Radiation Cancelled for today

Radiation was cancelled for today due to a problem with the machine. We will resume with tomorrow's treatment and tack on an additional day to make up for the missing of today.

Cards, etc...

If any of you would like to send something to Mom. You can send it to either Christi or myself. She is not setup to receive mail at the rehab center. To visit her, you will need to call to check her schedule and get directions. Your time to visit her is greatly appreciated, but please don't get offended if she drifts off to sleep or in too much pain for company. She is in great pain at this time, but her spirits are great and we want to keep it going.

Mom had a great weekend. She was ready for a break after the long week she had. Saturday, she joined me at a baby shower at Christi's house. It was great for her to spend time with all of the girls. She really enjoyed watching everyone and visiting with the grown ups.

Sunday, we got to see for the first time my great-niece Hanna Grace. She is absolutely beautiful. Ashley came in from Florida and will be visiting for a short while. Mom was so thrilled to see them and watch her great grandchild. She is still talking about Hanna.

Monday, WOW! What a day. It is hard to believe that it was only two weeks ago when our lives took a drastic change with a simple 2 minute phone call. We began with our normal morning ritual from their we were off to the rehab center. This was my dreading point. Well guys, I made it through it. At the rehab center, the admission process was long and tiresome for us all. Mom and I began with the paperwork; as Christi and Karen finished the final touches on the room (LSU, of course). We were able to rest between meetings with the admissions nurses, wound care nurses, PT nurses, etc... I was able to ride with her to radiation for her first time. It was very comforting for the both of us. We ran into a couple of snags but was able to work through them. Christi summed it up perfectly; it is like the first day of school, esp K, you know, that first time. Heart wrenching, does not begin to explain it.

Radiation went well, they took more x-rays and we got the opportunity to speak with the doctor. Mom was referred to a bone specialist in New Orleans. The cancer seems to be eating away at some important support bones. With cancer in her bones, it is extremely important that she does not fracture any bones; hence again, 24 hour medical attention is needed.

I spoke with Mom this morning and she had an okay night, but her nurse and aid were fantastic.

I ask each of you to continue to pray for my Mom and my family. There are so many people that I would like to thank, but words cannot begin to express the gratitude that I have for so many of you. Life is definitely a circle; so give to others what you would like to have given to you. I always knew how remarkable a woman my Mom is; but your generosity, kindness, concern, and prayers proves that I am not the only one who knows this.

Thanks.
Kim

Radiation Trial Run

I just got off of the phone with Mom. She sounds incredible. She just left MBPCC and the trial run went well. Uncle Paul, Aunt Linda and Mom met two of the four who will be working with her. She seemed very please with the process and also with the fact that she was in and out of there with little wait time. You know there is very few doctors that don't make you wait. With the pain that Mom has been having, sitting is very difficult and gives her excruciating pain.

Thanks for all of your support!

Wound Care appointment and Radiation Therapy

Ms. Linda took Mom to her wound care appointment and everything went great. She was sent home with a care package of goodies to clean and sanitize the lesion under her breast each day. Yeah! The lesion is looking much better and in my opinion has significantly visually improved in a week and a half.

Mom will go tomorrow for a dry run on her radiation and will begin her first round of radiation to her lumbar area on Monday. She will continue this for 3 weeks.

For those who called, yesterday was a rough day; but today is a new day and things are going a little better today. Mom is not in as much pain as yesterday. She was able to get a good night sleep (thanks to ambiem) that she so needed.

Mom will be at my house again this weekend and we will try to finish all the paperwork and get her settled into the rehab center on Monday. As I have shed many tears in us making this decision, I know that it is the best solution for her getting well. She will have 24 hour medical care, wound care for her lesion will be on site, assistance whenever needed, and transportation to and from all appointments. The transportation will be great in the fact that she is a mile from Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center (MBPCC). (I live 30 minutes away.)

We are looking forward to the process of healing so that we can have our mom back at home as her self and the pain reduced to a comfortable level.

