conquered.

We are all physically overwhelmed by the outpouring of prayers lifted on mother's behalf.  Thank you seems so inadequate for all of the love and concern that you precious friends have shown us over the past 24 hours.  Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to pray for momma today.  To the complete strangers who prayed for her today, thank you.  You have touched our hearts in a way that we will never forget.

Here is the definition of conquered.

 Hate the picture is blurry, but you get the idea.  Dr. Forero thinks she was having mini seizures when she was having the fainting spells.  He took her off of some of her medicine that he believes was causing this and all of the sickness.  The scan was completely normal!!!!  They go back next week for regularly scheduled scans and chemo.  Thank God for answered prayers today.  Forever He is faithful.  Love to all...

prayers. needed.

Mom had to make an unexpected trip to Birmingham tonight for a brain scan first thing in the morning.  She just hasn't been herself in the last couple of weeks.  Without getting into too many details, her oncologist thought it would be best to go ahead and come up tonight for a scan in the morning, just to make sure everything is ok. 

Anytime we hear the word scan, we all get a little antsy.  Even more so when you add the word brain in front of it.  She is very scared.  Please keep her in your prayers tonight and during the day tomorrow.  I will update tomorrow night when we know more.  Thank you from the bottom of our broken hearts tonight. 

keeping up...

I wish I was a better writer and update-r.  There are about 10 million reasons I could list about why this blog hasn't been updated more, but I will skip them.  Truth is, life is hard....and busy...and most days, between the pain and the sickness and the swelling and all the sleeping, it's hard to see His comfort and grace.

Last week was her off week, and it was lived to THE fullest.  Her week was jammed pack with independence, being Sweet P, and Sunday was even spent back in church!!!  Talk about His faithfulness! 

However, this week has been back to the same old routine that I have mentioned on this blog before.  Those off weeks don't come nearly enough and fly by way to fast!  We get a glimpse of "old" momma and before we know it, it's over. 

She will get treatment tomorrow and have lympodema therapy on Wednesday. 

I will leave ya'll with some sweet pictures of our handsome butterbean.

 

Keep praying her up!

routines...

I can't tell you how many times I sat down to update the blog, and couldn't find the words to say.  Ya'll, she has hit a routine.  Things are very much the same from week to week.  There is only so many ways to say she is tired or nauseous or gone to chemo.  Whewwww!  I wanted to say something, but didn't want to sound like a broken record. 

Since my last post, she is still being such a champ with her chemo.  Week in and week out, it knocks her completely off of her feet, but in true Peggy fashion, she keeps fighting and going back for more.  Not going to lie, chemo has been really hard on her these last few weeks.  She has NO energy and is sick from time to time.  She sleeps a lot.  A lot, a lot.  Simple things such as taking a bath or getting up to eat wears her out. 

Her doctors are happy with her treatment plan.  She had "the works" done last week, and all her scans and tests came back with positive results.  Right now, it seems as though the chemo is working. 

She also visited a new lymphodema doctor who has diagnosed her with reflex sympathetic distraphy (RSD).  I couldn't even begin to tell you what all that entails, so read here.  Her arm is some better, but still a constant hurt and pain.

Thank you to those who are still such an encouragment to my Momma.  Your visits, texts, phone calls, sweet notes and cards have not once gone unnoticed.  The love that you all continue to show her is a constant reminder of the love that Jesus has for all of His children.  Continue to keep her in your prayers.  The trip to Birmingham each week is very demanding on her tired, fragile body.  We love you. 

Be back soon..

xoxo,
c

and the winner is...

After lots of prayer. And a few discussions...



And after talking her her oncologist...



We think that the best decision is to...



Keep her on the same trial that she has been on. Big, huge, very tough decision. But after it was all said and done...


We feel as though we made the right choice. She has responded so well to it, we hate to chance her coming off. She will start back with the same chemo routine next week. (One treatment per week, for three consecutive weeks, and the fourth week off.) Please be in prayer that her arm does not flare back up when she starts back with chemo. Worst case scenario and it does, she will have to come off of the trial. This time, no questions asked.

Thank you for praying with us today. Your prayers helped ease our worries.

xoxo,
c

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fork in the road...

Big day tomorrow! We have reached a fork in the road with Mom's treatment, and tomorrow is decision day.

