On March 12, 2014 my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. On April 1, 2014 she had the lump in her right breast removed, not a very big lump just a small one, but the labs came back and it was her2 positive so treatments began. Two weeks after her surgery she had her first chemotherapy treatment which ultimately will take her life. She had an allergic reaction to one of the medications that were being pushed through her. She was in the ICU for three weeks, and got well enough to go to a nursing home for rehab. She was there about two weeks. She ended up going to the hospital because of water retention and she couldn’t breathe.
She was released from the hospital after a few days still not feeling well. She was moved to another nursing home for insurance purposes and she wasn’t even there four hours before she was taken to the hospital again. She couldn’t breathe very well, kept gasping for air, and hyperventilating. The doctor there decided he needed to intubate her. She was there for almost a week before my brother and I had to make a grim decision as to pull her off the vent and let her die or send her to a long term care facility where eventually they will do a tracheotomy. We chose the tracheotomy.
She has been at this place for a week now. She can communicate to us through head nods, hand gestures, and note writing. She always wants to write notes when we see her. She is still a human being, she has feelings, she still cries, and can feel things. Why would someone want to pull her off the vent? Her brother and sister wanted her off the vent. They wanted her to die. She is still fighting for her life everyday and it is very sad. On a note she wrote she asked me, “why does this happen to me?” What do you say to that? I want to be with my mom everyday so she knows someone is there but financially I cant be and it kills me not being there. I know she would be there for me from sun up to sun down and in between. I love my mom and would give anything to switch places with her so she could be better. I would take her pain in a heartbeat. She is a fighter and I’m praying everyday that she will be able to come home. I love you mom and I would love to see you.
Jamie
Indiana
Submitted 06/21/2014
The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
This story is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
