Don't know about you, but I have selective hearing, sooooo:
***CORRECTIONS***
The pill Mom was given initially is, in fact, a type of chemo.
The drip she will start on Thursday or Friday is, in fact, a chemo treatment.
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The oncologist hasn't been here yet today, but he came in again around 6:15 pm yesterday after he had already been here in the morning. Besides Lewis, Toni, and me, Rick and Cory were also here. The doctor spent time talking about what he's doing for Mom now, and the plan going forward. Medical processes are hard for me to understand (even when I take notes), so I'll do my best. One of her numbers (no idea which) started out at about 17, and is down around 1, which was the goal before they would start the drip. The doctor doesn't understand why Mom doesn't feel sick, doesn't look sick, and isn't in bed all day. The treatment right now is a pill she takes four of in the morning, and three at night. The drip treatment, obviously, will come through the IV. The side effects are different from those of other chemos. She won't lose her hair, for one. She said now she needs a hair cut. Generally, feeling ill is expected, and she'll be monitored by a cardiologist, as well. Rather than bringing her way far down in order to build her up, this treatment fixes as it goes. The doctor will make adjustments daily, depending on her blood work; she has blood drawn every morning around 4:30. This means she might feel crappy one day and good the next. He said it will be a hard and bumpy road. Sounds like the Canadian highway we traveled together in August.
Mom is so grateful for the visits and gifts and cards and texts and phone calls. She stays very busy all day. In fact, we made signs to hang on her door each time she leaves her room (on a walk, on the patio, in the family room), because nurses have had to track her down already. We call her a flight risk, so there's a sign for that, also. There are loads of clock-burning activities, snacks, and clothing accumulating. We've joked that we'll need a moving van to get all of the stuff we've brought out of here. Today, she's going through the many many pictures she has taken of quilts she's made through the years. She'll put them in photo books once they're in order. Toni's helping with that.
Please continue praying.
From Carol: Tom and I visited yesterday while Rick was there and saw the "Flight Risk" sign and she told us about the notes you made for them to know where to find her. She seems as awesome as always which makes us relieved and happy! (She was fussing over Lewis-they are the cutest). We noticed that as every nurse or hospital worker left they all checked in to tell her when they would be back again. They love her and we are grateful for that.
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