6 month check

Hi everyone, Warren and I got back from Seattle today from having my 3 mo. checkup. I have been feeling so good, and my swelling has been down a lot more! We planned on having the CT scan and returning home after just a routine check. After 5 hours there, a scan, visits with 3 doctors and my surgeon, we found that a new nodule was found in my left lung. I have several others that showed up before, but they had not changed. I didn't have this one before. They plan to wait 3 months and recheck it for any changes. If it has then they think that they will need to do surgery. They said that sometimes they show up and then disappear, so we are hoping and praying for that. They seemed to think that the chemotherapy had arrested the other ones.
I have had one place that has still not entirely healed from the incision, and it is seeping. They put me on an antibiotic for two weeks again, and also took a culture.

I'm not worried, about the nodule or the infection, as God knows what he is doing. I know personally who is in control of everything! It did take me by surprise though, as I feel so good.
If you do think of me, would ask God to take away the infection, and the nodule? It's good to know that his mercy is new every morning!

I am so loving this beautiful weather! I love being able to take walks, plant flowers, eat outside, watch our grandkids play outside, and feel the wind blowing in my hair! (all 1 inch long)
I hope you have had a blessed summer, and loving everyday!

Love to you all, Ladeva

Happy 4th of July!

Hi, I trust that you all had a good 4th of July! We had a wonderful day, with our friends, Sandy and Doug Macomber. Afterwards we came home and sat on our deck and watched the fireworks over Chehalis. We had 8 of our neighbors come over and watch with us, so it was fun and a warm night to be outside! We have to be very thankful that so far our country is free. We have only known freedom, and it is so easy to take it for granted. I couldn't help but think about our 4th last year! Warren and I watched from the hall of the U.W. hospital as the fire works were set off over Lake Union. It was a wonderful show, but I'm so glad to be home watching some home fireworks, and feeling free! It is so good to be home. I am still getting more stamina, and the swelling in my leg has not been as bad.

I will be going back to Seattle for my three month's check up on July 21st. They will take a CT scan on my chest, as that is where the sarcoma sometimes shows back up again. I do believe that I will have another good check up. I feel good, don't have any problem breathing and no coughing. I thank God every morning when I put my feet on the floor, that I can take care of myself now, and feel good.

Please continue to pray for my sister, Edna. She is still weak, and some days she is in a lot of pain. She also has a problem with her throat, so somethings are hard for her to eat. She still has staph infection in both elbows, so she cannot have a shot in her back to relieve her of pain, until that clears up. Thank you so much for praying for her. Our whole family appreciates it so much.
Brother, Dean is also having a lot of pain in his feet and knees, and would love to have you remember him in your prayers!

Now, a happy note before I end this. I have hair that is about a quarter of an inch!!! It is coming in curly, so I just wet it and go! That is a real blessing after losing my hair twice. I have put away my wigs, and only wear a hat on occasion. I'll bet I will never have a "bad hair day," from now on.

Please enjoy what's left of summer, they already have fall decorations in the stores! God bless you each one, My love, Ladeva

An update from Mom 5/31/09

Hi, from Ladeva, Warren and family, I wanted to write a note, for you who still occasionally still check the blog. When we wrote last, my sister, Edna (Eddie) was going to rehab instead of going home. She is now at home, but is still having a struggle. They finally ruled out that the nasty infection she had was staph instead of MRSA but was still real serious in her weakened condition. She is at home now, having some good and bad days. She went back to her Dr. in Federal Way, and the infection is now in her other elbow. The autoimmune disease has somewhat constricted her esophagus, so she has to be very careful of what she eats, so she doesn't choke. Two of the visiting nurses have said that she is having irregular heart beats that needs to be checked out by a Cardiologist. She feels weak and shaky, but is so happy to be back home. Would you continue to pray for her, that she will get stronger, and that the Doctors will know how to treat her as she has so many things working against her. Right now, her breathing is better, and her mind is clear. There was 10 days in the hospital that she doesn't remember. Some days she has a lot of pain from the Rheumatoid Arthritis, and other days, she feels better. We are grateful for your prayers for her. I know that God is the only one who can help, whether it is through the Doctors finding the right medicine or procedures, but the bottom line is that God is in control. I pray that it would please him to heal and strengthen her.

Now, a praise to God, for a good report for me. I was checked over, and told to come back in 3 months. I got the port taken out, a week ago. The first time it was scheduled, I got a sore throat and had sinus problems, so it just postponed it a few weeks. It is now out and I am healing fine. I have been enjoying life so much, and especially during this wonderful weather we are having.
I am driving and enjoying that freedom! I travel every Tuesday, to Toledo to go to oil painting classes, which I enjoy very much.
We went to our granddaughter Paris's concert, grand daughter Sadie's preschool graduation. This week we will get to go to see Brittain at his concert. It is wonderful to have a part in supporting them in their activities.
I have really enjoyed spending time with family, and friends. I am helping some of my class mates from school, plan our class reunion in June. Getting to go back to Church on a regular basis, visiting my neighbors and planting a few flowers are just a few things that I celebrate getting to do again! I believe that all of the prayers on our behalf were heard by our Lord, and in His mercy He has given me a chance to really enjoy life again. I will never be able to say Thank you adequately, but I love you all.

