So often I hear myself saying, "I don't know." I try very hard to be informed and to look up everything I may not know or understand about Heather's situation. However, even after asking questions and researching everything that I know to ask and research, I still say, "I don't know" too often for my liking.
We went to San Francisco for Heather's January 20 appointment. Because we did not think about bringing her January 5 MRI disc with us, Dr. Chang could not give us much information. Heather's brain was quite swollen then (January 5) and she went on her steroids, which did reduce the swelling a ton. But Dr. Chang could not see the comparison without the disc. She told us there was obviously "something there" that was not on the November MRI taken in San Francisco. But, knowing that Heather's brain swelling symptoms had diminished and her strength had returned to her left side, Dr. Chang felt comfortable that the steroids were working. But, the "something" was still there. So, upon our return to Omaha on Wednesday, we immediately "one-day" delivered the disc to UCSF Medical Center in hopes Dr. Chang would be able to present it to her Thursday morning tumor board meeting. Of course, our $60 "one-day" FedEx delivery wound up being a two-day delivery, so we have to wait until next Thursday.
Basically, Dr. Chang called and told us that she wants to see Heather the week of February 23 if the tumor board agrees the steroids are working and the "something" on the MR is from swelling. If the tumor board feels it might be something other than swelling, Dr. Chang will want to start another type of treatment before Heather's scheduled Temador treatment in two weeks. Heather also has some "leakage"; when I asked if that was normal and just part of the radiation, Dr. Chang said leakage is "nonspecific." I have tried to research this, but so far have not had much success. However, Dr. Chang reaffirmed that the swelling is from the radiation.
Because I see Heather almost daily and talk with her several times a day, I believe all is good. I refuse to think we have anything to worry about at this time; however, Heather is feeling a bit stressed right now. I think she believes if all was well, she would not have to return to San Francisco until the end of March. Because Dr. Chang wants to see her within a month, Heather is a little uncomfortable about it.
Heather's hair is beginning to grow in places, and only the top of her head remains hair-follicle free. I think she is excited about her hair starting to show some growth. She will, however, continue to shave her head as long as the top of her head is bald.
One somewhat funny situation: When Heather started her steroids, she started eating non-stop. We all knew the steroids would do that, but she was really eating a lot! She also had tons of energy, and needed little sleep, which is NOT normal for Heather. Well, come to find out, she was accidentally taking double dosage for 10 days! I think even though Heather was not happy with herself for making such a mistake, she was happy to know that she won't be uncontrollably eating as much.
As always, we continue our prayers and efforts in our fight against brain cancer! Please join the fight.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment