Friday, Feb 6, 2015 7:29pm – Great News!!
Good evening!
I am so thankful to report that Donna's pain has finally gotten under control. The medical oncologist, Dr. Heyer, increased dosages and added just the right combination of medicines (2 for pain and a steroid for the inflammation) on Wednesday. By Thursday morning, Donna felt much needed relief. Last night, she slept, lying down, in her own bed... this has not been possible for months. Not only did Donna find relief, but so did Rich and Lilli as you can only imagine how much it has been hurting their hearts to see Donna this way. Praising God for answering all of your prayers!!
Many have asked how much Lilli knows. Donna has been truthful with her in that she knows something has been found in Donna's head that has been causing tremendous pain. She knows that Donna has to go through a lot of tests to figure out what it is and what needs to be done to make it better. Lilli is such a compassionate young lady that she worries for her mother and has had some very tearful times but is amazing in her strength, ability to accept and to love.
Donna met her Radiation oncologist, Dr. Bhajaj, Thursday as well as the interventional pulmonologist, Dr. Mahajan AKA Dr. Bobby. She loves them both. Rich has NOTHING to worry about but if any of you have ever had any major medical issues where you needed to rely on a doctor or nurse tremendously, you understand the importance of Donna liking/loving the docs and the innocence of the "crush". I have many crushes on my daughter Justice's doctors... they saved her life and fight for her always. Donna feels that way and it seems to have given her peace and clarity of information.
The radiation oncologist believes that the MRI film of the tumor does NOT show evidence that the tumor (which he described as looking like a large marshmallow) has caused damage to the brain. He does believe it looks to be about a stage 4 in terms of size/ growth. He was very encouraging to Donna and positive about his role. Donna met with him and his team again today to be fitted for her radiation mask. She can begin radiation on the brain tumor as early as next Thursday.
The biopsy of the lung mass is actually set for Tuesday, not Monday. The surgeon believes he will have pathology that same day. Additionally, he will take a look at her lymph nodes during the procedure. It should take about 1.5 hours. No admission unless her lung collapses.
A plan for treatment will be discussed with the oncologist (not the radiation oncologist, but the medical oncologist) on Thursday.
Donna's house was cleaned today by her regular crew of ladies. She typically has house cleaning done every two weeks. I have emphasized the number of people and ways for assistance in this regard and that we may take over and clean more often if it will keep her relaxed!
Only Donna Barkley continues to have quick wit and humor despite pain and challenging diagnoses. I tried, to no avail, to attach some selfies that she and her "driver" J-Lo took with the docs on Thursday. Her faith and hope were restored when your prayer, the medicine and her God brought her relief this week. Donna's hope was renewed when she felt all of us come beside she, Rich and Lilli.
Donna is looking to change her updates from here to her blog. She has a title picked out... "Big headaches, big friendships and BIG GOD"!! Donna, Rich and lilli have been blessed this week by the outpouring of love and support. Thank you!!
I am so thankful to report that Donna's pain has finally gotten under control. The medical oncologist, Dr. Heyer, increased dosages and added just the right combination of medicines (2 for pain and a steroid for the inflammation) on Wednesday. By Thursday morning, Donna felt much needed relief. Last night, she slept, lying down, in her own bed... this has not been possible for months. Not only did Donna find relief, but so did Rich and Lilli as you can only imagine how much it has been hurting their hearts to see Donna this way. Praising God for answering all of your prayers!!
Many have asked how much Lilli knows. Donna has been truthful with her in that she knows something has been found in Donna's head that has been causing tremendous pain. She knows that Donna has to go through a lot of tests to figure out what it is and what needs to be done to make it better. Lilli is such a compassionate young lady that she worries for her mother and has had some very tearful times but is amazing in her strength, ability to accept and to love.
Donna met her Radiation oncologist, Dr. Bhajaj, Thursday as well as the interventional pulmonologist, Dr. Mahajan AKA Dr. Bobby. She loves them both. Rich has NOTHING to worry about but if any of you have ever had any major medical issues where you needed to rely on a doctor or nurse tremendously, you understand the importance of Donna liking/loving the docs and the innocence of the "crush". I have many crushes on my daughter Justice's doctors... they saved her life and fight for her always. Donna feels that way and it seems to have given her peace and clarity of information.
The radiation oncologist believes that the MRI film of the tumor does NOT show evidence that the tumor (which he described as looking like a large marshmallow) has caused damage to the brain. He does believe it looks to be about a stage 4 in terms of size/ growth. He was very encouraging to Donna and positive about his role. Donna met with him and his team again today to be fitted for her radiation mask. She can begin radiation on the brain tumor as early as next Thursday.
The biopsy of the lung mass is actually set for Tuesday, not Monday. The surgeon believes he will have pathology that same day. Additionally, he will take a look at her lymph nodes during the procedure. It should take about 1.5 hours. No admission unless her lung collapses.
