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.