THANK YOU💙

I have not been able to thank all the people who brought me meals or those who are still signed up, but I want to say to you all what a blessing it has been. The gift of your time and lovely dinners have made it easier for me and  Larry during this time. Please know how much we appreciate it!  Love, Judy

The News

Two months ago, when we started immunotherapy, the doctor told us it would take three or four months to know if it was working and that we shouldn’t get up or down from day to day.  She said there could be side affects and that Judy should try to just stay strong and weather them and think long term.  This proved to be impossible.  She has had many tough days since the last entry when she was in HealthSouth.  And a few good ones.  Because the downs have outnumbered the ups, Julia and I haven’t been so motivated to write.  Things are a little better now, but we still have a long way to go.

The second week (of what was supposed to be three) at HealthSouth was great.  She was getting three hours of therapy and eating three squares for the first time with the help of an appetite stimulator.  On a Wednesday, we were told that she could go to her appointment at M. D. Anderson but would have to come home for the night and check in the next day due to a Medicare rule.  Fine.  She was in pretty good shape.  The house wasn’t completely ready for her but we could do it.  The next day, they told us that when we left on Friday, we would have to go home for good because she had progressed so much that she had met all her goals and her coverage would end.  She was quite upset about this because she was really making a lot of progress from the hip replacement and in her strength due to exercise and diet.  The next day there was a mix-up at seven a. m. when I came to get her and she really got anxious.  We got through it but she was a mess for the next few days.

 The next week, she told the doctor she was experiencing a lot of shortness of breath.  He sent her to the emergency room where they discovered a blood clot in her lung.  She was really depressed when they told her she would have to give herself blood-thinning shots for two weeks and then take pills, perhaps for the rest of her life.  But she got used to that and got used to being home.  Her worries over diet continued because the clot necessitated stopping the appetite stimulator and she once again had trouble eating.  By that time she had gotten used to drinking protein drinks and managed to get enough nutrition to keep going.  We were doing pretty well with our routine of reading most of the day and watching TV at night, while going outside periodically.  Julia and Ryan continued to offer enormous support and many friends and extended family members came by to visit and bring food.  Naturally, I ate most of it, but it helped both of us.  She still has shortness of breath and some nausea, but her pain from the hip has subsided a bit and she has not vomited.  So, it could be worse and we have been able to count our blessings as our prayer army waged war all around us.  

Finally, on Wednesday, April 19, she got some good numbers from the doctor.  He kidney and liver functions were slightly better.  The tumor in her liver was significantly smaller (though still large), and her kidney tumor was slightly smaller.  In addition, she seemed to be retaining red blood cells a little better and had gained three pounds. 

In the large scheme of things, these are small improvements.  But for us, it was like the Hallelujah Chorus.  So much for not getting too high or low.  At the moment, she is out to lunch with a friend for the first time. 

Thanks to all of you who have been waging this war with us in your own way.  We still have a long way to go, but she is no longer limping and even laughing once in a while.  Life is better.  And when she gets over this, she’s getting an LG T-shirt and a new car!

Rehab

There was some concern about Judy’s artificial hip surgery with the complication of cancer because her bones would probably be weak, which they were, and her anemia could have made it difficult to stop the bleeding.  It wasn’t. So, we rolled the dice with that surgery instead of putting in screws.  This way, if she beats the cancer, she won’t have to take out the screws and put in the new hip.  After a week of recovery at Methodist Willowbrook, she was transferred to HealthSouth for physical therapy.  She has her own room there and the food service is much better.  Because she got there on Friday evening, the first two days were easy.  Not much PT.  Today is her first day of intense therapy, which includes occupational and physical.  They have her scheduled for three hours!

As each day goes by, she gets stronger, more lucid, and more hopeful.  One freaky thing that happened in this process — water-weight gain.  She checked into surgery tipping the scales at 100 pounds and afterward, for some reason (waiting on the doc’s explanation) she has gained 30 pounds.  It’s all in her tummy, hips, rump, and legs.  It is definitely not swelling from the surgery or an infection.  It is not red or hot and is in both of her legs.  They feel like over-filled water balloons.  After taking a diuretic, she had to make a lot of trips to the bathroom yesterday (Sunday).  I was really encouraged by her mobility as she had to go back and forth to the bathroom and was able to do it on her own power most of the time.  A long way from screaming out in pain when someone even touched her leg the day after surgery.  Seeing the progress, her spirits are better and we are both confident that she will overcome this setback and be able to resume her life at home as before, fighting the big “C”.

Chances are she will spend this week and possibly part of next week at HealthSouth.  Then she should come straight home.  The days are long because she’s either in bed or in a chair in one room.  Not many diversions.  Of course the PT may wear her out and she may be able to nap more, something she has not done much of after the second day.  The TV is dinky, but we don’t watch much TV anyway.  Julia brought the Echo machine over yesterday and I hope she will learn to use Alexa as it could provide lots of entertainment.  Of course she can read, but the weight of the KindleFire and the weakness of her eyes prevent long stretches.

Overall, I have gone from high anxiety to a sense of calm confidence.  Still, I haven’t forgotten that the longest and most difficult battle is still in process.  We are going to modify our house to make it easier for her to get around.  Life at home beats the hell out of hospitals and rehab centers.  I hope this experience will help her concentrate on every move when she gets home so she doesn’t fall again.

As always, your continuing prayers are much appreciated. -- Larry

Ready for Visitors

Hi everyone!

My mom is recovering well from her hip surgery at Methodist hospital. She has indicated that she is ready to have visitors. She tires easily so I would keep visits relatively short. She is going through physical therapy which wears her out and is on pain meds that make her groggy and a little sleepy. I am encouraged that she is ready for visits from her friends!

Anyone who plans to visit should read the situation as best as possible. She may feel like visiting for an hour or she may be tired after 20-30 minutes. Just try to determine how she feels. When in doubt ask her, "Are you getting tired or would you like me to stay a little longer?" She often needs little things done for her. So you might ask her, ''Is there anything I can do for you while I'm here?"

Details: Methodist Hospital Willowbrook - North Pavillion
18220 State Highway 249, Houston, TX 77070
Room: 7426

Recovery!

My mom made it out of surgery and has a nice new hip that is reinforced with concrete - European Style! She has a long road a head of her with physical therapy - then back to fighting cancer! We are so thankful for the prayers.

Hip Replacement Surgery

Hello All,

My mom is scheduled for a hip replacement surgery for tomorrow morning. There was some conversation about whether or not they would replace her hip or use screws. They decided the hip replacement was better. The screw procedure has a 50/50 shot of working. Prayers are appreciated. There are lots of risks involved with surgery like bleeding and heart strength. We feel comfortable with Dr. Le here at Methodist and are hoping for the best! Maybe when he opens her up the cancer will escape! Let's pray for that!

Prayers needed

Y'all pray for my mom. She took a hard fall today and broke her hip. She's in a lot of pain. They are putting a pin in tomorrow. Clearly she doesn't need to deal with this right now. Prayers are appreciated!

Surgery should start tomorrow morning. Please be in constant prayer.