You know all of the complications with her arms. The swelling. The redness. The pain. The discomfort. Her oncologist can't be a 100% at this point, but he now thinks that this is being caused from the chemo drugs she is on. During her last hospital stay, they did lots of tests and ruled out many things that it couldn't be caused from. So, now after being on the trial for many cycles, it's the only other explanation as to why her arm won't get any better, and only seems to get worse.

So, the big decision. Two choices really. 1.) Stay on the trial that she is on. 2.) Go on another clinical trial, this one used for the prevention of cancer, instead of attack. If she comes off the trial she is on now, she can never go back on it. She has responded so well to these two drugs, it's very scary to opt to come off of it. But, then there is the arm pain.

She has an appointment tomorrow at the clinic, where a decision will have to be made. Please pray that we would be led in whatever way that is best for her. Such a big decision that so much is riding on. Pray for clarity and peace that comes along with having to make such a huge decision.
Will post tomorrow about her day. Love y'all.

xoxo,
c




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the best medicine...

Mom was finally able to come home from the hospital last week.  The hospital visits seem to become more and more frequent.  Her arms and pain seem to be doing better.  She goes back to Birmingham on Wednesday for a CT Scan to check the clot and hopefully to resume with chemo. 

This little fella has been the best medicine for her...

Update later in the week!

It is what it is...

MRI confirmed what we already knew about the blood clot it her left arm. That's the only one she has, praise God!!! Such an answered prayer. The blood clot in her left arm may or may not be causing her right arm to flare up. Doctors really aren't sure. It could even be some of the side effects from her radiation treatments. After all, she did have an extra high dose. None of the doctors are really sure at this point. Talk about frustrating!!

They want her to start lymphodema therapy again, but we don't know if the therapist in Dothan will or not. It's pretty risky considering she has a blood clot. Which, we totally understand, and do not not want to put her at even more risk for developing another one or causing the one she has to break off.

Doctors have all but ruled out surgery to remove the blood clot. They say it's not worth the risk. Their advice is that it is better to live with the pain and discomfort for now. Easier said than done!

Tomorrow all of her hospital doctors are meeting with Dr. Forero (oncologist) to discuss whether or not she can resume with her chemo treatments. Hopefully, they will discuss this first thing in the morning so we can get out of here and head home. She is past ready!!!

It is what it is. Life is not always glamorous, but we will fight on.

Here are a few pics from today. You can still see how red and swollen her arms are. Sometimes the pain medicine makes her a little hot...you will see a fan.

Love you all. Thanks for all of the special visitors. You have brightened our day so much!!!










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Better tomorrow...

Hey y'all. Mom's main doctors did not come around this evening. Dermatology came by and said they were stepping back. They have ruled out skin infections. The three biopsies from yesterday all came back negative for infection. We expect to know something in the morning from the Oncology and Vascular doctors.
She was put on a morphine pain pump today. She is sleeping good now. So glad the MRI is behind us. Thank you for your prayers...they pulled her through. We had a small breakdown right before, but she handled things like a champ. Here's to a better tomorrow.




Thank you all so much for the phone calls, texts, Facebook messages, and visits. We try to respond to each, but if we didn't, it wasn't because it went unnoticed. We appreciate your thoughts and encouragement so very much.


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More clots...

Today has been a hard day.
To backtrack, she was put in the hospital Tuesday afternoon. Her bad arm has been really swollen and discolored for sometime now. This week her right arm started swelling and becoming discolored too.
Doctors do not really know what is going on. After lots of different tests and three biopsies today, they are thinking that the original clot is actually a lot larger than they had thought. Now they are thinking that besides being in her left arm, the clot may stretch down into her chest, through some large vessels. Definitely not news we wanted to hear. She will have an MRI in the morning. This will give the doctors a better view of how large the clot actually is and how many there are. She is very scared tonight about the MRI. She had one her last stay here, and it didn't go well at all.
Here are a few pictures from today. Please pray for her tonight. Blood clots are such a scary, unpredictable problem to have. Please pray for her to rest well tonight and for the Lord to calm her fears.
Be back tomorrow. Love y'all.







Feeling a little scared...



Video chatting with her most favorite baby boy...




