Subject: Lesley Update - 5/29/01
Date: Tue, 29 May 2001 11:23:27 -0400
From: David Baldauf <dbaldauf@alumni.brown.edu>

Lesley is still in the hospital.  She has not progressed in either her
word finding difficulty or in controlling her right hand.  She is alert
and has little pain.  She has had codeine pills but she is now talking
Tylenol.  Her head/eye pain seems less than before the surgery.  She is
eating well.  She has been up and walking a little for three days.  She
may be discharged today although, since we had a long weekend with few
of the usual services, I have not spoken to anyone about plans for her
discharge.  I do not yet know what they would be recommending as far as
rehabilitation or physical therapy.  The plan remains to take the
stitches out on Friday and to probably start chemotherapy next week.  I
have not had any further discussions with the neurooncologist about the
chemo.

She was on lasix and mannitol until yesterday morning to reduce the
pressure in her brain.  The doctor thinks she is progressing well
(although I have not seen him since Saturday).  Her potassium level
dipped on Saturday and Monday.  In their efforts to bring the level up,
they administered potassium through Lesley's IV.  It caused severe
pain/burning in her arm above the IV location, and Lesley had a mild
seizure.  She quickly recovered and within five minutes she was back to
her baseline.  They then were able to give her a liquid to drink to
bring the level up.

Lesley's father is staying with us now and taking care of the kids in
the afternoon.  The kids are doing pretty well.  They all were able to
come visit her Sunday afternoon for an enjoyable two hours.  Lesley is
not really ready for visitors or phone calls as the energy to deal with
them takes a lot out of her.

Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers.  I'll let you know what's
happening once things begin to happen.

Dave
--
Dave Baldauf, h/o Lesley (45), gbm, dx/srg 8/99, rad 9/99-10/99, debulk
srg 10/99, bone flap removal srg due to infection 11/99, 18 rounds of
Temodar 12/99 - 4/15/01, MRI on 5/7/01 shows growth and new tumor area
near hypothalamus, surgery 5/22, new chemo as soon as possible after
surgery
mailto:dbaldauf@alumni.brown.edu