Thanks for the comments on my first post. I heard from my parents yesterday and today, and they've had an unexpected complication.  It seems Mom started hemorrhaging yesterday and last night, and so her doctor has halted her radiation treatments until they can do more tests to see why she is bleeding. 

The thought at the moment is that the lining of her intestines are weak from the radiation and ruptures are causing the bleed. But they don't know for sure yet.

Today wasn't much better, filled with extra doctor's visits and her sciatica had flared badly.  I can only pray that the next few days aren't too painful.  She goes to the oncologist again on Friday and a Gastroenterologist on Monday.