Maxine Posted June 13, 2008 Report Share Posted June 13, 2008 Hi,Feel free to move this to chit chat section, but I wanted to put it here first as prayers are needed for my family.You have heard about my brother who has stage 4 cancer, starting with his colon---then spreading to his liver, and just outside of his liver. Well now his wife is in ICU with 3 severe blood clots in her lower leg artery. The docs are very concerned, and even if the blood thinners work some, she still may need surgery. The blood vessel supply was cut for so long, so we don't know what they are going to do. She is on heparin, and another very invasive blood thinner, and can't remember the name. I'll ask the nurse tomorrow when I go up there again to visit.My niece is the one who lost her baby full term last year in May, and she is also the daughter of this brother and his wife--(I have three brothers). They have been through enough, and it time for things to get better. Please send any thoughts and prayers their way, as they really need it. My sister in law is scared, and she told me to tell my pot friends to pray for her. We got a kick out of her saying "pot" friends. Were trying to keep her smiling, so were joking, singing---doing anything to keep her spirits up.My brother was supposed to have chemo today, but had it yesterday so he could be with her today during the catheterization process to see how bad these clots were, and to check the rest of her vessels. The good news is that her arteries near her heart are clear--- Thanks for reading--- Maxine :0) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted June 13, 2008 Report Share Posted June 13, 2008 Dear Maxine,You have all my sympathy and I will keep you and your family in my prayers.My sister is presently in the hospital with 3 phlebitis at the moment so I can understand the worries.Love Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryfw Posted June 13, 2008 Report Share Posted June 13, 2008 Maxine, you and your family are in my prayers right now. I know that the Lord never gives us more that we can bear but sometimes it sure seems like he takes to the absolute edge of what we can bear. I have come to think of it this way, he will not give me more to bear than I can handle with his help. I definitely cannot bear it by myself or without the support of others. mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary P Posted June 13, 2008 Report Share Posted June 13, 2008 And also in my daily prayers.Mary P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randi Free Posted June 13, 2008 Report Share Posted June 13, 2008 Maxine,Is your brother aware of the colon cancer support group online? I've been a member for years and like this group the people on the colon cancer list know more collectively about the latest treatments than any one doctor could possibly know. Randi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylortotmom Posted June 13, 2008 Report Share Posted June 13, 2008 Your family, and your brother's family will be in my prayers. I am so sorry they are having to go through so much.Carmen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenwic Posted June 14, 2008 Report Share Posted June 14, 2008 You and your family are in my prayers. Sometimes it seems like "when it rains it pours " with our problems. I know our God is able to do abundantly above and beyond anything we can imagine.LoveJenny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaneEyre9 Posted June 14, 2008 Report Share Posted June 14, 2008 Sorry to read this distressing news, Maxine-- how did the catheterization go? I prayed for your family just now.Kristen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megan Posted June 14, 2008 Report Share Posted June 14, 2008 Praying,Meg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxine Posted June 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 Thank you very much for your thoughts and prayers.Debbie will need surgery tomorrow. she is on Heparin, and a more invasive blood thinner-----Retavase.http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/reteplase_wcp.htmShe has arterial blood clots in her leg, and it's very serious. Tonight they were giving her blood to get her system ready for the surgery tomorrow. She has several IV bags hooked up to her. Even though she's on strong blood thinnners, it's not working well enough.It's a shame the ER didn't do an ultra sound 3 months ago when she first complained of numbness and pain in her foot.Then when an ultra sound was finally done, she still had to wait another month until she saw a vascular surgeon. Then after that another week until the catheterization. Oh-----then she's told she should have gone for help for this two months ago-------------- My faith in the medical community continues to fail--- Please continue your thoughts and prayers for her and her family. Her poor son is at his wits end between his dad's cancer, and his mother's serious situation.Maxine :0) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryfw Posted June 16, 2008 Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 Please let us know how the surgery goes. I am in prayer for your family now.mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxine Posted June 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 Debbie made it through the surgery OK, and she was able to talk a little. She was scared and cried just before surgery, but after she was relieved, and said it wasn't as bad as she thought it would be.The vascular surgeon got as much as he could out, but there is peripheral artery damage, and he's hoping that she is able to get all her pulses back. He said she waited too long. SHE DIDN'T WAIT TOO LONG------she tried to get help several times. I think he knows that, as he has been pretty good with her. She will still need blood thinners, heparin and coumadin. He said the clot formed somewhere else in her body and headed south, and lodged in her lower right leg-----THREE MONTHS AGO--- .Time will tell if they were able to save her lower leg. So far she is getting some pulses back, but not all of them.Thanks so much for alll your thoughts and prayers.I'm feeling pretty beat up, and going to head for bed now. I was at the hospital from 2:30 to 7:30. Her surgery last over 3 hours.Maxine :0) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 I'm late to jump in here, but I wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of you, your sister-in-law, and your family.Hugs and prayers,Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxine Posted June 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2008 We saw Debbie again last night. She seems to be dong well.She can wiggle her toes more, but stll has some damage, and has no idea how walking will be.Time will tell.Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers---- Maxine :0) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megan Posted June 19, 2008 Report Share Posted June 19, 2008 I hope she continues to improve!Meg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryfw Posted June 19, 2008 Report Share Posted June 19, 2008 Please keep us updated when you can. mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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