Sunday, October 24, 2010

Sorry for the delay. Mom was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon. She and Dad are back home with me in Kingwood for the time being. I can't remember what information I posted most recently, so some of this may be a repeat. Because of the continued seizure activity after the last dosage increase of anti-seizure medication, the doctors increased the dosage again. With that increased dose, she was still experiencing slight tremors that Dr. Torres still felt was seizure related activity, so he increased the dosage again before she was released from the hospital. Mom had surgery on Thursday evening to have her port removed due to the increased risk of keeping it after the MRSA infection. Because she will still need a central line for the antibiotics, they placed a pic line in her right arm. This allows us to continue to administer the medications at home for the next six weeks. The Infectious Disease (ID) team decided that the six-weeks of antibiotics would re-start when the port was removed. There was some disagreement between ID and Hematology/Oncology (HemOnc) as to the course of treatment and which condition (MRSA or brain tumor) should take priority. It would appear that HemOnc won as we will be re-starting chemotherapy mid November instead of December as ID would have liked. As it was explained to us, the tumor is progressing too quickly and aggressively to wait until December to resume treatment, so the MRSA will have to take a backseat to the tumor. I suppose there is some risk to taking the antibiotics during chemotherapy; however, the risks of not taking chemotherapy are far greater at this time.

I believe I told earlier that the most recent MRI showed that the tumor progression has began to put pressure on the left side of the brain, but I was mistaken and the tumor has progressed across the midline to the left side of the brain. This is more serious and may be what is causing the increase in seizure activity. Following this most recent episode, Mom is having difficulty using her left arm and hand. It is not as responsive as the right and she has an inability to control it, having to manually move it with the right hand, at times. We are hoping that with the medications and therapy, this will subside and she will regain the use of that hand. She is moving around a little slower and more cautiously than before, but with help she's been able to maneuver the stairs and move about the house. This means that it's going to be necessary to have someone here with her to help her to the bathroom and to be here in case she has another seizure. We have been so blessed with the people who have volunteered to help us out in this situation. Please know that it is an answer to prayer to have friends we know, love, and trust to help take care of Mom instead of relying upon a complete stranger.

Last Sunday at church we touched upon the story of Job. Sometimes I liken Mom's situation to Job's and am reminded that even in times of trouble and hardship, we need to remember to praise God. Even in the midst of this illness, God has showered our family with more blessings than can be counted. While there is still sadness and heartache, God is providing for us. Please continue to remember us in your prayers. Every time Mom crosses your mind, whisper a prayer for her.

10/20/10

It's nearly 10:00 on Wednesday night and we're spending another night here at the hospital. There was a chance we were going to get discharged today, but that's changed now. The MRI report came today and showed tumor growth that is pushing on the left side of her brain. They believe this is what is causing the seizures; however, they cannot resume the chemo treatments until she's finished the treatments for the MRSA. There must have been some confusion between departments because we were told today that because of the MRSA her port must be removed, regardless of whether or not it is currently holding the infection. She's tentatively scheduled for surgery tomorrow to get that taken care of and when it is out we can re-start the 6-week course of antibiotics. I do not know what sort of timeline we're looking at for discharge, so we'll probably be here a few more days.

Wednesday, October 20. 2010

This update is a couple days late, but we've had some long days and late nights. Monday evening around 5:00, Mom had another seizure. I was at practice, but Dad, Uncle Allen, MaryAnn, and Margaret were home with her. When I got home she was in the process of a second seizure. When she arrived at the hospital, she had a third. She has been under observation and has not had any more seizures since Monday evening. She's suffering from some left-sided weakness, especially in her arm and hand. The early bloodwork has come back normal, with only some slight deficiencies in potassium and magnesium. Her CT scan came back normal, with no changes from the one that was taken about a month ago, meaning that there is no tumor growth noted, and that a stroke can be ruled out. She had an MRI yesterday evening and we are still awaiting the results. The team of physicians just stopped by about 30 minutes ago and told that if the MRI was normal they were looking to send her home today. I think Mom is a little nervous about going home this early as she is having a difficult time controlling her left side.

