Monday, October 31, 2011

Mom had to be at the University Hospital at the University of Utah bright and early for surgery.  The cancer had eaten a hole in her pelvis and the doctors felt that if they did radiation to that area as well as cut off the blood supply to the tumor there, they would be able to preserve her hip joint.  So that's what they did.

They took her back at about 11:00am to Interventional Radiology for the embolization procedure.  In this procedure they go into the femoral artery with a catheter, and navigate the arteries to the tumor.  Once they find the main arteries that feed the tumor, they place particles in they artery to block the blood flow to the the tumor.

Since the tumor was on the right side of her pelvis, they started the procedure there.  After about an hour and a half, the doctor came out and said that they couldn't get to the tumor from that right femoral artery, so they would have to start over again on the left side and see if they could get to the tumor that way.

Four hours later, the Dr. Fafinski came in and said that she was doing great and they were able to block four of the main vessels that were feeding that tumor.  It was a very pains-taking procedure, but we are so very grateful for his skillful work!  He told her that the tumor would likely reroute its blood supply in the future and might need to have the procedure repeated later on down the road.

Mom had to spend the night in the Huntsman Cancer Hospital, (which is MUCH nicer than the University Hospital) which I don't think she really minded.  She had beautiful views of the Wasatch Mountains.  We could see little critters scampering down the mountain, in addition to the bikers and hikers.

A physical therapist came up and told Mom that she needed to walk with a cane as long as she felt any weakness.  They want Mom to be as active and independent as possible.   

By Wed. she was feeling  and looking like a million bucks!  She was walking for the first time without the pain in her hip that she had for the last 6 months.  Dad said that he couldn't wait for them to take her off of the steroids she's on so he could keep up with her!  It was so comforting to see her look and feel so good.  It was a very happy day!

Mom finished her last treatment of radiation to her pelvis today (Thursday Nov. 3), and has 5 more treatments of radiation left for her brain.  When radiation is over, she will have a little break and then start her bio-med. IV treatments.  Those will only be once a week, and she will have to continue those for the rest of her life.  She is making great progress though, and we are very happy and extremely grateful!  We feel so richly blessed.  Thank you for all your prayers and encouraging, supportive words!  They make such a big difference.  Love to all!

                                                                               Sweet!

                                                 Jill and Mom the night before her surgery.

        Richard and Kaylee with Grandma.  They came down from Twin Falls, Idaho to see her.

                                                                 Tender moments...

 Richard and Kaylee's little boy Calvin, getting Uncle Semu to feed him some more chocolate cake!