Radiologist

Today was another hard day, we went to meet with the radiology oncologist (Dr. Wood). He did his exam and decided that the best course of action at this time will be to do radiation to help relieve her back pain. The main focus will be on the L2 area which seems to be where most of the pain is coming from. The tumor is actually growing inside out and with this it is causing pressure on those nerves; hence the pains in her lower back and leg. They also did a CT scan of her lumbar area to pinpoint exactly where they will be doing the radiation.

The mediport surgery went great yesterday and she did not have any problems with it over night, but that area is still tender from the surgery. She is in quite a bit of pain this afternoon from all of the moving and transporting.

They will call me with the radiation schedule; but we are looking at 3 weeks of radiation treatment focusing on the L2 area. He will also be meeting with the oncologist (Dr. Hanson) about Mom to determine the best overall treatment. After radiation will come the chemo. The chemo treatment has not yet determined.

We also went to the rehab center. It looks as if she will be going in on Monday.

My family and I need all the prayers we can get right now. Please pray and continue to send those words of encouragement that we make the right choices for Mom and ourselves.

Mediport Surgery went well

Mom just got out of surgery and all went well. They put in the mediport and did x-rays of her lungs and they were fine. Wound care also came in and cleaned her lesion on the underside of her breast. Thanks to Mrs. Linda, Aunt Linda and Uncle Paul for spending the day with Mom at the hospital. I know that it has been a long time for them also.

Tomorrow we will go meet with Mary Bird Perkins Cancer for radiation of the tumor on her lumbar spine. And on Thursday, we will go back to wound care for the lesion.

Placement of Mediport

Mom is at the hospital getting her mediport this morning. I will update you as soon as I hear something. Uncle Paul, Aunt Linda, and Ms. Linda are with her this morning.

Oncology Appointment

The appointment was a positive one. We learned that Stage 4 breast cancer w/mets and bone cancer is controllable; not curable and not necessarily immediately terminal; as some had suggested. It will all depend on the patient and how they accept/adapt to the treatment plan.

Mom will be starting radiation this week. She will have 7-10 days of treatment and will under several CT, PET, and bone scans; as well as more bloodwork. She will begin chemotherapy after the radiation is complete. They say that once the radiation starts she should be able to start feeling some relief in her back, hip, and leg areas. This is great since Mom has always been so active and ready to go. Once it gets under control (no longer spreading), she will still have to be cautious not to break any bones or twist anything out of socket. After the cancer is under control, she will remain on chemo as well as additional meds to make her bones strong again.

Also, we received word that the rehab facility will take her with a mediport. They will provide the 24 hour around the clock medical care that the doctors have recommended due to her current condition. This is a temporary situation until she gets back on her feet and completes the beginning stages of the treatment plan.

Please continue to pray that the additional scans due not find that the cancer has spread to other organs such as the lymph nodes.

Thanks

Yesterday was a wonderful day for Mom she was surrounded by most of her kids, grandkids, sisters, brother-in-law, son-in-laws, and most importantly her mother. She was up most of the day. As I finished doing my nightly ritual, I peeked my head in her room to wish her sweet dreams; at that time, she began for a long period of time talking about how amazing a day she had. Thank you lord for my great family!

Today is the day for the oncology appointment. Please keep us in your prayers.

Thanks to you all

I would like to take a moment to say thanks to all who have sent messages of encouragement, prayers, and offerings. I know that I have not responded to your messages but please rest assure that I have read and passed the messages on to mom and the remainder of my family. It means so much to us and her.

We will be bringing Mom tomorrow to visit with the oncologist. I will post a new message tomorrow after the appointment (12:45).

Special thanks from me to my aunts, Uncle Paul, Christina and grandmother for watching Mom and the girls for giving Chris and I a chance to deal with our own emotions and what we are going through. It was a much needed break to help me deal with reality.

We are home

Mom was finally released yesterday after a few final test (i.e. EKG) and directions (appt, meds, etc...). Mom and I made it home about dark. It was intially tough getting her in the house, but my neighbors came to my rescue. They gave her medicine to help her sleep about a half and hour to an hour before we left, then had to make sure it was working. Crazy, but we are home. Yeah! It was a long night for me, but Mom got lots of needed sleep and was uninterrupted except for me roaming the house.

