Bad news

[RW7427]

I wasn't quite sure where to put this, so if this isn't the right place, admins feel free to move it.

Things are not going well here right now. My mother has been complaining of nausea, vomiting, and cramps off and on for the last couple of months. She went to the emergency room yesterday to see if there was anything they could do for her beyond what our doctor can do. After being there for almost 9 hours and having some tests and a CT scan done, they determined that there's a mass in her left kidney and in her liver that they think is cancer. The doctor at the emergency room wasn't 100% sure, but she said it was more than likely, and that they were going to go ahead and schedule her an appointment with an oncologist today to see for sure. Hopefully we'll know more after today.

My aunt was with us yesterday at the hospital, and we were all quite shocked. That was the last thing that any of us expected to hear. We're hoping the mass is benign and that they can treat it easily. If not, there could be quite a rough road ahead. What makes things harder is the fact that she has no health insurance, so we don't know how we'll pay for whatever health care she receives.

But I would like to ask those of you that pray to say a prayer for us and keep us in your thoughts.

[Ditz]

*hugs* Don't worry, most lumps are benign and if it isn;'t if it's been caught early then it should be fairly easy to get rid of. Only a very few people die from Cancer these days. *hugs again*

[Arathorn III]

I'm praying for her, RW. I'm pulling for a good test result. :)

[X Rogue]

*hugs to RW and family*

Ditz has a point, even if the lump is cancerous, the medicos can do some wonderful things these days.

Prayers going up.

[Poguemahone]

I usually dont pray, but under the circumstances, I will RW.

Hold on

[Gworraent]

you and your family are in my prayers

[RW7427]

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. I wish I could be as sure about her getting better as all of you seem to be after what I heard today.

The cancer doctor she saw today said she thinks it's Stage 4 Renal Carcinoma, which means it's growing very fast. After my mother pressed her for a time frame, she said 3-6 months. We didn't talk about treatment because the doctor wants to see the biopsy results first before making any further judgements or plans. She hasn't had the biopsy yet, but as soon as she does, we'll know if the doctor is right. But just from her professional opinion, it doesn't look good. :/:

We're both in shock and scared as hell. :eeks!

[Arathorn III]

Stay calm, hold on, RW. God willing, there is still hope. :)

[Prince Dol Amroth]

It is impossible fo rme to completely understand what you are going through, but my heart goes out to you and your family. I will pray and God is good. Be strong and know that we are here for you.

[RW7427]

Thank you all for your kind words and offers of prayers. They are greatly appreciated. :)

One thing that will help is that I have a sister that lives out of state. We've already talked to her, and she said she will try to be here as much as she possibly can. I'm glad because I don't know that I can go through all of this alone. She's going to try to do whatever she can, like we're doing it together, so that will be a big help. Plus I know that when she can't be here, I can call her any time and she'll do her best to help me feel better.

[Arathorn III]

That's great; I'm glad you have a sister you can count on. :)

[X Rogue]

That's very good, support is essential. :)

[Theodred]

Hold up there, RW. ;)

[minah]

:sad I am really sorry, RW !!!

[RW7427]

Thanks, guys!

The last two days have been pretty good. Mom's stomach has settled down quite a bit and she's eating normally.

[Lothíriel]

I am chiming in late but I wanted to let you know that you and your mom are in my prayers, most definitely.

[Tarcristiel]

I said a prayer for your mom and you as I read this, and will keep you both in my prayers. {huggles}


’You will find many foes, some open, and some disguised; and you may find friends upon your way when you least look for it.”

[RW7427]

Thanks, ladies! :)

I just want all of you to know how much your kind words and prayers mean to me! It's encouraging and uplifting to know that so many people care!

[X Rogue]

Anytime, RW. I just wish we were all there physically to help.

[RW7427]

Here's some news...

Mom's biopsy went well, but we don't know any results. It wasn't a very long procedure. We were only there for 6 hours. They numbed the area with novacaine, so she didn't have to be put under anesthesia. They made a small incision, just enough to get the few cells or whatever they needed from her liver. But I guess the doctor at the cancer center will get the results and we'll know what they are when we go for her appointment next Thursday. Mom's spirits are pretty good, and she's eating just fine. They did tell her that she has to take it easy the next couple of days, so I will have to do the laundry and the grocery shopping, and the yard will need mowed.

[X Rogue]

I'm glad the biopsy was uncomplicated, but I also know that waiting can be the hardest thing there is. Chin up, you guys. :)

[Calandriel Aurealin]

I will keep all of you in my thoughts, RW. My grandma has been really sick lately herself and it's been quite scary. I pray that your mother makes it through this ordeal as well as you. I'm sure it will all turn out.

[Arathorn III]

I'm glad that went okay, RW. Good to hear. :)

[Tarcristiel]

Good to hear, RW. Am still keeping you all in my prayers.

Callie, I'm saying one for your grandmother. {huggles}

[Daughter of Mirkwood]

*hugs RW and Callie*

I hope everything is okay for both of you, it must be awful.

[X Rogue]

Oh, Callie, I'm sorry to hear that and I'll lift her up too.

[RW7427]

Here's some news, and it's not good. :cry

Yesterday was big day number 2, the day Mom would talk to the doctor, now that she has had a chance to review my mother's biopsy results. The doctor said that her original diagnosis is pretty much right on target. It is that stage 4 cancer in the kidney and liver just like she thought. The 3-6 month time frame she gave my mom is pretty much a fact as well. And she also informed us that it's incurable. Doing surgery really won't help, and even chemotherpy has only a 30% chance at best of slowing the cancer down. So it's almost certain that my mother will not live to see the end of this year.

My sister is back from New York, so she drove to my mom's appointment. My Aunt Nancy, (my mom's sister, the one that was with my mother and I at the hospital emergency room when she was first diagnosed) came with us. After the doctor confirmed that her original suspicion is indeed true, we were pretty much all numb and in shock. My sister was the only one that really didn't break down or show any signs of being upset, but that's because she's trying to stay strong for our mother. But it was a long hard day for all of us, one that we NEVER thought we'd see, but we are now.

We decided to go ahead and try the chemotherapy, even though the doctor said it will pretty much just slow the cancer down and maybe prolong my mother's life by a couple of months. We have it set up that once she decides the chemo is making her too sick, (and it definitely will be a long hard road for her) and she doesn't want to go through it any more, hospice will come in and help take care of her at home until the end. There's basically no hope that she will beat this, so our fight is now that she will be able to live as much a quality life as she can until the time for her to go comes.

As for why she got the cancer, we don't know. The doctor said this type of cancer just HAPPENS, and there seem to be no risk factors whatsoever for it. People just GET it, and they don't know why. It's also a very fast moving cancer, and very aggressive. But this cancer gives NO indication whatsoever that you even have it. The only reason they found it is that my mother went to the emergency room complaining of an upset stomach. Had she not done that, she could very well have just simply died one day from the cancer and no one would even know she had it until an autopsy was performed.

[X Rogue]

Blast. Actually, worse than that, but that's the worst I'll say. *hugs RW* I wish there was something practical I could be there to help ya'll with, and even more I wish I had the right words or things I could say or do just now. :( I'm sorry, RW.

