A lot to take in.

Thursday: My mom's arm became swollen and we went to have it looked at. It was suggested that we go to the ER to get it checked out because it could be a blood clot. Never ever go to Robert Wood if you have an emergency. It's so crowded that even chairs for guests to sit by the patient's bed are hard to come by. I had one, but the minute I sat on the bed with my mom, it was taken. There's people just laying on the side of the hallway because they don't have enough spots where it's sectioned off by a curtain. We got here at 3:30pm and didn't get to our room until after 1am.

Friday: We had no idea she'd have to get admitted so I left hospital at 2am to get my things to bring back for the sleep over. She's on continuous Heparin. They needed to do a ct scan of the neck yesterday in addition to ultrasound, but instead did the ct of the chest. So today, she's going to get scanned again, correctly this time. Dr. thinks that the tumor is pushing against the vein causing the blood clots in all of her left arm and neck. Dr will talk to radiation oncologists to see if tumor should be radiated because chemo might not work as quickly. At the same time, she also needs to find out the success rate of radiating to reduce swelling. She's also low in hemoglobin count so she's getting blood transfusion.

Saturday:Tests confirmed blood in stool. She had an endoscopy/ EKG done and the gastroenterologist said there was no active bleeding of stomach tumor at the time. It's currently 8cm, meaning it doubled since last time. Mom needs to go on blood thinners for her arm but because there was blood in the stool, she doesn't want to start her on blood thinners yet (since it can cause her to bleed out). Dr needs to think it through about the next steps whether to also radiate stomach tumor or do an angiogram. An angiogram basically would require my mom to go on heparin and then cause the tumor in the stomach to bleed. When the see where it bleeds, they'll then close the blood source...something like that.

I left at night for a wedding of a close family friend and got back to the hospital at 2am. 

Sunday: Saw Dr this morning. She said that hopefully radiating the tumor in the neck will shrink the tumor and reduce the swelling in the arm. She's hoping chemo will work, though even if it does, it wouldn't work as fast as radiation. Radiation is suppose to have no side effects since it's only 3 treatments: Monday thru Wednesday.She said she still has to think it over and consult with other doctors regarding the tumor in the stomach.

This is a lot. But I have to be strong for my mom. After all, she's the one going through all this. The good news is that her hemoglobin count has increased to 9.7 from 7. I'm doing my best playing "nurse." Today I brought a wash cloth and bucket and wiped down her body since she hasn't been able to take a shower. I took her for a walk since she needs to get up and moving. She took about a 25 minute walk around and around the small reception area. I was telling her funny stories from Ella's wedding. She's eaten breakfast and lunch. Dinner has arrived and she's napping peacefully.

That's the latest update. I truly appreciate all the support and actions of kindness from my friends and loved ones who've reached out. This is the biggest hurdle we have been through since diagnosis and we're trying to swim back up.