Nephrectomy. Suffocating from Within

[Mousie]

Surgery to treat kidney cancer is called nephrectomy. . .

I was wondering if anyone had information on this subject that they like to share.

A few days ago. Sometime during a hot summer day, I spent my day playing Kingdom Hearts, the first one, to backtrack and then replay Kingdom Hearts 2 so that I can get the full story in one full amount minus the third part of the game that is in progress.

When I stopped to take a break and eat a subway sandwich with two people I love and get annoyed at sometimes. I began to hear the experience of having a lung biopsy.

When biopsies are done to the lung, you are injected with anesthetics, and then have a three inch needle injected in your back near your shoulder blade. All is fine until you are punctured in the lung. Breathing is hard. You feel like your getting suffocated from within. Ever drowned before? Forget that feeling. There is nothing more terrifying than the feeling of being forced to have no breath while bleeding through your nose and coughing through your mouth and being told to hold your breathe.

All this was done because of something else.

This person had aching legs one day, and red spots the next day. While going to get a cat scan of kidneys, doctors accidently took pictures of the chest area and paused...

"I see something", the doctor said.

Taking a full cat scan of the entire torso area, an analysis is done quickly, and a schedule for testing comes the following Monday.

Monday comes. The suffocation from within begins. Later that day, sharing subway sandwiches and hearing that story gave me no reaction. I did not know what to think.

Night fell.

As I lay in bed pondering of what I should do the next day. I break down. I start crying intensively, re-thinking the story of suffocating from within. "How could something so cruel be done to someone who was not put under?" I asked myself. "What if I ever had to go through that? I'd rather much die of whatever diseases awaits me to sink me into my death bed.

Five days later, the test results are in. Friday, June 23rd of the year 2006.

I spend today, June 24th, playing Kindgom Hearts again, because we all know I also play an mmo, Tantra, regularly. "Mawiyah, when your done with that can you come here? I want to talk to you."

After I get done with multitasking on this hot summer weekend doing laundry and being half asleep. I go into the room and sit on the bed, thinking I am about to get scolded for something.

"I have cancer...in my kidney."

. . .

Are my ears working properly today? I have been listening to music so loud to drown out the baby cries from my neighbors and playing Kingdom Hearts to what seemed liked max volume.

"It spread to my lungs."

Holding in my reaction, I listen to the speech while staring at the room fixtures that surrounded me.

"I will be having the surgery to take out my right kidney here." At this point, I realized the paper this person gave me earlier today. Doctors never had the best penmenship so I could not figure out the word. All I knew, was that surgery was going to be done. After hearing that last sentence, I realized it was nephrectomy. A surgery procedure to take out one entire kidney.

"After I recover from my kidney surgery, I will be going to Hawaii and I do not know for how long I will be there. It will be like that time when you were seventeen (highschool at that time), with the burden of taking care of the bills as well. I'm not afraid of surgery but I am afrad of pain. That feeling when they poke that needle in my back, I felt like I was going to die. If going to Hawaii is going to leave me with that pain, I'd rather not go."

When I was seventeen years old. I lived alone for two months. I drove to school, came home, took a nap, woke up, cooked, ate, cleaned, did homework during the late hours...went to sleep, wokeup, and went to school. Then the day started all over again. At that time, everything was taken care of. All I had to do was: stay in school, cook for myself, and take care of my kitten, Tama.

Now...I had to worry about more things.

Surgery to treat kidney cancer is called nephrectomy. Diagnosed on Friday, June 23rd 2006 to my mother, who told me today. The day after.

I did some extensive research on nephrectomy and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Cancer of the kidney. The procedure itself does not sound so bad.
My mother has have three surgerys in her life. Twice for brain tumors, one for some clot in her stomach area. The last surgery, was the second time around she had brain tumors. I remember watching my brother, who is several years older than me, break down. At that point, I've never cried. Not once. I also remember holding my mothers broken watch and staring at the hands.

At this point, I was flabberghasted and secretly cried in my room after my mother tomd me not to worry. Later one, after doing research and some thinking, I go back to talk to her. After, I took in what I was told earlier.

The kidney part does not really bother me at all. Even though her cancer there is 12cm. I even felt her stomach area..and felt large mass on her right side. It sounds and feels scarey. But the doctor said that she is still young compare to other kidney cancer patients and is healthy. Other than the cancer of course.

