Hi everyone:
For the past couple of weeks, Kathleen has been experiencing dizziness upon standing, stomach pain, sporadic nosebleeds and overall malaise. In the times I saw Kathleen, I noticed her skin tone had a yellow hue and her legs and feet were almost white. More than anything, though, Kathleen seemed to be distressed by her discomfort, which was unusual, because she rarely complains about how she's feeling. Patty and I have really been worrying about her.
When Kathleen visited her doctor today, he was alarmed by her overall blood count and her appearance, and admitted her to the hospital. As I write this, she's in the process of receiving her second of three blood transfusions. Tomorrow, she'll be run through a series of tests to try to get to the bottom of why she's been feeling so poorly. I think she's hoping to escape the hospital tomorrow; keep your fingers crossed.
When we left tonight (super-protective sister Patty willing to do so only at Kathleen's urging), Kathleen was tired and ready to sleep. After the first infusion, Kathleen's color did seem somewhat improved. Let's hope this is just a minor setback.
I'll post more as soon as we know it.
Love,
Brian
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Kathleen update
Hi everyone:
Don called this morning after Kathleen's appointment. Patty is under the weather and wasn't able to join them. The doctor told Kathleen that her bone marrow is "spotty", which suggests cancer is there but hasn't yet caused significant harm. For the time being, her doctor plans to continue the same course of treatment. Kathleen's platelets made a decline for a few months in a row, but seem to have stabilized.
Her doctor has also scheduled an MRI of her brain, because Kathleen has been suffering from headaches.
None of this is exactly good news, but it's not terrible news, either.
Love,
Brian
Don called this morning after Kathleen's appointment. Patty is under the weather and wasn't able to join them. The doctor told Kathleen that her bone marrow is "spotty", which suggests cancer is there but hasn't yet caused significant harm. For the time being, her doctor plans to continue the same course of treatment. Kathleen's platelets made a decline for a few months in a row, but seem to have stabilized.
Her doctor has also scheduled an MRI of her brain, because Kathleen has been suffering from headaches.
None of this is exactly good news, but it's not terrible news, either.
Love,
Brian
Friday, June 11, 2010
Some unsettling news
Hi everyone:
This afternoon, Kathleen received results from her bone marrow biopsy of last week. Our understanding is that her cancer has spread into her bone marrow. We have no details beyond that at this point.
Next week, Kathleen will see her oncologist to discuss what this means and how it may impact her treatment going forward. I will provide an update as soon as we have more information.
Please keep Kathleen in your thoughts and prayers. As I've mentioned before, she's a tough cookie, so, whatever it all means, we can know she'll give it an ugly, nasty, take-no-prisoners fight.
Love you, Kiddo.
Love,
Brian
This afternoon, Kathleen received results from her bone marrow biopsy of last week. Our understanding is that her cancer has spread into her bone marrow. We have no details beyond that at this point.
Next week, Kathleen will see her oncologist to discuss what this means and how it may impact her treatment going forward. I will provide an update as soon as we have more information.
Please keep Kathleen in your thoughts and prayers. As I've mentioned before, she's a tough cookie, so, whatever it all means, we can know she'll give it an ugly, nasty, take-no-prisoners fight.
Love you, Kiddo.
Love,
Brian
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Kathleen's biopsy
Hi everyone:
Thursday afternoon, Kathleen's oncologist performed a bone marrow biopsy. Kathleen found the process uncomfortable, but bearable--she's pretty tough. Patty held her hand through the procedure while Don and I chatted in the waiting room. The worst part of the procedure was the decision to perform the extraction through a hip that has been giving Kathleen grief for months.
Results should be available by the middle of next week. Check back here for details, and keep those positive thoughts flowing.
Love,
Brian
Thursday afternoon, Kathleen's oncologist performed a bone marrow biopsy. Kathleen found the process uncomfortable, but bearable--she's pretty tough. Patty held her hand through the procedure while Don and I chatted in the waiting room. The worst part of the procedure was the decision to perform the extraction through a hip that has been giving Kathleen grief for months.
Results should be available by the middle of next week. Check back here for details, and keep those positive thoughts flowing.
Love,
Brian
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Bone marrow biopsy scheduled
Hi everyone:
Kathleen's declining platelet levels have remained a concern (in spite of an encouraging recent MRI). Her oncologist has scheduled a bone marrow biopsy for later this week to try to come up with answers.
Understandably, Kathleen is anxious about the procedure, in part because she has been suffering some fairly profound and unexplained discomfort in her hip (from which they will draw the bone marrow).
When Kathleen has results, I'll share them here.
Kathleen is spending part of the weekend with us. She's in pretty good spirits, all things considered.
Love,
Brian
Kathleen's declining platelet levels have remained a concern (in spite of an encouraging recent MRI). Her oncologist has scheduled a bone marrow biopsy for later this week to try to come up with answers.
Understandably, Kathleen is anxious about the procedure, in part because she has been suffering some fairly profound and unexplained discomfort in her hip (from which they will draw the bone marrow).
When Kathleen has results, I'll share them here.
Kathleen is spending part of the weekend with us. She's in pretty good spirits, all things considered.
Love,
Brian
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Lower platelet levels somewhat of a concern
Hi everyone:
Over the past few weeks, Kathleen has undergone several series of blood tests, along with an MRI. Although the MRI has shown no further visible damage to her spine, the blood tests have raised eyebrows. For several months in a row, her platelet levels have been declining. Her oncologist has suggested this could be an immune system reaction, but is hesitating to speculate further until Kathleen has undergone further blood tests.
This is all Kathleen knows at this point. She has promised to share any future developments (here) as soon as she knows.
Love,
Brian
Over the past few weeks, Kathleen has undergone several series of blood tests, along with an MRI. Although the MRI has shown no further visible damage to her spine, the blood tests have raised eyebrows. For several months in a row, her platelet levels have been declining. Her oncologist has suggested this could be an immune system reaction, but is hesitating to speculate further until Kathleen has undergone further blood tests.
This is all Kathleen knows at this point. She has promised to share any future developments (here) as soon as she knows.
Love,
Brian
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Kiddo's 50th!
Hi everyone:
Well, I completely missed her actual birthday, and I'm late posting these, but here are a few of the photos from Kathleen's 50th birthday bash at their home. More photos are available on my Facebook page. (http://www.facebook.com/brianomaracroft)
Love,
Brian
Well, I completely missed her actual birthday, and I'm late posting these, but here are a few of the photos from Kathleen's 50th birthday bash at their home. More photos are available on my Facebook page. (http://www.facebook.com/brianomaracroft)
Love,
Brian
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