Sweet P and PooPaw miss this little fella...




1of 3 battle scars from today (notice how red her arm is)
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a few firsts...

I know, I know, I know...long time since the last update. No excuses, life is just busy. ALL the time. I know it is probably the same way for all of you.

Since my last post, we have had a few firsts...

-We went to chemo on Monday. Her oncologist wouldn't let her receive chemo because of her arm. It always hurts, is always swolen, and usually discolored. This week, it was wayy swolen and discolored. So, they changed her port access, refilled a few meds, and we were on our way. She goes this Monday for a PET scan, and if everything is ok with that, will pick back up with treatment. Please pray for positive results with this scan.

-These guys celebrated their very 1st Father's Day. This year took on a whole new meaning of Father's Day. We are all so in love with this little guy. I am thankful for the father's in his life. He has got some great guys to look up too.

Since summer is in full swing, I hope to try and update the blog at least once every week. That's the goal. Hope I don't let you guys down. Thank you for your concern about momma.

xoxo,
c

someday...

Someday it's all going to make sense.  You know, all the hospital visits, pain, and fear.  But for now, we take things as they are dealt and roll with the punches.  Hate to tell ya, but she was admitted to the hospital this afternoon.  She hasn't been able to keep anything down since late Friday afternoon, 6-2-2012.  So, as bad as she didn't want to go, I loaded her up in the car to go see the doctor.  He admitted her right away and began with the usual, phenergan and vancomycin.  She has been on a poison antibiotic, Zyvox, for about two weeks now.  Dr. Woods thinks that's what is causing all the tummy issues.  So, she is going to get a little break from that ugly monster.  When she starts eating and is able to keep food down, she can bust out.  Fingers crossed it's tomorrow.  These pictures are from this afternoon. 

Specific Prayer Requests:  She is able to eat and keep food down
                                           Antibiotic is working like it should, causing minimal side effects
                                           Blood clot in her left arm is dissolving and not breaking apart

Ya'll Rock!  Much love...

she very well may shoot me for this pic...

Life got much, much, much, much more sweeter this past Thursday.  More on the little guy a little later.  The new mom and dad are already Pro's.  We are all so in love and can't thank Him enough for sending us a little piece of Heaven.  Wow!!!!!!!

a tribute...

...to one of the bravest people I know.  She is my hero.  Here is a look back on everything since the beginning.  This is real life. 


Life is not always beautiful.  Even on those not so beautiful days, we selfishly thank God for the time we can spend with her.  Thank you for loving and praying for my momma.  Be in touch.  Life is about to get MUCH more beautiful this weekend.  Pray for our family.  

Music:   Matt Redman: 10,000 Reasons (one of my favorites)

click here to watch

new meds and fluid...

Hey ya'll.  Behind on blogging, once again.  We will do a quick two day recap from Dad...

Yesterday, May, 21, 2012...
     Dr. Barrett just came around and said the reason she wasn't going home today was because her pain levels were up and down, not consistent.  They want her pain to be more evenly controlled, unlike last night.  It spiked agin, just like the night before, about midnight.  Her doctor is also concerned about her Vancomycin levels.  There is going to be a team of infectious disease doctors coming by today to see if they can recommend a different drug to help fight the cellulitis in her arm.  This is also the drug being used to treat her ear.  They might recommend a totally different drug or something to use in addition with the vancomycin.  Dr. Barrett says her sypmtoms are very hard to treat because the symptoms of her blood clot complications are very similar to that of cellulitis, and each can cause or even complicate the other.  He is so concerned because he has another patient on another floor that has the same symptoms that mom does.  He lost the use of his arm for an extended period of time.  That's where his main concern comes from.  He did say he wanted her sitting up more today, as long as the pain was ok.  He wanted me to take her on a "date" so I pushed her in her wheelchair to Subway, inside the cafeteria of the hospital.  Her nurses will be in shortly to help her bathe, and then she is going to try and sit up a little.  Hopefully she will get to come home tomorrow or Wednesday. 


Today, May 22, 2012...
     Mom has gone to get an ultrasound now.  Her doctor came by and spoke to me for about 30 minutes.  He answered a lot of questions I had, but there are some that just can't be answered at this point.  They are still debating on what kind of drugs to send her home on.  If she has fluid shown on the ultrasound, they will remove it either today or tomorrow.  If no fluid, they will release her today for sure. 

