Wow, Ad. You have so much on your plate... I really feel for you.
I wanted to comment on one of the topics you mentioned about your sister.
It must be really tough for you to be patient with her when you recognize her controlling behaviors (which she could easily be unaware of herself) when it come to your mom's cancer treatment. Perhaps it stems from a real fear and worry she feels re. your mom's health and her lack of knowledge re. chemo treatments in older folks.
I'll share my experience in hopes that perhaps it might help ease some her worries.
My dad is 87 and started chemo treatment for prostate cancer last summer. As a family, we also had divided opinions on whether he should go through it, given his age. Yet we all respected his decision to do it. He has completed 10 of 12 cycles. After the first two cycles, he became really weak (from severe and chronic diarreah) and other side effects, including bad nausea. As a result, he lost a ton of weight and ended up in the hospital for a few days.
It turned out his doses was too strong. Once the Dr. adjusted it, all side effects disappeared, he started eating, regained his weight and strength and is now leading his normal life. He had a scan last week and everything is clean. He now has only 2 cycles left, which he plans to complete just to be safe.
His Dr. had re-assured us from the get-go that chemo treatments have come a long way from the horror stories of side effects we used to hear and there are a lot more options in terms of how to deal with them. She turned out to be right.
I am so grateful that my dad's body withstood the treatments and he is clean today. Yet, regardless of the outcome, he ended up doing what he wanted and I know he appreciated our support, our respecting his decision and not letting our fears and worries about his health and well-being divide us as a family.
No matter what, it's a scary thing to go through, no question. Ad, I really hope things turn out well for your mom and your family.
(((((Ad)))))
Me & H: 44 D7, D6, S3 Together: 20y, M: 17y EA: 11/13/10, Sep: 12/23/10 EA becomes PA: Spring 2011 H filed for D: 09/06/12 D Negotiating began 2/15 OW seemingly gone on 3/15 Still negotiating D
