Tuesday, December 30, 2:15 PM
I just spoke with Carmen who is with Mom and Dad at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
Mom had an appointment there first to access her port, draw blood for lab tests prior to chemo, and to see her Oncologist.
The port access was not as swift as last time and there was some confusion over the length of needle being used, but in the end they were both accessed, though not pain free. :(
Up to the exam room they went and were met by the Dr. There they found out that Mom's potassium levels were too low again. This is a puzzling issue for them as Mom is not on any medication that would make her potassium low. They are concerned that there might be some kidney damage due to the strong chemo meds used. In addition, Mom's leg at the surgical site, is still a little warm so they have decided to continue her regimen of antibiotics while she is in the hospital.
The ray of sunshine she received is that since they are concerned about her kidneys, they have decided to not use one of the two chemo drugs on her this round until they are certain it is not causing irrepairable damage. This will reduce her stay from a 5day stay to a 3 day stay, so she may be home this weekend. They are reducing it again by just 5%, but we do hope it will be enough to eliminate the mucusitis- mouth and throat sores that have plagued her each time previously.
While she is in the hospital they will send in some renal specialists to better assess her kidneys for any permanent damage. This is an area we would appreciate your prayers.
I know it is always hard to go back to the hospital knowing what she is facing, but she, as usual, is keeping a stiff upper lip and a smile on her little sweet face.
(so Carmen tells me:)
They will ring in the new year at UWMC, but we are hopeful that 2009 will continue to be full of God's blessings, love and protection.
May God bless you all as well in 2009.
Thank you for reading this blog and praying for our Mom and Dad.
We appreciate you all.
Kimberly and family
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Long overdue update
I realize it has been quite some time since we have updated the blog. I know many of you check regularly to see how Mama is doing. I'm sorry it has been so long. Mama is doing pretty well. Her healing from the surgery is going a lot slower than she would like, but we were told it would be slower due to her chemo and radiation treatments. Leg swelling and stiffness is one of the main things she battles with. Physical therapy has been working with her to reduce the swelling and improve her circulation. We are hoping the stiffness will get better as the swelling gets better. She has some occasional nerve pain, but is trying to control it with medication.
Mama had an appointment on the 16th to have her port flushed and to have blood draws. Due to so many port problems and pain associated with accessing it, she was really dreading the appointment. Praise God! The appointment went well. There were no problems accessing the port this time and there was minimal pain. Her leg was starting to get infected at the incision site, so they started her back on antibiotics. Hopefully that will be cleared up before she has to return for chemo. She goes back on the 30th for her 5th round of chemo. We will first be taking her to Seattle Cancer Care to have her port accessed and to meet with doctors before being admitted into UW Medical Center. This time we will be requesting the same young gal to access her port that took care of her on the 16th.
We are very thankful that Mama is able to be home for Christmas and feeling relatively well. She is of course not looking forward to starting chemo on the 30th, being sick and losing her hair all over again, but she is thankful for the time she has been given. She is a women of great faith and love for the Lord. I've heard her tell the Lord she didn't want to go through this again, but if it was part of His will for her to do chemo again, she is willing to do it for Him. She has asked God to use it for His glory. I feel so blessed that she is my mom.
When I think about the fact that Sarcoma cancer does not always respond to chemo, I am reminded how blessed we are that Mama's treatment has been so successful. I don't seem to run out to tears of thankfulness to God. God's hand has truly been upon her. I realize that God's healing is not always on this earth, so I am forever grateful to God for her healing and continued presence in my life.
This year has been a rough year on so many levels. God promises to never leave us or forsake us. Even in the midst of the turmoil and pain, He has been and continues to be near. God has used many of you to show our family His love and comfort. Thank you.
Since this blog will probably not be updated until Mama goes back on the 30th, I would like to wish all our family and friends a Merry Christmas. We are so thankful for each of you and for the many prayers on our behalf. May God pour out His blessings upon you this Christmas and always.
With love,
Carmen and family
Mama had an appointment on the 16th to have her port flushed and to have blood draws. Due to so many port problems and pain associated with accessing it, she was really dreading the appointment. Praise God! The appointment went well. There were no problems accessing the port this time and there was minimal pain. Her leg was starting to get infected at the incision site, so they started her back on antibiotics. Hopefully that will be cleared up before she has to return for chemo. She goes back on the 30th for her 5th round of chemo. We will first be taking her to Seattle Cancer Care to have her port accessed and to meet with doctors before being admitted into UW Medical Center. This time we will be requesting the same young gal to access her port that took care of her on the 16th.
