Carmen just called from the road. She, Dad and Mom are just leaving Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
Mom got the drainage tube taken out of her leg today and was administered an ultra sound test due to some recent swelling. They wanted to rule out a blood clot and fortunately, none was found.
The pathology report was the cleanest the Dr. has seen post chemo and radiation and he was very pleased, however he and the oncologist have decided that for the best possible long term outcome and for future insurance, that it is in Mom's best interest to undergo two additional rounds of chemotherapy. This was not what we were hoping would happen, but Mom is trying to think positive about it and just put one foot in front of the other.
She will return on December 2nd to meet with the oncologist and orthopedic surgeon's and find out what the schedule will consist of.
Dad's birthday is on the 10th of December, so if the Dr.'s will allow the delay,we are hoping for a December 11th start date. Whatever is in Mom's best interest however, will be the determing factor for choosing the start dates, and they will be of the Dr.'s choosing.
We thank you for praying for Mom. The Dr.'s felt that she had responded so well in the last two rounds that this is the route best for Mom. This will make for a tough Christmas season, so we would ask you to pray for an extra measure of God's grace at this time for her and Dad both.
Will keep you posted as we get additional information.,
With much love,
Kimberly and family
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
2 Chronicles 20 :21b
"Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever." 2 Chronicles 20:21b
Do you ever have days like that when you just don't have words, but your heart is bubbling over in gratitude? I have. I am.
To say that the last year has been hard is an understatement. Watching someone you love so much, go through such pain is agonizing.
Watching them come through it and see such strength and dignity is inspiring.
Knowing that it is because of God's unending love for Mom is just too much to try to articulate.
His mercy does not always mean "rescue" in the sense we want it to. Sometimes it takes on other forms such as friends, medicine, love, sacrafice, a card, a call, an encouraging talk, a benefit, cleaning a house, bringing dinner, lunch, taking some one to the Dr., administering medication, sitting with someone while they sleep, posting a message on the blog, taking their spouse to coffee to talk,crying with them, holding them, praying for them and so much more in the midst of the trial ahead of them.
So many of you have been the merciful hands and feet of Christ right here in Chehalis WA.
We thank you and on this dreary day I want to add some sunshine and a ray of hope and a burst of praise to the one that made Mom.
Mom spoke with the radiologist and was told that no sarcoma cancer cells were found in the biopsied tumor removed from Mom's leg. No cancer cells. None.
While she still has to have the drain tube removed on Friday, and she meets the Orthopeidic surgeon on Tuesday, we feel encouraged that it just might be the end of chemotherapy and other treatment.
So today, after a few days of tears of joy and gratitude:
"Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever."
With a grateful heart to all of you who love Mom and Dad,
Kimberly and family
Do you ever have days like that when you just don't have words, but your heart is bubbling over in gratitude? I have. I am.
To say that the last year has been hard is an understatement. Watching someone you love so much, go through such pain is agonizing.
Watching them come through it and see such strength and dignity is inspiring.
Knowing that it is because of God's unending love for Mom is just too much to try to articulate.
His mercy does not always mean "rescue" in the sense we want it to. Sometimes it takes on other forms such as friends, medicine, love, sacrafice, a card, a call, an encouraging talk, a benefit, cleaning a house, bringing dinner, lunch, taking some one to the Dr., administering medication, sitting with someone while they sleep, posting a message on the blog, taking their spouse to coffee to talk,crying with them, holding them, praying for them and so much more in the midst of the trial ahead of them.
So many of you have been the merciful hands and feet of Christ right here in Chehalis WA.
We thank you and on this dreary day I want to add some sunshine and a ray of hope and a burst of praise to the one that made Mom.
Mom spoke with the radiologist and was told that no sarcoma cancer cells were found in the biopsied tumor removed from Mom's leg. No cancer cells. None.
While she still has to have the drain tube removed on Friday, and she meets the Orthopeidic surgeon on Tuesday, we feel encouraged that it just might be the end of chemotherapy and other treatment.
So today, after a few days of tears of joy and gratitude:
"Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever."
With a grateful heart to all of you who love Mom and Dad,
Kimberly and family
Saturday, November 1, 2008
A good day!
Well. I called Carmen and got a thorough update, but won't put every detail here, just as much as I can.
The staff was super, and got a cot and the pull out bed in Mom's room so Carmen did not have to sleep in the waiting room last night. She and Dad stayed righ there with her.
She did really well and slept in two hour blocks. They were keeping her iv drips going and so she was up throughout the night. Carmen said with each time out of bed, she could see Mom getting stronger. She got a blood transfusion yesterday, so I am sure that helped her as well.
