Delays and other facts of life...

Sorry for the lack of communication, but things have been hectic... Here's the scoop, bulletized for your viewing pleasure:

• Mom's still deteriorating at a steady pace. The MRI's found a small tumor in her spinal cord which the dr. began treating with radiation yesterday. It is very difficult for her to lie flat and perfectly still for the two doses (throat and now spine) so they will now be giving her a 20 minute break (or however long she needs) between each dose. We think that will help. She's constantly jittery (due to nerves and decadron - a steroid) and is smoking WAAY too much. At this point, what do you do? It may be her only source of comfort, besides the numerous meds she is on. She continues to be miserable.

• She lost another 5 lbs as of yesterday. She is down to 119lbs. Please pray that the decadron will do as does for most people and increase her appetite. Nothing sounds good or tastes good to her anymore.

• Mom's friend, Jan, has been here for several weeks and heads home June 10th. She has been a godsend in regards to preparing meals for mom and encouraging her to eat. That's a blessing!

• Ultrasound showed a "complex cystic lesion" on my thyroid. Supposedly, it is too small to be causing the irritation and pressure in my neck, so my ENT suggests it "may" be something called Globus Hystericus or Globus Laryngeus which can be caused by acid reflux (guilty) and stress (um... maybe a little). I am getting it checked out further under the advisement of several health professionals... It is well with my soul!
  

• I appreciate you for reading this and praying for out family. Bit by bit, Satan keeps trying to tear us down with physical maladies... but I know (and we collectively know as a family) that GOD is good. That He knows ALL of the plans He has for us. And they are GREAT plans that will prosper us and give us a future! Amen!
  

"Welcome to Chinese Restaurant"

Along the line of enjoying foreigners comes this fun tidbit. I've seen this printed on chopstick wrappers in Chinese restaurants in several states and always worded (and erroneously spelled) the same:

"Welcome to Chinese Restaurant. please try your Nice Chinese Food Wih Chopsticks the traditional and typical of Chinese glonous history and cultual."

Not for the faint of heart...

Woke up at 5:15 & can't go back to sleep. My head is whirling with all that is going on and filled with things that need to be taken care of...

Mom's health has begun to rapidly deteriorate over the last few days. I wouldn't say she's "given up" per se, more like her body is falling apart faster than she can keep up. Took her for 4 MRI's yesterday which took a couple of hours. (these are to see if the cancer has spread to her spine and/or belly because she has pain & we can't locate the source) She was miserable.

She's not eating enough. She lost 4lbs in the last few weeks (& doesn't have extra to spare!) Her appetite was already non-existent, but now she has pain in her lower abdomen on top of that.

She is scheduled to start radiation on Tuesday on the rapidly growing tumor on her neck. My concerns here are the potential (& most likely) "burning" of her esophogas (its waaay too early to worry about spelling!) which is terribly painful & will lead her to eat less than she already is.

Dad is doing well. He, being the trooper he is, gave up his room and is staying at his house in North Ft. Myers so mom's friend, Jan, could stay here while she visits from the Chicago area.

In other news, I have felt a weird pressure (for lack of better words) in my throat for a couple of weeks that would come & go at random. Yesterday, it stuck around all day so I decided to go to the Dr & have it checked. She is sending me for blood work & an ultrasound because she thinks it may be nodules on my thryoid. Honestly, what else could happen?

Please continue to lift Mom, Dad & myself up in your prayers - there seem to be rougher waters ahead & I'm not sure I currently have the strength to stay afloat...

An unusual update...

LewisKid1 (8:48:14 AM): you there, Sunshine?

"DP" (8:48:25 AM): I am

"DP" (8:48:28 AM): What's up?

"DP"  (8:48:33 AM): How's your mom?

LewisKid1 (8:48:54 AM): starting radiation again next week...

"DP"  (8:50:07 AM): What is the radiation for?  The tumors in her neck?

LewisKid1 (8:50:33 AM): yeah - unfortunately it has doubled in size despite chemo

LewisKid1 (8:50:39 AM): and there are at least 2 new tumors

LewisKid1 (8:50:49 AM): one under her collar bone and one in her breast

LewisKid1 (8:51:06 AM): they are running MRI's tom. to see if its in her spine and/or belly

"DP"  (8:51:11 AM): oh dear

"DP"  (8:51:17 AM): I know you must be worried sick

LewisKid1 (8:51:32 AM): not really - I mean... thank the Lord she isn't in a lot of pain

LewisKid1 (8:51:46 AM): and we have the best care in the world for her, you know

LewisKid1 (8:51:56 AM): worrying doesn't get you anywhere...

"DP"  (8:52:00 AM): Very true

"DP"  (8:52:08 AM): I'm glad she's not in pain

LewisKid1 (8:52:26 AM): mom's mind isn't really clear, so I don't think she gets the full extent of this

LewisKid1 (8:52:35 AM): but I think that's a blessing in disguise

"DP"  (8:53:04 AM): Does she think she's getting better?

LewisKid1 (8:53:30 AM): I think in the back of her mind, she's thinking they can "cure" her like they did the lung cancer

LewisKid1 (8:53:49 AM): but you know, whether it's denial or FAITH, God can do amazing things!

"DP"  (8:53:55 AM): Yes He can

 

 

 

Some randoms from Becca's Graduation...

Violet and her GREAT-Granddaddy!

The rather surprised graduate, Becca!
(Doesn't she look like a model?)

Aunt Weeze (my mom, in case you didn't know) & Becca

Aunt Janette & Becca
(BONUS: when I was a kid, I thought her name was spelled "Ann Chunette")

Becca's hubby, Chris & I

Looks like bacon to me...

In moms radiologist office now getting the results of her most recent MRI's - no new cancer! Woohoo! Doesn't explain the pain in her leg & shoulder, but that can be otherwise managed... This is GREAT news!

Will send her for a follow up brain MRI in about 3 months to check the status of that tumor (which is GONE in Jesus' name!)

thanks for your prayers!

Almost forgot...

Mom's one "blood clot" multiplied into 2 spots in the last few days. The nurse feels it might be flebitis (sp?) instead of a clot... Time will tell. Otherwise, she is feeling well & her blood counts are staying up where they should be, PRAISE THE LORD!

Hadi, my precious pup, is doing MUCH better. She had, believe it or not, her first chiropractic adjustment (with a shout out to Dr. RW - I use initials only because he *might* not want to be known as the Dog Whispering Chiropractor)

Haven't heard about dads x-ray (looking for kidney stones) yet... Will keep you posted!

(since I now know the picture thing works, I have attached a couple of pics of Hadi at her favorite place, the beach!)

Family time...

I'm happy to announce that my sweet cousin, Becca, graduated from nursing school with her RN last night! We are so proud of her! She had a crowd of like 15 people there to cheer her on... Good times!

Bethany (her older sister) came in from Austin, TX for the occasion with sweet baby Violet in tow. I'm trying something new by attaching a picture to this e-post & we'll see if it appears on the blog... Vi is saying "CHEEEEEESE!"

Softball game tonight & family gathering tomorrow - great times all around!

Please pray for mom's protection through all this family time. Her resistance is low and, as you probably know, many people are fighting colds. I woke up this morning with a stuffy nose. Please pray mom doesn't catch any of this junk because it could really be hazardous for her...