Mama Marian and Papa Jim are staying in Boston tonight at the Astra Zeneca Hope Lodge, one of the 18 American Cancer Society facilities that provide "free accommodations to cancer patients and their families whose best treatment options are far from home". This was the first time that they have been able to get into the Hope Lodge and are looking forward to having a relaxed two-night stay in Boston without having to worry about driving two hours there and back in traffic. Mama Marian ditched me earlier in the evening when her dinner arrived, as they called from a restaurant in Sturbridge, Massachussetts. They will meet with Dr. Drappatz and Dr. Wagle (Tail) tomorrow before the infusion and will have a chance to do some much-needed R&R afterward.
This has been a challenging week and I apologize for not updating the blog sooner. I'm actually in bed with Indiana curled up at my feet and am about ready to pass out, but thought I would get some news out beforehand. Mama Marian has been a little unsteady on her feet over the past several days and took a pretty hard fall yesterday afternoon. Thanks to Mom's home health care friend, Beth who comes during the week in the mornings, I knew that things were a little off so was able to call the next door neighbor and ask her to check in on her. Laura went right over to find Mama Marian tucked in bed sleeping. She was okay, but when she finally did wake up around 6pm, she called me and told me that she had taken a pretty bad fall earlier and was in some pain. She has apparently been pretty sore lately anyway (possibly a side effect of the Avastin?) but this was very scary because it took her about an hour to find a way to get herself to a standing position. I'd been calling all day and was so worried about her; she always calls in the early afternoon these days and always picks up after a few tries. I continue to be amazed and grateful to the people around us for being there to step in and help out. Laura was able to check in on Mom and get back to me and that was pretty awesome.
So, needless to say I spent some time today talking to the people at McLean who hooked me up with the people at Lifeline (yes, those would be the "I've fallen and I can't get up" people). Mama Marian will soon be outfitted with her very own pendant or bracelet with a magic button that will access one of two intercoms in the house if something like this happens in the future. I think it will be somewhat like having OnStar at home... minus the whole navigational thing.
Anyway, the docs will meet with Mama Marian tomorrow and try to figure out what is going on to make her so unsteady on her feet, what might be causing the achiness, and some significant decrease in her appetite as well.
And, after all of this, Mama Marian and Papa Jim get to come visit us on Friday! We will hopefully get to hang out with Sue Ellen, mom's high school friend around the corner, as well while they are here and will be spending Friday night on the lawn at Wolftrapp with Garrison Keillor! Thank you everyone for all you do and for all your thoughts and prayers and goodnight to Mama Marian and Papa Jim... :)
