I haven't been on the board much lately, as my mom has had a major situation brewing. In July she was diagnosed with a tumor on her kidney, although there were no symptoms. Since then we've been doing all the tests and doctor conferences to prepare for surgery. Well, around Labor Day she started developing some pain, minor at first, then increasing until she could barely walk or sit comfortably. This is definitely NOT normal for her -- she's 81, has a pacemaker, CHF, and still refuses to let it get her down. This was not normal.
On Thursday I met with her internist. They reported that her white cell count was too high to perform the surgery just now, and wanted to have her go home until the "infection" subsided, then plan surgery. I abided by this for a day, then on Saturday I called the surgeon and convinced him to admit her to the hospital through the ER on Saturday afternoon. She was fading fast, and I was afraid we could lose her over this.
Once they got her into the hospital, they concluded that she was severely anemic, and that the high white cell count was the result of the tumor, which had consumed her entire right kidney. Immediately they started IV antibiotics, in prep for surgery ASAP.
Surgery was yesterday morning. she went into the OR at about 10:30 AM, and the surgeon came out to meet with me at around 4:30. He was really beat, and apologized for seeming so dragged out, that mom is doing fine. He had warned me that the operation would be a long one when he saw the size of the tumor.
So far all is as well as can be expected -- mom is out of surgery and in the SICU, still on a vent. She was lucid enough right after surgery to want to know if it went well, and that I had made all the phone calls she asked me to. She was also happy that the Cubs had won their game. This AM the charge nurse reported that her heart rate has gone back into range (outran the pacer yesterday) and that vital signs are stable and strong, so we have a lot to be thankful for. Hopefully by the time I get there this afternoon she will be able to be off the vent and rest better.
At this point, life isn't great yet, but it gives all indications that it will again be good soon. I will keep you posted, and sincerely want to thank all of my family here at VR.com for their prayers and words of encouragement.
On Thursday I met with her internist. They reported that her white cell count was too high to perform the surgery just now, and wanted to have her go home until the "infection" subsided, then plan surgery. I abided by this for a day, then on Saturday I called the surgeon and convinced him to admit her to the hospital through the ER on Saturday afternoon. She was fading fast, and I was afraid we could lose her over this.
Once they got her into the hospital, they concluded that she was severely anemic, and that the high white cell count was the result of the tumor, which had consumed her entire right kidney. Immediately they started IV antibiotics, in prep for surgery ASAP.
Surgery was yesterday morning. she went into the OR at about 10:30 AM, and the surgeon came out to meet with me at around 4:30. He was really beat, and apologized for seeming so dragged out, that mom is doing fine. He had warned me that the operation would be a long one when he saw the size of the tumor.
So far all is as well as can be expected -- mom is out of surgery and in the SICU, still on a vent. She was lucid enough right after surgery to want to know if it went well, and that I had made all the phone calls she asked me to. She was also happy that the Cubs had won their game. This AM the charge nurse reported that her heart rate has gone back into range (outran the pacer yesterday) and that vital signs are stable and strong, so we have a lot to be thankful for. Hopefully by the time I get there this afternoon she will be able to be off the vent and rest better.
At this point, life isn't great yet, but it gives all indications that it will again be good soon. I will keep you posted, and sincerely want to thank all of my family here at VR.com for their prayers and words of encouragement.
I am so glad to hear that your mom made it through surgery okay - we'll keep praying for her. Good for you for keeping on the docs and insisting that she get the care that she needed. . . keep us posted.
