Thanks again, everyone—wishing you all nothing but the best!
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Posts by jadepuma662
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Honestly, I just want to say thank you all for the condolences—it really means a lot because I can see you truly get it.
...I'm not sure if this still fits the topic of this forum, but I mentioned earlier (page 43) that my mom has a Klatskin tumor and
here is what happened (discharge papers from Mercy Hospital):
DISCHARGE SUMMARY FROM MERCY HOSPITAL
Dx: Obstructive jaundice
Cholangitis
Op: Resection of hepatic and common bile ducts
Hepaticojejunostomy sec. Roux
Cholecystectomia
(09/04/2007)
Dx: Diffuse peritonitis.
Partial hepaticojejunostomy dehiscence.
Sepsis
Op: Relaparotomy, anastomosis suture.
Abdominal lavage.
(09/06/2007)
Dx: Hemorrhagic shock.
Perforated duodenal ulcer.
Sepsis
Acute renal insufficiency.
Op: Relaparotomy.
Perforation site suture.
Hemostasis
(09/11/2007)
Dx: Diffuse peritonitis
Partial hepaticojejunostomy anastomosis dehiscence.
Sepsis
Renal insufficiency
Respiratory insufficiency
Op: Relaparotomy
Hepaticojejunostomy anastomosis suture
Abdominal cavity lavage
(09/14/2007)
Op: Tracheotomy
(09/15/2007)
Death occurred on 09/22/2007 at 2:42 PM.
...Cholangitis—according to the internet, it’s an acute infection of the bile ducts that looks like a tumor
(roughly speaking... but it’s definitely an infection)
..btw, just five minutes ago I was talking to the Deputy Director of the hospital in San Diego, and he claims it was
really tough to tell the difference between whether it was a tumor (cancer) or an infection... even after they did the endoscopy,
blood work, MRI, and whatever else they measured... I don't really get it... btw, that cost me
$500 out of pocket... cash.
...our doctor in San Diego gave the initial diagnosis of a Klatskin tumor, which is what I've been researching online (and here)
so I went to see him at his private clinic in the meantime to see if he actually agreed it was that specific tumor
and he said it would be a good idea to get an MRI for the surgeon to get a better look.
...in the days while we were arranging the MRI, I told my mother she had cancer.
...the day we did the MRI was her last day at the San Diego hospital; during a visit with the doctor right
before the MRI, she brought up the cancer, and the doctor saw that I had told her... we leave for the MRI and then head back to the waiting room..
after a little while, the doctor calls her alone into his office... then after a bit, he calls me in too... and this is where the story changes
because they told her she doesn't have cancer, but that it's just stones that need urgent surgery in Chicago... of course, I knew
that wasn't it, but she's so happy now that I don't even know if I should prove her wrong—I mean, we did get some paperwork with a diagnosis
saying it might be some kind of cyst instead of cancer (which again, doesn't match the story about the stones)
...the morning after we checked into Mercy Hospital, I went to my mother's room and waited for the doctor, who talked
with her for a bit, and after he stepped out into the hallway, I asked him if it was a Klatskin tumor, to which he sort of replied
"I just looked at the MRI images... those folks in San Diego are talking about some kind of cyst... that's the nasty tumor"...
(when he saw how terrified I looked and realized what I was getting at, he added, "or maybe it's just a cyst"... and
then he left.
...on the morning of 09/04/2007, right before the surgery, I go to her room to say goodbye.. the surgery takes 5 hours.. I wait in the hallway
by the exit doors of the OR... they pass by me.. I see her... they wheel her away to the ICU.. I wait for the doctor.. he leads me into a room with a whiteboard..
draws something, shows me, and says, "we cut this out.. everything is clear".. I give him $500.
...the next day.. we're still in Chicago.. we ask how she's doing.. they say she's fine.. recovering.. so we head back to San Diego
...on 09/06/2007, my sister calls them... they answered, "the situation has changed"... we asked what exactly happened.. they said we couldn't.
