Subject: Lesley Update - 1/3

Lesley was released from the hospital on the 30th.  The doctors decided
that she didn't have any significant infection (like in the brain).  She
did have a gastrointestinal infection that the infectious disease folks
said occurs in about 20% of hospital patients.  (Hmmm, let's see.  If
getting a brain tumor is 1 in 2,000, and getting an infection on the
bone flap is 1 in 100, and getting the gi infection is 1 in 5, then that
makes Lesley 1 in a million!)  They gave her drugs for that that she is
still taking at home.

So the operative theory is that there was increased swelling in the
brain that they took care of with the increased steroid (Decadron) dose
and the Mannitol.  Compared to before the 24th, Lesley's aphasia is a
bit worse, she sometimes loses her train of thought, and her left eye is
bothering her more.  But she has more stamina and has not had any
headaches (no pain medication since she's been home).  We have a neuro
oncology appointment tomorrow to see whether to start Round 2 of the
chemotherapy on time on January 6th, and an appointment with a neuro
ophthalmologist.

We celebrated Christmas morning without Lesley with Kim, Chris, Nana,
Pop-Pop, and my sister Karen. I took the video in to the hospital to
show Lesley.  We then had a second Christmas for Lesley and me and the
kids yesterday afternoon.

We're digging out from under the holidays.  My parents left on the 28th,
and Karen left on the 29th so we're currently without house guests.  I
continue not to work (at least not at MITRE!) so I can be with Lesley
and take care (mostly) of the household and (partly) the kids.

Here's hoping that 2000 is less eventful than 1999!

Dave
--
Dave Baldauf, h/o Lesley, gbm, dx/srg 8/99, rad 9/99, rad completed
10/99, debulk srg 10/99, bone flap removal srg due to infection 11/99,
started Temodar 12/99
mailto:dbaldauf@ultranet.com