Well...they are still there tonight.  Here's hoping that she will get to come home tomorrow.  She is still pretty swolen tonight.  Update again tomorrow.

   

no words...

Really no change with mom today.  Dad said she had just an ok day today.  She sleeps a lot from all the pain medicine that she is on.  She tried getting up to walk a little today, but got sick and had to go back to bed.  Here are some pictures from her stay so far...

That's all from our camp tonight.


I am at a loss for words tonight for my little buddy, Noah.  I met Noah and his sweet mom and dad this past summer on the Lighthouse ministry retreat.  His smile and laugh were infectious.  The love that his mom and dad had for their little boy was contagious.  The huge scar that reached from his forehead to his neck from his brain surgery had NO affect on how much fun he had that week.  You couldn't help but fall in love with him.

I am not a mother just yet, but I like to think that my 18 babies that I teach each year are "mine."  I love each of them as if they were my own.  That's the only thing I have right now that I  imagine to be anything comparable to a mother's love.  Although I can't fully describe a mother's love just yet, I do know what it is like to see someone that you love so much suffer in pain and discomfort.  It is agonizing and tugs at your heart like no other.  However, with that being said, I have no idea the pain that Noah's parents are experiencing at this very moment.  Please lift their family in prayers. Here is the link for Noah's blog.  I hope Jessica's testimony during this nightmare touches you.  She is a true reflection of Christ. 

http://www.prayfornoah.com/

still here...

Hey Ya'll!  Sorry it has been so long.  Mom has been doing the usual since we left off, chemo every Monday.  Life has been pretty regular and rutine until this week. 

In the words of Dad...

     Mom had a new scan on May 7th.  These scans came back negative.  Her cancer is still in remission and the fluid that has been around her lungs seems to be not increasing, and actually decreased by a small amount.  Praise God!!  This is great news and a huge blessing!  Thank you Jesus for her chemo drugs, Tigatuzamab and Abraxane.
     She struggles with the fact that even though she is in remission, she has to continue chemo from now on.  Like indefinitely.  Positive to that is that she is still living and the hope that we find in the advancement of the fight against this horrible nightmare with medication.  The development of these two drugs allow women to have Hope.
     However, she is till having problems with her right ear and left arm.
     Her ear has been diagnosed with MRSA (click here to learn more about MRSA) about two weeks ago.  She has been waiting to see an Infectious Disease doctor since then.  This past Monday, May 14, before her chemo treatment she was finally able to see the doctor.  He seemed to be more concerned with her arm than her ear.  (Her arm has been very red and swollen since last week.)  After chemo that day he decided to put her in the hospital at UAB to do some tests on her ear and arm.  After all, her ear has been hurting her for about 7 or more months.  We were ready to find out what was going on. 
     Yesterday, they did a CT Scan of her head and an ultrasound of her left arm.  The news was not very good about either, but at least maybe now, her doctors can create a game plan going forward.
     First, her ear has an infection in the bone behind her ear.  Her ear has been draining since November and hurting very much.  Doctors have tired tubes, lancing her eardrum, and a series of antibiotics, but nothing seemed to work.  We found out a few weeks ago that it was indeed MRSA, but what the CT scan showed yesterday was that the infection is actually in her skull that is around her right ear.  They will treat this right now with drugs, but at some point in the future, she will have to have surgery to fix this problem.
     Right now, her doctors are more concerned with her right arm.  After many ultrasounds, this has shown a rather large blood clot.  This explains why last Tuesday her arm became swollen, red, and hot.  This is also the arm she has the lymphodema and cellulitis in.  They are giving her drugs to fight the infection and to also try and dissolve the blood clot.  She will be on these drugs for sometime, as she will have IV treatment at home twice a day.
     We have been in the hospital since Monday, and do not know when we will be home.  We are hoping sometime next week.
     Tonight, we are thankful for so much. We are thankful that her doctors found both of these problems.  She has felt so bad these last few months.  We finally have answers as to why now. 
     Thank you for ALL your prayers.  I ask that you continue to lift up our family, and most of all, my wife and best friend.


