Updates

For those of you who do not know, my mom has been ill for the last couple of months, although her symptoms started almost a year ago.  We have struggled to find a diagnosis.  First, it was thought to be her gall bladder which was removed, her pain persisted.  An x-ray was ordered and we were told her pain was from arthritis in her back.  We knew that her pain and nausea was too severe for that to be the cause.  Finally, she was scheduled for an Upper GI Scope and a Colonoscopy.  The Upper GI found that she suffers from severe gastritis.  More concerning news came from the Colonoscopy.  A tumor was found at the top of her large intestine.  The doctor took a biopsy and followed up with a CT Scan.  This all happened on a Friday and by Monday my mom was so weak that we had to take her to the E.R. She was hooked up to an I.V. and given Morphine to control her pain.  This is is where we recieved the worst news.  The results of the CT Scan were in and the Dr. shared the results.  It was cancer and the originating source of the cancer was on the pancreas.  The news was devastating.  We know all to well how horrible this diagnosis is, my mother lost her brother to pancreatic cancer not long ago.  We were delicately told to make sure we had all her affairs in order.  Even the nurse was crying along with us, the prognosis was not good. 

The story does not end there.  Yesterday we recieved a call from the Dr.  The biopsy results are in.  The tumor in my mom's intestine was identified as lymphoma, meaning the cancer on her pancreas is likely lymphoma as well, rather than pancreatic cancer.  She has an appointment with a cancer doctor today.  We expect that we are facing stage 3 lymphoma but can not say for sure until we speak with the doctor.  Of course we are still very concerned with her ability to fight because she is already so weak, but we are hopeful.

This sure has been a week full of emotions.  It has been requested that I give updates on my blog of her condition and I will do that.  We are grateful for all of the support we have recieved these last few days, it is very much appreciated.