Mom has finished her scheduled treatment plan for her Ovarian Cancer! At the Redwood Regional Oncology Center, there is a BELL in the lobby/waiting area. When you finish your treatment - you get to ring the bell.
So, last week, Mom rang the bell!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Weighing the Options
Barb, our super hero, is nearing the end of her treatment plan. The outlook was grim but the doctors have been so impressed with her response to the disease fighting infusions they've been giving her. They say she can:
A. Continue with Taxal, once a month for a year with close monitoring (turn to page 62)
or
B. Stop the treatments altogether and be closely monitored (turn to page 65)
But since this is real life and not a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book...we can't really look ahead. What we do know is that Mom is down to two more treatments (May 26 and June 2).
These are the last of the Original 6 treatments that she was scheduled to get (that somehow turned into like 15 or so...that just according to me...I don't really know how many she's gotten).
Anyway, She's weighing her options and talking to people. She has some friends who have faced ovarian and other forms of cancer and have "beat the odds." So she's talking and planning and moving on...but in what direction? FORWARD.
She's looking forward to our visit this summer and her 40th High School Reunion in August. That's about it for now though.
A. Continue with Taxal, once a month for a year with close monitoring (turn to page 62)
or
B. Stop the treatments altogether and be closely monitored (turn to page 65)
But since this is real life and not a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book...we can't really look ahead. What we do know is that Mom is down to two more treatments (May 26 and June 2).
These are the last of the Original 6 treatments that she was scheduled to get (that somehow turned into like 15 or so...that just according to me...I don't really know how many she's gotten).
Anyway, She's weighing her options and talking to people. She has some friends who have faced ovarian and other forms of cancer and have "beat the odds." So she's talking and planning and moving on...but in what direction? FORWARD.
She's looking forward to our visit this summer and her 40th High School Reunion in August. That's about it for now though.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Just a Few More
Howdy All,
Sorry it's been so long since the last update (I almost forgot my log in information). Wanted to give you an update though.
Mom had Chemo today! She has Treatments scheduled for May 19, and 26 and then should have her last round on June 2!!! She's looking forward to finishing up.
Her and Dr. Anderson are going over her options...because it is a RARE form of cancer with "squamous cells" (the floaters), Doc thinks she's going to have be a HIGH RISK for recurrence. BUT they won't know until they quit with all the chemo. He is VERY PLEASED with the CT Scans and says there are ZERO Signs of Cancer right now. SO that is very good.
Mom is Excited to be done and is busy making plans for Me, Tim and CJ to visit in Early July and then she and Dad will be making a trip back to Kansas City and Sioux City in August. So the calendar is getting filled again!
That's all for now - Hope all is well with everyone reading this! Happy Tuesday.
Sorry it's been so long since the last update (I almost forgot my log in information). Wanted to give you an update though.
Mom had Chemo today! She has Treatments scheduled for May 19, and 26 and then should have her last round on June 2!!! She's looking forward to finishing up.
Her and Dr. Anderson are going over her options...because it is a RARE form of cancer with "squamous cells" (the floaters), Doc thinks she's going to have be a HIGH RISK for recurrence. BUT they won't know until they quit with all the chemo. He is VERY PLEASED with the CT Scans and says there are ZERO Signs of Cancer right now. SO that is very good.
Mom is Excited to be done and is busy making plans for Me, Tim and CJ to visit in Early July and then she and Dad will be making a trip back to Kansas City and Sioux City in August. So the calendar is getting filled again!
That's all for now - Hope all is well with everyone reading this! Happy Tuesday.
Monday, May 4, 2009
A Birthday Post
Happy Birthday MOM! Here is a Cute Picture of her with her Birthday Cake in the shape of a HAT because she's considering hats for a change!
Today is Mom's Birthday. Yesterday she had a small celebration with family. Today and the rest of this week she is just resting. She will have Chemo again this week. There is a light at the end of the tunnel though in terms of Chemo Treatments (at least from the first plan of action). She should be done with them by the end of this month. Yippee!
God Grant You Many Years, God Grant You Many Years, God Grant you Many, Many, Many YEARS!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Gosh Darn It
Mom had a nice visit with Mike and Abby. They all went out to dinner at the Bear Republic (one of my favorite treats) and my friend Emily just happened to be there. She wrote on my wall (Facebook Thingy) right away saying that mom looked "AWESOME."
I know that mom's been pretty tired though. Also, the other night she commented on how cold she was, so I asked if she had a fever. She didn't know but said she'd check. Well apparently she did have a fever.
Today she was at the oncology center and they gave her chemo anyway (despite the fever last night). They also ordered a bunch of new tests (more ultrasounds, x-rays and CT Scans). So she'll be busy this week with medical tests. Please keep her lifted in prayer - She really does have a positive attitude and that's great. It's just frustrating for me to hear of more tests - this bites.
I know that mom's been pretty tired though. Also, the other night she commented on how cold she was, so I asked if she had a fever. She didn't know but said she'd check. Well apparently she did have a fever.
Today she was at the oncology center and they gave her chemo anyway (despite the fever last night). They also ordered a bunch of new tests (more ultrasounds, x-rays and CT Scans). So she'll be busy this week with medical tests. Please keep her lifted in prayer - She really does have a positive attitude and that's great. It's just frustrating for me to hear of more tests - this bites.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Doing Well
Mom came home from the Hospital early this week. Saw Dr. Anderson and received Chemo already! After getting her dose of chemo she even went shopping. I talked with her yesterday and today and she seems to be doing well. Mike and Abby arrive tomorrow morning so I hope everything stays on a good course for her through the weekend at least!!!
