Early Happy New Year's to everyone!
I hope your Christmas was wonderful! Ours was nice...Different, but nice. Mom and I had a nice day, cooking prime rib, exchanging gifts, watching Newman play with his new toys, and we even shared a nice game of bowling on my new Nintendo Wii. After dinner, we went down to see Dad. It was a very quiet Christmas, full of the important things...Love, being together and hope.
Mom and I went to see the thoracic surgeon on Monday, and they have scheduled her to have the lower lobe of her right lung removed early next week. We will know Monday which day they will do the surgery. It is a big surgery, but it has the best outcome of all the procedures. Mom will be in the hospital 5-6 days and will be recovering at home for 4-6 weeks. I am not looking forward to Mom having to endure the pain (or me having to endure Mom having the pain), but I am looking forward to putting the lung cancer thing behind us. I think she is too.
The Dr. is optimistic that this will take care of it. No chemo or radiation to follow. All good news.
Once again, we aren't telling Dad. I am not sure how long the "Mom's not feeling good" excuse is going to last this time, but Dad really doesn't have a great sense of time, so hopefully we will be able to keep him at bay until Mom feels up to going down for a visit. It will probably be a week or two before I can take her down, but hopefully it will motivate her to want to get better quickly.
Tonight should be quiet and hopeful. I am spending it with friends, and Mom is planning on spending the evening with Dad and then going home.
I am ready for 2008 to be gone...It has continued to be just heartbreaking over the holidays...After a good life of 19 years, my good friend Rachelle's dog Penny passed away, and I know she and Tucker are somewhere running through the fields together and falling asleep in the sunshine, and my friend Chris's house nearly burned down on Christmas day. Her portion of the duplex did not burn, but there is smoke damage, no power and she is homeless and living with my friend Chelle (who broke her left foot and right ankle a month ago)...Sheesh, I am beginning to think it is me that is bringing the black cloud...If you know me, and things have been going ok for you, just do me a favor and drive extra careful, watch where you are walking, don't skip any doctors appointments, and don't forget to unplug the iron...Just to be safe...;)
To all of you that have been there for us this year, I thank you with all my heart. We couldn't have made it this far without your help, love, support and time. Your visits with Dad, your kind words, calls, cards, rides, hugs, good thoughts, little gifts, flowers, and friendship have meant more than you will ever know to my family.
I hope that for all of us, 2009 is full of love, laughter, peace, hope, prosperity and many, many good times to come. In the immortal words of Charles Dickens via Tiny Tim..."God Bless us...Every one."
Much love and thanks!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas to all!
Well, sorry for the long time since last post. These few weeks have been a real rollercoaster of emotions for me. First of all, thank you all who came by for Dad's birthday party. I think he was excited to see everyone, although a little overwhelmed...I was actually surprised as to how he was able to recognize most everyone! The man can't remember what he had for dinner the day before, but he knew people's faces. Those of you who couldn't make it, we know you were there with us in spirit...But you missed out on some good cupcakes!:)
The very next day, we got a phone call from Mom's oncologist who was trying to set up another spinal tap for Mom...He gave us the news that he didn't need to do another spinal tap (yay!) because he had spoken to the infectious disease Dr. that treated Mom in the hospital and he said that Mom had the eye problems because she had tested positive for West Nile Virus back in September...Wait...What? So, we had about 4 days of waiting to see the September test results that were being faxed over from the infectious disease guy because it was never noted in her chart (a result was never entered), never told to her primary, and because this is such a new disease, the CDC lists the gender, county and age of all WNV victims, and she wasn't on that list. So, eventually, we received the news yesterday that her test had actually come back negative. I had gotten sort of used to being able to blame her eye problems on something, but now we are right back to not knowing the cause.
In addition to several really annoying little frustrations in life, Mom and I both have the icky cold going around. I am cursed with too much to do and too little time, just like everyone else, and it is sort of weird trying to figure out how exactly to celebrate this wonderful time of year.
