Mom's FAVORITE Nurses!

Kelly & Kristi have been Mom's Oncology Nurses for the past two years, and they have spent many hours together helping her heal, laugh, and tolerate Chemo.

Last night I got a phone call that Kristi & Kelly wanted to come for a visit. How often would you find nurses that want to come visit their patients after hours? These girls are wonderful and it immediately brought a smile to Mom's face to see them here.

They read the blog regularly and keep track of how she's doing right along with Dr Horn - I am constantly amazed how many people keep up with this thing.

They joked with her about not letting Missy (our Hospice Nurse) take their place as her favorite. Then again, maybe they weren't joking.

I don't think you can ever be replaced ladies, the love and care you've given our Mom over the past two years is unmatched by anyone. I can't thank you enough for what you've done and for helping us keep the humor when battling cancer gets scary.

You are a blessing to us, and most importantly to Mom. She will miss hanging out with you but probably not the drugs you administer.

We love you!

-a

Slow goes it

Mom's still healing from her last round of Chemo. This morning she was short of breath, and was working on getting some of the fluid away from her heart to help her breath better by taking some water pills.

There's improvement, but it's not as fast as we'd like it.

She's still headed into work!

Nothing slows this lady down :)

Chemo Hangover

Mom's been feeling craptastic all week since her Chemo treatments.
She has been feeling pretty weak and has "jell-o" legs.

Yesterday she went and got some fluids and they did it a little differently to help her not retain as much in places she doesn't want it to stay - so they injected 1 liter over 4 hours. She said it was a LOOONG day.

She did get to nap a little, and is back at work today though still not feeling up to par.

I told her she could just order the new kid around... she says he's all ready really wonderful and helps out a ton.

Back to Chemo next week - hope she gets a little reprieve from feeling crappy.

More, More, More!!!!

Mom's going to try MORE aggressive Chemo Treatments because it appears that the Chemo tends to keep the lump in her neck in check. I hate that she has to do more, but if it helps, it helps. Things seem to be going okay though- she's feeling decent and having a great time trying out all her new scarfs / hats / wigs! Thanks for the continued thoughts and prayers, Love, Abby

That Darn Cold

And no, I'm not talking about the weather... Mom's caught a bug, she was feeling pretty crap-tastic at her Benefit, but wasn't goin to miss it for the world.

She visited her doctor this past week and got on some antibiotics and is working on fighting it off - she sounded kind of like a bull frog yesterday when we spoke, but she assured me she felt a little better than earlier this week.

Our grand total for the Benefit has passed our inital count of $27,300 and is now up to $28,350 (or something like that). Thank you again, each and every red cent is appreciated.

Mom texted me this morning and it looks like the head is getting shaved again this weekend with Tony. The Chemo that "works" on her also makes her lose her hair, and it's starting to go, so wig shopping is on the agenda.

Thanks for your love, support and prayers. -a

No Nap For You!

Mom was sent packing today from the Chemotherapy Lab. Her white count wasn't where they wanted to see it, so they're going to try Chemo for next week!

No Nap for her!

New/Old Treatment

Mom had a doctor's appointment this week and Dr. McHale decided they were going to put her back on the once every three week Chemotherapy regiment they tried previously.

The good news is that this chemo was the most effective to date.

The bad news is it's the chemo that makes her nauseous and make her lose her hair.

We're crossing our fingers for a better expierience with this round than we had with the previous round, but we feel hopeful.

She's doing pretty well - taking lots of naps, and the time cut back at work has really helped.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, it means the world!

UP.... DOWN....UP....

Mom’s been feeling up and down… and up… and down… and today, she just wants to nap.
Good thing she’s headed in for chemo- actually I think she’s sitting in Chemo right now, probably napping.
Please keep her in your prayers to feel better for her weekend!
Lots of Love,
Me.

Kelly & Kristi

Thank you.
I don't know what else to say other than, Thank you.
What a blessing you are in our lives!
Thank you for taking care of Mom the way you do... and thank you for keeping the smiles on your faces!
You two are wonderful and I was so happy to have been able to meet you!
:)

Sunday Update

Mom's doing much MUCH better this afternoon. She's been up, showered, and walking around the halls to get a little exercise.

She fell asleep during the Vikings game but maybe it's because they were so far ahead.

She sounds good and it sounds like the Doctor's are going to give her some preventative antibiotics to keep those bad germs away.

Kathy and Grandma will be driving down to Sioux Falls tomorrow to bring her home :o).

Chemo will resume on Thursday.

♥

Darn Cold

After a week or so of trying to fight it off Mom woke up with a cold this morning. She feels pretty icky and is doing what she can to lay low, keep nourished, and get lots of sleep to try to fight it off.

She's been dragging a lot lately because of the fluid around her heart and the chemo at the same time. They can't drain her fluid because her platelets are low (from chemo) and they don't want to stop doing chemo so they can fight the cancer, it's a chicken and egg thing for sure.

She's frustrated, and tired of being sick. She just wants the same answer from more than one doctor instead of 3 different answers from 3 different doctors. She has an appointment on the 16th of December, so hopefully we'll get her in before that or she'll keep on keepin on until the 16th.

