Life has been difficult in Mom's household lately. Please pray that we find and are able to get Bonnie into a nursing home very soon.

The biopsy from the kidney has come back and they are only 30% functional. No amyloids. 80 mg. lasix 3xday should bring their function up. Dialysis will be more of an issue in a few months. Her dependance on pain meds is worrisome right now. Her blood sugar dropped to 20 Saturday afternoon. We're praying for her to find a nursing home...Mom is growing more and more weary with the daily struggles.

Each time in the hospital is more baffling than before. She has been in St. Vincent's Hospital late last week and over the weekend. The gall stones are now pollups. Her blood sugar is irradict due to a steroid medicine. Her blood pressure was sky high, so new medicine. The kidney problems, they think are caused by the amyloids. The kidneys are not putting out any fluids. They are going to do a biopsy on the kidneys and under her tongue. Her eyes are getting dark around them and the tongue is becoming enlarged.

Mom is feeling more overwhelmed...please lift her up in prayer today.

Wow. It's been a while since I've updated...sorry friends.

We have received a good report (finally) from the doctor that did all the biopsies. There are no amyloids in her bone marrow. Apparently, they are just in her lungs for now. Also, they are secondary, not primary as we were first told. I'm not exactly sure what that means, but it is a good thing. Her kidneys are in failure, though. She still has her gallbladder, which is causing a good bit of discomfort, but will have to do the operation for that as an out-patient.

It seems to me that she is much more clear minded at Moms that she was on her own, thanks to Mom giving her doses as prescribed and sticking to the schedule.

She went home with Mom today. Diverticulitis has apparently added to the pain last week. She still has her gallbladder & stones in tact. They've said the gallbladder surgery can be done outpatient. She is on antibiotics too now. They go to the surgeon next Tuesday. One doctor has suggested putting in a permanent pic line. Please pray that the surgeon will schedule her for surgery as soon as possible. Hopefully, they can begin treatment for the amyloids after her surgery.

Bonnie is being admitted to Baptist Hospital because of her gallbladder. A surgeon is coming in tomorrow to discuss removing it. Her blood pressure is elevated and they are having a time trying to get it back down. Momma has gone home tonight, but will probably be back up tomorrow.

Several doctors visits later, all we've heard is the bad stuff. Not much hope. Momma seems worn a bit, of course. Pops has been even more crass.

This morning Momma called and the doctor they went to see today sent them on to Baptist Emergency Room. Bonnie is nauseous. Other than that and her diabetes, we are not sure why he sent them there. They are waiting to get in now.

The oncologist is running a bunch of tests, of course. Bonnie will have a test on her bone marrow next week. He confirmed the high mortality rate with this disease. Please pray for Mom...she's really struggling with going through this again.

• Cast your burden on the Lord and he shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. Ps. 55:22

• For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Tim. 1:7

• Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jer. 33:3

Tomorrow is an appointment with the Oncologist. Please pray that we get more answers and have a better experience.

Mom & Bonnie stopped by on the way home today. Today was a rough day. Bonnie seemed emotionally weak. Mom was stressed. They had an appointment with the Neurologist today. He was the only one taking Health Ease. Mom did not have anything positive to say about the experience. He apparently was rather rude, screamed (yes, literally) at Mom, and was very ugly with Bonnie. They will not go back. I say we pray for him and let the Lord work that over with him.

Bonnie seems to be doing better at Momma's.
Swelling in her arms and legs is a constant battle.
They now have 6 appointments set with different specialists.

Mom has the scripture for today...will post it as soon as she emails it to me.

As the journey begins...

Bonnie, my sister, has recently been diagnosed with Localized Amyloidosis. It is a disease that the doctors say behaves like melanoma. They say the prognosis is bleak. This blog will document our journey, as a family, through this and serve as a home base for our friends and relatives to stay current with what's happening and for prayer.

Right now, we know it is in her lungs and are unsure of where else it may be developing in her body. Her insurance is a form of Medicaid and we are learning the protocol. When she was released from the hospital a week ago, they told us everything could be handled out-patient. Momma is working to find providers of her insurance that is currently taking new patients. She is with our mom and Pops (our step-dad).

• Philippians 4:19: And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
  

Please feel free to comment or email me with any questions or, especially, scripture that we can apply to this and pray. Also, if anyone has any experience or information about this disease, please, please email or comment.