! I really, really hope not, but he did say that this was unlikely, that he just had to mention the risk.
I've only ever seen one colostomy bag on a patient, and it DOES NOT look like fun! I mean would you want to have poo draining into a bag from a hole in your abdomen into this bag that's attached to you?! I think not.
Fortunately, my m.i.l. did not seem to comprehend this new bit of information, (as she was busy trying to convince the surgeon to let her sleep at home tonight, poor girl - he let her, but warned us to get in early tomorrow at 7am!) which is good in a way, I didn't really want her worrying about it. I might have to advise her tomorrow though, so she won't be surprised if they do decide to put her on one.
She was immediately put on a no solid diet until the operation on Monday (no food whatsoever, just drinks, but no milk). She was also given a rectal suppository to rapidly clear her bowel ( I suddenly remembered going through the same thing the night before my transplant - refer Dec. 7th 2004).
Then followed more blood tests, an echocardiogram, a chest X-ray, a CT scan and a barium enema. After speaking to the anaesthetist, and being given a cathartic liquid (another bowel clearing concoction) we all gladly but tiredly trudged home. It was 3pm. I feel so drained, I don't know if it's because I'm fasting or my feeling sorry and helpless for my mom-in-law. God give us strength.
posted by Thaaniya at 4:06:00 pm
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