Tuesday, June 9, 2009

NO SURGERY FOR AMY AT THIS TIME

MONDAY WAS A VERY LONG, FRUSTRATING, AND SAD DAY. MY
HEART LITERALLY BROKE FOR AMY AND MY MOTHER, HER GRANNY LEFT
THE ROOM EARLY IN SOBBING TEARS. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO LISTEN TO
ALL THE THINGS A DOCTOR HAS TO SAY AND WATCH THIS BEAUTIFUL GIRL
WHO HAS ENDURED SO MUCH HELL IN A YEAR'S TIME AND BEEN BRAVER
THAN ANY SOLDIER, HAVE TEARS FLOW DOWN HER CHEEKS AND SHE IS
UPSET.....WHY...BECAUSE, SHE DOESN'T WANT TO CRY...SHE DOESN'T WANT
THIS CANCER TO THINK FOR EVEN ONE SECOND IT HAS EVEN PUT A FAINT
CRACK OR DENT IN HER SPIRIT BECAUSE IT WILL NEVER BREAK AMY...NEVER.
THE TEARS WERE ALSO OF FRUSTRATION. THE CT SCAN WAS A
NIGHTMARE...THEY HAD TO STICK HER TWICE TO GET AN IV AND THEN
AT THE LAST MINUTE BEFORE INJECTING THE DYE, THEY TOOK HER DOWN
TO LAB WHERE SHE SET FOR 45 MINUTES WAITING FOR BLOOD TO BE DRAWN.
THE REASON WAS TO SEE IF HER KIDNEYS WERE ABLE TO TOLERATE THE DYE.
NOW MY CONCERN, IS WITH ALL HER OTHER CT SCANS THEY HAVE NEVER
CHECKED THIS: WAS IT AN OVER SIGHT AND THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN DOING
IT ALL A LONG OR DID IT NEED TO BE DONE.
THIS MADE HER LATE FOR HER APPOINTMENT WITH DR. MEDINA AND
HE HAS A RECEPTIONIST WHO SHOULD NOT BE WORKING WITH PEOPLE...
SHE IS NOT NICE...IF SHE WALKS DOWN THE HALL TOWARD THE
EXAM ROOMS WHICH IS ONE HALLWAY OF 5 DOORS ON EACH SIDE...SHE
TAPES A SIGN TO THE WINDOW THAT STATES SHE IS AWAY FROM HER DESK.
AMY HAD FINISHED FILLING OUT HER PAPERS AND WAS JUST STANDING IN
FRONT OF HER CHAIR STRETCHING. THIS RECEPTIONIST CAME BACK TO
HER CHAIR, TOOK HER SIGN DOWN AND TOLD AMY, "I DON'T TALK TO
ANY ONE WHEN MY SIGN IS UP IN THE WINDOW."
I WOULD SAY MAYBE SHE WAS HAVING A BAD DAY BUT I GUESS ALL HER
DAYS ARE BAD ON THE DAYS WE COME.

THE PATIENTS THAT COME TO DR. MEDINA ARE THERE BECAUSE THEY

ARE VERY ILL AND THEY HAD HAD, WILL HAVE HAD...LIFE ALTERING

SURGERIES. I WAS A NURSE FOR 20 YEARS....A PATIENT MUST NEVER

KNOW IF YOU ARE HAVING A BAD DAY OR OVER WORKED...THEY NEED TO

BE REASSURED THEY ARE GOING TO BE OKAY AND TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.

NURSING IS LIKE TEACHING AND ANY OTHER PROFESSION...YOU ARE

EITHER GIFTED AND ENJOY WHAT YOU DO OR YOU NEED TO CHANGE

JOBS.

