Krista, I told my dad what you said, and here is his response: "I just read your note and it had some good ideas except mom is allergic to milk and ensure and those other products have milk product in them. She tried it the other time she lost a lot of weight and was extremely nauseated. We're trying thins like asparagus and oatmeal and jello. She can only eat a tiny bit at a time so we're working on it but there aren't many alternatives!!" Anyone have any other ideas?
Okay, here's the news. I am very sad right now! :cry: Please continue to pray! I am copying and pasting my dad's e-mail to my siblings and me: "We just got back from the doctor and he said that there is nothing he can do for mom. She had two thirds of her stomach taken out about thirty five years ago and now, having looked into it with a scope, he says there is hardly anything left but scar tissue and that doesn't absorb food very well. Mom is down to about 120 pounds and very little energy so there is no way she can make the trip to Florida for the cruise. All we can ask is that you each pray that it might be in Gods will to heal mom Or that our will be in concert with His will. Pray also that mom not be bothered with restless legs or nausea which are fairly constant companions at this point." Thanks for prayers, we'll have to see what can possibly be done now!
Just want to add that I too and wishing for the best possible outcome. I hope they figure something soon. Keeping you all in my thoughts.
OH SWEETIE! I'm so sorry. Praying for you, for her, for your family. Can they get a 2nd opinion? Man. Wish I were there to hug you.
Oh Deena, I am so sorry, too. Like krista said, I wish we were there to hug you and just be there for you. But know that we are still here....always. Praying for your mom, you, and all of your family at this time.
Deena, is your mother even allergic to yogurt and kefir? You might do some internet research on kefir and kombucha. There is also such a thing as micro-ionized vitamins and minerals which are so small they can even be absorbed through the skin, so I'm guessing your mother's stomach could probably absorb them too. This form is a little like colloidial minerals but even smaller. What can't be given in ionized form is protein, and she needs that, too, as well as good oils. There's got to be a way to get nourishment into her body. Don't give up! 'Praying for that miracle!
Thanks everyone! This is so strange to be in this position! One thing that makes it even more sad is that my sister worked VERY, VERY hard to pay for their cruise. It was a special thing she wanted to do for them. She got their e-mail yesterday---and took it personally. She's mad at them for not going, and mad at the world that she works so hard and nobody cares---they just cancel on her....Oh my! My sister says, "All they have to do is go sit on the deck, they don't have to do much of anything. Why can't they do that? Now I'm out the money I worked so hard for!" I sort of understand where she's coming from, cuz she really did work sooo hard! But they really wanted to go! If my mom's not getting nourishment from what she eats, and is losing weight and nauseated all the time.... It's hard to deal with both of those things now! It's times like these that I am glad I have God to turn to! What do people do that don't?!!!
Deena, I am so so sorry. I feel really bad for you. I wish I could offer more support than a post. Maybe your sister is just hurting and can't express it properly. Her reaction just doesn't sound...well...I don't know...I think she is just hurt. I understand she is out money...can she still go? Possibly get a refund for part of the trip??? When my mom and dad planned a trip to Europe it was clear that no refunds would be given. Well, my dad ended up loosing his job. We ccould no longer afford to go. So, my mom called and pleaded. The best they could do was apply the downpayment to two tickets instead of four...so the trip for 2 was paid. Me and my mom went. Anyway.....maybe she can call and see if anything can be done. You never know until you try. that is one thing I learned from my mom...try, try, and try...even when it seems it won't work. I have seen many things come out of that. So, have her try. Anyway...maybe you sister is a bit in denial how bad your mom is doing. I will pray for your sister also. I also hope your sister has not expressed this point of view to her mom and dad. Much love and many prayers to you, girl! I love you! Count on us here to pray for you until the stars fall!