Tonight, my Aunt and Cousin moved our traditional Christmas Eve celebration down to Magnolia. We had our traditional "Hamburger Soup," some champagne, and exchanged gifts. It was a different location, but the spirit was there, and Dad got to be present. He has a hard time sitting in a wheelchair for very long, but he was able to enjoy some fudge and spend some time with all of us. It was a very nice evening.
Tomorrow, Mom and Newman and I will be cooking a small prime rib, opening most of our gifts to each other, and then going down to see Dad. We plan on keeping a few gifts so we can all open together, and hopefully he will enjoy a few bites of prime rib.
I hope all is well with you all and this holiday is magical and filled with love, happiness, prosperity and hope. I especially want to say thank you to you all for your love and support this year and during this time of year.
Blessings to all!
The very next day, we got a phone call from Mom's oncologist who was trying to set up another spinal tap for Mom...He gave us the news that he didn't need to do another spinal tap (yay!) because he had spoken to the infectious disease Dr. that treated Mom in the hospital and he said that Mom had the eye problems because she had tested positive for West Nile Virus back in September...Wait...What? So, we had about 4 days of waiting to see the September test results that were being faxed over from the infectious disease guy because it was never noted in her chart (a result was never entered), never told to her primary, and because this is such a new disease, the CDC lists the gender, county and age of all WNV victims, and she wasn't on that list. So, eventually, we received the news yesterday that her test had actually come back negative. I had gotten sort of used to being able to blame her eye problems on something, but now we are right back to not knowing the cause.
In addition to several really annoying little frustrations in life, Mom and I both have the icky cold going around. I am cursed with too much to do and too little time, just like everyone else, and it is sort of weird trying to figure out how exactly to celebrate this wonderful time of year.
Tonight, my Aunt and Cousin moved our traditional Christmas Eve celebration down to Magnolia. We had our traditional "Hamburger Soup," some champagne, and exchanged gifts. It was a different location, but the spirit was there, and Dad got to be present. He has a hard time sitting in a wheelchair for very long, but he was able to enjoy some fudge and spend some time with all of us. It was a very nice evening.
Tomorrow, Mom and Newman and I will be cooking a small prime rib, opening most of our gifts to each other, and then going down to see Dad. We plan on keeping a few gifts so we can all open together, and hopefully he will enjoy a few bites of prime rib.
I hope all is well with you all and this holiday is magical and filled with love, happiness, prosperity and hope. I especially want to say thank you to you all for your love and support this year and during this time of year.
Blessings to all!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Looking pretty good...
You know, Dad has been doing pretty well the past few nights. My Aunt called after she was there last week to say that he was talkative and ate pretty well. Each day since, he has been the same or better. He seems to be hungry, lucid, awake and most important, happy.
Still remains cold though. I got him and early birthday gift to help remedy this. I did a little research and found a microwavable heating pad that is supposed to be for your back. It is about 12 inches by 15 inches, and has a half-circle cut out so it can go over your shoulders. It is covered with microfiber and stuffed with some sort of beads or beans...You put it in the microwave for 2 minutes, and voila'! The answer to some of my Dad's problems! But instead of putting it on his back, I just laid it on his chest, over his arms and hands. I truly haven't seen him that happy in a long time. My heart just sang.
I am hoping that it will help him stay warm while he is in the wheelchair for his party on Sunday. One of the problems with him being in his wheelchair, is it is hard to keep a blanket around him. I truly cannot imagine anything worse than being too cold or too hot and not being able to do anything about it.
Anyway, hope to see you all at the party/open house for Dad's birthday on Sunday.
Much love to all!
Still remains cold though. I got him and early birthday gift to help remedy this. I did a little research and found a microwavable heating pad that is supposed to be for your back. It is about 12 inches by 15 inches, and has a half-circle cut out so it can go over your shoulders. It is covered with microfiber and stuffed with some sort of beads or beans...You put it in the microwave for 2 minutes, and voila'! The answer to some of my Dad's problems! But instead of putting it on his back, I just laid it on his chest, over his arms and hands. I truly haven't seen him that happy in a long time. My heart just sang.
