It's Mandy again. Just a quick entry to update you all on my mom. She was readmitted to the hospital (UCSD this time around) this afternoon with similar symptoms of speech loss (not finding words) and "black out" where she doesn't remember what happened for short periods of time. Fortunately when this occurred my parents were at a UCSD coumadin clinic having my mom's weekly blood evaluation.
The doctors ran a few tests this evening, none have showed any signs of new stroke. They will continue with more testing tomorrow to try and determine the cause and nature of what is happening. Hopefully they will have some answers and a treatment plan.
My mom is very tired but seems to be putting up with all the tests. She is hopeful that she will get some answers now that she is back in the hospital. My dad is amazing! He remains so incredibly strong and courageous through all of this. I can see how painful it is for him to watch her be so ill and frail, but I he is determined to get her on the road to recovery.
As always, I will try to update the blog whenever I have more news for you.
Love to you all,
Mandy
Friday, September 30, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Hard to remain strong
Hello all my dear friends and family.
I have gotten so many very positive responses to my newest setback. You are all so suppportive to my plight. I need to admit God and to you all that I am discouraged and need extra prayers to not become more anxious than needed. My family is so good and helpful. They are propping me up daily. Pray for Rick that he is not discouraged by my attitude at times.
Dear God, make my life one of faith and trust in you no matter what setbacks come my way. Keep me focused on your power and on the positive outcome of the majority of the tests that were done in the hospital. Thank you God for the many wonderful doctors that you put on my case and the concern and care that the showed me. Thanks also for the great nursing staff that cared for me.
Love, Kathy
"Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" Matthew 6:10
I have gotten so many very positive responses to my newest setback. You are all so suppportive to my plight. I need to admit God and to you all that I am discouraged and need extra prayers to not become more anxious than needed. My family is so good and helpful. They are propping me up daily. Pray for Rick that he is not discouraged by my attitude at times.
Dear God, make my life one of faith and trust in you no matter what setbacks come my way. Keep me focused on your power and on the positive outcome of the majority of the tests that were done in the hospital. Thank you God for the many wonderful doctors that you put on my case and the concern and care that the showed me. Thanks also for the great nursing staff that cared for me.
Love, Kathy
"Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" Matthew 6:10
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Slight Stroke
The doctors reviewed the test results and told us today that that my mom had a slight stroke. So far her speech has returned and there seem to be no other side effects resulting from the stroke. The doctors want to keep her in the hospital for another day or two to observe her. Since she is already on a blood thinning drug, they aren't sure what other medications they will need to give her to reduce her risk of having another stroke. So they will confer with her oncologist and get back to us. They don't know what caused this stroke, but we are glad that we have some explanation of what happened to her.
Mom has also been compaining of some discomfort in her abdomen so they plan to do an ultrasound this afternoon.
Thank you all for your continued prayers and concerns.
I will do my best to keep this blog updated as we know more.
Mandy
Mom has also been compaining of some discomfort in her abdomen so they plan to do an ultrasound this afternoon.
Thank you all for your continued prayers and concerns.
I will do my best to keep this blog updated as we know more.
Mandy
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Hospitalized again
Hi friends and family,
Its Mandy. Just wanted to give you an update on my mom. Yesterday (Monday) she was admitted to the hospital because she had several episodes with problems of putting together words/sentences, confusion, trouble walking/climbing stairs. The ER doctors ran several tests last night, thinking it may be an infection or mild stroke. But after a multitude of tests, they are still unsure of what caused the episodes. After a heavy dose of antibiotics, she is much, much better today, speaking clearly and walking fine. She is fully aware of where she is and what is happening to her. She seems to be back to "normal". But the doctors are still testing to determine the cause. She will likely be in the hospital for another day or two while the observe her and as we get the test results. She will miss her last scheduled radiation treatments, but hopefully not too much time will pass and she can return to them as soon as she is discharged so that she an finish them up as planned.
As soon as I know more I will update this blog.
If you have any questions you can call me at 760.613.1443 or email me at amandaselby@roadrunner.com.
Love to you all,
Mandy
Its Mandy. Just wanted to give you an update on my mom. Yesterday (Monday) she was admitted to the hospital because she had several episodes with problems of putting together words/sentences, confusion, trouble walking/climbing stairs. The ER doctors ran several tests last night, thinking it may be an infection or mild stroke. But after a multitude of tests, they are still unsure of what caused the episodes. After a heavy dose of antibiotics, she is much, much better today, speaking clearly and walking fine. She is fully aware of where she is and what is happening to her. She seems to be back to "normal". But the doctors are still testing to determine the cause. She will likely be in the hospital for another day or two while the observe her and as we get the test results. She will miss her last scheduled radiation treatments, but hopefully not too much time will pass and she can return to them as soon as she is discharged so that she an finish them up as planned.
As soon as I know more I will update this blog.
If you have any questions you can call me at 760.613.1443 or email me at amandaselby@roadrunner.com.
Love to you all,
Mandy
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Comming down to the wire
Hi,
Today was #7 of my last 8 radiation treatments. So Tomorrow is # 6 and so on. I will be complete on Thursday 22nd. That is the good news.... the bad news is that I have been having migraine like symptoms for the past 2 weeks. My radiation onclolgist Dr Rose had me have an MRI brain scan. The results were good. It showed no added concerns. Dr Rose prescribed Zoefran for the neausea. Seems to be helping. I see my primary physican Dr Tremain on Friday. She will prescribe the necessary migraine meds once she sees me. Guess they each have their own speciality and they try not to cross each others borders within reason.
