Sunday 3 August 2008

I feel as if a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. This is why.
Mum had chemo number 3 and this time was the worst it has ever been. Instead of rallying she got sicker and weaker each day. Last Saturday she called me in tears to take her to the hospital. When I got to her house she was collapsing every few minutes, she couldn't breathe and she was weak and dizzy. I have never been so frightened in all my life. After getting her to the hospital (bad planning meant that we had to get her there in my sports car as the "sensible" car had no petrol! Funny now but not so at the time) she was examined and put on a drip. Then they had to find out what was causing the reaction. ~The options were not nice. Either a clot on the lung, the remaining adrenal gland not working or the chemo had damaged her in some way. They started testing. Day after day she didn't get any better. The test results came back on Thursday. No clot, adrenal gland working, hooray. Trouble was she was still feeling so ill. She still couldn't walk or breathe properly. Thursday afternoon they decided to do a blood transfusion as she was so very anaemic. She was so low and depressed. It was really scary. On Friday morning I spoke to her and she was just like her old self!! She said she felt great! She had one more bag of blood to go and then she wanted a lift to Essex about 100 miles away to see her grand-daughter in her school play!!! Rich picked her up and did the honours and see the play she did. I simply cannot believe the strength and determination that she has. If I had half of it, I would be proud.

She cannot have any more chemo as that last one nearly finished her off. She just has to get strong now and live her life. The doctors all say how well she has done to get this far. She has had most of the sessions so all that will help.

I just feel that things are going to be easier now. It has been a year and a half of hell. A lot of the time I haven't known which way is up really. Coping with all this and Yogi has tested me to my limits I think. Lesley, you are right, she is the Herbie of the human world!!

So, in order to prepare her for having Fudge back, we thought it would be easier if she had short hair (Fudge not mum :o)). This is the result.....
Not sure if she looks like a fox with mange or a goat maybe???

It will be 2 or 3 weeks before she can go home so hopefully it will have grown a bit by then :o) And mum will have forgiven us!!!!

Actually I think that she is much more comfortable in this heat without that great thick coat and mum does too (thankfully)

Larry didn't recognise her and growled when she came back. Then he has been moaning constantly about "women walking around in the buff - not right at all" :o)

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

My word - your Mum's an inspiration to us all!! I think you should trust your feeling - and things will be easier from here on.

And as for her poor dog..... What on earth have you done to Fudge!!??!!! As long as he's cool, I suppose it will grow back!!

Great to hear from you,
G, P & T xxx

Linda Seid Frembes said...

Best wishes to your Mum. And I do love that photo of Fudge!

Lesley Rigby said...

Fudge almost looks embarassed!

It's a wonder you haven't turned white with the shocks you have had over your Mum! Thank goodness for the blood donor - wouldn't they be thrilled to know what their blood had done? Here's hoping everyday she improves from now on - she certainly deserves good times again.

Thinking of you both, Lesley xxx

Fiona said...

Yes, Fudge certainly does look a bit embarrased. But like all bad hair days, there will be good ones again :o) Lesley, I probably am pretty white underneath, but fortunately I have a good hairdresser who looks after that for me!
Thank you for all your good wishes, it is such a relief to feel something akin to normal again (whatever normal is) xxx

HandH said...

Fudge with fuzz - awww!
For what it's worth, it was a relief in many ways once Herbie stopped chemo. Now your Mum knows she doesn't have to put herself through any more bad times,she has the chance to get stronger. Here's hoping for an upward turn!

Fiona said...

Thanks Handh, you're right it is SUCH a relief when its over.

Linda Seid Frembes said...

Fiona,

How are things? Please post an update!!