Help Mom Move Downstairs

With sudden changes in my mom health, I now need to relocate her from upstairs (all bedrooms upstairs) to downstairs. Below is something I shared with coworkers today that is just a high level overview where we are at today. I was hoping renovations would be cheaper, but the amount of remodeling required is more than I expected (especially with a 2-3 week turnaround). I’m n vet one to ask for handouts, but after Harvey and other expenses I have almost exhausted all loans available. I have pulled the remaining loan available today to start the remodel next week. I only want my mom to come home to a place that is comfortable and fits her need. Please do not feel obligated to donate anything, but thank you for all for knowing the strong and outgoing person she is. She has impacted many lives and I only want to do the same for her. 

Hi Team, Fellow Co-workers, and Friends –

As many know (and some are just hearing for the first time), I had to call an ambulance to transfer my mom to the hospital last Thursday.  As I was working a FLEX Schedule (my mom had not been feeling well for a few weeks) from home, I had noticed she did not go into work that morning.  After only hearing her move around a few times that morning, I decided to check in on her around 9:30AM and found her in almost a delusional state.  If anyone should ever meet my mom, they would learn quickly how strong and hard headed she can be.  Short story… she would not let me take her to the hospital, so I called 911.

After many hours of tests and waiting she was admitted to the hospital with blockage in her lower intestine (she was diagnosed with Stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer in January of 2017).  On Friday Morning the surgeon approach my sister and I with 3 options.  Hospice, a stint, or surgery to try and remove the blockage.  There was no hesitation and we chose surgery.

During the surgery they discovered part of her large intestine was on the verge of rupturing.  Had I not got her into the hospital when I did, she would not have survived a ruptured intestine.  The surgeon was able to remove the torn part of the intestine, but upon further observation of the intestine he identified small cancerous implants throughout her intestine.  At that point he decided not to remove the tumor causing the original blockage as the cancer is starting to spread, making her current cancer stage a 4.

Her surgery was performed Friday at 1PM.  She was transferred to ICU and did not come out of sedation until Sunday, around 3AM.  It took another day or two to fill her in on everything that happened and what hurdles we have ahead.  My mother is a very strong woman, so I expect she will not take this new diagnoses without a fight.  She is already walking around the room with the Physical Therapist and after meeting with the Oncologist with MD Anderson last night, the first priority is getting her recovered from the surgery.  After that we can then start looking at treatment options for the newly identified cancer.

I’m expecting my mom may be released in the next day or two from the hospital, but I’m not sure if she will be able to go home, or have to go to an assisted living facility until she is physically strong enough to move around on her own.

I would like to thank each and every one of you for your thoughts, prayers, and well wishes.  I would also like to thank everyone that has had to stepped in and help cover my work load.  I am doing my best to login daily to read and reply to emails, but I’m usually interrupted by doctors, nurses, and surgeons... all the time.

 I will try to keep everyone posted as this journey continues.