Can You See What I See? (Or... It's More Can I See What You See?) - 11/3/2012

I was at work on Thursday, November 1st and about 12 noon my vision started to become goofy.  The best way I could describe it is that I could not see up or down (peripheral vision was affected) and I "clouds" in my overall vision.  While I felt good overall, I called Kurt and asked him to come and get me.  He asked me what time I wanted him to come and I said, "Preferably now," and then told him what was happening.  He said he would come and get me to take me to the ER.  I was fine with that so he knew I was worried.  While I waited for him, I heated up my french onion soup and sat eating in the front reception area waiting for him.

We went to the ER and, of course, I got to say hi to A LOT of doctors and PAs that I've gotten to know.  My parent's neighbor, who happens to be an ER doctor, as well the doctor that came in to see me (his last name clued me in to ask if he was related to a girl I work with... and it's his daughter - SMALL world as I didn't know her dad was a doctor).  I also saw two of the PAs from my neurosurgeon's office.  So, by the time I left the ER my vision appeared to be normal.

After testing my vision, they determined that I needed an MRI.  So, I went down to have that (and, of course, know them VERY well).  Once we got up, the PAs reviewed my MRI from that day compared to the MRI from October 8th.  It was determined that all but one of my tumors has shrunk - not sure how much but that must mean that the chemo drug that I have been on for about 5 weeks is working.  The only issues are that one of my tumors hemorrhaged and that two of my fingers on my left hand had been 'twitching' for a few days.  So, they increased my decadron meds (which is for brain swelling or in this case the hemorrhage) and increased my Keppra (which is for seizures - which they wonder if my fingers are twitching because of seizures?).  They also wanted me to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor on Friday to have a visual field test (which was what I had done before/after my brain port surgery).

So, Friday I went to have an eye exam and the visual field exam.  The eye doctor kept asking me if I had any headaches (which I didn't); he thought it could be from migraines.  From my exam, he thought that my optic nerve in my left eye was pale but he thought that it was probably like that for awhile (caused by radiation to my brain).  The visual field exam was inconclusive as I was supposed to keep looking at the dot in the machine and I kept looking at the little lights.  So... I have to have that test again in a month.

I had some questions regarding what we were told about my MRI so I called my neurosurgeon's nurse and asked.  The hemorrhage shouldn't need surgery; I was told to have another MRI in about 8 weeks.

I have been complaining for weeks that my eyes seem to be puffy and I wake up with wet eyes.  (I'm told that this is more than likely from my decadron medication... much as it makes me swell up, the things it helps control make it worth it for the few side effects).

So, basically say a prayer for Kurt and the rest of the people who are around me - because he says this med (and especially an increase in it) does make me A LOT bitchy.

This week I go for my next PET scan to see how the chemo meds are working.  (I found out only how they worked against the brain tumors from the MRI - here's hoping they continue to work with the hip/liver tumors and there are NO new tumors.)  I won't find out until the following week when I see my oncologist but I will keep praying and believing!  :)

Thanks for believing and the thoughts/prayers!!!!  :)