Nana - Update from Doc - 1
Heart Doc called my mum after she got home from work. This is pretty much what she was told, point formed from her convo.
Lung disase - pulmonary fibrosis - lungs honeycombed - must have oxygen even at home -- release anywhere must be scheduled and controlled, oxygen is a 'controlled' substance, requiring a bit of registry (hello, explosive!). She must be released TO a location, and the oxygen goes with her to that location. Moving requires consultation.
Enlarged lymph nodes in chest - nails and fingers clubbing - Lung cancer related likely. Bones were CLEAR for metastasizing, none showing, however other tests to check for such have been unable to be completed. Nana is unable to spit, so the spit test is not an option (trust us, they've tried tricks to get her to, and she just plain cannot.
Not surgery candidate so no biopsy. They figure large cell cancer slow growing, want CT in 3-4 months to check cancer. Def. Emphesyma. Due to heart issues, chemo not an option. Major calcification of all blood vessels, so ANY invasive procedure, including biopsy, is not an option.
Addressing heart issues next, to ensure release. Get her out of hospital or waste away due to depression. Burning calories heavily just breathing, and NOT eating in the hospital because it's not what she wants (she's picky in her old age). High caloric intake recommended, although healthy high calorie (high carb pasta/rice type diet I think is ideal).
Based on what is known, estimate of survival is 3-4 years, provided heart issues are managed. A lot longer than my initial 6 months to a year I got out of what I was told this morning.
Going to try to pin the doc down tomorrow with all of us and wail on him with questions.
Until then, it's a waiting game... again.
Quote from the Cheshire Cat -- Only a few find the way, some don't recognize it when they do. Some don't even want to.
Lung disase - pulmonary fibrosis - lungs honeycombed - must have oxygen even at home -- release anywhere must be scheduled and controlled, oxygen is a 'controlled' substance, requiring a bit of registry (hello, explosive!). She must be released TO a location, and the oxygen goes with her to that location. Moving requires consultation.
Enlarged lymph nodes in chest - nails and fingers clubbing - Lung cancer related likely. Bones were CLEAR for metastasizing, none showing, however other tests to check for such have been unable to be completed. Nana is unable to spit, so the spit test is not an option (trust us, they've tried tricks to get her to, and she just plain cannot.
Not surgery candidate so no biopsy. They figure large cell cancer slow growing, want CT in 3-4 months to check cancer. Def. Emphesyma. Due to heart issues, chemo not an option. Major calcification of all blood vessels, so ANY invasive procedure, including biopsy, is not an option.
Addressing heart issues next, to ensure release. Get her out of hospital or waste away due to depression. Burning calories heavily just breathing, and NOT eating in the hospital because it's not what she wants (she's picky in her old age). High caloric intake recommended, although healthy high calorie (high carb pasta/rice type diet I think is ideal).
Based on what is known, estimate of survival is 3-4 years, provided heart issues are managed. A lot longer than my initial 6 months to a year I got out of what I was told this morning.
Going to try to pin the doc down tomorrow with all of us and wail on him with questions.
Until then, it's a waiting game... again.
Quote from the Cheshire Cat -- Only a few find the way, some don't recognize it when they do. Some don't even want to.