A good report. Friday Sept 23, 2011

Yesterday mom saw her renal surgeon at UWMC.

He was really pleased with her progress and is happy with how her wound is healing.

He has released her completely from his care and says that the numbers show her other kidney is functioning very well.

She will see her oncologist in 4-6 weeks so no other Dr.'s appointments in the near future.

She is feeling a little better and afternoons are still her best time of day.

She is so thankful she is not battling constant nausea and is grateful for all your prayers and love. She has received so many cards, letters and calls and she and dad appreciate each and every one of you.

We will try to update you every few days to keep you posted on mom's progress.

Much love from Kimberly and family.

A Lovely Day!

I finally have some good news to report. :)

The last two days have been some of the best mom has had and I am really happy to get to share with you her progress.

Monday morning I got a call from Assured Home Health Care. They were sending out a nurse to evaluate mom and try to assist with the constant nausea.

Mom's friend Cindy Cummings was here when Rhonda the nurse arrived. We are so grateful that mom had Cindy there also as she is an RN as well and the two ladies were able to talk about mom's case and really discuss things in depth.

Rhonda suggested that mom change up her meds again. As you may remember, she has been pretty reliant on Zofran,( an anti nausea med) as she has so many allergies to any other anti nausea med. She had tried Fenergan ( sp?) but felt it was too strong even at half a dose and that some of the side effects were making things worse for her. She also was noticing a pattern that whenever she took the zofran she was feeling worse. We weren't sure what was going on with the meds but she would swallow the pills and minutes later was either sick or heaving.

Rhonda recommended mom not take half the dose, but a full dose, even though she was having some disconcerting side effects and try it with some warm food and not swallowing liquid. Mom was exhausted on Monday as she had been up all night long and we could not get her comfortable or able to sleep for more than a few minutes at a time. Mom took the new med as she advised with hot pudding and Monday night she slept longer than she has in weeks and weeks.

The best news though is that she did NOT wake up with nausea!!! That is an amazing thing as she has been nauseous for so long it didn't seem possible.

She didn't sleep as well on Tuesday night, but not too badly and woke again this morning with NO nausea!!!

Her sister Edna came and stayed with her for a while and then Dad asked her if she wanted to go for a drive. She hasn't left the house except to go to UWMC hospital. They drove to Skipper's, got some fish and clam chowder, drove to a park and had some lunch. They took a short stroll and then went home for mom to take a good nap. She was tired, but had done something "normal" that we all take for granted and it was so good for mom and dad both. While she didn't eat much and brought her chowder home for dinner, she did go on a date with her boyfriend. ( yes, I mean my dad!!!) They had a lovely day.

Tonight I have been praying for another good night's sleep. I am praying that she wakes up refreshed, nausea free and that she has turned the bend and is heading for healing. :)

Thank you to all of you who are so faithful to lift her and dad up in prayer.

Look at what God has done.

From a weekend of great discouragement to some days of tender mercies.

I have been thanking Him over and over for the change in the last 48 hours.

Thank you too for all your prayers.

It is true prayer can certainly change things.

Thank you for being faithful in all your prayers for mom.

She goes back to Seattle tomorrow for another post op appt. Please pray for her stamina and anxiety tomorrow. She really gets anxious having to make that long, uncomfortable trip.

We will continue to pray that the nausea has been eliminated for good and thank you for your part in that with your faithful prayer.

With a happy heart,

Kimberly and family

Sunday Sept 18,2011

There are times in all of our lives when we grow weary.

We get discouraged, feel defeated, and just plain feel sad and tired.

This has been a long road for mom and dad. The journey has been painful and seemingly at times unrelenting. It wears on the soul and causes discouragement that at times can seem overwhelming.

Saturday and Sunday morning have been like that. On Saturday mom woke looking forward to an afternoon at the Toledo park with family. She felt so sick she didn't know if she could even get in the car. By noon she was starting to feel some better and forced herself to go. She was able to stay for 3 hours and enjoyed being with family. She came home exhausted and spent. She didn't sleep well and today started the same way, sick, discouraged and so very sick of being sick. Dad has his own struggle. He wants to make her comfortable yet there is nothing he can do to alleviate her pain, nausea and exhaustion. He works tirelessly at keeping the meds straight, on schedule and food and fluids coming. They are both working so hard at every possible combination of food, meds, rest, fluids etc trying to find the winning combination. So far, they haven't found it. Mornings are always hard, and IF it's a good day, she won't start to feel better until afternoon.

It's a struggle every day. Some days they are fighting and winning. Some days they are fighting and feel like they are loosing ground. People ask me every single day " What can I do?" I ask this questions myself knowing full well that there is truly only one answer that could change their circumstance.

Prayer.

We ask that you continue to intercede on Mom's behalf in prayer.

Prayer can change circumstances.

I have to admit that we get discouraged, but then I remember who is in control of our lives. It is not us, the Dr.'s, or random happenstance. He will not leave us to walk through life's troubles alone. I am so grateful He is our strength and comfort.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

With much love and a grateful heart for all of you,

Kimberly and family

Saturday Sept 17, 2011

We don't have much to add but I know that many of you are faithful to check the blog daily and get updates.

Thursday mom went to her primary care provider for a follow up appt.

Her regular Dr. is out on maternity leave so she saw a new Dr. It's always a little daunting when the Dr. does not know your medical history, but mom and dad felt like he spent a lot of time with them and really cared about her condition and meds. They were hoping to see if he could suggest any additional anti nausea meds or write a script for Requip. ( a Restless Leg Syndrome med she tried once in the hospital)

The verdict was that there is no other meds for nausea that she can take so he suggested ativan and zofran together again. He also felt like given the huge surgeries she has had and the meds she is on that Requip could potentially cause more harm than good so it's a no go.

