History

For those who don't know the full history I will give as brief a history as I can.

In spring of 2007 Debbie noticed a bump on her left thigh, just above the knee. As it would turn out that bump was later diagnosed as an extraskelatal myxoid chondrosarcoma. It was removed just before Thanksgiving. It was just about 5 cm, and was determined to be high grade. She then followed with 30 radiation treatments on the area. Those were not fun, but not too bad. She had the typical sunburn and deep muscle soreness. She was rehabbing well by walking etc.

Long story short. She had an MRI of the area done on March 26th of 2008. Dr. Starke met with us on April 2nd to tell us she was all clear. Debbie had already been having some pain in her lower back and leg but we all attributed it to her rehabbing after the surgery and radiation.

Unfortunately the pain continued to progress. She visited Mark Presley who did some adjustments but even with a relatively straight back she continued in pain. On April 5th she went to the Er at Boone with sever pain in her lower back radiating down her legs. She was given a couple shots and a prescription for Perkiset.

Throughout the next week the pain progressed. The drugs did not touch it. She went to bed more nights than not in tears. My rubbing of her back helped, but she would soon be up having to walk out the pain. She was having spasms and sharp pain now in her shoulders, and basically all over her body. She had an MRI on Thursday the 10th and the found some "inconclusive" spots. She went back for a full body bone scan on Friday. On Saturday Dr. Starke called to let us know the scan was negative for any sign of Met.s to the bone. But the pain continued.

On Monday the 14th she got dressed and went to work, but obviously was not functioning. She called the Dr.'s who eventually told her to go to the E.R. We arrived at 11:00 and by 3:00 we were admitted.

Later I may add all the technical words, but for now I will explain as a social worker, not as the good Dr.s do.

Her blood was not bad, but it showed low platelets, and signs of inflammation. Combined with the severe pain the hunt began for a cause.

After a full body CAT scan and lots of morphine I left her around 10:30 pm. The pain still present. On Tuesday morning the changed drugs and knocked her out. The CAT scan came back with multiple spots on her lungs and liver, but they were to small to biopsy. So they did a bone marrow tap. Ran more blood work etc.

We are still waiting to here back today from the tap. She is also scheduled for full body PET scan today at 1:15.

And the hunt for answers continue!

I will post more later. If you have questions feel free to add them, I will do my best to get everyone caught up and then keep you all caught up. I know that there are many many people who are praying for the best. Pass this blog on to everyone that knows Deb and we will keep you updated as we take on this fight. We thank you for your prayers!

Andy