Not Your Average Saturday Morning...

Can you guess how we spent the day?  Mom likes to spend her weekends relaxing, shopping, or spending time with family and friends...definitely NOT at UAB.  However, we are thankful for a "good" day today.  Much, much better than the last 2 days this week.  She's spent the afternoon resting on the couch, visiting with good company.  We are so thankful for this "good" day.  Be back tomorrow.

xoxo,
c

O. Ver. Whelmed.

First of all, WAR EAGLE!!!!  Watching the game and the big win last night, made Mom feel so, so, soooo much better! We are very thankful that she felt like watching the tigers play last night and was able to help cheer them on to victory!

Every Tuesday after her treatment, she gets to meet with Dr. Keene, her doctor that is over her radiation treatment.  Everything is going good from what she can tell on the outside, so far.  Mom hasn't had any signs of burning yet from the radiation, so for that, we are very grateful.  Dr. Keene told Mom today that the tumor in her chest wall is about the size of a golf ball, just to give you a little visual.  We are hoping, praying, and believing that the radiation she is receiving now will shrink that tumor, or better yet, DESTROY it! She hasn't been sick in quite some time, but is feeling more tired and fatigued with each treatment.  We are thankful that her body is responding to the treatment and medication so well.  She got a free pass from radiation on Monday because of all the snow in Birmingham.  That made her day!

We are very grateful and overwhelmed at all of the support that everyone showed this past weekend at the BBQ.  Below are some pics that Jenn snapped since we weren't able to be there.  We are so appreciative of all the support and hard work.  We love each and every one of you.  Probably won't be back until this weekend with another update, unless something happens in between now and then.  Her days are usually pretty routine now that the medication is subsiding her pain...wake up...treatment...back to the apartment to rest for the rest of the day/night.  Thank you all so much for everything, especially the prayers that are being sent up!

xoxo,

c

good food, good times...

Mom's brother, Glenn, is having a bar-b-que this weekend in her honor.  We all are amazed daily by the genoristy and such willingness to help that people continue to show our family daily.  "Thank You" seems so small and inadequate.  I'm sure Uncle Glenn, Pop, and Jabe will be in charge of things, so you know it will be yummy!  And there's nothing better on a cold day than Nana's campstew!  If you are hungry and in the neighborhood tomorrow, feel free to stop by.  Or even call, I'm sure they will bring it to you! 

Quick update on Mom....She's about the same.  Nothing new to report really, she's just been extremely tired these last couple of days.  I hear she has lots of visitors coming up this week, which she's really excited about.  We love you all and be careful making the trip!  She is certainly blessed with such wonderful, supportive friends! 

Back to the Bar-B-Q...in the words of Aunt Martha:
     He is planning to have the hog ready by 6. We are going to have barbeque, camp stew, rice, and bread.  There will also be pound cake for dessert. People can come by and get a plate or fix one and eat with us. We are going to put some tables in the garage and put the food there. We will have a container for donations. All donations will go to Peggy.  Contact me with any questions:  334-685-3151.

Ever thankful for the prayers and encouragement...be back soon!

xoxo,
c

raising awareness...

My sweet cousin Julia has desinged a t-shirt for Mom and has started selling them.  We are so excited and GRATEFUL for all of her hard work.  We love you so much!!! 

Quick update on Mom:  Yesterday and today's treatments both went well.  However, she has been very tired lately.  We are so thankful that she is tolerating the treatments and medication well and hasn't been sick in a few days.

Be back again later for another update.  We are all overwhelmed with gratitude for all the kindness everyone has shown mom, as well as the rest of us.  We serve an awesome God, and we know that He has her in His hands!

Back to the T-Shirts...in the words of Julia Riley:
      The logo in the bottom left hand corner will be on the front left hand side of the shirt and the other will be on the back. All the colors are just like the picture and the shirt will be gray.
Shirts are $15.00......2X and larger are $2.00 more per X and these shirts also come in youth sizes as well.  Feel free to call me 334-791-9392 or email me jewels1_03@yahoo.com or facebook me with questions or to place your order.  ***ALL the proceeds are going to Peggy to help with medical bills, staying in Birmingham, food, gas, etc.***

good news, bad news...

I always like to end on a happy note, so here goes....I will be quick like a band-aid...

Bad news:  met with Dr. Bland yesterday and found out Mom's cancer is in stage 3b...with stage 4 being the worse.  Nothing you can do to prepare you for a day like that!  Right now, her only treatment is radiation along with the chemo pill that she takes.  At the end of May/beginning of June she will have another scan to see if the treatment she is receiving now has worked in shrinking the size of her tumor.  Waiting stinks!  We pray hard, consistently, and faithfully that the radiation will work and her pain will be gone by then.  Until then, we wait...and pray...and enjoy the good and bad days.

Now, on to the better stuff...

Good news:  cancer is contained in her chest wall, not over her entire body (know I've already mentioned that before, but we are still praising Him for this and thought it was worthy of the "good news" category), she hasn't been sick in 2, yes TWO whole days!, she has had more energy and hasn't slept during the day near as much over the past 2 days, no signs of burning yet from the treatment, and although scared, knows that she can beat this!!!!

Also, Nana knows just how to make a girl feel better.....homemade soup is medicine for the soul! 

Be back soon! Thankful, as always, for the prayers and encouragement!  Tomorrow's post will be something you won't want to miss!

xoxo,

C

behind the scenes...

Our week is off to a good start!  Mom was sick again this morning, but after meeting with 1 of her doctors today, we found out that her sickness is more than likely being caused by some of the medication she is taking. We also found out early this morning that we could go over and talk to her cancer surgeon, Dr. Bland.  So we did, and felt like VIP's as we made our way up to the UAB's Chief of Surgery's office.  We didn't receive the best of news, but do know that Jesus is the ultimate physician and will heal her in His time.  Keep those prayers going up that the radiation she is receiving is doing its job in shrinking her tumor.  For now, that is the BEST thing we can do!  I went back with Mom as she received her treatment today and wanted to give you all a glimpse into the "fun" she gets to have everyday.  Will post again tomorrow!

xoxo,

C

***You may have to turn OFF your pop-up blocker to watch the slide show below.  Also, scroll your mouse over each picture to see a quick caption. ****

****Also, thank you Chris and Monica Carroll for the visit and for stocking the fridge/freezer! We love your family very much and now have the season's best vegetables thanks to you!****

new year not been so happy...

Happy New Year Everyone!!!!  Since my last post, mom has gotten sick.  Let me rewind....Friday was a great day!  Tullie and Sami Jo came up, and we had a fun day.  She got out of the apartment for a while and wasn't in a lot of pain.  Best day she has had probably since this whole saga began!  Today and Saturday have been the complete opposite.  She has been sick, and when not sick, sleeping away.  Not sure if this is just a side effect of all the medicine she is on or really what's going on.  She goes back for another treatment tomorrow and she will be able to see her doctor then.  On Friday, she got caught up on reading all of your kind comments.  All we know to say is "thank you" for your kindness - you will never know how much of an impact your words have had.  Be back tonight with another update.

xoxo,
c