Good Evening.
Mom and Kim both wanted me to let you know how much they appreciate your prayers. Mom said that they felt them and asked you to not stop praying just because they are home now.
While you're praying, I would ask you to pray for my family. Lucy and I have been sick for almost 5 weeks now. Danny got sick just before Thanksgiving and now Daniel seems to be coming down with it too. The icing on this cake though is that Lucy now has Hand, Foot, Mouth disease. Awful sores in her mouth and on her hands and feet. Please pray for us to get well. We can't visit Grannie until we're all better.
Since we can't visit her, she wanted me to let you know that she will be home alone most of the time and if you would like to come over and keep her company for awhile during the week, she would love to have someone to visit with her. Having someone to talk to helps keep her mind off of the pain. She can't do much for herself so she can get pretty lonely with nothing to do and no one to talk too. *She does want you to call her before you come to make sure she is feeling okay that day. Some days are really bad and she just doesn't feel like company, but most days are good.
If you'd like to sit with her, just call and let her know when too. If you need her phone number you can email me privately and I'll give it to you. purplestacy@mac.com
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
A Diagnosis and a Home Coming
Tonight's posting is just a bunch of information. Let me know if you have any questions.
The test results from the EMG's were normal. She had a nerve conduction test done as well this week. It starts in the foot and runs up to her head. Everything was normal until it got to her neck, then it slowed way down and the returned to normal after passing her neck.
Much of today was spent waiting to see the neurosurgeon. Someone finally came out and said that the head of the Neurosurgery Dept. reviewed her case and the MRI's that were done this week and agrees that she does not need neck surgery. None of the symptoms she is having would require surgery.
Here's what she does have: Cervical Myelopathy or Cervical Stenosis
(the name on the website link is different than what I put here, but it's basically the same thing)
The neurologist said that the muscle spasms and weakness she is experiencing is caused by the pain. It's a vicious cycle. They have given her an older medication for the pain and should stop it. She will take it for two weeks and then start physical therapy here in Houston. It could last 7 weeks or more. And it's possible that it could take about the same amount of time that it's taken her to get this way.
The neurologist she has been assigned to is very nice and she really likes him. He told her that she could come back if she didn't feel she was getting better.
She didn't say this exactly, but I could tell that she's both relieved and depressed at the same time. She didn't want neck surgery, but she was hoping she'd need it because it might make her better faster, but she also has a treatment plan and a slow recovery. She didn't want to come home with just medication and physical therapy. She wanted something different, although no one is sure what we really wanted to hear. Does that make sense?
They are coming home on Friday as planned. Please don't call or come by until next week. She'll need the weekend to recover from the trip home.
You can post messages to the blog by clicking on 'comments' (if the comment box is not visible on the page). Then you will probably need to scroll down to the comment box and type what you want to say. Next, where is says to 'comment as' select 'anonymous'. Then click on 'Post' and you're done.
OR you can send her an email to: aussiequinn@yahoo.com / You can also send me what you want to say and I can post it to the blog: purplestacy@mac.com
Just be aware that she cannot personally respond to your emails because she cannot type on the computer. It's too painful in her arms and her hands.
She and Kim both would love to hear your encouraging words and how you've been praying for them.
Thank you all so much for your prayers. I will continue to post a few times a week on how she's doing with the pain and the physical therapy.
The test results from the EMG's were normal. She had a nerve conduction test done as well this week. It starts in the foot and runs up to her head. Everything was normal until it got to her neck, then it slowed way down and the returned to normal after passing her neck.
Much of today was spent waiting to see the neurosurgeon. Someone finally came out and said that the head of the Neurosurgery Dept. reviewed her case and the MRI's that were done this week and agrees that she does not need neck surgery. None of the symptoms she is having would require surgery.
Here's what she does have: Cervical Myelopathy or Cervical Stenosis
(the name on the website link is different than what I put here, but it's basically the same thing)
The neurologist said that the muscle spasms and weakness she is experiencing is caused by the pain. It's a vicious cycle. They have given her an older medication for the pain and should stop it. She will take it for two weeks and then start physical therapy here in Houston. It could last 7 weeks or more. And it's possible that it could take about the same amount of time that it's taken her to get this way.
The neurologist she has been assigned to is very nice and she really likes him. He told her that she could come back if she didn't feel she was getting better.
