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!
Thank you for the news. Zacs Mom is walking a difficult road, so I love hearing good news on her progress. She remains in my prayers. She's a real treasure!
Praise the Lord!!!
Great news -- thanks for the update.
this news is worth pinging you maybe six more times! lol!
I am so excited for her and her family........
wow, strong medicine from FR........
You are right bitt, it is worth many pings!!
Thank you for the update. Prayers for a continuing miracle for such a wonderful lady.
More up prayers for healing and strength.
I think of oher every single day and pray for her as well. I miss her very much.
Please tell her she is missed a lot. A LOT!
Outstanding news! WOW! Thanks for the ping.
Hello, Zacs Mom.
Praise God!!! Thank you for the update. Prayers continue...
We're hanging in there with "treatment" - prayers that are working!
May God grant this sweet lady His healing and comfort to the family as they go through this.
Our prayers and hugs....
"TT", Beth & Nana
"ZACS MOM UPDATE-VANITY"
Tonk, I think this one is really breaking news, 'cause it's sure earthshaking for some folks! Another prayer up...
I thank God for Zac's Mom, and her continued proof that life is indeed a miracle.
May she feel the Hand of God upon her, guiding her and healing her through all the hills and valleys of her journey...
Laughing now and grateful to the good Lord for every day. Eagles up, ZM! Drop us a post when you get your strength back. There are a lot of people out here pulling for you.
Hi Zacs Mom, and Tom!
You guys have had a wild ride.
I hope every adventure you have is much more pleasant.
You are in my prayers.
Thank you all for the pings.
Wonderful news.
I'll be with Zacs Mom, 'cause she'll be on my mind.
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