Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
March 29
Instead of the carboplatin and taxol combination of chemotherapy treatments, Dr. Hartmann is recommending a new chemo regimen of Avastin to be administered intravenously combined with Cytoxan that comes in tablets.
It sounds like the chemo schedule will be once a week for three weeks in a row, and then every other week.
The first appointment with the new regimen is Monday, March 29 at 1:15 pm.
It sounds like the chemo schedule will be once a week for three weeks in a row, and then every other week.
The first appointment with the new regimen is Monday, March 29 at 1:15 pm.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
28
It was 28 days ago today that Ma had her surgery.
She has her first post-operative appointment this afternoon with Dr. Hartmann, her oncologist at the Mayo Clinic.
The last time we spoke with the surgeon, Dr. Wilson, he recommended that chemotherapy start up again with the carboplatin and taxol.
So today we will find out if Dr. Hartmann concurs with that recommendation, and if so what will be the schedule?
She has her first post-operative appointment this afternoon with Dr. Hartmann, her oncologist at the Mayo Clinic.
The last time we spoke with the surgeon, Dr. Wilson, he recommended that chemotherapy start up again with the carboplatin and taxol.
So today we will find out if Dr. Hartmann concurs with that recommendation, and if so what will be the schedule?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Softest Juniper
While Ma was at Providence, we decided to makeover her bedroom in Minneapolis. Mave's friend John did most of the painting with us helping out a little when we weren't over at Providence.
Thanks to John for volunteering to give Ma's bedroom a new look! She loves it!
The new paint color is called "Softest Juniper" by Glidden. The trim is "Ultra Pure White" by Behr in a semi-gloss finish.
Before
Thanks to John for volunteering to give Ma's bedroom a new look! She loves it!
The new paint color is called "Softest Juniper" by Glidden. The trim is "Ultra Pure White" by Behr in a semi-gloss finish.
Before
After
Small things make a big difference too! Jim put in new switches and outlets.
And a new light fixture.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Discharge
On March 1 Ma was admitted to Providence Place to rehabilitate after her surgery and after two and a half weeks, she is being discharged!
And it's a good thing, because she is ready to bust out of there. She will be discharged this Thursday, March 18.
And it's a good thing, because she is ready to bust out of there. She will be discharged this Thursday, March 18.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
The Program
The staff at Providence Place developed a personalized program of both occupational and physical therapy for Ma. The program is meant to help her rehabilitate from the surgery and to help her live independently and safely at home. This approach at Providence is not uncommon at all; and, in fact the combined therapies have become the post-surgery rehabilitation standard as they have been found to provide many positive benefits.
The physical therapists at Providence have been helping Ma to restore her strength, balance, and motion after the surgery; while, the occupational therapists have been working with Ma on what are commonly known in the therapy world as activities of daily living. Health professionals routinely refer to them as ADLs. When evaluating patients, therapists typically rate them as either independent, needs assistance, or dependent.
As she continues with her rehabilitation, we are suppposed to get periodic updates from the staff on how Ma is doing. I met yesterday with the social worker in charge of Ma's case and here is what I found out:
· Ma has completed all physical therapy activities.
· She is independent with bed mobility, transfers (like from a bed to a chair), and she can independently stand from a sitting position.
· She can walk 300 ft with a cane independently.
· She is independent in her room at Providence Place.
· Her balance is good.
· She can climb 12 stairs but needs assistance.
· She is independent on her grooming and hygiene.
· She is independent with upper body dressing.
· She is in the needs assistance category with lower body dressing (legs/shoes/socks etc.)
· She did well on her mental testing.
· The staff is still working on cognitive performance - they've completed 2 out of 7 tests.
The social worker indicated that patients progress at all different levels, but overall her progress with the program is coming along just fine.
The physical therapists at Providence have been helping Ma to restore her strength, balance, and motion after the surgery; while, the occupational therapists have been working with Ma on what are commonly known in the therapy world as activities of daily living. Health professionals routinely refer to them as ADLs. When evaluating patients, therapists typically rate them as either independent, needs assistance, or dependent.
As she continues with her rehabilitation, we are suppposed to get periodic updates from the staff on how Ma is doing. I met yesterday with the social worker in charge of Ma's case and here is what I found out:
· Ma has completed all physical therapy activities.
· She is independent with bed mobility, transfers (like from a bed to a chair), and she can independently stand from a sitting position.
· She can walk 300 ft with a cane independently.
· She is independent in her room at Providence Place.
· Her balance is good.
· She can climb 12 stairs but needs assistance.
