A Special Case

Dr. Moore, Linda's oncologist, confirmed today what I have suspected for awhile - Linda's case is somewhat unique. While MRI's continue to show that the tumor is slowly shrinking, her symptoms worsen. I asked Dr. Lacin, her neurosurgeon, if it is possible that the tumor is doing something in the brain that we do not see. He said, no, that is not possible. Why the total left side weakness, then? No good explanation. Nor is there a good explanation for her liver concerns, outrageously high lipids, and diabetes. The steroid dosage she has received for this year should not have led to such profound problems. Linda's inability to move could have caused some of the problems, but why did she lose all movement in her left arm and hand, and most of the ability to move her left leg and foot? And listeria meningitis - Neither Dr. Moore nor Dr. Lacin has ever known of anyone (at least an adult) who had this rare infection.

Well, having thought out loud, let me report on this day. It was not very good. Perhaps she was tired from yesterday, but I doubt that is all that is going on. She slept a good bit of the day, and when she was awake, she was agitated. If you know Linda, you have to know that something is wrong for her to be agitated. Oh, she has been agitated a time or two with me (I think I remember at least once that she was upset with me :)), but she rarely lets others see her frustration. In addition to an agitated state, today Linda has been a bit like she was last week a few days before the severe headache sent her to the emergency room. She has been on these powerful antibiotics for three and a half days, so if the infection caused the extreme confusion last week, we should not go back down that road again. There are signs, though, and that is disconcerting.

If it seems like one post is positive and the next post is laced with concern - well, that's the roller coaster of which I have often spoken. Thank God for His steadfast love, His unchangeable nature, and His eternal Word! Linda's medical condition is unique - much like the one who hosts these myriad anomalies (sounds like an oxymoron - unfortunately, it is not) is unique. A couple of days ago, Linda's good friend, Rebecca, told Linda that she had never heard one unkind word spoken about her. What a testimony! Thank You, Lord, for such a faithful witness to Your love and goodness in Your servant, Linda. If there is a cause for all of these problems that is yet undetected, please reveal it to the doctors and help them to treat it. Bring our girl all the way back to us! We trust You, Father, for Your perfect will to be done in Linda's life - and, in all of our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.