I have to be honest—she actually had to go back in for another surgery because the stitches gave way... they're telling my sister that "something is eating away at the sutures"... it's just... ugh.
She’s been moved to the ICU—and they've got her on a ventilator now. The discharge summary was only written once everything was settled, which basically means based on how things were looking at that moment...
It was pretty obvious they had no idea what was actually going on—I mean, Peritonitis is basically when bile leaks out and triggers a massive infection.
So—I’m heading into NYC next weekend... they're going to call in the attending physician for me... she shows up, we shake hands, and I just ask her, "What's actually going on here? Is this..."
Is it looking better or improving? It seems like things are heading in the right direction... though we have to remember—she is an older woman, after all. The surgery lasted five hours straight. And, as you all know, her cancer diagnosis is still the main thing we're navigating.
I’m feeling a bit weak—so I stepped outside the hospital for some fresh air. Walking around actually helps a little... then I head back inside, wash up, and get back into my scrubs.
I just walked into her room... the ventilator is running—she’s not really all there right now. I’m just sitting here, stroking her forehead and watching her... her eyes are half-open, and she keeps twitching her legs—she seems so restless. I feel so helpless. I'm heading back to San Diego.
September 11, 2007—she’s going in for her third surgery now... same reason as before. They’re saying things are still "unstable"—honestly, it's nerve-wracking. She calls me every day or two to check in. The doctor wants us all to head down to San Diego this Saturday, the 15th.
Heading to the hospital for an interview—wish me luck!
So, we finally rolled into the hospital on September 15th... just sitting there waiting for the doctor to show up. When he finally arrived, he gave us the news—turns out it isn't cancer at all! It’s just some kind of stubborn, lingering infection—even though...
We honestly had no idea the surgery would turn out like that—and even if we did... I was cutting through live tissue because I genuinely thought we were dealing with cancer. If she actually had cancer, I could have at least given her 3 or 4 years of quality life left.
I’m honestly so sorry you're dealing with these complications... if those stitches give way one more time—it’s just too much.
Checking in regarding the status from September 17th–21st... the updates have been pretty shaky—she's hanging in there, her kidneys are still functioning, but they’re having to intubate her now.
Around 1:00 PM on September 22nd—we all arrived at the hospital together. My sister was the first one to go into the room... then it was my turn. Looking at her, I could tell things had taken a turn for the worse compared to before. She’s on a ventilator now... I can't help but cry while I sit there with her—just stroking her hand.
Her forehead and hair... she opens her eyes and sees me—she actually recognizes me! She lifts her head and starts to open her mouth to say something... but all you can hear is that sound of air escaping. She's holding her head up... her mouth is just...
She’s still awake... we're just looking at each other—her head falls back onto the pillow... I lean my face against hers... she feels so cold. I'm stroking her hair... but I just can't take it anymore, so I'm stepping out—heading out to the balcony.
I'm just sitting here crying... there's nothing we can do—we're all leaving... my sister is staying behind in Chicago... I finally made it home and I'm just standing here in the kitchen making some tea... it's around 6:00 PM... then my sister calls me and says... she's gone.
She passed away at 2:42 PM... right after we left.
Does anyone happen to know how to translate this into Latin?
Please, throw any questions or suggestions my way—I'm all ears!
Hey there!
here is what happened (discharge papers from Mercy Hospital):
DISCHARGE SUMMARY FROM MERCY HOSPITAL
Dx: Obstructive jaundice
Cholangitis
Op: Resection of hepatic and common bile ducts
Hepaticojejunostomy sec. Roux
Cholecystectomia
(09/04/2007)
Dx: Diffuse peritonitis.
Partial hepaticojejunostomy dehiscence.
Sepsis
Op: Relaparotomy, anastomosis suture.
Abdominal lavage.
(09/06/2007)
Dx: Hemorrhagic shock.
Perforated duodenal ulcer.
Sepsis
Acute renal insufficiency.
Op: Relaparotomy.
Perforation site suture.
Hemostasis
(09/11/2007)
Dx: Diffuse peritonitis
Partial hepaticojejunostomy anastomosis dehiscence.
