Updates About Mom: Post 7

Hello Everyone,

Mom has had a little rougher week this week. The intrathecal on Monday has left her with headaches. She has been lying down and resting for the past four days.

The steroids have not been bothering her as much as last time. Our family doctor changed her thyroid medicine on her last visit and the world does not seem so jittery to her. Her eyes can focus a little better, but the noise still bothers her, especially with the headaches. As long as she stays relatively still her head doesn’t bother her too much and she is relaxed.

Another thing we did to make her more comfortable this week was to cut her hair and then shave her head. Mom said her hair did not feel like hair anymore. It felt more like a matted weight that was keeping her head hot. Dad and I got to be her hair stylists. Dad started the process by cutting off a ponytail’s worth of hair. We first attempted to have a really short cut, but her hair was still falling out. So the short hair cut only lasted for a day.

She really likes the coolness on her head. She has now taken up wearing cool wash clothes on her head to feel better. Plus I do not think she is used to looking in the mirror and not having any hair. She says she looks kind of scary. Of course, Dad and I think she looks very beautiful no matter what. Her eyes and facial features stand out.

Mom has another intravenous chemo cycle on Monday. So that will be an all day procedure for the chemo drugs to be slowing injected. There are about nine different solutions that she needs to take in. Some of the bags of solution counteract the side effects like nausea and vomiting. She will probably be in a comfy chair on that day, since she only really needs to lie down on the days of the spinal procedures.

She is still in good spirits. Dad and I are taking good care of her. She is a good patient and is not resisting help like we thought she would cause she's so independent. The Ohio gang is doing well.

Love to All,

Keah

Mom's new flowers