Now that we are all up-to-date now, I want to thank you for not giving up on us.  This has been such a LONG journey and we are not done yet!  Thank you for being our faithful friends, encouragers, and prayer warriors.  Your kindness and the loving spirit that you have shown our family during these trying months will never be forgotten. 

Here's promising to be a better blogger...xoxo,

c

His grace...

From Dad...


Everyone keeps texting, calling, and emailing to find out the results of Peggy's test this week, as well as the ones that were pending. 

But first, let me take you back to December 17th of 2010.  She was put in the hospital for pain in her arm and on the left side of her chest.  On Monday, the 20th, doctors confirmed the cancer.  She had a tumor in the left side of her chest wall, as well as other multiple spots outside the chest wall.  The tumor in her left chest wall was about the size of a swollen golf ball.  On December 24th, Tullie, Sami Jo, and Ciara decided they would go home for Christmas at Nana's.  We were going to stay in Birmingham for Christmas in the hotel because Mom had began chemo on the day before.  Shortly after they all left, the doctor came by and ask me to step out into the hall.  I will never forget what he told me.  He said she may never have another Christmas.  If it were him, he would take her home.  My heart left me at this point and I absolutely forgot all that was going on around me.  I was so tired.  I had been up for two days at this point.  I had to go and sit down by myself, where I cried a lot and tried to gather my thoughts.  It was not a very good time, but we made it home and lived in Birmingham until February 16th. 

At this point she had been give 36 treatments of the strongest dose of radiation.  It was now time to go home and wait.  Oh, it was so hard on her!  The pain, and waiting THREE months before they would do a test to see how much and if the radiation worked.  The mental part of not knowing can be as hard or harder than the pain itself.

Finally the day had come and, much to our anguish, the cancer was still very much there.  The tumor was still healthy, vibrant, and killing her.  Now her doctors wanted to try chemo...Again! She had done chemo in 2005 and 2006.  It was then that her doctors told us her surgery and cancer was a "textbook case."She should never have a problem with this again.  WRONG!  Her cancer, Triple Negative HER2, was back and worse that we could have ever expected or anticipated.

Before she allowed UAB to go forward, we sought out a second opinion from MD Anderson in Houston, Texas.  They said her best bet was the clinical trial at UAB.  We were amazed at the technology and attention that they gave us there, and trusted their opinions fully.  The experimental drug, Tigatuzamab, combined with a drug that is already FDA approved, Abraxane, had shown promising results on the type of cancer that Mom had. 

Only about 20% of caucasian women have this cancer.  It is most commonly found in hispanic and black women.

Back to Birmingham we went, doing more tests to prep and prepare for these new drugs.  She had a port implanted and began mentally preparing for the pain.  I saw it the first time 5 or so years ago, and I know cancer HURTS!!!

Treatments began August 30th and continued for three weeks in a row and off a week.  Then she starts all over again.  She has been a trooper and when she thought she couldn't do it anymore, something would inspire her to go on.  Be it the hundreds of prayers lifted or cards received, her family, friends, children, or Baby Rob, she pointed her faith straight ahead and willed herself through many, many pinful days and nights.  They are not over yet, but maybe, just maybe, they are on the decline.

As of March 12th, Mom is cancer FREE!!!!!  No cancer to be found!!!!!!!!  No evidence of disease!!!!!

She is only the second one in this study that has had this success.

This is nothing that we have done.  We have prayed selflessly at times for her to be healed, but most of all, we have prayed that His will be done.  His will has been done, and we give Him ALL the praise and glory!!!  WE continue to pray that He will keep her cancer free and allow her pain to be controlled and eliminated.

She starts lymphodema treatments next weel.  This is very painful, and she will be going to Dothan 3 times a week for these.  Her chemo will have to continue for preventative maintenance from now on, or until something better is discovered or approved.

To all who have been faithful with your prayers, support, visits, cards, and friendship, thank you seems so inadequate, but it comes from our hearts.  WE love you all, and may we give God the credit and praise!

photo dump...