We are very thankful that Mama is able to be home for Christmas and feeling relatively well. She is of course not looking forward to starting chemo on the 30th, being sick and losing her hair all over again, but she is thankful for the time she has been given. She is a women of great faith and love for the Lord. I've heard her tell the Lord she didn't want to go through this again, but if it was part of His will for her to do chemo again, she is willing to do it for Him. She has asked God to use it for His glory. I feel so blessed that she is my mom.
When I think about the fact that Sarcoma cancer does not always respond to chemo, I am reminded how blessed we are that Mama's treatment has been so successful. I don't seem to run out to tears of thankfulness to God. God's hand has truly been upon her. I realize that God's healing is not always on this earth, so I am forever grateful to God for her healing and continued presence in my life.
This year has been a rough year on so many levels. God promises to never leave us or forsake us. Even in the midst of the turmoil and pain, He has been and continues to be near. God has used many of you to show our family His love and comfort. Thank you.
Since this blog will probably not be updated until Mama goes back on the 30th, I would like to wish all our family and friends a Merry Christmas. We are so thankful for each of you and for the many prayers on our behalf. May God pour out His blessings upon you this Christmas and always.
With love,
Carmen and family
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
A plan of attack!
Yesterday was the day we met with Mom's entourage of Dr.'s at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
The outcome was much as we expected with a few new items.
Her leg is healing where the tumor was removed, but her surgeon would like a little more time between the surgery and the next round of chemo. He also was a bit concerned that her knee was getting a little stiff from the swelling and constant elevation without much movement.
He has ordered a CPM machine which is what you use after a knee replacement is done. You set your leg in it and it slowly moves and bends the leg and knee for you continually. She will use this for the next two weeks and try to loosen the knee a bit.
She goes back in two weeks to see them again and have her port accessed and flushed.
She will then go back on December 30th after she has enjoyed Christmas to start round 5 of her chemotherapy treatment. She will be in for the 5-6 days as before and after she is released the first week of January, will be back on the 21 day cycle before returning for round 6.
The other good news is that they have decided to cut back on one of the chemo drugs a bit more this time in hopes of minimizing the mucusitis that she has had after each round previously. This is a big praise as the mucusitis always lands her in the hospital for an additional 3 - 6 days. She gets horrible sores in her mouth and down her throat and is unable to even swallow her own saliva.
All in all, it looks like she should be done by the first week of February.
Mom is really hoping to take a trip to see some of her faithful family fans in February, but it may need to be pushed back a bit so she feels well enough to travel.
That is the plan as of now. She is still experiencing some pain from the nerve that was severed during surgery and is trying to find the right combination of meds to help the pain.
For now, she is home and enjoying her Christmas tree, decorations, friends and family.
We thank you for your prayers and love of her and Dad. We probably won't have anything new to post until after her visit in two weeks.
With love,
Kimberly and family
The outcome was much as we expected with a few new items.
Her leg is healing where the tumor was removed, but her surgeon would like a little more time between the surgery and the next round of chemo. He also was a bit concerned that her knee was getting a little stiff from the swelling and constant elevation without much movement.
He has ordered a CPM machine which is what you use after a knee replacement is done. You set your leg in it and it slowly moves and bends the leg and knee for you continually. She will use this for the next two weeks and try to loosen the knee a bit.
She goes back in two weeks to see them again and have her port accessed and flushed.
She will then go back on December 30th after she has enjoyed Christmas to start round 5 of her chemotherapy treatment. She will be in for the 5-6 days as before and after she is released the first week of January, will be back on the 21 day cycle before returning for round 6.
The other good news is that they have decided to cut back on one of the chemo drugs a bit more this time in hopes of minimizing the mucusitis that she has had after each round previously. This is a big praise as the mucusitis always lands her in the hospital for an additional 3 - 6 days. She gets horrible sores in her mouth and down her throat and is unable to even swallow her own saliva.
All in all, it looks like she should be done by the first week of February.
Mom is really hoping to take a trip to see some of her faithful family fans in February, but it may need to be pushed back a bit so she feels well enough to travel.
That is the plan as of now. She is still experiencing some pain from the nerve that was severed during surgery and is trying to find the right combination of meds to help the pain.
For now, she is home and enjoying her Christmas tree, decorations, friends and family.
We thank you for your prayers and love of her and Dad. We probably won't have anything new to post until after her visit in two weeks.
With love,
Kimberly and family
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Revelation day.
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
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
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
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