During the past 2 weeks Diana sort of hit a recovery plateau. She is a little more active but still tires very easily. She is spending 18 – 20 hours per day resting/sleeping in bed. She will get up each day for breakfast and return to bed soon after. Around lunch she will get up, shower and get dressed. We usually do some errands like go to the bank, cleaners, pick up some groceries, etc. And once we return home, it is back to bed until dinner. An hour after dinner – it is back to bed for Diana. Not a very active day.
On Saturday February 19, there was a fruit tree sale at the county fairgrounds. Yes, every county in Texas has a fair grounds. Dallas hosts the annual State Fair of Texas which lasts for three weeks in October. Well all three of us – Diana, her Mom and I – got up early and went to breakfast at The Waffle House. The Waffle House is a chain of Southern restaurants open 24 hours per day and guess what their specialty is – Yes Waffles. After breakfast we went to the fruit tree sale. Diana helped pick out three fruit trees that grow well in the Katy area – Fig, Lemon and Sumatra – a variation of an orange. We wanted to get a grapefruit tree but they were all gone by the time we arrived. We will need to wait 2-3 weeks to plant the trees until the threat of frost is gone – yes, we do wake up an occasional morning and see a white lawn in the winter. Not often, but it does happen. Diana was exhausted by the time we arrived back home.
The following week was a quiet one spent mostly at home. I would do my best to come up with some errand that I could drag Diana so she would get some exercise. Once we would get back home it was bed rest for Diana.
Well today we met with Dr. Blumenschein. After lots of discussion about future treatments, we came to the conclusion that Diana has improved but not enough to proceed with the clinical trial treatment. Diana has been experiencing some numbness in her lower lip and jaw and we discussed that condition as well. Dr. B thinks it may be from some nerve damage, possibly done while she was getting brain radiation. He will follow up with a scan later to see if any nerve damage shows. Dr. B wants to monitor Diana’s strength over the next two weeks – and have us meet with Dr Blumenschein again on Mar 7. In the meantime he is going to schedule another brain MRI and CT scan before our next visit. Based upon the MRI and CT Scan and Diana’s strength at that time – a decision will be made as to whether to proceed with the clinical trial treatment.
Basically we are in limbo for the next 2 weeks.
Thanks to all who have sending Diana emails, cards and notes – it really cheers her each day to open and read them. She reads each one and really appreciates them. She is upset because she does not have the strength to respond to each one and she asked me to thank you all from her in my email. Diana has lost another 3 pounds so far this month in spite of our efforts to fatten her up.i just wish there was better news that I could write.
Thanks for all of you support and prayers.