Paw Paw update

5/11/10 pm update: Well, Paw Paw didn't get bad news from the doctor today, but it wasn't really good news either. Basically there was no news. My mom went with them, and she said she's not sure why the doctor wanted to see him again today. He only talked with them. He talked a lot about the possibility of ALS, so that's not totally off the table, which is discouraging. He said that, if it is ALS, it is a very atypical case. He still wants another MRI, which will hopefully be scheduled soon. We keep praying.

Jared and me with Paw Paw outside his law office in Bartlett Station (I guess you would call this our "downtown") in 1987

In the NICU we tell our parents that no news is good news. If we go a day without calling them, it means their baby is behaving himself and doing what he's supposed to. Unfortunately, on my blog, no news usually just means I'm too lazy or discouraged (or unable, due to privacy reasons) to post about something.

In that case of my Paw Paw, no news has not meant good news. His muscle weakness has progressively gotten worse since his last surgery (he has now had to two unsuccessful neck surgeries for this). He is now unable to walk without the use of a walker, and even that has become very difficult and exhausting for him. Last week, he finally received a motorized wheelchair, which makes it much easier for him to go outside again. :-) Once he and Grandmother have a way to transport the chair, getting to and from doctors' and physical therapy appointments will be so much easier for them. Hopefully he'll be able to go back to church as well.

After realizing that this last surgery in January didn't work, his neurologist referred him to a muscle doctor, who mainly sees patients with ALS (aka Lou Gehrig's disease). We had a feeling this might be coming. A couple of weeks ago, after some testing, this doctor told Paw Paw that he does not think he has ALS - praise God! However, he does not know what's wrong. He said his leg muscles are actually in pretty good shape, leading him to believe there is something going on in or around Paw Paw's neck that's causing him to be unable to use his legs and right arm. He said he wanted to another MRI of the neck to try to pinpoint the problem. Then a week later, the doctor's office called to say that the doctor wanted to see Paw Paw again before this MRI. This appointment is today! We have no idea what to expect here and no idea why the doctor suddenly decided he wants to see Paw Paw again. It could mean he has a diagnosis, it could mean more testing . . . who knows. But please pray with us about this! Pray that God will lead this doctor to the right diagnosis and hopefully treatment for Paw Paw. Pray for Paw Paw's spirit. His body may not be working right, but his mind is the same as it's always been, and these last few months have been so frustrating and discouraging for him. And being cooped up in his house since January hasn't helped much either.

Also pray for my grandmother, as she has become Paw Paw's caregiver 24/7 and has also recently had some health issues of her own. Paw Paw can no longer stay by himself due to his frequent falling. They've recently found a neighbor (thank you, God, for Betty!) to sit with Paw Paw when Grandmother needs to go somewhere; hopefully having Betty around will help take some of the pressure off Grandmother and allow her to better take care of herself as well.

Oh, and during all of this muscle doctor stuff, Paw Paw's had a tumor removed from his bladder via outpatient surgery and Grandmother's been in the hospital twice for fainting spells. The tumor was malignant, but they feel no further treatment is needed at this time; he'll continue to have regular check-ups. Grandmother's fainting was possibly related to low blood sugar and/or related to problems with her blood pressure medication. Whatever it was, it seems to have resolved, and she's doing much better now.

I'll post an update after Paw Paw's appointment today, if we get any news at all.

In summary, getting old stinks. :-)