The Headache that won’t go away

We spent yesterday (Saturday) afternoon and evening in the ER at Hilton Head Hospital. Was there an emergency? When Nora says she’d rather be in chemo than having this persistent headache, it’s an emergency. Nora’s PA passed on all the tests and current information about her condition which is, simply put, intense back pain (at the tail bone) and even more intense headache.

The ER visit did help determine the cause of the back pain. An MRI was done of her back. It showed Nora has two herniated (“slipped”) disks in her lower back (and, thank God, nothing else). Treatment: steroids. We’ll see.

She was also dehydrated (this from “Ms. Aqua, 2013” – 64 oz. water daily) and had low potassium levels. Part of that is because she hasn’t eaten much of anything in three days (today she did have yogurt [2] and glazed donuts [2] – a rare find in Ridgeland – who knew?).

Her neurologist did give her a stronger dose of meds for the pain, but nothing is cutting it.  (Neurologist’s nurse on the phone: “How long had Nora been in a wheel chair when we saw her?” My reply: “15 minutes.” That was the first time she needed that kind of assistance to get to a doc’s office.)

Tybee (back row) and Bob, the Centurions.

Nora is frustrated. She wants to get on with the radiation therapy but we can’t do anything until this is solved. She can’t walk unaided. She (and I) hates this. The dogs (Tybee and Bob) continue to wait and watch, protecting their beloved.

Will be meeting with two docs this week (a new one and the neurologist). Please keep sending love.

Paul

Blue Moon Storm

Clear night sky plus blue moon
made daylight above my
bedroom window while below
on night’s horizon, a brilliant
row of black clouds spit lightning
at our young pine forest.

She cannot be here. She is
in the next room. Pill bottles
line the dresser. Lightning bolts
rattle her window and sleep.

If it isn’t one thing …

MRI was clean, but Nora’s headaches are debilitating. Her PA arranged an appointment with a neurologist today in Beaufort, a headache specialist. Had to wheel her in. Pain was/is intense. She cannot walk unaided.

Doc said the “tremors” were actually muscle spasms and the extreme headache (which begins at the back of her thighs, moves up her spine, gets to her shoulder blades, then it feels like the top of her head is going to explode) may be caused by ultra-extreme tension. She now has pain pills, muscle relaxant pills, sleeping pills and a walker. Nora hates pills.

In one respect, this new development  causes life on The Ridge to be, sort of, put on hold. Nora’s sister Kathryn spent a few days with us this week and was a great help. The flower garden on the creek side of the house has expanded and promises to kick next spring into high gear. This fall we plan to celebrate with a Margareta when Nora’s limes (tree compliments of “Florida son” Aaron) when they ripen.

High tide now. Boyd Creek never loses it’s beauty or peace (until our neighbor’s dog and Tybee start arguing with each other).

Keep those cards and letters and texts coming. A long day. The adventure continues.

THE FULLNESS OF AUGUST
High weeds on these country road crossings are
dangerous. Can’t see a damn thing either way.
 Cardinal flower,  spider lily groundnut, water hemlock
seashore mallow,  pickerelweed, queen
anne’s lace who the hell knows not me botanically
ignorant and clueless about so many other things.

But August, Augustus, is an emperor month so I will
play emperor and mow down the offending botanicals..

Paul

Dear family and friends,

Nora had her post op meeting with her surgeon, Dr. Herrmann a few days ago. Biopsy report showed
no cancer. Everything looked great. With the type of cancer (triple negative – TNBC) Nora was diagnosed with, the news that she responded so well to the five months of chemotherapy is, to simplify Dr. Herrmann’s reaction, “fantastic.”

But about two weeks prior to the end of Nora’s chemo and before surgery, she started getting severe headaches, the kind that produces tremors. She thought they would just go away. They haven’t.

She will get an MRI scan Monday and see where we go.

Nora’s sister, Diane, kindly came down from Asheville for a visit and to help around the house. (Note to Diane: the chicken salad is gone!). Sister Kathryn is next.

Please keep those good vibrations and prayers coming to The Ridge.

Paul