Mom was discharged from the hospital yesterday with another long list of prescriptions and instructions, and with news about her tumor. She had an MRI Monday evening which has shown the tumor has grown and passed the brain's midline, and the tumor has bleeding inside it.
Due to the bleeding, mom doesn't qualify for Avastin, one of the 2 available treatments, as it would cause more bleeding. Due to her delicate condition, overall weakness and recurrent infections, she doesn't currently qualify for chemotherapy either, and that's the only other treatment for glioblastoma that exists.
Even if she did qualify, neither of these options will make the tumor go away, and both of these options would trigger significant side effects which would lessen Mom's quality of life. That's the bad news.
What do we do now? We can work on Mom's current quality of life, do our best to eliminate the infection, and help her build strength. If she regains strength and overall "health" then the 2 treatment options will be available. That's the good news.
At home, we are trying to find smiles in little things: mom's instinctive ability to twirl spaghetti noodles with a fork, her hands unbruised thanks to the talent of an excellent IV nurse, her laughter at my error throwing out 2 perfectly good bottles of coffee creamer. Mom is enjoying Dad's bacon for breakfast, it's so much better than hospital bacon. We've been home not even 18 hours and already we've had 2 nurses visit, and mom's caretaker showed up right on time this morning.
Not knowing what will happen is terribly stressful, I can't deny that, but knowing that Mom and Dad can be together in their home surrounded by helpful caregivers and family is comforting.
Thanks to everyone for your positive thoughts and prayers.
Due to the bleeding, mom doesn't qualify for Avastin, one of the 2 available treatments, as it would cause more bleeding. Due to her delicate condition, overall weakness and recurrent infections, she doesn't currently qualify for chemotherapy either, and that's the only other treatment for glioblastoma that exists.
Even if she did qualify, neither of these options will make the tumor go away, and both of these options would trigger significant side effects which would lessen Mom's quality of life. That's the bad news.
What do we do now? We can work on Mom's current quality of life, do our best to eliminate the infection, and help her build strength. If she regains strength and overall "health" then the 2 treatment options will be available. That's the good news.
At home, we are trying to find smiles in little things: mom's instinctive ability to twirl spaghetti noodles with a fork, her hands unbruised thanks to the talent of an excellent IV nurse, her laughter at my error throwing out 2 perfectly good bottles of coffee creamer. Mom is enjoying Dad's bacon for breakfast, it's so much better than hospital bacon. We've been home not even 18 hours and already we've had 2 nurses visit, and mom's caretaker showed up right on time this morning.
Not knowing what will happen is terribly stressful, I can't deny that, but knowing that Mom and Dad can be together in their home surrounded by helpful caregivers and family is comforting.
Thanks to everyone for your positive thoughts and prayers.
7 comments:
Home is where the heart is and love is a powerful healer. Plus there's the bacon. :)
Mary G. said it best!
Love to all of you!
The McDowells! <3
Again, Mamie and I are so glad we crossed paths with you guys. You ALL are in our prayers!
Continuing to think about and pray for all of you...
Thanks everyone. It's wonderful to know so many friends continue to pray and keep our mom in their hearts every day.
Beautiful Worrell family, as usual, your words and ways teach and sustain us all. Judy and her incredible legacy of patient, loving persistance with our "kiddos" was our guidepost through in-service last week, and into the new school year. How can we not strive for excellence and take joy in our profession with her amazing example in our hearts? The falcon family and the Bentz family love you like sizzlin bacon... we're poppin with its intensity.
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