Mom is Back in Boston

Yesterday we flew with Mom and Dad from Florida back to Boston. With big snowstorms up and down the East coast on Thursday, we were very grateful that our flight was on time and uneventful. Mom made it through the flight and undoubtedly no one on the plane knew how sick she was.  After arrival at the airport, we drove directly to the emergency room at Brigham and Women's Hospital.  The hospital was so crowded that the ER waiting room was moved to the hospital lobby so they could use that waiting room to treat patients.  Since mom's surgeon knew she was coming and due to her health issues, they fast tracked her and she was seen relatively quickly and then admitted.  

Looking at her scans taken in Florida, the Boston doctors see the narrowing of the colon that is causing much of her pain and bloating.  The oncological surgical team proposed that perhaps a stent could be placed in the colon during a endoscopic procedure (similar to a colonoscopy) to enlarge the colon's opening.  This would be a minimally invasive procedure as compared to surgery.  However, there are many issues for the gastrointestinal team to consider (such is there enough of an opening to insert the stent and will the stent stay in place after insertion).  The "advanced gastrointestinal team" is meeting with the oncological surgical team on Tuesday to review previous scans, an upcoming scan and mom's overall medical record before making recommendations regarding the stent or other procedures.

Poor mom is dealing with many issues in addition to the partial bowel obstruction.  Her pain fluctuates and can get bad very quickly. Here in Boston they placed her on a IV where she can control her own pain med dosing.  She has gained 30 to 40 pounds in fluids in the past two weeks, distending her stomach and filling her legs with fluid. This makes walking and moving around painful.  Some of the fluid retention is from the cancer, but they think a majority of it from the bowel obstruction.  Last night in the middle of the night she started spitting up stomach contents so they inserted a NG tube into her nose to drain her stomach.  It was difficult to place the tube and took several attempts, but she did find relief as some of the intense pressure was relieved.  Mom is also on a catheter to monitor her urine output. Tonight that was not functioning, making mom feel like that everyday has something new to deal with and overcome. (As I write this, Michael tells me the new catheter seems to be working.)

With all these issues going on, we are so glad that we were able to bring her to Boston and this hospital.  In our first hour of talking with the doctors in the emergency department and oncological team, we learned so many new things through their thoughtful ideas and from their clear explanations.  While there were some very good doctors and nurses that stood out when mom was in Florida, the caliber of the doctors in BWH in Boston is amazing. I said to mom in the ER, "I feel like we are on a different planet." 

Dad is hanging in there. The hustle, bustle and noise of hospitals are not conducive to an 88 year old man who has difficulty walking and hearing. He worries about mom and is not sure at times what to say to her. He is glad to have his kids and family around to help mom and him too. Right now in Boston, we are staying at a hotel very close to the hospital where we can take dad back and forth to see mom. 

We will let you know what the doctors decide on Tuesday. Thanks for you good thoughts and prayers for mom!