[Theodred]

That's really too bad, RW. I hope you can make it through this time. We'll help you through it. ;)

[RW7427]

Blast. Actually, worse than that, but that's the worst I'll say. *hugs RW* I wish there was something practical I could be there to help ya'll with, and even more I wish I had the right words or things I could say or do just now. :( I'm sorry, RW.


Thanks, Rogue. Just knowing you care helps. :)

[X Rogue]

Well that's something, but I still wish you and your mum didn't have to go thru all this. :(

[Ditz]

*hugs* most cancer happens without no reason, which is why it's such a difficult thing to cure. *hugs again*

[Arathorn III]

We're here for you, RW. We'll keep praying, too. :)

[RW7427]

Thanks. :)

I have decided that I'm not going to post here much any more other to give an occasional update on my mother's condition from time to time. The reason for that is that this place has seemed to become a chat board for high school aged kids. There are too many fluff threads here that don't make any sense, and more than enough conversations that only teenagers can participate in, and I'm tired of wading through it all. The Member and Quote of the month threads are a joke because the same people get nominated by their friends here for no reason other than friendship, not because they actually did something to deserve it. I'm getting too old for all of this, and plus I have little time that could be spent doing other things, especially now that my mother has cancer. I'm going to need to devote more time to her. I do appreciate the kind words people have given me here in regards to my mother, so I will continue to post for that reason.

[Prince Dol Amroth]

RW, I pray that God will give grace and strength.

I realize that you will be busy with all that your mother will need, and I completely understand your decision to cut back on things that seem so very trivial in light of such life-shattering time. Just know that we care and that if dropping in to share news, to cry out at the injustice in life, or even to laugh at a silly fluffing thread helps, please do so. We will be diminished by not having your presence, but we are there for you in whatever way strangers from afar can be.

[Barahir]

:(

Don't think that I don't care, RW. I just can't think of anything to say that hasn't already been said. My prayers go out for you and your mother.

[Aragil]

I agree, I hope your mother gets better.

[RW7427]

Mom had her first treatment today. It wasn't traditional chemotherapy as most of us know it. The doctor wants to avoid treatments that will make her sick or lose her hair. She has her on a drug called avastin or something like that. She'll get a dose of it once every 2 weeks. What it does is it attacks the blood vessels that the tumor uses to feed itself. If you can cut off those blood vessels, the tumor will in effect, "starve". That will keep it from growing and causing more damage. The doctor didn't say anything about it curing her, but it will probably prolong her life with a little more comfort than she'd have if she were on traditional chemotherapy.

[Aragil]

I'm glad she doesn't have to go through chimo, my grandfather did before he died of brain cancer.

[Theodred]

he Member and Quote of the month threads are a joke because the same people get nominated by their friends here for no reason other than friendship, not because they actually did something to deserve it.

I agree with member of the month I suppose, but it's just that Quote of the Month hasn't been paid much attention lately. I guess everything else about the board is true too, so that's the only thing I disagree with.

Take care RW. I hope you stay well.

[Tarcristiel]

RW, I'm so sorry to hear this. I am praying for a miracle for your mom, and I know they happen. Several years, a dear friend of mine who had battled breast cancer for years, was told she only had 6 weeks to live. Her daughter came home from college to be there. We co-workers made a video for her, telling her how much we loved her. But Arlene fooled everyone and lived for another 3 years. So it can happen. {huggles}

[RW7427]

Mom's been fine for the most part. You wouldn't even know she was sick apart from the occasional sick stomach days and the fact that she gets tired a lot.

[X Rogue]

Well that's good. :)

[Mistress of the Dragons]

I'm glad to hear she may be doing better. :) I'll keep praying for her and your family.

[Daughter of Mirkwood]

It's great that she may be doing better :) Thoughts are with you RW

[Arathorn III]

I'm praying for a miracle as well, RW.

[Tarcristiel]

Still praying for your mom, RW. :)

[RW7427]

Mom had her second treatment today. It went well, probably even better than the first one. The first one 2 weeks ago was an hour and a half long, and it tired her out. Today's was only an hour long, and she's not real tired like she was the last time.

[RW7427]

Oh, and thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers! :)c

[X Rogue]

That's good, RW. :) Still thinking of ya'll.

[RW7427]

Haven't been here in a while, so I thought I'd post an update....

Mom's still doing alright. A couple of weeks ago, she had an incident where she had shooting pain down her left arm and I had to take her to the emergency room at 12:30 am. At 4 am they gave her a shot of morphine and sent her home. The morphine only succeded in making her sick, so I had to take her to the cancer center the next day puking her guts out and in massive pain from her arm. The gave her prescriptions that I had to pick up for her at the drugstore for the pain and nausea, and by the next morning she was fine. Since then she hasn't had any pain, but she gets tired real quick if she tries to do too much.

Last week she had one of her treatments, and the doctor told her she didn't think the treatments were working very well. At the time, she had only had two of them, so I guess that's to be expected. She's had three altogether, and will have two more before she sees the doctor again. I guess the next step if the drug she's currently on, called avastin, doesn't work is to try interferon, which is a more aggressive cancer drug, but it will make my mom very sick. The doctor has said she wants to avoid anything that will do that to my mom, but we might not have a choice.

But to look at her, you wouldn't even know that she's sick. She has little pain. As I said, she gets tired easily. Other than that, she's got it pretty good for a person with a stage 4 cancer.

[Nenuial]

*hugs* Hang in there. I'll be praying for her and for you.

[RW7427]

Thank you. :)

[X Rogue]

Hang in there man. Thinking of ya'll.

[Tarcristiel]

Keeping your all family in my prayers, RW. {huggles}

[Prince Dol Amroth]

*manly, one-armed "hug" can't be seen hugging a guy, but you get the point... :lol

I continue to pray for y'all

[RW7427]

*manly, one-armed "hug" can't be seen hugging a guy, but you get the point... :lol

I continue to pray for y'all

:lol

Thanks! I wouldn't expect you to give up your manliness for me anyhow. :P

[Barahir]

Well, I'm still praying for your mother. Glad to hear updates.

[minah]

I wish you the best RW, I keep thinking of you and your mom and follow her updates! I wish there was something more practical we could do! Hugging is not a bad idea though!
*BIG hug*
(RW complains about his broken bones and forgets his problems for a minute! :) )

[RW7427]

:lol

Thanks minah. Hugs are a good thing, even if they DO lead to brokrn bones. ;)

As for updates, there's not much new. Mom had her 4th treatment this past Friday. It went well except she was pretty tired afterwards, so she just relaxed most of the rest of the day while I was busy running around getting my paycheck, going to the bank, getting gas in my car, doing laundry, and mowing the yard.

[Kindelviel]

RW, after reading this, my heart really goes out to you. In one way, you and the family are blessed with time. In another way, you all are cursed with....time. I am sure that you know exactly what I am talking about.

One thing is for sure? Since none of us know exactly when time is up, live and do/say as if it is the last. Leave nothing to regret because one day? Someone wakes up dead.

Hang in there and may there be comfort for your mom during this whole thing. I wish there was more I could say, but know that I completely understand what is going on.