Dr. Conrad was in this morning. He told her after the surgery on Thursday that the surgery was really a tough one and that "You owe me a coke!" He came in during rounds today and she handed him a coke. He thanked her and said he just may have it for breakfast. :)
She is doing really well and the iv pole is no longer connected to her. She is taking all meds by mouth now. Dr. Conrad wants to keep her until Wednesday or Thursday because there is such a big hole in her leg and it is still draining a lot. He wants to keep a close eye on her and monitor her for infection, so we would appreciate your prayers of protection in that area.
She is still having physical therapy a couple times a day in addition to getting up a lot, so she is moving around. This is night and day different from her biopsy, and eventual "wash out".
While she still has pain, burning behind her knee and nerve spasms that put her over the edge, she is balancing it with meds and ice. With the other two procedures, she was still in horrible pain just getting to the edge of the bed. We are so grateful to see this difference for her.
Troy, Maria, Sadie and Nate are up visiting today. I could hear the kiddos in the background and know that Mom is in her "happy place". There is nothing like her grandkids to give her joy.
Please continue to pray for her to feel well as she continues to meet people. She definately has a gift of encouragement to share and has been such an encouragement to people here in her love for the Lord.
(You are an encouragemnt to me as well Mom. What an example you are to your kids. We love you.)
So, 4 -5 more days, but she is doing well and gaining strength every day.
Love to you all and thank you again for your posts to her and calls. They make her day.
Love,
Kimberly and family
The staff was super, and got a cot and the pull out bed in Mom's room so Carmen did not have to sleep in the waiting room last night. She and Dad stayed righ there with her.
She did really well and slept in two hour blocks. They were keeping her iv drips going and so she was up throughout the night. Carmen said with each time out of bed, she could see Mom getting stronger. She got a blood transfusion yesterday, so I am sure that helped her as well.
Dr. Conrad was in this morning. He told her after the surgery on Thursday that the surgery was really a tough one and that "You owe me a coke!" He came in during rounds today and she handed him a coke. He thanked her and said he just may have it for breakfast. :)
She is doing really well and the iv pole is no longer connected to her. She is taking all meds by mouth now. Dr. Conrad wants to keep her until Wednesday or Thursday because there is such a big hole in her leg and it is still draining a lot. He wants to keep a close eye on her and monitor her for infection, so we would appreciate your prayers of protection in that area.
She is still having physical therapy a couple times a day in addition to getting up a lot, so she is moving around. This is night and day different from her biopsy, and eventual "wash out".
While she still has pain, burning behind her knee and nerve spasms that put her over the edge, she is balancing it with meds and ice. With the other two procedures, she was still in horrible pain just getting to the edge of the bed. We are so grateful to see this difference for her.
Troy, Maria, Sadie and Nate are up visiting today. I could hear the kiddos in the background and know that Mom is in her "happy place". There is nothing like her grandkids to give her joy.
Please continue to pray for her to feel well as she continues to meet people. She definately has a gift of encouragement to share and has been such an encouragement to people here in her love for the Lord.
(You are an encouragemnt to me as well Mom. What an example you are to your kids. We love you.)
So, 4 -5 more days, but she is doing well and gaining strength every day.
Love to you all and thank you again for your posts to her and calls. They make her day.
Love,
Kimberly and family
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Out of recovery.
Ok, so Mom is in her room and out of recovery.
She got into her room about 6:00 PM. She was hurting from being moved around from transfer table to bed. We are back on the 6th floor where they all love Mom.
They had originally put Mom in a room at the end of a hall. There is a nursing assistant that we have had almost every time we come in. Her name is Amminy. The first day we met her she told us she is East Indian and does NOT like her name. Mom asked her what name she would like instead and she answered "Shirley". So, we have called her Shirley since April. So, Shirley comes into Mom's room while she is still in recovery and says " I have a BETTER room for your Mom. She loves the view rooms and I have saved the best one for her". We packed her belongings down to the new room and got her stuff all put away. While she was helping us unload, she said " You know, every nurse on this floor wants to take care of your Mom. We all love her here. They have been calling down to recovery checking on her all afternoon."
Then, Carmen goes out to tell our nurse something and 2-3 nurses stopped her in the hall to tell Carmen how excited they were Mom was here. They were even doing the "happy dance"! How awesome is that?
You cannot imagine how wonderful it was in that moment to know that she has touched so many people over the last 6 months up here at the hospital. The nurses have stopped in to say hello and show pictures of their kids to her. They are posturing to get her as a patient. She touches people in a way that you can't imagine unless you witness it for yourself. They are letting us know what shift they are working on which day so they can have her. It is too cute!