At this point, I felt better but still worried. Talking to my mom about this made me feel tons better. But alas...I was still worried.

The part I'm worried about...is her lungs.

With the research I did on cancer of the kidneys, all I have seen is metastasis or parts it normally spreads to. Lungs amongst other parts are listed but for my mother, it spread to her lungs. Unfortunately, I could not find information regarding removal of the cancer cells in her lungs.

I have a feeling, she will be going through chemotherapy. Being my mom's hair stylist, I do not really want to see all her beautiful hair fall out.

If anyone, has any information regarding removing cancer in the lungs, please share. I would greatly appreciate it.

~Mousie

[ColdFire]

If its small and in early stages, surgery can remove the section of the lung thats infected.

"Operations to treat lung cancer include:

* Wedge resection. In this operation, your doctor removes only the section of your lung that contains the tumor along with a margin of normal tissue.
* Lobectomy. The most common type of lung cancer surgery, lobectomy involves removing an entire lobe of one lung.
* Pneumonectomy. In this operation, an entire lung is removed. Because pneumonectomy will decrease lung function considerably, as well as lead to other complications, it's performed only when absolutely necessary and then only if your breathing capacity is sufficient to allow you to breathe with a single lung."

[Mousie]

thanks cf. Been looking for that info.

[ColdFire]

No prob, I happened to hear about it like a week ago lol. There were some other treatments too, newer ones. Ill see if I can find them too.

Edit: Heres somethin I found you might like to know.

A thoracotomy is any type of chest incision. The usual thoracotomy for a lung cancer operation is performed on the patient's side. A six- to 10-inch incision is made under the person's arm. The ribs are spread with a chest retractor.
A thoracotomy incision gives the surgeon an excellent view of the inside of the chest and allows the surgeon to operate safely. Through this type of incision a wedge resection, lobectomy and pneumonectomy can be performed.


Cant find those other types of surgery though, I'll let ya know if I stumble by them :P

[Mousie]

Would you happen to know anything about trouble breathing afterwards or chances of infection?

[ColdFire]

Trouble breathing afterwards all depends on which surgery was done, and the patients lung condition prior to the operation. For a wedge resection or lobectomy, there is generally very little, if any breathing problems afterwards (assuming the patient doesnt already have prior lung problems). Im assuming if you were to get your heart rate really high after a lobectomy, then there might be some trouble, but for average daily living it should be perfectly fine.

If a pneumonectomy is done, breathing may be a bit more difficult at times, and getting a high heartrate probably wouldnt be a great idea. IF the lungs are healthy prior to the operation, they should still be fairly good afterwards. If the patient smokes or has some other lung damage, a pneumonectomy may result in dificult breathing, wheezing at times, and so on.


So in otherwards, chances are it'll be fine. Odds are that it hasn't spread to the full lung, so it shouldnt be much of a problem. As for infection there shouldnt be any problem with the lungs, although I'm thinkin the thoractomy could get infected, as could any skin incision. But of course that could be prevented, so there shouldnt be much to worry about there.

[Mousie]

Thanks for your research CF ;_;, that last post makes me feel tons better. I appreciate it much.

Been doing ok for the last day too. Still worried though, can't help it.

My mom's surgery for a nephrectomy is on the 10th of July. I hope all goes well.

Me still absorbing all this stuff in but...I'm holding up.

[i_feel_tiredsleepy]

I wish I could give you reliable specific information, but I can't. So I would suggest going to the American Cancer Society's site www.cancer.org and it has tons of information on all types of cancers and it may be able to direct you to sources of information near where you live.

[Mousie]

Thank you. Thanks to that site I now have a better understand of what to ask the doctors. Thank you very much.

[Masah]

If it makes you feel better, I'm diagnosed to die at age 25.

[Mousie]

How is the death of anyone supposed to me make me feel better? Im mean sometimes but come on now I'm not cold hearted.

[animeking]

mousie that is a sad story hope things get better for you and your mother

[Mousie]

I hope so too. Thanks for your sympathy. Today is July 1st. Nine more days till my moms surgery...

[narutoIZZAbest]

Yea, Mousie-- Me too.
I don't have any information to provide.... not knowledgable in this area....

Your mom has had so many surgeries... I hope this'll be her last one.

