CancerCompass message board discussion started by Love my Sister on 9/17/2004 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,1300,0.htm Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My younger sister has just been discharged from City of Hope hospital after a four month stay, most of it in ICU. She was diagnosed with AML and started treatment immediately. After chemotherapy, she developed an infection that almost cost her, her life. She had sepsis and was in a medically induced coma for almost a month. She is now in remission, but her life is very different from what it use to be just a few short months ago. She has suffered some reversible neurological damage and with continued therapy, she will continue to become stronger, more active and once again regain some autonomy. She currently lives in Bakersfield, suffering from depression due to all she has been through and her current dependancy on others. She is in a fragile state of mind and continues to take multiple medications at home. I am having a very difficult time trying to locate a female support group, or any support group for that matter in her hometown. If anyone has any information on any support groups please inform me. I live in the Los Angeles area but am desperately seeking support for her in Bakersfield. Love my Sister Fri, 17 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT I am a recent survivor of severe sepsis, like your sister, and spent most of a month, heavily sedated; and another 4-5 weeks in continued confusion and delirium. After acute renal failure, from the sepsis, and resulting dialysis treatments, my kidneys "kicked in" and began functioning. My right-hand fingers and all ten of my toes were amputated, die to gangrene from DIC. Further, I developed Purpura Fulminans on my legs (both, ankles to groin), and massive amounts of black, necrotic tissue were carved away -- almost to bone -- in order to save my life. After nearly six weeks in an ICU at a huge trauma center equipped to deal with the burn-like blistering of the Purpura Fulminans, I was sent to a rehab ward for another six weeks, where I learned to walk and care for myself. There were, throughout the course of hospitalization, lucid moments where I fully realized the probability of being "placed" in a long-term, if not lifetime, care facility. The realization of this likelihood was the most terrifying of the entire experience; skin harvesting from my back, for grafting onto my legs, was the most painful. Now, four months after discharge, I am left without feeling in my lower legs, and continual phantom pain in my toes -- which, of course, aren't even THERE. I've developed callouses, instead of skin, on the bottom of one foot; and the pain is, at times, excruciating. I can almost guarantee that your sister's greatest fear is loss of her independence. You don't say how old she is, but I am 60 and hell-bent on being better a year from now, than I am today. I own a horse and three dogs; there were two beloved old cats, but someone thoughtlessly "gave them away" while I was in the early stages of hospitalization. They escaped from the new owner on the first day and haven't been seen, since. That was eight months ago, and thinking of them nearly breaks my heart. To add to the drama, MY sister literally emptied my apartment, throwing out everything that I have ever owned in my lifetime. It was done in the name of "efficiency," without thought or caring. The best thing you can do for YOUR sister is to keep reminding her that she is making progress, will improve gradually, and that you -- like her -- are waiting patiently for the day when she will regain her independence. It will mean everything to her, to hear you SAY those words. Lord knows, MY sister touted "love." But, to me, she gave up hope from the get-go and provided no real hope to me, in the least. Motherofmajor Sun, 24 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT Hello, my father was diagnosed with brain cancer (glioblastoma) 3 weeks ago. He was operated by an excellent neurosurgeon in UCLA. The entire staff (medical and non-medical) was excellent. Such a difference from the average treatment we've received in Bakersfied I'm sad to say. In any event, my father's social worker gave me a list of support groups throughout California one which is located in Bakersfield. The support group is specific to brain tumor patients and their families but the facilitator may be able to give you and your sister some leads. Good luck! BrainTumor Support Group Health South Bakersfield Rehabilitation Hospital 5001 Commerce Drive Education Class Room Time: last Thursday of the month Contact Billie Sammons 661-872-6794 Ciriaco Tue, 15 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT