Well, It is Wednesday, August 25th, my mom came home from the hospital yesterday. She is very weak and unfortunately, the oncologist told us that the tumor is growing in her head and that she is too weak for surgery. She is happy to be home and immediately wanted to be in HER KITCHEN! That by far is her favorite room in the house. For now, it is important that mom is as comfortable as possible and is with her family and friends. The doc says it could be weeks or if we are lucky months.
As some of you know, Lane was in the hospital last week and on Monday night. As soon as I know more about his kidney biopsy and we are comfortable that he is okay, I will be in Detroit and we are also planning on spending the holidays in Detroit.
In the meantime, please go visit my mom. I know she will be happy to see everyone and it is important that we surround her with family, friends and lots of love.
Also, please post your favorite Shirley stories and pics. I know she will love this!
Love,
Ilene
This blog is In memory of Shirley Ruzumna. My mom and my best friend. We will all miss you forever! But we will cherish your memories.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Sorry for the late update - Friday, August 20, 2010
Hi All:
Well I apologize to all for not updating the blog sooner. We have had our own issues in Chicago as Lane is not in the hospital. While I was in Detroit, Lane had an eczema infection and was taking antibiotics. Then on Tuesday his eyes swelled up. And on Wednesday his whole face swelled up. After visiting 2 docs and the ER, we determined that his kidneys were spilling protein, which was causing the swelling. So, he is in the hospital to figure out why it is happening and how to treat it. We think the kidney issue was triggered from the infection and the treatment will be a diuretic and low sodium diet or possibly a steroid. The good news is this is hopefully not a re-occuring thing.
So now to my mom. Mom had an MRI yesterday to check the progress of reducing the swelling in her brain. We are waiting for the results of this. In addition, they are giving her blood thinners and her blood is too thin, so they are working to regulate here blood. Otherwise, she will be going home for rehab. Will update as soon as I speak to the doc.
Ilene
Well I apologize to all for not updating the blog sooner. We have had our own issues in Chicago as Lane is not in the hospital. While I was in Detroit, Lane had an eczema infection and was taking antibiotics. Then on Tuesday his eyes swelled up. And on Wednesday his whole face swelled up. After visiting 2 docs and the ER, we determined that his kidneys were spilling protein, which was causing the swelling. So, he is in the hospital to figure out why it is happening and how to treat it. We think the kidney issue was triggered from the infection and the treatment will be a diuretic and low sodium diet or possibly a steroid. The good news is this is hopefully not a re-occuring thing.
So now to my mom. Mom had an MRI yesterday to check the progress of reducing the swelling in her brain. We are waiting for the results of this. In addition, they are giving her blood thinners and her blood is too thin, so they are working to regulate here blood. Otherwise, she will be going home for rehab. Will update as soon as I speak to the doc.
Ilene
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
I spent the weekend in Chicago, and am getting ready for Lane to start High School in just two weeks. I spoke to my Dad today and he told me mom looks good. I will call the doctor tomorrow and see what they are planning for this week. I will be back in Detroit on Friday or Saturday, but will post updates in the meantime. For now, no news is good news.
Love,
Ilene
Love,
Ilene
Friday, August 13, 2010
Mystery Solved - Grandma Joe's Hebrew Name
Well thank you to cousin Andrea and Aunty Arlene, Grandma Joe's Hebrew name is Pessell. And again my mom's is Sora Hendel. Thanks again for all the prayers.
Ilene
Ilene
Friday August 13th - And no, I am not superstitious! Plus what is Grandma Joe's Hebrew Name
I visited the hospital this morning before heading back to Chicago. Mom looked really good. Her color was good, her vitals were good and she was eating breakfast. Its still a little hard for her to talk because of the tube that was down her throat, but that will go away.
In the meantime, she is on the steroid meds to reduce the swelling in the brain and the seizure preventative meds as I said earlier in the week. She is still in ICU until a room becomes available in the step down, which should be today. From there she will most likely move to the in-patient rehab. They will also be doing dopplers in her arms and legs to make sure there are no blood clots.
The speech therapist came in this morning and she was swallowing great. She is very nice and will be working with Mom on her speech as soon as she is out of ICU.
I know some of you have asked what Mom's Hebrew name is. It is Sora Hendel. I don't know what Grandma Joe's Hebrew name is. So if any family members read this, please post in the comments. Thank you for all your prayers.
Love, Ilene
In the meantime, she is on the steroid meds to reduce the swelling in the brain and the seizure preventative meds as I said earlier in the week. She is still in ICU until a room becomes available in the step down, which should be today. From there she will most likely move to the in-patient rehab. They will also be doing dopplers in her arms and legs to make sure there are no blood clots.
The speech therapist came in this morning and she was swallowing great. She is very nice and will be working with Mom on her speech as soon as she is out of ICU.
I know some of you have asked what Mom's Hebrew name is. It is Sora Hendel. I don't know what Grandma Joe's Hebrew name is. So if any family members read this, please post in the comments. Thank you for all your prayers.
Love, Ilene
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Please send pics and your favorite "Shirley" stories.
Humor is always the best medicine and everyone loves looking at pictures. So to help my mom recover please post your favorite "Shirley" stories. I think while she is in the hospital she will love reading them. Also, please send your favorite pictures to share with her.
