Grave Condition

This is as bad as it gets. Somehow I find updating all of you to be therapeutic; maybe it’s knowing how many people care about Rachel, that the one thing I can do is keep everyone informed. I sure don’t seem able to do anything about the cancer.

At the hospital: Grave condition

• Rachel really took a turn for the worse last night/this morning.
• Her bilirubin went up to 11, and only came down to 7; there are a number of possible causes, but the most likely at this point is that the cancer has spread to her liver.
• Her urine output dropped to nothing, indicating kidney failure. Again, a number of possible causes, with spread of cancer to the kidneys being a key possibility.
• Her belly filled back up with fluid -- they drained another ¾ gallon this morning.
• And her breathing became very labored, so they put her on a ventilator.
• All told, this is what they call “multi-organ system failure”, which is as bad as it sounds.
• Everyone is in shock at how quickly this has progressed; she just checked in and was diagnosed 8 days ago. I felt a little morbid about researching 5-year survival rates for ovarian cancer earlier, and now 5 years seems like an eternity.
• They started chemo this afternoon, with the one hope being that attacking the tumors will allow her organs to rally.
• Rachel’s family is here with me, which is very helpful.
• Father Tom came by this afternoon, and was a great comfort. He also gave Rachel last rites (Anointing of the Sick).
• Now we wait and hope -- there’s still hope, although I’m starting to make my peace with this.

At home

• Many of Rachel’s friends joined us at 8am Mass today, and we had a small prayer session afterward. We blessed a blanket that I then brought to the hospital, and it’s now keeping her feet warm.
• I brought the kids to the hospital this morning, just before Rachel went on the ventilator. She saw and acknowledged them, and squeezed their hands.
• The kids are now at the Finamores, and doing OK. I stopped by this afternoon to give them the update -- trying to balance preparing them for what’s probably coming (Mom’s not coming home) against what an 8, 10, or 12 year old should have to hear. Today was as clear as I’ve been with them, but it still doesn’t seem to register -- maybe denial is their defense mechanism for now. I’m a little envious.
• One other note: so many of you have offered to help that it’s overwhelming. I believe Evan Finamore is going to coordinate this for us, unless the gang decided otherwise this morning. You can reach her at e_cfinamore@email.msn.com, or 847-563-8554, or 847-217-2117.

Thanks yet again for all of your thoughts, prayers, and support. We’re going to need even more going forward.

Pat