[Hime_sama]

wow! i'm so sorry for what you and your mom are going thru. my mom almost died once from hipotheroidism (not sure of the spelling, or the word. it's hipoteroidismo in spanish). my mom had trouble with her kidneys and her hands started to look orange. a good thing you could do for your mom is check for diets that will help her kidney. try to keep her out of eating starchs and foods too colorful, like carrots. bananas were always on my mom's list! i think the main thing you can give your mom is emotional support.

she might not show it to you, but she's really down. how could you not? she fears alot for you. try comforting her, both physically and mentally eith reassuring words and taking care of her chores. you prolly already did. it's not an easy time, but hopefully you both will come out victoriously.

it prolly makes no difference to you, but i will pray alot for your mom! i know what it's like to see your mom sick, and i'm so grateful God was with me in that time!!!!

[Masah]

I hope your mom pulls through okay, Mousie, I really do.

[Mousie]

HTanks izza, hime, and masah. I appreciate it lots. I've just been staying home the past week and half to see how things are going.

I know my mom is emotional distress. Not to mention shes moody as hell. She keeps having these anger tantrums and she keeps thinking about past B.S. >_< which is making it really hard for me to think she needs help ;_;. But I'm hanging in there.

Happy Independence day everyone...

6 more days still her surgery.

[Nova]

Good luck with everything. I know how tough it can be having your mother gone for medical issues. But then again everything is tougher for different people. It sounds like your mother has gone through alot and has had a painful time. I guess there's not much to offer either of you but sympathy and good wishes, so I send both. Good luck with everything.

[Mousie]

thanks nova.
Today is Sunday ;_;...huhu. My mom gets admitted to the hospital today @ 1pm. She will have surgery tomorry, early Monday morning. ;_; ~igh~

[Mousie]

well..just got back from the hospital after they drugged up my mom. Talk about narcotics.

Are doctors paid to tell jokes? Because they tell really horrible ones.

[Katzyn]

^_^ Glad you see you still have your wonderful sense of humour, luv....How'd it go? We all want details!

[Mousie]

ther surgery went...
























VERY WELL! ^___________^.
The doctors said her surgery was great! She had very minimul blood loss, which to them seems to be excellent and she is doing fine fine fine. Kind of kyoot though since shes on narcotics and morphine. She makes kyoot gestures :D.

I finally got to talk to the doctor too! Finally got my questions answered ;_;.

Her cancer stage is 4. Which is maximum, but thats because it spread to her lungs. His recommendations for treatment on her lungs..is lite chemo. Which will hopefully kill all the cancer cells in her lungs.

The doctors said shes a "very unique case". Because the cancer was soo huge and she had NO symptons whatsoever. He also said that he would have not, in a million years, offered the surgery if he didn't see she wasn't fit for the operation. Which sort of makes me feel happy and sort of like a "wtf" response lol.

Shes doing great and shes doing her breathing exercises so her lungs do not get infected since her incision is pretty big.

Doctor also said she wont be mobile till about Wednesday because she still on epidural and other anesthesias.

She was not even in ICU for long. Her surgery was fairly fast two. We got an estimate of 3-4hours. But he finished her surgery in 2 hours and 45 minutes. He said it was pretty huge and it was touching her liver but it came out pretty nicely. He also said he did not see any swelling of the lymphnode and no cancer cells on her liver. So aside from being drugged up, she is in mint condition ^__^.

Im soo happy and excited..but my exhausion finally caught up with me today. All my stress and tension finally let up ;_; whew!

Thanks CR for giving me msn support ^__^ I appreciate it lots! Thank you everyone who said they would pray and took the time to read and post. ^__^.

Thank you CF and i_feel_tiredsleepy for the info you provided for me to research. I contacted the peopel of the website and gave me pretty nice responses. ^__^.

[Sol]

Im glad to hear that everything went well Mousie! :) And I know narcotics can be a doozy...I had a surgery (nothing as major as that) but they doped me up pretty good. I remember sitting down in the chair, it was about noon and the next thing I knew it was two days later and midnight! :o My parents kept telling me I wouldnt stop asking the same questions over and over (even though the surgery was on my mouth and I shouldnt have been able to talk for at least a day!) So yeah, those things can hit ya up pretty bad....