Everything is ok on the home front.  She has been resting and catching up on much needed rest since she returned from Birmingham.  We learned while she was in the hospital that there is fluid around her heart and lungs.  They drew some of this fluid off while she was there and doctors told us it was malignant.  Her oncologist called Friday and said that he did not think it was malignant.  All of the tests he ordered, proved otherwise.  Praise God!!  So, the next step is surgery.  Hopefully sometime this week, we will get the call that she has been scheduled.  The surgery will use a scope to draw more fluid from around her heart and lungs.  Their goal is to not only get fluid, but also some tissue to biopsy and confirm cancer or no cancer.  So, until then, we wait and pray.  Continue lifting her name up.  We love you!

While we wait, here are some photos of what's been happening. 

lots of resting...

waiting for doctor appointments...

SO happy to hear some good news...

found out grandbaby #1 is a BOY..

Christmas time with Pop...

cried a lot during Christmas...

Christmas time at Pop and Nana's...

We love you Mike and Julie...flag flown over Afghanistan...

had fun watching this daddy-to-be open tiny little surprises...

cancer issues...

She has been at UAB in the hospital since Tuesday. Here is a quick update...

Keeping arm elevated and continuing breathing treatments this weekend. We are supposed to meet with her oncologist Monday. The tumor in her left arm is gone, or so that's what they say. It appears now that the cancer has spread to the area around her heart and lungs. This is causing the cough, shortness of breath, and making it hard to breathe at times. She has what they call pleural effusion, which is fluid that is between your lungs and the lining that surrounds the lungs. The same with her heart, its just not as bad as the lungs. When, and if, we see her oncologist Monday, I hope we have a better understanding of the extent of it, what to expect, and where else this could lead. I do know it's cancerous. She has been upset about this since Thursday. Just now blogging about it because we wanted to make sure family knew first.

Think the plan today is to let her out of the hospital. She will stay in Birmingham tonight at the hotel for appointments tomorrow at the clinic.

Thank you for your prayers. Not the news anyone wanted to hear.

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how precious did that grace appear...

the hour I first believed.  Not just when I thought I believed, but when I really, dug way down deep, and with everything in me, believed in Him and His faithfulness.

It was a big day.  Huge day to be exact.  One that we will never forget.  Here's a recap of the day:

What a day!  Mom had her CT Scan early this morning at around 8:30.  The CT Scan showed fluid around her heart and lungs.  She had labs after that and then met with her new oncologist, Dr. Forero.  We instantly knew we had made the right decision after talking with him for only a few minutes.  He has put her in the hospital to see if the fluid around her lungs is from the cancer.  This is there concern, but I believe it is from so much fluid that she received while staying at Troy.  She will have several tests tomorrow to find out more about this fluid. 

They are also concerned about the swelling and irritation in her left arm after so many rounds of super strong antibiotics.

So, no poison today.  Looks like we will be staying here for a few days.

Back to the CT Scan.  NO TUMOR TO BE FOUND!!!!!!!!!!  We know that this is because the power of prayer.


My heart sank to the very bottom of my big toe the instant that I saw dad calling this afternoon.  I knew what he was calling about.  Was it good news or bad news...

To say we are rejoicing tonight is an understatement.  We know that He reached down and laid His healing hands upon her.  There is simply no other explanation.

With that said, she still has a long way to go.  The fluid that has built up is a very serious condition.  The next few days will tell us just how critical things are.  She still is experiencing lots of pain in her left arm.  Please continue to lift her up in prayer that things will continue to work out beautifully.

Tonight, as I sit here and "ugly" cry, I can't help but to miss my momma.  How I wish I could just give her a hug.  She has been through SO much.  It is kind of hard for me to really understand tonight that the tumor is completely gone.  She has got some pretty serious tests tomorrow.  I will be back tomorrow with an update. 

big, big, huge day...

Tomorrow is such a big day for our family...

Tomorrow she gets back on track with her poison.  Her recent stays at the hospital have caused her to miss some treatments. 

Tomorrow she has a scan.  A scan that will tell us so much.  The 20 or so minutes that she lies still in a machine will affect the rest of our lives.  Is the treatment working?  Is it aggressive enough?  Etc, etc, etc...

Tomorrow she meets with a new oncologist.  After much time spent in prayer and reflection back, we have decided to see a new oncologist.  This wasn't an easy move, but we feel it is the best decision at this time.  She will meet with Dr. Forero tomorrow afternoon. 