Please send her prayers of healing... :)
Love, A

Hei Ho... Hei Ho...

It's Off to Chemo She goes.....

A very happy Thursday to you all...

Please send prayers Momma's way as she starts

Round two of four for Chemo treatments!

We Love you MOM!

Whoops

I thought I had posted the results… but I hadn’t.

Mom’s Doctor (from the Mayo) said that her ultrasound looked okay, and that its not nearly as bad as it was when he saw her, he would like to wait it out till after her next chemo which is tomorrow.

She’s feeling pretty good, tired, but still good.

Love, Me.

2/3rds Chemo

Mom's levels were a little low yesterday to receive her full dose of Chemo, but they gave her part of it. She was borderline ready to receive blood, but looks like her white cell count was up, so that's a plus.

The Cardiologist said that it doesn't look like there's fluid retaining around her heart, but there is some fluid in pockets, but all in all she looked good.

We're just trucking along!
♥ me

Chin Up!

Mom’s Chemo treatments have not been hitting her as hard this go-round and we couldn’t be more thankful for that blessing. She’s been a little nauseous and pretty tired out, but not bedridden which has been our previous experience.

So, a little cheery song… A little Charlottes Web comin at ya…

Happy Friday!
Love – Me.

Chin up, chin up

Everybody loves a happy face

Wear it, share it

It'll brighten up the darkest place

Twinkle, sparkle

Let a little sunshine in

You'll be on the right side

Looking at the bright side

Up with your chinny chin chin…

Chin up, chin up

Put a little laughter in your eyes

Brave it, save it

Even though you're feeling otherwise

Rise up, wise up

Make a little smile begin

You'll be happy hearted

Once you get it started

Up with your chinny chin chin!

Chin up, chin up

Everybody loves a happy face

Wear it, share it

It'll brighten up the darkest place

Twinkle, sparkle

Let a little sunshine in

You'll be on the right side

Looking at the bright side

Up with your chinny chin chin…

Chin down, you can't come frowning

Turn around

Starting, clowning

Think sad

Your troubles double

Think glad

They burst like bubbles

Chin up, chin up

Every little time your spirits wilt

Chin up, chin up

Give your attitude an upward tilt

Twinkle, sparkle

Make a little fun begin

You'll be on the right side

Looking at the bright side

Up with your chinny chin

Chin up!

Chemo 1 of 12

Mom’s hanging out in Chemo right now.

She’s pretty ready to get it over with already, we’re all a little anxious to see the side effects, and anticipate results.

This is #1 of 12… over the next 4 months; or something like that.

We Have a Plan

So many people have been asking "how's your Mom" ... and After the Mayo... "What's the treatment plan from here?"

Well, Mom's doing good. She's been sleepy but that's really nothing new - according to her.

She went to her doctor today and they've determine that they will do a dose of chemo once a week for three weeks, then a week off and repeat that cycle 4 times.

It will amount to about 4 months worth of chemo treatments, but ultimately it will hopefully stunt the growth of the cancer and prove to have less side effects than the last rounds she's endured.

The side effects will be minimal hair loss, loss of appetite and she will be lethargic (surprise). She figures it's nothing a good nap, a can of ensure and a wig can't cure!

We're all very happy that we have a plan to move forward with.

Thanks for your continued prayers and love,
Abby

Down... But not Out.

I didn't get a chance to post yesterday as I'm in DC for business.

Tony, Kathy, Shannon & Mom went to the Mayo Monday morning for Mom's consultation/examination.

Monday was a series of CT Scans and blood work, and then a break.

Tuesday was consultation, and review of above mentioned scans and blood work.

Today, Mom's being put in the hospital to have fluid drained from around her heart. There's nearly a pint floating around there, and the doctors want to get it out of there.

So, here's the good, the bad and the ugly.

The good: We have some direction, we know what's going on.

The Bad: What's going on is no picnic.

The Ugly: The cancer has spread. It started out as a few masses in her left lung, now it's spread to her right, and up into her neck. She'll be starting more rounds of Chemo to try to knock it out.

It took me awhile to get this posted, because we're heartbroken. We wanted different news than what we got, that much is obvious. Like I said... we're down, but not out!

Thanks for your continued love, prayers and support. It means the world to us.

All my love,
Abby

Nerves

Okay... So tomorrow is the PET scan after Mom's last round of Chemo. We've all got every appendage crossed for good news...

We won't get the results for another week, but Mom's nervous to go, and nervous for the results.

She's been experiencing some pain in her neck, which makes her even more nervous... but she's keeping strong.

Please keep her in your prayers and send her your strength and love!

Hugs,
A

Dianne Nielsen: Wonder Woman

Mom's transfusion went very well today. She slept through the morning, and then got to eat a little, and was back at work by 3... yeah she's a super hero! I'm serious, when I wake up and feel icky I think about Mom and the fact that she goes to work after her Chemo Treatments and blood transfusions and I think to myself : You don't feel THAT bad... SUCK IT UP!

She's super... That's all I'm saying!

She's hanging out with Erica this evening, so that should test her stamina, Erica's a busy girl! But she said she feels good and that her legs are a little wobbly, but for the most part feels like the blood should do the trick!

Glad to report it went well!

All the Love,
A