The issue in contention is the amount of fluid sitting where the tumor used to be. Dr. S thought there wasn't much, but Dr. C thinks there's enough there to be putting pressure on the brain and causing some of dp's right side weirdness and returning nausea. He called the neurosurgeon, and now we've got an appointment with him tomorrow morning. Dr. C called yesterday morning and said that the neurosurgeon didn't think that more surgery would be necessary. Googling suggests either bumping the steriods back up, or using an 'osmotic diuretic' like mannitol, but that's pretty speculative on my part -- google doesn't really cover post metastatic craniotomy edemas very specifically...
We've also learned we'll need new help for Marie. Connie, who has been Marie's primary caretaker is getting ready to take a new position, probably at the VA. If someone knows someone who can work split shifts and change adult diapers, give us a holler, okay? Failing that, we may need advice on nursing homes.
Here's some of dp's chemo caps (you'll probably have to click on the image to get the real effect.)
Note from dp: Cinda, thanks for the email with the large font.
3 comments:
A quick search of Medscape didn't turn up anything more. It looks like mannitol would be a more drastic treatment due to more immediate side effects. Of course the steroid route has its own set of side effects. And I am speculating as much as Kevin. But Dr C's theory makes sense to me that the fluid can be causing the symptoms dp is having....
Whoa, it's cold! This is the Iowa I remember from college. I'm way behind on my shoveling.
I don't know about any personal caregivers, but I have some experience with looking over nursing facilities. You may be tired of hearing about it, so perhaps you were speaking to the others. ;)
Is the fluid connected to dp's earlier weight gain? I was just thinking that retaining fluid has been a bit of a "theme."
The picture of Diana reminds me that I was sitting at your house last Friday and it occurred to me: I had the most hair of anyone in the house (Trooley excepted)! If you wait around long enough, ANYTHING can happen.
I've just checked in again for the first time in a couple of days. The pictures of DP with the chemo caps brought a GREAT BIG GRIN to my face and warmed my heart. Although you probably won't see this comment on Valentine's Day (it's nearly over even for me), I want to tell you how much I love you both. It is good to 'see you' DP, and amazing how much your smiling face looks so good to me. Thanks for showing off. Hang in there. Perry
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