It's so comforting to know, that He already knows what is in store for us tomorrow.  I pray that He is ever so present tomorrow with each stick, poke, and fearful thought that runs across her mind.  Help us all to be reminded of this verse throughout the day...
     
      “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,   
      present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will
      guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6-7.

Be back tomorrow.

here she is...

Here is a quick update...

Sorry for the quality. Used my phone for this. Be back tomorrow.

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change of address...

Maybe we should.  Change our address to this.  I mean...after all, she is there more than she is at home. 

Since my last post, she has gotten discharged from the hospital, spent a few days at home, come down with the stomach bug, and checked back in to the hospital.  Whewww!  Just reading that makes me tired.

Really can't remember the last "good" day.  They are becoming few and far between.

She went to the doctor yesterday with the stomach bug.  Dehydration and low counts are the cause of this hospital stay.  She and dad both came down with the nasty bug over the weekend.  Dad has started to feel some better, but she can't seem to shake things.  Her doctor wants to keep her in the hospital until she can keep food down.

There is nothing like spending Valentines Day in the hospital.

I know this goes without saying, but keep her us in your prayers.  Besides having all the symptoms that go along with having the stomach bug, her arm was also hurting tonight.  I mean it always hurts, but it was hurting more than she could tollerate without having to take extra pain medicine.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog and hear our needs.  You, my friend, are worth all the treasures in the world.  Thank you for praying for my momma tonight.

holding her own...

Here's the latest text from dad.  I went to see her today after school, and, as usual, she was sleeping.  I just peeked in from the outside of her door.  It kind of feels like she in in quarantine.  All the masks, gloves, etc. makes you think that she is highly contagious. 

She's holding her own, still sleeping.  The doctor said her tests today were the same as yesterday.  This is good news because she is holding steady.  We have been waiting for a while to get her test results back.  The doctor is going to watch her for a couple of days to see if her white blood levels start increasing.  If not, they will try something different, such as an add or change in medicine.  Hopefully, they will increase on their own. 

And then, later tonight...


She just ate about half of Nana's soup.  She is sleeping now.

Hope to bring even better news tomorrow.  She still has such a long way to go, but thanking him and praying for an increase in her levels.  Sure do miss my momma!

Snoozing and sugar wafers...

She has been sleeping a lot. A lot being every time I come back to see her, she is asleep. I'm not complaining though. If she is asleep, we know she is not hurting, which is always an answered prayer.






If you look close, you can see a sugar wafer in her hand. Momma and I both love these! Before her latest trip to the hospital, she would snack on them, a few at the time, almost everyday. I would go in to tell her about my day, and we would share a few wafers while talking. She has not been a good eater during this stay. She has barely eaten anything at all since checking in on Wednesday. She ate a couple of wafers last night, thank goodness. Baby steps people,many steps.

Don't think I have told y'all yet, but besides the infection, she has fluid in her lungs. They are treating for that along with the antibiotic for the infection in her arm. Today the doctor told her that her white blood count is low. Only immediate family is allowed back. When we go back, we have to wear masks and gloves. Since her blood count is low, she is very acceptable to acquire anything and everything. The doctor will be back around this afternoon to update us again.

It looks like a beautiful day peeping out through the blinds of her room. Hope you take a second to look around and see His love and beauty.

Thank you for all that you have done. Without each of you, we would not be able to keep fighting on. From every prayer whispered, to the love that you continue to pour out, we love each and every one of you.

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Location:College Dr,Troy,United States

doubt...

Today I feel like I have so many reasons to doubt.  I have been praying, for FOREVER, for my mother.  We all have!  Does He hear me?  I know He sees how much pain she is in.  Why doesn't He stop it?  My list could go on and on.

It sometimes feels we are fighting a losing battle.  Sometimes being yesterday and today.

She is a little bit worse than yesterday.  Her color is not good.  She has developed a bad cough and is having trouble breathing at times.  When I left, her temperature was up and she was requesting cough meds.  She was waiting for a chest x-ray.

I just heard from Dad.  The x-ray looked good, along with an EKG.  They were going to do a CT scan of her lungs next.

Her doctor is still treating her for infection.  He is going to continue using antibiotics to treat the infection that is causing the cellulitis.  He thinks that the infection may be some strain of staff. 

