Last week, Mom began having episodes that caused her to lose strength while walking. This seems to happen randomly. Over the weekend, Mom walked so well that assistance seemed barely necessary. But occasionally she would become weak and nervous, nearly dead weight. At her oncologist appointment Friday, Dr. Galloway took her off the Tarceva for two weeks in case the symptoms are a result of the new medication. She scheduled Mom for another MRI of her brain, and she ordered an EEG of her brain to check for seizure activity. After a neurologist reviews the results, it's back to Dr. Galloway to determine whether she can start taking the Tarceva again.

The MRI was Saturday morning at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital. It went very smoothly; she was complimented again on being an excellent patient. On the way out, we stopped at the registration desk in Emergency because Mom was having pain in the area of her catheter, and the area was visibly irritated. We asked to speak with a nurse about whether we should have Mom checked by the Emergency Department or wait for Vital Care to check her on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the nurse was more concerned about being careful not to give us advice than about being helpful. After a confusing exchange about what ED would not do for her, we took Mom home. Wrong decision. Mom's discomfort increased. Suzy tried to get Vital Care to come and examine her catheter, but they couldn't send anyone until Sunday morning. Urgent Care in Boyne City was closed. So, at about 5:45 p.m. we loaded Mom back up in the car and took her back to the hospital, right about the time the blizzard started.

The time in the ED was several hours. Mom was cared for, but low on the priority list because the injuries from accidents began to pour in. We called a nurse to empty her leg bag, which was filling up, and after a ten minute wait we ransacked the cupboards for a receptacle ourselves. The doctor's diagnosis was a yeast infection. I was surprised. I thought she might have developed a latex allergy from the catheter; I've never seen a yeast infection do what it did to Mom. But we're learning all sorts of new things these days about how bugs work.

Sunday morning was very cold and windy. Although the roads weren't too bad, Paul called us from church and told us not to bring Mom out. He ended up cancelling church, but held a mini service for the brave ones that made it. It was kind of a free day for the rest of us. We cleaned the refrigerator, folded laundry, and Suzy and Corey cooked wonderful things. Mom had a very lucid, stable day. It was topped off by homemade pumpkin pie, Mom's favorite crave.

The EEG on Monday went well. The nurse adored her. The appointment lasted only about half an hour, just long enough to leave her with fascinating circles on her head.

They didn't last. Whew!

Mom took us to KFC for lunch, and then we were off Dr. Karkosak's office for a blood draw. He prescibed more medication for the yeast infection, and told us an Adam and Eve story his priest had told his parishioners on Sunday. Another brave church-goer.

Hopefully, Mom will see the neurologist this week so she can return to Dr. Galloway. Please pray for a speedy recovery from the yeast infection, for a solid diagnosis of the cause of her spells, and for joy.