BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS
BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS I have posted this as a new thread on behalf of AnitaK
Kind regards
Forum Host
Breast Cancer Care
Dear All,
I constantly read through all the posts, but unfortunately alot of the jargon and medical terms mean nothing to me. My Mother-in-law was diagnosed with Secondary cancer in the Liver and the breast bone, and 2 spots in her back (they have come back inconclusive), the problem I have is that my MIL refuses to ask any questions, and we have to respect that, BUT…
Since starting her chemo in January she seems to have slowly gone down hill:
She currently has diabetes, high blood pressure (which now is apparently low), anemia, there was suspision of a blood clot in her leg (we found out today thats not the case), she is pretty much housebound which is slowly progressing to bedbound, she is constanttly tired, hardly eats (has lost almost 4 stone), has the shakes, she has pressure sores, an ulcerated mouth, tongue & throat, sickness, extremely swollen legs, and her haemoglobin level is so low that she is now currently in hospital AGAIN having her 3rd blood transfusion (6 pints everytime shes admitted), shes has suffered nose bleeds today, she goes from being constipated for days to the other extreme, she has been told today that her ammune system is so low we had to wear aprons and latex gloves, she has now been told shes has a blood bug (2nd time), she has been on constant drips since Friday, Glucose, antibiotics, another one to do with her blood (plasma is what she told me today?), and she was given a chest x-ray at 11 0’clock last night, when I asked her why she said she didn’t know, she won’t ask the questions because she doesn’t want to know, thats her way of dealing with it and we have to respect that, but could anyone tell me if all of the above is down to the chemo or is it more? They did tell her that the chemo was very strong and shes had 4 out of the 6…
Thanks for listening.
Anita x
Thank-you, I posted it yesterday as a reply by mistake.
Kind Regards,
Anita x
Blood Dear Anita
I’m sorry you’ve had no replies yet. Your Mum sounds poorly indeed and I think the best i can suggest is that you are there for her when she needs you. I’m sure she is feeling just too bad to ask many questions. Perhaps as a family you could ask for a meeting with her oncologist to see what the current situation is? Do you have a macmillan nurse who could help to liase with the doctors?
I too have had big problems with my blood. If the bone mets are in her breast bone this is a major area that makes your red blood cells in your bone marrow so this may be the base of your MIL’s problems. I wouldn’t like to say any more but just to add that we’re all here for you and thinking of you and all your family.
Good Luck
With love
Kitkat
Thank-you KitKat, I have been given a freephone number and I spoke with one of the nurses on the live chat session last night, I think I will try and phone, but I have to tread very carefully as my Mother-in-law refuses to know too much detail and wants us to respect that, therefore I have to really just be there for her and listen, and respect that shes fighting it and dealing with it her way.
Its just the lack of understanding that I find very frustrating.
Thanks again, its nice to know that people out there understand and be so incredibly strong.
Take Care,
Anita x