A Frightening and Painful Day

Mom, Poppie and I were off to the hospital by 10am this morning for Mom's Vidaza Injections. Brian had met us at the hospital to simply be together. Mom was feeling pretty good with moderate and intermittent right arm deep ache with slight pain into her hand. I was able to control her symptoms with some trigger point work.

We had time to pass before her injections so I suggested that Mom and I visit her Oncology floor to say hello to the staff on duty. I know how much the connection with each individual brightens her spirits and day. There were so many Nurses, Dr.'s and staff members that immediately approached Mom to give her hugs. One Nurse had gotten engaged since Mom was on the floor for treatment last month. The Nurse embraced Mom with such a tight and long hug. They spoke and shared tears together about Mom's relapse. Then the Nurse asked if Mom would be a greeter at her wedding in early August? This put the biggest smile on Mom's face and they both hugged and Mom said she accepts and will fight to be there.

I forgot to tell you, when I arrived earlier this morning from SD, I had noticed Mom's right hand exhibited bruising/internal bleeding. I thought this may be a result to her platelets being low. Prior to her appointment in the morning the bruising had not spread nor changed in color.

A little over an hour after returning from the hospital around 12:30pm I had noticed that Mom's right hand exhibited deep bruising past her writ and slightly up and around her forearm. We called the emergency number given to us and the Oncology Dr. on call said to bring her back to the hospital and admit her into hospital through the ER Department. We arrived around 3pm, Mom was taken immediately, we were given a private room and a Nurse then Dr. began the intake then treatment.

Brian, Poppie, and I sat with Mom for 4.5 hours while she was examined, her blood drawn and tested. Mom was suffering during this time with moderate to severe pain in her right shoulder, down her arm, into her elbow and into her hand. Again, with Trigger Point work and some range of motion and stretching her symptoms decreased to almost gone. Mom chose not to tell the Dr. about her pain in fear of staying overnight.

Mom's platelets are low, but not pressing for a transfusion. The Dr. decided to ave Mom re-examine her on Sunday, tomorrow, when she comes in for her Vidaza Injections. On Monday she happens to already be scheduled to have her blood drawn and tested. We all were pleased to be going home. On the way home, Mom received a surprise call by one of her Oncologist Dr. Interns whom adopted her back in November. Well she adopted him as well. She loves to tell people she now has a Doctor son in the family. He, his wife and son stopped by to say hello, give Mom a small gift and make sure her mental state is OK. It is wonderful to see how Mom touches so many people and is truly loved by many.

Around 9pm Mom began having severe pain/deep ache into her right arm and into her hand again. I had iced her, did some therapy and again it calmed a bit. Around 12am Mom began another episode of pain/deep acheiness into her right arm into to her hand and now in her left hip down her leg into her chin. Yes, these seem to resemble the symptoms she experienced in October 2009 prior to her diagnosis. I again applied her ice, repositioned her in bed and began Trigger Point and Soft Tissue Therapy on her. It took a good 45 minutes before the pain cycle broke. She finally fell asleep within the hour and half of working on her. She fell into a deep sleep within the hour and half and was no longer moaning in pain. Such great relief for her and for me. Oh, it is so difficult to witness someone you love so deeply be in such agony and pain.

I am exhausted. I will write again tomorrow night. I am going to steal some shut eye before she needs me. Hopefully, she is able to sleep for several hours and get some rest.

Again, your love, prayers and support is so very appreciated. Thank You xoxo
Karen