Dad and Mom drove to Boston early this morning for Mama Marian's second Avastin infusion and for a follow-up appointment with Dr. Drappatz and Dr. Wagle. It was the first Dana Farber visit that I was unable to go to and this was more difficult than I would have thought. I had a dream last night that I met Mom and Dad at a gas station on the way to Boston. Mom walked up to me, sans walker, with a full head of curly hair and a smile on her face. She was better.
Dad filled me in throughout the day today while Mama Marian was in treatment, getting her blood drawn, etc... It was a hard day for Mom as they had a very difficult time getting the infusion started and, once it was started, the drip was far too slow so they had to start it over again. After already having her blood drawn earlier, I can't imagine this was an enjoyable experience.
Mom's blood pressure is apparently increased by the Avastin and the doctors are concerned about keeping it in check. It was 156/99 today at her check-up and so her doctors have prescribed her with Norvask and instructed Mom and Dad to buy a blood pressure cuff to keep it monitored. If it goes to 150/95 they were advised to contact the doctor.
Mom's strength has increased in her right arm and the doctors are hopeful that she is responding well to the new treatment. The MGMT results are not back from the lab yet, but it seems safe to say that the Temador has not worked thus far and will most likely just be discontinued. Dr. Drappatz urged Mama Marian to continue working on her PT exercises, even though she is so tired all of the time. So, if you stop by to say "hello", make sure you drill her on her regimen as well!
Dr. Drappatz presented Mama Marian with the results from the genetic testing done on the tissue taken from her tumor in November. They had sent the tissue to Arizona for testing and just recently received the results. In prognostic terms, the test revealed that the tumor is in the "intermediate" category for survival. Apparently, prognosis charts show this level to be equivalent to around two years, but Dr. Drappatz warned Mom and Dad that these results are very limited and often not too helpful. No matter what number we are given, time just never feels very comforting. It's never enough.
Mom was apparently exhausted today on the ride home from Boston. She waited outside the hospital in her wheelchair under the heat panels, but was shivering the entire ride home. She was in a lot of pain after the treatment, most likely due to the side effects of the infusion. Fortunately, there has not been much physical pain along the way, but she had terrible chest pains and a severe headache this afternoon/evening. Dad told me that he bundled her up and she finally fell asleep at some point on the way back and he had to carry her into the house. It was too exhausting to go up the stairs so Mom asked to sleep on the couch downstairs when they came in from the car.
I am going home on the 6th to stay for a week. I will be there for Mama Marian's MRI and fourth Dana Farber consult on the 9th. If I could be anywhere in the world, I would be home with her tonight, though. And with my dad to take care of the person who is taking such good care of Mom.
Thank you, everyone, for all that you do for my mom, for me, and for my entire family. It means more than you know to all of us.
