my diagnosis of advanced cancer: how to help my kids

Parent Cafe
1741

<p>when my friend picked me up on August 13 after 7 day stay at MSKCC for bowel obstruction, I said “Oh I hope this is the worst this year, but I have the feeling it may not be!” Little did I know that the premonition was right on the mark. Only 24 hours later.</p>

<p>On Aug 14 evening, I developed intense abdominal pain. I never had such a pain in my life, and that included child birth. I rushed to the urgent care at MSKCC: I arrived late evening.</p>

<p>To make the long story short, they had to operate on me next day on an emergency basis. Turns out, I was going into a septic shock due to a microscophic bowel perforation. they said, as I was wheeled into the operating room all of my vital signs were already tanking.</p>

<p>My oncology team and the bowel team worked excellently, they sat together, connected all the dots based on my past history, and decided that this is a do or die emergency and there was even no time to waste for a scan. In short, they saved my life. plain and simple.</p>

<p>That was August 15.</p>

<p>I am recovering now. I am told that I was the most heavily monitored patient on the whole surgery floor.</p>

<p>This surgery was a lot more complicated than the initial cancer surgery, and it will require much longer time to recover. A though one.</p>

<p>However I am grateful to be alive. i don’t even wan to think about what would have happened if this happened far away from the medical team who were intimately familiar with my case.</p>

<p>I am comfortable. I am recovering well, and all thing considered in good spirit.</p>

<p>I will be here another 10 days minimum, I am told. Once I am out, I will have a delayed reaction then. </p>

<p>Needless to day all travel plans are cancelled.</p>

1742

<p>Oh my, Sunrise. So sorry to hear about your ordeal, but thankful you were here instead of in Asia when this happened. Please remember that we are here for you AND please remember that you don’t need to be a perfect patient. It takes too much effort and you need to save it for recovery. I can bet you are a favorite on the floor, no matter what kind of patient you are. You are one of a kind!</p>

1743

<p>Oh my…I am so grateful that you were close to MSKCC and that all hands were on board to take care of you.</p>

<p>I believe that there is a good message to be taken from this…things all came together because you are meant to be here, to continue your mission here among all of us who care so much about you.</p>

<p>Sending thoughts for a complete recovery and healing…</p>

1744

<p>So sorry to hear about your scare but so glad your medical team acted expertly and well.</p>

<p>I know this is completely different, but I had a bowel obstruction followed by a perforation as a newborn and too was saved by quick thinking and skilled doctors. Twenty four years later, my parents still vividly remember it!</p>

1745

<p>Oh, sunrise, I know how much the trip to Asia meant to you, but if this had happened over there or while you were traveling…thank goodness you put yourself straight into the hands of the docs who care about you and who know you so well.</p>

<p>Having been pulled back from the dead by hands who cared and would not quit on me, I can say with a fair bit of confidence that there will be a delayed reaction. Feel it. Be grateful for it. It means you are still here and still fighting. That is cause for tears and joy. Know that we all care about you.</p>

1746

<p>Oh, Sunrise, what an ordeal! Like everyone else, I am so thankful that this did not happen in Asia, but at home. It must be hard to face another 10 days in the hospital, and I am so sorry about your cancelled trip. I hope that your recovery will be rapid. Is the bowel obstruction, at least, a thing of the past now?</p>

1747

<p>I’m glad you were close to amazing doctors and you’re here to tell us about it. I know it’s disappointing not to travel, but hopefully brighter days are ahead. I hope you tolerated your hospital stay well, I know how antsy you get to leave.
Here’s thinking good thoughts and an easier recovery time.</p>

1748

<p>Very sorry about your canceled trip, and about the tax of this medical event to your system. Perhaps your mother will come to the US. And as others have said, feel no obligation to be the perfect patient here. We will support you no matter what your mood or feelings.</p>

1749

<p>Sunrise: As one who has been there and with ongoing issues you are my hero. I have never been as brave or articulate in the face of a monster. You have a place of honor in all our hearts.</p>

1750

<p>Whew, that was a close one!</p>

<p>Sending hopes for continued healing and no more emergencies!</p>

1751

<p>Thinking of you and wishing you a quick recovery from your surgery.</p>

1752

<p>Sunrise- I check on you often but have never posted. Tonight I checked in and your post made me cry with gratitude that your doctors took such wonderful care of you and that you are such a fighter. Relax and let everyone take care of you for awhile…</p>

1753

<p>Sunrise, oh dear, what a detour. I am so impressed with the quick thinking of your medical team, and their ability to work together to realize that you had a perforation and to act upon it so quickly even forgoing scans. I am sorry about your trip to Asia, but I am so very happy that you were near your care team when help was so needed. I hope that the stay at the spa will be restful and that the therapy dog will come visit.</p>

<p>You are a remarkable person, and I was so relieved to see your post today. I hope that your husband is doing better, as well!</p>

1754

<p>Sunriseeast, I am so sorry to hear about your emergency but more relieved that you’ve made it through a difficult surgery. Here’s wishing you a restful recovery.</p>

1755

<p>So sorry to read about this, but thankful that you were near MSKCC and not on an airplane or in Asia when this happened. Rest and heal.</p>

1756

<p>Oh Sunrise. I am so sorry. I’ve been lurking on this thread since the beginning but have not posted. H went through the same bowel issues in April. So I have been watching closely to see how that was resolving for you. Looks to have been the same outcome as H (perforation/emergency surgery). I am sorry you are going through this. PM me if there is anything you may want to know from this side (although it sounds like you have some awesome doctors). Thinking of you.</p>

1757

<p>sunrise, like everyone, I’m so glad this happened close to home. Thank goodness for your quick-thinking team. I’m sorry your travel plans are canceled. Get well soon.</p>

1758

<p>So sorry to hear about your ordeal, but thankful that you received excellent medical care. I hope you have a restful recovery.</p>

1759

<p>Sunrise: so sorry that you had to have surgery, but as many have said I’m so happy that you were still able to be under the care of your outstanding physicians. I know you were looking forward to your trip, but what a blessing that you were still home when this happened. </p>

<p>I know it’s not in your nature, but try to use your energy for healing & not on being “the perfect patient.” </p>

<p>Sending lots of positive energy to you, your DH & your medical teams!</p>

1760

<p>Yikes! I’m so glad you were close to home and thank goodness for your medical team. You are in my thoughts. Take care, rest, and heal.</p>