Yesterday was a relief, to say the least. Mom started taking the Decadron (steroid) three times per day instead of two and this has made all the difference. Of course, reading about this through message boards, etc... you learn a lot AFTER the fact and apparently this is a fairly common issue among GBM patients. Steroid dependence is tricky with cancer treatment and premature withdrawal can be excruciatingly difficult.
So, Mama Marian was in rare form last night, as I have not seen her in months. Of course, I left this morning to come back to Virginia! However, Jeff came in late last night from South Carolina and is spending the weekend. McLean Home Health came today to assess mom and have referred her back to physical therapy. It looks like she won't need someone around the clock as it appeared just yesterday morning! And such is the roller coaster that everyone tells us about...
Hopefully, there will be no more seizures since the Keppra was increased and the swelling in her brain from the surgery and treatments is under control. Of course, the side effects are less than desirable. Exhaustion, hair loss, facial and midline swelling, and water retention are all suddenly very relative, however. Having Mama Marian back, shouting demands for white wine and "brakes" on her walker are an absolute delight!
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