Mom is so proud of our little "beast": Aunt Linda and Uncle Paul had left out house not too long before and Mom started to call needing to go to the restroom. I assisted as Annalise watched intently on what I was doing to help Mom. After Mom was finished and I started to help her up, Annalise reached her tiny hand and said "Maw-maw give me your hand, I will help you". Mom was so proud and at the moment stopped walking with my help and stood up straight as possible and let Annalise help her to the bed. I decided to repeat this story as I sit and type because I have heard her say the same story twice this morning; ending with the story she is in everyone's prays and surrounded by angels.

Thanks for all of your prayers and words of encouragement.

For those of you asking about visiting, please call first.

Day 4 - Mom's Update

Today was the day we got some answers... Mom has breast cancer that has metastasized and bone cancer (Stage 4) ... a tumor and a lesion on one of her breast and a large tumor on her lumbar spine (L2-L5 including S1) and pin-size holes from the bone cancer (not multiple myeloma - like doctors originally suspected) covering her skull. It is treatable, but not curable. She is scheduled to be released tomorrow. She will be spending some more time at our house; while we secure a rehab facility for her. They are telling us she needs 24 hour medical care. It is imperative that she is cautious with her bones being so fragile. We have our first meeting with Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center on Monday and treatment (radiation and chemo) to begin soon after. They will be trying to reduce with radiation the size of the back tumor in order to reduce the amount of pain she is in. Numerous doctors, nurses, and individuals who have experienced bone cancer say it is the most painful.

Mom mentally is doing great considering. We are all overwhelmed and shocked by what we have learned this week. One phone call changed our lives. For months, we fought a battle with a dislocated pelvis and a possible disc problem - never dreamed cancer would be the cause of the pain. Carl, Karen, Christi, Todd, and I have all pulled together to support Mom with our battle; please join us and pray.

There are so many special people to thank for the work and efforts they have done for us this week. Our employers for their understanding, Mrs. Linda (Mom's best friend) for sitting at the hospital with us, Aunt Linda and Uncle Paul for the shoulders and breaks that you have given us, Mrs. Barbara (my neighbor) for calling the priest Fr. Joe, and other ministries for prayer; as well as the people who have added us to pray list, prayed, called, emailed, visited, and sent gifts and well wishes. My mom is truly an amazing person. She is the most giving and kind person I know (I am partial, but anyone who has ever encountered her, I am sure would agree). The good way she has led her life is showing with all of the support we are receiving and yes, we need it all.

I do not plan on sending out anymore email updates. I have temporarily opened up my blog site and will post the information there. Please feel free to comment or send me an email.

Another tough day

Karen stayed the night with Mom last night at the hospital. This morning the head doctor (Dr. Vias) came in and gave us the CAT scan results from Monday night's test. Good news is that they did not see any signs of brain cancer. Not so good news is that they found pin-size holes in her skull. They are running more extensive test to see what the cause of this is. It will take several days before the biopsy comes in as well as the test run today. They have assured us that we will remain in the hospital until all the test are complete, the reports are in, and a plan is decided upon.

Special thanks to Mrs. Barbara (my neighbor) for the prayer book (we are getting much use out of it) and special prayer offerings.

Please keep the prayers coming.

Update on Mom

Yesterday afternoon, she had the biopsy done on her breast. We are waiting for the results - preliminary results should be in this morning/early afternoon. Mom is doing okay. They are controlling the pain with mild pain killers. They cleaned out the open lesion under her breast while doing the biopsy.

Carl, Karen, Christi, Todd and I are all coping with the news in each of our own ways. It never ceases to amazing me that six different individuals can pull together as one and be so strong in all circumstances. Through the tears shed and the laughter shared - my family is truly amazing and something to be treasured and envied!

We would like to thank everyone for their concerns, suggests, emails, calls, and especially prayers. Mom is a fighter and she is preparing for this battle with our helps and prayers she can do this.

I will at the hospital for the remainder of the day and will try to update tonight (if possible).