Just a small word of warning though. All Chemo is pretty bad on the human body, even small doses can cause weakness. So unless they use the newer "Pin-Point" Chemotherapy treatments, your mom will probably still experience some side effects... like tiredness and weakness while walking and things like that. Of course it all depends on how much Chemo she is really given. I hope everything else goes well. :D

[imported_Aizen-diacho]

I'm glad to hear that the surgery went well.My mom had Breast cancer about 2 years ago and she didn't even tell me until she was taking chemo or something.but yea chemo does have side effects.My mom was pretty tired somedays and got sick more than usual.but everything should be fine.I hope she fully recovers soon :D

[Chidongan]

yay for you mousie! im so glad to hear your moms doing well. i would have dropped by this thread sooner to send my condolensces but i was busy. DAAMN you school >.<

[Hime_sama]

oh boy! thank God!! i'm so happy all went well! it would have been so sad for all of us to hear you give bad new, since i think you're an awesome girl and everyone here cherish you!!! sugoi sugoi desu!!! hope the recovery goes well and not too painful and the kemo will finish your mom's fight with cancer for good! yay!

[Mousie]

^__^ thanks everyone. I am super uber tired though ;_;.

I am practically being my moms personal nurse throughout the entire visiting hours. Because for one, most of the damn nurses are males! Second, most of them arent doing their damn jobs. Jeez..sometimes I feel like saying "you work here again because...?"

>_<! I like taking care of my mama, but there are certain things I am not allowed to do because I dont work there. So calling a nurse every hour because her monitor keeps beeping is just too retarded.

They left her in blood stained linen for two days! I came in today expecting it to be all clean. But still no clean. SO what did I do? get her out of bed and told the nurse to clean it >_<. gah! pisses me off.

Out of all the nurses who work there..I only like 2 or 3 at the most. Because they do thourough checks. sigh..

my feet are killing me too huhu ;_;.

[NarutoNineTails]

the problem w/ me judging a thread based on title...i should have read this long time ago.

I wish your mom a quick recovery Mousie.

[Mousie]

thanks nnt ^_^. I'm hanging in there. Doctor says we are just waiting for the day she can pass some gas. Even if its just a little bit.

According to one of the Lt. Nurses (military hospital btw) she says she can hear my moms stomach. So its a good sign. ^_^.

It just might be such a bad thing to get her home since we have 3 flights of stairs ;_;.

She's better, doctor says she's looking really good. When it comes to the time she can pass gas, her diet will from liquid to solids. And they will take off her pca morphine auto pump and switch to oral medince.

I can't wait til my mom gets home ^_^, I wont have to stay in that hospital anymore.

[NarutoNineTails]

Good to hear that you r holding up ok.

I lost my dad to cancer a while back so I assume that this is the start of a long battle. Take it in strides and there are lot of ppl here rooting for you and your mom. Fighting! ;)

[Mousie]

^_^ ~glomps nnt~ (>_> I just glomped the lawyer..hopefully he doesnt arrest me XD)

Sorry about your dad ;_;. Must have been hard ;_;. I'm sure I will be like...some crazy, emotional person, chaotic if/when I lost them ;_;.

If I can lose them to old age, I can live with that. But if its because of illnesses...T__T I dun wanna think about. nvm changing subject ;_;

Im tired again ;_;. My parents are stressed too. huhu ;_;.

I over slept today >_<. After I woke my arse up I had so much sh*t to do. I was on the road half the day...then I spent the remaning hours at the hospital so I can help my mama. Guess what? :D She passes some gas today! ^__^. (never knew people could be excited over a fart lol).

Which means...hopefully by tomorrow she can eat solids instead of that crappy liquid diet. >_<. Only good part about that was she could eat jello and ice cream >_>. But the food food part..imagine bland chicken broth...>_< so not satifying.

Anywho..I wonder what she will get to eat ^__^.

My mommy feels so sorry for me lol. Since I'm always soo tired and exhausted. I don't blame her..everytime I look in the mirror I feel sorry for myself too >_>.

But, taking care of my mom and seeing have good progress is worth it. ^__^.

[NarutoNineTails]

Tx for the update Mousie...good to see that your sense of humor is intact also.

Thank you also about my dad. It was definitely tough then but I'm "fine" now...then again not all would agree...lol.

Post a pic, so we can see how "cute" u look now a days. ;)

[Mousie]

rofl, how "cute" I look? nuuuuuuuuuuuu T_T. I look so tired and frail!

