Updates on Mom

I had hope to have this blog up and going several days ago, but . . .

The purpose of this blog is to keep the numerous friends and family up-to-date on Mom's battle with pancreatic cancer. As I don't know who knows what, I'm going to go back a little over a month ago and start from there. Please check here on a daily basis for any updates.

9/25/08 - Admitted to St. Mary's for an ERCP. A mass the size of a walnut is discovered on her pancreas. Is kept overnight at St. Mary's and discharged home. Plan is for her to go to Sitemand Cancer Center at BJC in St. Louis for further diagnosis and consultation regarding treatment plan.

10/06/08 - Seen by Dr. Steven Strasberg at Siteman Cancer Center. Is told surgery is not an option. Recommends an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in order to get a biopsy. Appointment is made to return on 10/10/08 for EUS.

10/09/08 - Admitted to St. Mary's via the ER. Complaining of abdominal pain and an elevated temperature of 103.8. She had x-rays and CT scan. Drs. are concerned of possible infection. EUS at Siteman Cancer Center is canceled.

10/10/08 - Previous placed stent has become dislodged and blocked with stones. She undergoes another ERCP to replace it. Is told diagnosis is possible pancreatic cancer.

10/12/08 - Met with oncologist. Discusses the use of chemotherapy to shrink the tumor and prevent spread. He ordered a full body scan and a bone scan to determine rate of growth and staging. Bone scan does not show any metastsis to bone. Full body scan does not show anything either.

10/13/08 - Is transferred to University Missouri Health Center (UMHC) for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) which is scheduled for 10/15/08.

10/15/08 - During the EUS, they run into a problem and have to convert the procedure to an ERCP in order to get tissue for the biopsy.

10/16/08 - Discover that her duodenum was perforated during the EUS (which is a known complication of the procedure). The biopsy is positive for pancreatic cancer. Remains at UMHC for pain control due to excessive air in abdominal cavity due to perforation. On 10/20/08, she requests to be discharged back to St. Mary's for continued care.

10/22/08 - Pain is uncontrollable. After consultation with surgery team, she is life-flighted to Barnes-Jewish-Christian (BJC) hospital in St. Louis for possible emergency surgery. Following pain management team consult on 10/29/08, she is discharged home. Appointment scheduled to see oncologist 11/3/08.

10/30/08 - Two ladies from the church, Doris and Linda, will be staying with Mom during the day. Her friend, Stacy, will be staying with her during the night. Stacy's daughter will also be staying with Mom of an afternoon. Although Mom doesn't think she needs anyone there 24 hours a day, until she is doing much better we disagree with her.

11/3/08 - Returned to St. Mary's ER. Has not eaten or drank anything of significance since being discharged from BJC. She began vomiting yesterday and was still vomiting today. She is very weak and unstable on her feet and is very nauseated. Is admitted to St. Mary's. Oncologist to see her tomorrow morning.