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On July 18th, Lourdes (Mary) was referred to the emergency room (St. Johns's) by her doctor because of left side weakness she had been experiencing for the few days prior. Her doctor wanted her to get a CAT Scan to check for a possible mild stroke. The scan showed no signs of a stroke but rather signs of tumors on her right side of her brain. She was then transferred to St. Joseph's in downtown St. Paul. MRI's were done and found multiple tumors, one on the brain stem. She was started on anti-seizure medication and steroids to reduce swelling in the brain. The steroids began to help the left side weakness. After looking at options of what can and cannot be treated, it was determined to begin treating what they can, including surgery followed by radiation and chemotherapy. On July 26, she had surgery to remove as much of the tumors as they could and had the tumors analyzed. She has been diagnosed with glioblastoma grade 4. She came home a few days after surgery and began home physical and occupational therapy at home. She began getting some of her strength back. Radiation and chemotherapy started on August 27. Just before radiation and chemo started, she slowly began getting weak again. Doctors think it could be because of the swelling on the brain and upped her steroids before starting on the radiation/chemo. She'd had about a week of radiation and chemo and her left side has weakened. As many who know, chemo gets both the bad cells and good cells. Also for the radiation to reach the target area, it needs to pass through the other neurons (brain cells) in its path, which could explain her weakness. The neurons need to create new paths.
She is still currently at home being helped by her husband, Eustolio. She relies heavily on her daughter, Lupita, who is a nurse herself who helps with appointments and medication prep and management. Her son, Luis, is of great support as well. She also has her mom in town, Carmen and sister, Crucita who has been tremendous help. Her sister-in-law, Pat, has been in town a few weeks to help and is expected to come back again to help.
One thing Lourdes (Mary) asks of everyone is to pray for her. She has a difficult journey ahead for her and prayer is one of the best thing we can do.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Español: Lourdes (Mary) se fue al hospital el 18 de julio por recomendación de su doctor por síntomas de estar débil de lado izquierdo para ver si había tenido un embolia cerebral. Resulta que descubrieron tumors de lado derecha del cerebro. Hicieron mas estudios para ver los tumors hay uno en el tallo cerebral. Le dieron esteroides para disminuir la infamación y mejor las fuerzas de lado izquierdo. El 26 de julio la operaron y quitaron lo que pudieron. Fue diagnosticado con glioblastoma grado 4. Se regreso a casa unos días después con terapias físicas en casa. El 27 de agosto empezó con la radiación y quimioterapia. Ganó fuerzas pero también se ha puesto mas débil. Puede ser por la infamación y también por los tratamientos de radiación y quimioterapia. La neurona (celular en el cerebro) necesita hacer nuevos conexiones.
Todavia esta en casa con a ayuda de su esposo, Eustolio. Depende mucho también de su hija, Lupita, quien es enfermera,y ayuda con sus citas y medicamentos. Su hijo, Luis, también la apoya mucho. También vinieron a estar con ella su mama, Carmen, y su hermana, Crucita, quien ha ayudado mucho también. Su cuñada, Pat estuvo un tiempo, y probablemente regrese en el futuro.
Lo que pide Lourdes (Mary) es que rezen por ella. Tiene un camino difícil y la oración es lo mejor que uno puede hacer.
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