Need help working out the results.
Posted on: Fri, 27/06/2008 - 08:27
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Need help working out the results.
Hi,
My darling mum was diagnosed with bowel cancer a few weeks ago. She had a right hemi colectomy (excuse any spelling mistakes) around 14 days ago. The results are back. She said out of 27 she has 4 left. Does anyone know what that means? She is a retired nurse (not qualified but from all the years and experience could look after a ward full of patients single handed)so will know what it means but she tried to simplify it for me but I'm still lost.
On the 1 hand I am hoping that she is telling me the truth and that it hasn't spread but on the other my younger brother thinks she is hiding the truth from us as she knows what it will do to me.
She is starting chemo in 2 weeks time so I am going to visit her before it starts.
My heart is breaking.
Can you tell I'm stressed lol - I can't remember if it's left or right now.
Hi there sorry your Mum is having to go through all of this - and you! We arent supposed to offer advice really Claire - can I suggest that you ring up the cancerbackup team here? You will get expert advice for sure. I also think that you should say to your Mum that you didnt understand what she said and can you hear it again. I do not think she will be keeping anything from you - anyway make it clear to her that you need to understand the full picture. I am an ex nurse too - I think she may be referring to the amount of bowel she has left - or - the number of lymph nodes removed during surgery. But as I say we arent supposed to advise! I am sure she will expalin it all again when you visit her. Keep strong - I am sending love, Jools x
Hi there sorry your Mum is having to go through all of this - and you! We arent supposed to offer advice really Claire - can I suggest that you ring up the cancerbackup team here? You will get expert advice for sure. I also think that you should say to your Mum that you didnt understand what she said and can you hear it again. I do not think she will be keeping anything from you - anyway make it clear to her that you need to understand the full picture. I am an ex nurse too - I think she may be referring to the amount of bowel she has left - or - the number of lymph nodes removed during surgery. But as I say we arent supposed to advise! I am sure she will expalin it all again when you visit her. Keep strong - I am sending love, Jools x
Thanks SO much for the reply. I'm seeing her next week and speak to her everyday on the phone so will try to get some more info.
It's hit me like a brick to be honest, my big strong capable mum.
I am so sorry to hear about your darling Mum. I'm afraid that I don't understand either what your Mum was saying - this is a foreign country, isn't it, and we don't speak the language when we are suddenly thrown into it. I just wanted to say how very very sorry I am to hear your news. I want to wish you and your Mum the very best of treatment. It may be that your Mum does not feel ready to talk about this all just at this moment. As Julia says, you can always speak to someone from Cancerbackup, or even your Mum's own Cancer MacMillan nurse, or the one at your Mum's hospital, as they are there for the whole family, if you want more information at this very moment. All the very best xxx Penny (PS The Site is playing up a bit this morning and I am sorry if this message appears in duplicate as Julia's has done!)
Penny
((Penny)) ((jools))
hugs to you both.