April radiation to come

Liz and I went to see Dr. Bauman, a back surgeon, at the IHC clinic in Salt Lake on Monday. He looked at an MRI of her spine and said that if she were a little old lady with osteoporosis, he could help her with kyphoplasty. We could see the discs T3 and T6 were gone. T11 was only a small wedge shape left, tipping a bit toward the spinal column. He explained that putting the acrylic cement in only works when there is enough bone structure for it to adhere to. She has more curvature of the spine at the area between her shoulder blades and just below. IF she experiences any more extreme pain like she had between January 30th and February 20th, she should come right in and stop further breakage. We were disappointed but better educated. He also said if she falls or picks up something heavy she will break her back.

Later we asked him about getting her a back brace to help stabilize her spine. Dr Bauman prescribed one for her so we may get that. I think as she travels in a car or airplane especially she may be glad for the extra support. She feels every twist and turn, deceleration, and bump. The pain is much better than in February.

We also met with Dr Ying Hitchcock, a Chinese lady who prefers talking to listening when it comes to dealing with patients. She agreed to do radiation on Liz's spine and both hips over the week of April 12-16th, rather than the standard two weeks, because we have planned for Liz to go to UCLA for a clinic visit then go to WA to see her sister Rachel's new baby boy. It also will mean she is only off the clinical trial drugs for 5 days instead of 12. (We were so glad she can just take a break and get right back on them. If we had known this in Feb. we would have done things differently too... 20/20 hindsight.) Liz has a few more black tattoo dots to mark her body for those treatments.

Liz has begun to drive a little, using the Suburban or my car as they are easier to drive than her car with no power steering. She likes feeling a little more normal and free to go as she pleases.

We loved having a quick visit from my sister Karyn, Andre' and their kids over Easter weekend. We enjoyed hearing messages of hope and faith in Christ as we celebrated his Atonement. We rejoice in His love and trust in His power and goodness.