Posted on 09/23/2006 5:32:40 PM PDT by Hi Heels
From Tom, ZM's husband:
Sorry for the long silence.... It has been quite a ride.
On Monday 8/28 we met with ZM's oncologist to learn the results of the chest and abdomen CT scans. As I told you in my last update, all the news was good and we decided to switch to the chemo pill since ZMs veins were shrinking. We had great fun for the rest of the week planning how to use the time we would be getting back since she would not be sitting in the infusion room for 4 hours every Friday.
Over the labor day weekend (Sept 3,4) ZM began to have problems moving her left side and she become quiet and hard to communicate with. On Tuesday morning (Sept 5) she slipped into a near comma state and was taken to the hospital via 911 services. In the ER they ordered a brain scan and delivered the news that the cancer had spread to her brain and she had multiple tumors causing lesions in the right side of her brain, some as large as 5 centimeters. These were also causing swelling in her brain and increased pain. ZM's oncologist ordered more test and then told us that the tumors causing the lesions were inoperable. We were told that our options were to (1) simply give up and go home with hospice care or (2) try some radiation of the brain. The radiation may result in some temporary improvement or at least make ZM more comfortable.
So on Thursday (9/07) we moved ZM to a hospital in Plano, TX where she could receive radiation treatments as an inpatient. By now ZM was basically in a coma and could not move her left arm o r leg and could not even force her eyes to look to the left. That afternoon, they developed a treatment mask for her and did the first radiation treatment. After a 3 hour sleep ZM woke up able to move her left arm and leg some. A combination of steroids was prescribed to shrink the swelling in her brain. On Friday afternoon she received a 5 minute radiation treatment and following an hours sleep she woke with full use of her body, sat up in bed and pronounced herself hungry for the first time in weeks. Radiation is only done Monday thru Friday, so we hung around in the hospital over the weekend with ZM improving by the hour. The Doctors have all said they are astonished with her recovery/progress. They are now referring to her as their September miracle.
Following radiation on Monday (9/11) she was released from the hospital and I brought her home. She is 100% off the oxygen now and has had no pain medication since Thursday (9/07). She requires a walker to get around, but is getting stronger each day. We return to the hospital in Plano (30 miles each way) for radiation treatments and she continues to take the steroid to reduce the swelling. All this activity has left her with a bit of confusion, but today she tried to get on line and read some of her email.(Since she hasn't looked at email in well over a month you can imagine the stack of mail she has.)
We will continue the daily radiation treatments on Monday and Tuesday (9/26). After that she'll continue on the steroids but will return to her regular daily activities. ZM and I believe that -- Thanks to the prays and good thoughts - this is a permanent fix. However, she'll be returning to the doctors for blood work and check-ups on 10/10. Hopefully she'll get a clean bill of health at that time.
Thanks so much to everyone for the cards, emails and keeping her in your prayers.
See? OUr "treatment" is working. PLEASE keep this wonderful FRiend in your thoughts and prayers! God bless!
Thanks for the update! God is good. ZM will remain in my prayers.
Prayers up for a great lady.
Prayers continue for Zac's Mom from here in Idaho. What an inspirational story and God bless her, her husband, and their entire family...and may He comfort and Heal them too.
THANK YOU Jesus!
Amen.
Ditto that.
Prayers on the way
Wow, that a roller coaster ride - and what a great outcome! Prayers continue for ZM ...
You are the Author of all miracles. We praise You and exalt You for what You are doing in Zac's Mom's life! May Your Name be glorified, and may all proclaim her healing through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Keep her heart and soul full of courage and help her to know that You will not leave her nor forsake her. We are Your people, coming together in thanksgiving for all the love that You shed abroad upon those who call You LORD. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Wonderful news. Prayers going up.
Thanks so much for the update. Zac's Mom is thought of often, and prayed for constantly here at FR. Her loving hubby, family and FRiends are there for her and rooting for her all the way. Keep up the fight, dear lady, and may God continue to walk this path with you.
May God bless her and all the family.
I will always be grateful to Zac's Mom for her complete and total support in setting the record straight about the people who took part in the first flag raising on Iwo Jima.
She went all out in getting at the truth and then in publishing it on her web page.I wish her well and pray for her recovery.
Raymond Jacobs.Radioman F/2/28.
Praise God for tender mercies. Continued prayers for ZM.
Just terrific news, take care.
Wow, thanks to G-d! This really sounds like a miracle.
We are still praying.
pinging all the lists to celebrate some news about our friend, Zac's Mom -
what a hard journey, and let's all take some time to speak our thanks to God, and send our prayers for more good days to come.
HiYa, ZM!
Thanks for the GOOD news! BUMP!
I think we were all pinged in post #3 and I have been pinged 4 more times.
We are all happy to hear news of Zacs Mom and excited to tell each other. Our prayers are flowing to her!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.