She didn't say this exactly, but I could tell that she's both relieved and depressed at the same time. She didn't want neck surgery, but she was hoping she'd need it because it might make her better faster, but she also has a treatment plan and a slow recovery. She didn't want to come home with just medication and physical therapy. She wanted something different, although no one is sure what we really wanted to hear. Does that make sense?
They are coming home on Friday as planned. Please don't call or come by until next week. She'll need the weekend to recover from the trip home.
You can post messages to the blog by clicking on 'comments' (if the comment box is not visible on the page). Then you will probably need to scroll down to the comment box and type what you want to say. Next, where is says to 'comment as' select 'anonymous'. Then click on 'Post' and you're done.
OR you can send her an email to: aussiequinn@yahoo.com / You can also send me what you want to say and I can post it to the blog: purplestacy@mac.com
Just be aware that she cannot personally respond to your emails because she cannot type on the computer. It's too painful in her arms and her hands.
She and Kim both would love to hear your encouraging words and how you've been praying for them.
Thank you all so much for your prayers. I will continue to post a few times a week on how she's doing with the pain and the physical therapy.
Monday, November 23, 2009
New Testing / Kim's Birthday
Today Mom and Kim spent much of Kim's birthday visiting various doctors. The neurologist wants to do repeat MRI's of her brain and cervical spine. Apparently the one she had done here were not extensive enough and the radiologist wants too see more. These tests will be done tomorrow (Tuesday) or Wednesday. Please pray for her during these tests. She has to lay perfectly still during them and it's very hard for her to do and can be painful for her as well. She usually comes out of them feeling very stiff because she had to be still for so long. And they are two separate tests.
She also saw a couple of rehabilitation doctors that were both female and they both agreed that her spasms and muscle contractions and now jerking are being caused by her brain and spinal cord not signaling each other properly. They said that with medication and physical therapy similar to what a stroke victim would go through, she would get better. That is if she doesn't need surgery. They also said that there is possibly a place here in Houston where she could get the therapy.
A neurosurgeon will review her files and records and history and determine if she needs any type of surgery. She will only see the neurosurgeon if that doctor wants to see her or feels she needs surgery.
The neurologist said he would not let her leave without some kind of help. That was encouraging.
Mom asked us to pray for supernatural wisdom for the radiologist reviewing the MRI results and for the neurosurgeon that will look at her case. Pray that God would guide them to a diagnosis, because there still isn't one. Pray that God would open their eyes to see what other doctors have not yet seen and for whatever is causing all of this to reveal itself during the testing.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIM! (a.k.a. Granddaddy) We love you and miss you both terribly!
Feel free to leave your own message in the comment section below. Mom and Kim both check the blog everyday and would love to hear from you! (PS: don't forget to wish the old man a Happy Birthday!)
She also saw a couple of rehabilitation doctors that were both female and they both agreed that her spasms and muscle contractions and now jerking are being caused by her brain and spinal cord not signaling each other properly. They said that with medication and physical therapy similar to what a stroke victim would go through, she would get better. That is if she doesn't need surgery. They also said that there is possibly a place here in Houston where she could get the therapy.
A neurosurgeon will review her files and records and history and determine if she needs any type of surgery. She will only see the neurosurgeon if that doctor wants to see her or feels she needs surgery.
The neurologist said he would not let her leave without some kind of help. That was encouraging.
Mom asked us to pray for supernatural wisdom for the radiologist reviewing the MRI results and for the neurosurgeon that will look at her case. Pray that God would guide them to a diagnosis, because there still isn't one. Pray that God would open their eyes to see what other doctors have not yet seen and for whatever is causing all of this to reveal itself during the testing.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIM! (a.k.a. Granddaddy) We love you and miss you both terribly!
Feel free to leave your own message in the comment section below. Mom and Kim both check the blog everyday and would love to hear from you! (PS: don't forget to wish the old man a Happy Birthday!)
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Feeling Better
Mom is feeling a bit better today, mentally and physically. Kim took her to get her hair done and the lady tilted the chair back without any warning and it really hurt her neck and back. That makes mom think that the rheumatologist is right and that it is her neck. She has a couple of appts. tomorrow and hopefully those will yield positive results. The EMG results should be in tomorrow as well.
Tomorrow is Kim's birthday. So post a comment below and wish him a Happy Birthday! I won't tell you how old he is, but he's old! LOL!
