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Sunday, April 3rd, we received a text message from mom saying, “I’m fine but I am going to the Everett Clinic.” She had been having chest pain that weekend. At the clinic she learned she had a compound fracture on her T12. Due to irregularities in her blood (high levels of white blood cells and immature cells), Doctor Herd suggested she be directly admitted to the hospital to get on the fast track for a bone marrow biopsy. Mom was admitted to Providence Hospital in Everett and had a bone marrow biopsy the following morning.
While waiting for results she was able to be discharged and moved into Hannah's guest bedroom. During the week we learned she had a bladder infection and ear infection that she was able to take antibiotics for. On Tuesday, April 5th the Oncologist informed us that the white blood cells were cancer cells. The assumption was leukemia cells but Providence blood technicians were not 100% sure so they sent it to University of Washington for a second opinion.
The week progressed and mom’s appetite and activity level declined. Her ear infection caused vertigo. On Sunday morning, April 10th at 1:00am,mom fell while walking to the bathroom. The fall caused bruising on her right hand, right bicep and an open wound on her upper lip. Due to the low platelets in her blood (platelets cause coagulation and assist your body to stop bleeding), she was unable to stop bleeding. We returned to the Everett Clinic and she was hospitalized again due to the amount of blood loss and critically low sodium levels. Critically low sodium levels cause seizures so she was cared for in the ICU in Everett for the following days.
On Tuesday, April 12th, the doctor shared with our family the results of the second opinion of her bone marrow biopsy from UW. Dorcas has Acute Myeloid Leukemia and would need chemotherapy immediately. We promptly requested to have her moved to University of Washington to receive treatment and care from doctors with the most experience and knowledge in our area.
Thursday, April 14th, mom was transported to UW! Her spirits were lifted and she has received excellentcare from her team.
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