Sue Clark

Welcome to our CaringBridge website for Sue Clark. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you very much for visiting.

Sue was admitted to the ER on May 20th with what everyone thought was severe symptoms of depression stemming from the need to place Tom in a long-term care facility at the end of March. Fortunately, an MRI was ordered to rule out any neurological disorders. The scan showed a large glioblastoma tumor which was partially removed the next day. Sue had been experiencing many of the impairments commonly associated with a left frontal lobe tumor.

Sue spent a week in the ICU and then another week in the hospital, working hard with the therapists and earning herself a spot in acute rehab.  Her right side was left  weak with limited mobility. She also had developed challenges with expressive language. Another major challenge was the aboulia - or the lack of initiative or motivation to do many things like speaking and swallowing. At acute rehab Sue was able to stand and take a few steps with the aid of lifts and one therapist got her to try the piano. But progress soon stalled and she began to regress a bit. She was on steroids to reduce swelling in the brain but it was not working. A repeat MRI showed that the tumor had started growing again as well, The option to begin radiation was discussed but, since that would dramatically increase the swelling in the brain which already was not effectively controlled by steroids, her family decided to focus on comfort care and quality of life.

Sue is home now with hospice and home health care services, a steady steam of visitors, and a great view out her piano room window.