July 30, 2022 - Turbo Cancer: Day 49
She refused to allow the enemy to take away the light that was in her heart, or to take away the smile that was on her face.
On this day, last year, I changed tons of bandages.
From this day forward, I changed tons of bandages.
My mom’s body was producing an unbelievable amount of lymphatic fluid, and that fluid continued to spray, constantly, from The Blowhole.
One purpose of the lymphatic system is to bring white blood cells and killer-T cells to an infected area. These cells are designed to destroy and remove foreign objects such as bacteria, viruses or mutated cells.
My mom’s lymphatic system had gone haywire. It seemed that it was trying to send soldiers in to attack Lumpy. However, those soldiers were being diverted and shot out of The Blowhole.
For hygienic purposes, and social purposes, we had to keep The Blowhole covered. However, my mom had become a fluid-producing machine. The spray from The Blowhole soaked through multiple layers of gauze every hour.
It seemed, also, that lymphatic fluid had some acidic properties, because it was beginning to break down the skin surrounding my mom’s wound. Repeatedly removing and replacing tape was irritating my mom’s skin, as well.
My mom was fortunate to have herself. Having been a hospice nurse, she knew of products that were much gentler on delicate skin.
I still have a difficult time accepting the heartlessness of our medical system. Having worked as a nurse, my mom understood the importance of having good insurance. She had very good insurance. She had made sure of that.
My mom was tortured with turbo cancer for six months. For all of her tests, treatments and hospital stays, her insurance was charged over one million dollars.
Over a period of six months, the system made over one million dollars, as a result of my mom’s suffering. But they couldn’t provide tape that didn’t burn her skin?
They don’t care about us, at all. I think that is important to understand. It is important to remember.
My mom was fortunate. She was able to use her iPad to order items that were not provided for her. On Amazon, she found super absorbent gauze pads, skin barrier gel and paper tape. These products were expensive, but they eased her suffering, and were, therefore, necessary.
My mom was such a warrior. She was being attacked repeatedly from every side, but she kept pushing back. She used her knowledge and skills to care for her body, she used her friendships and relationships to care for her emotions and she used her faith to care for her spirit.
She refused to allow the enemy to take away the light that was in her heart or, to take away the smile that was on her face.
This is heartbreaking. She sounds like an awesome woman. I’m so sorry. 😥
After 10 years out of nursing I still feel like I have to apologize for the treatment your mom received. I am appalled (she probably was too) at what has become of our profession. I find your story compelling, it reminds me of going through it with my mom. There was no turbo cancer yet so she fought for three years. The system was indifferent then, but not yet cruel.