Healing thoughts in your family's direction.

Kindelviel

[RW7427]

Thanks, Kindelviel!

I was a little worried about Mom today. She was complaining of cramps like from gas or something. She said she had them in the morning, then again later in the afternoon. I told her she didn't have to make dinner if she didn't feel up to eating, but she did anyway and seemed to feel a little better.

But I was concerned because you never know if the cramps were from simple gas pressure, or if they were from the cancer. The doctor and her main nurse think the cancer started in the left kidney and spread into the liver, lungs and the bone of her left arm, so only God knows where else it is.

[Prince Dol Amroth]

Whenever I start to whine about what minor pain or tummy ache or the like that I am currently experiencing, I stop because I think of your mom and then I say a prayer for her and y'all, an thank god for the health He has given me. I am continually praying for y'all

[Aragil]

When I'm coughing from my stupid pneumonia, I think of your mother. My prayers still go out to you and your mother.

[Kindelviel]

Oooooh that is the worst. You know someone has something seriously wrong with him/her and everytime some appears amiss.....you worry. Hope mom maintains good spirit. Believe it or not? That helps.

Here is the kicker....and something to think about. Two months before mom passed away, my dad received treatment for cancer. He often questions the choice from above, as it was not what he himself had planned. Instead, the treament worked 100% and he is out there, rediscoverig the world after 42 years of marriage.


DOl and Aragil, I feel the same way. Keeps a lot of things in perspective. Hope you both feel better, especially after a round of pneumonia.

Healing thoughts to us all.

[RW7427]

Yeah, I work with a woman whose mother has diabetes and had a toe amputated because of it. We work in a grocery store, and we were talking one day about how customers come in and complain about everything from the fact that we're out of corn to saying there aren't enough registers open. This co-worker and I agreed that in the light of the health problems our mothers have, these peoples' complaints are petty.

[Kindelviel]

If you really think about it? Most complaints are petty. That was one of the reasons why I went on a 'walk about' after my mom passed. I needed to walk into a room and have not one person know what was transpiring with the family.....a time to avoid the ringing phone and countless hours of family members trying to come to terms with the whole experience.

To say I was unaffected is an understatement. I was thrown into a certain type of role, one that I normally avoid...because it was my mom's job. Anyway, that was when I really clammed up and started to wander into the new subject realms...Rohan being one place I ended up.

I could have complained about a lot of things, had a ton of opportunity to do so. When it really came down to it? It did not seem that important. The only problem was that I got too serious. Serious is good, but remembering to keep the sanity is even more important.

[RW7427]

Well, my sister and her 3 boys are coming in from out of state to visit this week. Having them here should help keep my mom's spirits up. She doesn't really get too bummed, but the family spending time together should help keep her mind off of it.

[X Rogue]

That's good. :)

[minah]

RW I think of you and of Kindelviel often! I know what you're passing through! I lost my mother 4 years ago of heart attack! It was the worst times ever because besides the grief we had to coope with each other in the family, to give comfort to each other, to face or feelings, to give steangth to my father and to my aunt (mom's sister who is single w/o children) and of course to stay calm with all that was going on by strangers, then! There were days I wanted to scream and days I had lost contact with the enviroment; If someone was to say that I was in Mars most propably I would have belived him. But all these hard times really binded us together.
Today although I miss her terribly I think of that period and remember stories that have happened that are unreal not knowing weather to laugh cry or take a gun and send them all to St Peter (and I don't mean the church :) )! I'll tell you sometime! I'll keep thinking of you

[RW7427]

Thanks Minah for your words of encouragement and for sharing your story. :)

As for immediate family, all I have is a sister who lives out of state. (I live in Ohio and she lives in New York state, about 330 miles from here.) We have always been close, inspite of the physical distance. We've been through a lot together, and she has been here for some of the stuff going on with our mom. We've kinda helped each other through it, so I know I have her to lean on when times get rough. Plus my mom has a sister that lives here in town, and she's been through it with us.

[Kindelviel]

RW, hope having your sister there to help is....helping. My one sister lives in Texas and I felt bad for her that day. It was easy to get in the car and drive to the hospital a few blocks away then it was to book a flight, pack, and spend the day traveling. Once she got in? We let her have the lead because we all knew that after she left and life returned to 'some what normal', we would get dad. :lol


Minah, I know exactly what you went through. My condolences on your loss, as I am sure it is as fresh in your mind as it is in mine. The cause of mom's passing was also aheart attack, that was the hardest part for me, as you seem to have experienced.

Thanks for thoughts. We all need to have those to carry with us. Mine go to you as well. :)

[RW7427]

Mom's been complaining of pain in her shoulder and she says it's starting to get like the pain she was having in her arm. The doctor and her nurse had said they think the cancer has spread to her arm. My sister and I think they'll say the same about her shoulder. :/:

[Kindelviel]

Keeping my fingers crossed for a short episode and back to being painfree.

[X Rogue]

Is she seeing any pain management specialists? That might be helpful.

Hope she's painfree and thru this episode soon also. :)

[RW7427]

No. Her pain is better today, but they gave her some Tylenol with Codeine just in case.

[Kindelviel]

http://home.comcast.net/~23dn450/woohoo.gif
Go mom!

[RW7427]

:lol

Thanks!

And you used the woo hoo guy! :biggrin

[Kindelviel]

Not to get side tracked here, but Wahoo can only be used once a day...or the color falls out of his eyes.

[minah]

I hope the best RW!

[X Rogue]

Lol, Kinda!

Well, that's good, RW. Hope the tylenol-3 does the trick if she needs it. Hang in there.

[RW7427]

Here's an update copied from my board:


I have some news, and it's not really very good. My mother was supposed to have a treatment today, but they didn't give her one. She had a CT scan on Tuesday, and from reading the scan, the doctor's head nurse practioner, a lady by the name of Lynn, determined that the avastin is not working. There is a large cancerous legion in her liver, so that is proof. They didn't do a treatment simply because it's not working. She has an appointment with the doctor on Tuesday, and we will decide what the next course of action is. If Mom decides she wants to continue with chemo, it will be a drug called interferon. This drug will make her very sick with flu-like symptoms. She really hates being sick, and that's exactly what will happen if she goes on the interferon. If she doesn't, she will die, and it will be just a matter of time before she does. There is no certainty that the interferon will even work either, so if she does go on it, and it doesn't cure her, it will basically prolong her suffering.

My sister, of course as you know, is here, and we had a long talk about it. We want our mom to live, we don't want her to go on the interferon if it just makes her miserable and doesn't cure her. It was a pretty rough afternoon for us, and we cried alot, all three of us. It's a tough decision we are faced with, but we don't want to make it until mom and I speak with the doctor on Tuesday.

[Kindelviel]

Imagine a big hug?

I am really sorry to hear this news, especially the part about Interferon. I know someone who faced a similar decision. It was a tough time then and I have not followed up with what happened.

Again, healing thoughts towards your mom and to you two.

[X Rogue]

Blast. RW, I am so sorry you have to go thru this, especially your mother. :(

[minah]

This sucks! RW my thoughts are with you and your mom!

