OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD 2012

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Here We Go. Again.






mom and my daughter in the ER
 

Our New Year's started out less than stellar.   My mom who  has her own health issues with metastatic cancer was and is back in the hospital.  Since my dad passed in early December, mom was content to stay in her own home.  She was enjoying her freedom by doing what she wanted when she wanted.  I would stop by weekly and definitely call every day.

When I called her this Saturday she was working a jigsaw puzzle and was planning on staying inside due to the yucky weather we were experiencing.  She sounded fine and had no complaints except for a little swelling above her left eye.  She brushed that off and said it was from sleeping on that side of her face for most of the night.

Sunday afternoon she calls me.  She tells me that she lost consciousness on Saturday.  She said she was on the floor of her home at her front door trying to get out to get help. ( Mom did not want Life Alert)   She could not walk, but she could crawl.  She said she laid there by the front door hoping a neighbor would see her.  She then crawled back to the living room and attempted to get up on one of her living room chairs, but could not.  She then crawled to her recliner and managed to get herself up in the recliner.  She has no idea how long this episode lasted and she does not recall talking to me on Saturday.  But, she said later that evening she did get up and make herself a pizza.

When she called me on Sunday she was experiencing numbness, dizziness, and her speech was compromised.  My daughter and I rushed down to see her and to also see what was going on.  When we got there, mom's gait was uneven, and her blood pressure was skyrocketing.  We called 911 and they transported her to the hospital.  And that is where she has been ever since.


While were in the ER, she tells me that she has been seeing different images, hallucinations of sorts.  I asked her how long this has been going on and she said for a few days.  She sees birds flying, rows of shoes lined up in an orderly fashion and old men smoking cigarettes.  That little bit of information caught the doctor's attention.  You could just see it in their eyes and facial expressions,even though they did not want to show it.

 There are of course some speculations that her neuro onocologist is following up on but we  have no clear cut answers yet. She has had multiple diagnostic tests, CT's, MRI's, spinal taps and endless blood work.  She  has been in MD Anderson since Sunday night and maybe because it was a holiday we still have no results just yet.   I have seen her MRI images, and  working diagnostic imaging (ultrasound)  I know  just enough to see that there is something there in her brain.  but I certainly don't know enough to know what it is, good or bad.   We or hoping to get more concrete information and a diagnosis today. 

Everything budget related has gone kaput.  We have charged stuff to fix our roof to prepare for mom to come live here.  I have fixed up her room here with new carpet, new bedding, and yes, I charged that crap too.    We have spent too much money on eating out because we are hardly home.  I have been spending wasting time on eBay shopping for crap I don't really need but bought it anyway.  To tell you the truth, I don't really give a rat's ass right now.

So we wait.  Sigh........

19 comments:

Deacon said...

Lisa, I am so sorry to hear about your Mom's health. That has to be tough to see her go through what she is going through with having cancer. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Denise @ The Single Saver said...

I am so sorry to hear this, Lisa. Your family has not been able to catch a break and it is time for you all to have some normalcy. I'll pray that the outcome of all of this isn't as scary as it all seems right now... please keep us posted when you are able.

Sluggy said...

Family first, budgets later.
You do what you have to, to get through things....and that includes decompressing by buying crap on eBay. You have a home and resources to do what you need to do to make your mom safe. That's what the $ is for.
Sending white light and energy your way....

kim said...

And that is okay! You do what you want right now. To hell with the budgets. Prayers and hugs for you. You are so strong and I so admire you.

j udy said...

your family is is in my prayeds

judy said...

Family is much more important than money! Always! You will have plenty of time to budge just like sluggy and kim said. Prayers for your family

laura said...

So sorry to hear this Lisa. ((Thinking of you and your family at this time))

Live and Learn said...

I used to live in Houston and know that MD Anderson is the best. People come from all over the world to get treatment there, so your mother is in good hands.

My mother too had a life alert button that she wouldn't wear. She kept it nearby. Then a few days ago, she fell and couldn't get up. Luckily, she was only down for about 45 minutes before someone found her. Now she's in the hospital for other reasons. The hard part is that we have no family living close to her. We're taking turns traveling to be with her.

Louise said...

oh Lisa ((hugs)) I hope things settle down for you and your mum soon, its so very stressful and I understand exactly what you mean about the finances. You just have to do what is needed at the moment financially, taking care of her is more important than worrying about the budget. sending good thoughts your way xx

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CentsToSave said...

Hi Deacon, Things are going better now. Mom is home with us and resting.

CentsToSave said...

Hi Denise, Thanks so much for your support. Mom is out of hospital and is staying with us until she gets her strength back...or how ever long she wants to.

CentsToSave said...

Hi Sluggy, The crap buying has stopped. The results are that I have 10 paint by number vintage paintings to decorate my wall with. :) Mom is home with us and and recuperating and resting. Now to get my own crap listed on eBay....

CentsToSave said...

Hi Kim, thanks for the kind words. :) Yep, the budget has gone to hell, but we don't care right now. Mom is home with us and is doing better.

CentsToSave said...

Hi Judy, thanks for your support. It does mean a lot and it certainly helps :)

CentsToSave said...

Hi Laura, thanks for the kind words of support. Mom is out of hospital and staying with us for now.

CentsToSave said...

I am sorry to hear that your mom is in the hospital. It is such a draining process for everyone,isn't it? And you have to travel to be with her? That too must be extremely stressful. I hope and pray your mom gets better and will be able to get out of hospital very soon AND will wear her life alert necklace.

CentsToSave said...

Hi Louise,

Thanks for your kind words. Yep, everything here is very chaotic but mom is out of hospital and is staying with us for how ever long she needs to. One day at a Time..

rach said...

I've been experiencing similar situations to that for the past three years since my mom's diagnosis with an aggressive liver cancer. Watching her crawl up the stairs is one of the hardest things I've ever witnessed. My thoughts are with you.
I definitely went overboard and didn't worry about parking/dining/living expenses either, and I have to tell you, I don't regret a penny of it.
Best wishes to you and your mom.

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