posted
My dear grandmother, someone I love with all my heart, has been in the grips of a bad health crisis the past 2 weeks.
My grandmother is a survivor of breast cancer. shes been in remission for 9 years.
She was diagnosed two years ago with CLL. a chronic form of leukemia that people can live up to 10 years with
She did chemo and radiation and has been in remission for two years. she only needed one round of chemo/radiation
now....her recent problem....It started when she was about to eat a sandwhich two weeks ago. She said she felt VERY full. and a bit nauseaous. So she didnt eat the sandwhich
This continued on the next day. her stomach felt VERY BLOATED. So bloated that she couldnt even wear her bra. it looked visibly bloated and swollen. She was also burping alot.
So she went to the walk in. they diagnosed her with acid reflux. gave her antacid...
that didnt work. so after a few days of still feeling bad. she went to the emergency room.
There they realized her sodium was low. and they admited her into the hospital. They said she had a UTI. (according to blood work) She continued having stomach bloating. she tried to eat a litle but wasnt able to eat much
Her sodium continued to be low. they gave her IV'S to try stabilizing it. That didnt work. her blood pressure was getting very low. She started having a hard time breathing they put her in ICU. While in ICU her sodium continued to be low. her blood pressure was VERY LOW. they had to give her a special drug just to sustain it a little bit
She got out of the ICU 3 days later. She was taken off all IVs. Her blood pressure finally stablilized and is back to normal. Her sodium stabilized
BUT her stomach is STILL bloated and she still always feels full. She isnt throwing up at all and her stomach doesnt hurt. but she is having diarreah. she hasnt had a formed bowel movement in weeks. its just liquid fecal matter. She hardly eats and is not being given a multi vitamin of any kind in the hospital. recent blood tests showed shes anemic. so she got a blood transfusion.
During a CT scan of her abdomen they saw a mass above her kidney. They did a biopsy. according to the general doctor....it came back positive for lymphoma
The general doctor said her body is too weak for chemo/radiation
I dont know what to think at this point. Her oncologist (cancer specialist) is going to be meeting with her in the hospital tomorrow
Theres alot of stuff going on here. any light shed would be greatly appreciatd
In regards to her stomach....I think perhaps food intolerances are at play... She never had food intolerances before but...just like ive learnt from this forum....people can get ANYTHING at ANY point in their life.
Posts: 995 | From somewhere out there | Registered: Oct 2010
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posted
I don't know very much about treating lymphoma, but is it possible they could treat her lightly instead of heavily with the treatment stuff?
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
Is your grandmother's abdomen bloated because of excess fluid?
You can ask her doctor to evaluate her for this. Acites is a symptom that indicates a severe medical problem. The fluid can be drained, for patient comfort.
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I just saw a film about GMO foods causing bloating and all kinds of food allergies. While she likely has some medical issues, it may be best for her to eat only organic and NON-GMO foods right now.
Within 3 days to 3 weeks, she could see improvement just in that change. A must-see film All 83 minutes of it.
Excitotoxins; MSG; Aspartame; & "Natural" Flavors -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- If there is anyway family and friends can take her ALL her food to her in the hospital, it could help quite a bit. But, it would have to be food that is free of all additives.
I strongly believe that every hospital patient deserves at least that but few have the opportunity.
If you do take her meals, be sure she is not ordering NOR billed for them. For the price she is being billed for hospital rubber factory chicken and green jell-o, should could ordered food catered from a specialty deli.
GREEN TEA might also be very helpful. TWIG TEA (Kukicha Green Tea) is low in caffeine and has some wonderful properties. It has a wonderful aroma and fabulous taste. With some honey, a real treat.
Take her a real mug, though. No plastics should be used with hot liquid.
Good food and drink may not be the total answer, of course, but it can go a very long way in support of her body and mood. Without it, all else does not have as much of a chance. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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dbpei
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33574
posted
Hopefully, your grandmother's oncologist will be able to assess her properly and get the right treatment going for her. Sending prayers your way.
Posts: 2386 | From New England | Registered: Aug 2011
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