tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48226118058403238922024-03-08T15:44:44.862-08:00Tia UpdatesEde Ravichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664438089569220554noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-14931987638291833692012-03-29T00:51:00.001-07:002012-03-29T00:51:18.301-07:00March 29Today at 12:25 am, after 11 years of fighting cancer, my lovely,<br>loving and beloved wife of 23 years, Tia, passed away. She died as she<br>had lived - with dignity and grace and on her own time schedule. And,<br>as in life, she died on her own terms - at home surrounded by her 4<br>daughters, family and friends.<p>She woke for a little while on Monday and we arm wrestled, as we had<br>in the past. In all the years we've been together I never won.<br>Usually it was because she was stronger, but other times I just let<br>her win. She still had strength and won the first bout. She then<br>grabbed my hand again for a re-match and pulled my arm so I would win.<br> She then took her fingers and with a significant amount of effort,<br>she signaled OK. I could read everything in to that gesture or<br>nothing, I choose to read everything. We had a unique relationship,<br>unconventional for sure but it was a true love story.<p>She was an amazing person and everyone she touched is the better<br>person for meeting her. We will all miss her and we will be sad for<br>her not being in our lives, but at the same time we need to honor her<br>memory and her struggle to stay with us over the last 11 years. She<br>was determined to see her daughters become young women and no mother<br>could have been prouder of her children then Tia was of Zoe, Rae, Ede<br>and Ava. No matter how much she loved me, her family or friends (or<br>even her cats), we all took a backseat by a far margin to her love for<br>our daughters.<p>Over the last few months, her family flew in from all over the country<br>and they were a source of not only comfort but strength to her. She<br>appreciated each and every visit and always asked me after her<br>siblings had left about how soon they could return, as she began to<br>miss them even as they were driving away.<p>We were fortunate to have my brother and his family so close by. Tia<br>loved the fact that every Tuesday and Thursday our "fifth child" would<br>be in the house for dinner and homework and on our equivalent to<br>Shabbat dinner (lobsterfest Friday) we had the added benefit of Kate<br>coming over. In addition, I don't know what I would have done without<br>my brother to lean on during the last year.<p>And then there are her friends. Too many to count and their love was<br>limitless. She loved, admired, respected and just had a good time<br>with her girlfriends. Whether they were her childhood friends from<br>back east, her girls from the hood, her village school moms, her<br>golden door friends, her phase one friends, her photo shop friends or<br>just her "shop" friends, she loved you all. She had more categories of<br>friends than I have friends. I would come home from work and<br>invariably some girlfriend was over visiting. They could be in the<br>kitchen cooking, in the gym stretching, in the media room for movie<br>afternoons, in her office laying out some photo design, in the back<br>yard just enjoying the ocean or when she got sick, even laying on my<br>side of the bed planning phase one events. Our home will be empty<br>without her presence.<p>Tia had two basic speeds/moods during her life - happy and pissed off.<br> She was rarely just sad. If something upset her, she got angry and<br>did something about it. She wasn't one to just sit back and let the<br>sadness wallow over her. She was a woman of action.<p>More often than not, though, she was happy. And her happiness was<br>infectious. It is with this thought in mind that her family will<br>remember her.<p>We are having a private family service this afternoon.<p>We will be sitting Shiva at 201 Alma Real Drive, Pacific Palisades on<br>Thursday and Friday evening from 5 to 8pm with Kaddish being said each<br>night at 7pm.<p>As most of you know, on top of everything else, Tia was heavily<br>involved in Phase One. This is a wonderful organization and through<br>their good efforts, one day we might have a cure for the cancer that<br>took Tia from us at much too young an age. In lieu of food or<br>flowers, Tia has requested that donations be made to Phase One at<br><a href="http://www.phaseonefoundation.org">www.phaseonefoundation.org</a> or call Lissa Zanville at 310-458-7715 or<br>email her at <a href="mailto:lzanville@aol.com">lzanville@aol.com</a>. (Truth be told, Tia also loved flowers<br>so she was waffling on the "in lieu of" and probably was going to have<br>it replaced with a request of "in addition to flowers". )<p>The world was better off for knowing Tia.