Really hasn't been anything new. Mom did arrange for some house cleaners - and she LOVES that. She said it's quite a LUXURY but I say she deserves it!
Really hasn't been anything new. Mom did arrange for some house cleaners - and she LOVES that. She said it's quite a LUXURY but I say she deserves it!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Plans
Well, she's planning to go home today. She is still at the hospital right now...but should probably be home later this afternoon.
Uncle Mike and Cousin Abby are coming to visit her this Weekend.
Plans for the next Chemo are currently on hold...just because of the infection, hospital visit and such. Technically though she's ALMOST DONE with the original chemo plan (which was six rounds of the chemo). She has had 4 out of the 6!!!
So - Hopefully she'll have a good week and a GREAT time with Mike and Abby!
Uncle Mike and Cousin Abby are coming to visit her this Weekend.
Plans for the next Chemo are currently on hold...just because of the infection, hospital visit and such. Technically though she's ALMOST DONE with the original chemo plan (which was six rounds of the chemo). She has had 4 out of the 6!!!
So - Hopefully she'll have a good week and a GREAT time with Mike and Abby!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The Latest
Well...Mom is back in the Hospital. Looks like she'll be there a couple days at least. I don't totally know what it is...but apparently she is "Septic." From talking to friend who is a nurse and from checking out webMD I found out that people receiving chemo are prone to this sepsis because their immune systems are compromised. It is basically an infection.
She was supposed to go up today for labs, so that she could get TAXAL (chemo) tomorrow. Last night however, she got super sick. She had the chills, shaking and was very weak. Dad took her up to see Dr. Anderson and he said no to chemo tomorrow. He called the hospital and told them mom was coming. So they got her all checked in and she'll be there for a couple days.
I know it's not good news...but I also think she is in good hands for now. I know she'll be disappointed missing Pascha this weekend but hopefully she'll be better soon!
She was supposed to go up today for labs, so that she could get TAXAL (chemo) tomorrow. Last night however, she got super sick. She had the chills, shaking and was very weak. Dad took her up to see Dr. Anderson and he said no to chemo tomorrow. He called the hospital and told them mom was coming. So they got her all checked in and she'll be there for a couple days.
I know it's not good news...but I also think she is in good hands for now. I know she'll be disappointed missing Pascha this weekend but hopefully she'll be better soon!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Genetics
The results of the Genetic Testing are in! Three tests were performed and the results on all three were "NO MUTATIONS DETECTED."
So I'm not a geneticist, or whatever you call someone who studies genetics, but apparently this means that it is NOT Hereditary. That is Good News.
So I'm not a geneticist, or whatever you call someone who studies genetics, but apparently this means that it is NOT Hereditary. That is Good News.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
A Thank You Note to All
To My Dear Family, Clergy, and Friends,
First of all I want to ask that you accept this generic letter as "the best I can do for now"...... but more importantly as an expression of my deepest gratitude to all of you. The outpouring of prayer, great healing thoughts, love, concern, and of course great medical care has been overwhelming the past 4 months. There are so many of you to thank I do not know of any other approach. The paper and postage cost for this mailing alone will run right along side the cost of my co-pay for medical services.
While hospitalized in February at Memorial Hospital my condition was far more critical than I realized at the time. With your support and care I guess "I beat the odds" and now am on a miraculous road to recovery. It appears this may be a lifetime struggle for me but as with so many of you (my personal support group) SO BE IT!
I've missed so many Church services during the 2 most beautiful seasons of the year - Easter and Christmas.....but I've been there in spirit. And the parties and social gatherings - the 50's Beatnik Dinner and Poetry Reading, the 40 Years and Still Rollin' party, the retirement parties, Italian Vacation movie night, SSA lunches and so much more. Please accept our apologies for missing - you know Craig and I NEVER plan on missing great fun and friends and we were with you in thought (and regret).
We both truly want to thank all of you from my fabulous doctors, the great medical staff at Memorial, my loving and supportive family, all my wonderful Clergy and church family, and our lifelong friends from work, the car club, the neighbors. The flowers, fruit baskets, cards, calls, visits, gifts and meals are indescribable. What more can I say but THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
We love you all!
Barb and Craig
First of all I want to ask that you accept this generic letter as "the best I can do for now"...... but more importantly as an expression of my deepest gratitude to all of you. The outpouring of prayer, great healing thoughts, love, concern, and of course great medical care has been overwhelming the past 4 months. There are so many of you to thank I do not know of any other approach. The paper and postage cost for this mailing alone will run right along side the cost of my co-pay for medical services.
While hospitalized in February at Memorial Hospital my condition was far more critical than I realized at the time. With your support and care I guess "I beat the odds" and now am on a miraculous road to recovery. It appears this may be a lifetime struggle for me but as with so many of you (my personal support group) SO BE IT!
I've missed so many Church services during the 2 most beautiful seasons of the year - Easter and Christmas.....but I've been there in spirit. And the parties and social gatherings - the 50's Beatnik Dinner and Poetry Reading, the 40 Years and Still Rollin' party, the retirement parties, Italian Vacation movie night, SSA lunches and so much more. Please accept our apologies for missing - you know Craig and I NEVER plan on missing great fun and friends and we were with you in thought (and regret).
We both truly want to thank all of you from my fabulous doctors, the great medical staff at Memorial, my loving and supportive family, all my wonderful Clergy and church family, and our lifelong friends from work, the car club, the neighbors. The flowers, fruit baskets, cards, calls, visits, gifts and meals are indescribable. What more can I say but THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
We love you all!
Barb and Craig
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