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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