My mom got home today ^__^. My dad fixed her some crab legs and shes scraffing it down. She still in pain and one of the therapy people gave her a cane she can use and keep.

gaah ;_; my dad went grocery shopping today too ;_;. I had to bring up all the groceries myself >_<. 8 trips...we live on the third floor. Im soo tired ;_;. Im aching.

I wish I had some man help around here since my dad is a heavy guy and limited in what he can do.

But yeah, my mama is home now. She goes back in to the hospital July 25th to get her stables taken out. Her incision is big O_O. 29 staples. She can eat and drink whatever she pleases...no acoholic beverages though. She cant drive when shes on the pain medication so for the most part, if my mom needs to go somewhere I will be her driver.

After she recovers from this she and my dad go to hawaii for the lungs. After talking to the doctors, it did not spread inside her lung. Which I think is a good thing o_O. Its outside of her lungs. Hopefully thats better.

I do think she should still get the lite chemo...just in case there are tiny growths elsewhere. Just to be safe. I know she may get sick but according to her doctors, she has hiigh white blood count anyway. Not so much where she was that one illness (forgot what its called) but its enough so that she doesn't get sick often. Rarely...actually.

I just want her to be better fast ^_^. I will take care of her for as long as I need to.

[KageNaruto]

i really dont know too much about it, but i hope everything turns out good and you guys get through this OK. you got my support!!! and its really nice of you to take care of your mom like that, i wish the best of luck to happen to you guys.

[grim-diablo]

i guess when i had a huge needle put through my back into my lungs is nothing 2 that

[Hime_sama]

sensei, glad to hear your mom is home know. it will at least be easier on you. no trips to the hospital, no fighting incompetent nurses, and the comfort of your home.

i know it must be tough on you. ganbatte! it will get better with time and you'll get prettier. though you're so pretty i dont think you look that bad!! i bet you dont! anyways, take care of yourself too cuz the healthier you are the better you can serve your mom.

NNT, sorry about your dad. i lost my grandma to cancer, and eventhough she was old, it was still hard, so i can't believe what it must have been for you!!! but Ganbatte too!

[NarutoNineTails]

Tx hime and I agree...watch out for your own health too Mousie.

[Mousie]

;_; I'm trying. I did catch up on some sleep. So I don't look "tired" anymore...or at least...as tired I have looked the past two weeks.

My mom is still having some pain. She still needs to hold a pillow to her stomach every she sneezes or something.

But she is on pain meds. Five more days till we go back to take out her stitches. errr...staples.

[Chidongan]

meh. this thread is basically for a sickness. instead of starting a new one i'll just add on to this.

i have a heart condition called 'hypertrofic cardiomyopothy" dont know what it is. but it makes my heart muscles grow too thick and it becomes harder for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. so they trim or shave off the heart muscles.

yeah well i'm having an open heart surgery in two days. just though you guys would like to know.

wish me luck.

[i_feel_tiredsleepy]

Well good luck then!!

I'm sure the doctors are very very good so you won't need it.

[DonEmu]

Yeah, i am sure the doctor = teh awesome, so no need for luck in that situation.

[isaiahLIII]

meh. this thread is basically for a sickness. instead of starting a new one i'll just add on to this.

i have a heart condition called 'hypertrofic cardiomyopothy" dont know what it is. but it makes my heart muscles grow too thick and it becomes harder for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. so they trim or shave off the heart muscles.

yeah well i'm having an open heart surgery in two days. just though you guys would like to know.

wish me luck.

That's a really big deal, I'd be freakin ! I'll do more than wish you luck- I'll be praying for you. As a Christian, Psalm 23 is a chapter that gave comfort to me during my surgery (I had reconstuctive surgery on my shoulder).
The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Let us know how it turns out! :)

[Chidongan]

thanks, moral support is always good to have. i'm not so worried though. i'm just kinda pissed off at the inconvinience of it all. the surgery is fine. but for 2 or 3 weeks after i'll be bed ridden. and the stitches will be itching like hell.