Tomorrow is Kim's birthday. So post a comment below and wish him a Happy Birthday! I won't tell you how old he is, but he's old! LOL!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Good news Bad news
I just talked to mom and she did not get the results of the EMG today like she thought she might. She'll have to wait until Monday.
There is good news and bad news:
The good news is that she did get into see the Rheumatologist today and he spent 2 1/2 hours with her.
The bad news is that he thinks the problem is with her neck, shoulder, and rotator cuff. This was VERY discouraging to her and to Kim. They were very much hoping for a PMR diagnosis and could go home early next week. But this to her is a huge set back.
This whole thing started with her neck and the doctors claimed that her 'small' problem couldn't cause these big symptoms, so it MUST be a neuromuscular/neurological disease. AND now we're back to the neck. She's devastated.
The Rheumatologist did say that her 'small' problem could cause her big symptoms, and since most of her symptoms are more on one side of her body, that it was very unlikely that it was PMR and that it was more mechanical. He showed her image after image of patients that were diagnosed with PMR and ended up at Mayo because they weren't getting better and it turned out to be a neck problem. He said that if it was PMR that she would be dramatically better on the steroids already after two weeks.
He wants her to start physical therapy on Monday and she will return to the neurologist also. He also wants her to see a near-surgeon there as well. Oh, and he wants to take her off of the steroids too. That was really hard for her because she was feeling so much better on them.
She and Kim are both very upset and asked me to tell you all not to call her. They don't want to talk to anyone right now. I think since they were hoping to come home on Tuesday and now they aren't, it's a little more upsetting. (i for one, never thought they'd be coming home that quickly) And they aren't there to come home quickly, they are there to find out what's wrong with Mom, so I don't care how long they have to stay.
Please keep praying. We were hoping that once she was at Mayo that ALL the doctors would agree and since they aren't agreeing, it's kinda hard to swallow.
There is good news and bad news:
The good news is that she did get into see the Rheumatologist today and he spent 2 1/2 hours with her.
The bad news is that he thinks the problem is with her neck, shoulder, and rotator cuff. This was VERY discouraging to her and to Kim. They were very much hoping for a PMR diagnosis and could go home early next week. But this to her is a huge set back.
This whole thing started with her neck and the doctors claimed that her 'small' problem couldn't cause these big symptoms, so it MUST be a neuromuscular/neurological disease. AND now we're back to the neck. She's devastated.
The Rheumatologist did say that her 'small' problem could cause her big symptoms, and since most of her symptoms are more on one side of her body, that it was very unlikely that it was PMR and that it was more mechanical. He showed her image after image of patients that were diagnosed with PMR and ended up at Mayo because they weren't getting better and it turned out to be a neck problem. He said that if it was PMR that she would be dramatically better on the steroids already after two weeks.
He wants her to start physical therapy on Monday and she will return to the neurologist also. He also wants her to see a near-surgeon there as well. Oh, and he wants to take her off of the steroids too. That was really hard for her because she was feeling so much better on them.
She and Kim are both very upset and asked me to tell you all not to call her. They don't want to talk to anyone right now. I think since they were hoping to come home on Tuesday and now they aren't, it's a little more upsetting. (i for one, never thought they'd be coming home that quickly) And they aren't there to come home quickly, they are there to find out what's wrong with Mom, so I don't care how long they have to stay.
Please keep praying. We were hoping that once she was at Mayo that ALL the doctors would agree and since they aren't agreeing, it's kinda hard to swallow.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Nothing new really
I talked to mom again tonight. She had blood work done today and basically waited all day to try and get into see the Rheumatologist or have her EMG. But alas, it was not to be. Her EMG is tomorrow at 8:45 am, but she has to be there at 7:30! yikes.
She sends her love and thanks everyone for their prayers. She can feel them.
Her symptoms are changing somewhat. She's starting to tremble and shake more now than before. And she's having to take more pain medicine than she'd like too. But somehow she feels like the steroids are still working because she said that she wouldn't have been able to make this trip last week.
Keep those prayers coming!
She sends her love and thanks everyone for their prayers. She can feel them.
Her symptoms are changing somewhat. She's starting to tremble and shake more now than before. And she's having to take more pain medicine than she'd like too. But somehow she feels like the steroids are still working because she said that she wouldn't have been able to make this trip last week.
