Numb3rs

Being the 4th of July, I imagined that we might not even get the opportunity to see one of Nancy's doctors today, but to my surprise we saw two of them, her surgeon and one of the oncologists in the group practice; both by 9:00 am this morning. The surgeon told us the CT scan didn't reveal much about the nature of the obstruction. However, he said there was significant tumor growth in the area of the obstruction and whether cancer was inside the intestine or just preventing the intestine from emptying, the cancer was the problem and the only way to relieve the obstruction was through surgery. However, he had already told us several days ago that didn't recommend surgery in her case because it is likely that due to the amount of cancer in the area, surgery wouldnt help either. If they opened her up and then had to close her, she would be going through all that trauma for nothing. In any case, Nancy had already decided that she didn't want to go through a surgery with only a small chance for success. One option eliminated.

The second doctor, the oncologist on call today, Dr. Abby, explained a little about the "numbers". He said if she goes home, even with the NG tube and equipment to decompress the intestine, she would be without IV fluids and unable to eat and drink. He said she would only last 4 or 5 days before passing away from dehydration. If she wants to keep IV fluids going, she could last several months, maybe more, but hospice won't work with her under those conditions. If she wants IV fluids, she would have to enter a nursing home for that treatment because the hospital would't keep her for just an NG tube and fluid replacement. So, just when Nancy thought she didn't have to make any more choices, she was handed the big one. After tears and some quiet time, she sent me home for a few hours so she could come to the point where she was ready to make that choice. This is one choice she has to make for herself. I am planning on going back to help support her in whatever she decides later in the afternoon. For now, I am going to do something physical (like cut the grass) to help me get ready for what is facing us.