Brief Stay at St. Franny's

Mom was supposed to take a quick drive from the spa to St. Francis for her Neulasta injection Wednesday, but alas they kept her overnight for observation after learning about her swallowing issues. They were concerned (rightfully so) that something was occluding her upper airway (or trachea, if you want to get technical).

A CT scan of her neck was negative for any notable growth (huge phew), and she passed her Barium Swallow Test with flying colors, so there is no risk for her aspirating foods in to her lungs or choking. The discomfort is most likely due to a thrush infection in her throat, which is a common side effect in people taking immunosuppressant medications or long term antibiotics. There is also notable swelling of the lymph nodes around her left clavicle. This is where they've been watching a mass for some time, and there is some concern that these enlarged lymph nodes are making it uncomfortable for her to swallow.

So the plan of attack is she was kept overnight Wednesday and Thursday, today they'll administer intrathecal chemo in her Ommaya Port and add another drug to that cocktail. We'll continue to monitor her symptoms closely, and if she isn't feeling better in a few days, they may try radiation to that area on her brain/spine/neck to reduce that mass and make her more comfortable.

Meanwhile, Gwennie and I were trapped at the spa (oh the horror) on Wednesday night, only to be rescued by our friend E Thursday morning and returned to St. Franny's. It all got very complicated, so Dad felt it necessary to give a power point presentation on how we'd all be returned to our respective places of living.

We're looking SO forward to our Helping Hands meals which start Monday, and cannot believe how many people have jumped at the opportunity step up and fill our bellies. Thank you thank you THANK YOU!