Good morning Ginny and all ~
I am a close friend of Addie and her husband asked me to let you know that the news is not good.
In his words:
Well folks, the news was not good today. Cooper, the ONC Doc., called at 2:30 and said that we need to come to the hospital, now. Arrived at just after 3:00 and they had laid out the radiation routine and admitted her to the hospital for the treatment. Admission was necessary as she cannot walk. She has fallen three times this week and I was afraid that one was going to hurt her outside of the disease issue.
Diagnosis: Metastacies(sp) inside the spinal cord. Largest and most troubling is at the base of the neck just above the area that was radiated for the lung lesions. Swelling and growth of lesions posing a risk to nerve functions over most of the central torso. Hence, she had her first of ten radiations early this evening. Pain was still there when I left her tonight, but with early treatment, it should improve the swelling and therefore the pain.
Second lesions are in the lumbor (sp) region of the spinal cord and not as developed as those above. Those will be radiated starting tomorrow. Also for ten days.
How long she will be in the hospital is not known. At a minimum, it will be three to five days with her mobility being a key issue for release. Also the medicine that they give her for swelling and other issues, she has trouble taking the pill form, so by being in the hospital she can have infusions of the medicine. For some reason she can tolerate that ok.
The eleventh (11) floor of Danbury Hospital in mostly the Oncology ward if you have been admitted. She is in room #15. The radiation treatments will be once each day for both locations. Tomorrow's is scheduled for 1:00 to 1:15, but we all know how hospitals are.
I would appreciate it if someone would notify the Team and those of the lc.boards.
Updates as available.
paul
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I am so sorry to be the bearer of this sad news. I know Addie is so beloved here at LCSC, and she loves all of you.
I promise I will bring updates as I recieve them until Addie can be in touch.
Bless you all,
Bibala