A plan for treatment will be discussed with the oncologist (not the radiation oncologist, but the medical oncologist) on Thursday.
Donna's house was cleaned today by her regular crew of ladies. She typically has house cleaning done every two weeks. I have emphasized the number of people and ways for assistance in this regard and that we may take over and clean more often if it will keep her relaxed!
Only Donna Barkley continues to have quick wit and humor despite pain and challenging diagnoses. I tried, to no avail, to attach some selfies that she and her "driver" J-Lo took with the docs on Thursday. Her faith and hope were restored when your prayer, the medicine and her God brought her relief this week. Donna's hope was renewed when she felt all of us come beside she, Rich and Lilli.
Donna is looking to change her updates from here to her blog. She has a title picked out... "Big headaches, big friendships and BIG GOD"!! Donna, Rich and lilli have been blessed this week by the outpouring of love and support. Thank you!!
Here is the link to the meal schedule: www.takethemameal.com
Last Name: Barkley
Password: Donna
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
In Donna's words: Some of you may want all the medical jargon and details, while others may not. Quite frankly it is all spinning in my head (literally), so I will share the more human side of what has been going on with me medically. About a month and half ago I began having headaches for days on end. Additionally, I had intense neck pain. At first, we thought it was stress related. However, when it did not get better, and in fact increased in duration and intensity, I began to seek medical assistance. I am no longer able to lie down without pain. I have difficulty swallowing and talking. In the past few weeks I have had several types of scans and begun to form a team of doctors, including an ENT, Neurosurgeon and Oncologist. A tumor has been found in the base of my skull. It is in a location that is very difficult to reach for a biopsy, let alone surgical removal. The neurosurgeon says the tumor must be removed, however, surgical removal is very dangerous and could cause even more damage (as it is now, it is large enough that it has already caused bone and other damage). As such, he is exhausting all other methods of determining much needed information about the type of tumor. Today I had a scan of my chest, abdomen and pelvis searching for other information or tumors. If he is not able to gather any information through that scan, then he will determine the best possible means of getting a biopsy.In Cara Coleman's words and update for 2/4/15:
Donna is one of the most selfless human beings I know. She gives until she has no more to give… and thenfigures out how to give even more. But right now, we cannot allow Donna togive. It is very hard to learn to ask for help and to receive it. Some of you may have been in situations in your life where you have had to learn how to truly ask and receive. It is humbling and it is against the very nature of most women/ moms of this century. Donna has been fighting the past week and trying to push away her fears and hopeless feelings (laced with pain) by staying connected and busy as if she were healthy. and we cannot allow her to do so any longer. She is in extreme pain and she feels totally debilitated. She must get it under control or she will lose hope. This is where we come in.
First, please pray for Donna. Pray that she fixes her eyes on the Lord in a way that she never has before in her life. She is feeling so weary. Her prayers are frequent, and laden with pleas for help. Pray that Donna feels peace, strength and courage and that she feels relief from her pain. Pray that Donna is able to let go other giving self and give in to her receiving self so that we may join Jesus as he leads her through this scary time. Pray that Rich, Lilli and the rest of their family may be guided by the beacon of hope Himself. Pray that they too feel peace, strength and courage. Pray for all of the medical professionals-may they be wise, compassionate, courageous, strong, hopeful and faithful.
Second, Donna knows a TON of people and a TON of people love Donna. Let’s face it- the girl is connected! While many people are sending encouragement, a lot of us (with best intentions) are also sending questions. When you have as many friends as Donna does, that means 30-50 texts a day with questions of how she is doing. Of course Donna is determined to answer everyone. While her pain levels have improved some and she is now able to rest a bit more (naps that stretch an 1 ½- 2 hours at most), she is a sneeze away from desperation and hopelessness. Weeks of unrelenting pain have Donna at her limits.
PLEASE keep your communication to posts of encouragement and support that do NOT require response (and by require I mean that you know Donna will not feel bad if shedoes not respond).
Third, our offers of help must be very specific. Either offer a specific thing (“ I will pick Lilli up and take her to practice”) or ask if she wants a specific thing. Please do not be put off if Donna cannot answer your questions of “what can I do to help?” She doesn’t know- and quite frankly, if it was up to Donna she would not need help and she would be working, texting and chatting from the chemo infusion chair or operating room. in fact today as she told me she feels as though she is being a wimp.
For now the need is meals and some rides. We are working on a way to set up a ride schedule for radiation, treatments, appointments etc. as Donna is unable to drive because of the extent of her pain and the medications she is taking right now.
UPDATE 2/4/15: Today Donna met with the Oncologist. The CT scan showed a mass in her lung. On Monday she will have a biopsy of the mass done by an interventional pulmonologist. Additionally, she will begin radiation on the brain tumor as early as next week. A lot of information has yet to be gathered but there is forward movement.
1 comment:
Dear Donna so sorry for your suffering.I pray for you and Family.Hope things get better Love Uncle Larry
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