[RW7427]

This morning was the big moment I was concerned about. My mother and I went to her appointment with her cancer doctor, and we discussed where things now stand and where we want to go next. The doctor said that there was no change in the cancer in her left kidney and in the lungs, but that the cancer in her liver has gotten worse. We discussed the interferon option, and my mother decided to take it. The doctor told here there's only a 15% cure rate with this, but there's hope at least that it might work. She said some people were cured by it, and some weren't. But at least there's a chance that it might do some good. My mother decided to take that chance, although it will make her very sick. Interferon is supposed to rev up your body's immune system to help it fight off the cancer, but it takes a toll on your body by making you feel like you have a very bad case of the flu. There's nausea, fever, chills, aches, all that stuff. Even though it will do these things to her, Mom elected to take the treatment anyway. She's not ready to give up, and if this just prolongs the inevitable, at least she can say that she did all she can to fight it. Who knows...it could even either cure her or put her cancer in remission.

They can't get the drug in until Friday, and she has an appointment with the doctor next Wednesday. I guess that day the doctor will help her get started on the treatments. They are given by injection, once a day for 4 days. She'll do them herself at home, then take 3 days off. After that she starts again. Each cycle is 4 days on, 3 days off 4 weeks in a row. I guess after 2 cycles, they will do another scan to see how things are progressing.

But as I said, she has made the choice to fight and fight in any way she can, even if it makes her sick and there's no certainty that it will actually cure her.

[Arathorn III]

Well, I sure hope it helps, RW. Remember we're praying for you and your Mom. :)

[Tarcristiel]

I'm praying for your mom. God is the Great Physician, and there may be a miracle yet coming.


”Even if we live to see the dawn, who now will wish to journey south by night with the wild wolves on his trail?”

[X Rogue]

I hope all goes well too, RW. And what Bere said.

[Kindelviel]

Then there is nothing left to do other then to support the fight.
Keeping my fingers crossed for strength and courage.......

[Barahir]

Hmm... :sad

[Prince Dol Amroth]

I will continue to pray for strength for your mom and all of you.

[RW7427]

Thanks everyone! Your prayers and words of encouragement are greatly appreciated! :)c

[RW7427]

Mom started her interferon therapy today. We went to the cancer center this morning and the nurse there gave her her first shot. We watched her, and she explained what to do, because the shot is to be given at home. My mom can do it herself, or I can do it for her if she's not feeling well.

As I've said before (at least I think I have), the drug can make you very sick. It gives you flu-like symptoms because it works on your body's immune system. About two hours after we got home, she started complaining of aches, fever and chills, and soon after that she threw up. I called off work so I can be home to help care for her like getting her water or soup or something. She's feeling a bit better now than she did earlier, though.

But the shot is to be given every once 24 hours or so, 4 days a week on and 3 days off. Her shot schedule will then be every Friday through Monday for 4 weeks. I guess after that she'll see the doctor again, and they can decide of it's working and she needs more.

[X Rogue]

I hope it helps. :) Chin up. You're doing right standing by her and helping.

[Maedhros]

I didn't read the whole thread but I hope everything turns out OK for your mothre..

[RW7427]

Thanks. :)

Just a quick summary....

My mother was diagnosed with a stage 4 kidney cancer in May. It's in her left kidney, in her lungs, and in her liver. She went through 4 chemo sessions with a drug called avastin, but it didn't work, so now she's on the interferon.

[Tarcristiel]

Still praying for y'all. :)


”If you are a friend, speak the password, and the doors will open, and you can enter.”

[Daughter of Mirkwood]

yes RW, me too. :) I hope all is going well.

[Arathorn III]

*hugs* :)

[RW7427]

Thanks peeps! :)

Mom's feeling pretty good today. She gave herself the interferon shot this morning and she hasn't had hardly any of the side effects that she had yesterday!

[X Rogue]

Well, that's good news!

[RW7427]

Yeah, she's watching Cleveland Browns football game right now. :lol

[X Rogue]

Heh, good goin'. :lol

[RW7427]

She loves NFL football, even more than I do. I'd only watch the Browns and the Kansas City Chiefs cause they're my teams. She'd watch anyone. :lol

[FlamingoSoHotRightNow]

That's cool that she loves football, I don't know too many women who are big fans of it. You said you watch the Kansas City Chiefs? Did you live here or something (I say "here" because its where I live)? I only ask becuase I've never met someone from outside Kansas City who likes to watch them...

Glad she had a good day. I've been afraid to post anything in here because I'm not good at knowing what to say to people in situations like these.

[X Rogue]

Hey, football is football. I better take up your mom's team habits what with the way the Coyboys are doin'. :lol

[RW7427]

Flamingo, I like the Chiefs because Marty Schottenheimer coached first in Cleveland and then in Kansas City. Plus the Chiefs are one of Denver's biggest rivals and I hate the Broncos. :lol

[Tarcristiel]

Good news about your mom's shot. :)

Most of the women in my family are football fans, but I'd rather watch baseball. Football is just a way to fill the time between the end of baseball and the start of college basketball.


”There are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world.“

[RW7427]

Well, today was the last day of Mom's first shot cycle or whatever. Out of the four days of her shots, she had side effects two of the days, Friday and Sunday. Today and Saturday were pretty good days. Today she even cooked dinner and ate most of her portion, although it was a small one. She'll be off from her shots for three days, and then this coming Friday she'll go back on them for four more.

[X Rogue]

Ok, I hope she responds well. Glad she can eat, it will help maintain her strength. Go Mom!

[RW7427]

Mom had a pretty good day today. She didn't feel real yucky, didn't throw up, and didn't really experience too many other side effects. She did have a bit of constipation, but other than that she did pretty good. She had an appointment with Lynne Miller, the doctor's nurse practitioner at the cancer center today. That went pretty well except for the fact that Lynne was concerned about my mom not eating. She suggested that she take a little more of the the nausea medication she has and gave her some more samples of nutrional drinks that would be good for her to drink so she can gain weight. She's losing about 3 lbs a week from not eating, and Lynne is concerned about that (and so am I). But once she gets a handle on her nausea, she should be able to eat better.

[X Rogue]

Those nutritional drinks can really help. My grandmother was prescribed them when she got older and came down with anorexia, and they helped her a lot. (No, I didn't know someone in their 70's could get that either, but that was the diagnosis.)

Also, something that can help with chronic nausea is always keeping a little something in your stomach, preferably something starchy. Saltines are really good, but crackers or chips or anything portable like that will help. The starch helps soak up the extra stomach acid and helps keep the nausea from getting so bad. Ginger ale helps too.

[RW7427]

Yeah, she's been on the crackers and ginger ale thing for a while. :)c

[X Rogue]

Ahah, that's right, you told us about that. D'oh!

[minah]

I'm glad things are ok! Send your mom our love!

[RW7427]

I know I haven't posted much about my mother lately, but there really isn't much to post about. She gets her interferon shots 4 times a week and it makes her sick alot, and when she's not puking or complaining of headches or fever, she's asleep. She sleeps ALOT. So I guess there isn't much to tell when she feels crappy almost every day and sleeps all the time. Plus she's hardly eating any more either.

