day 45

so.. we were too exhasted to post last night..and i know you were all patiently waiting for an update.. but we needed to compose our thoughts before we posted..

Dad took mom to buffalo yesterday for her kidney ultrasound and her bone marrow biopsy.  turns out that was quite a process... we had to get mom up by 6 am so they could leave by 7:15.. that part went ok.. it was once in buffalo that things started unraveling.  every move they made seemed like a giant mountain to climb.. getting her out of the car and saftely in the waiting room.. then parking the car.. then going to appointments.. realizing they needed to get blood taken before going to appointments.. not remembering the green card (the medical card they issue for patients) so they had to answer questions all over again.. like when was the last time you were hospitalized.. what medications are you currently taking.. are you allergic to anything... (are you serious?  YOU ARE HER DOCTORS!!).. and then finally, the tip of the ice berg.. she couldn't get the bone marrow biopsy because we gave her the lovenox shot!  there were no special instructions.. evidently we were supposed to either remember not to give the shot or use deductive reasoning to determine that anti-coagulatant shots aren't good for open wounds.. well.. guess what.. we're so busy trying to be the best frickin care givers that we forgot to pay attention to the stuff the doctors and nurses get paid to tell us... ok.. that's the end of my frustration.. at least out loud. 

mom's kidney ultrasound was good.  they think it's a cyst but they'll re-check it in 3 months.  that was about the only good news we got.  her blood numbers aren't as good as they have hoped.. we really need to work on getting her liver functions better so she can continue her treatment.. mom and dad will be going back out sunday for a monday bone marrow biopsy and more bloodwork, so we'll have more numbers then.  pray.  they got home at a reasonable hour, mom ate a footlong subway sub, had some mcdonalds orange drink and went to bed early..

she slept for 11 hours last night.. what a difference today from yesterday!!  she's like a new rita.  we've made a pact to work harder.. all of us.. mom's going to try harder, we're going to push a little harder and hopefully we'll have some positive results! 

mom did a lot of physical therapy today, taking charge of her day to day activities, helping herself to the items in the kitchen instead of being waited on.. while we love taking care of her, we have come to realize she needs to take care of herself to get strong.. we are making sure that happens. 

she had a great visit with andrea today while dad did the grocery shopping... then she had two ears of corn while she talked about all the shrimp she's going to have tomorrow... and ate pizza and wings for dinner.. no bleu cheese.  now we're sitting here chatting, winding down and getting ready to flush lines and take our night time meds.. guess what?!  no prednisone!!  yipee!!  mom only has 1 pill to take tonight.  she's wicked happy.

mom wants you to know she's content with her family.. she's appreciative of all the love that she's getting from everyone and she might even work on her thank you notes... hmm.. you probably aren't holding your breath for those...she had a great day today, lovely visits with her friends and lots of laughs!! 

k, i'll let you go now.. will update tommorow. it's going to be a great day.. just wait, you'll see.

love.