This household has had a busy week!! Shantel was able to come home from Duke!! WOOHOO!! She has been doing well so far. She has a Home Health Nurse that is with her during the day while we work. She came home on IV's and that's a 24 hour process. I take the night routine and Deb does the morning. Shantel has 3 IV's every 6 hours and pills every 2 hours. She does breathing treatments 3 times a day with extra treatments as needed. One of our "traditions" is when she comes home we take her to eat crab legs. That girl can down 2 lbs. by herself!! So we have done that and we've gone to Walmart once to get a new Nintendo DS game. She had a transplant clinic visit Friday which went very well. Other that that we try to keep her inside as much as possible. Molly (the crazed Labradoodle) is so happy to see Shantel. She just comes over to Shantel and lays on her back so Shantel will rub her belly. Shantel just loves that dog!
We are so happy to have her home!!!
Mom had her 3rd round of chemo this week. She does well but gets sick on the 2nd day after treatment. Otherwise she feels pretty good and looks great! She tires very fast but that's to be expected. Dad and Mom left today to go back to NY for a few weeks. Mom will continue chemo up there but return to Duke for all her Dr's visits and checkups. They will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on June 27th. All the kids and grandkids will be there. Will be great fun!!
Please continue to pray for them both. For Mom that the treatments will work and for Shantel that the lung transplant will come soon!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
shattered
For those of you that have just begun reading my blog I thought I'd repost how we started our journey into the horrible world of having a loved one with cancer.
that's the only word I have for Oct.1, 2008.......shattered. This is a day I'll never forget, although I'd like to! Mom went in for what was to be a routine gall bladder removal and was diagnosed with cancer. Mom had asked me to come up for the surgery. So being the favorite daughter (for those of you that don't know us, I'm the only daughter!) I went to NY for a few days to help out. My brother David picked me up from Albany airport and took me down to Cooperstown hospital. We got there about 2:00 and Mom was scheduled to be out of surgery soon. David hung around to see Mom but had to leave to get back to work that night. It was getting to be 4-4:30 and both Dad and I were getting uneasy about the length of time the surgery was taking. We both knew if they had to open her up instead of doing laproscopically like they had originally planned it would take longer. I think we both knew if that was the case it was going to be a longer recovery. I don't think either of us were thinking something terminal.....at least I wasn't.
So when the surgeon came to get us he took us in a small room. Now he may have been a good surgeon but he had zero people skills!! In a nut shell he told us Mom had gall bladder cancer, it was bad, there was no treatment that works and to take her home so she can get her affairs in order. BHAM.....there it was.....my Mom's going to die. No offer of second opinion, no nothing.....just take her home.
I use to wonder why people sometimes do odd things when they get bad news. Now I know! You think of the dumbest things.....like not getting to go to a restaurant or a store.....just dumb things. Your mind goes numb, you wonder why people keep going about their business. Then you go in overdrive and now all these things have to be done and everything is urgent and everyone has plans, etc.
Dad was a mess which made me nervous because I had never seen him so distraught. I knew I had to call the family which wasn't exactly on my "things I'd like to do in my life" list. We somehow managed to pull it together and went to meet Mom as they took her up to her room. This hospital is old and they have double rooms which means she had a room mate. The room was very small and no room to sit. I pulled up a chair and squeezed it by the bed. The nurses kept telling me that I'd need to sleep in the family room and couldn't stay with Mom. Needless to say I stayed with Mom! She was very groggy and I wasn't trusting the nurses to take care of her! Mom doesn't remember much about the hospital stay which is probably good.
Nathan flew in from NC. David picked him up and they came to the hospital. Tim lives close and came when he got off work the next morning. Mom's sister and 2 nieces drove from NC to spend the weekend. I was fortunate to be able to ride back with them which gave me an extra day to spend with Mom. Scott came to NC when Mom started treatments.
I believe God moved me to NC and had Deb working at Duke for this exact reason!! (along with Shantel) Deb went and found people she knows who referred her to the best Oncologist. She also got the name of the best surgeon who specializes in this area. She got phone numbers and Dad called and an appointment was made for the end of Oct. with Dr. Hope Uronis. Dad and Mom have moved in with me for the time being. I've given them my room which is very large and has a master bath. We call it their apartment. They have two comfy chairs to relax in and I set up an area for Dad to set up a little office. It's been nice having them here. I'd prefer it to have been under different circumstances but this is what it is so we're making it as fun as possible. Molly the crazy labradoodle had to get use to them but she likes them here now!
Treatments of radiation and chemo started the first part of Nov. and ended on Christmas eve. Mom has done fantastic throughout this first round. She's been really tired and her hands have black spots on them but otherwise she's done great! The Dr's are pleased with everything so far. Mom now has a break until Feb. 2 when she'll go back for the checkup, scans, blood work, etc to see how the first round has done. Depending on what the tests reveal will determine the next steps.
Please continue to uphold Dad, Mom and our entire family in prayer. This is extremely difficult for all of us. I think we've all done well so far....or at least we're acting like it!
that's the only word I have for Oct.1, 2008.......shattered. This is a day I'll never forget, although I'd like to! Mom went in for what was to be a routine gall bladder removal and was diagnosed with cancer. Mom had asked me to come up for the surgery. So being the favorite daughter (for those of you that don't know us, I'm the only daughter!) I went to NY for a few days to help out. My brother David picked me up from Albany airport and took me down to Cooperstown hospital. We got there about 2:00 and Mom was scheduled to be out of surgery soon. David hung around to see Mom but had to leave to get back to work that night. It was getting to be 4-4:30 and both Dad and I were getting uneasy about the length of time the surgery was taking. We both knew if they had to open her up instead of doing laproscopically like they had originally planned it would take longer. I think we both knew if that was the case it was going to be a longer recovery. I don't think either of us were thinking something terminal.....at least I wasn't.