ALL OF US HAVE A BAD DAY FROM TIME TO TIME AND THAT IS JUST

NORMAL BUT LET ME TELL YOU:

DR. DEXEUS, AMY'S ONCOLOGIST CHEMO DOCTOR HAS JUST PRETTY

NEAR A PERFECT STAFF FROM THE RECEPTIONIST AT THE FRONT OFFICE

TO LAB TO CHEMO TO NURSES. TRULY...DR. DEXEUS AND MRS. DEXEUS

IF THEY KNEW I SAID THAT WOULD BE QUITE EMBARRASSED BECAUSE IT

IS JUST ALL IN A DAYS' WORK BUT BELIEVE ME THEY ARE THE GREATEST

BUNCH OF PEOPLE....I'M SURE LIKE EVERY WHERE THEY PROBABLY

HAVE THEIR PROBLEMS BUT NO PATIENT WILL EVER KNOW IT AND

THEY HAVE NO TURN OVER IN THEIR STAFF.



THERE WILL BE NO SURGERY AT THIS TIME. AMY HAS TO MAKE SOME

DECISIONS THAT ONLY SHE CAN MAKE AND STARTING ON MONDAY SHE WILL

BEGIN CHEMOTHERAPY FOR TWO MORE ROUNDS. SHE WILL HAVE ALL

HER BIG GUN CHEMOS AGAIN THAT SHE WILL COME HOME ON FOR 2 NIGHTS

IN EDITION TO ERBITUX .......SO THAT WILL BE TOWARD THE END OF AUGUST

BEFORE THEY WILL TALK ABOUT SURGERY AGAIN OR SOONER IF AMY

REACHES SOME DECISIONS.


THEY WANT AMY TO HAVE A VASCULAR SURGEON SEE HER AND

HAVE HIM DO THE TEST WHERE THEY GO UP THROUGH THE FEMORAL

ARTERY AND INSERT A BALLOON INTO HER CAROTID ARTERY. THEY DO

NOT KNOW HOW MUCH THE MASS MAY OR MAY NOT BE ATTACHED TO

THE CAROTID ARTERY. THEY KNOW THE JUGULAR VEIN IS RUINED BUT

THEY ARE NOT WORRIED ABOUT THAT...THEIR CONCERN IS THE CAROTID

ARTERY BECAUSE IF THEY TRY TO REPAIR THE CAROTID ARTERY AND

THE CAROTID ARTERY ON THE RIGHT SIDE CANNOT TAKE OVER FOR BOTH

SIDES SHE COULD HAVE....THE KEY WORD BEING COULD AS IF IN MIGHT

BUT NOT FOR CERTAIN...SHE COULD HAVE A STROKE IMMEDIATELY OR

UP TO 4 DAYS LATER....IF THEY DO THE TEST AND THEY CAN INSERT THE

BALLOON BY THE VASCULAR SURGEON...THEN SHE WILL HAVE PASSED

THE TEST FOR 98% PROBABILITY OF NOT HAVING A STROKE.....DURING

SURGERY.





THE MORE HE TALKED...THE MORE I WONDERED WHY THIS WAS NOT


DISCUSSED UNTIL MONDAY EVENING AT 5:30PM AND SHE WAS SCHEDULED

FOR SURGERY ON WEDNESDAY MORNING AT 7:30AM..........

EVERY TIME WE GO IT IS SOMETHING ELSE THAT COMES UP THAT KNOCKS

THE BREATH OUT OF ALL OF US AND AMY IS NOT AGREEABLE WITH JUST

ANYTHING THEY WANT TO DO. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT MEANS RUNNING

A NEEDLE THROUGH HER GROIN INTO HER NECK. IT WAS EXPLAINED SHE

WOULD BE IN A TWILIGHT LIKE SLEEP BUT THIS IS A GIRL WHO HAD

A LIVER BIOPSY WITHOUT TAKING A SINGLE THING TO EASE THE PAIN...

WHEN THEY SAY THEY CAN'T KNOCK YOU TOTALLY OUT FOR A TEST

SO YOU CAN BE ALERT ENOUGH TO TALK TO THEM, THAN SHE WON'T

TAKE ANYTHING AND ENDUR THE PAIN......THAT HURTS ME TERRIBLY.

SHE SAYS, "I CAN'T TAKE ANYTHING FOR PAIN BECAUSE IT MIGHT

MAKE ME DROWSY AND I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO TALK TO THEM."

SHE DIDN'T GET THAT FROM ME....I AM KNOCK ME OUT...I DON'T

WANT TO FEEL NOTHING...IF I CAN'T TALK TO YOU, I AM SORRY BUT

I HATE PAIN. I HAVE A VERY HIGH PAIN TOLERANCE FOR LONG TERM

PAIN BUT NOT PROCEDURE PAIN LIKE THAT.







