Thanksgiving 2009

Happy Thanksgiving, and my apologies for not updating you sooner on Ed's MRI results!

My brother, B2, went with Ed to get his MRI results and following chemo treatment on Wednesday, November 18. It was not bad news...but we wished for better.

(Pic #1: Back - Courage, Mama, Ed. Front: SIL (son-in-law) and Arthur)

Ed's brain tumor has grown slightly. However, what little I can understand from the MRI report, the growth is very slight, there is a bit more swelling and fluid in the cavity left from the decreased tumor, but the cortex groove (the groove you see in pictures of the brain) is still grooved and is not effacing...or erasing...becoming 'ungrooved' if you will. In other words, yes, the tumor has grown ever so slightly, but he is still a miracle patient and Dr. Splichal approves of continued use of Irenotecan and Avastin. Of course, next chemo visit on December 2, I will be asking for clarification of this.

We thought maybe Ed had a kidney infection, but his urine test was clean. We thought this because when he had a seizure a day or two before his last doctor visit, he grabbed at his stomach and he's been weaker. Now, we are thinking he may have bruised a rib when he missed the bed and took a fall. B2 asked Dr. S to check him out, but he did so very briefly, therefore it is highly possible he did bruise a rib. B2 will see if Ed can see a general practitioner at the clinic where he gets his bi-weekly blood work done.

(Pic #2: Mama and Ed smooching.)

Ed is having another 'cycle' of debilitating weakness. I have discussed this with his neurologist who feels like the Lyrica does have side effects, but side effects that should lessen with time. Now I am inclined to believe the weakness is a result of on-going chemotherapy treatments. According to stuff I have read, long term chemotherapy can result in 'chemo-brain', a condition in which the patient feels like they are in a 'fog', are unable to concentrate or think straight, and has difficulty speaking or remembering a thought long enough to form the words. From what I have read from blogs and websites, these side effects will probably not subside until chemotherapy has been stopped and usually quite a long time after it has been stopped. So it looks like Ed will have to live with 'chemo-brain' until either, a) the tumor is gone or b) he decides he doesn't want to do this anymore. Right now, he chooses to continue chemo.

My Mom says they will purchase a lift chair soon. Ed is too weak to get himself out of his recliner alone anymore, and it is becoming more difficult for him to walk, even with the aid of his walker. The wheelchair came back out this week.

(Pic #3: B2 tries to get Ed to try a meatball...a half meatball to be precise!)

Me and my girls and son-in-law took Mama and Ed a Thanksgiving meal Thursday, and I am happy to report Ed ate heartily of most of the food I took. Most...but he pushed the mac-n-cheese and meatballs around on the plate. He's never been a fan of pasta, and not really crazy about meatballs or meatloaf. My brother attempted to get him taste a meatball, and he would have nothing to do with it! However, today he said he did finally try them later and thought they tasted pretty good.

Ed and his family have so many things to be thankful for this year. Even in the face of a terrible disease, there have been so many blessings. Ed came through brain surgery with flying colors, he did wonderful throughout radiation and two chemotherapy regimens, he was approved for several different low-income/non-health care covered programs, the life-long silence between he and his first son has been broken, he has kept a positive and winning attitude through-out, and his salvation has been assured and our family has gotten closer. We can either sit and cry and wring our hands in despair over the terrible thing that has happened to him, or we can celebrate his life and continue to help him live a purposeful life and go on with all our lives, though we be changed. Thankfully, we all choose the latter!

(Last pic...B2 with Mama and Ed...Happy Thanksgiving!)