Posted on 09/23/2006 5:32:40 PM PDT by Hi Heels
From Tom, ZM's husband:
Sorry for the long silence.... It has been quite a ride.
On Monday 8/28 we met with ZM's oncologist to learn the results of the chest and abdomen CT scans. As I told you in my last update, all the news was good and we decided to switch to the chemo pill since ZMs veins were shrinking. We had great fun for the rest of the week planning how to use the time we would be getting back since she would not be sitting in the infusion room for 4 hours every Friday.
Over the labor day weekend (Sept 3,4) ZM began to have problems moving her left side and she become quiet and hard to communicate with. On Tuesday morning (Sept 5) she slipped into a near comma state and was taken to the hospital via 911 services. In the ER they ordered a brain scan and delivered the news that the cancer had spread to her brain and she had multiple tumors causing lesions in the right side of her brain, some as large as 5 centimeters. These were also causing swelling in her brain and increased pain. ZM's oncologist ordered more test and then told us that the tumors causing the lesions were inoperable. We were told that our options were to (1) simply give up and go home with hospice care or (2) try some radiation of the brain. The radiation may result in some temporary improvement or at least make ZM more comfortable.
So on Thursday (9/07) we moved ZM to a hospital in Plano, TX where she could receive radiation treatments as an inpatient. By now ZM was basically in a coma and could not move her left arm o r leg and could not even force her eyes to look to the left. That afternoon, they developed a treatment mask for her and did the first radiation treatment. After a 3 hour sleep ZM woke up able to move her left arm and leg some. A combination of steroids was prescribed to shrink the swelling in her brain. On Friday afternoon she received a 5 minute radiation treatment and following an hours sleep she woke with full use of her body, sat up in bed and pronounced herself hungry for the first time in weeks. Radiation is only done Monday thru Friday, so we hung around in the hospital over the weekend with ZM improving by the hour. The Doctors have all said they are astonished with her recovery/progress. They are now referring to her as their September miracle.
Following radiation on Monday (9/11) she was released from the hospital and I brought her home. She is 100% off the oxygen now and has had no pain medication since Thursday (9/07). She requires a walker to get around, but is getting stronger each day. We return to the hospital in Plano (30 miles each way) for radiation treatments and she continues to take the steroid to reduce the swelling. All this activity has left her with a bit of confusion, but today she tried to get on line and read some of her email.(Since she hasn't looked at email in well over a month you can imagine the stack of mail she has.)
We will continue the daily radiation treatments on Monday and Tuesday (9/26). After that she'll continue on the steroids but will return to her regular daily activities. ZM and I believe that -- Thanks to the prays and good thoughts - this is a permanent fix. However, she'll be returning to the doctors for blood work and check-ups on 10/10. Hopefully she'll get a clean bill of health at that time.
Thanks so much to everyone for the cards, emails and keeping her in your prayers.
See? OUr "treatment" is working. PLEASE keep this wonderful FRiend in your thoughts and prayers! God bless!
I know this was expected, but it still breaks my heart.
She was a remarkable woman, and is much beloved by many here.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, 0OooMAPESooO0.
Thank you ever so much for sharing her with us.
Bumping your post, potlatch.
Thank you, Hi Heels, for your diligence in keeping us apprised of her condition.
You are to be highly commended for your efforts, but I know it was a labor of love.
Catholic Prayer Ping!
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Please post your prayers to Hi Heels;
May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace.
God rest her sweet soul and comfort all of you.
Prayers up for her family.
Zacs Mom sounds like a wonderful person. My prayers for your family.
This world is not my home, I'm just passing through
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.
The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.
Chorus
O Lord you know I have no friend like you
If Heaven's not my home, then Lord what will I do?
The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.
They're all expecting me and that's one thing I know.
My Savior pardoned me and now I onward go.
I know He'll take me through, though I am weak and poor.
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.
Chorus
O Lord you know I have no friend like you
If Heaven's not my home, then Lord what will I do?
The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.
Just up in Glory Land we'll live eternally.
The Saints on every hand are shouting victory.
Their song of sweetest praise drifts back from Heaven's shore
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.
Chorus
O Lord you know I have no friend like you
If Heaven's not my home, then Lord what will I do?
The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.
-----
With tears we proclaim that our FRiend is safe in the arms of Jesus ... sad is our day of mourning ... joyous is our day of reunion.
My condolences to you and your family, Jason ... may the God of All Comfort be with all who have known and loved your beloved Grammy.
Pegita
We're so sorry Jason. We'll keep you and all your family in our prayers. We'll miss her.
Prayers of love and consolation from us to all the family and friends, and prayers for the repose of her soul in the loving arms of the Lord.
Very sad prayers offered up. May her family and loved ones be held in G-d's arms.
So very sorry to hear. May God rest her soul in peace and may He comfort and strengthen the family.
God bless,
jm
Prayers of comfort for you and your family.
Your cherished "Grammy" was loved and respected here and I offer you and your family my sincere condolences and humble prayers.
This is so sad, but Joan is better now. No more pain , no more suffering, she is with the Lord. I am sure of it.
But hey there ol' OBM shipmate! Are you OK? Last I heard was kinda' down.
I so hope you're up and around and doing well. We need you here.
I'm sorry to hear of her passing. She always added her special touches to so many threads...a great Lady. A great Freeper. My condolences to her family and friends.
Rest in Peace Zacsmom ~ God Bless You
Thank you for letting us know. Prayers for all of you. Very sorry to hear of this.
jm
God Bless you and your family.
Prayers for her and the family.
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