Mom (Bette Jackson) - A journey begins? 9/15/2017

The alleged lymphoma.

That's what we're calling it for now.  Mom's hospital oncologist says we do not diagnose based on the radiology report. We look for the pathologist's report.

Based on a CAT scan today, Mom has multiple enlarged lymph nodes: arm pit, mid-torso, abdomen, groin areas. It does NOT appear to be a recurrence of the "easy" colon cancer she had several years ago, which would show up differently.

So now the task is to determine which of the many kinds of (alleged) lymphoma she's facing. But let me just relay her words, "Let's kick it."

The oncologist's preference is to have a surgeon remove a node from under the armpit. Yes it is a surgery but he is looking at this as being the better diagnostic over a needle biopsy, to get a better sample.  First she has to get clearances from cardiology.  Now that it's the weekend, we're also looking at Monday at the earliest (in my words, to get the "A Team" back in the building). I am very okay with a few more days to get the stress on her kidneys down to an even better level.

I was satisfied with Dr. Scott.   He may have already spent more face time with Mom than Mike got with Dr. Bud Pierce during Mike's entire treatment time.

BACKGROUND
Mom had shingles in May and just never seemed to get her strength back. By mid-August she hit a low when she fell (no injury) and did not have the strength to get herself up.  August 26 I took her to the emergency room for severe weakness, confusion, loss of appetite, thirst, plus the beginnings of some odd Neuro issues (slight tremor, couldn't hold her phone, couldn't hit the correct buttons). They rehydrated her for a couple of days and sent her home. The following weekend was Labor Day Weekend and we repeated another two-night stay. Ten days later the doctor didn't like the follow-up blood work so ordered her to admit to the hospital again through ER. So she is on her third night's stay as I type. 

There are a few more details, but not important to repeat here.  

UPDATE PLAN
I will post updates here.  Feel free to call/text/email if you have questions (no calls after 9pm or before 7am please). I may post the answer in this blog, as other people may have the same question. 

The last time I used the blog it seems the "comments" section wasn't working. I'll see if I can fix that, but not a big priority right now, sorry.