· She is independent on her grooming and hygiene.
· She is independent with upper body dressing.
· She is in the needs assistance category with lower body dressing (legs/shoes/socks etc.)
· She did well on her mental testing.
· The staff is still working on cognitive performance - they've completed 2 out of 7 tests.
The social worker indicated that patients progress at all different levels, but overall her progress with the program is coming along just fine.
Monday, March 8, 2010
House Call
We were pleasantly surprised to find that Providence Place has doctors that come in once a week to check out residents. So when he stopped by Ma's room to check up on her, the doctor reassured her that "while you're here, we're going to keep an eye on you." He was concerned about her ongoing pain, but encouraged her to not be afraid of taking something to relieve it because our bodies heal better when we're not in pain.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Next Mayo Appointments
In follow-up to the surgery, the Mayo Clinic has arranged the next sequence of appointments with the oncology department.
The appointments will take place on Wednesday, March 24.
The schedule is as follows:
9:00 a.m. - Check in
9:30 a.m. - Venipuncture collection
1:30 p.m. - Oncology evaluation with Dr. Hartmann
All appointments are on the 10th floor of the Gonda Building.
No chemotherapy is scheduled as of now but Dr. Wilson (the surgeon) is recommending a return to the Carboplatin and Taxol regimen. Once she has done the oncology evaluation, Dr. Hartmann will let us know her recommended course of action with regard to additional chemotherapy.
The appointments will take place on Wednesday, March 24.
The schedule is as follows:
9:00 a.m. - Check in
9:30 a.m. - Venipuncture collection
1:30 p.m. - Oncology evaluation with Dr. Hartmann
All appointments are on the 10th floor of the Gonda Building.
No chemotherapy is scheduled as of now but Dr. Wilson (the surgeon) is recommending a return to the Carboplatin and Taxol regimen. Once she has done the oncology evaluation, Dr. Hartmann will let us know her recommended course of action with regard to additional chemotherapy.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Stairs
The physical therapist working with Ma is very nice and Ma seems to like her. Her name is Sukaina. While she is here at Providence Place, Ma will be working with Sukaina everyday to build up her strength so that daily tasks are manageable and safe for her.
The therapist started working with Ma yesterday, first doing an evaluation of where Ma is at right now in terms of her mobility and ability to do everyday tasks. Since her bedroom and the bathroom at Mave's house are upstairs, one of the goals is to get Ma in shape to go up and down a flight of stairs.
Here is a picture of Sukaina and Ma working their way up one of the stairwells at Providence. The therapist instructed Ma to take her time, relying on the rail to help pull herself up and her cane for balance.
The therapist started working with Ma yesterday, first doing an evaluation of where Ma is at right now in terms of her mobility and ability to do everyday tasks. Since her bedroom and the bathroom at Mave's house are upstairs, one of the goals is to get Ma in shape to go up and down a flight of stairs.
Here is a picture of Sukaina and Ma working their way up one of the stairwells at Providence. The therapist instructed Ma to take her time, relying on the rail to help pull herself up and her cane for balance.
It was not easy for her to get to the top but it wasn't "too bad" either. They did take a time out though once Ma got to the top.
Here they are coming back down the stairs. Again you see the belt around her top for safety.
It was a great session!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Providence Place
Ma was discharged yesterday from the hospital as planned to continue her recovery and rehabilitation in Minneapolis. At one point an ambulatory care transport to Minneapolis was considered but we went by car instead. The doctors were worried about potential for blood clotting during the trip so we were instructed to stop during the drive and get out for a few minutes to walk around.
But since most movement is painful, the nurses at the hospital administered some pain medication for Ma so that getting in and out of the car wouldn't be so tortuous. It made a big difference, as we made it back to Minneapolis without incident. It was actually a beautiful day and turned out to be a pleasant trip.
Once in Minneapolis, we drove directly to the transitional care facility. It is called Providence Place. Ma has a nice, clean, comfortable room with cable TV and there is free wireless internet access here. The facility staff seem very nice and competent and the administrative staff is helpful.
But since most movement is painful, the nurses at the hospital administered some pain medication for Ma so that getting in and out of the car wouldn't be so tortuous. It made a big difference, as we made it back to Minneapolis without incident. It was actually a beautiful day and turned out to be a pleasant trip.
Once in Minneapolis, we drove directly to the transitional care facility. It is called Providence Place. Ma has a nice, clean, comfortable room with cable TV and there is free wireless internet access here. The facility staff seem very nice and competent and the administrative staff is helpful.
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