As we get information and I can find the time to get it on here, I'll try to keep everyone updated. It appears that we're now unable to leave her alone at anytime, as a precaution of having another seizure. Please continue to remember us in your prayers.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Mom did get to come home yesterday. She had to take an antibiotic treatment at 7:00 p.m. and wasn't released from the hospital until after 9:00. She will be taking IV antibiotics twice a day for the next 6 weeks. The home health nurse came in today and taught Dad and I how to administer her medication and and maintain her port for the treatments. The current plan is to have her stay here at my house in Kingwood for the duration of the treatments, where I can run home and check on her from time to time throughout the day to make sure she's behaving.

I guess I should back up and explain what's gone on since the last post. We had to go back to the hospital on Thursday evening because the blood cultures that were taken at the hospital came back positive for MRSA. They began treatment Thursday evening. We initially thought that because the infection was located in and localized to her port, it would have to be removed. The report we received on Sunday showed that there was no longer an infection and as long as the cultures still grew no infection, she would get to come home on Monday.

Anyway, we're home and Mom's doing really well. Her sense of humor is gradually returning and she seems to be much happier to be home. If you'd like to send her a card, we're still picking up mail from home, but my address is 106 N. Price Street Kingwood, WV 26537. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and concern. Mom is a living testament to the miracles that God is performing every day!

10:00 am Friday, October 1, 2010

We got some good news from the doctor a little earlier this morning. I was able to ask some questions when she came in and get some clarification about what we're facing this time. On Wednesday before she was discharged, 4 blood samples were taken from 4 different locations. The sample from the port was the only sample that grew MRSA, which means that the infection is localized and that they caught it early. It most likely became infected at the most recent stay at the hospital. The MRSA sample was very weak, also indicating that it is in the early stages of infection. The antibiotics have been administered and will continue for 6-weeks. The doctor that placed the port will remove it and replace it with another to further prevent the spread of the infection. I think we'll be staying here throughout the weekend, I haven't heard any definitive timeframe, but the port will have to be surgically removed, and I doubt that will happen today.

I know that all your prayers are working! Mom has been resting and even amidst the scary news, we've been able to stay nestled in God's peace and trusting in His promises. He certainly doesn't give you more than you can handle and every little bit makes you stronger and stronger. I'm amazed at the strength He gives us at times when we think we don't have anything left.

I hope everyone is enjoying the Buckwheat Festival. Have a teddy bear sucker for me! Come out and support my boys tonight at 7:30 at Knights Stadium as we take on MHS. Justin and Allison are going to relieve me and take the afternoon shift. Continue to remember us all in your prayers.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Well, we had been home, but yesterday afternoon around 3:30 the hospital called and a culture they had taken grew MRSA, and they needed Mom to come back. So we hopped in the car and headed back here to the hospital. It's a little disappointing to be back; however, they're taking good care of Mom and providing care and medicine that we couldn't give her at home.

We've not received a lot of information since we've gotten here, but from what I've gathered, the culture they took was from the port and they believe it has the infection. MRSA is an antibiotic resistant bacterial infection that commonly lives in hospitals. We're not sure if it has been hanging out there in the port for a long time, or if it's just been recently infected. It's my understanding that they'll have to remove the port and possibly put in another one... I'm not sure. The course of treatment for MRSA is a 6-week dose of IV antibiotics. They began the antibiotics sometime last night after drawing several vials of blood for more cultures and testing. It's a little disappointing that they cannot access the port now, because the chemo has caused structural damage to the veins, making it extremely difficult for her to take and keep an IV. They had to try several times last night, and about 4:00 this morning she pulled it out. One nurse tried to get another line then and had to call another nurse to come in and try. By 6:30, they had the IV back in and we're now waiting for someone else to come in and start the drip again. It's been a long night and Mom's been up several times to use the bathroom and then trying to get comfortable. She seems to be resting pretty well right now. I'll keep posting information as I get it. I'll be here until I have to leave for our football game this evening.

I really appreciate all your calls, cards, emails, and messages. It lets all of us know that we're not going through any of this alone. Please continue to keep Mom and the rest of us as an interest in your prayers. God is performing miracles in our lives everyday!