I don't know how many of you still check in on the blog regularly, but I will try to write a note at least at the first of every month.
I want to wish you all a very happy, healthy, and "looking up" kind of summer! We send our love. God bless you each, Ladeva & Warren

Thank you for praying for Aunt Edna

Just wanted to update you on Aunt Edna. (Mom's sister)

She is being discharged from Virginia Mason hospital today and taken to a rehabilitation center in Centralia where they will help her to strengthen her legs and be able to walk alone. After she is stronger she will be going back home.

Please pray that this will be a smooth and quick transitional move. She is anxious to be home and in her own bed and at her own home. We can all relate to that.

Thank you for praying for her. We appreciate you. (It seems weird to not be updating this blog daily anymore. )

Mom is having her PET scan at UWMC today. It is a 3 month check. They will see if they see any cancer cells anywhere else in her body. We are expecting a clean bill of health.

Mom is hoping to get scheduled for her port to be removed today. (Joining you in prayer over that Mom)

Will update you on the findings as we get them..

Thank you,
Kimberly

A prayer request from Mom

Hi everyone,
We are hoping that someone may be watching the blog occasionally and offer up prayer for Mom's sister Edna.

Aunt Edna has been at Virginia Mason since last Thursday with the MRSA virus. This is considered a "super bug" and highly resistant to antibiotics.

She is very weak and is having breathing difficulty while also battling an auto immune diease and rhumatoid arthritis as well.

Please keep her in your prayers as well as her husband Dale and daughters Dayla, Darla and families.

We appreciate your prayer so much .

Thank you,
Kimberly

An update from Mom

It's been a while since we updated the blog. Since finishing chemotherapy, I have been trying to build up my leg and my strength. I am so blessed to keep feeling better. I still have nerve pain in my leg and foot, but I have medicine that really helps with it. I have been having Bursitis in my shoulder and arm, but I know that it's not threatening and is getting better! Today, I had another answer to prayer! I went to a routine mammogram, and was called and told that something didn't look good and they wanted to redo it and also have an ultra sound. I had felt a sore spot, so I began to wonder what I would be facing. When Warren prayed for me before I went, he asked that the right person would be doing it for me. They came out and told me that they had decided to do the ultra sound first. The ultra sound showed my port that is still in place for giving the chemotherapy. Nothing else showed up, and was clear except for the port, so they didn't need to do another mammogram! The nurse encouraged me as I left, and I knew that the right person had done the testing. She reached in her pocket, and placed a coin in my hand. She asked," what is the smallest denomination of money? I said, that it was a penny. She then said, "what does it say on the coin?" I said, "In God We Trust!" She said, "keep this shiny penny in your pocket, as a reminder that your trust is in God! She had never seen me before, and I appreciated that she took the time to encourage me with that!

I am taking physical therapy in a pool in Centralia. The first time I went to physical therapy, I couldn't say any good word for it. It was like going to a torture chamber! I can't say enough good about this one! It is Providence Physical Therapy. The water is real warm, and I can exercise and stretch my leg without so much pain, and I am making progress. I love working with all the different ladies there. They are all very kind, and encouraging as well. I feel so blessed to have been directed there. It has really helped my arm as well.

I am so happy that I can again begin my oil painting. I have so much to learn, and I am learning a new technique right now. I have a friend who is driving down with me to Toledo each Tuesday for the classes. I so look forward to going.

I go back to Seattle for my three month check up on the 21st. I would like to ask for your prayers for a good report. I think it is going to be a good one, and I'm hoping that they tell me that my port can be taken out. I will let you know after the 21st.

I hope that you are looking forward to Easter as we are. Easter and Christmas are my favorite holidays. Christmas because God gave us the gift of his son. Easter because Jesus fulfilled what God wanted him to do on our behalf. God raised him to life again paving the way for us who believe in him to also pass from this life to life with him and to live forever with him! We who have that faith, live a rich life realizing how much he loves us. We don't have to fear death, as we have only his love to look forward to. So, I hope that you had a wonderful Easter. I will forever be grateful for you for your prayers, love and encouragement. Ladeva, Warren, and family

Test reports back

Hi everyone,
Mom has asked me to update the blog with the latest information. The nurse from SCCA called yesterday afternoon to tell Mom that her red and white blood counts were in the normal and acceptable range. Also, at long last, her potassium is in the normal range. This is huge for her as it has been consistently very low for months now.

She is encouraged that she may well be on a slow rise up to getting her energy back. She is super exhausted all the time and is frustrated by her memory. She forgets things that she wants to do, or conversations she may have had. This is entirely normal we have been told, and could last up to a year. It is maddening to her, but we need to keep reminding her that is just what chemo does. Even though her hair will eventually start to grow back and her energy will eventually return, the neurological effects may take many months longer. So, in light of that, if she forgets to call you back, please understand the dynamic around it. :)

She is starting to feel like getting out of the house, but can really only do a few stops and then she needs to get home to rest. She can't walk all the way through the stores and needs to rest frequently, but with time that will turn around as well.

Mom asked me to thank you who stayed with her after her treatments, cleaned house, made meals, did their laundry and just kept her mind busy and her spirits up. Dad would not have been comfortable going to work without someone there everyday and you all blessed them beyond measure. Words cannot express their gratitude to you all, and Mom prays that one day she will be able to bless each of you in some way. She sends much love, appreciation and gratitude to the best friends and family in the world.

With a grateful heart,
Ladeva, Kimberly and family