Ferdousi has been at Abbott Northwestern Hospital for almost five weeks now. A CT scan on December 25th showed the need to start another round of chemo as soon as possible. She completed chemo #1 on December 29th. Her second chemo was scheduled to be on January 11th, but was delayed due to a low blood count and then a high fever due to an infection. She was also suffering from extreme nausea for such a long time. It took a while for the doctors to control the nausea as well as the pain by continuoulsy adjusting various medications. On top of that Ferdousi had to deal with the side-effects of the medications. One of those side-effects was extreme sleepiness; I was with her on a few of those days where she dozed in and out and she most often dreamt of and spoke David's name. David - if you're reading this, your mom loves & adores you so much! I think one of the dreams she had was taking you camping (at least that's what I interpreted).
Another CT scan on January 16th showed the need to start chemo #2 again as quickly as possible. So, she went through the 46-hour chemotherapy starting on January 17. Then on January 20th (yesterday), a blood test showed that she had an infection which attacks the small intestine. She's receiving antibiotics for this and it is expected to get better.
Our parents returned to Minnesota several weeks ago and go to the hospital each day. If prayers alone could save a person, then surely the prayers of our mother & father would have healed my sister and she would be running another marathon somewhere in some exotic place.
Lately Ferdousi has been able to eat a little better and sometimes mom cooks something special for her and brings it to the hospital. The sad thing is that her taste buds have dulled so much that it's hard for her to taste & really enjoy anything. So, Ferdousi has been eating a little better than before, but it's not saying much. She is down to less than 80 pounds now. We are hopeful that if her nausea and pain continue to be under control, if she can drink and eat a bit more and regain her strength to start walking more often, that she may be able to leave the hospital the middle of next week. She has some work to do to get there, but if anyone can do it, it is my sister. I'm going to see her again in a few days and I can't wait to see my big sister, hug her, hold her hand....and maybe some of the incredible & amazing strength that she has in her little body will rub off on me.
Selina
262.490.2436
Selina -
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking time to let us know how Ferdousi is doing. I see that these days are not easy for her, but if she has started eating more, that is a very good sign. Let's hope that continues to improve in the coming days. Please give her a few hugs from me too when you see her. I hope she gets to MI soon where I plan to visit her again.
My best wishes to all of you, Neda.
Rina,
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with you daily. I hope you have a safe trip to Michigan.
Tara
Rina - I hope you might remember me. This is Rob Serres or Coach Serres. You were always one of my favorite people in the entire world. That infectious smile and cheerful personality will be with me forever. I'm still teaching/coaching here in Platteville. I saw Kori Schumacher Barry last night at a Basketball game and she said that you were not feeling well. I feel terrible that you are not well, but, I want you to know that each time I think of you, you still make me SMILE! Be Strong. Coach S.
ReplyDeleteGet well soon Ferdousi. Keep fighting!
ReplyDelete