The moment I let go of His hand is the instant I begin to doubt.  I know He has her in the palm of His hand, but sometimes wonder why this is happening.  His plans are always and will always be far better than anything I could ever think of.  His timing and execution is always right on time.  After all, He makes no mistakes.

I think when we are faced with difficult situations, it's only natural to wonder and doubt.  Time spent in the hospital, waiting with her, almost stand stills.  It ticks by ever so slowly.  She was sleeping lots today, so I had lots of quiet time....to wonder, pray, and even...selfishly begin to doubt.  It was in that moment that mother, who was sound asleep, started muttering ever so softly, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus..."  How's that for perfect timing? There is just something about His name.

Please pray tonight that our fears and doubts would vanish in the night.  In those moments, let His presence be ever so close to our hearts.

Can't get this song out of my head tonight.  It's no coincidence either, I'm almost certain.

Update again tomorrow. Thank you for everything.  From the very pit of our hearts.

Frustrated...

I try to keep this blog somewhat upbeat. I try to look at everything with the glass half full, not empty, but tonight I'm not sure I can do that. To say we are all frustrated and tired and exhausted is an understatement.

I know I haven't been the best blogger this year. To be completely honest, I'm just out of words. It's like her life is a cycle of events. She goes to Birmingham on Monday, has treatment on Tuesday's, feels horrible until Sunday, then starts the process back over. Each week is like this.

We take two steps forward and 10 back it seems.

Her arm has been batteling infection for weeks now. Lymphodema and cellucitis Have attacked her left arm in full force. It's huge from the swelling and extremely red and hot to the touch. Besides all the pain that's coming from the tumor, she now has to deal with that.

Yesterday while at the Kirklin Clinic getting chemo, her oncologist ordered an ultrasound just to make sure there weren't any blood clots. Thank you Lord for no clots, just a serious case of the already confirmed lymphodema and cellucitis. Her oncologist thought maybe another round of different antibiotics would work.

Last night she was in lots of pain. The ultrasound aggravated the tumor and she was in so much discomfort that they had to stay an extra night in Birmingham. She was in extreme discomfort and didn't think she would be able to tolerate the card ride home.

Still in quite a but of pain, they decided to try and make it on home today. When they got to Troy, they decided to stop and let their family doctor check her arm out, because it was still so swollen, red, and irritated.

He put her in the hospital immediately and tonight is starting strong IV antibiotics.

We are very frustrated. Please pray for our family. Here is a pic I snapped before I left tonight. She is in ICU so no one could stay back there with her tonight. Knowing that she's in there, all alone, is almost too much for me to handle. Wish I would have gotten a better pic of her arm. She sure does hide her pain well.




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still going strong...

I know.  It's been forever since the last update.  Let's go back to where I left off...

Since the last post, she has had a scan, we celebrated Christmas and the holidays together, and she has made several trips to the poison plant.  

Scan Day:  These days take forever to get here!  We all have such high hopes and nervous energy that day, that it is hard to sit still in one place for very long.  The scan itself takes about an hour or so.  They aren't as painful as they used to be.  Drinking the dye before the scan is, by far, the worst part about it, according to her.  We are so thankful that she is not in pain during the scans.  She has come such a long way since this time last year.  We were excited to learn that the scan showed her cancer is still shrinking.  However, it was very minimal this time.  Only about a 2% decrease in size from last time.  We were hoping, praying, and expecting more shrinkage of the tumor, so it was a little disappointing and very frustrating for Mom.  We know His timing is perfect, and He has a perfect, awesome plan for her.  We are trusting and clinging to Him during this battle.

Christmas and the Holidays:  We are SO grateful to have had another wonderful holiday season of Jesus' birth together again! I remember the days leading up to Christmas last year.  The pleading with God to give her comfort and relief.  WOW!  How far he has taken her.  This Christmas meant so much to each of us, and definitely one for the books.

Poison Plant:  Week in and week out, that's where you will find her.  It's getting old.  The drive.  The soreness and the sickness that follows each treatment.  The waiting for hours and hours.  The complete lack of energy that lasts usually until the day before she gets another treatment.  Blah, blah, blah.  But we know it's working, so she's gotta keep on keepin' on.

Think that about sums it up.  Pictures to come!  Thank you for your prayers for her spirits to be lifted.