Thursday, June 9, 2011

Tough Times for the Snodgrass Family (Written Mid-May)

Susan and the baby are perfectly fine. I want to get that out of the way first since I know many of you tune into this blog to get baby updates. This is more Snodgrass family, than baby news. As most of you know by now my mom has metastasized renal cancer. This basically means the cancer she had removed (with infected kidney) in 1994 had been hiding for 17 years and finally came out to start trouble. The cancer cells are in her lungs, adrenal gland, and spine. Her spine has taken significant damage which causes severe pain in her legs and hips. The medications are doing their job pretty well and the majority of her day is filled with comfort, bedside visitors, physical therapy, and good books. She had 10 days of radiation treatment that ended about three weeks ago. The latest update we received stated the tumor was stabilized, and not moving. Good news for now but we won’t get the full assessment until next week. We are still waiting to start chemo. Mom is currently staying at a nursing and rehab facility until she gets strong enough to go home. Mom and the nurses are still working to find ways to deal with the pain and difficulty of life with a fractured spine. Once Mom can manage a little on her own, she’ll be back in her condo with Micki at her feet.  This life will include a back brace and most likely a wheelchair. Fortunately it will also include being surrounded by her children and grandchildren.  It is not an easy road but we have really come together as a family and our love along with my mom’s dedication are putting up a strong fight.  She was in hospital for three weeks and the rehab facility for another three. We’re hoping my mom’s progression in physical therapy and an increased understanding of her pain meds will get her home soon.  Our love is with her always.

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