Hospital Days

posted by Mary Lello, Wednesday, January 21, 2009, 4:32 PM

Why is it hospitals leave you feeling like you just traveled to Thailand and spent countless hours in airport terminals and now have jet lag? And I never even left Portland?

Dr. Weisburg said that the MRI had not been fully done up - or whatever the term is - but a quick look at it seemed to show that the tumor has grown. Not surprising since we have not treated that tumor in any way, it's aggressive (yeah? SO ARE WE!!!) and it's been growing all these weeks. This growth is causing inflammation on the brain and thus all these horrible, scary symptoms. She agreed with all of us, that the brain is speaking pretty loud here and we can't wait for DF. As my sister Sara said "Dana Farber said they are minute to minute regarding a clinical test? Well JIM is minute to minute too. TIMES UP DF!!" For now anyway. There are other tests we can shoot for as Dr. Weisburg assured us, and we will. But right now we are treating this tumor.

Jim started his first pill of chemo today and seemed to handle it very well. No nausea. When they came to transport him to Scarborough for radiation I took my leave from that place. I'll call to see how he is but I probably won't go back tonight.

He might have to stay there until Friday if he doesn't improve with his balance and ability to walk. But he was better this afternoon then this morning and this morning he walked down the hall with a walker - far, far better then yesterday for sure!!!

We'd love to bring him home tomorrow but he must be safe so we'll see.

Did anyone else see the light tonight around 4:00? So beautiful as I left the city with that rose colored glow bouncing off the trees, the snow and Back Bay. And the crows were heading back to their roosts too. Such a beautiful evening.

The good with the bad ... yes.

Thank you all so much for all your thoughts, prayers and comments. I can't tell you how much it means to us.