I know this will give her a reason to smile as she is getting on her feet.
Thanks again.
Love, Ilene xxoo
I know this will give her a reason to smile as she is getting on her feet.
Thanks again.
Love, Ilene xxoo
August 12th Update - Good News.
Today is a good day -- No a great day. So here's the scoop.
The MRI results showed that the tumors in her brain that had the gamma knife procedure appear to be dying. What the doctor saw on the initial CT Scan on Monday is actually swelling. This can be alleviated with a steroid. So she is now on Decadron and she will be on it for a while. The Neurosurgeon does not feel that surgery is necessary at this time. She will follow up with an MRI in one month to see the status of these tumors.
The oncologist, did let us know that there is one very small new spot in the brain. They are going to talk to the radiologist to see if radiation is a possible treatment for this.
Overall, today's news is very good (thank god). They are moving mom to a step down from ICU hopefully today and then to a regular room. The plan now is to get her into rehab. They will also evaluate if she is a candidate for in-patient rehab. And as we speak, the speech therapist just gave her a swallow test, which she passed with flying colors. She ate the orange sherbert so fast. She must have been starving. So now, she can eat again. Other than that her color looks good, her vitals are good and she is "the fighter" we all know and love.
Please when you can, say a prayer for my mom and feel free to let me know if you have any questions.
Love to all
Ilene
The MRI results showed that the tumors in her brain that had the gamma knife procedure appear to be dying. What the doctor saw on the initial CT Scan on Monday is actually swelling. This can be alleviated with a steroid. So she is now on Decadron and she will be on it for a while. The Neurosurgeon does not feel that surgery is necessary at this time. She will follow up with an MRI in one month to see the status of these tumors.
The oncologist, did let us know that there is one very small new spot in the brain. They are going to talk to the radiologist to see if radiation is a possible treatment for this.
Overall, today's news is very good (thank god). They are moving mom to a step down from ICU hopefully today and then to a regular room. The plan now is to get her into rehab. They will also evaluate if she is a candidate for in-patient rehab. And as we speak, the speech therapist just gave her a swallow test, which she passed with flying colors. She ate the orange sherbert so fast. She must have been starving. So now, she can eat again. Other than that her color looks good, her vitals are good and she is "the fighter" we all know and love.
Please when you can, say a prayer for my mom and feel free to let me know if you have any questions.
Love to all
Ilene
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Welcome to Shirley's Page
Hello to Family and Friends. We have received many calls to find out how my mom is doing. That is why I created this blog. We will post an update daily to let you know how Shirley is doing. Please feel free to comment or ask questions. Steve and I will respond to these as well. Please understand that we are not doctors, so don,t be too harsh us if we spell a drug name wrong or use lay terms. Also, if you have questions for the doc, please let us know what they are and we will ask and post the answers for everyone.
So lets just jump in. Today is Wednesday, August 11th. My mom is still in ICU. Just to bring you up to date, my mom went in the hospital on Thursday of last week. She was taking Cumaden for a blood clot in her right arm. Unfortunately, her blood became too thin and she began bleeding. So she went to ER and was admitted. As of Monday, she was doing great, talking, eating and getting ready to go home. That was until later in the afternoon, when she had a seizure. To stop the seizure, they gave her Ativan to stop the seizure. This medication made her very lethargic and as a result they were worried that she could stop breathing. So Monday night, they brought her to ICU and put her on a breathing machine to be safe. Fortunately, today they took the breathing tubes out.
As a follow up to the seizure, they took a CT Scan on Monday. It showed that there was NO bleeding in the brain (from the blood thinner meds) thank goodness but that there is swelling in the brain from the tumor. To treat this she is receiving Dylanta to prevent future seizures and Decadron to reduce the in the swelling in the brain.
In the meantime, the Oncologist, told us that the tumor in her head may have grown. But the Neurologist said it may just be swelling. To find out what is going on, Mom just had an MRI. We dont know the results yet. But we will keep you posted.
If you have any questions, please let us know.
So lets just jump in. Today is Wednesday, August 11th. My mom is still in ICU. Just to bring you up to date, my mom went in the hospital on Thursday of last week. She was taking Cumaden for a blood clot in her right arm. Unfortunately, her blood became too thin and she began bleeding. So she went to ER and was admitted. As of Monday, she was doing great, talking, eating and getting ready to go home. That was until later in the afternoon, when she had a seizure. To stop the seizure, they gave her Ativan to stop the seizure. This medication made her very lethargic and as a result they were worried that she could stop breathing. So Monday night, they brought her to ICU and put her on a breathing machine to be safe. Fortunately, today they took the breathing tubes out.
As a follow up to the seizure, they took a CT Scan on Monday. It showed that there was NO bleeding in the brain (from the blood thinner meds) thank goodness but that there is swelling in the brain from the tumor. To treat this she is receiving Dylanta to prevent future seizures and Decadron to reduce the in the swelling in the brain.
In the meantime, the Oncologist, told us that the tumor in her head may have grown. But the Neurologist said it may just be swelling. To find out what is going on, Mom just had an MRI. We dont know the results yet. But we will keep you posted.
If you have any questions, please let us know.
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