But she gets 4 more of her shots. I give them to her Fridays through Mondays. So after Monday Sept 12 , she has a CT scan at the hospital on Tuesday Sept. 13. Then on the 21st she sees her cancer doctor. I suppose we'll find out on the 21st whether the interferon is actually working. That could be a big day for us.

[Tarcristiel]

These things take time, but I'm still keeping her in my prayers.

[RW7427]

Thank you dear lady. :)

[siskoeva]

wow...this is very sad. to be able to continue fighting this battle with low chance of success is very brave of her. it is sad to hear of her going through this pain right now, with the wretched side effects straining her, but hopefully the gamble pulls off. I wish the best of luck to your mum in the next week, that she can continue fighting this plague. never give up, never surrender.

[minah]

Me too RW!

[RW7427]

Mom had a pretty good day yesterday. Usually on Tuesdays she's still feeling some effects from the shots on the four previous days. The only problem she had yesterday was that she threw up once in the morning before we went to the hospital for her CT scan. After that, she was doing pretty good the rest of the day. She even looked better than I've seen her on some days.

[X Rogue]

Good! Keep us updated. :)

[Arathorn III]

Good to hear, RW. :)

[Theodred]

That's good news. Keep pulling.

[Tarcristiel]

Good news, RW. {huggles} for you and your mom.


It stepped forward on to the bridge, and suddenly it drew itself up to a great height, and its wings were spread wall to wall; but still Gandalf could be seen, glimmering in the gloom; he seemed small, and altogether alone: grey and bent, like a wizened tree before the onset of a storm.

[RW7427]

She felt pretty good today! She even helped me do laundry. :lol

[Arathorn III]

Did she feel good AFTER the laundry? ;)

[RW7427]

I dunno. Soon afterward she went to bed.

[RW7427]

Mom had a really good day today. It was like one of her normal days before the cancer and the shots and all that stuff. She actually made dinner for the first time in weeks and ate everything on her plate.

[X Rogue]

CoOl! Maybe this means the interferon is helping?

[RW7427]

We hope so.

We see the doctor the day after tomorrow. I guess we'll find out then.

[minah]

THAT'S GREAT!!!!!!!!
love
Minah

[RW7427]

I have some excellent news!

Mom had applied for Medicaide back in June or July sometime and we hadn't heard anything until now. Just this past Saturday she got a Medicaide card in the mail and today she got a letter saying that she has been approved retroactive to April 1st. Since she was diagnosed in May, that means that EVERYTHING will be covered by Medicaide. We've received literally thousands of dollars in medical bills since May 18th for services rendered at two of the local hospitals and at the cancer center, and ALL of those bills will be paid, plus any future bills incurred will be paid as well. Plus it will probably pay most of her prescriptions too.

This is such a big relief. We were a little concerned for a while that she would be denied coverage and we'd be stuck with thousands of dollars in bills we have no way of paying, but we know now that will not happen.

As for how she's been feeling, she's been doing well. She's eating again without a lot of nausea and vomiting and hasn't been as weak or tired as she was while on the drug. She made dinner Sunday for the first time in weeks, and ate almost all of the food on her plate. She helped me with laundry one day last week, and today she did at least one load, maybe even two while I was gone to work.

Tomorrow she sees the cancer doctor. We're hoping she'll tell us that the interferon is working and that the tumors are shrinking. Since she's been feeling so good lately we're hoping the good news will continue.

[RW7427]

Well, I've got news, and it's not great, but pretty much what we expected. The doctor said that the interferon didn't really do much for the cancer except kinda hold it in check. The cancer in my mom's kidney is the same, and the cancer in the lungs and the liver has gotten a little worse. She said it's pretty much doing what it wants to do, even with the chemo drugs she has given her.

The doctor's suggestion for the next course of treatment is to send her to University Hospital in Cleveland to see a doctor there. The cancer center we go to is kinda like a satellite office if you will of University, and they work hand in hand together. Since University is a big hospital with an excellent cancer unit, they have access to more treatments than the cancer center does. This lady doctor at the cancer center here has done all she can with the standard treatment drugs she has available to her. She said that this guy doctor at University would have access to more treatment options than what she does, so there's still hope that they can find something that will help her.

Now, the doctor did say that my mom has remained stable. Her cancer hasn't spread rapidly and ravaged her body or anything like that. She's been doing about as well as one can with this disease, so at least that's a plus. She's not in any pain, and she doesn't have any more nausea or vomiting. She's pretty much only been able to keep my mom well, or about as well as you can be with cancer, but she hasn't been able to reverse the cancer. She said she would still be my mom's main oncologist, and if we need anything, to call them. But this guy doctor at University will make the decisions on what treatment option we take next. She said he could even decide to put her on another round of the interferon. But whatever treatment she goes on next will be up to this new doctor.

[X Rogue]

Maybe he can find something that will reverse it. Still, that's good about the medicaid. That's one major thing less to worry about. Thinking of you all.

[Prince Dol Amroth]

I am glad to see that Medicaid finally stepped up. I know that having the financial burden makes everything worse, so this is a good thing. I pray that this new fellow may be able to do more for your mom. I continue to pray for y'all.

[Tarcristiel]

Wonderful news about the Medicaid; I know that is a huge burden lifted from your minds. Hopefully, the new doctor will have an extra trick up his sleeve to help your mom. Your family remains on my prayer list. {huggles}


”The hobbit’s bite is deep!”

[RW7427]

Thanks for the huggles, Kaz! :ekiss

[RW7427]

Mom update....

She's been doing really good lately inspite of the fact the interferon didn't really help. She's felt pretty good most days and has been eating without nausea or vomiting. She made dinner yesterday and even did two loads of laundry.

I am a little concerned however because today she's complaining of pain in her lower side. I hope it's something as simple as a pulling a muscle while she was sleeping or something like that, but I have a suspicion that's it's because of the cancer. She took some of the pain meds that they had prescribed for her, but so far she says it still hurts. She's going to take some more in a couple of hours. We'll see if it helps.

[RW7427]

Well, mom had her appointment at University Hospital in Cleveland today. We met the doctor, a Dr. Cooney. This was kinda like a consultation "getting to know each other" appointment. He examined her, asked her a some questions to try and get familiar with her and her disease, and then told her he wants to see her in a week. He explained that there are different kinds of kidney cancers and that once he can determine which one she has, that would dictate the next course of treatment. He needs to look over her pathology reports with his pathologist and nurses to determine if the cancer is a "clear cell" cancer as he called it, or if it's not. Then he can go from there to determine what to do next.

[X Rogue]

So he's not in a position to offer a prognosis at this time? I hope he can help ya'll out. :)

[Aragil]

My prayers go out to your mother.

[RW7427]

Thank you both!

[Tarcristiel]

Still praying for your mother and your family.


“But of that perilous land we have heard in Gondor, and it is said that few come out who once go in; and of that few none have escaped unscathed.”

