Bad Turn

When Melissa started this blog her idea was to use it as a way to keep anyone interested, informed on how her treatment was going and also how we were doing as a family.   At the moment she isn't in a condition to write a post, so here goes my attempt at an update. 

Mel’s most recent post detailed how she had been switched to a less aggressive form of treatment.  That was a hard reality for us to face.  We were put in a situation where we just had to stay in the fight as long as possible.  With the best treatments for her cancer not an option, our only hope is that she can survive long enough that a new treatment becomes available, or some medical miracle occurs where the cancer just disappears. At this point neither of those options seems likely.  Mel had a CT scan earlier this week and it showed she has developed blood clots in her lungs.  She was already taking a full dose of blood thinners so that was pretty bad to discover.  Also, there has been a progression in the disease in her liver, not good either.  Additionally she has been having fluid build-up in her stomach which has diminished her appetite and given her bad heart burn when she did feel like eating.  Mel did have the fluid drained on Friday and her doctor increased the dose on her blood thinners so we were hoping to see an improvement in her health.  Unfortunately she has taken a pretty bad turn over the weekend.  She was very drowsy on Friday night, which had been the case in the evenings over the last while, but it just seemed a little worse.  Then when I went to wake her yesterday she was noticeably worse.  Since Friday night she hasn't left our bedroom and has been sleeping most of the time.  She will have short periods when she is lucid, but after a few minutes she just fades off.  I called her doctor and he came by the house to check on her.  At this point with so many problems it is challenging to know for certain what is causing her current state, but most likely she is in liver failure.  There is a chance she may bounce back from this, but there is also the chance she may not.  We talked with her doctor about how we wanted to handle the situation including where Mel wanted to pass.  Mel decided she wanted to stay at home as long as possible, so this is where we stay.  It is impossible to predict what the next few days will hold for us, but I know Mel will keep fighting.  I was lying in bed with her last night worried she may not make it through the night and the next thing I know, she is getting up to go brush her teeth.  She is so tough!

We aren't alone in this, and family and close friends have come by to offer assistance and support.  We are grateful to have a group to rely on.  We are also grateful to anyone who has sent a text or email of support and also to anyone who has had a good thought for us.  Thank you.

Will