October 5

Hi,

Just about a year ago, Dr. Mortara, Denny's first oncologist, told us that steroids are the most evil of all drugs. Now I know why. They are the only thing that helps any swelling in the brain, so a person with a tumor pretty much has to take them in order to have mental alertness and a certain amount of physical strength. At the same time, those steroids are eating away at all of the large muscles in that same body, weakening it. They also cause the skin to become paper thin, the face, stomach, and limbs to swell, and bruises to appear all over the body. Put those all together and you get big purple bruises with skin so fragile that it tears at the softest touch. May I also add that prolonged use of steroids can cause high blood sugar levels, which must be treated with insulin.

Denny is now experiencing all of the above. He looks like he's been beaten with chains. Dr. Meena and Dr. Richter are working together to manage all of his health issues as the brain cancer is just one component. Tomorrow there will be a consultation with a urologist, but because of Den's general health, it's somewhat questionable as to what the doctor will be able to do to minimize the number of times Den has to get up during the night. Dr. Richter has ordered more blood tests to assess just how the platelets are working and is having Den start a high protein diet. I think Denny's days of being the original cookie monster are over.

It's possible that once he is stabilized he will go back to Mercy Medical in Oshkosh for either rehab or to their sub-acute unit just in hopes of getting stronger. He has to be assessed and recommended for admission there, just like last time, so we won't know anything until those doctors see him. There's also the possibility that he will be sent home and we will have to get health care for him here.

I hope I have some positive news when I write the next time. The "new normal" we have tried to adjust to just continues to redefine itself.

Love,
Carla