Linda's Lymphoma update 8-3-11

More problems.......

Linda was walking with the walker 2 weeks ago before getting admitted, but the right leg was weak and had been slowly getting weaker over the last 2 months. Well, after admission it has become so weak that she can't stand or use the potty chair. Her right hip and knee are paralyzed. The lower leg muscles are fine. A series of 3 MRIs ordered be the neurologist showed the tumor pressing on the femoral nerve in the groin as well as being wrapped around the nerve in the thigh.

A neurosurgeon was consulted about possible surgery to free up the nerve but he said the tumor was so extensive that surgery couldn't be done. This was last night.

This morning, the oncologist called the Methodist Hospital transplant doctor. He said to try radiation to the area to shrink the tumor and relieve the pressure. If it works, it should also relieve some of the disbling pain she has. But, I spoke to him as well, and he said it is imperative that she be ambulatory for the transplant as the risk of pneumonia etc is much greater in a bed ridden patient. Also, regular exercise is precribed after to buiild the patient back up. He said the mortality from transplant was at least 10x higher in a bed ridden patient.

So Linda was transferred to Southeast Memorial Hermann Hospital (room 224) this afternoon to start radiation tomorrow. She still needs lots of pain medicine as the right leg is essentially useless and when it rolls to a different position, the pain can be extreme.

Needless to say, she is scared and anxious. I spent the night with her in the hospital last night for support and I'm sure I will be doing this frequently in the days ahead. It is discouraging when she just can't catch a break without the boom falling down the next day on some other problem. She will be in for a week for radiation and PT to try and get her good leg strong enough to get out of bed. The it will be time for chemo again. A never-ending roller coaster.

This has been her longest admuission to date (2 weeks today) and she will be in a while longer.

Pray for the success of the radiation so she can walk again and get some pain relief. Thanks.