Struggling

Fri 04/25/08
This has been a rough couple of days for Susan on the lower dose of prednisone. She started off the week doing well, but has developed a severe headache, neck pain and stiffness, and is generally slower and more confused. The vicodin helps for pain. I hope she improves soon.
Susan was scheduled to begin her monthly temodar chemotherapy on Sunday, but will need to wait until Monday because today’s blood test results didn’t get faxed to UCLA in time. Her neuro-oncologist uses the two monthly blood tests to check for infection, blood sugar, and liver/kidney function before releasing her to begin chemo.

Sat 04/26/08
Susan had her last hyperbaric oxygen treatment today and will have a follow-up visit next week at the Whitaker clinic. It’s hard to say what the effect has been since it’s subject to the patient being able to notice improvement and since ten treatments is often the first of several rounds with only slight progress at first. Susan’s compromised state right now may make it harder to sense any improvement.

Mon 04/28/08
Susan’s symptoms have not improved over the past few days. When I contacted Dr. Nghiemphu today to let her know about her solid headache, neck pain/stiffness and increased confusion, she said the symptoms are more than she’d expect from a taper to 7.5 mg of prednisone. She ordered an MRI for this week and will hold off on Susan’s chemo for now.