Today was the coumadin clinic and once again my blood clotting numbers require decreasing my warfarin dosage once again. By the time they get the doseage right I will not have to take it anymore. I also had radiation and the best thing about that is the fact that my skin has been holding up well. The technicians are impressed because I am so fair skinned. I have been using a product called Lindi Skin which is an Aloe Vera patch that Joan Nolan gave me. So far it has worked miracles. I also use a lotion called Andra Sina emerald aloe relief lotion that the Radiologist recommended. I also us Aquaphor salve. It is a very heavy vasaline like salve. So ther you have it ...my recipe for taking care of radiation skin.
So even thought I am close to the wire I covet your prayers. Pray for Rick and I to remain strong through this last part of the treatment. I can hardly wait to have a clear calendar and be able to plan some fun things to do and be able to travel and see you all.
Love you all,
Kathy
"Taking him by the ritht hand, he helped him up, and and instantly the mans feet and ankles became strong." Acts 3:7
Thanks for the strength your prayers impart to me.
Today was #7 of my last 8 radiation treatments. So Tomorrow is # 6 and so on. I will be complete on Thursday 22nd. That is the good news.... the bad news is that I have been having migraine like symptoms for the past 2 weeks. My radiation onclolgist Dr Rose had me have an MRI brain scan. The results were good. It showed no added concerns. Dr Rose prescribed Zoefran for the neausea. Seems to be helping. I see my primary physican Dr Tremain on Friday. She will prescribe the necessary migraine meds once she sees me. Guess they each have their own speciality and they try not to cross each others borders within reason.
Today was the coumadin clinic and once again my blood clotting numbers require decreasing my warfarin dosage once again. By the time they get the doseage right I will not have to take it anymore. I also had radiation and the best thing about that is the fact that my skin has been holding up well. The technicians are impressed because I am so fair skinned. I have been using a product called Lindi Skin which is an Aloe Vera patch that Joan Nolan gave me. So far it has worked miracles. I also use a lotion called Andra Sina emerald aloe relief lotion that the Radiologist recommended. I also us Aquaphor salve. It is a very heavy vasaline like salve. So ther you have it ...my recipe for taking care of radiation skin.
So even thought I am close to the wire I covet your prayers. Pray for Rick and I to remain strong through this last part of the treatment. I can hardly wait to have a clear calendar and be able to plan some fun things to do and be able to travel and see you all.
Love you all,
Kathy
"Taking him by the ritht hand, he helped him up, and and instantly the mans feet and ankles became strong." Acts 3:7
Thanks for the strength your prayers impart to me.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Taking lots of naps
Hi,
I just completed my 4th week of radiation. So only 2 1/2 weeks to go. I have been getting more fatigued with each treatment. I take a nap each day and am early to bed and get at least 10 hours of sleep each night of sleep. It is kind of like the suggestions we got when we became new moms. Sleep when the baby sleeps. Guess that is still good advice. Helps the body to regenerate.
Today started out with neusea and a headache. Don't know why the neusea is showing up this late in the game. I took anti-neausea med and some tylonol. I had a 9:30am appointment to check my blood clotting factor at the La Jolla coumidin clinic. Again we are adjusting the dose of the meds as my blood is thinner than they want it to be. On the way home we stoped at the Japanese market and picked up a few things and also some sushi for lunch.
Our housekeeper was at the house when we returned and so I went over to my friend Barbara's house and took a nap so I would not disturb Bertha or her disturb me. Barbara was in Julian so we did not disturb her either and she is such a good friend that she delights in helping me any way she can.
Hope you all have great plans to do some relaxing on this long weekend. We are missing yet another fun thing that the family has going this weekend. Our sister-in -law Terry has retired from the school district after 30 plus years and her daughters are throwing her a retirement party. Too bad we could not go to that monumentous party.
I will try to update my blog more faithfully for all my faithful friends who open the blog first thing each morning, and are disappointed not to have any news posted. So... Michael you can go and feed Calvin the cat now that you have read this update. I wouldn't want him to loose any weight while you wait for me to post. LOL
As always I am in God's awesome grip.
Kathy
"I will lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in saftey."
Psalm 4:8 KJV
I just completed my 4th week of radiation. So only 2 1/2 weeks to go. I have been getting more fatigued with each treatment. I take a nap each day and am early to bed and get at least 10 hours of sleep each night of sleep. It is kind of like the suggestions we got when we became new moms. Sleep when the baby sleeps. Guess that is still good advice. Helps the body to regenerate.
Today started out with neusea and a headache. Don't know why the neusea is showing up this late in the game. I took anti-neausea med and some tylonol. I had a 9:30am appointment to check my blood clotting factor at the La Jolla coumidin clinic. Again we are adjusting the dose of the meds as my blood is thinner than they want it to be. On the way home we stoped at the Japanese market and picked up a few things and also some sushi for lunch.
Our housekeeper was at the house when we returned and so I went over to my friend Barbara's house and took a nap so I would not disturb Bertha or her disturb me. Barbara was in Julian so we did not disturb her either and she is such a good friend that she delights in helping me any way she can.
Hope you all have great plans to do some relaxing on this long weekend. We are missing yet another fun thing that the family has going this weekend. Our sister-in -law Terry has retired from the school district after 30 plus years and her daughters are throwing her a retirement party. Too bad we could not go to that monumentous party.
I will try to update my blog more faithfully for all my faithful friends who open the blog first thing each morning, and are disappointed not to have any news posted. So... Michael you can go and feed Calvin the cat now that you have read this update. I wouldn't want him to loose any weight while you wait for me to post. LOL
As always I am in God's awesome grip.
Kathy
"I will lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in saftey."
Psalm 4:8 KJV
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