Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group My Brother--HELP! Any insight?

Kickers,

My brother was taken to the Emergency Room yesterday after his chemo/radiation treatment for severe abdominal pain. He was vomiting incessantly. Nausea is typical in this treatment but his was SEVERE. The ER docs said it was his gall bladder. He drugged him and sent him home at 11pm.

At 4:30am this morning, he was back in the ER with the same symptoms. The docs now thought it was his appendix. They waited until 10am to treat him until his oncologist got to the hospital. It took nearly 12 freaking hours for the medical "geniuses" to figure out that he had an obstructed bowel. Mind you he has had two OB surgeries (at the same hospital) in the last 3 years where lengthy parts of his colon was removed.

The docs have put him on an IV ONLY diet in hopes that he can pass the obstruction. If not, they will do surgery in the morning.

Now, he is weak from the cancer treatment, in pain from the cancer and now is facing surgery. This is a surgery that could just mean removing a bad part of the colon or removing his WHOLE colon. Either way, with a compromised immune system, I am scared for each outcome. The removal of part of the colon means healing from the surgery in a seriously susceptible state in a particularly septic part of the body scares me. The propensity of a colectomy and the necessity of a future "open" wound in its aftermath petrifies me.

I am hoping that someone here has some words of wisdom and hope. I just can not see how this was missed for so many hours given the fact that his medical history is in the SAME hospital and the likelihood of dire outcomes of any of these scenarios.

I am furious at the freaking docs and scared that my brother and his family and ours will have to suffer for these mistakes.

Someone please tell me I am delusional and am overreacting!!!!

I am beside myself!!
Holly

Oh Holly...I am so so sorry to hear this news...
I wish I had some answers for you. My stepdad Robert battled melanoma and had Interferon as his treatment. He had nausea but mostly suffered from severe fatigue and big weight loss. He has had abdominal pain on and off for years after completing treatment and had his gallbladder removed about 2 yrs ago. In his case though he has his oncologist with a team that shoot right over to him the minute they find out he is in the ER. I am at a loss for words that they waited that long. That is horrible! Twelve hours...that is extremely upsetting to read that they didnt take extra steps to rule out any other possibilities.

Please know that your brother is in my prayers as well as you and all of your family. I pray for the best and hope for the best also... luv buggie

Hi! Dont feel dulusional or anything but sick of a loved one beeing screwed over. I know, my brother year ago oct. was told he had lung cancer and he knew it was going to kill him so he didnt want any treatment but a genius doctor told him with part of his lung removed he would live a long life. Didnt happen he was on life support for 2 and half months with constant staff infections because of not sanitary conditions. I know the cancer would have got him anyways but if they would have not treated him in the first place I think at least he would have had more quality of life until the end. Lord I know what your talkin about. When I think of it it still makes me mad. I am praying for your brother and you. Take care, Connie

Angie,

Thank you for your reply!! I am sitting here not knowing which way to turn. Your reply warmed my heart and calmed me. I don't feel so alone right now. Thank you!!

My brother's prognosis was not good to begin with but his medical history should have FLAGGED an oncologist or even a freaking ER doc!!! Any "bad" thing that the body intakes has to be disposed of in one bodily form or the other. Did they not think that his digestive tract was impaired when he had several ulcers and 2 OTHER obstructions in the last three years?

I am so hoping that tomorrow brings miraculous things for Greg!! I am praying that his body will resolve the blockage so that we can all focus on his revovery from cancer!!

Thanks for your prayers, Angie!! Greg needs them desperately as does his family and ours!!

Much love!
Holly

Connie,

I can see that you know what I am going through. Thank you for posting. It meant the world to me!

Thanks for your prayers!! We all need them right now!!

Take care!
Holly

Holly...
You have all of us to lean on...you are not alone luv. Red flags should have gone up and they just ignored them.

Robert had melanoma..internally. He had an ulcer. Then the melanoma tumor grew on top of it. They had specialists fly in from out of state because it is so rare. He had his stomach reconstructed from part of his intestine. I know cancer is most vicious and needs no other complications along with it. He's been healthy for 6 1/2 yrs now but he is due for a follow up this week and we still worry. Faith is what kept us going and we'll all be here for you as well....keep us posted... buggie

((Holly)) I am so sorry about your brother. I just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you and your family and hope that things are better soon.

Hugs and Blessings.
Possi

Holly,
I'm so sorry that your brother and your family is having to go through this. The chemo is bad enough without any added stresors.

You say he has had these blockages two other times. Were his symptoms the same then? If so, you would think that his doctor would have thought to check for this.

I don't want to be flippant, but I just finished watching an episode of "House" on TV. Have you ever seen that show? He's a Dr. and is always having to figure out what is wrong with someone, and of course their symptoms are always out of the ordinary. Maybe your hospital could use someone like him on their staff?

I'm sending good thoughts your way. Please tell your brother that we're all rooting for him. And, while all of this is going on, please be sure to take care of yourself too.

Oh honey I'm so sorry to hear what your brother Greg is going through. It's utterly heartbreaking to watch a family member in so much pain. I will be praying the IV will resolve the obstruction and he'll avoid having to endure the trauma of another surgery.

Everyday I am amazed that my mother somehow made it through everything she did... so have faith that Greg will somehow battle through whatever comes next. I can see why you are furious Holly. All you can do is try to channel all of that energy into whatever might help Greg the most right now. You are such a dear sister, he is lucky to have you there advocating for him!!

All my love to you Holly
mig

I'm so sorry to hear about your brother. He's going through an awful lot.
My heart and prayers go out to both of you.