From stage four to stage zero

We learned early this afternoon that the growth on Mom's sacrum is not malignant, nor is it related to Paget's disease. It appears to be a bone infarct, and is pressing on nerves which causes the pain. To paraphrase the Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary, an infarct is an area of necrotic (dead) tissue resulting from the obstruction of the local circulation. It is not uncommon for bone infarcts to mimic bone cancer, which apparently it did in Mom's case. As I understand it, she also has a hairline fracture in her pelvis.

There really isn't a cure. Dr. D. indicated that pain management and physical therapy would be the likely treatment. In that she's been in bed for nearly three weeks, and wasn't exactly active prior to her hospitalization, she has considerable muscle atrophy. We're hoping she can get to the point where she can sit up without overwhelming pain and possible use a bedside commode. Looks like another stint at Heartland is in her future.