She continues to battle constant nausea and dry heaves. It's exhausting and discouraging. the mornings are always the worst. If it's a good day she starts to feel better in the afternoon. This isn't everyday so please continue to pray for God's healing in this area especially.

Mom and dad are going to Toledo park today for mom's family get together. She won't be able to stay long but I pray she can see some family and hug some necks for a bit. It will be exhausting so I am sure she will be napping this afternoon.

She got to see her sister Donna yesterday who is also battling cancer. Donna has been through so much treatment including chemotherapy, and is going in soon for a mastectomy. She will continue chemo after for the bone cancer so we continue to lift her up in prayer as well and would ask you to do the same.

We are thankful to each and everyone of you.

Blessings on your day.

Kimberly and family

Monday 9/12/11 Weekend Update

It was a rough weekend with meds, nausea and dry heaves.

It's not clear to us if the new med is working or not.

Mom had a really rough Saturday full of discouragement and sickness.

It was an excruciatingly long day.

Sunday started out rough but did get a little better as the day wore on. It was a monumental struggle getting in the 1000 calories. Brian and the kids came down to see her and got caught up with Papa and grandma. We all went down to the swing and sat outside for about an hour taking in the fresh air and their gorgeous view.

Later Ken and Linda Riveness came by as did Steve and Carmen.

Steve and Carmen brought some rocky road ice crream and mom was able to get a bit down adding to her calorie count.

Ken left his recipe for Sweedish pancakes as they are high in calories and this morning mom ate 2 small ones. Woot woot!!!

She had dry heaves again and is very sore and exhausted afetrwards. We are praying for a better day. She gets tired easily and needs to nap throughout the day. I know this is what will help those 1000 calories be redirected into healing her body. It's not great for her to go long periods without "taking 5" as she calls it. I am trying not to be a "food pusher" and a "nap pusher" but it's hard to not get overly protective while she is recuperating.

We love and appreciate you all so much for your constant vigil over mom and dad. Your prayers and words of encouragement give them strength for each day.

Please pray for dad as well. His love of mom is unending and tireless. He loves on her so well.

Troy, Maria and kids came Saturday night and Troy took him to Home Depot and coffee while Maria and the kids sat and cared for mom.

Thank you Troy for getting him out for a bit. It helps to recharge his batteries and get a change of scenery, talk and share. You are awesome and I love you so.

Please keep the prayer coming. We know it is what is sustaining her and fights off the discouragement. You are all such an important part of her healing and recovery and we love you for it.

With much love and appreciation,

Kimberly and family.

Friday, Sept.9th

This week, the struggle to eat and hold food down has continued to be Mama’s biggest battle. She works daily at her goal of getting 1,000 calories down. Daddy has been trying all different combinations of soft high calorie foods and shakes to help her reach her goal. The dry heaves continue each day which keeps Mama’s abdomen really sore.

On a positive note, Mama is getting stronger. She no longer is using a walker. Her fluid retention in her legs has gone down now that she no longer is on IV fluids. Therefore her legs are no longer so tender and miserable. The majority of her food is staying down. She is enjoying being in the comfort of her own home and is getting some good rest and sleep at night.

We went to her follow appointment with Dr. Pillarisetty today at Seattle Cancer Care. He was encouraged by her progress. Of course, the problem of nausea was the main topic discussed to find some kind of solution. He gave some additional suggestions for her to try. He also agreed that the anti-nausea medication Mama has been taking for the last couple of months is no longer proving to be effective. Mama has decided to go back and try another anti-nausea medication that caused some unpleasant side effects during her chemo treatments. Maybe this time around it may not have the same effects or at the very least, the side effects may be worth not being so sick and getting to eat and drink easier.

Thank you for continuing to keep Mama in your prayers. Please continue to lift Daddy up in prayer also. Taking care of Mama and watching her be sick day in and day out and being so helpless at times is so difficult. He has been a rock for her to lean on. Pray that he will have strength and peace for each new day so that he will remain that strong rock and will not grow weary.

Thank you also for your encouragement in so many ways. We appreciate you so much.

With love,

Carmen & family

Saturday, Sept. 3rd

Thursday was a rougher day for Mama holding food down and feeling sick. She was really concerned that Friday's appointment back with Dr. Gore could possibly put her back into the hospital. Fortunately, that was not the case. At her appointment, they removed her PIC line and staples. Her infection is looking better. There is still a little redness, but it is improving. The trip to Seattle was tasking on her physically and emotionally. Her next appointment is next Friday the 9th.

She continues to struggle with an upset stomach and nausea, but she is determined to keep slowly chipping away at eating at least 1000 calories a day and drinking fluids. A 1000 calories just doesn't sound like a major task, but in her case, it is all she can do to get it down and hold it there.

Mama and Daddy are enjoying being back in the comfort of their home and they are both getting much more rest now. The weather has been so beautiful and the soft warm breeze coming through the windows is a nice blessing.

We are praying that the eating and drinking gets easier and easier and the nausea goes away soon. If you think about it on Thursday and Friday, please keep Mama in prayer regarding her follow up visit with Dr. Pillarisetty. We just don't want her to have any anxiety preparing to go to Seattle again as well as the day of the appointment. Sometimes just walking into those buildings brings a rush of memories that can be overwhelming for her at times.

We appreciate your continued prayers and encouragement more than you know.

With love,

Carmen & family