One More Day

Mom is officially off all IV drips and monitors.  She is just getting medications through the NGT and she is eating very well now.  

Dr. Borbon took out Mom's surgical staples today.  She will be able to remove her bandages tomorrow morning and leave the scar exposed.  It is mostly healed already.

I spoke with mom's cancer doctor, Dr. Parra- who took over for Dr. Lopez, and he suggested we not delay mom's chemo treament because the cancer will repopulate mom's body if we wait too long. Waiting for Loma Linda to admit her when she arrives mid-February is not ideal.  We must stick to the chemo treatment schedule as closely as possible.  The operation already set her back 3 weeks.  We can not afford to lose any more time.  

She may not have chemo until 2-3 weeks after surgery.  This lands during the first week of February.  She will need 2-3 weeks to recover from chemo before she can fly to the states.  

I'm going to schedule mom a chemo appointment three weeks from the day Josep has to go back to the states.  If our main goal is to make sure Mom can go home with Josep on February 19th then I will schedule mom's chemo, even before Josep gets to Makati, to make sure she has enough recovery time to fly.  If we wait until Josep arrives, Mom may not have enough recovery time and may not get a clearance to fly.

Josep, this means you may not have to rent a hotel room in Makati.  Once I make the chemo appointment tomorrow morning, I will let you know for sure.  If mom has already had chemo before you arrive, you will go straight to Masinloc.  You can help her recover at home.  Also, dad said he will be the one to fly with mom in Business Class and that you may buy two round-trip tickets for yourselves in Economy Class.  You can work this out with dad if you don't like this plan.  The best way to reach him is through his cell phone.  

Medical Records for Loma Linda

I was able to collect almost all the paperwork necessary for Mom to transfer to Loma Linda.  The only thing I am waiting for are her oncology reports which should arrive by tomorrow morning.  Auntie Myra will be expressing mom's pathology slides to me, which I will forward to Loma Linda when the time comes.  

Preparations for Mom's Discharge

Israel and I went to the supermarket to buy mom two weeks worth of adult diapers, baby wipes, disposable gloves, disposable bed protectors and baby powder (mom's request) to make sure mom has no excuse to try to use the restroom upstairs.  I have talked to mom and dad about the importance of keeping mom from being left alone.  I have asked her to stay either laying down or sitting up until she is stronger.  

I will be visiting mom and dad for an hour or two before we depart for the airport tomorrow.  I will be reminding them of how to contact us through cell phone or iPad.  

It's been an amazing trip full of ups and down.  I can't wait to tell you all the stories we've collected during our stay.  The Philippines has grown on me.  I'll be looking forward to my next trip here when mom is healed and ready to come back.  

Until next time...

Hospital Surprise

Thanks to the generosity of Auntie Nelda and Uncle Resty's family, we were able to bring Auntie Norming to Makati Med to make a surprise visit to mom.  Uncle Resty's family rented us a car and hired a driver to pick us up from Makati (a 6 hour drive), drive us to Masinloc (another 6 hour drive), drive us back to Makati with Auntie (another 6 hour drive the next day), and then let Auntie Norming sleep in their home in Pamatawan (half way to Candelaria - 3 hours) and then brought her home to Candelaria (an additional 3 hour drive) the following morning.  Thank you Isaac Family for this amazing gift to my mom.

The two sisters were so happy to see each other.  It would've brought tears to your eyes seeing them console one another.  What a beautiful sight.  

Family History

We took a 24 hour trip to visit Uncle's Resty's home in Pamatawan and Mom and Dad's house in Masinloc.  Here are a few highlights.  We took tons of pictures but I will only post a few.

Jordan with Uncle Resty's Mom 

She is 95 years old.  She is Jordan's Great Grandma.

Jordan with Uncle Resty's Aunt

She is 88.  She is Jordan's Great Grand Aunt

Jordan with Uncle Resty's Aunt, Jordan's Great Grand Aunt

Me and Jordan with Mom's Sister, Auntie Norming, Jordan's Grand Aunt

When we get home, I'll share all the pictures via slideshow.