Sepsis
Renal insufficiency
Respiratory insufficiency
Op: Relaparotomy
Hepaticojejunostomy anastomosis suture
Abdominal cavity lavage
(09/14/2007)
Op: Tracheotomy
(09/15/2007)
Death occurred on 09/22/2007 at 2:42 PM.
...Cholangitis—according to the internet, it’s an acute infection of the bile ducts that looks like a tumor
(roughly speaking... but it’s definitely an infection)
..btw, just five minutes ago I was talking to the Deputy Director of the hospital in San Diego, and he claims it was
really tough to tell the difference between whether it was a tumor (cancer) or an infection... even after they did the endoscopy,
blood work, MRI, and whatever else they measured... I don't really get it... btw, that cost me
$500 out of pocket... cash.
...our doctor in San Diego gave the initial diagnosis of a Klatskin tumor, which is what I've been researching online (and here)
so I went to see him at his private clinic in the meantime to see if he actually agreed it was that specific tumor
and he said it would be a good idea to get an MRI for the surgeon to get a better look.
...in the days while we were arranging the MRI, I told my mother she had cancer.
...the day we did the MRI was her last day at the San Diego hospital; during a visit with the doctor right
before the MRI, she brought up the cancer, and the doctor saw that I had told her... we leave for the MRI and then head back to the waiting room..
after a little while, the doctor calls her alone into his office... then after a bit, he calls me in too... and this is where the story changes
because they told her she doesn't have cancer, but that it's just stones that need urgent surgery in Chicago... of course, I knew
that wasn't it, but she's so happy now that I don't even know if I should prove her wrong—I mean, we did get some paperwork with a diagnosis
saying it might be some kind of cyst instead of cancer (which again, doesn't match the story about the stones)
...the morning after we checked into Mercy Hospital, I went to my mother's room and waited for the doctor, who talked
with her for a bit, and after he stepped out into the hallway, I asked him if it was a Klatskin tumor, to which he sort of replied
"I just looked at the MRI images... those folks in San Diego are talking about some kind of cyst... that's the nasty tumor"...
(when he saw how terrified I looked and realized what I was getting at, he added, "or maybe it's just a cyst"... and
then he left.
...on the morning of 09/04/2007, right before the surgery, I go to her room to say goodbye.. the surgery takes 5 hours.. I wait in the hallway
by the exit doors of the OR... they pass by me.. I see her... they wheel her away to the ICU.. I wait for the doctor.. he leads me into a room with a whiteboard..
draws something, shows me, and says, "we cut this out.. everything is clear".. I give him $500.
...the next day.. we're still in Chicago.. we ask how she's doing.. they say she's fine.. recovering.. so we head back to San Diego
...on 09/06/2007, my sister calls them... they answered, "the situation has changed"... we asked what exactly happened.. they said we couldn't.
I have to be honest—she actually had to go back in for another surgery because the stitches gave way... they're telling my sister that "something is eating away at the sutures"... it's just... ugh.
She’s been moved to the ICU—and they've got her on a ventilator now. The discharge summary was only written once everything was settled, which basically means based on how things were looking at that moment...
It was pretty obvious they had no idea what was actually going on—I mean, Peritonitis is basically when bile leaks out and triggers a massive infection.
So—I’m heading into NYC next weekend... they're going to call in the attending physician for me... she shows up, we shake hands, and I just ask her, "What's actually going on here? Is this..."
Is it looking better or improving? It seems like things are heading in the right direction... though we have to remember—she is an older woman, after all. The surgery lasted five hours straight. And, as you all know, her cancer diagnosis is still the main thing we're navigating.
I’m feeling a bit weak—so I stepped outside the hospital for some fresh air. Walking around actually helps a little... then I head back inside, wash up, and get back into my scrubs.
I just walked into her room... the ventilator is running—she’s not really all there right now. I’m just sitting here, stroking her forehead and watching her... her eyes are half-open, and she keeps twitching her legs—she seems so restless. I feel so helpless. I'm heading back to San Diego.