Mom & CANCER

We were given the news that Mom has nodulars on her breast and lumbar spine. All indications show that both spots are CANCER. Cancer, yes, that is it; we are all shocked about the news. We were getting treated for a dislocated pelvis and nerve trouble, not cancer. We are all handling the news in our own way and are pulling even closer together. I pray that Mom can find the strength and determination to battle this and we to support her. I am getting ready to head back to the hospital and will try to keep everyone posted here.

PRAY!!!

Balloon Fest

Saturday, we fought the 104 degree heat to go experience another wonderful time at the annual Balloon Fest. It was amazing, the girls were in awe. Annalise's favorite was riding the pony and Lauren's was the beautiful fireworks.

Pictures coming soon!

Lauren's 1st Day of Kindergarten

Lauren and Andrew C.

In Kindergarten and she thinks she is all grown up... this morning while getting ready she straightened her hair, put on lipstick, fixed her own breakfast (pancakes)... at school, she caught up with some friends, introduced herself to Mrs. Magee, emptied her backpack, found her desk and started on her first assignment. My little potato is getting so big! I am so proud!!

Mom has MRI

Thanks to Aunt Linda and Uncle Paul who took Mom to get her MRI done yesterday. I also spoke with the doctor; he will call as soon as they get the results in - usually takes 24-48 hours. We should know something late today, tomorrow, or on Monday. Mom also enjoyed her outtings. She was a trooper, even though she was sore and tired. Please keep praying for Mom and the doctors.

Last night, we went to my in-laws for an end of the summer supper and swim with the cousins as well as haircuts for the girls and Mom. The kids enjoyed their time swimming with the dads (Tiny, Chris and Uncle Bill). While the ladies enjoyed catching up on "what's been going on". All in all, I would rate last night pretty high on the fun list.

I almost forgot, Annalise went down the slide several times. Go Anna!!

CPS Parent Orientation

Lauren is officially now in kindergarten and in Mrs. Magee's class. Yeah! I requested at the end of school last year for this teacher. She has been teaching at CPS for many decades and is an excellent teacher. She has won numerous awards for her teaching and has a very aggressive style that children seem to excel in. Double Yeah! Lauren's friends in her class are Destiny, Logan, Alex, Trace and her best friend Kylie. Lauren and Kylie have been in daycare together since they were 7-9 months old. Lauren was excited to here which of her classmates would be in her class this year and that she would be sitting next to Trace. On the other hand, she was a little upset that Andrew Cangelosi would not be in her class or sitting next to her; as Andrew was. His mom said that all summer he has asked about Lauren and him being in the same class and sitting next to her. When she told him that they were not in the same class, he decided that we (the moms) needed to fix it.

School starts on Friday!

Preparing for School

This weekend was quite busy. Saturday, we began at 7:30 in search of all the school supplies for both Lauren (Kindergarten) and Annalise (3 year old class). After 3 different Walmarts and 2 malls, we were finally finished. Whoever thought that finding 8 ct. Crayola crayons could be so hard?

From our shopping experience, we went to Carrabarra's for Granny's 84th birthday. Pam, Keith, Granny, Chris, Annalise and I had a great time. Lauren decided she would stay home with Maw-maw and play dress-up with Sanielle (her cousin). They were tired of dressing up as princesses and ballerinas; so resorted to being "funny girls".

Annalise meets Ms. Sara

Last night, the girls had gymnastics. Ms. Sara, Annalise's teacher, was excited to have Lauren's little sister in her class. She had lots of patience with Annalise while also tending to the other girls. She realized quickly that while Annalise has the flexibility that Lauren has, she does not have the control and attention span of Lauren or the rest of Anna's class. Most of the other girls are turning 5 in the next couple of months and will be moving up to Lauren's class (Preschool Development - Pre-Comp Class). She is by far the youngest child in the class and most active.

Lauren did great last night. Her class focused on the floor and beam. Lauren did a correct handstand and backwards roll. Their new task was jumping on the beam. Lauren was a little hesitant at first, but soon caught on with small jumps.