Terrible News on Monday

My dear friends,

The news is dire.
The saturday and sunday emergency radiation was not working fast enough to shrink the tumors on her spine. They therefore quickly decided to rush her to emergency surgery first thing this morning to relieve the pressure on her spine. On Sunday evening when we were told the surgery was essential, janet and I were afraid. I made sure that all the doctors on her team were in agreement and that they all talked with each other about this case. The oncologist, the radiation specialist, the hosptitalist, and the neurosurgeon all agreed on this morning's surgery. But Janet and I were still afraid.

By midmorning on Monday the surgery seemd to be successful. As the afternoon wore on and she recovered from the anesthesia, she did not recover use of her legs. The neurosugeon was surprised and did not know for sure what could be causing the spine to not recover. He had some ideas, but he was not sure. They took her back for another MRI to check, with the notion that if something was overlooked, they would get her back into surgery. They did not find anything.

By 4 pm, I was at home trying to get some rest after having left the hospital with the positive news earlier in the day. Aleta had comer in at 11:30 am to give me support as I waned. I was with Janet all night prior to the surgery, and I must tell you that it was a very difficult and frightening night for her. I tried as best as I could to calm her and make sure she got the medications she needed. Nevertheless, it was the most stressful, difficult, and sad evening of either of our lives.

After the neurosurgeon called around 5 pm tonight, I reflected 5 minutes on what he said, and then called him back. I asked that a neurolgsit be consulted for a second opinion. This was done, and we got a fresh look at the case, but alas, there is no magical solution. The neurolgist and neurosurgeon both feel that we made the right decisions, but that ultimatetly the tumors had gotten to the spine too fast. We did act fast on this. The neurologist also said that the loss in janet's legs was not due to anything the neurosurgeon had done.

There is some faint hope, howver. Tonight Janet has a little sensation in her legs. There is a prospect that she may get some recovery, but the odds are low. She may lose what little sensation she has.

She is in shock and dazed, but she is realistic. She is being sedated and is in neurology intensive care and getting blood pressure and steroid medications which may help. Aleta has now been with janet for 10 hours and GW is going in to spend the night with her. I will go in the morning. She will not be alone in this time of sorrow and anxiety.

But at this point, we need divine help. The doctors can only do too much, and in this whole sad saga, it has been too little too late, despite their best efforts. At almost every juncture, things have gone for the worst. What has janet done to deserve such a fate? It is so unfair.

I am preparing to say a rosary before I try to rest tonight, and as per my uncle Arnold's suggestion, I shall read St. James, Chapter 5 verses 13-15 and reflect on that message.

Please pray for Janet.
george sr