Some updates on the current sitch. My mom came home from the hospital on Monday afternoon. We got her settled in at home – they gave her antibiotics and a breathing treatment and exercises to do at the house. She was still short of breath and fatigued and a bit bummed about the whole thing, but was making great efforts to do what she could.
On Wednesday, she went back to Sylvester Cancer Center in Deerfield to get chemo. When she met with the PA Jane before chemo (her oncologist is away for the holidays), Jane said the cat scan my mom had on Sunday showed that the tumor had increased in size and the Taxotere wasn’t working. This is the 3rd line of chemo she was on. Because of this, she is switching chemo again. They are going to try for the chemo that they wanted to give her last time, but that the insurance company denied. Apparently this other chemo is designed specifically for her type of cancer but that also makes it very expensive. So hopefully the insurance company will approve it this time and she will start the new chemo in two weeks.
After taking a look at the labs and the cat scan, Jane also wanted them to drain the fluid from her left lung. She said the radiologists report said that there was a large amount of fluid in the lung and she wasn’t sure why they didn’t do this last time. It can be contributing to her cough and her shortness of breath. She also noted that my mom’s hemoglobin levels were low and wanted my mom to get a blood transfusion. And she sent some oxygen to the house in case my mom needs it.
So here we are, back at the hospital. They just took her away to drain the fluid and she will hopefully be getting the blood transfusion this afternoon. They are admitting her for observation over night so we will be here at least for another night. But the good thing is that with the blood transfusion and the removal of the fluids, she should be feeling better – more energy, less shortness of breath.
I’ll let you know how it goes.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!