<p>I love you so much<p>Jess<p><br>Sent from my iPadJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-82246374468367955242012-03-26T04:02:00.001-07:002012-03-26T04:02:17.872-07:00Monday MorningTia is resting and in no pain. She had a restless night (was trying to take off covers then pull up the covers) but is now sleeping. <p>She is so strong (which at this point is both a blessing and a curse). Thirty minutes ago she awoke and announced she had to go to the bathroom. Without waiting for anyone, she started to get up. Luckily, Zoe was just getting up and Tia walked (with help from Zoe and me) to the bathroom. I was shocked that she had the strength to get out of bed but she is so proud and dignified that she wouldn't allow for anything other than walking to the bathroom. <p>She is an amazing woman. <br>Please consider the environment before printing.<p>This e-mail message and any attachments are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential information. If you are not an intended recipient, or an intended recipient's authorized agent, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail message or any attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and delete this e-mail message and any attachments from your computer system.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-12235641416501733042012-03-23T23:10:00.001-07:002012-03-23T23:10:25.680-07:00Friday nightTia is resting and is in no pain. She slept most of the day but did have some great moments with her daughters and friends. The girls filmed a video of their mother talking to them and it was wonderful. She is an amazing woman and every moment is special.<p>The highlight of the day was a remark made by Tia during the girl's filming. She was just telling each girl how much she loved them when Ink (our cat) jumped on her bed. Tia loves her two dogs, really loved Velvet and Blizzard (her two Cornish Rex) and barely tolerates Ink. So, after she said something to each girl she started to say something to Ink and we all said something like "Mom, you really don't like Ink" and she responded with perfect timing, "yeah, I know, but she was here and I felt obligated to say something" and then she smiled and we all laughed.<p>Thank you all for the warm wishes, the flowers and food. We are surrounded with wonderful family and great friends. Thank you all <p><p><p>Sent from my iPadJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-29633557082190188062012-03-21T21:19:00.001-07:002012-03-21T21:19:29.148-07:00Wednesday. March 21Tia has taken a serious turn for the worse. We went to the hospital today for another PETSCAN and it appears that her lymphoma is back. At this point, there is no alot of good reasons to subject her to more poking and prodding. <p>She sleeps most of the day and is having a difficult time speaking but she is at home and comfortable at the moment. Zoe and Rae are on their way home. Also, Tia's sisters and brothers are coming so she is surrounded by family and loved ones. <p>She is a tremendous fighter <p>Please say a prayer for her.<p><p>Sent from my iPadJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-17154278151058303582012-03-19T12:20:00.001-07:002012-03-19T12:20:58.775-07:00Monday March 19thTia was really beat up this weekend. Very weak and wobbily. <p>So it was decided she would skip getting Abelcet this week and let her rest up and get some of her strength back. <p>She will still be going to City of Hope for blood work on Wednesday and Friday and for her PetScan on Wednesday. We will keep you posted. <p>Her potassium remains low so she is getting another infusion today and will start getting some potassium infused at home as well. <p>Stop over on Tuesday or Thursday if you are in the neighborhood. <p>Thx, Jess <br>Please consider the environment before printing.<p>This e-mail message and any attachments are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential information. If you are not an intended recipient, or an intended recipient's authorized agent, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail message or any attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and delete this e-mail message and any attachments from your computer system.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-87396693586625784092012-03-16T19:04:00.000-07:002012-03-16T19:07:47.427-07:00Friday March 16We are still in the hospital as Tia's counts necessitated infusions of potassium and platelets as well as the normal M-W-F infusion of Ablecet. We will do some more blood work around 10 pm and then determine if she needs more potassium or whether we can head home.<p>She will be home Saturday and Sunday and would love visitors in the afternoons.<p>Next week we come back to City of Hope on M-W-F for infusions. In addition, Tia gets a PETSCAN on Wednesday to get a better idea of what the mass is in her right and left frontal lobes and to hopefully rule out some possibilities. On Friday, we see a new eye specialist to get a second opinion as to why Tia's eye sight has deteriorated.<p>On a good note, she had an excellent day yesterday and her WBC held steady this week. It is still low,but at least it is not dropping.<p>During Tia's recent infusions, she has begun talking in her sleep. Mostly it is unintelligible but there are some really funny comments, but I won't repeat them here. Another time and another place.<p>Special thanks to Tia's sister Lou for helping this week. It was really positive for Tia and it was great having Lou at the house.