Keep those prayers coming!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Update 11/18/09
I just got off the phone with Mom. She's feeling better and thinks that the steroids are starting to help. She said that the place is amazing and it's so beautiful and everything is decorated for Christmas already. They have a very nice room and feel very comfortable in it. (This hotel caters to Mayo Patients, so it's not like a regular hotel room)
She met with the neurologist today and he was very nice. He spent a long time with her going over all her history. He thinks that she possibly has a neuromuscular or rheumatological disease that was dormant and that she would have gotten anyway, but the injury to her neck brought it to the surface quicker. He is sending all of her MRI's to the radiology dept. to have them checked over for anything the Houston doctors might have missed, but he doesn't think she needs neck surgery.
Tomorrow she will have more blood work done to check for things that only Mayo Clinic check for, and for things that haven't already been done. He wasn't specific only to say that he's checking for neuromuscular and rheumatological diseases.
On Friday, she will have another EMG. This is a test where they place needles all over your body to see how your muscles respond. This will be the third one of these tests she's had done. It's a painful test, so please be praying for her on Friday for sure!
Then, next Wednesday, she will meet with the Rheumatologist. Well, that's when her appt. is. She will 'check in' everyday with the dept. to see if someone can get her in earlier, but if they can't, then she will definitely see someone next Wednesday. Then, she will start physical therapy on the 30th. The neurologist said she can't just keep laying around. So once they have a diagnosis, they will start PT based on that. He said that not using her muscles is like a vicious cycle. It took her a long time to get to this point and it will be a long time before she gets back to normal, but he said that she will get back to normal. (yea!)
The important thing is that he feels confident that they will get a diagnosis, and that is encouraging.
We're sad they won't be here for Thanksgiving, but I'm glad she's there. We all know that God is in control and He is Sovereign. We just have to cling to that right now while we wait.
Again, thank you all for your prayers. I know my mom appreciates it and covets them.
She met with the neurologist today and he was very nice. He spent a long time with her going over all her history. He thinks that she possibly has a neuromuscular or rheumatological disease that was dormant and that she would have gotten anyway, but the injury to her neck brought it to the surface quicker. He is sending all of her MRI's to the radiology dept. to have them checked over for anything the Houston doctors might have missed, but he doesn't think she needs neck surgery.
Tomorrow she will have more blood work done to check for things that only Mayo Clinic check for, and for things that haven't already been done. He wasn't specific only to say that he's checking for neuromuscular and rheumatological diseases.
On Friday, she will have another EMG. This is a test where they place needles all over your body to see how your muscles respond. This will be the third one of these tests she's had done. It's a painful test, so please be praying for her on Friday for sure!
Then, next Wednesday, she will meet with the Rheumatologist. Well, that's when her appt. is. She will 'check in' everyday with the dept. to see if someone can get her in earlier, but if they can't, then she will definitely see someone next Wednesday. Then, she will start physical therapy on the 30th. The neurologist said she can't just keep laying around. So once they have a diagnosis, they will start PT based on that. He said that not using her muscles is like a vicious cycle. It took her a long time to get to this point and it will be a long time before she gets back to normal, but he said that she will get back to normal. (yea!)
The important thing is that he feels confident that they will get a diagnosis, and that is encouraging.
We're sad they won't be here for Thanksgiving, but I'm glad she's there. We all know that God is in control and He is Sovereign. We just have to cling to that right now while we wait.
Again, thank you all for your prayers. I know my mom appreciates it and covets them.
Monday, November 16, 2009
The Second Email I sent out
I didn't expect to be writing you to again so soon, but our God, He's truly amazing! He worked a miracle and got us an appointment with the Mayo Clinic 3 weeks early! Mom's original appt. was December 7th, but now she's leaving this coming Tuesday for an appt. on Wednesday, November 18th!
PRAISE GOD PRAISE GOD PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!
We are so happy and so hopeful now. Thank you for your prayers! Please keep praying for my mom and pray for the doctors that will be treating her too, and the flight up there.
Singing His Praises!,
Stacy
PRAISE GOD PRAISE GOD PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!
We are so happy and so hopeful now. Thank you for your prayers! Please keep praying for my mom and pray for the doctors that will be treating her too, and the flight up there.
Singing His Praises!,
Stacy
The First Email I sent out
I'm writing to you tonight because I need your help. Most of you have been keeping tabs on what's going on with my mother via Facebook, but some of you don't know anything and a lot of you haven't heard from me in months. So let me fill you in....