One Drip Left

I'm back!

Mom is doing better again today.  She is having regular bowel movements and she is down to one drip (Kabiven - nutrient supplement).  We are only awaiting clearance from one more doctor, Dr. Benitez.  He is the main doctor in charge of all the specialist doctors who have been tending to mom.  I anticipate her release to be some time this week.  I'll keep you updated day by day (while I'm here).  

I have one more full day in the Philippines.  Our flight leaves in two days.  I'll be taking care of Tricare billing tomorrow, getting the doctor to sign Josep's paperwork for her absence, and getting the medical records necessary for Loma Linda.  Wish me luck!

Discharge TBA

Mom is getting better each day.

Mom's catheter was removed today, which means her output is a healthy amount and they no longer feel the need to test and measure her urine each day.  

Mom is down to two IV drips, Kabiven (nutrient supplement) and PNSS (I don't know what that is).  Both IV's (in both her arms) were removed and mom only has her intrajugular line in place. 

The results for mom's CT scan came in.  She does not have cancer in her brain.  Everything looks normal.

Mom's discharge date is nearing.  The doctors are aggressively trying to prepare mom for release.  

So far mom's orthopedic surgeon says she is ready to be released.

Mom's endocrinologist (for diabetes) is ready to discharge her.

Mom's cardiologist says mom is ready to leave.  

The internal medicine doctor (for her previous infection) gave mom clearance to leave.  

We are just waiting for her oncologist and the dietician to make their final decisions for a discharge date.

The dietician wants mom to be able to consume the same amount of calories the Kabiven has been giving her intravenously.  When she can do this, they will remove the Kabiven drip and then the NGT (nasal gastric tube - feeding tube) and release mom from the hospital.  

Mom got a sponge bath today and was happy to be "fresco". She smelled like baby powder when I came in this morning.  

Dad, Uncle George and Israel went to the US Embassy today to see if Auntie Ne (whose real name is Princessita) can get an emergency VISA or a worker's VISA.  We have to get online and apply for her.  We're doing that tonight.  

Kuya Sharon's mother-in-law had a medical emergency in Quezon City and was not able take us to Zambales.  Israel, Jordan and I will be going to Pamatawan tomorrow to deliver a message to his nanay. We hope to be able to see mom and dad's place on the same day.  

The stress level here is lowering each day but mom's discharge date is presenting a new set of challenges.  I am thankful for family members who do whatever it takes for mom's sake.  Thank you, Kuya and Josep, for taking endless phone calls in the middle of the night and during work to problem solve with me.  You guys are the best! 

Signing off.

Zambales

I may be "off the grid" for the next two days. Kuya Sharon has offered to take us to Zambales in his car since he is already in town (in Makati) and going home today (to Zambales).  I have Mom's blessing to go.  She wants me to see her house. Dad also wants me to see his land.  We're leaving today at 2pm and coming back on a bus tomorrow.    Kuya Sharon wants to take us around for half a day.  I was hesitant to leave mom but since she had such a good day yesterday, I think she'll be fine.  Plus, if mom comes home to the states to live there permanently, I may never have a chance to see their place.  I'll take lots of pictures and post them when I get back.  I'll be seeing mom before we go today.  

Israel and Dad, and Uncle George are at the US Embassy right investigating whether or not we can bring Auntie Ne to the states.  I'll have an update about that when they get back.  

Josep, here is the link to the place we rented.  It is smaller than it looks but we are happy here.  It is half a block from the hospital.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1535773?checkin=02%2F01%2F2014&checkout=02%2F22%2F2014&s=5LIT

Good Day

Today was such a good day for mom.  

Five nurses came to put mom in a wheelchair.  Mom took a ride around the hospital for a good 20 minutes and came back to her room.  She was so happy!  I wish I had a picture to share with you.  I'll try to take one tomorrow of her daily ride.

Mom ate well and she got all her medications and supplements.  She loved her macaroni soup!

Overall, mom was awake, alert and happy.  This has been the best day so far.  

Double kisses for mom!