<p>Tia is making a fortune in the market as her largest position for the last 300 points has been Apple. Thinking that the radiation/chemo was giving her special insight into the future I had her fill out an NCAA bracket. So far I think we need to stick to the stock market!<p>Have a great weekend everyone<p>Sent from my iPadJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-13164495157948991612012-03-13T17:16:00.001-07:002012-03-13T17:16:16.566-07:00Tuesday March 13Went to UCLA to see another specialist today. He was very helpful and ran Tia through a number of interesting tests. No further results yet so we are still unsure as to why her counts are low (and not improving) and she is extremely fatigued. She can barely walk 10 feet without having to sit down and catch her breath. <p>We go back to City of Hope every Monday - Wednesday - Friday for Ablecet infusions. It is a full day but if anyone can drive, please let me know as I will need help next week (this week is covered with her sister Lou in town - she has been really great with Tia). <p>This week we will also be doing another PET SCAN to get a better idea of the white masses that are in her right and left frontal lobes. <p>We pass each day trying to get Tia to eat and walk a little and just wait for some answers. Hopefully we will get some answers this week. <p>Thx, Jess <br>Please consider the environment before printing.<p>This e-mail message and any attachments are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential information. If you are not an intended recipient, or an intended recipient's authorized agent, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail message or any attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and delete this e-mail message and any attachments from your computer system.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-70820158702569999652012-03-08T16:33:00.000-08:002012-03-08T16:35:55.480-08:00ThursdayNothing new on the test results. Tia continues to have virtually no blood count but they can't figure out what is wrong. So, we decided to bring her home to recuperate for the weekend and then do another lumbar puncture on Monday and run more tests.<p>After fighting to get her discharged, I got a call that we have a gas leak at our house. Really? I am almost ready for locust and hail soon.<p>So, Tia is spending another night at the luxurious City of Hope. <p>We rearranged stuff so she will get her lumbar puncture tomorrow and hopefully be home sometime tomorrow provided the gas leak is resolved.<p>Keep smiling<p><p>Sent from my iPadJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-13895411681095329472012-03-07T21:49:00.000-08:002012-03-07T21:50:00.804-08:00Wed UpdateThe new MRI showed that the mass in Tia's right temporal lobe has not grown since February 24th. It hasn't shrunk much either, but no one believes it is a cancer. As all of the tests (viral, fungal and bacterial) have come back negative, the prevailing thought is that the mass is a virus that just hasn't showed up on a test yet. <p>Tomorrow we will have another MRI of Tia's optic area to try to figure out what is causing Tia's virtual blindness in her right eye. Again, her sight is not getting worse, it just isn't getting a lot better. <p>Needless to say, Tia is antsy to get out of the hospital. Provided nothing shows up unexpected on tomorrow's MRI, Tia will come home either late tomorrow or Friday. Her counts are still very low so she will need to go back to the hospital every other day for blood work and maybe transfusions. But she will be up for visitors, provided you are healthy!<p>To blow off some steam, Rae, Ede, Ava and I (and Dylan) went to the gun range tonight. Yes, I did shoot the best. <p>Let's hope for some good news tomorrow!<br>Please consider the environment before printing.<p>This e-mail message and any attachments are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential information. If you are not an intended recipient, or an intended recipient's authorized agent, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail message or any attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and delete this e-mail message and any attachments from your computer system.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-8381666635500733282012-03-04T13:51:00.001-08:002012-03-04T13:51:57.693-08:00Sunday updateAll the tests have come back negative. So we still don't have any idea what is going on. The neurosurgeon is coming tomorrow so maybe he will have some answers. <p>Her blood work continues to be very low but at least her liver tests are returning to normal. <p>Tia is being a trooper but it is unbeliveably boring for her. So if anyone can visit during the day this week with new/exciting stories (or movies to watch with her) that would be great. <p>Rae and I had a great visit with Zoe in Boston on Friday and with my mom and dad in Florida on Saturday. We are on our way back to LA so will visit with Tia tomorrow. <p>Will keep the blog updated with any news. <p>Thanks<p>Please consider the environment before printing.