March 28, 2006

[This is a photo of Erica about to undergo radiation. The plastic mask is form fitted specifically to her face and the technician snaps it down to the table to keep her cranium still as she is only receiving the radiation to her brain. It is so difficult to watch her go through this--even for the mere minute or two it lasts--but she enjoys the music playing in the room during this time. The only complaint she has mentioned is the smell of burning during the procedure... it's even more creepy to realize it is herself that is indeed causing the odor.]

Just an update on our latest situation...
Each day, Erica is getting better and better. The pain in her neck and back are slowly subsiding. After an MRI showed us that there was possible leaking of her spinal fluid after an LP last Monday, it helped us understand her pain patterns. After laying down on her side for twenty minutes or so, the pain would nearly dissipate. However, shifting from a horizontal position to anything remotely vertical (i.e. sitting, standing, or merely propped up in bed) caused flashes of INTENSE pain all down her spine. Then back down from standing (with dull lower back pain) to laying down would trigger the pain once again. Throw in a few days of consistant nausea and our week is covered. Needless to say, last week was filled with sadness and boredom.
As the weekend approached, she was able to move slowly and this allowed some freedom from her bedrest. Jamie was amazing and helped out for the entire week and Jonathan & Ted, Auntie Shirley & Uncle Jimmy came to cheer her up for the weekend. Before the visit was over, she was walking around and socializing! I know the medications help her physically, but the support and love from friends give her inner strength more than anyone realizes. Each post on this blog, we talk about! Every time someone calls or emails, when Adam bikes over unexpededly from Medford MA to drop off mail, when Kent shows up with donuts... we talk about it. Words don't begin to cover it... thank you so sincerely.
She still has four more radiation appointments and three more LPs during this second phase of treatment. Unfortunately, tomorrow is a big day of both. Since we know what we *think* causes it -- yea, we pretend to be MDs -- we are taking precautions to hopefully avoid another tough experience. I'm trying to get her to drink as much fluids as possible to buff her up before the spinal tap and we plan to have her lay down for a few hours after her LP. Truthfully, I'm nervous... I will report back asap.
Our house is turning into a home as most of our boxes are unpacked and we are building a daily routine. Per Marcin's suggestions, we are looking forward to so many day trips around beautiful New England! Fishing, walking, bird watching (I'm still trying to convince her that we are just not OLD enough to do this), and letting Lola run wild sounds like heaven! Soon enough... :)