Starting this on Wednesday, April 18th. After having her diagnosis of "Smoldering" or pre-multiple myeloma closely watched for over nine years, in November, Mom's lab work indicated that the time to start a treatment program of this cancer had arrived. In order to determine the best course, her oncologist ordered a pet scan which, unfortunately, revealed early stages of a lung cancer. Mom promptly began a 14 day radiation treatment for the lung cancer. Once that was finished, the treatment for the multiple myeloma began. and she was put on a pill form of chemo that she took for 21 days straight with seven days off. This regimen included a dose of pill form steroid once a week. She has just completed the second full cycle of treatment. The chemo regimen has been tough on her - weakness, light nausea, and heartburn have been pretty prevalent but she's been fierce in her commitment to hit this cancer as hard as she can. Now, with specific causes we can only guess at, Mom's health battle has become multi-faceted and because her family-and-friend-filled life is as well, this website will hopefully serve as a resource page for all who love her to find updates on her condition. So, let's begin at the most recent beginning -
While still struggling under the spell of chemo for the last few weeks, Mom woke very light headed on Thursday and while the world spun around her, she fell, hitting her head on the dresser, but no other injuries. She said she was fine, just dealing with a bit of vertigo, which she has had before.
Friday morning, the world spun for her again and she fell again when she was getting out of bed. This time she felt a pain in her back and felt that she'd twisted it. I came home for work and helped her in and out of bed throughout the day and we borrowed the neighbor's walker as she was still very unsteady and it hurt to sit and stand without it. Saturday was very tough for her. She had less energy than usual and I didn't feel (nor did she) that she could be left alone. Her back still hurt but didn't seem to be as bad.
Sunday was difficult as well, but she had more strength and could walk with the walker unassisted for the first time. However, by the time she went to bed, she was in excruciating pain whenever she tried to lay down, turn or sometimes even just breathe. After much discussion on Monday morning, Mom agreed to go to the hospital for her back, hoping for an xray and some pain meds. The doctor wanted to do the xray for her back pain and also ordered a ct scan of her head so that he could rule out a brain bleed from the first fall.
Part of her intake process included an ekg and blood work. It was at that time that they discovered a high level of a protein that the heart throws off when either (A) there has been a heart "episode" like a heart attack, or (B) a trauma to the heart, like a fall (or two!). These levels were much higher than when she was admitted in March, so were/are of concern to doctor. He admitted her to the hospital. She is not a candidate for an angiogram due to her age and the strain it would put on her kidneys, but they did do an ultrasound of her heart this afternoon.
The results of all of these tests are:
xray revealed a fractured rib. They say it's one of the most painful injuries. She is a tough old bird to have dealt with that for several days. She is on pain pills at this time and has an icy hot type wrap on it.
ct scan revealed no bleed or other concerns.
ultrasound results are not back yet.
Her oncologist came to see her that (Monday) afternoon - he's as shocked as mom is that the chemo treatment has beat her up so badly and says the heart is the new priority. No more chemo until we figure out what's going on with that. He had the hospital do the blood draws she was scheduled to have in his office tomorrow. We do have a regularly scheduled appointment with him on Friday.
So, Mom is at Burnsville Fairview Ridges Hospital in Room 320. The phone is a challenge for her to use at this time, so keep that in mind if you try to call her through the hospital and it doesn't work out. And her cell phone... well, let's put that on the way back burner for now! Her spirits are about a 6 out of 10, but she continues to be the ideal patient - doing exactly what she's told. Not sure how long she'll be in there but she thinks she heard them say a couple of days. I will let you know as new info comes.
So, dear family and friends, that is the beginning.
The arrangements have been made with Henry W. Anderson Mortuary, 14850 Garrett Avenue, Apple Valley, MN 55124. 952-432-2331. It is the same funeral home that Dad's service was at for those that we were blessed to have there as well.
There will be a visitation on Friday, April 27th from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the funeral home. The funeral will also be at Henry W. Anderson, beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 28th with a visitation beginning at 10 a.m. There will be a procession/motorcade to the cemetery after the service and then all are invited back to the funeral home for lunch.
All are invited to join us for any or all of this celebration of Mom's wonderful life.
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