1/31/2011

Well everyone, this has been a very quick month.  It was less than a month ago that we received the news about Mom's cancer returning and now with a heavy heart I must report that she has decided to stop any further treatments.  We went for a visit with the Dr. today and he thinks she has pulmonary embolisms that are going to cause her some blood clots which could be very bad news as well.  Our only option was to go to emergency room, enter the hospital and run that whole gamut again then TRY to start chemo tomorrow but,  Mom has had enough of it.  She is way too weak, hasn't eaten much but for a couple of pieces of toast and some hot cereal in 7 days.  She is also having trouble breathing, has to stop between her kitchen and bedroom just to rest because of it.

As you can imagine our entire family is so distraught over this but we are also glad that she won't be going through anymore exploratory testing and diagnostics.  We don't want her to suffer any longer.  For those of you who have been blessed to know her I want you to remember that she carries you all in her heart.  And if you have a story to tell of your experience(s) with her please don't hesitate to send it to us.  She really enjoys talking about the "old days" and we plan on cherishing every last second with her listening and talking.

Hospice will be here today to talk with us and I will keep the blog up with updates on her condition.  Bless you all for being a part of her life, she cherishes you all.

You can post here on the blog or contact me (Diane) at dianekay2000@aol.com or Shari at slwestbrook@charter.net.

PS:  I know you all are concerned about Paps (Boats) he did not want to accept this but has now and is obviously very sad.  His health is holding steady right now and I will keep you posted on him as well.

Thank you as always.

1/29/2011

Sorry for the delay in updating.  On Monday we went for blood counts at oncologist and they admitted Mom to hospital for obstruction in her bowel.  Her stomach was very distended and she was extremely uncomfortable.  After dealing with the "Keystone Cop" mentality associated with the Weatherford Regional Hospital they did a series of lower GI x-rays yesterday that were not only diagnostic but theraputic and she finally had some relief.  She is very weak and anemic.  They had her on an NG tube for 48 hours so once again she could not eat anything.  That's another issue with all this is that the battery of tests she has to have done all require no eating so that's not helping her nutrition issues.  We are on our way to get hair done "yeah"!! They gave her an iron treatment at the hospital that we are hoping gives her more energy. 

We go back to Dr. on Monday for what is supposed to be her next chemo treatment.  The Dr. will do bloodwork and evaluate the situation before we know if this will actually happen that day or not. 

Thanks to everyone as always for your support.

1/22/2011

Here we are on the third day after Mom's first chemotherapy treatment.  The first day after treatment was surprisingly a good one for her.  She was up, dressed, makeup, and only really took two short naps.  However, that night everything kicked in and she started feeling pretty ill.  Nausea, stomach trouble, fever, aches.  She got it all.  This lasted through most of yesterday and last night.  Fever has come down and so have the tummy issues but she is still says her body "just aches all over." Thank goodness for her pain relief medicine.  It seems to mask everything for a while.  We are hopeful that tomorrow will be a better day for her.

Her beloved son Steve is here visiting from Oregon.  His presence brings such joy to her.  As does her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She really is trying hard, is a bit weepy because she wants to feel better for all of us too.

Paps or "Boats" as you all know him by is a real trooper.  He had some health issues recently wherein after having two bypass surgeries over the past few years his valves had weakened so they had to place some stints in them and do an angioplasty.  He doesn't care.  He is taking such wonderful care of Mom.  Doesn't want to leave her side and is up with her every night through everything.  He is trying to lift her spirits constantly even when she gets a little tempermental.   

Continued prayers for her strength. 

Thanks to all for emails, cards, food and prayers. 

Comments

Several have not been able to comment on Mom's blog that want to leave messages for her.  You don't have to sign up for anything as stated earlier.  Simply click on the little blue link below each posting that says either 0 Comments or 1 Comments etc...then a comment box will come up showing prior comments then at the bottom you can leave your own!

1/19/2011

Yeah!!  We got through our first day of chemo.  Mom's hanging in there like a real trooper.  Had a confusing morning, they thought maybe she had another cancer in her ovaries but it ended up being the colon.  We also had a glimmer of hope when they told us that "maybe" her liver cancer is not as bad as originally thought.  I assume that bad means less aggressive.  We will find out more on the 31st of January which is her next treatment.  She met some nice people in there.  The nurses are all so nice and the other patients are very nice and it is comforting for Mom to have others to talk to who are going through the same thing.

She has to wear a fanny pack with a mobile device in it that delivers more chemo to her system for the next 48 hours.  That will be the most cumbersome part of this deal right now but she seems to have a good attitude about it.

Mom is right by my side and sends her love to all and thanks for all the prayers.

From Phoebe

This is from one of Mother's dearest friends.  Apparently some are having trouble posting a comment.  What you need to do is create a Google account on the right hand side of the actual blog posting then you can go to the bottom of each posting and click on the comment tab to leave your thoughts.  Thank you Phoebe for the lovely memory of Mom, she was so touched by this...


Goodfellow AFB, 1988:  Phyllis befriended this lonely, confused, scared
woman whose life was in the midst of being shattered.  She not only took
me into her home but into her heart.  She listened to me talk, let me
cry when I needed to and helped me laugh when I thought I no longer
could.  Phyllis loved me, loved my dog (Jude), and advised me even when
I didn't want to hear what she was saying.  After all these years, all
that she has done for me and meant to me is still as strong as if it
were yesterday!! 
Phyllis, even though I can't be there, I hope that I can give to you, in
spirit and prayers, even a 10th of what you've given to me; strength,
love, and the wish for only the best!  I love you, thank you for all you
have been and will be in my life!  I missed our annual Christmas
conversation this year, now I understand why.