September 11, 2007—she’s going in for her third surgery now... same reason as before. They’re saying things are still "unstable"—honestly, it's nerve-wracking. She calls me every day or two to check in. The doctor wants us all to head down to San Diego this Saturday, the 15th.
Heading to the hospital for an interview—wish me luck!
So, we finally rolled into the hospital on September 15th... just sitting there waiting for the doctor to show up. When he finally arrived, he gave us the news—turns out it isn't cancer at all! It’s just some kind of stubborn, lingering infection—even though...
We honestly had no idea the surgery would turn out like that—and even if we did... I was cutting through live tissue because I genuinely thought we were dealing with cancer. If she actually had cancer, I could have at least given her 3 or 4 years of quality life left.
I’m honestly so sorry you're dealing with these complications... if those stitches give way one more time—it’s just too much.
Checking in regarding the status from September 17th–21st... the updates have been pretty shaky—she's hanging in there, her kidneys are still functioning, but they’re having to intubate her now.
Around 1:00 PM on September 22nd—we all arrived at the hospital together. My sister was the first one to go into the room... then it was my turn. Looking at her, I could tell things had taken a turn for the worse compared to before. She’s on a ventilator now... I can't help but cry while I sit there with her—just stroking her hand.
Her forehead and hair... she opens her eyes and sees me—she actually recognizes me! She lifts her head and starts to open her mouth to say something... but all you can hear is that sound of air escaping. She's holding her head up... her mouth is just...
She’s still awake... we're just looking at each other—her head falls back onto the pillow... I lean my face against hers... she feels so cold. I'm stroking her hair... but I just can't take it anymore, so I'm stepping out—heading out to the balcony.
I'm just sitting here crying... there's nothing we can do—we're all leaving... my sister is staying behind in Chicago... I finally made it home and I'm just standing here in the kitchen making some tea... it's around 6:00 PM... then my sister calls me and says... she's gone.
She passed away at 2:42 PM... right after we left.
Does anyone happen to know how to translate this into Latin?
Please, throw any questions or suggestions my way—I'm all ears!
Hey there!
Christian Wood63... my doctor showed me an imaging scan where you can see the bile ducts forming a 'Y' shape—he said the tumor is right at that junction. I honestly have no clue about the cancer stage, but everything I read online says this stuff usually gets caught way too late.
I'm just lost... I really don't know what to do next.
Best,
I'm just lost... I really don't know what to do next.
Best,
Hey everyone
After doing a ton of research down in San Diego, my mom (who's 71) just got diagnosed with a Klatskin tumor—bile duct cancer. Before I even found this forum, I was digging through sites like cholangiocarcinoma.org and http://www.cancercompass.com. The doctor here in San Diego scheduled her surgery at Mercury Hospital in Washington, D.C., but honestly? I'm not feeling great about that choice—I actually just drove back from Washington, D.C. five hours ago. I’m wondering if anyone knows which hospital is truly the best for this kind of thing, and if I have the right to insist on a different facility instead of Mercury. Also... can't this type of surgery be done in Miami (which would be just as good, if not better) since it's way easier for us to travel there? Please, I really need some advice here... the surgery is supposed to happen this Monday.
Thanks in advance
After doing a ton of research down in San Diego, my mom (who's 71) just got diagnosed with a Klatskin tumor—bile duct cancer. Before I even found this forum, I was digging through sites like cholangiocarcinoma.org and http://www.cancercompass.com. The doctor here in San Diego scheduled her surgery at Mercury Hospital in Washington, D.C., but honestly? I'm not feeling great about that choice—I actually just drove back from Washington, D.C. five hours ago. I’m wondering if anyone knows which hospital is truly the best for this kind of thing, and if I have the right to insist on a different facility instead of Mercury. Also... can't this type of surgery be done in Miami (which would be just as good, if not better) since it's way easier for us to travel there? Please, I really need some advice here... the surgery is supposed to happen this Monday.
Thanks in advance