Dear Friends and family,
It has been a while since I updated you on Debbie’s condition. In part because there has been little change or anything new. Now there is some news. Debbie has been slowly declining. She is having a blood transfusion once every 10-14 days. Since May 18 she has gone from 136 pounds to 100 pounds. Her appetite is poor and she fines it hard to eat. Food does not look or taste good and is often hard for her to eat. Her pain continues to hover around a 5 but often spikes to an 8 or 9. Today she was enrolled in palliative care. Yesterday we learned that Debbie could take the Vidaza shots to try and boost the maturity of her red blood cells. It would be seven shots, one a day then four weeks off and repeat that cycle 3 more times before any decision about its effectiveness. She is scheduled for a blood test on Friday to see if she needs a transfusion and I suspect she will. The Vidaza shots would begin Monday.
Debbie needs your prayers. She is tired of hurting. Tired of being exhausted by the simplest task and in her words having, “ no joy in anything”. She does not think/feel she can endure the shots which are a form of chemotherapy with its own side effects, and feel worse for a week or more than she does now. Plus there is the daily trips for shots which are exhausting to her. She needs your prayers for wisdom and discernment as she decides whether to receive the chemotherapy or not. This is her decision and I will firm support whatever she decides. She had a good talk with the nurse today and is well aware of her options.
Thank you for all your prayers, emails, and cards. She has drawn strength from your love and care.
. I think mallory did better than me today.
