Medical clarifications

Hi everyone:

As I mentioned yesterday, Patty joined Kathleen and Don during a visit to the oncologist. The three asked a number of questions, and the doctor was very thorough in his answers. The oncologist confirmed that the cancer is all through the vertebrae of Kathleen's spine. Kathleen explained to the doctor that she has been experiencing increased numbness in both hands, which is consistent with metastatic cancer of the spine. She is also experiencing pain that spreads up her back (again, an expected symptom of this type of cancer.)

On Monday, Kathleen will undergo another MRI of her spine, and this time they will also scan her brain to see the extent to which the compression of her spine may be contributing to her symptoms, and to check for any spread of the cancer. If they find anything new, the doctor will pull Kathleen from her current drug protocol (except for the pain meds) and will likely order radiation and perhaps chemo to more aggressively attempt to control its spread. Keep your fingers crossed that things are moving along very slowly.

Kathleen visited with us for a few hours yesterday, and snoozed on the sofa for much of the time. She continues to be in good spirits.

Love,
Brian