A few weeks ago, I called the California Employment Developement Department (usually called the “Unemployment Office”) with a question about Satomi’s Disability status. I was on hold for 45 minutes but that was expected given the state of employment in our economy. After getting our question quickly answered (the nice lady talked super fast), she asked if I had applied for Social Security/Federal Disability. It hadn’t crossed my mind before so we discussed it some.
She emphasized that I should do it immediately. The process included a medical investigation and personal interview and could easily take a year to process. The CA state disability is only good for a year so most people apply for both at the same time. Holy crap-I’m only 6 months late!
I started and completed the online application process immediately but there is a secondary application with a detailed medical section so it’s going to take a while to complete the package. Satomi’s diagnosis is already on the “pre-approved” list but I’m still going to have to review her medical records in detail to fill out the forms.
This last Vertebroplasty session is a milestone in Satomi’s long recovery. Her frame is now structurally sound and her rehab efforts can now continue. As you all may recall, since getting the diagnosis of her spinal fractures last November, it was important to stop physical therapy and any real activity. While completely justified, it was upsetting to all of us. I found the delay very discouraging.
Some four months later, I can again see a glimmer of light at the end of this long damn tunnel.
Satomi’s been off corticosteroids for several months and her blood work has been improving. Her present medications only include an antibiotic (for any remaining kidney stones), the Beta-Blocker (a reduced dose for irregular heartbeat and breathing), and high Cholesterol and acid reflux medications. What a huge difference!
After the Vertebroplasty wounds heal up, our Oncologist does want her to re-start Chemo but we’ll need to discuss it; We have an appointment with her next week.
Besides the increased activity, we are now going to focus on her debilitating dizziness. Until now, there had always been some other more pressing medical issue that interfered. Several months ago, before the spinal issue arose, we had an appointment with a doctor from the House Ear Clinic (www.houseearclinic.com). Following the examination, the doctor had several insightful comments; he was optimistic that Satomi would improve over time but could not make any quantifications.
For a better diagnosis, she’s getting a Videonystagmography (or “VNG”) test. Check out: http://www.keyhearing.com/Videonystagmography_vng.aspx. It’s set up for later this week.
During this last Vertebroplasty session, we asked Dr. Chen to take a biopsy of the inner-vertebral tissue. Besides the obvious cancer implications, it should also direct us to the cause of the spinal fractures.
Dr Chen just called and the biopsy was clear.
Since cancer did not weaken the bones, the only other feasible explanation is steroid myopathy induced osteoporosis. That was under some debate amongst several of our doctors for quite some time.
While lack of cancer is clearly a good thing, there has to be future considerations to Satomi’s Osteoporosis. After all of our difficulties these past years, a broken hip would just suck.
We’re sitting here in Pre-Op waiting for our third and hopefully last song & dance.
Things here in Pre-Op have become routine-the nurses remember us and we know how to put the gown on.
The checkin process was smoother with only a single pot hole: the Admitting lady kept telling us to go to the Welcome desk to verify which department was appropriate.
I did my best to patronize the Admitting lady:
“This is our third time doing this same procedure and this is the correct place”.
“Sir, please return to the welcome desk to verify…”
“This is our third time doing this same procedure and this is the correct place”.
“Sir, can you please…”
“This is our third time doing this same procedure and this is the correct place”.
I figured a consistent tone and cadence would emphasize my point.
Satomi’s veins are scarred and small to begin with. The IV is always tough. Their first try “infiltrated” and Satomi’s wrist swelled up. They’re still working on her. Its likely that the IV will need to be put in her foot. I hope this isn’t a precursor to the operation.
[Update 11:00am: They ended up using a vein in her foot. I didn’t expect it to hurt much but Satomi diagreed completely. It was very painful! It also bled a lot. They wheeled her away right at 9:00am.]
[Update 12:00pm: I just spoke with Dr. Chen. Everything went fine and Satomi passed all the post-Op neuro tests. The doctor treated T7, T8, & T9 vertebrae so that should be all of them. She’s still sleeping so I’m going to grab lunch.]
[Update 3:30pm: We’re home and Satomi is resting. She’s very dizzy but doing well.]
It’s been almost 3 weeks since Satomi has had her 2nd Vertebroplasty. There has been continued improvement to her spinal “stability” and stamina. Satomi has lost about 15lbs since her heaviest back in November.
There are only 4 holes in her back this time around. The T10 and T11 vertebrae are much smaller and only required a single entry point to inject the cement. L5 still required 2 holes. The wounds healed up well and look similar to the other dozen or so sites.
Even with these improvements, these past weeks have shown that the third Vertebroplasty will be necessary. Pain remains in her T7, T8, and T9 vertebrae. We’ve already contacted City of Hope to schedule it. If things move as normal, it’ll be in the next few weeks.
She also has some muscular pain in her lower back. This is likely from the remaining extra weight and overall loss of muscular strength. Her pain-killer regime continues at 4x100mg of Darvocet a day.
To combat this, Satomi has returned to walks around the block and semi-weekly Physical therapy. Dr. Chen had no issue with the added activity given Satomi’s improved spinal condition.
Satomi also just tried “Lidoderm”, a stick-on Lidocaine patch. It seems to work for her spot pain.
Satomi's Cancer Blog 