Well, Mama Marian proudly completed another round of bi-weekly Avastin today at Dana Farber. Dad took her to Boston this morning for her check-up, the usual blood letting routine, and Avastin infusion. They were able to go up in the morning and come back this evening, as Mom does not have another MRI for six weeks.
Dad said that that Dr. Wagle (Tail) and Dr. Drappatz are encouraged by Mom's regained strength and movement on the right side and Mama Marian informed me herself that she can tell they are very pleased with her progress. She and Dad met with Aunt Jenna and Brett after the appointments and had dinner in Sturbridge on the way home. They both sounded exhausted tonight, but are obviously getting this trip down to a fine science! I missed being there today so much, but received regular updates throughout the day.
Mama Marian continues to discuss her summer plans and upcoming visit to see her favorite daughter and grand-dog in DC soon. I hope to be back home again within the next couple of weeks as well to hang out with the rents, catch up on all the good food that is constantly coming into that house, and spend some quality pajama time with Mama Marian!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Twists and Turns...
These have been two fairly good weeks for Mama Marian. After the positive news about her tumor shrinkage and another Avastin treatment during the latest trip to Dana Farber Mom's movement and morale have improved quite a bit. She had another week or so with in-home PT, OT, and nursing but was recently discharged from home-based services because of her increased strength and associated level of independence. So, she is now responsible for keeping up with the many exercises, techniques, and strategies that have been taught to her on her own. These include the fabulous new bath set-up, the wheelchair wheelies I've been teaching her, and the "Ethel Walker" (yes, that's what she's named her walker) transfers from couch to standing, standing to chair, standing to bed, etc...
Mama Marian is now free from Decadron, the dreaded steroid/face plumper that she loathes so much. She maintains 2,000 mg of Keppra, an anti-seizure drug, though and there have been (fingers crossed) no seizures in several weeks. She complains of "chemo brain" and has difficulty lately with word finding. This, as one can imagine, is not easy for a journalism major and a fine conversationalist, I might add. And it's especially hard to hear when I'm 400 miles away. Therefore, I am so unbelievably grateful to the friends and family who have been able to drop by, check in, etc... with even a moment's notice (Ahem, May!)
I cannot believe that tomorrow is the fourth Avastin infusion at Dana Farber! Mama Marian "aka Grand-Mere" has been fortunate to have her favorite granddaughter, son, and daughter-in-law with her this week and they just may get a chance to meet her doctors for the first time tomorrow as well.
It's funny how much we crave what was, for so long, just normal in life. I have a voicemail on my phone that I keep listening to over and over again from Mom. A few months ago I would have sped through it, deleted it, and called her back. These past couple of days I've replayed it just to make me smile again, as it sounds like the Mom I've known for years; no hoarseness or exhaustion in her voice... just warmth, humor, and... well, normalcy. Whoever thought I'd do anything, anything at all, for things to just be normal again.
Mama Marian is now free from Decadron, the dreaded steroid/face plumper that she loathes so much. She maintains 2,000 mg of Keppra, an anti-seizure drug, though and there have been (fingers crossed) no seizures in several weeks. She complains of "chemo brain" and has difficulty lately with word finding. This, as one can imagine, is not easy for a journalism major and a fine conversationalist, I might add. And it's especially hard to hear when I'm 400 miles away. Therefore, I am so unbelievably grateful to the friends and family who have been able to drop by, check in, etc... with even a moment's notice (Ahem, May!)
I cannot believe that tomorrow is the fourth Avastin infusion at Dana Farber! Mama Marian "aka Grand-Mere" has been fortunate to have her favorite granddaughter, son, and daughter-in-law with her this week and they just may get a chance to meet her doctors for the first time tomorrow as well.
It's funny how much we crave what was, for so long, just normal in life. I have a voicemail on my phone that I keep listening to over and over again from Mom. A few months ago I would have sped through it, deleted it, and called her back. These past couple of days I've replayed it just to make me smile again, as it sounds like the Mom I've known for years; no hoarseness or exhaustion in her voice... just warmth, humor, and... well, normalcy. Whoever thought I'd do anything, anything at all, for things to just be normal again.
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