<p>This e-mail message and any attachments are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential information. If you are not an intended recipient, or an intended recipient's authorized agent, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail message or any attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and delete this e-mail message and any attachments from your computer system.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-49094825560410442932012-02-28T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-28T16:02:47.122-08:00TuesdayTia just had a bone marrow biopsy. It went well and she is resting. We will get the results in 48 to 72 hours.<p>The results we have from the lumbar puncture are all negative so far. Meaning they don't know what is causing the infection. Her blood and platelet counts continue to be extremely low so hopefully the bone marrow biopsy will yield some answers.<p>Needless to say, Tia will be in the hospital for a while. I am going back east from Thursday to Sunday to see Zoe and celebrate my mother's 83rd birthday. If you can visit Tia while I am gone that would be great. Remember her white blood count is below 500 so if you feel ill at all, please postpone your visit.<p>Tx<p>Jess<br>Sent from my iPadJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-46867857784522754492012-02-26T21:26:00.001-08:002012-02-26T21:26:54.190-08:00Sunday nightWe don't have any definitive results. The preliminary results lead us to believe that it is not another lymphoma but we can't be sure. Tia's blood, liver and sodium levels are well below normal so we need to figure out what is going on right away.<p>Needless to say, Tia will be at the hospital for a while. She is remarkably strong and usually loves visitors, so please let me know if you can stop by. Her sister, Sarah, is visiting and I am going to leave a car out there for her, so if anyone from the Westside is thinking of visiting Monday evening, can I get a ride back?<p>Semi-funny story. So, after the lumbar puncture on Friday, Tia was cold so we wrapped a hospital blanket around her head. She had also taken a Valium before the procedure and was instructed to lie completely still for 2 hours. On top of that, she had a migraine so her eyes were closed. <p>So about 45 minutes into the 2 hour period, the neurologist comes in. He looks at her and starts talking to me. I ask questions about his preliminary read of the MRI and he states that it doesn't present as a lymphoma but rather as a viral encephalitis and until the LP results come back, we will treat it as such. He then states that in cases like this, the patient can be in a coma for quite some time. At which point I told him that Tia is not in a coma, just resting as instructed. <p>He then asks Tia to do some typical neuro exam things like push against his arms, lift her legs against his pressure... When he asked her to squeeze his fingers, I think she was a little pissed about the coma comment as I heard the doc exclaim, " ouch, that's enough". Like I said, she is one strong, tough lady. <p>Tx<p>Jess<p>Sent from my iPadJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-7433499085287793002012-02-24T20:30:00.000-08:002012-02-24T20:32:27.542-08:00Friday Feb 24Tia just got back from her lumbar puncture. She was a trooper. She has to lie flat on her back for 2 hours while the hole heals. She is very comfortable.<p>We are now waiting for the results to determine what is causing the new mass in her right temporal lobe. This mass showed up on today's MRI and wasn't there on February 13. <p>The most likely culprit will be viral encephalitis. All 4 doctors who visited today believe this will be what the ultimate tests show. As a precaution, they will start her on anti viral and anti seizure meds tonight. We won't know for sure, however, what it is for 2-3 days. The other possibilities are bacterial, fungal or lymphoma. <p>Also she is going to be getting ablecet which is a really nasty treatment for the fungus in her lungs. It may be a long night.<p>Hopefully things will start to show some improvement over the weekend.<p>The good news is that her spirits are good and she is loving the orange popsicles!<p><p><p>Sent from my iPadJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-84767054785900942262012-02-23T17:39:00.001-08:002012-02-23T17:39:54.032-08:00Thursday Feb 23rdTia is back in the hospital. She went in for a routine check up and her blood counts were very low, she had a fever and her other counts were off. To be safe, they are going to give her a transfusion, some nupagen and antibiotics. <p>We will obviously know alot more over the next few days.<p>I am unable to be at the hospital on Saturday so if anyone can visit that would be great. She is in the ETC (the ER at City of Hope) but will hopefully get a room tomorrow.