I am praying, too, Deena. What a hard situation. I agree with Ava, I think she is just really disappointed. And I understand that completely. I just hope she will be able to see that it is ok to be disappointed about it, but that being angry will only hurt her and your parents. Having been on a cruise a time or two, I will tell you that if your mom is already feeling nauseated and not able to get good nourishment, a cruise won't help!! something you might mention to your sister. Has she been on a cruise before?
I'm praying that the cruise company will make a compromise, like Ava Rose suggested. I'm praying that your dear sis will listen to Leslie's "voice of experience" that a cruise is no fun when you're sick. I'm praying along with each of the others on here, too.
I can see how your sister must feel. Maybe she can find someone else to go. And yes as others mentioned see if the cruse company can do something about it, it's worth a try anyway.
My sis says it's non-transferable, so noone can go in their place. I'm thinking that a medical emergency would negate that, and that they'd be able to get at least a partial refund, don't you? My poor sis, she has a beautiful giving heart, and has been hurt a lot in her life. So I know how very disappointed she is! I hope too, though, that she doesn't share the anger with our parents, because that would just be harmful! I haven't gotten through to my parents yet, but hopefully will be able to soon. Leslie, my sister has been on many cruises. She was a "Cruise Counselor"---a travel agent dealing in cruises only, for awhile, so was able to go on some cruises for large discounts, because she was "working"---checking things out and writing up reports of how things were. My mom has never been on a cruise, so this was to be my parents once in a lifetime cruise event! Thanks again everyone for your prayers, I love you all!
I was thinking back to when my mom had her strokes. She had two in eight months to a year of each other. After both she could not swallow, drink, walk, talk, or hold her bladder. The doctors gave her this creamy, thick, clear stuff called Thickening or Thicken. The more you put in your food the thicker it gets. They did this because when she drank, it ran down to fast and would go down the wrong way. They also blended all her food and added a bit of this to make it go down smoothly. She said it helped keep it down better because it also settled in her stomach more evenly. I don't know if this will help being that their situations are different. She said it grossed her out to use it but because she couldn't swallow, she would choke if she didn't have it in her drink and food. It pretty much made the food slide down her throat and smooth out in her stomch since all her muscles, including stomach were having problems working. I am still praying. Patty
I am so sorry you are going through this with your mom. I know your sister is hurt but when I feel bad I just want to be at home. I don't think your mom would have a very good time going anywhere feeling so bad. I will be praying for her and your whole family as you each deal with this time in your mom's life. Beth
I talked with my sis on the phone and my dad. My sis is understanding how serious this is now. Still disappointed, but knowing that it's not another "spell" and excuse thing that they've done before. (Long story) My dad has resigned himself to the "fact" that she's not going to be around much longer. I told him we would get there as soon as we could (It's a 6 hour drive, approximately). Our vehicle needs a checkup and things done before we can go on a longer trip like that, though, so I made an appointment. They'll start it today and finish it tomorrow as soon as they can. My dad would like my dh to come along (levelheaded thinking for my dad, and support for me), but he's taking time off this summer already, so doesn't know if he can get any more time off. We'll probably leave tomorrow as soon as we can get our vehicle back. If dh goes along, we'll come back on Sunday. If not, then we'll stay as long as we're needed probably. My ds13 and dd10 are packing right now. They actually got their laundry out and are getting ready to do that---all on their own! They're great kids! We had to cancel ds13's and dd10's participation in the piano recital the teacher is having this Sunday afternoon. (I'm not sure how ready ds was anyway! :lol: ) So we've made some progress in info., and I'll be able to talk with people, see if ANYTHING else can be done, check on hospice care, etc. if I'm there, and be able to relieve my dad from doing constant care also. She's really not able to absorb anything because the scar tissue is so thick. It seems they'd have to do some kind of surgery or IV or shots or something that will absorb directly, instead of relying on her stomach to do that. She's very weak, and continuing to lose weight. But I hate to give up and not do anything, and just allow her to starve to death! Do any of you have questions I should ask her doctors? Or any other ideas?
