Kari’s Story

Site created on November 13, 2018

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your prayers, love, support and words of encouragement. 

Newest Update

Journal entry by Kari Booth

Last Friday I started feeling unusual and unable to explain what it was. (Now know it was swelling of my brain). I tried to hold off until my trip to Shands that was already scheduled for Monday. By Sunday morning I had a migraine headache and severe  nausea.  We went to the local hospital as directed by my oncologist. CT showed more swelling than the week before even on the steriods I had been taking since July 8th. I was released to go home and steriods given by IV and other meds for migraine and nausea.  Was home less than an hour when I started having seizures. Thank goodness I had called my brother and sister in law to come from Tampa to help out. I had three big seizures and too many to count small ones. Got back to local ER and had a big seizures in the car while Johnny was inside getting help. My brother and his wife were there to help and I am so grateful.  When we got me back immediately Johnny was given the suction tube to help me stop chocking but my jaw locked down on it and it broke my veneer bridge. He was able to get it out so it didnt go down my throat.  At that point they contacted Shands and made the decision to transport me by ambulance as I was not in life threatening condition. They took good care of me on my trip. I was pretty much sedated and do not remember much. At Shands they kept me on the EEG to monitor the brain activity to determine exactly where the seizures were coming from. I also lost complete feeling in my left hand, fingers and face. We know now that it is from pressure from the swelling. I am doing better with the seizures but my left hand, fingers and face are still numb and unable to control. I have "episodes of neuropathy" which are very uncomfortable. I got this! Medication has been adjusted and some more added to help. The meds in my immunotherapy are also going to help so we can start tapering off the high dose of steroids today. I have broke my phone in 4 places because I can not hold it well. I am looking at options for people with disabilities to help me with using my phone. We are also told that we will need to start looking into having my home handicap prepared. The only thing that we found is needed is my bathroom so this will be our next step for making sure I am safe in my own home. We do not look at these things as a decline but as being prepared. I want to continue to share this journey with everyone even in good and bad. We love you all and your love and support is what truly keeps my spirits up.
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