I am hoping that it will help him stay warm while he is in the wheelchair for his party on Sunday. One of the problems with him being in his wheelchair, is it is hard to keep a blanket around him. I truly cannot imagine anything worse than being too cold or too hot and not being able to do anything about it.
Anyway, hope to see you all at the party/open house for Dad's birthday on Sunday.
Much love to all!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Hopeful...
Well, according to the PET scan, it appears Mom's lung cancer is isolated and has not spread. Great news! They are doing another MRI of her head and eye to rule out any probability of cancer there. It is rare but possible for cancer cells to break off into the bloodstream and attach somewhere else in the body, and occasionally, this sort of condition with her eye can be evidence of that. It was one of the things they tested for while she was in the hospital, but all of the tests turned out negative. However, if this was the case, but just too small to identify at the time, it would have have a few months to mature, and would show up on a scan now. This is just to double check why her eye is healing not as quickly as hoped. We go back to the oncologist on the 15th of December to find out the results to that and hopefully recommendations on treatment of the lung cancer.
Her lung function test proved that her lungs are in pretty good shape as far as functioning well (surprising considering her years of smoking), but it looks like she may have some issues with oxygen diffusion. She may have some vascular issues, which could be related to the buildup of plaque in her carotid artery. This plaque buildup in her arteries could be all throughout the veins and arteries in her body, and it could hinder the oxygen absorption into her bloodstream. This seems to be minimal in comparison to the cancer, but I just wish she would quit smoking as that would be better for her health all around.
We got Dad's thyroid test back and it is normal. This upset me quite a bit. I just had such high hopes that the issues he was facing could be fixed with a pill. The doctor thinks that the area in his brain that regulates temperature has been effected by the cancer (or treatment), and he is probably so tired as a result of the late onset side effects of the treatments. UGH! So frustrated! I am continuing to research and push them to keep investigating. It is not fair for Dad to have to lead his life asleep in bed under 8 blankets. I am so thankful that he has done as well as he has knowing the type and extent of the disease, and that he is not really in any pain, but what sort of quality of life does he have? Very frustrating...Just got to keep fighting.
On a happier note, Mom and my Aunt and I are planning on hosting a sort of birthday open house for Dad on Sunday, December 14th at his care facility. We are thinking just cake and coffee, and would love for people to stop by for a visit and to wish him a happy 74th birthday in the afternoon, from about 2:00 to 4:00 or so. Please, if you are available, I am sure Dad will be happy for a visit. No gifts please, just smiling faces and well wishes. Stop by for some red velvet cupcakes! Please let me know if you need directions.
Much love!
Her lung function test proved that her lungs are in pretty good shape as far as functioning well (surprising considering her years of smoking), but it looks like she may have some issues with oxygen diffusion. She may have some vascular issues, which could be related to the buildup of plaque in her carotid artery. This plaque buildup in her arteries could be all throughout the veins and arteries in her body, and it could hinder the oxygen absorption into her bloodstream. This seems to be minimal in comparison to the cancer, but I just wish she would quit smoking as that would be better for her health all around.
We got Dad's thyroid test back and it is normal. This upset me quite a bit. I just had such high hopes that the issues he was facing could be fixed with a pill. The doctor thinks that the area in his brain that regulates temperature has been effected by the cancer (or treatment), and he is probably so tired as a result of the late onset side effects of the treatments. UGH! So frustrated! I am continuing to research and push them to keep investigating. It is not fair for Dad to have to lead his life asleep in bed under 8 blankets. I am so thankful that he has done as well as he has knowing the type and extent of the disease, and that he is not really in any pain, but what sort of quality of life does he have? Very frustrating...Just got to keep fighting.
On a happier note, Mom and my Aunt and I are planning on hosting a sort of birthday open house for Dad on Sunday, December 14th at his care facility. We are thinking just cake and coffee, and would love for people to stop by for a visit and to wish him a happy 74th birthday in the afternoon, from about 2:00 to 4:00 or so. Please, if you are available, I am sure Dad will be happy for a visit. No gifts please, just smiling faces and well wishes. Stop by for some red velvet cupcakes! Please let me know if you need directions.
Much love!
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