Things that are making you thankful - Page 3

Originally Posted by Douglas 

Baby girl A had Trisomy 18, aka Edwards Syndrome. Apparently most of these babies don't make it to term, and she never really had a chance. She died in her father's arms with her mother singing a lullaby. Funeral will be held later this week. May all of you (and your families) be healthy and well.

By far the most difficult aspect of this job is explaining to an 18 year old that things are not looking good and she will not likely survive her fight against brain cancer. I am unable to answer the "why me" and "what am I doing wrong".

It's always the same story isn't it. The young ones never have sustained response to the chemo. My 18 year old patient now has extensive LMD and she kept saying that she is trying to do everything right. Absolutely heartbreaking.

Originally Posted by acidboy 

my sister the oncologist wrote this on her fb page a few weeks back... she was also telling me about a lady in her early 20s and was married for only a year who was referred to her clinic in little rock after getting massive headaches, and scans showed her brain has so many tumors and she had to tell the young lady there's not much they can do for her except ease her pain. coincidentally I was drinking with a dear friend last night, a widower with an 8 and a 4 year old.. his wife would have been 37 next month if she didn't succumb to cancer.

Originally Posted by Douglas 

Well, we'll see if this thread is as successful as its siblings.


But today I learned that a friend of mine and his wife have had some terrible news. They were expecting sometime in the next month or two, but at a recent ultrasound they found water on the baby's brain and had to take it right away. Turns out there were myriad issues with this baby, springing from some not-yet-fully-understood chromosomal issues. The baby is missing a kidney, has numerous physical defects, has other major organ problems, and likely major brain damage and other impairment.


Now two days after the birth of their child, they have had it baptized and are going to have to unplug it from life support. Worse, the doctors think that while it is likely the baby will die quickly, it is possible it could live on for up to 18 months, in their estimation. So their ordeal may not be over quickly.


As a new parent, I remember the trepidations that surrounded the birth of my child, and the immense relief and joy when she was born healthy and happy. I simply cannot imagine the horror of having that day go so vastly wrong. I am thankful for all my blessings today.