This morning I took Mom to Holy Redeemer to see the radiation oncologist. After reviewing the various test results (CT scans, PET scan) he suggested a treatment regimen consisting of 20 'conventional' radiation treatments over four weeks. The treatments would be daily and take about 10-15 minutes each. We had hope that she would be a candidate for a newer technology called Cyberknife or Gammaknife which are also radiation treatments but are delivered by multiple highly focused beams. The advantage is that it can be accomplished in 3-4 visits over two weeks. Unfortunately the tumor is too close to some major blood vessels and there is risk of damaging the vessels with this type of radiation. The doctor feels that due to the size and location of the tumor she will likely not have severe side effects from the 'conventional' radiation.
The proposed treatment is the least toxic and lowest risk of those we've explored. We will discuss all of this with Mom and hopefully come to the right decision for her.
The cardiac procedure (ablation) to correct the rhythm problem is scheduled for Oct. 19. She will be in the hospital overnight following the procedure. The radiation could possibly start the following week.
Mom seems to be adjusting to her new environment. The staff reports that she is interacting more with some of the other residents. There are a few that are functioning on a higher level cognitively. We are hoping that she can be placed in an assisted living section that has exit monitors so that she'll have a little more independence and more interaction with folks on a similar functioning level. We've had her out to dinner a couple of times and gone for several walks around the grounds at Southampton. She enjoys being outside but complains that the trees and bushes along the walking don't have identification tags. She must think she's at an arboretum (it does look like one)! We're still in a holding pattern on the phone in her room. As soon as we know something we'll share it here.
All of us have really had our hands full cleaning out two apartments, packing, moving, storing and cleaning all while spending time with Mom, going to the doctor, meeting with the staff at Southampton and squeezing in our own day to day stuff. The time spent on the phone with each other, doctors' offices, concerned friends and family and countless others is staggering. We hope that this forum helps to keep all of you informed. We apologize for not always returning calls or spending the time on the phone that we might like to under different circumstances.
Thanks for checking in and for all of your support. It really means a lot to all of us. Don't forget the 'comments' section under each post. You're welcome to post questions (or comments) and I check it regularly. Email also works well (click 'view my complete profile' under 'About Me')
Good night.
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Hi everyone!
ReplyDeleteThanks Uncle Dan for another update. It sounds like the doc was pretty thorough during the visit as far as explaining things. That's always helpful when circumstances are difficult.
While everyone is certainly entitled to bummed out/tired days (I have my share for sure), I wanted to share my experience with Mom Mom during my visit on Sunday. When we visited that afternoon, Mom Mom was pretty tired (she had dozed in the chair but woke up when my sibs, parents and I walked in the room and greeted her). She visited and was pleasant, but rapidly shot us down when we suggested going outside and taking a walk. It was such a nice day and knew she almost always liked getting fresh air. We tried to bring it up again later and she remained disinterested. Dad mentioned that Aunt Coleen was coming later to take Mom Mom to dinner and she was ok with that but didn't seem enthusiastic about the pending outing.
We talked about her new environment, the activities, and everyone there etc. Mom Mom said she didn't care to get involved with the things going on around there and that there were some people there she wanted to avoid. Now I'm not trying to be a Debbie Downer... we had some laughs and had good conversation about days gone by and looking at photos. We talked about what's going on in our lives now and she was engaged with that conversation (Mom Mom loves hearing that Christina and the baby on the way are doing well).
I just wanted to throw my perception of Mom Mom during my most recent visit out there. Because we can no longer rely on Mom Mom to share with us accurate information about her day to day moods, her activities, etc I know we need to rely on each other to share our experiences with one another in an attempt to see the whole picture. As we communicate our observations, we may be able to identify patterns in behaviors and moods that may correlate with her physical health or be helpful in recognizing any advancement of the AD, etc.
Thanks for providing the medium for me convey my thoughts!
Thanks Dan... alot of information...With 20 visits in 4 weeks are you in need of help for them... I can't imagine that you can take her to all...Let me know, although Pat has no time due to his hospitalization earlier this year, I have a bit of time where I can help out if need be... let me know... and I'm sure if Erin has advance knowledge she too can work something out...
ReplyDeleteI wanted to ask if mom's O2 levels are being taken regularly... Pat thinks, and I observed on Sunday, that Mom seems to be rather sluggish... for lack of a better word...He commented to me that is was like before she was in the hospital...I'm just thinking that her slugggishness could be a signal of sorts....
In my humble opinion...