# Can I get some good thoughts/prayers for my mom? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 20, 2015, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231 "2015-02-20T23:59:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2015, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231/121 "2015-08-14T09:22:23Z")
Hopes & prayers that this works out for her! Are you on FMLA yet? If not, apply for it at your work. You might just be needing it. > [@Baker](#): > > Update: > > The bone marrow biopsy showed clear, but my mother’s oncologist said the cancer that had been on her spleen, those spots, was a nasty, sneaky form of lymphoma. He still recommends chemotherapy, and Mom has changed her mind and atl least decided to start it. > > Next Tuesday she will have a port put in her shoulder, to facilitate the chemo drugs. Then, Monday August 24, she will have her first round of chemotherapy. If she tolerates it there will be three more sessions following, at three week intervals. > > Instead of taking a week’s vacation this year I will take it one day at a time, so I can go with my mother to her treatments at the cancer center. So she will always have someone with her. > > Thanks for letting me work things out here. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Credible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a8b319/32.png) [@Justin\_Credible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Credible)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2015, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231/122 "2015-08-14T09:48:41Z")
Sending prayers your way. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2015, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231/123 "2015-08-14T10:20:11Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > Hopes & prayers that this works out for her! > > Are you on FMLA yet? If not, apply for it at your work. You might just be needing it. I don’t know what FMLA is. I don’t have any benefits though, except for vacation time each year. No sick pay or anything. ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2015, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231/124 "2015-08-14T14:38:59Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > I don’t know what FMLA is. I don’t have any benefits though, except for vacation time each year. No sick pay or anything. It’s Family Medical Leave. It’s unpaid leave that you can take for medical reasons. I took it when my husband was sick. Here is some information: [FMLA Frequently Asked Questions | U.S. Department of Labor](http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/fmla-faqs.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231/125 "2015-08-18T18:31:34Z")
I’m going to the hospital now. My sister called and there has been trouble with the insertion of the port in Mom’s shoulder. Her heart rate is elevated, meds aren’t bringing it down, and they are going to shock her. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231/126 "2015-08-18T18:41:55Z")
{{{ **Baker & family** }}} ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231/127 "2015-08-18T22:41:00Z")
Luck to her. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231/128 "2015-08-18T22:55:03Z")
I hope she’s ok. Hugs. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231/129 "2015-08-18T23:07:05Z")
G-d, Baker. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231/130 "2015-08-18T23:22:14Z")
Good thoughts to your mom and your family, **Baker**. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2015, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231/131 "2015-08-19T01:52:58Z")
Hoping for good news. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2015, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231/132 "2015-08-19T02:05:06Z")
They got the heart rythym back to normal. It was actually done by the time I got there. My sister said she was sedated beforehand too. The doctors don’t know why her heart began to flutter like that, it had been fine all morning. I’m just relieved she’s going to be at home tonight. Mom always feels better resting at home rather than the hospital. Thanks for the good will. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2015, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231/133 "2015-08-19T10:59:42Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > Thanks for the good will. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2015, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231/134 "2015-08-19T15:22:42Z")
No problem - glad to help as best vibes can. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231/135 "2015-08-21T03:37:55Z")
Offline for a few days…glad to be able to read a happy ending to a mini-crisis! ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2015, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231/136 "2015-08-24T02:56:57Z")
Tomorrow morning I take my mother in for her first chemotherapy treatment. I’m kind of scared. I’m told she won’t feel much of anything, but it’s the after that concerns me as well. I’ve heard of nausea, of hair loss, of an overall dragging feeling. I need to take some deep breaths so that no matter what happens I stay calm. When my dad was killed last year I got through it, in front of my mom, by visualizing dough rising out of a bowl, and me punching it back down. The dough was my feelings getting too overwhelming, and so I pressed it back down. Hey, I’m a baker, it worked then. I’m taking a couple books with me, as I’m told also we will be there for quite a while. Two very different books. One is a thriller I’ve been saving for this, a Clive Cussler novel. Brain candy. The other book is my copy of The Book of Common Prayer. Can’t get too different, can I?:o This is for the doctors and nurses and other techs. _Sanctify, O Lord, those whom you have called to the study and practice of the arts of healing, and to the prevention of disease and pain. Strengthen them by you life-giving Spirit, that by their ministries the health of the community may be promoted and your creation glorified;, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen._ ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2015, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231/137 "2015-08-24T06:12:08Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > Tomorrow morning I take my mother in for her first chemotherapy treatment. I’m kind of scared. I’m told she won’t feel much of anything, but it’s the after that concerns me as well. > > I’ve heard of nausea, of hair loss, of an overall dragging feeling. > > I need to take some deep breaths so that no matter what happens I stay calm. When my dad was killed last year I got through it, in front of my mom, by visualizing dough rising out of a bowl, and me punching it back down. The dough was my feelings getting too overwhelming, and so I pressed it back down. Hey, I’m a baker, it worked then. > > I’m taking a couple books with me, as I’m told also we will be there for quite a while. Two very different books. One is a thriller I’ve been saving for this, a Clive Cussler novel. Brain candy. The other book is my copy of The Book of Common Prayer. Can’t get too different, can I?:o > > This is for the doctors and nurses and other techs. > > _Sanctify, O Lord, those whom you have called to the study and practice of the arts of healing, and to the prevention of disease and pain. Strengthen them by you life-giving Spirit, that by their ministries the health of the community may be promoted and your creation glorified;, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen._ Amen. I forget what they gave my mother when she was on chemo but she was totally nausea-free. Do they have your Mom on any anti-nausea medication? Yes, you will want stuff to read & it might not hurt to have a tablet or laptop with you if possible. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2015, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231/138 "2015-08-24T11:52:32Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > Amen. > > I forget what they gave my mother when she was on chemo but she was totally nausea-free. Do they have your Mom on any anti-nausea medication? > > Yes, you will want stuff to read & it might not hurt to have a tablet or > laptop with you if possible. No meds I know of. I don’t own a laptop, s o once I leave, in about fifteen minutes, to pick up my mom, I won’t be back until later this evening. I’ll be at mom’s house when the treatment is over and she’s not online. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2015, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231/139 "2015-08-24T12:01:54Z")
Baker, the best wishes to you and your mom. I’ve been through scares like this before. Of course it’s no fun, but from reading this thread, it sounds like she’s doing great for all she’s been through. Stay as strong as you have been. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2015, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231/140 "2015-08-24T16:04:53Z")
Continuing best wishes, **Baker**. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-good-thoughts-prayers-for-my-mom/713231.md?page=8)