Beth's Update

December 9, 2008

[written by David]

Hello everyone.  We have started a blog to post updates on Beth's health.  We have sent out a few emails, but it is difficult to compile a list of recipients, so we are hoping this approach is better.  Thank you to everyone who has given my mom support thus far.  Here is an update on how mom is doing.  

Today marks two weeks since mom was hospitalized.  In a nutshell, this is what has happened so far.  Mom has a large cancer tumor in her abdomen.  She was diagnosed one month ago with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma after persistent swelling in her legs that had been there since late August.  Two weeks ago, she came into the hospital for a laproscopic surgery in order to biopsy the tumor.  During that surgery, her intestine was damaged, and the surgeon had to make a big incision in her belly to repair that damage.  They also put a port-o-catheter in her collarbone to give her medicine.  

A few days after the surgery, both the port-o-catheter and the incision in her belly became infected.  They took the staples out of both wounds, and have wound vacuums over each incision to keep infection down.  

Mom had her first chemotherapy last Wednesday/Thursday, and she will have another treatment in about 3 weeks.  She did really well with all of the chemo drugs.  In anticipation of some of the side-effects of chemo, mom has cut her hair off.  She was glad to be able to make this decision for herself instead of having her hair fall out on its own.  

Last Friday she had to go in for emergency surgery.  She is very swollen in her legs and belly, and that swelling was pushing some of her organs out of place and expanding her abdomen wound.  The surgery put her organs back in place, and she is still recovering from that operation.  

Today she is doing ok.  She is really tired, and is developing bed sores since she's been laying down so much.  The physicians really want her to get out of bed and sit in a chair.  She was able to do that this morning, and we will try again to get her out of bed.  

She still has a fight ahead of her, but she has a great outlook and we are counting on that to help pull her through.  One of the hardest parts for her lately is that the physicians have asked to limit her visitors to family.  This has been tough, because mom has so many people who care about her.  However, she must rest as much as possible.  Also, her immune system is very weak, so she doesn't need too many germs coming into her room.  Please know that mom and the rest of us are continually touched by the amount of support she is getting.  In time, she will be very happy to see everyone, but that time is not now.  I have been turning her phone off when she falls asleep so the ringer won't wake her up.  She is not happy that I'm doing this, but that's just the way it's going to be.  

Her bandages will be changed later this afternoon, and at that time we should get an update from both the surgeon and the oncologist.  I expect that they will both say that the swelling is still too high, and that she needs to move around.  We are pleased with the care she is getting, especially from her oncologist, who she has known for many years.  

Other than changing her wound dressings, she is on a liquid diet and is enjoying being able to drink water again.  Her pain is under control, and she is receiving nutrients via her i.v. She is also on i.v. anti-biotics to prevent infections.  

More later - thanks to all for your continued support, prayers, wishes, etc.