Oncologist Appointment

Mom and I went yesterday morning for her full body bone density scan and CT scan of her pelvis. On the scans, we did not learn anything new. Her bones are filled with cancer from her head to her toes. This makes the bones extremely brittle.

She is scheduled for a CT scan of her chest and abs next Friday to determine if she has cancer in her lungs and liver. Preliminary test show that they do not suspect that there is cancer in these areas.

The oncologist appointment with Dr. Hanson also went okay; nothing new. Mom will not be doing chemo at this time. Her cancer is a hormone receptor-positive type breast cancer with mets. They started her on a pill to block female hormones (Arimidex). Side effect is that this pill will speed up the aging process; stiffness, mood swings, hot flashes, etc... After the appointment she when to "Infusion" to get a anti-cancer bone drip (Zometa). She will continue to get this infusion once a month. The cancer feeds off of the hormone "estrogen"; therefore, reducing them from her body should eliminate the spread of the cancer. She will continue on the pill and drip for 6 months or unless something changes.

Links to the medication she will be taking:

Infusion: http://www.us.zometa.com/info/cancer_bones/breast_cancer.jsp

Daily Pill: http://www.arimidex.com/

Thanks for all of the continued support and prayers!

Updates on all

Just to catch everyone up to speed…………………

I have been busy out of town working on a project that will continue to consume most of my life until the end of September. Trying to get well (from a cold) and balance family life. Lauren and Annalise are beginning to adjust to being in their own rooms again.

Todd is working in Lake Charles during the work week and helping us on the weekends; as well as taking care of his business. Sanielle and TK are doing well. Sanielle took full advantage of spending time with most of her cousins this weekend. TK is Todd made over.

Christi is busy juggling work, Mom, and her family. We are desperately trying to keep the girls life as normal as possible while maintaining the proper care and assistance to Mom. Caitlyn and McKenzie are busy with gymnastics and soccer, respectively. School is going well for them. Cameron and Annalise had a great weekend playing together. They are just getting to the age of real involvement with one anther (3 months apart). Kennedy is an angel – full of smiles for all.

Karen is also a great asset to us. She is coming into town for all of Mom’s major appointments and to help clean out Mom’s house. She is also busy running her business and chasing after the kids. Jake is on the school soccer team, Maddie is in dance and Sydni is the next gymnastic champion.

Carl has undertaken the tax business. He is busy getting the files and information transferred into his system. Ashley came to visit from Florida with his grand-daughter Hanna. She is absolutely beautiful and when I held her so happy.

Aunt Linda and Uncle Paul has been remarkable in helping with Mom. They have taken over visit times while we are at work, washed her clothes, and taken her things as she requested. Aunt Linda has also been sick, but Uncle Paul was able to keep up the visit and help by going to a doctor’s appointment with Mom when we could not go for various reasons. Thank you Aunt Linda and Uncle Paul – you have a lot on your plate and still find time for us. By the way: For those of you who don’t know they will be first time grandparents very soon (Angela is due on October 10).

Mom finished radiation yesterday and was really nauseated when she made it back to the rehab center. She is off today from all doctors appointments, but return to a busy day tomorrow. She will start with a full body bone scan and then we will meet with the oncologist. Hopefully between the two, we can go to my house for some R&R.

Special thanks to all the spouses Chris, Delilah, David, AJ, and Cheryl and the in-laws for the help with the insanity; oh, and the kids.

Prayers, generosity, kindness, etc… I would like to thank everyone for keeping my mom, Carolyn, in your thoughts and prayers; we could not have the strength to battle onwards with you. The thoughtfulness of everyone reminds me daily at what a great Mom that I have been blessed with; as well as amazing people she has touched. Thank You!

Last day of radiation

Today is the Last Day of Radiation!!!!! Go Mom!

Mom's Surprise Bed Mate

On Tuesday (9/11/07), after such a great day. Mom was exhausted from radiation and her daily activities that she partook in. It was getting late (8:45ish) and Mom was in bed for the night; when a lady comes and is fussing at her to get out of her bed and get out of her room. Mom said that she did not know whether to laugh or scream, but out of fear of being hurt; she began calling for the nurse. The nurses were there immediately to get the lady and put her back into her bed. Alzheimer's is a horrible illness. Mom called me laughing at her encounter and made the comment... "Kim, it could be worse; I could have Alzheimer, at least with cancer I know." Struck me hard; but yes, she is right... there is always someone who is in need of more prayers than us.

Latest on Mom

Sorry for not posting lately, but I have been busy working and out of town.

Mom's spirits are still high and that is carrying her far. Last Wednesday (9/5/07), she went to the ortho doctor and they did a bunch of x-rays and talked about doing surgery to put a rod in her right femur. This would give her the chance to walk again. Without the surgery, walking is not an option. She has been doing radiation daily and seems to be getting into the routine. Occasionally, the appointments last longer than anticipated and this cause great discomfort from sitting so long.

On Tuesday (9/11/07), Mom called me at 7:15 am to ask me to bring her some money to get her hair cut and styled. I was so ecstatic. (Picture of her duo, will be coming soon...) With her extra money, she decided to stop by the ice cream shop on the way to radiation. I was so excited for the joy that came to her over such simple things. It really makes me realize the little things that I take for granted each day. I was so excited I was calling everybody. Mom was feeling good; at least until radiation.

Some days, radiation is fine; other days are a little tougher. She is a trooper and remains in great spirits.

Oncologist Appointment Cancelled

Due to Mom taking radiation until Sept 18. Her oncologist appointment to discuss chemo has been postponed from today to Sept 19.

Mom is doing okay, she has a little upset stomach last night, but doing okay.

Mom's 1st weekend

Mom is doing okay on her first weekend at the rehab center. It has been an extremely busy week, but she is adjusting well. Thanks to everyone for the generous gifts and visits. It means so much to Mom and the rest of the family.

I am working on a big work project for the state of Louisiana; therefore will probably not have much time to update you until Saturday.

Keep those prayers going!!!

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.