1/19/2011

Mom had the port put in her chest wall yesterday at the hospital for administering the chemo.  It never ceases to amaze me how a 30 minute procedure turns into over 6 hours of just sitting in a hospital. 

She has some moments where she is confused however, she doesn't know any better so no big deal.  Everyday tasks are a little challenging but she's doing pretty well.
Starts the chemo today.  She is struggling with her emotions about it (starting the chemo) but we have all agreed to at least give it a shot.  Will update after we see how she handles things today.

1/14/2010

Well, we have been to the oncologist today and received some upsetting news.  It seems that Mother's colon cancer has returned and it's pretty aggressive.  She also has cancer cells in her abdomen.  It's obviously not what we wanted to hear.  The Dr. (a wonderful, knowledgeable man) discussed options from doing nothing and giving her very little time left with us to doing chemotherapy.  It was her choice and she has decided to go forth with the chemo treatments.  She will go on Tuesday to have a port put in and then start her first treatment on Weds. the 19th of January.  As expected we are all in shock and disbelief.  However, we will continue to have faith that the good Lord will see her through these treatments and bless all of us with a little more time with Mom.  The Dr. said if all goes well with treatments she could have another "year or two" with us. 

She is very tired today.  Very sad as well as all of us but she still has fight left in her and that's what she is going to do.  I will keep posting on her progress.  Thanks again for all the prayers.  It is so very much appreciated by Mom and our entire family. 

1/11/2011

Not much to report.  Mom has been pretty sleepy, most likely from the morphine, and she has very little appetite.  We keep pushing food on her, we want her to be able to take treatments without being too weak.  We find out on Friday what those treatment options may be.  She has her good, bad and sad days.  All perfectly normal reactions from all that I am reading.  Trying to keep her positive and remain hopeful that she can stay strong. 

Will post again after we are given the results of the PET scan. 

Appreciate all the calls, text and emails.  It means so much to all of us. 

1/6/2011

Okay so here we are 3 days post Mom's original diagnosis.  Emotions have leveled out a bit and we are all just settling in and trying to do this thing day by day.  Mom had blood work done today and was able to speak with the P.A. for Dr. Page (the oncologist).  He was actually in the room next door and the P.A. was relaying messages back and forth between them.  He (Dr. Page) will give Mom his entire opinion on Friday the 14th.  Dr. Page relayed through the P.A. this afternoon that he believes that the liver cancer has formed due to another colon tumor. However, he also stated that there is a chance that it is related to the old tumor.  On Friday (tomorrow) she has the PET scan which we will get the results back via the phone on Tuesday.  This will tell where it actually originated from, be it from her breast cancer or more recent colon cancer.  It all really seems to be associated with the colon cancer.  Monday they are doing a liver biopsy which is not fun, but we know that she is a trooper and will do great with this.  Dr. Page will then get all the results from scans, blood work and biopsies, then on Friday we see him for the beginning of the treatment process.  For now, Mom is being comforted with the help of Morphine patches that are not really messing with her tummy too much (yeah!!).  If the test comes back that she has indeed had a recurrence of colon cancer then they have told us that they will possibly remove the tumor and treat the colon with chemo.  The colon cancer (or breast cancer) is being considered as the primary(s).  It is what they will treat first instead of the liver which is strange to me, but they know what they are doing.  They have also indicated that they will do a biopsy of the colon as well after the PET scan just to reaffirm all this.  They told her that they could already tell she had lesions on her liver which may or may not be curable but are treatable. 

We had some encouraging info, we have learned that Dr. Page (her oncologist) was the head resident at MD Anderson for several years.  He has assured us that he will utilize every resource available to him in treating her and if he feels that she would benefit further from anything they have to offer that he may not be able to provide then he will immediately make sure she goes to MD Anderson be it clinical trials, medications he cannot obtain or any additional treatments that could benefit her.

On a more personal note, Mom loves this blog thing!  She is so excited about seeing all of you who are followers (present and future) and those making comments.  Paps said tonight that he "Couldn't imagine Grams would ever have a blog!" Paps (Boats to a lot of you) has been the best support for Grams, he has  been through so much lately but as those of you that know him he is keeping her on her toes!  Our entire family appreciates all the support, we have received so many encouraging emails, phone calls, texts, etc.... and feel so blessed to have such a huge network of prayer and support. 

We will continue updates, please continue your prayers and encouragement, I can't tell you how much it means to all of us.  Thanks so much. 

Day One

Well I have never considered one of these blog thingees but since we have found out that my Mom's cancer has returned, the friends and loved ones that she has enlightened with her mere presence are all so concerned about her that I thought this would be a good way to share our information.

As you all know Mom had a significant tumor removed from her colon last November.  We were pretty convinced that all was well, no chemo required or anything after that but in September she started having some serious pain in her shoulder and arm.  After numerous visits to the doctor with diagnosis of pinched nerves and muscle strains they finally did an MRI.  The MRI showed a "spot" on her lung that was of concern so they did an x-ray which only brought up more questions.  Last week they did a CT scan and on Monday we received the devastating news that she actually has liver cancer that has metastisized (msp?).  It seems that the spot is actually a hole in her lung that the nasty cancer is trying to extract liquid from.  What's next, well, she has blood tests this week and then a PET scan which will show (by some sort of illumination) where all the cancer actually is and if it has invaded anymore of her organs.  We do know that the cancer is in all of her nodes in the liver. 

We are going to do whatever in the world that we can to prolong her precious life.  She has agreed to take chemo which for those of you that really know her know that is a big step.  We don't know until the 14th of Jan if she is even a candidate for chemo but we have all decided that whatever the results we are going to take her to MD Anderson. 

Me and my family appreciate all the phone calls, emails and prayers that you all are sending our way, we are passing them on to Mom and it really helps her spirit.  Will update as often as I can.  Thanks again.