So right now, 8:00 PM, she is dozing off and her pain level is at a 2 out of 10 (10 being the worst pain) It has been an excruciatingly long day and she only slept an hour last night so I am hoping she will be able to sleep here and there.
Thank you for your prayers of support and love.
We are so thankful to the Lord tonight. The outcome was as good as we could have hoped for and God really directed Dr. Conrad's hands as well as the physiology of her recovery.
We give Him all the praise for her outcome. God is good all the time.
With a happy heart,
Kimberly and family
She got into her room about 6:00 PM. She was hurting from being moved around from transfer table to bed. We are back on the 6th floor where they all love Mom.
They had originally put Mom in a room at the end of a hall. There is a nursing assistant that we have had almost every time we come in. Her name is Amminy. The first day we met her she told us she is East Indian and does NOT like her name. Mom asked her what name she would like instead and she answered "Shirley". So, we have called her Shirley since April. So, Shirley comes into Mom's room while she is still in recovery and says " I have a BETTER room for your Mom. She loves the view rooms and I have saved the best one for her". We packed her belongings down to the new room and got her stuff all put away. While she was helping us unload, she said " You know, every nurse on this floor wants to take care of your Mom. We all love her here. They have been calling down to recovery checking on her all afternoon."
Then, Carmen goes out to tell our nurse something and 2-3 nurses stopped her in the hall to tell Carmen how excited they were Mom was here. They were even doing the "happy dance"! How awesome is that?
You cannot imagine how wonderful it was in that moment to know that she has touched so many people over the last 6 months up here at the hospital. The nurses have stopped in to say hello and show pictures of their kids to her. They are posturing to get her as a patient. She touches people in a way that you can't imagine unless you witness it for yourself. They are letting us know what shift they are working on which day so they can have her. It is too cute!
So right now, 8:00 PM, she is dozing off and her pain level is at a 2 out of 10 (10 being the worst pain) It has been an excruciatingly long day and she only slept an hour last night so I am hoping she will be able to sleep here and there.
Thank you for your prayers of support and love.
We are so thankful to the Lord tonight. The outcome was as good as we could have hoped for and God really directed Dr. Conrad's hands as well as the physiology of her recovery.
We give Him all the praise for her outcome. God is good all the time.
With a happy heart,
Kimberly and family
That tumor is OUTTA THERE.........
Hi everyone,
We are writing from the hospital this afternoon.
It's about 3:30 and Mom is still in recovery.
She arrived at 5:00 AM with Dad and Carmen. I didn't get here until a little after 6:00 and she was in pre op so I could not see her. Her scheduled surgery time was 7:20 AM. The surgery was supposed to be around 2 hours. At about 11:30 a Dr. that assisted in Mom's surgery came out to talk to us.
He said that the surgery had gone well and that they had gotten the tumor out entirely. They had been quite concerned about the artery that was attached and he said they were able to "peel it away from the artery". He said it was a complicated and long surgery, but that the artery was intact, there was not a lot of bleeding and no blood transfusion was needed. He also said that there was a nerve that ran down her leg to her foot that the tumor had grown around. The nerve was running through the center of the tumor. They did have to sever it during surgery, but feel that it will just cause loss of feeling, numbness, tingling etc and not hamper any of her mobility. This nerve has been the culprit of a lot of pain, and numbness throughout the last year, so having it severed may not cause much more irritation than it does now. We were told that she was in recovery so we decided to go get something to eat before she came up to the room.
We were just about to the cafeteria, when we ran right into Dr. Conrad, her surgeon. He stopped to tell us a few more details about the surgery. He said that it was really a difficult surgery. He also said that she did really well and was pleased with the outcome. He then went on to say that he did not believe he had had another patient who had been given as much chemotherapy as Mom had been given pre operatively, but that he believed it just may have "cured her"! (his words)
The pathology report won't be back for 7-10 days, so we won't know 100% until then if she will need additional chemotherapy or not. The way Dr. Conrad spoke though, gave us hope that she may be done with chemotherapy.
She was supposed to be up in the next hour or so and we came to her room. After waiting several more hours, we have been told that she is still in recovery because her respiratory rate is low. It is at an 8, and they look for 12-20 to be in the normal range. She usually does this after surgery, when she is on pain medication. They were going to monitor her until that gets leveled out. Dad is down in the waiting room on that floor now after a very brief visit with her.
The surgeon's will be in to see her Saturday morning so Mom should be feeling well enough to ask any questions she may have.
