Mom's OK

Today was mostly about Mom. She had a liver transplant in March, and like many who go through that, she needed a little tweaking. They wanted to put in a stint between her liver and bile duct to get better flow through there. It was an endoscopic procedure, going in through her mouth and working their way down. Everything was fine until they got into her pancreas. Apparently the route they took got a little too bloody, and they couldn't see with the camera, so instead of trying to force their way through and risk her bleeding more, they cut their losses. They left the stint in her pancreas (I guess that's OK), and they'll go in next week to finish the job. Mom wasn't too much worse for the wear afterward--the bleeding wasn't bad--just a bit sore and tired and hungry, but mostly unhappy that she'll have to do it all over again.

I dilly-dallied at home for most of the day. I crashed after the game Sunday, then got up at 4AM or so to take my meds and ended up staying up. My original plan was to see Mom off in the morning, take a shower, then go back to bed, keeping the phone close so I could answer. Too, I'd get up to let the dogs out as needed. I ended up messing around online and watching TV, and didn't go to bed until after noon. I didn't sleep well, either, worrying about Mom and just not being able to get comfortable. My back's bugging me again, which doesn't help.

I wanted my step-dad to call me to let me know when she was back to the recovery room so I would know that things went alright (or not). That didn't happen. Then they didn't let me know when they got home. They were unusually quiet and I didn't hear the dogs whining, either. I got up to take my medicine and to let the dogs out when I saw my mom. I got a quick overview of what went on from her, but few details because she was out of it when they explained it and still not quite with it when she was talking to me. Relieved, I went back to bed and slept a couple hours more.

Once I was up, I did my usual not much...more messing around online, chatting a bit, and just sitting here. I'd made tentative plans to see my lawyers on Tuesday, pending Mom's condition, but since they didn't tell me she was home in time, I have to wait until the morning (a couple of hours from now as I write this) to finalize those plans. It might be a rough day depending on when they can squeeze me in. I should have gone to bed awhile ago, but just didn't. I should have started getting my stuff together sooner, too, but, again, just didn't. Hopefully I'll get at least a couple hours sleep, and if I meet them in the afternoon, I should get a few more (assuming I actually sleep).

I'm shooting for 2 appointments--one with my SSI lawyer to get some of that figured out, and the other with medical malpractice folks to see about my options against those who missed the tumor on an MRI in 2003. The SSI appointment should go fairly easily. I already know what I want to get out of it. The malpractice consultation will be a little trickier because I'm not sure what questions they'll have for me. They've not decided to take my case yet, still seeing if they think it'll be worth it. And I'm not sure whether or not I want to proceed. I'm not a litigious person, and I'm not sure how differently things would have gone had they actually looked at the scans (see below--notice a big lump on one side, but not the other?), but knowing sooner could only have helped. Plus, I wouldn't have had to deal with everyone who said I was faking (and all who thought so are still assholes).

December 29, 2003...You have the benefit of a red circle. A trained eye shouldn't have needed it.

 

We'll see, I guess. I just keep my fingers crossed that I'm coherent and don't feel too horrible. It'll be a lot easier for me if my step-dad can drive. I'd rather not take the bus, but it's my only other option. The bus isn't too bad, but it's going to be hot again, plus I don't really have the money to spare. It'll add at least an hour to my commute, too, which isn't ideal.

I'll keep you posted. I don't expect anything earth-shattering today, but getting a step or two closer to getting things together (or just having a better feel for the situation, anyway) will be worthwhile progress. Plus, it'll be nice to get out of the house.

Take care, have a great day, and thanks for all of the well wishes for my mom :)!
-B