SO FOR NOW THE PLAN IS TO HAVE TWO MORE ROUNDS OF
CHEMOTHERAPY....AND WE PRAY THAT HEALING IS HERS AND EVERY-
ONES WHO IS BATTLING THIS HORRIBLE DISEASE CALLED CANCER.
MY DEEPEST APOLOGIES FOR NOT GETTING THIS LETTER OUT
SOONER...I HAD NOT SLEPT FOR 24 HOURS PRIOR TO GOING TO
DR. MEDINA'S ON MONDAY AND IT WAS LATE WHEN WE GOT HOME
FROM OKC. I WENT TO BED AND SLEPT UNTIL 6:00PM TUESDAY.
AMY SLEPT, WENT TO THE DR. FOR LAB WORK AND IS BACK
SPENDING THE NIGHT AT LEILA AND CORBY'S.





THANK YOU EVERY ONE FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS. EACH PRAYER IS
WHAT CARRIES US FROM HOUR TO HOUR AND SOME TIMES MINUTE TO
MINUTE.
I WANTED US TO REMEMBER THIS SLIM JIM FACTORY IN NORTH CAROLINA
THAT BLEW UP...THERE ARE 3 PEOPLE MISSING AND PEOPLE WITH VERY
SERIOUS BURNS. WE JUST LIFT ALL THESE FAMILIES UP AND THIS FACTORY
THAT PROVIDED JOBS WHEN JOBS ARE NEEDED. A BURN IS SUCH A
HORRIBLY PAINFUL THING.
HUGS TO EACH ONE OF YOU
debbie




REMEMBER YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE'S LIFE BY

SIMPLY SMILING AT THEM.



21 comments:

  1. I wish I were closer to you and Amy and could give you hugs. Since I can't I am sending hugs and prayers across the miles. Adding prayers for those from the Slim Jim factory and for Leila.

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  2. Tears my heart up for Amy & you all, Debbie. May the good Lord lay His hand upon Amy, & you, to get thru this each day ... He is there, I know. Prayers are uplifted ... God bless. Where do you live so we don't go to this Dr. TTFN ~Marydon

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  3. Debbie, I am so sorry to hear about the new problems and more chemo for Amy. I was sure the surgery would take place today and she would be fine. We will continue to pray. I feel so sad that she must endure 2 more rounds of chemo. I am sending you and Amy lots of hugs, wishing I could be there to talk to you. Please let your mother know we are all praying. I guess I will pray for that nurse also....sounds like she needs prayers or a good old fashion whipping.
    God is there!

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  4. Debbie, I am so sorry for Amy's pain. She is in my prayers, I know there are no words to make this ordeal any easier, but just know that everyone who reads this is praying for her and all folks who are suffering now.

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  5. Oh Debbie, I am continuing to pray and I so believe the Lord hears all our prayers. He is holding all of you in His hands and I know you believe. God Bless. Hugs, Marty

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  6. Hi Debbie! Thanks for stopping by my blog! You are entered in my give away! Your comment was very cute! I have added you and your family to my prayer list, my cousin's 10 mth old has stage 4 neobalstomia and we are praying like crazy every day!
    Hugs and prayers, Lisa

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  7. Debbie, TY for your note ... have you pointed out these problems with the receptionist to your Dr or the office manager? This is vital he be apprised ... what a shame. Our Drs. appreciate being told about incidents that are unacceptable.

    Yes, we know where Enid is ... my husband's family all came from Sayre & Roll & Kingfisher areas.

    Love OK. We've been there many times but all the original siblings of parents are long gone & cousins aren't that close ... different world today from years of yore.

    Do keep us/me posted & prayers for all are uplifted. I am here for you ~ TTFN ~ Marydon

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  8. I am so sorry.... reading this breaks my heart-- I promise you I'm praying for you all.
    Holykisses and great big hugs
    Lea

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  9. Debbie - I am so sorry. I believe in faith that the Lord is here amidst all of this and I'm praying His perfected will and His peace to wrap about all of you. Grace...Grace...Grace in Jesus' Name. Amen. Love you. Praying for all of you and especially Amy that she hears the Lord in this time.