So when the surgeon came to get us he took us in a small room. Now he may have been a good surgeon but he had zero people skills!! In a nut shell he told us Mom had gall bladder cancer, it was bad, there was no treatment that works and to take her home so she can get her affairs in order. BHAM.....there it was.....my Mom's going to die. No offer of second opinion, no nothing.....just take her home.
I use to wonder why people sometimes do odd things when they get bad news. Now I know! You think of the dumbest things.....like not getting to go to a restaurant or a store.....just dumb things. Your mind goes numb, you wonder why people keep going about their business. Then you go in overdrive and now all these things have to be done and everything is urgent and everyone has plans, etc.
Dad was a mess which made me nervous because I had never seen him so distraught. I knew I had to call the family which wasn't exactly on my "things I'd like to do in my life" list. We somehow managed to pull it together and went to meet Mom as they took her up to her room. This hospital is old and they have double rooms which means she had a room mate. The room was very small and no room to sit. I pulled up a chair and squeezed it by the bed. The nurses kept telling me that I'd need to sleep in the family room and couldn't stay with Mom. Needless to say I stayed with Mom! She was very groggy and I wasn't trusting the nurses to take care of her! Mom doesn't remember much about the hospital stay which is probably good.
Nathan flew in from NC. David picked him up and they came to the hospital. Tim lives close and came when he got off work the next morning. Mom's sister and 2 nieces drove from NC to spend the weekend. I was fortunate to be able to ride back with them which gave me an extra day to spend with Mom. Scott came to NC when Mom started treatments.
I believe God moved me to NC and had Deb working at Duke for this exact reason!! (along with Shantel) Deb went and found people she knows who referred her to the best Oncologist. She also got the name of the best surgeon who specializes in this area. She got phone numbers and Dad called and an appointment was made for the end of Oct. with Dr. Hope Uronis. Dad and Mom have moved in with me for the time being. I've given them my room which is very large and has a master bath. We call it their apartment. They have two comfy chairs to relax in and I set up an area for Dad to set up a little office. It's been nice having them here. I'd prefer it to have been under different circumstances but this is what it is so we're making it as fun as possible. Molly the crazy labradoodle had to get use to them but she likes them here now!
Treatments of radiation and chemo started the first part of Nov. and ended on Christmas eve. Mom has done fantastic throughout this first round. She's been really tired and her hands have black spots on them but otherwise she's done great! The Dr's are pleased with everything so far. Mom now has a break until Feb. 2 when she'll go back for the checkup, scans, blood work, etc to see how the first round has done. Depending on what the tests reveal will determine the next steps.
Please continue to uphold Dad, Mom and our entire family in prayer. This is extremely difficult for all of us. I think we've all done well so far....or at least we're acting like it!
FIRST ROUND IV CHEMO
Mom had her first round of IV chemo today and all went well. I can't begin to describe to you just how awesome the people at Duke are! They were so good today, giving Mom lots of information, explaining everything, just making her feel calm and secure. The process was painless and afterwards Dad and Mom went shopping and out for lunch.
Monday she has an IV port put in and Thursday will be the 2nd treatment and follow up visit with the Dr. Mom's veins are hard to find so it's a necessity to have the port so they can administer the chemo through the port instead of an IV in her arm.
It's a very emotional time for our family so we covet your prayers.
Monday she has an IV port put in and Thursday will be the 2nd treatment and follow up visit with the Dr. Mom's veins are hard to find so it's a necessity to have the port so they can administer the chemo through the port instead of an IV in her arm.
It's a very emotional time for our family so we covet your prayers.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
CHEMO BEGINS
This has been a very emotional day. Mom had a check up this morning with her Oncologist and there have been some changes. The CT scan found two spots on her liver and some "undefined" spots near the stomach lining. Mom's blood work was all good and her tumor maker test was in range but because of the spots on her liver they will begin chemo tomorrow. Not really the news we were praying for.
On Monday they will implant an IV port to administer the chemo. My understanding is chemo is very hard on the veins. Each treatment will be 1x a week for about 90 minutes. She does 3 weeks chemo, one week off. The goal is to keep the cancer in check. Dr. Uronis is very confident Mom will handle these treatment well. The Dr's statement was that Mom has already shown she's beaten the odds for this type cancer and done well so far so there is no reason to think she won't do just fine with these treatments. Mom won't lose her hair and she should have very little side effects which is all good news.
This report, although we knew it would come at some point has been very difficult.....especially for Dad. We thank you for your prayers and ask that you continue to pray for Mom and our family.
On Monday they will implant an IV port to administer the chemo. My understanding is chemo is very hard on the veins. Each treatment will be 1x a week for about 90 minutes. She does 3 weeks chemo, one week off. The goal is to keep the cancer in check. Dr. Uronis is very confident Mom will handle these treatment well. The Dr's statement was that Mom has already shown she's beaten the odds for this type cancer and done well so far so there is no reason to think she won't do just fine with these treatments. Mom won't lose her hair and she should have very little side effects which is all good news.
This report, although we knew it would come at some point has been very difficult.....especially for Dad. We thank you for your prayers and ask that you continue to pray for Mom and our family.
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