GBM: Latest Cindy Update

 This is the Hawkins family writing with an update on Cindy:

After getting home from Florida (yay!) and following our routine follow up scans and appointments in Chicago and a busy few days of family activities, Cindy continued to decline in her symptoms of weakness and fatigue. Starting on Good Friday, her weakness continued to increase and we decided to take her to the hospital on Monday after Easter. She was admitted at Goshen Hospital for further observation including an EEG, blood tests and another MRI scan of her brain. The medical team wanted to rule out infection, small seizures and other potential areas of growth.
With the scan MRI scan a new area of tumor or radiation damage was seen close to her brain stem. The neurologist concluded that this was the cause of her decline in mobility and strength.

She gained some strength back in the hospital, and through further conversations with her medical team in Goshen and Chicago, Cindy and Dave, and with all of us, it was decided to enter into hospice care at home. Cindy was discharged on Friday (April 5th) and returned home. We met with the Center for Hospice Care team this week and are feeling very comfortable moving forward with this team surrounding us.

Cindy wanted to be sure everyone knows hospice does not mean she (or we!!) are giving up! Hospice allows for comfort care. It’s another step in this glioblastoma (brain cancer) journey and will allow Cindy to have a quality of life that she has longed for-No more chasing treatments, it will be about symptom management, care, comfort, being in spaces where she is comfortable (like home), and time with family.

Cindy has had some ups and downs since her hospital stay, but today is feeling much stronger. While she continues to be fatigued, she is in good spirits, responsive when she is awake, and is enjoying visits from her kids and grandkids. And continues to give Dave a hard time! :)

This is not the update we want to give but we felt it was important for you all to know the latest. We do not know timelines or what each day will bring, but we are thankful for time to spend together and comfort care for our mom, mimi and wife. Thank you for all your prayers, thoughts and love! We all appreciate it so much!

At this time-we are asking for no visitors as Cindy fatigues easily even with “small talk” and her energy is a limited resource at this time. Thank you for your understanding.

If you want to write a note to Cindy or have something to share with her- email Cindyjh4@gmail.com and we will be sure she is able to read or hear your notes.

-Dave, Alli, Mitch, Kevin and Abbi and the the rest of the Hawkins Family