Life is full of challenges and adventures. As we tackle each one, we come out stronger. MARYMAY'S PROVERB: If life gives you rocks, make borders for your flower beds!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Mother is Resting
You may now find this post on Frances May's blog at http://howisfranmay.blogspot.com/
Monday, September 29, 2008
Prayers Helped with Surgery
You may now find this post on Frances May's blog at http://howisfranmay.blogspot.com/
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Mom moving to private room
You may now find this post on Frances May's blog at http://howisfranmay.blogspot.com/
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Surgery postponed
You may now find this post on Frances May's blog at http://howisfranmay.blogspot.com/
Friday, September 26, 2008
Mother will be having back surgery tomorrow...
You may now find this post on Frances May's blog at http://howisfranmay.blogspot.com/
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Surgery on Saturday for Mother
You may now find this post on Frances May's blog at http://howisfranmay.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The Mays' Medical Maladies
Mother (83) has continued to struggle with pain and inability to move her left leg. The doctor at the rehab center sent her for an MRI yesterday. That showed several things wrong in her lower back, the most important to address first being a suspected infection. She was sent to our local hospital but there are only 2 specialists - one was out of town and the other couldn't come to the ER. So, she was sent by ground ambulance to the University of Virginia Medical Center Friday evening.
My fibromyalgia kicked in and I feel exhausted so Ed and I decided there was nothing we could do last night and I'd come home, rest, get my meds, etc. to go in the morning.
The doctor called about 4 a.m. There are several problems and they feel surgery is necessary. I had him call my brother, Phil, who is a nurse anesthetist in Texas. As I suggested, they have Phil talk to Mother as she is hesitant, which he did.
Meanwhile, my Uncle Bob (87) was admitted to the hospital last Friday with what they thought was a major stroke. That has turned out to be cancer with tumors on the brain and lungs. They are testing other areas to see if it has spread and to pinpoint what kind of cancer it is. The family met with the doctors yesterday and Uncle Bob wants to do the radiation treatments which may give him 6 months instead of 2. Meanwhile, Aunt Ginny has Alzheimer's and needs to have someone with her. They live just over the hill from me and the one time I might have been able to help is the time Mother is also down.
Meanwhile, yesterday my nephew, Levi, who's a freshman at JMU called. He'd been to the infirmary with a sore throat and pain and had gotten a prescription. I had just returned from Mother's MRI to the rehab center so was able to go get him and go to a pharmacy. He goes back to the infirmary tomorrow and if he's not better, they'll test him for mono.
Ed had bloodwork yesterday and a CAT scan today. The shingles aren't gone and his latest X-ray shows something still on his lung from the pneumonia. He still feels lethargic and had said that tomorrow he was going to stay in bed all day. Looks like he might be going to Charlottesville instead - IF he feels he can handle it.
Sounds like the Mays and Angelils are falling apart up here, huh? I can't write a lot now but will update this blog if possible.
Please pray for us, especially Mother.
My fibromyalgia kicked in and I feel exhausted so Ed and I decided there was nothing we could do last night and I'd come home, rest, get my meds, etc. to go in the morning.
The doctor called about 4 a.m. There are several problems and they feel surgery is necessary. I had him call my brother, Phil, who is a nurse anesthetist in Texas. As I suggested, they have Phil talk to Mother as she is hesitant, which he did.
Meanwhile, my Uncle Bob (87) was admitted to the hospital last Friday with what they thought was a major stroke. That has turned out to be cancer with tumors on the brain and lungs. They are testing other areas to see if it has spread and to pinpoint what kind of cancer it is. The family met with the doctors yesterday and Uncle Bob wants to do the radiation treatments which may give him 6 months instead of 2. Meanwhile, Aunt Ginny has Alzheimer's and needs to have someone with her. They live just over the hill from me and the one time I might have been able to help is the time Mother is also down.
Meanwhile, yesterday my nephew, Levi, who's a freshman at JMU called. He'd been to the infirmary with a sore throat and pain and had gotten a prescription. I had just returned from Mother's MRI to the rehab center so was able to go get him and go to a pharmacy. He goes back to the infirmary tomorrow and if he's not better, they'll test him for mono.
Ed had bloodwork yesterday and a CAT scan today. The shingles aren't gone and his latest X-ray shows something still on his lung from the pneumonia. He still feels lethargic and had said that tomorrow he was going to stay in bed all day. Looks like he might be going to Charlottesville instead - IF he feels he can handle it.
Sounds like the Mays and Angelils are falling apart up here, huh? I can't write a lot now but will update this blog if possible.
Please pray for us, especially Mother.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Need roofing? Call Ed.....
Need roofing? Call Ed......he's got shingles! Aww, that's mean, isn't it?
He's had them several weeks is coming along fairly well. I think the Valtrex and Lyrica got in his system soon enough to help. He doesn't have that searing pain that often goes with shingles but the lumps on the side of his head, neck and down his shoulder and arm are extremely tender. The most annoying symptom is that he has felt so lethargic. Can you imagine - he was in his bathrobe and in the house for over a week - didn't even go shopping!! He went to the RV for about 15 minutes one afternoon and was exhausted. I think the sleep, rest, and naps are giving his body a chance to fight and heal.
Oh, I forgot to mention he first had walking pneumonia and an earache. His last X-ray wasn't totally clear so he'll be going for a CAT scan this week.
He's had them several weeks is coming along fairly well. I think the Valtrex and Lyrica got in his system soon enough to help. He doesn't have that searing pain that often goes with shingles but the lumps on the side of his head, neck and down his shoulder and arm are extremely tender. The most annoying symptom is that he has felt so lethargic. Can you imagine - he was in his bathrobe and in the house for over a week - didn't even go shopping!! He went to the RV for about 15 minutes one afternoon and was exhausted. I think the sleep, rest, and naps are giving his body a chance to fight and heal.
Oh, I forgot to mention he first had walking pneumonia and an earache. His last X-ray wasn't totally clear so he'll be going for a CAT scan this week.