Pain Managment

Mom's pain seems to have backed off enough for her to enjoy her Easter.


She'll know more this week as she goes to visit her regular doctors.


For now, the pain killers have become her best bud.


-a

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

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!

Options

Mom went in to see Dr. Horn on Thursday (right?) Dr. Horn said "Hosptial? Or Pills" Mom opted for pills.
She's been battling the fluid retention game again. She hates it.
The pills Dr. Horn gave her seem to be working, she's losing some - she can tell it in her face.

Dr. McHale also called her this week and said that he's got a few options for her to go over when he see's her next and that the results from California came in from her tissue sample and she responds well to two different Chemos. One they've tried, the one that made her hair go away, and he said they'd talk about it when he saw her again.

Good to have options.

New kind of treatment?

Dr. McHale went over the results of Mom's recent CT Scan with her today and he said the results were STABLE. WOO HOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
That's such a beautiful word.
He's sending some tissue of hers into a Doctor in California for a new type of treatment that they're trying in California.
We don't know much about it, but Dr. McHale is excited to try it out and we're willing.

As for Momma? She's doing fine.
She's been awfully sleepy and has an icky feeling day here and there, but overall is feeling pretty good. We're thankful for that :)

Going Strong

There's something beautiful about being home with your Momma.
I spent the first week of the year with her, and it was the best. week. ever.
I haven't had a chance to blog much - I haven't been real inspired.

I do have to say that I'm pretty happy there hasn't been much news over here. Posting news here can have good and bad connotations, so I'd rather not have to blog than be posting frequently.

Mom is doing well.
She's continuing Chemo in hopes that it will zap some of the Cancer inside of her body.
She's pretty tired most days, but has been working only 30 hours a week (as opposed to her 45+ she has been working). She's been living with Kathy & Todd, and it's helped her exponentially to be around people, and not have to worry about heating that damn trailer house ($244 this month and NO ONE WAS LIVING IN IT).


We had an excellent visit, and I'm working on a little piece about my visit with her to Chemo appointment, her nurses are a hoot!In more news... Missy Sinner took these fantastic photos of us while I was there.
Thank you Missy... from the bottom of our hearts... Thank you.

That Darn Fluid

Mom's Doctor is not on vacation but out teaching and not at the Mayo. He had her Doctors in Watertown fax him the results of her ultrasound and will make a decision of what action we will take.

You gotta love that personal touch.

♥ abby

Up and at it!

Mom went in and got some fluids today.

She went in this morning, took a quick nap at home, and then was back to work for the afternoon.

Told you nothing slows her down :o)
She's feeling much better this evening, and according to her nurse Kelly she was doing much better numbers wise.

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

Odds and Ends

Mom's feeling pretty good minus the pain in her arm which is muscle aches and she's been frequenting the Tylenol bottle to take care of that. The Doctor gave her some Oxycontin to help with the pain but she gets too sleepy when she takes it so she limits herself.

We're still waiting to hear back from the Mayo for "Plan of attack" on the cancer, but hopefully they'll have a plan to her Doc soon. If they don't Mom will call them! haha!

In Relay News ....

Highline Relay for Life is on June 11th 2011!!!

I just had a meeting with our ACS representative and we're super excited to get rolling on the 2011 plans.

She asked me to be the "Team Retention Chair" which I'm pretty excited about! I will tell you more about what that means, when I know what it means. We've got a "Chair" meeting on Thursday that I'll learn more about, everything.

Glad I don't have much to report,

All my Love,

A

Weight Loss Plan

Mom's procedure was successful and they've drained a liter of fluid from around her heart. Since her admittance to the hospital yesterday she's officially lost 10 pounds - all in fluid.

She seems to be doing well. Kathy & Mom have been spending time with her and as soon as they're able to go a day without pulling fluid off her heart they'll be sending her home.

She's in good hands at the May though, that's for sure.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers,

Love

Abby

Gathering Paper

Mom was relieved to see that most of the paperwork they had to gather for her trip to the Mayo was easily stored on CD. She figured if not, she might need a wagon to haul it around!

Dr. McHale's office has been really great about helping her get her files in order and her insurance approved.

It's been a relief!

Hurry Up & Wait... Hurry Up & Wait... Story of our lives.

Thanks for your support and prayers,
A

Scheduled

Mom got her appointment to the Mayo scheduled for September 20th in Rochester.
Kathy and Shannon are going with her and it should be a couple days of testing and waiting, testing and waiting. I told Mom she needs to book a hotel room with a pool if that's the case!

In the meantime, she'll be kept plenty busy gathering paperwork and talking with her insurance company. She's supposed to bring every detail of every appointment since diagnosis. That's a year and 4 months worth of paperwork that she will have to compile. Thankfully all of her doctors offices can help in that regard.

So here we are... playing the waiting game again... We're getting darn good at it!

The Referral

Last week Mom's doctor suggested that she think about having someone over at the Mayo Clinic take a look at her PET scans and run a few tests. At worst we'll have bad news, at best maybe we'll gain a little peace of mind; what we wouldn't give for peace of mind right now.

She's got her referral paperwork in, and hopefully we'll have her scheduled for an appointment in a couple weeks.

It's a blessing she lives so close to the Mayo and they can check her out!

I poked around on the Mayo Clinic website a little bit and they have an entire section dedicated to Lung Cancer. CHECK IT OUT.

Makes me feel even better to send her there.

Just keep Waiting... Just keep Waiting... Waiting... Waiting

After another somewhat inconclusive PET scan we've been asked to "hang tight" for yet another two weeks.

Mom's neck pain has been flagged as "abnormal" activity, though they can't pinpoint what it is. Dr. McHale has put her on antibiotic thinking it's an infection or something along that line.

She'll see Dr. McHale again in two weeks to see how the antibiotic has worked, and weather or not he wants to send her over to the Mayo for a biopsy.

We'll just keep waiting.... and waiting... and waiting... not so patiently I might add. We are pleased to hear there's no further plans for maintenance chemo for now, and that her spot in her lung has shrank.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers,
-a

Fingers Crossed?

The PET results will be in tomorrow! We're all crossing our fingers, hoping for a clean scan! Mom's sick of Chemo, and ready to be done with the monthly dose.

She's been experiencing some pain in her neck (not us kids for a change) recently and we're also hoping to get some answers to that this week as well.

Keep her in your prayers please!!!
Love,
A