![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by akc on August 20, 2001, at 21:01:10
My mom has lung cancer (and COPD). I've known this for some time. But still, why is it at this time she is in ICU in respiratory distress? As of an hour ago, the doctors did not know if she is going to make it or not. She has been doing well with the cancer treatment, and I thought we were a ways from this. I can't take too many more stressors. And they say God won't give you more than you can handle. Bullshit.
akc
Posted by susan C on August 20, 2001, at 21:09:53
In reply to What else?, posted by akc on August 20, 2001, at 21:01:10
can you come talk to us, we are on chat...
> My mom has lung cancer (and COPD). I've known this for some time. But still, why is it at this time she is in ICU in respiratory distress? As of an hour ago, the doctors did not know if she is going to make it or not. She has been doing well with the cancer treatment, and I thought we were a ways from this. I can't take too many more stressors. And they say God won't give you more than you can handle. Bullshit.
>
> akc
Posted by Willow on August 20, 2001, at 21:12:17
In reply to Re: What else?, posted by susan C on August 20, 2001, at 21:09:53
> yes AKC come into the chat, post if you have problems with signing up
we're here for you
I know this is hard, but you can handle it!
Posted by sar on August 21, 2001, at 0:52:38
In reply to What else?, posted by akc on August 20, 2001, at 21:01:10
oh akc, i'm so sorry...please keep us updated. what is COPD?
wishing you well,
love,
sar
Posted by akc on August 21, 2001, at 6:37:40
In reply to Re: What else? » akc, posted by sar on August 21, 2001, at 0:52:38
> oh akc, i'm so sorry...please keep us updated. what is COPD?
From WebMD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. These two separate but closely related and usually co-existing conditions damage the lungs and prevent them from doing their job of bringing oxygen to the body and getting rid of carbon dioxide. COPD is characterized by a progressive limiting of the airflow into and out of the lungs. More than 10 million Americans suffer from COPD, many of them smokers or former smokers. And over 60,000 die each year as a result.
My mom smoked for about 29 years. She is only 67 years old, and has battled serious problems for about 7 years now. While not every smoker gets COPD (or lung cancer), my thought on this is always the same -- do you really want to risk it?If you could have spent some time with my mom the past few years, you could seen a couragous woman. She has refused to let anything stop her. She is not ashamed of having to use oxygen full-time; not the cancer treatment -- she still travels, goes out and plays bridge, etc. For all the shit that she allowed when I was growing up, I really love my mom now. I have to remind myself that my mom also overcame that same stuff we have had to (my dad abused her as well as us kids). My sister is not at home at this moment, so it appears she is on her way to Boise (where my mom lives) -- that means things are still touch and go. I will keep you posted.
A very, very sad,
akc
Posted by Kingfish on August 21, 2001, at 8:10:02
In reply to A cautionary tale and a testimony to my mom, posted by akc on August 21, 2001, at 6:37:40
akc:
I'm very sorry. Though not nearly the same, I lost my Granddad to emphysema. I would think because of what you and your Mom have been through together, you are closer than most. I hope you can get to her soon.
- K.
Posted by KB on August 21, 2001, at 8:16:51
In reply to What else?, posted by akc on August 20, 2001, at 21:01:10
I know what you're going through - my Mom was a heavy smoker, and had COPD, as well as heart damage from the chemo she had for breast cancer. I sat up all night with her the night she died. It is a terribly difficult thing to deal with. My only advice is to recognize when she is ready to let go and honor that (and kick doctors' asses until they do, too. It's really easy to want to hold on to someone we care about, but at a certain point on her last night, my mother, though she couldn't speak because she couldn't breathe well enough, made it clear that she was ready and when I told her I understood, she stopped struggling and the rest of the night was more peaceful.
>
> akc
Posted by sar on August 21, 2001, at 8:53:56
In reply to Re: What else?, posted by KB on August 21, 2001, at 8:16:51
dear akc,
i'm very sorry to read this, it's such a difficult time for you...
i am chewing my nicorette gum even more avidly now. Day 7.
i hope things work out the best way they possibly can. my thoughts will be with you.
love,
sar
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Social | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.