Well, now we know.

[kyburg]

It's cancer. Mom has bladder cancer - and it looks like it might have already cost her the function in one kidney.

Surgery is scheduled for a week from today - I'm sure I'll get more information on how just invasive it's going to be, etc. as we get closer.

They're not sending her away from Hemet Valley Hospital, which is good on two fronts - 1) They don't see the need to refer because they don't have the staff there - they did transport her to San Bernardino back in 2000 when she needed the angioplasty, 2) She's with friends and old coworkers. She'll be treated like a Queen.

I'm reading as fast as I can, as much as I can.

It sounds like an adenocarcinoma - a papillary growth that has occluded one ureter, according to the ultrasound.

Mom has two of the high risk categories - 1) external beam radiation, and 2) early exposure to hair dye. I can't remember a time Mom didn't dye her hair - she only stopped in the past decade or so when it just didn't make sense any more.

And it has a high genetic component, but she's the first one I know of in the family.

I was looking at a couple of years more with Mom - five at the outside, ten would be a blessing.

But I didn't want to lose her in pieces. No, not in pieces.

She's okay - I'm okay - Sis is okay - Jim will be off next Tuesday and I'll take another day off.

Well enough I'm off tomorrow. *shakes head* I've just been in class for three hours where I've been drilled on just how I feel about a number of traumatic situations.

Now? Frankly, I'm pissed. I just hope it's not something that invades and takes over everything - please, let it be simple.

And it's something I'll need to be screened for, from now on as well.

*KICKS*

Comments

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Wow, early exposure to hair dye? That's fascinating to know about . . .

but at this point, all that can really be said is I'm sorry, and I really hope she can (with help) beat this thing. Cancer's nasty. It's been too big a part of my life, and I don't like to see it in others' lives.

so kyburg doesn't have to

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

Early hair dyes, particularly dark colors, increased the risk of cancer. I believe the cutoff point is around the mid sixties -- after that, the formulas changed, and there's no good correlation.

Re: so kyburg doesn't have to

[isolt.livejournal.com]

*phew*

I was thinking it meant "early in life," not "early in time," and I was feeling very screwed.

I've been dying my hair nigh continuously since I was 16.

Re: so kyburg doesn't have to

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

Oh, me too. Unless you're much older than me, then, you should be fine. These days there's only a vague and unconfirmed link between long-term use of permanent dark colors and any extra risk of cancer.

[joiseyguy.livejournal.com]

sorry. mortality sucks. there's so much we don't know about rotten things like cancer until it comes to visit. Hair dye?

so kyburg doesn't have to

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

Early hair dyes, particularly dark colors, increased the risk of cancer. I believe the cutoff point is around the mid sixties -- after that, the formulas changed, and there's no good correlation.

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear it.

Hopefully it will be simple and easy. And it's good that you're not too far away.

[elbales]

*hugs*

Sending a good thought...

[scarcrest.livejournal.com]

Hopefully it's been caught in time to spare the other kidney, as well as the obvious hoping it's been caught in time for remission.

[riverheart.livejournal.com]

I hope it goes completely into remission, or that they get it all and that she lives a long, happy, unimpaired life.

I have 1 1/4 kidneys. I have one really good kidney, and one kidney that's about 22%-25% functional. However, that impaired kidney is apparently enough to handle all my renal functions if something horrible were to happen to the good one - just barely, but enough. Or so I was told four years ago by the urologist/kidney specialist who took the large stones out of my less-functional kidney. (The other one doesn't form stones. Go figure.)

Even if your mother loses the entirety of one kidney, she should be able to live well with the remaining one. It's one of the body's most redundant systems.

We are amazing creatures, we humans.

[lilikoica.livejournal.com]

I will keep your mother in my prayers.

[ms-hecubus.livejournal.com]

{{HUGS}}}

I hope things get better with your mom very quickly!

[muimi07.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Positive thoughts to your mom and family for a quick recovery

[brynna.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[hobbitblue.livejournal.com]

*hugs* will keep you in my thoughts..

[elfwench.livejournal.com]

{{HUGS}} I'm sorry. I know there are no words... I wish I knew of something to do or say to make you feel better.

[pagawne.livejournal.com]

You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[wbahner.livejournal.com]

*hug*

Hugs

[kimberlyfdr.livejournal.com]

Nothing I can say will be enough, so hugs for you.

[oblomova.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear the news, Donna. I'm keeping good thoughts.

