Mum update

[wiseheart]

So, it seemd they've found the reason for the jaundice. Mum apparently had a block in her gall pipe or whatever it's called in English. *looks at ithilwen helplessly*

In any case, they've pushed a probe down to the place in question, through her mouth and stomach, cut the block open, took tissue samples, and - as the duty doctor rather bluntly told me - they are now checking if the block came from some sort of tumor, if the tumor is malevolent and if there will be need for an operation.

I hope there will not. I know these are routine steps. I know Mum had an ultrasound and a CT of her lower body a couple of months ago. So I steadfastly hope that nothing nasty had grown inside her in such a short time, and that the block had a muuch less dangerous reason.

But she does look like shit, the poor thing. When I got in, she was yellow like a canary - you should have seen it to believe! Even her scalp had the colour of a rubber duck shining through her hair - it was the weirdest thing I've ever seen. And she has tubes hanging from her, as they're "washing" her from the inside, and she gets infusion and antibiotics and all that stuff. After I made my worries a rather clear, they finally managed to give her some painkillers, too, after having let her suffering for hours... the examination was quite painful. She was in so much pain, and she endured it so bravely, it broke my heart to see.

But the painkillers finally worked; I called her an hour ago, and she told me that she'd managed to sleep most of the afternoon and felt much better. Especially as she was finally allowed to at least drink a glass of water, after half a day of dying from thirst. So I hope I'll find her in a better shape tomorrow.


Thanks for the support, folks. I think I'd go slowly insane here, all on my lonesome, without you.

Comments

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Your poor mum. And you too.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Poor Mum, mostly. She's the one suffering, I'm just scared out of my mind. Thanks for the support.

[the-wild-iris.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm glad they're fixing it! I do hope there are no further complications and that she's soon well enough to come home.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thanks. So do I, to be honest. It's hard, we are so close, and not having her with me, even if we sometimes fight over completely meaningless trivia is... surreal, somehow.

[the-wild-iris.livejournal.com]

My mum and I could never share close quarters for very long :)

I hope your mum is feeling better today and that you can soon resolve some of your worries. Please let me know if I can do anything to cheer you up (DVDs?).

x

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

You shouldn't make such tempting offers. You know I can withstand everything - except temptation. ;)

[skyfiery.livejournal.com]

>.< I hate having tubes of any kind stuck down my throat (had them shoved up my nostrils though, bleah), so I can relate. I hope your mum's feeling a lot better now.

*hugs tight*

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thanks, little sis! She sounded a lot better through phone last night than she had in the afternoon, but I'm still scared about the reasosn. *sigh*

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Sending lots of hugs and good wishes

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thank you. It's muchly appreciated.

[mistry89.livejournal.com]

Fingers crossed that it is only a gallstone (I know that is not an "only" scenario, but it is solvable!).
*hugs*

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Well, it would be the lesser evil, wouldn't it? I'm really worried sick here.

[mistry89.livejournal.com]

Yes and utterly understandable.
I'm going to be sending you both Good Thoughts until you are both back home planning your next jaunt.
Cheers!

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[makamu]

*bites lip* Man, if I saw someone from my family in such a state... *hugs you, keppts fingers tightly crossed*

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Tessy. It wasn't a nice sight. Today, she looked a lot better, though still yellow, and she was not in so much pain. OTOH, she apparently forget to stay near the phone at the appointed time, so I couldn't speak with her in the evening, so I'm worrying like crazy again. *sighs*

[glitterboy1.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry I'm catching up late, but much sympathy to you and to your mum. Whatever the reason for the block was, it sounds like such a worrying - and painful - time. I'm glad that she was feeling a little better by the evening, and I hope she's better again by the time you can talk to her today. I'm thinking of both of you, and hoping that they can work out what was happening soon.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thank you. She was slightly better today, but that doesn't mean a thing, I'm afraid. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

[rcfinch.livejournal.com]

Here's hoping and praying that the less dangerous reason is the one that applies. *hugs both of you*

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thanks. That's my hope as well. I know the doctors check for the worst case scenario each time, and I pray fervently that it will be unnecessary.

[cirdan-havens.livejournal.com]

Sounds promising. Tell your mom to tell them if it hurts. I know lots of the older generation will downplay how much pain they're enduring. *sends more positive thoughts* *hugs*

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Oh, it seems Mum has learned rapidly that one shouldn't suffer more than one has to. She's a clever old lady.

[artemis10002000]

That sounds horrible. I can't even imagine how scared you and your Mom must be.

*tight huggle*

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thanks, hon. It's a frightening time for us both indeed.

[artemis10002000]

I'll be thinking of you two and wish you the best of luck!

[lissas-elves.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's good news that they found the reason for her illness.

Jaundice does make people look strange. My oldest had a touch of it when she was born (not uncommon in infants) and she simply looked tanned.

But your mother going all yellow... no wonder you worry! It's great that you got her those painkillers. Older people are often too 'polite' to ask for what they need.

Now don't forget to take good care of yourself (if not for other reasons then because your mother needs you to be strong right now).

*hugs*

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Well, they've found the immediate reason. Still checking on the background, though, so there's still reason to worry, I'm afraid.

[edge-of-ruin.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry you're both having such a horrible time. Love to you and to your mum.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Andria. Friendly support means so much.

[nerwen-calaelen.livejournal.com]

Poor you and your mum. I hope it turns out to be something not too bad. Good luck dealing with everything.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'm trying to think positively, but it's not easy.

[jen-rock.livejournal.com]

I'm glad they figured out what was wrong so they can start treating it. Sounds like things are improving. I'll keep my fingers crossed that everything turns out okay.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Well, they still aren't sure about the ultimate reason, but I'm starting to hope... very carefully.

[ithilwen.livejournal.com]

She had a blockage of her common bile duct. Here's hoping it was just a small gallstone which has since passed through, and not something more serious!

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my concern exactly. Although that you've understood the problem despite my rather creative efforts to describe it leaves me in awe of your genius. :)

[ithilwen.livejournal.com]

No genius, just a medical education. :D

[lhun-dweller.livejournal.com]

Still late (working my way up to the current day), but as Ithilwen says, this can be something that, while awful to have to endure, will not mean anything serious in the long term. Here's hoping that will be true for your Mum. Poor dear has been through quite enough!

And good for you for insisting on pain meds for her! In the current healthcare lingo, you are being an "advocate" for her. Well done!

I'm sorry to be late chiming in, but please know you are never far from my thoughts, Dear One!

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Oh, as much as a coward I am, I can become an animal when it's about Mum. ;)
Thanks for the support.