[RW7427]

I actually have some good news today! :cool

Mom went grocery shopping with me today. For the last couple of months I have gone by myself because she hasn't felt good. Lately she's pretty much been back to where you wouldn't even know she was sick. She gets tired quick, so by the time we got back from the store, she needed to rest. But at least her going with me we counted as a small victory. The few co-workers of mine that know of her cancer and know who she is were happy to see her. :)c

[Mistress of the Dragons]

That's awful. I'll pray for your mother, that she'll get to feelin' better; and you, that you trust the Lord. He'll know what to do. :)c

[Daughter of Mirkwood]

Im glad you had good news RW:)

[X Rogue]

Does your store have those little powered scooters? Maybe she could use one of those while she's there.

It's good she was able to go! :D

[RW7427]

We do, and she says she'd be crashing into things and running people over if she rode in one. :lol

[X Rogue]

Lol, well true. I had to use one once, but then again I tried to go when the store was really empty or I know I'd have run some people down! :lol

[RW7427]

I know I haven't given any mom updates lately. That's because she's still been feeling pretty good. It's like she's not really sick, except for the fact that she gets tired easy. She's been grocery shopping with me three times. She's been doing laundry, and she's even scrubbed the kitchen and diningroom floor once!

[X Rogue]

Heh. Mebbe the interferon is improving things or something else has changed?

[RW7427]

No, the interferon didn't do anything for her. Why she's doing so well now, we don't really know. We're just glad she is.

[X Rogue]

Indubitably. :) Hang in there.

[Nenuial]

Good to hear, RW. :)c I'll keep praying for you and your mom.

[RW7427]

Thanks! :)

[Tarcristiel]

This is good news, RW. Praying for your mom to keep fighting off that nasty ole cancer.

[Arathorn III]

As am I. :)

[RW7427]

Well, tomorrow's going to be kind of a big day for us. My mom's new doctor has a kidney biopsy scheduled for her at University Hopsital in Cleveland. (I don't know if he will do it himself or another doctor will do it.) He said from reading her pathology report it was inconclusive exactly which kind of kidney cancer she actually has. If he knows exactly which kind it is, and there are different kinds of kidney cancers, he can try and taylor a treatment that will work for her. The biopsy itself is scheduled for 1 pm, and they will keep her overnight to watch her, so I will take her down there and stay with her till maybe around 7 or so in the evening and then go pick her up when they release her Thursday morning. The doctor won't know the results of the biopsy right away, so we won't learn anything tomorrow. But just going there and going through the procedure will be a big day for her.

[Byrhthelm]

My best wishes to you both, together with hope for a good outcome.

[RW7427]

We won't find anything out today because it takes like a week for the doctor to get the results, and then he needs time to look over them. After that he can formulate a plan for treatment.

[RW7427]

Got back from the hospital about 2 hours ago. The procedure went well. Mom felt no pain (they just numbed the area) and they told her everything they were doing. She went through with flying colors. They are keeping her overnight, which is typical with kidney surgery because the kidneys do tend to bleed a lot, so they want to keep an eye on her. I will have to go back up to Cleveland tomorrow to bring her home after they release her. She's resting in her room even as I type this.

[Tarcristiel]

Hope you and your mom made it home safely today, and that she's doing better. :hug


”I have called you all together for a Purpose . . . to celebrate my birthday.”

[RW7427]

I have some Mom news...

They were supposed to release her from the hospital this morning, but they didn't because she was still having blood in her urine. Since kidneys tend to bleed if you do surgery or whatever on them, they keep you overnight after something like this. Well, because she was still bleeding, they said they were going to keep her overnight one more day. Then today she started developing some problems and complications. I'm not going to go into detail because A) it's kinda confusing with the different things going on and B) I'm tired because it's been a long day. I need to get up early again in the morning and do the long tired day thing all over again. I picked up my mom's sister and we went up to the hospital and visited with my mom for a while, then I had to come home because I had to work for 8 hours. I barely got home from the hosiptal in time to eat and get dressed for work. I worked 8 hours, then had to make a couple of phone calls. But Mom's doing alright. Not great, but alright. If they can get the complications straightened out, hopefully she can come home tomorrow morning. If not, my sister is coming in later in the day after I go to work, and she can bring her home if they let her go later in the day.

[Prince Dol Amroth]

Rw, I just want to say again that my heart goes out to you and your family and y'all are in my prayers everyday.

[RW7427]

Thanks.

Well, it's late Friday night and Mom is still in the hospital. She was still having blood in her urine this morning. Then on top of that for a while she couldn't pee, and when she did, she wasn't able to make it to the bathroom and would end up going all over the bed. Her bladder hurt like hell, so they gave her pain meds, which in turn upset her stomach. When my aunt and I were there this morning to see her, she was puking and wetting the bed at almost the same time. She feels crappy, she's miserable, and she wants to come home. They are hoping to release her tomorrow, so we'll see. My sister is here for the weekend because we had plans to go to a Cleveland Browns NFL football game Sunday, so having her here will hopefully help cheer Mom up.

[Arathorn III]

*hugs for you and your Mom* :)

[Byrhthelm]

that's not fun at all, RW. Let us all hope for a speedy improvement.

[RW7427]

Mom's finally home! Yay! As I said, my sister is here, and we went up to the hospital for a few hours today, and they finally released her early this afternoon. They said she still had some blood in her urine, but that it would pass in a few days as long as she drinks plenty of fluids. The nausea and vomiting is gone, and they sent her home with prescriptions for a couple of meds, an antibiotic and one to help with her bladder. She doesn't feel 100% still, and still naps a lot, but at least she's home!

[Prince Dol Amroth]

AWESOME! I am glad to hear that your mom is home.

[X Rogue]

Well, that's good, she'll rest better at home than in the hospital for sure.

[RW7427]

Yeah, now that she's home, she's feeling much better. :)c

[Ditz]

Yay! *hugs RW* I'm really pleased for you that you're ok, and you're mum's feeling better. Told you it'd be ok.

[X Rogue]

Good! Nobody rests well in hospital. It's better for her morale to be home anyway. :)

[RW7427]

Awww, thanks for the hug Ditz! :)c

Yeah, Mom was definitely anxious to be home. What was supposed to be a routine overnight stay turned into a three night stay. :eeks!

[X Rogue]

And shocks like that are not good for your morale or you body either one. I'm glad she's home! (oh, and could you tell I hate hospitals, lol?)

[Galadriel]

I'm glad to see she's back home and doing better.

[Tarcristiel]

Gee, what a nightmare, but I'm glad that things are getting back to what passes as normal these days. :hug to both you and your mom.

http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL326/681490/2564433/34301673.jpg


It seemed to him that he would never hear again a running water so beautiful, for ever blending its innumerable notes in an endless changeful music.

[RW7427]

Thanks, ma'am! :hug

It has been like a month and a half almost since she's had any kind of treatment for her cancer, and we won't see the doctor to discuss new treatments until Nov. 9th. I hope this break hasn't given the cancer free reign to spread inside her without us knowing. :/:

[RW7427]

Well, we saw that Dr. Cooney guy today at his office on the east side (in one of Cleveland's suburbs, not in the city itself like the hospital is). He did say that Mom's cancer is a "clear cell" kidney cancer. Clear cell is the most common form, so there are many treatments available. He's planning to put her on a drug that comes in a pill form, but something to the effect of it not being FDA approved because it's new, and something about getting a contract with the drug company that makes it. Once that stuff goes through, he can get it, but he doesn't have it yet. So in the meantime, he said there's another drug she can get in IV form like she did the avastin at the cancer center near our house, but that this can only be given at the hospital, so we'd have to go into Cleveland for her treatments. But he did sound optimistic that he can get these meds and try them on her.

