First MRIs Done --- 09-26-2010

On Tuesday (9/21), Robin restarted the scans required for restaging her cancer. Restaging is the reassessment of the extent of the cancer, and it needs to be completed before Robin can start treatment at MDAnderson. Because of her claustrophobia, Robin had to be knocked out (receive general anesthesia). So we had to be there at 6:15 AM so they could get Robin prepared, which meant I had to get up at 3:00 AM to get Robin ready to leave on time. Connie, Robin's attendant, decided to go with us, and she was a big help in getting Robin ready. Connie is like a drill sergeant, so Robin does what Connie tells her to do. On the other hand, if I tell Robin to do something, she argues, negotiates, refuses, etc. (I wasn't told that Connie was going, so that's why I had to get up at 3:00). We arrived at MDA a little early because the MRI procedure is done in the "main building", and we didn’t know our way around. I really didn't expect the valet parking to be running at that time of the morning, either, but they have 24 hour valet parking at the main building. When we arrived at the MRI office, the lights were out.

We didn't have to wait long before the staff showed up and got us busy with paperwork. Robin was back in the anesthesia prep room before 7:00. The anesthesiologist was worried about giving Robin general anesthesia because Robin "upchucked" on the ride downtown. However, after talking to Robin, she decided that she could give Robin the anesthesia if Robin had a breathing tube down her throat. At that point, they sent me to the waiting room. After an hour or so, Connie and I were moved to the recovery waiting room, because general anesthesia requires recovery after the procedure. About 10:00, they let us go back to stay with Robin as she continued to wake up.

By about 11:30, Robin was finally awake enough and her vital signs were good enough to let her go home. Robin was starving, since she lost her dinner and had nothing to eat yet, so we stopped for breakfast before going home. We got home and got Robin settled in bed about 1:30. Connie went home and Robin and I both took a nap. For the next few days, it was hard to keep Robin awake for long. About Friday, she seemed to be back to normal (whatever that is).

This weekend, Robin seems to be doing fairly well. Her blood appears to be very thin; when she checks her blood sugar, she bleeds longer than usual. Robin's right eye bled again this week; apparently, pretty heavily. She is totally blind in the right eye now, but her left eye is fairly clear. Also, since Robin has a catheter, she doesn't have to get up to go to the bathroom; so she seldom gets up from her bed. She seems to be considerably weaker as a result. Other than these issues, she is feeling better and eating well.

Monday, 9/27, Robin gets her blood Coumadin levels checked (INR). These affect her clotting. On Friday, 10/1, the day after her birthday, Robin gets her second MRI, this time, a scan of her spine. After the MRI, Robin will get CT and PET scans on October 22nd, and then she meets her Oncologist on Monday, October 25th to get her reports and to have her cancer "restaged." The pace is SO incredibly s l o w. Robin's cancer is so aggressive that the waiting without treatment is frustrating and frightening. What kind of damage is being done while we are waiting?

Once more, I wanted to remind Robin's friends and family that Robin's birthday is this Thursday, on September 30th. I am hoping everyone who reads this will send Robin a birthday card, especially humorous ones. It will do wonders to raise her spirits! I have suggested the cards be addressed using the theme of "Fighter" this year. This year has shown how tough Robin is and what a fighter she has been, and I think we should celebrate it. Use your imagination, old comic books, history books, etc. Address the envelope to Dragon Lady Robin Burns, or The Virago, Robin, or Wonder Woman. Be creative. I hope you will all participate to bring some brightness to Robin on this special occasion. (Email me if you need the address; I don't want to publish it here).

As always, I ask that you keep Robin and her mother, Johnnie, in your thoughts and prayers. This has been a tough month, and the next few weeks will not be much better, but with God's help, we will press forward.

We continue to pray for all of you each day, and we thank God for the gift you have been to us.

Love,

                  --- Larry, Robin, & John