Until then, we thank you for your prayers and ask that you continue praying for her as they try to regulate her pain level. Dad says she is alert but in pain and pretty uncomfortable. They have backed her off of pain meds due to her slow respiratory rate. This is a hard dance to watch. Keep her breathing at a level rate, yet she is in pain, or keep her out of pain, but have her respiration drop.
Thank you in advance for your prayer and concern.
Kimberly and family
We are writing from the hospital this afternoon.
It's about 3:30 and Mom is still in recovery.
She arrived at 5:00 AM with Dad and Carmen. I didn't get here until a little after 6:00 and she was in pre op so I could not see her. Her scheduled surgery time was 7:20 AM. The surgery was supposed to be around 2 hours. At about 11:30 a Dr. that assisted in Mom's surgery came out to talk to us.
He said that the surgery had gone well and that they had gotten the tumor out entirely. They had been quite concerned about the artery that was attached and he said they were able to "peel it away from the artery". He said it was a complicated and long surgery, but that the artery was intact, there was not a lot of bleeding and no blood transfusion was needed. He also said that there was a nerve that ran down her leg to her foot that the tumor had grown around. The nerve was running through the center of the tumor. They did have to sever it during surgery, but feel that it will just cause loss of feeling, numbness, tingling etc and not hamper any of her mobility. This nerve has been the culprit of a lot of pain, and numbness throughout the last year, so having it severed may not cause much more irritation than it does now. We were told that she was in recovery so we decided to go get something to eat before she came up to the room.
We were just about to the cafeteria, when we ran right into Dr. Conrad, her surgeon. He stopped to tell us a few more details about the surgery. He said that it was really a difficult surgery. He also said that she did really well and was pleased with the outcome. He then went on to say that he did not believe he had had another patient who had been given as much chemotherapy as Mom had been given pre operatively, but that he believed it just may have "cured her"! (his words)
The pathology report won't be back for 7-10 days, so we won't know 100% until then if she will need additional chemotherapy or not. The way Dr. Conrad spoke though, gave us hope that she may be done with chemotherapy.
She was supposed to be up in the next hour or so and we came to her room. After waiting several more hours, we have been told that she is still in recovery because her respiratory rate is low. It is at an 8, and they look for 12-20 to be in the normal range. She usually does this after surgery, when she is on pain medication. They were going to monitor her until that gets leveled out. Dad is down in the waiting room on that floor now after a very brief visit with her.
The surgeon's will be in to see her Saturday morning so Mom should be feeling well enough to ask any questions she may have.
Until then, we thank you for your prayers and ask that you continue praying for her as they try to regulate her pain level. Dad says she is alert but in pain and pretty uncomfortable. They have backed her off of pain meds due to her slow respiratory rate. This is a hard dance to watch. Keep her breathing at a level rate, yet she is in pain, or keep her out of pain, but have her respiration drop.
Thank you in advance for your prayer and concern.
Kimberly and family
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Details of tomorrow's surgery.
Mom and Dad went to Seattle on Monday and Mom had all her scans done for pre-op. She then had appointments on Tuesday with her Orthopedic surgeon that will be removing the tumor and followed that up with blood work.
She has to be at the hospital at 6:00 AM tomorrow (Thursday)and is scheduled for a surgery time of 7:30. They have told her she will be there 5-7 days.
The Scans done Monday show that the tumor has separated from the bone, which is good news, but is still touching, connected, or intertwined with an artery. (I am unclear on the specific verbiage so I am trying to relate it as accurately as possible.)
This will make it a bit more complicated than we would have liked, but we have confidence that all will go well. They will also be removing skin on her leg that is dead from the radiation and will not recover, so we are not sure how that will end up, if it will add to discomfort, or not affect her in the least.
Mom had some concerns about infection post op, since she got infected after the biopsy. One of the Dr.'s explained that the tumor (pre chemo and radiation) was filled with old blood and fluid and that when the biopsy was done there was a lot of bleeding.(We had been told this right after the biopsy so it was no surprise)She went on to say that when this happens, the blood leaks into the surrounding tissue. While they do the best they can to remove it,anything left behind can cause infection. Since the tumor has shrunk and is now dark and dead looking, they do not feel that is going to be the same level of risk as before. There is the risk of the artery involvement,so we do want to ask you to pray for skill and precision in Dr. Conrad's hands. Please continue to pray for peace for Mom as she will have her port accessed again and is not scared, but apprehensive about another surgery. I would like to ask you to remember Dad as well. Hospitals still have an effect on him that is unnerving and he will be anxious during surgery. Please pray for his peace of mind and that Carmen and I will be able to be a comfort and calming to him.