As for her condition, Dr. Teston's original diagnosis of 3-6 months to live has been proved wrong. She'll be at 6 months in a week or so, and she's feeling great. Dr. Cooney said he could see her living another year almost. He said some people only last a few months with kidney cancer, and some last over a year. It looks to him that my mother will be in the latter group. We feel very good about that.

[Prince Dol Amroth]

That is some GREAT news.

[X Rogue]

Good to hear! :)

[Nenuial]

Wonderful news, RW! :D *hugs*

[Tarcristiel]

Wonderful news, RW! Sometimes the will to live can confound the doctors. :hug to you and your mom.


As soon as he set foot upon the far bank of Silverlode a strange feeling had come upon him, and it deepened as he walked on into the Naith: it seemed to him that he had stepped over a bridge of time into a corner of the Elder Days, and was now walking in a world that was no more.

[RW7427]

Thank you dear lady! :)c

[RW7427]

Mom talked to the doctor today. He's going to put her on a waiting list for her next treatment. I guess he can't get her on that drug in IV form for at least 4-6 weeks, so she has to call his office tomorrow and make an appointment. Since she's been feeling pretty good and doing so well, he feels they have the luxury of time. I'm a little skeptical because she hasn't had any treatments for her cancer since the middle of September, and it could be late December or almost January of 2006 before she'd even GET on the IV drug. I seriously wonder if she'll live that long, but the doctor told her he can see her living another 9-12 months, so I guess he's not worried about it. But just because her liver is functioning normally inspite of the cancer in it and the right kidney has taken over functions for her left kidney, doesn't mean it hasn't spread beyond those two places and her lungs, where it already is now. For all we know, it's spreading inside her like wildfire. But Doctor knows best I guess.

[X Rogue]

Is there another treatment option she could use in the interim?

[RW7427]

This one is supposed to be in the interim for one in pill form that he wants to give her once he can get it in.

[fingolfin jones]

Hey RW, just got into this conversation. I'm really sorry to hear that you're family is having to go through this. It's always hard when a loved one is suffering. I wish your mother all of the luck in the world that she'll be better soon. Also I'm glad to hear that there is a treatment for her illness.

[RW7427]

Oh, I haven't posted much about my mom because she's been doing fine still. She still gets tired easily, and her smoker's cough is getting worse. Other than that, she's okay.

[X Rogue]

I'm glad she's hanging in there, and we're still thinking of her, and praying.

[RW7427]

I have Mom news...

We saw the doctor this morning. He said he'll be starting her on a new Phase 1 trial treatment early next month. She'll start out taking a drug in pill form, I believe every day for 3 weeks, then she'll take a break from it for a week. During that week she'll get a different drug in IV form one day. After that the doctor will evalute her, and if the treatment is working, they'll continue. If not, he said they could try something else.

He said she's still doing well, about as well as anyone with this disease can. He said he's seen people with kidney cancer die from it within months, and he's also seen people live with it for a long time. He said he's beginning to look more and more like one of those "long timers".

[fingolfin jones]

Well that's good news. It sounds if it your mother is a real strong person.

[RW7427]

Well, she's always been the kind that has a little "comfort zone" that she won't venture out of. Like driving on the freeway, for example. She's afraid of it and WILL NOT DO IT under any circumstances. That comfort zone is like in direct contrast to being brave or strong, but she IS stubborn. ;)

[fingolfin jones]

Sometimes stubborn is good. :)c

[X Rogue]

I think in this case, that's very true. :)

[RW7427]

Yeah. Ask her and she'd probably tell you she's too ornery to die. :lol

[fingolfin jones]

:lol That sounds like my ex-wives grandmother. I think that she's still kicking in her 80's.

[RW7427]

Mom will be 61 the day after Christmas. We didn't think she's live to see it.

[Arathorn III]

:)c

[fingolfin jones]

That's great RW. From a previous post it sounds as if she smoked. How long? I lightly smoked for about 10 years, but quit back in '87.

Bere, I haven't seen a post like that since Keyser yelled at me for doing that back in '01:p

[RW7427]

She's smoked for over 45 years. :ohwell

[fingolfin jones]

Ouch. Yup, my ex's grandmother that I mentioned also has smoked for many years. :\

[RW7427]

My father was a 3 pack a day chain smoker and died from lung cancer. :cry

[fingolfin jones]

I'm sorry to hear that. :( I'm guessing that you don't smoke?

My dad passed away 5 years ago. He had a heart condition. His first attack was back in 1979. He completely changed his diet and did better for years. He was always stressing about things though. We think that finally attributed to his last fatal attack.

[X Rogue]

Stress in any form is bad, in a person who's had a heart attack it's even worse.

[fingolfin jones]

Yup. He coached baseball up to the month before he died. He was 75, and kids in a ghetto neighborhood are hard to deal with, their parents worse. Oh well, he went doing what he loved.

Sorry for derailing the thread RW...

[RW7427]

No, I don't smoke. I hate it!

[fingolfin jones]

Good. I agree with you there. I don't have that much use for it either. It's so nice that Oregon and Washington have laws against smoking in public buildings. Nasty habit that I'm glad to have broken.

[RW7427]

I never started, but I've breathed in so much second hand smoke over the years that I could probably die of lung cancer. :sad

[fingolfin jones]

That's the irony of it all. I'm lucky I guess. After I quit drinking, I rarely went to clubs. Thus, I wasn't around too much smoke. I must have gotten my sense of smell back, because my nose really stings when I actually smell cigarette smoke.

[RW7427]

Something like that happened with my sister too. She used to smoke, but quit, and after a while, cigarette smoke bothered her and she hated being around it.

[fingolfin jones]

Weird...the addiction carries us on, but when we quit, the smell disgusts us. :\

[RW7427]

Mom has an appointment tomorrow at 3 pm Eastern time at University Hospital in Cleveland. I guess they want to do some bloodwork, and then we're to see some lady named Nancy. I guess she's a nurse that specializes in clinical trials. I'm assuming we'll start laying the groundwork then for the treatment the doctor wants to start her on, and this lady Nancy will help us with that.

[fingolfin jones]

Hm, well I sure hope that everything goes well tomorrow. You have my thought and prayers.

[minah]

RW although I didn't reply much I was always checking on your news about your mother!
I am really glad about how things are turning! I wish you the best! Love to your mom!

[RW7427]

Thank you, Minah! :)c

[Tarcristiel]

How did things go, RW?


“Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life.”

[RW7427]

They went alright. She's going to go on a new trial treatment. Wednesday January 4th she has to go back to University Hospital for a couple of scans. I guess after they review them, they will start her on the treatment. I think they said she'd get an IV drug the first week, then take a drug in pill form for 21 days. I think she'll get another IV session, then be off for a week. During that week I guess she'll have scans again and they'll let us know if the drugs are working or not.

[fingolfin jones]

Good. Like I said, you all are in my prayers.

