Too Busy, Too Tired

I can't keep up with this blogging right now. If you have been following to keep up with my Mother's illness and care, you can email me and I'll update you.
mimiof48@hotmail.com

One Really Bad Week

After the blood transfusions on Monday, Mama's overall health went downhill. She has been put on oxygen at home because her oxygen levels were very low Tuesday when she saw her regular doctor. This shortness of breath, zero energy, weakness, no appetite went on all week. She spent more time in bed than out.

The doctor has determined that all this was a reaction to the injection she was given to boost white blood cell count, and he has switched her to something else. So far she seems to be tolerating that quite well.

It seems every day is the same as the one before - trip to the cancer center and/or the hospital for blood and/or platelet transfusion, followed by a long nap. She does seem to have more energy since that first drug was changed, but still has no stamina.

The journey is just beginning...count it all joy.

Not a Very Good Day

Today my mother was very weak and tired. At the cancer center, her blood counts were so low that she needed to go to the outpatient facility of the hospital to receive two units of blood and one of platelets. The time necessary for the blood transfusions to be given is more than seven hours! When I left the hospital today about 2 PM, she wasn't even close to being attached to the first unit of blood. And after she receives those, she will be given one unit of platelets, another two to three hours. She will definitely have a late night.

Treatment Started

Today completed the third day of the first 7-day cycle of IV treatments for my mother. Because this is only akin to chemotherapy, there are almost no side effects. She has been extremely tired and without energy, but we expected that. Because it is about 13 miles to the cancer center where she is being treated, this takes the biggest part of every morning, and she rests the remainder of the day. After the seventh day of IV's, there are 7 days of injections to help boost the health of her blood.

We will keep you informed of her progress and try to do so without being tedious. Thank you for praying for her.

BUT WAIT...THERE'S MORE!

Today Mother and I went to the cancer center and met with the doctor who will be treating her. He gave us very encouraging news.
*She does have myelodysplasia, and it's serious. BUT...
*It is not leukemia.
*It can be treated with drugs similar to chemo, but without the side effects.
WOO-HOO!
*This treatment will likely put her disease into remission.
*It will make her feel better, improve the health of her blood, and take stress off the heart.
*She does not need the care of Hospice at this point, but can continue with them for additional support. That is still to be decided.
*This is not a guarantee that she will recover. But it is a very promising outlook for improved health.

We are very happy with this doctor, who took at least 30 minutes with us, answering questions. He told her after he closed the door that until we had all the information we needed, she was his only patient. I like that. A lot.

We still rest in the unfailing love of the Father, and are so very grateful for what we learned today. Thank you for your prayers for our family.

Myelodysplasia

I had never heard this word, didn't know it is a blood disease, didn't know that it leads to leukemia. I know now.

Just over a week ago my mother was admitted to the hospital to prepare her for a heart valve replacement operation. However, her platelet count was low and needed to be improved in order for surgery to be done. Through a bone marrow test it was discovered that she has myelodysplasia. It is in the process of becoming leukemia, and has been doing so for probably about two years.

Yesterday I brought Mother home under hospice care because this is an incurable disease. She will not recover from it. But she will go into the presence of the Lord when it claims her life.

God's Word brings our family great comfort.

II Corinthians 5:1 "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands."

I Thessalonians 4:13 "Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope."

Our hope is in the faithfulness of the eternal God; in Jesus, who defeated death on the cross; in the Holy Spirit who sustains us.

He Knows My Name

You know how sometimes a song just gets stuck in your head? You can't get it out no matter what you do? Isn't it annoying when it's the obnoxious jingle for a commercial you hate, one of those that, when you see it come on the screen, you can't get to the Mute Button fast enough?
Or the extremely repetitive theme music for the ride in the amusement park, the one that plays approximately 72 times during a 4 minute ride (OK, I'm exaggerating just a bit.), where you want to get out of the little boat and swim to the exit. I'm not naming parks or rides, but you all know which one I mean, don't you?
This is not one of those songs. This is a song that has been in my mind the past two weeks as I've prayed for my friend and her family during the loss of their son. I have been reminded of the limitless love of God to me, beginning before I was born. To think that this God, Creator and Sustainer of the universe knows my name and loves me just blows my mind!
Be sure you turn off my playlist so you can hear this song. Hope you love it too.