Some test results are in.........

First of all I apologize for this taking so long to update.

Here's the latest on Mom.

As you know, there was a lot of concern over Mom's low potassium levels and concern that one of the chemo drugs was responsible for kidney damage. The nephrology team came to see Mom yesterday and run some tests, took a thorough history and a physical exam. She also had a full body bone scan for pain in her right shoulder. This round, she did not receive the chemo drug that would be the culprit. If all the tests come back showing no kidney damage, she will have both of the chemo drugs at her next infusion in 3 weeks.

Since sarcoma is typically found in the extremeties and trunk it was making Mom a little nervous that she had this persistent pain in her right shoulder. The bone scan was a blessing as it showed no tumor or cancer in her bones, but it did reveal two degenerative discs in Mom's lower back that were causing her some pain. She had thought that her back was out of place and that she just needed an adjustment. Now we know the rest of the story. The pain in her shoulder is assumed to be "over use" while she is using it to help her stand due to the "bum right leg". She still has a tender leg that doesn't want to bend too much so she pushes up with her right arm a lot. She will have physical therapy on it when she feels better.

The nephrology team will be doing an ultrasound to finally rule out kidney damage, but her potassium levels need to go up just a tad for them to do it tomorrow.

The last chemo bag was hung at around 9PM Thursday night and should be done around 9 PM Friday night. They will be discharged after that. An area we would like prayer for is in getting her immune boosting injection. They will not give it to her at the hospital and insurance says it has to be the next day after discharge. So, the best case scenario woud be that mom gets to go home and get the shot in Lewis County at the Cancer treatment center there. If she can't, she will have to arrive home after midnight and then return to Seattle the next day just for a quick injection.

The chemo is really kicking in so she is feeling super exhausted and food is tasting horrible again. Other than that, the nausea is not full force just yet and she is just really anxious to be home again.

Thank you for calling, emailing, posting corresponding and mostly, praying.

With love and appreciation,
Kimberly and family