Update: My Mother's Health

My mother is a blogger without a blog. Really. I have tried to convince her to get a blog (It is free and fun.), but at this point she is not ready. So instead of blogging, she sends out an email every once in awhile. Following is an excerpt from the last one she sent (Ironically subtitled: “If I blogged part III”):

Continued chemotherapy through the summer has left me with little energy, varying levels of pain, and a compromised immune system. Until now I haven’t caught any bugs, but I do have the sniffles and a sore throat now. To increase my energy levels we’re trying Aranesp to boost red blood cells. It will be a few weeks before we know whether it works.

A recent PET scan, which “lights up” places cancer is active, came back looking good, indicating that radiation and chemotherapy worked. Another way to follow this cancer is tumor markers. Somehow cancerous cells or their tracks are “counted” in the blood sample. This has been a good indicator of my condition in the past, but my current doctor isn’t sure how to interpret what’s going on with this test.

How am I feeling? It depends on the day, and sometimes the hour of the day. I tend to feel best at night, but I’ve always been a night owl. I am walking better and the pain is usually quite manageable. Chemo can cause a pain flare-up, which is draining. At least I know it’s working.

She said it better than I could.

[composed and posted with ecto]

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