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  10. Debbie sweetie, I'm so sad that you are all going through this....Your amy is such a fighter and it is breaking my heart to see her have to go through this.... What angers me is the attitude of the receptionist, it's apparent to me she has no feelings and your right, she shouldn't be workng with people or anything living. Amy doesn't need that unkind attitude from people, she is going through enough bad. I wish people would understand or walk in anothers shoes before they act in that manner. My thoughts and prayers are always with you and please give amy a huge hug from me! hugs, Jennifer

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  11. Debbie~
    I ache for you, Amy, your Mom and the entire family! I know how disappointing it is to keep hoping for good news and getting the wind knocked out of you time and again. I don't have to say it, especially to you, but we know that God has a plan....we just have to trust Him !
    I will continue to pray for you. If there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to call on me.
    Much Love,
    ♥,Lilly

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  12. Thanks for your note this morning. NYC is noisy, and it seemed noisier today as I thought about your question. Amy -- and you -- have been in my thoughts and prayers all day!

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  13. Debbie & Amy and the rest of your family. I'm typing throug tears, and have no wonderful or brilliant words to say. I'm still praying. God be with all of you in the days ahead as you have to make these decisions. My heart cries for you. laurie

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  14. That mean receptionist, I would like to slap her silly, I know you are a very wonderful Christian lady and are so kind-hearted, but I'd really, really like to punch her in the nose, and worse, too. There is no need for her to be such a creep. It makes me furious. You are so right, she needs to be OUT of the people business and that doctor ought to fire her.

    Such sad news in your post, I am sorry to hear it. WHY this burden had to land on Amy, such a good person and such a special young lady, I can't understand. But how rotten. I just keep hoping for that miracle. There is already a miracle in that she has such strength and is such an example to others struggling with pain and burdens.

    I will be hoping that the chemo goes well and the balloon test. My husband had a similar balloon test, they numbed his leg where it went in, he was perky all through it and looking at the monitor and did not report pain, other than his leg was sore later where they put pressure on it after the test.

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  15. Hi Debbie!
    You can steal a pic of Baby Chase from my blog, look under family and he should be in more than one post. THANKS!!! for adding him, he is coming along well and his parents and Team Chase are sure it's the prayers!
    Hugs, Lisa

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  16. Debbie, I can't find words that will comfort you and make you feel that everything will be ok. But I know with prayers and with God - there our comfort will be.

    Li

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  17. Debbie,
    Thanks for stopping by my site Old Photo Album and putting my logo on your page. I read your post about your daughter Amy. She sounds like a very strong lady! You should be so proud of her! My mother in law had that procedure last week and she is 84, it went quite well, I know that Amy poses high risks, but I thought that may comfort you. I hope after she can have the new collagen plug, it is so much better than the traditional sandbag thing. Anyway, I want you to know that my thoughts and prayers are being sent for you and Amy throught this difficult time.

    With love and smiles, Christine

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  18. Thank you so much, please feel free to grab any picture on my site you like. My prayers go out to our soldiers everyday.

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  19. It is hard enough to have to go to the doctor and listen to the worst case scenarios and know that your life is at stake here, yet to be treated so rudely by an assistant is not acceptable. That happened to me six years ago at the kidney doctor. That assistant was rude, incompetent, mean, angry, and just plain horrible. I continue to pray for Amy as well as you, Debbie, for strength and healing.

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  20. Dearest sweet Debbie, words escape me to convey how much I am aching for you and your precious daughter...Know that my prayers are filled with your family...I am so sorry that Amy had to put up with someone being so rude..pity that woman..for what place is her spirit to do that to anyone? You have touched so many hearts..and continue to inspire with your great strength and faith..I feel very blessed to have "met" you. Cindy

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  21. I am reading your post with a sad heart, I can't imagine what Amy is going through, but just reading about it breaks my heart. I pray for Amy and others who are suffering from ills that threaten their lives. God bless you Amy, you are fighting a brave battle and hopefully you will win out over this.

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debbie