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Thursday, March 7, 2013

Thursday Update

Well, we had hoped that Mom would be discharged from the hospital today, but it appears that she will likely remain there until at least Saturday.  The hang-up is Mom's ability to eat: she's not getting enough nutrition because of how difficult and painful it is for her to eat.  She is eating only soft foods such as Jello, yogurt, & chicken broth, but not in the amounts necessary to help her body heal itself.  Dr. Cantrell is not comfortable discharging her until he knows that she can eat enough to receive adequate nutrition at home.  Also, she's had fever off and on during her stay and he wants to get that under control before discharging her.

Despite all of this, there is good news!!  Her white cell blood count is way up and her liver size is greatly reduced already.  This is a good indication that the chemo is helping to reduce the size of the tumors.  Hopefully, this trend will continue and she can regain some liver function.  This is important because of the increased ammonia levels within her body.  Essentially, her liver cannot remove the ammonia fast enough and this causes some problems for her.  Hopefully, the diminished tumors on and in her liver will not impede its function as greatly and she can more easily excrete the ammonia from her body.

We thank you for your continued concern and ask that you pray specifically for Mom's ability to eat so that she can come home.  Also, please pray that her liver is able to process the ammonia and remove it from her body.

2 comments:

  1. Thinking of you every day, Patty, and hope you will be able to come home soon. Praying your fever goes away and you can get the nourishment you need. Stay strong and positive, you can do it!!!!

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  2. "But those that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not be faint"

    Praying this verse for you tonight. Love you so much!
    Laura, Mikey and James

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Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers! Patty and family greatly appreciate your encouragement and love hearing from you.