[Tarcristiel]

Your family remains in my prayers, RW. :hug


”If our folk had been exiled long and far from Lothlórien, who of the Galadhrim, even Celeborn the Wise, would pass nigh and would not wish to look upon their ancient home, though it had become an abode of dragons?”

[minah]

happy new year RW! I wish 2006 will be a good one for your family!

[RW7427]

Thanks, minah! :)

[RW7427]

Today's going to be a long day. We have to be at the hospital at 1:00 pm this afternoon for Mom to have a series of scans. (one being a CT scan). We'll pick up Aunt Nancy along the way, and we'll spend the whole afternoon being on our way to the hospital, being at the hospital, and then coming home from the hospital. I don't expect us to get home until like 6 or 7 pm. I don't think either of us is looking forward to it, but it's something we have to do.

[Arathorn III]

I hope the time passes quickly and everything goes well. :)

[RW7427]

Thank you! I do too.

I guess they're doing these scans to see how much the cancer has spread and to use them as a future reference point for determining how her next treatments work.

[Tarcristiel]

Hope things went well today, RW. :hug


”For the fate of Lothlórien you are not answerable, but only for the doing of your own task.”

[RW7427]

Thank you dear lady :)

We won't know any results until we see the doctor on Tuesday. The trip into the hospital did tire Mom out though. That hospital is huge, and it takes a lot of walking to get anywhere.

[X Rogue]

Would she be amenable to the use of a powered scooter or cart? It would help conserve her energy.

[RW7427]

She'd sit in the wheelchair and I would push her. :lol

[X Rogue]

Heh. :lol

[RW7427]

Today was a long day, kinda long for both of us. Mom had an appointment at the hospital at 11:30 am. They were supposed to start her on a new drug in IV form, but they didn't. She had gotten an EKG and some bloodwork at the local hospital here down the street on Friday, and the cancer doctor today said he wasn't pleased with the EKG results. He didn't say exactly what was wrong, but he thinks there might now be something up with her heart. Since this is a new experimental drug, he wasn't sure how possible side affects would affect her heart, so he decided to err on the side of caution and skip the IV treatment. He told her to call our family doctor and see him about the heart thing in case there's tests that he can order or medication he can use. Once she gets the heart thing straightened out, they can try the IV drug. I guess she's still on for the pill drug, however. One of the nurses said she'd fax the paperwork into the drug company today, and provided they accept her Medicaid (she has no insurance except Medicaid), they'd ship the drug directly to us in a couple of weeks.

Needless to say, after hearing the doctor wasn't going to give her the IV drug today, Mom was greatly disappointed. She was hoping to get something done today, and the fact that they didn't, was a set-back for her, and it kinda took a toll on her. Today was the first day she's even hinted about giving up. She said she's getting tired of fighting the cancer and feeling tired or sick or both all the time, and she even threw up her lunch. I had to work today, so I barely had enough time to get home from Cleveland, get lunch, then go to work. I wasn't exactly in the frame of mind to go to work, and I was a little worried about her, but I went in anyhow. I told her it's not easy for me to live with this disease either, but that it's not the time to give up now. Yeah it sucks, but we need to keep going. I reminded her of being a stubburn old Hungarian (like she, her brother, and her sister joke they are because they are of 100% Hungarian nationality), like we've joked all along.....taking that stubborness and using it to fight the cancer. All along she's held onto the fact that there just might be hope that she'll actually beat this, even though her doctors haven't been as optimistic, but today was the first day I heard her deviate from that hope.

[Prince Dol Amroth]

RW, my heart goes out to your family and to your mom in particular. I can not fathom how difficult it must be to be in a constant, daily fight with little visible hope. She is a credit to her Hungarian roots for her battle thus far, and I will continue to pray for strength for her and you and the rest of your family.

[RW7427]

Yeah, living with cancer certainly isn't easy. I know it's sometimes tough on her body, and it's tough on both of us emotionally. I know I've said that most days she's doing well and feeling pretty good, but there are days that she's not feeling well, and those are the tough ones. It's hard to see her go through this stuff like coughing a lot, vomiting, a constant lack of energy. Things can sometimes be a little discouraging, but we try to keep up hope and faith as best we can.

[X Rogue]

Cancer is a tremendous strain on a person's mind and will, and is very tiring indeed, she's doing very well coping to tell the truth. Your mother must have a very strong character and constitution indeed if this is only the first time her hope has slacked even this much. It's good you reminded her of that. She's obviously fighting hard, and has already outlasted the predictions, and still has good time left, whatever happens.

Prayin' for ya'll, dude. :)

[RW7427]

This is the first time I've ever been refered to as "ya'll" and "dude" in the same sentence. :lol

Today was a better day. Mom did laundry, dishes and cooked dinner like she would any other day. She's feeling better and her spirits have been pretty good too.

[minah]

There is nothing I can tell you RW that you haven't thought or heard before! All I can offer is this one note and I am really serious about it! I've been working to the hospital for 6 years and I have noticed that those that keep their spirits high (and who have families that care for them without making them feel sick ) are tose who a) have better prognosis and b) even with bad prognosis they have a better course of the disease. Most oncologic articles take into consideration the psychologic state of the patient! They must know something!
Keep up the good work, (and the stubborness that I am sure you have also inherited :) )
From a (almost) fellow Hungarian! ;)

[RW7427]

Thanks, Minah!

[RW7427]

I'm a little concerned about Mom this morning. She said she hardly slept last night. She said she had problems breathing. She'd lie down and sleep for a while, and then wake up because she couldn't breathe. She said this happened almost every hour or hour and a half. She almost woke me up to take her to the emergency room, but she was able to make it through the night without doing that. Just a little while ago she told me she still feels a little like she can't breathe. I didn't tell her, but I think the cancer has spread in her lungs and it's getting to the point where it's starting to affect them now. I'm hoping I'm wrong though.

[Tarcristiel]

Words fail me, almost. I continue to pray that the doctors can help your mom, and that both she and her family find the strength and the courage to face whatever happens. :hug to both your mom and you


”The Mirror is dangerous as a guide of deeds.”

[X Rogue]

:( I second Tarc.

[Arathorn III]

We're praying for you both, RW.

[RW7427]

Thank you all.

Sometimes going through this is tough, but knowing that we have people literally all over the world thinking of and praying for us, helps.

[minah]

RW it goes without saying that we think of you, of you both and of your whole family! We may have never met face to face but we all have something in common: we are here (even if this is virtual) and we know you! (somebody said "what is in a name?... a rose by any other name would have smell so sweet!") We are here!
love to you both!

[RW7427]

Thanks, Minah! :)c :hug

[RW7427]

Today Mom got her new treatment drugs in the mail. The doctor started her on a new drug in pill form. I can't remember off-hand what it's called, but it's supposed to stop the cancer from growing. It's covered by Medicaid, and the drug company shipped it right to our door via FedEx. She's supposed to take 2 at a time twice a day for 21 days. After that the doctor will re-evaluate her and see if it's worked.

[fingolfin jones]

Cool, RW. You're staying with her aren't you?

[RW7427]

I live at home, yes.

[Dernhelm]

Sending my best wishes that this new drug kicks butt and your mom is up & at 'em very soon.