Rather than filling your emails with updates etc I thought it best to offer a blog for those who are interested in whats going on. I'm not able to respond to everyones email right now so this may make it easier.
As of last night Angela's fever went gone down which means the antibiotics have kicked in, no need to go through another grueling emergency room experience. Her humor is up which is a GREAT sign. Her shuffling stride is increasing with the help of a walker. She shakes worse than her 90 year old grandfather and has difficulties keeping balanced and focused.
After reading more of the doctors reports, what was thought to be a stroke was due to a variance in her heart medicine. Her sodium dropped too low to the point her electrolytes were thrown off. Hyponatremia is the diagnosis of the day (in part). This is one of the main reasons she lost the use of her muscles etc. There is obvious myopathy damage to the muscles as mentioned below.
I'm letting her sleep this a.m. and will give another update as I can. Following is the first update I sent out. I will blog from now on. update.1
Sorry for the blanket email but with the amount of fans Angela has I have to write a one-fits-all letter. I’ll apologize early for my lousy speling/grammer. As some of you may or may not know, these past few months for Angela have been quite challenging. I have held off giving my updates because situations have changed so quickly and because I felt no need getting those who love her overly concerned especially with her ability to bounce back as she does so well.
In brief Angela was scheduled to go thru chemo the first of the year but the doctors insisted she go through the treatments earlier due to the rapid increase of Osteonecrosis (bone decay/dying…due to steroids). She was scheduled to have her right shoulder replaced after the first round. Her knees would be next. She went through Cytoxan (chemo) the 6th of Dec. The following week we rushed her back into the hospital because her heart pressure jumped up to over 180/120; stroke potential. We returned home after things calmed down.
This past Tuesday Angela had severe bone crushing pain similar to but greater than what put her into the hospital 4 months ago. The right side of her body seemed to be effected by intense pain but also by sagging of the eye and mouth and slurring of speech. She was unable to walk. For the past 4 days we have been in the hospital. In the nut shell she did not have a stroke although her electrolytes dropped drastically to a point the symptoms were very close. Come to find out there may have been an overdose of steroids given to her (steroids are part of the chemo protocol) which put her into steroid myopathy which again accelerates the necrosis which has now moved into her legs, ankles, wrist as well.
She was counting on spending her birthday/Christmas in New York (a gift from her parents), so the docs did everything they could to help her along. Her immune system is down but we had plenty of precautions in place that would help her get to the penthouse suite she would stay in. We were able to get her home last night. She is still unable to walk; shuffles at best. Her new wheel chair is not glamorous but she loves the idea of mobility. She is still slow and mental clarity is quite foggy.
As I type this letter I realize I am doing so because to be quite honest I will surprised if we don’t end up back in the hospital before Christmas. Her temperature has picked up and she may have an infection. I don’t know what will happen from here. We canceled the trip. I’m monitoring her now and getting her things ready for another journey to the U of M. I hope I am doing so needlessly.
The complications seem to intensify with each visit. She struggles to just keep it together enough to communicate to those about how well she is doing considering what she has gone through…
I am asking everyone to hold off calling for now. You are welcome to email me for updates and I will do my best to respond as I can. It would be appreciated if you were to send her uplifting cards that will bring her humor and Light. She loves all of you so much and is disappointed that she was unable to get her cards and gifts sent out in time for the holidays.
I wish I could be more positive and offer you good news. I know you are concerned and that I would be flogged if I did not let you know what was taking place.
Count your blessings this New Year and safe holidaze to all.
