The consensus last Friday among her medical team was to indefinitely postpone the spine surgery mentioned last week in the blog. We got within about three hours of the procedure when it became clear there was no urgency any more. The pain had been dramatically reduced by the steroid medicine and the surgery can be done any time. There are risks, too, and not insignificant ones at that. We feel like the team is really working to minimize pain, maximize healing, and use the best possible treatment options in this emerging, evolving situation.
Gramma D is doing much better today on lots of fronts. She is able to eat well and the food here at Evergreen Hospital is really quite good. That is a big step forward and we are all pleased with her progress. She is stronger today than at any other time in the last two or so weeks.
Walking a bit has been a challenge, since there is a lot of pain in the low back, spine, and hips. She is able to walk short distances with a walker and is doing so regularly. Even with compression fractures in two vertebrae, she is determined to walk again and this is the start.
We still don't know what the tumors are but are expecting the biopsy results tomorrow or Thursday. Radiation treatment began yesterday and she is tolerating it pretty well. Some nausea has occurred, and that's not pleasant of course, but she is toughing it out. It seems to go away a few hours later, allowing her to eat.
When we get the biopsy report, we'll know a lot more about the treatment possibilities. The doctors started radiation right away since it could help and is less specific to the type of cancer involved.
Her spirits are really good: lots of hearty laughter now and plenty of good stories. We've had great conversations on every topic you can imagine. Family visitors have kept her company for many, many hours each day. Her outlook for the future is hopeful but circumspect. We all have to go on from this life sometime, she says, and wants to look ahead with excitement and anticipation. She's got a good outlook and is encouraging all of us to have the same.
We are bringing cards, letters, and email printouts for her as we visit. Please feel free to comment here - she loves hearing from all of her friends and family. Please send any cards, letters, flowers, etc. to Arden and Eva’s home and we will be sure to get them to her at the hospital. She is moved around so much it is difficult to send something to the hospital. Arden and Eva’s address is 35702 NE 80th ST Carnation, WA 98014.
Walking a bit has been a challenge, since there is a lot of pain in the low back, spine, and hips. She is able to walk short distances with a walker and is doing so regularly. Even with compression fractures in two vertebrae, she is determined to walk again and this is the start.
We still don't know what the tumors are but are expecting the biopsy results tomorrow or Thursday. Radiation treatment began yesterday and she is tolerating it pretty well. Some nausea has occurred, and that's not pleasant of course, but she is toughing it out. It seems to go away a few hours later, allowing her to eat.
When we get the biopsy report, we'll know a lot more about the treatment possibilities. The doctors started radiation right away since it could help and is less specific to the type of cancer involved.
Her spirits are really good: lots of hearty laughter now and plenty of good stories. We've had great conversations on every topic you can imagine. Family visitors have kept her company for many, many hours each day. Her outlook for the future is hopeful but circumspect. We all have to go on from this life sometime, she says, and wants to look ahead with excitement and anticipation. She's got a good outlook and is encouraging all of us to have the same.
We are bringing cards, letters, and email printouts for her as we visit. Please feel free to comment here - she loves hearing from all of her friends and family. Please send any cards, letters, flowers, etc. to Arden and Eva’s home and we will be sure to get them to her at the hospital. She is moved around so much it is difficult to send something to the hospital. Arden and Eva’s address is 35702 NE 80th ST Carnation, WA 98014.
Doyle wants to thank everyone for their faith, prayers, good wishes, and support. Her fond hope is to spend some more time on this good old earth with all the people she loves and cherishes.
Hope everything is going as well as the blog sounds :) Sorry I can't be there. I hope the snow is beautiful. Talk to you later!
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