[littlesue1971.livejournal.com]

Best Wishes to you and your family.

[http://users.livejournal.com/ass_/]

Ack! I'm sorry to hear that. :/

Please keep us informed....

[tacohime.livejournal.com]

Oh, christ. I'm so sorry to hear about your mama. Please let me know if there's anything I can do for you in terms of prayer or support or even if you just need to take your mind off by looking at funny website links. You had such nice things to say to me the other day about my gramma, and I'd like to be able to do the same... perhaps not with as much eloquence, but at least give the good feeling.

[shadesong.livejournal.com]

Aiii... luck to her, and to you.

[dandelion-diva.livejournal.com]

Sending all of you lots of good thoughts and vibes.

Gessi

[nsingman.livejournal.com]

There are few things scarier than the "C" word. My father-in-law is a survivor (almost ten years, now). Our understanding of the disease's progress is better, and treatment options are more sophisticated and focused. I sincerely hope that this is something very manageable, and that your mother's treatment is successful, and as comfortable for her as possible.

[caitlin.livejournal.com]

Eeek.

Sorry to hear that!

*HUGS*

I'm hoping your mother pulls through this.

Wish I knew what else to say...

C.

[luscious-purple.livejournal.com]

*hugs to you and your mother*

[cecerose.livejournal.com]

My good thoughts and prayers go to your mother -- and to you...

[legolastn.livejournal.com]

My grandfather had bladder cancer a couple of years ago. They took out a large portion of his urinary tract.
A couple of weeks ago, they thought it had recurred and had metastasized. Turns out it [i]may[/i] be back, but is confined to the ureter. Thank goodness.
But, been there.

...Hugs, prayers, thoughts...

[sylvia-says.livejournal.com]

I know exactly the anxiety you're going through. I lived it myself when my own mother was diagnosed early in 1998. She'd been intermittently peeing blood for several years, and never caved in to our bullying to see a doctor, because it always stopped on its own. Finally, she caved in, because it interfered with her vacation in Florida. When I found out, I spent all night researching bladder cancer on the web, and killed an entire bottle of amaretto, on top of a bottle of merlot. I greeted the morning sober, but with one hell of a headache.

My mother wound up having her bladder surgically resected, and after that, she had a form of chemo in which a solution is infused into the bladder via catheter. There were no side effects. She's had cystoscopies twice a year since then, and so far, is cancer free.

Her urologist told her, incidentally, that the single biggest risk factor for bladder cancer is smoking. She and I have both quit on a regular basis since her diagnosis.

If you need to talk, e-mail me.

[lysana.livejournal.com]

Hugs and any kind of prayers/vibes/thoughts you and yours will accept.

[littleamerica.livejournal.com]

I'm really sorry to hear about your mother, but I appreciate your choosing to share it with us.

[eyelid.livejournal.com]

That's horrible. May G-d send healing your mother's way...

Chin Up

[bitpig.livejournal.com]

Don't despair. Cancers caught at the stage you describe are almost always fully treatable no matter what age the patient is. Things are going to be OK!

May Saint Anne, Patroness of Mothers, and her daughter the Blessed Virgin Mary take your prayers to the ear of Jesus. We'll keep you both in our prayers.

[reannon.livejournal.com]

Thoughts and prayers go with you. :(

Shite.

[silverkun.livejournal.com]

Shiteshiteshite.

I'm standing by, hon. You need it, I'll make sure that every effort is made to provide it.

Over the sofas we go.

Love to the lot of you.

-R

Re: Shite.

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

Don't forget - we'll be up this weekend.

Yeah. This weekend. *rolls eyes*

Re: Shite.

[silverkun.livejournal.com]

Suggestions? Desires? Wants?

-R

[unclejimbo.livejournal.com]

Alien vs Predator? ^^

Dead End?

[silverkun.livejournal.com]

Remind me to show you the Batman vs. Predator vs. Aliens movie.

I'm a go for it.

-R

[lackofgravitas.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry ... I know what you mean about the 'pieces' thing. I so hope the outcome's better than that.

*stuff crossed*

[arafel.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. What a terrible piece of news.

FWIW, my mother has had renal failure in one kidney for years and seems to be getting by on one. Hopefully, the your mother's other kidney is free and clear.

I'll hope and pray for the best next week.

[isolt.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. Good thoughts are going your way.

[tdj.livejournal.com]

Wishing for the best for her, you, and your family,

- T