Keeping up with Pops

I am going to use this site to let friends and family know how Duane is progressing. The past two weeks almost feel like something out of a movie. Everything has happened so quick. I am going to give a summary of the last two weeks so we can keep up with everything that has happened.

Pops called Melyssa on Monday, March 7 and told he thought he may have had a mini stroke because his left leg was not working right. He seemed to drag it when he walked. Melyssa called Dr. Fonticiella's and explained his problems. They called Duane and told him to come in that day to let them check him over. Hal went with him to the Dr. and Dr. F said he thought it was probably a pinched nerve but wanted to do some tests to make sure. He scheduled a MRI of his back and of his head. They did the MRI of his head on Wednesday and the office called and asked him to come in on Wednesday afternoon and to bring Hal if possible. Wanda, Duane, Hal and I went to the office, and Dr. F told us that there was a tumor in his brain. He wanted to admit Duane to the hospital in Paragould to get started running tests while we decided where Duane wanted to go for treatment. He checked into the hospital at Paragould on Wednesday afternoon and they ran some tests on Thursday and then transferred him to St. Bernards in Jonesboro. Once we got to Jonesboro they ran some more tests. They did a CT scan on Friday and told us on Saturday that they found multiple lesions on his lungs and spleen. On Monday, they did a biopsy of one of the lesions on his lung.

Tuesday morning Wanda was getting ready to come to Jonesboro and began having chest pains. Jerry and Betty went to her house and called Hal. He came and called the ambulance and she was transported to Jonesboro. When she arrived at St. Bernards she was in the midst of having a heart attack. She was taken to the cath lab immediately and they found the blockage at the back of her heart and placed two stents in to open it. She was in ICU for the night and moved to the floor the next day. She was able to go home on Thursday afternoon and has done well since. She is weak and tired but has continued to visit Duane in the hospital.

We are still awaiting the final results of the CT scan and of the biopsy. Duane is going to have ten radiation treatments on the mass in his brain. His first treatment was Thursday (3/17) and he will have them everyday (Monday - Friday) until finished. He has tolerated the treatments ok but they are causing major fatigue and weakness.

Most days are pretty much the same with radiation, phyiscal therapy and occupational therapy filling up most of his time. He has been resting pretty well at night and catches naps during the day when he can. He has faced this battle with grace and dignity.