This time Carmen will be taking the lion's share of staying up at UWMC, so I would ask for prayer for her that she might get rest in a chaotic environment. Only one person stays in the room and the other sleeps in the waiting room. A hospital never sleeps. :)
We appreciate your prayers so much and will update the blog after surgery to let you know how she does.
We love you.
Kimberly and family.
She has to be at the hospital at 6:00 AM tomorrow (Thursday)and is scheduled for a surgery time of 7:30. They have told her she will be there 5-7 days.
The Scans done Monday show that the tumor has separated from the bone, which is good news, but is still touching, connected, or intertwined with an artery. (I am unclear on the specific verbiage so I am trying to relate it as accurately as possible.)
This will make it a bit more complicated than we would have liked, but we have confidence that all will go well. They will also be removing skin on her leg that is dead from the radiation and will not recover, so we are not sure how that will end up, if it will add to discomfort, or not affect her in the least.
Mom had some concerns about infection post op, since she got infected after the biopsy. One of the Dr.'s explained that the tumor (pre chemo and radiation) was filled with old blood and fluid and that when the biopsy was done there was a lot of bleeding.(We had been told this right after the biopsy so it was no surprise)She went on to say that when this happens, the blood leaks into the surrounding tissue. While they do the best they can to remove it,anything left behind can cause infection. Since the tumor has shrunk and is now dark and dead looking, they do not feel that is going to be the same level of risk as before. There is the risk of the artery involvement,so we do want to ask you to pray for skill and precision in Dr. Conrad's hands. Please continue to pray for peace for Mom as she will have her port accessed again and is not scared, but apprehensive about another surgery. I would like to ask you to remember Dad as well. Hospitals still have an effect on him that is unnerving and he will be anxious during surgery. Please pray for his peace of mind and that Carmen and I will be able to be a comfort and calming to him.
This time Carmen will be taking the lion's share of staying up at UWMC, so I would ask for prayer for her that she might get rest in a chaotic environment. Only one person stays in the room and the other sleeps in the waiting room. A hospital never sleeps. :)
We appreciate your prayers so much and will update the blog after surgery to let you know how she does.
We love you.
Kimberly and family.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
A new surgery date!
Hi everyone,
Mom got a call today from the surgical staff and they are moving her surgery date up to next week the 30th of October. He surgeon is going to be out of town so they are rearranging his schedule.
Now, they want her up there on Monday for scans, and Tuesday to meet with Dr.Conrad, with surgery on Thursday. They have decided to just stay up there Monday night and not do the three trips up and back before the surgery. Hopefully this will make it a little easier on them both before the 5 day post op stay.
As always, we would covet your prayers as she goes into another unpleasant phase of this treatment. We should know after the surgery if she will be needing two additional rounds of chemotherapy.
Mom is doing well and getting along fairly well as her leg feels better and the skin is not so hyper sensitive anymore. She still needs to take it easy though and not be up walking around as it causes her leg to swell from upper thigh to ankle and foot.
This last couple weeks have been a treat not having to go to daily radiation, but the trick was in getting her in sooner than she was prepared for. Fortunately, she will have an extra week to heal before the holidays.
We continue to thank you and appreciate your love and support for Mom. She is truly an encouragement to me and so many others as she has such a positive attitude and heart of gratitude to the Lord and each of you.
With love,
Kimberly and family
Mom got a call today from the surgical staff and they are moving her surgery date up to next week the 30th of October. He surgeon is going to be out of town so they are rearranging his schedule.
Now, they want her up there on Monday for scans, and Tuesday to meet with Dr.Conrad, with surgery on Thursday. They have decided to just stay up there Monday night and not do the three trips up and back before the surgery. Hopefully this will make it a little easier on them both before the 5 day post op stay.
As always, we would covet your prayers as she goes into another unpleasant phase of this treatment. We should know after the surgery if she will be needing two additional rounds of chemotherapy.
Mom is doing well and getting along fairly well as her leg feels better and the skin is not so hyper sensitive anymore. She still needs to take it easy though and not be up walking around as it causes her leg to swell from upper thigh to ankle and foot.
This last couple weeks have been a treat not having to go to daily radiation, but the trick was in getting her in sooner than she was prepared for. Fortunately, she will have an extra week to heal before the holidays.
We continue to thank you and appreciate your love and support for Mom. She is truly an encouragement to me and so many others as she has such a positive attitude and heart of gratitude to the Lord and each of you.
With love,
Kimberly and family
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