My mother, Anne Quinn, is very ill. So ill that she feels like she is dying. She is in constant pain from her muscles contracting constantly all day and all night. Some of her muscles are hard as rocks. At this point, this week, she cannot really get out of bed. Every week, her symptoms change and/or she gets worse.
Back in April, her shoulder was hurting but she didn't think anything of it. Then she injured her neck and went to the doctor and he prescribed therapy. Somehow, the therapy made everything worse, so she had a cervical steroid injection in her neck to reduce the swelling. That was the middle of July. From there, she just got worse every week. Every doctor she's been to has said something different. One says she needs neck surgery, one says 'Don't let anyone operate on your neck'. One says she has this disease, one says she has that disease and one says she doesn't have anything wrong with her, that it's all in her head. One doctor even told her to quit calling her because she was crazy and wouldn't help her anymore. Can you believe that? The treatments she's gotten haven't helped and the pain is unbearable at times. If she gets any relief from the pain, she's happy.
My mom is not a depressive person, she's very happy and loves her life. Most of you know her personally. But can you imagine what getting 5-6 different diagnosis's is doing to her?
I'm crying as I type this because I don't know what to do for her. I realized earlier that when my uncle Stan was sick with cancer, I sent out a mass email right away (i didn't have Facebook then). But with my mom, I didn't. I don't know why. The point is that she needs prayer. Lots of prayer.
We have an appointment at the Mayo Clinic on December 7th. Please pray that she makes it to this appt. because she really does feel like she's dying and it's scary.
Here are some other things that you can pray for:
Please pray for her complete healing.
For the right diagnosis and the right treatment
For the meds she's taking now, to be affective and give her relief from the pain and muscle spasms/stiffening
For her (and us) to not lose hope, but to remain focused on God and giving him the glory in the midst of this storm
And for myself and Kim who are taking care of her. That God would hold us up and keep us strong for her.
Thank you,
Stacy
PS: as of now, I'm trying to keep my personal blog updated with progress, but there really isn't that much to report. Every week it's different, but the same. We know nothing. But you can check it if you want periodically. She's asked me not to post updates on Facebook.
My mother, Anne Quinn, is very ill. So ill that she feels like she is dying. She is in constant pain from her muscles contracting constantly all day and all night. Some of her muscles are hard as rocks. At this point, this week, she cannot really get out of bed. Every week, her symptoms change and/or she gets worse.
Back in April, her shoulder was hurting but she didn't think anything of it. Then she injured her neck and went to the doctor and he prescribed therapy. Somehow, the therapy made everything worse, so she had a cervical steroid injection in her neck to reduce the swelling. That was the middle of July. From there, she just got worse every week. Every doctor she's been to has said something different. One says she needs neck surgery, one says 'Don't let anyone operate on your neck'. One says she has this disease, one says she has that disease and one says she doesn't have anything wrong with her, that it's all in her head. One doctor even told her to quit calling her because she was crazy and wouldn't help her anymore. Can you believe that? The treatments she's gotten haven't helped and the pain is unbearable at times. If she gets any relief from the pain, she's happy.
My mom is not a depressive person, she's very happy and loves her life. Most of you know her personally. But can you imagine what getting 5-6 different diagnosis's is doing to her?
I'm crying as I type this because I don't know what to do for her. I realized earlier that when my uncle Stan was sick with cancer, I sent out a mass email right away (i didn't have Facebook then). But with my mom, I didn't. I don't know why. The point is that she needs prayer. Lots of prayer.
We have an appointment at the Mayo Clinic on December 7th. Please pray that she makes it to this appt. because she really does feel like she's dying and it's scary.
Here are some other things that you can pray for:
Please pray for her complete healing.
For the right diagnosis and the right treatment
For the meds she's taking now, to be affective and give her relief from the pain and muscle spasms/stiffening
For her (and us) to not lose hope, but to remain focused on God and giving him the glory in the midst of this storm
And for myself and Kim who are taking care of her. That God would hold us up and keep us strong for her.
Thank you,
Stacy
PS: as of now, I'm trying to keep my personal blog updated with progress, but there really isn't that much to report. Every week it's different, but the same. We know nothing. But you can check it if you want periodically. She's asked me not to post updates on Facebook.
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