<p>We will keep the blog updated<p>Jess and the girls<p><br>Sent from my iPadJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-42635025546174451612012-02-15T12:17:00.001-08:002012-02-15T12:17:47.334-08:00Drivers wanted!Tia has a consult this Friday (17th) at 10am so would need to leave the Palisades at 830 and be back before noon<p>Also, on thursday the 23rd Tia has a picc changes at 345 followed up by a meeting with Dr Forman at 445. She would need to leave the Palisades at 230 and probably not be back till 630. <p>If anyone can drive either of these visits, pl let me know<p>Thx, Jess <br>Please consider the environment before printing.<p>This e-mail message and any attachments are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential information. If you are not an intended recipient, or an intended recipient's authorized agent, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail message or any attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and delete this e-mail message and any attachments from your computer system.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-6410466284891123962012-02-13T17:47:00.001-08:002012-02-13T17:47:44.837-08:00Monday the 13thGreat news!<p>The MRI and the PET both came back clean. Some scar tissue on the MRI but no lymphoma. <p>We will be meeting Dr Forman tomorrow and will still be looking at a stem cell transplant but for tonight it is just a celebration. <p>Will post more tomorrow!<p>Love to all<p>Jess Tia and the girls<br>Please consider the environment before printing.<p>This e-mail message and any attachments are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential information. If you are not an intended recipient, or an intended recipient's authorized agent, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail message or any attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and delete this e-mail message and any attachments from your computer system.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-20034847523224614232012-01-26T22:47:00.001-08:002012-01-26T22:47:36.373-08:00Thursday January 26Met with Dr. Forman today and got the game plan. <p>Tia will be home and getting stronger until mid February when she will get an MRI and a full body Petscan. She will only have to go back to the hospital every Thursday until then, so if you are available to drive, please let us know.<p>We fully expect the results to show no visible cancer remains in Tia. Nevertheless, the protocol is to go through an auto stem cell transplant - and this is consistent with our current thinking. The harvesting will most likely begin in late February with the chemo and stem cell transplant taking up the month of March.<p>As we don't expect much to report until we get the results of the scans, this will hopefully be the last blog for a few weeks. No posts equals nothing new to report. <p>Have a few great weeks and GO GIANTS!<p><p><p><br>Sent from my iPadJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-31888765790688929212012-01-23T18:12:00.001-08:002012-01-23T18:12:56.556-08:00Monday the 23rdTia is home and getting back to her routine. We are all very thankful. <p>We got the written results of the MRI from January 6th. They show that there are no new lesions or edemas (yeah!). They also show that the old lesions are roughly the same size (6x3 vs 5x4). While we wanted them all to be gone, we must remember that this MRI was taken on day 10 of the radiation. <p>Radiation is a cumulative process and therefore the last 10 days (and even beyond) have more effect than the first 10 days. We get another MRI next week and are hopeful of a completely clean slate! <p>We see Dr Forman on Thursday and we will post anything we hear after. <p>As always, thanks<br>Please consider the environment before printing.<p>This e-mail message and any attachments are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential information. If you are not an intended recipient, or an intended recipient's authorized agent, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail message or any attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and delete this e-mail message and any attachments from your computer system.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-26661522196243706632012-01-20T18:20:00.001-08:002012-01-20T18:20:46.680-08:00Tia is homeWhat more needs to be said<p>Will post more later<p>Please consider the environment before printing.<p>This e-mail message and any attachments are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential information. If you are not an intended recipient, or an intended recipient's authorized agent, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail message or any attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and delete this e-mail message and any attachments from your computer system.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-58766073045261556002012-01-16T10:34:00.000-08:002012-01-16T10:35:06.592-08:00Monday the 16thTia is feeling better. The combination of compazine and reglan appear to have helped with her queasiness and her pain is also moderated.<p>She is up and about and has even been eating a little.<p>All in all a good weekend. She has had the help of her friend Denise who came in from the east coast and her brother, JC. Thanks to both of them for being there!<p>Today starts the last week of radiation, so let's all hope it goes well.