That's a really big deal, I'd be freakin ! I'll do more than wish you luck- I'll be praying for you. As a Christian, Psalm 23 is a chapter that gave comfort to me during my surgery (I had reconstuctive surgery on my shoulder).
The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Let us know how it turns out! :)

thanks. i'm not very religious, but it's cool. ^^

[Raki]

thanks Isaiah for writing it....GOOD LUCK CHIDO! TO BAD YOU WON"T BE COMFORTED BY YUBER! (I kno this aint time for a joke -.-) GOOD LUCK!

[Mousie]

Update on my story...
Mom and dad are in Hawaii. Mom's receiving chemo. Been that way for nearly two months ;_;. Hence whai I havent been soo active in the forums.
Im too busy taking care of all teh stupid bills and my car keeps breaking down ;_;...some luck I have.

[NarutoNineTails]

good luck to both of u Mousie and chido

Edit:
I guess I can let out some steam here too...My fiancee is sick. Double whammy for her (and me) right now...was recently diagnosed with a large fibroid and hep B. T_T

It seems like the fibroid can be surgically (outpatient surgery...thank god) removed without too much complications (hopefully). The hep B is totally a different story. She most likely will have to live with it all her life. Her liver isn't doing so well due to this. Her biopsy say she has moderate inflammation and moderate cirrhosis. She will have to take care of her liver very carefully from now on...obviously no drinking for her anymore even though she wasn't much of a drinker of alcohol but now she can't have any for her own sake. T_T

Life just loves to throw curve balls doesn't it.

[Mousie]

Sorry to hear about that NNT. If I were to tell you liver grows back...I have no idea how that would help you feel better but for some reason something possessed me to say it >_>. Actually...you can just scratch that all together -_- I was trying to make a point but got lost in thought...

Update on my story

My parents have been back for some time. My mom was really skinny and massive hair loss. She's gaining her weight back and she now has a head full of hair. However...she's not cured.

Three months of light chemo and my mother doesn't want to take chemo anymore.

Somehow...I knew something, but when my dad pulled me aside two weeks ago and it finally hit. While driving to visit my brother my dad asked me, "Do you know your moms condition?"

I told him I know shes having back pains where she had her biopsy, body aching, weak, and other things that are bothering her. My dad then said something to me I will never forget. "Your mom is dying."

I went quiet...I had no idea what to say. My mother is 54 years old and she said she would be happy to be alive until she was about 60. Thats 6 years from now. Not plenty of time if you ask me.

It upsets me...that she doesn't want to fight this stupid cancer. It angers me that I feel my time with my mother is limited, and it infuriates me to feel like I have a lot of things to learn from my mother such as cooking and how she does certain things and that I may not have enough time to do so.

I'm not sure how long my mom has left...shes supposed to find out during on of her appointments. But till then, I say to everyone young here...

I'm in my mid 20's. Never married, no kids, still have many things to do in life. Value your education, value your friends, value your family. Your parents may nag at you for many things...but they always love. It never stops. So love your parents...take care of them...and keep every moment precious.

~Mousie

[Arty]

Im sorry to hear that Mousie.

Im not sure what to say ^^ If you want me to share a similar experience or something please let me know.

Above all cherish every moment you and your mother share. They say life is short , but its the longest thing youll ever do. Its the first thing you start and the last you finish - So make sure you did it propperly. If your mother accepts her condition it means shes proud of what she made of her time and thats more valuable than anything.

[NarutoNineTails]

I'm sorry to hear about your mom Mousie. Cancer is scary disease and chemo is probably just as worse as the disease itself too. My dad died from complications from chemo. I think my dad was in the opposite situation your mom is in. I don't think he wanted to accept his real condition and prognosis and it ended his life even earlier than it should have. We all knew he was sick but we weren't ready for the sudden death from going into the hospital for "treatment". So yeah what you said is all true too but there is also a benefit to dieing in your own terms "comfortably" than dieing from complications or in misery all the time due to horrible side effects from chemo.

Only thing I can say is cherish the time you have left with your mom and make it the best for you and your family. I was in denial then and I wish I had the wisdom that I have now to have accepted that my dad was going to die lot sooner than I wanted. I think I would have made use of that little time left lot more better if all our family members really accepted this fact.

I guess I should give you an update on my fiancee too. She had a successful surgery for her fibroids and she is taking anti-viral medicine for her Hep B. So she is doing lot better than when I last posted here. One bad news is she is having teeth pain right now. Teeth pain feels like nothing compared to what she was like several months ago though...haha.

Wishing you the best Mousie. ;)