<p>Thanks again for all your support.<br>Sent from my iPadJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-62160215612675673572012-01-13T10:18:00.000-08:002012-01-13T10:19:11.128-08:00Friday the 13thNot much has changed. Tia's pain fluctuates through the day from barely tolerable to horrendous. They have put her back on a morphine drip (as opposed to oral) to supply a constant dosage throughout the day. Hopefully this helps.<p>Today is day 15 of radiation. Five more to go and then we get the MRI to see how effective it has been. <p>Ede, Zoe and I are off to Florida for 2 days to celebrate my Father's 83rd birthday.<p>Tia's friend, Denise, and her brother JC will be with her this weekend. She is blessed to have the support of her family and friends. It means a lot to her -- thanks from all of us!<p><p><p>Sent from my iPadJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-53790565682747126262012-01-11T10:05:00.000-08:002012-01-11T10:09:16.596-08:00Wed January 11It has been a miserable 48 hours as they cannot seem to moderate Tia's pain level. She is on a lot of morphine and sleeps a good part of each day but even that is restless and uneven. <p>I wish there was better news to report but at this point we still do radiation each morning and then try to make it through the day with as little discomfort as possible. <p>Although she is often asleep, she does like to see friendly faces when she wakes up so if you are in the area and want to stop by, please let me know. <p>Say a prayer<p>Thx, Jess <br>Please consider the environment before printing.<p>This e-mail message and any attachments are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential information. If you are not an intended recipient, or an intended recipient's authorized agent, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail message or any attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and delete this e-mail message and any attachments from your computer system.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-91444805745187974292012-01-09T09:13:00.001-08:002012-01-09T09:13:13.890-08:00Monday the 9th<div>Another set back-- Tia has shingles. For those who don't know what shingles is, it is a very painful virus. After you get chickenpox (which Tia has had), the virus remains inactive in certain nerves in the body. Shingles occurs after the virus becomes active again in these nerves years later. In her case the reason for the virus becoming active again is that her immune system is weakened.</div> <div> </div> <div>The pain associated with her shingles is concentrated mostly on the left side of her back and that is where the shingles rash is located.Unfortunately, at times this pain is excruciating.</div> <div> </div> <div>The normal course for treating shingles is acyclovir. She was taking that orally for the yeast infection in her blood stream but in a moderate dose. They have now increased the dose and made it in IV form. In addition, they put her on neurontin which helps control pain associated with nerve diseases. </div> <div> </div> <div>This course will continue until the pain is gone. Most likely she will remain in the hospital all week and be home by the weekend.</div> <div> </div> <div>Will keep you posted</div> <div> </div> <div>thanks </div> Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-60470729795469353772012-01-08T16:26:00.001-08:002012-01-08T16:26:26.749-08:00SundaySome good news. Tia's pain is way down and the Giants won. <p>They think she has shingles (which would explain the terrible pain). They added a new med (neurontin) which seems to be working. <p>She will still be in the hospital tomorrow but hopefully will be coming home sometime early in the week. <p>Will keep you posted. <p>Thx, Jess <br>Please consider the environment before printing.<p>This e-mail message and any attachments are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential information. If you are not an intended recipient, or an intended recipient's authorized agent, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail message or any attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and delete this e-mail message and any attachments from your computer system.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4822611805840323892.post-23457191679408953692012-01-07T21:11:00.001-08:002012-01-07T21:11:20.419-08:00Saturday nightA very rough 24 hours as there seemed to be no way to get ahead of her pain. They tried some new pain meds yesterday and this morning, but nothing seemed to work. <p>Finally about 5pm tonight a combination of morphine, ativan and benadryl got her to a restful sleep. <p>The good news is that the MRI showed no new growths and no edema and the xray of her abdomen (where all the pain is) showed nothing alarming. This leaves the doctors stumped as to the cause of all the pain. <p>All we can do is treat the pain one day at a time and hope we find some combination to get her a more permanent relief. <p>Thanks<p>Jess and the girls<br>Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerryJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07533109105741607560noreply@blogger.com3