April 15 - Dr's Appointment & a Sad Day.....

Hello. Mom went to the doctor this afternoon. After reviewing everything, he began discussing options. From the sounds of what Dr. Dayton said, there aren't too many other alternatives. Everything else he has to offer, the side-effects would most likely be worse than anything she's experienced so far. She asked Dr. Dayton about trying the Alimta again, since she wasn't so sure whether it was the Thrush or the Chemo that caused her all the problems. He agreed they could do so. So it looks like she will be giving Alimta another go round. Her next chemo treatment is April 23rd or 24th.

The biggest concern with mom is her strength. She is so weak and really needs to gain strength so her body will take the chemo ok. She barely eats enough to feed a bird (a bird eats more.) She's been complaining about shaking, which Dr. Dayton said could very well be a result of her not eating. How do you get someone to eat, who doesn't want to?? She told Roger and I today that when she tries to eat, everything tastes like chalk. (So, in jest, I suggested we get some chalk. LOL) I wish I could make her realize how much better she would probably feel if she actually ate something everyday and not just a bite. It's no wonder she feels so down.....

On another sad note, My uncle Fred passed away Sunday. From what I understand he peacefully went to sleep Sunday morning with Aunt Donna by his side. I know this is going to be extremely difficult for mom. The funeral is tomorrow and with her being so sick, I don't know how she'll make it through. I know it has to be eating at her too, knowing that Uncle Fred died of Cancer. Granted his wasn't the same type, but it was cancer none-the-less.

Please keep my family in your prayers during this difficult time. It seems that Cancer has spread it's ugly arms around my family and is pulling us in one by one.

April 07 - Mom is very weak......

Mom went to the doctor last Thursday. Her throat was hurting her badly, so they asked her to come in. Apparently the Thrush has gone down her throat too. They ended up giving her two bags of fluids while she was there. Dr. Dayton reviewed her last scan too. According to mom, it's about the same as it was the last time. Not any better, not worse. Roger says it's worse. This is the news I get when I cannot be at her appointments. I started getting sick last week and was off work Thursday.

I did go ahead over Friday night and spend the night at mom & Roger's. Roger had to work the REMC meeting at the school Saturday, so they had asked me to come over and stay with her while he was working. I figured it would just be easier to spend the night, so I could also spend more time with her.

They finally broke down and purchased a medical lift chair for her Friday. That helps her get up out of her chair in the living room, however Mom is very weak. It takes what little strength she has to walk between the Bedroom/Living Room, Bathroom/Living Room. The thrush has made it so she can barely eat......not that she's felt like eating much at all either. She's lost her appetite too, even the medicine they've given her isn't helping her appetite. She was complaining of her heart pounding hard Saturday. (Her INR was up to 6.1 on Thursday.) She slept from about 8:30 pm to 7:30 am Friday/Saturday night, then she went back and laid back down at 10:30 and slept til 12:00.

She's at the doctor's office this morning. I tried calling and Roger told me to call back in a few minutes. I'll let you know what I find out in another post.

Uncle Fred is not doing good at all. Apparently they are going to take him off his respirator. I spoke to Angie this morning and she said, "he's holding his own." However she nor Aunt Mary have been able to get ahold of Aunt Donna or Uncle Steve.

Please pray for my family......this has got to be one of the most difficult periods we've gone through in a Long, Long time...... To have not one, but two going through a struggle with life. It's ripping our hearts open. I'll post more later. Love you all.......

March 27 - Pray for Uncle Fred.....

In my last blog, I forgot to mention that Dr. Dayton had arranged for Home Health to come out to Mom & Roger's to give mom Physical Therapy. The nurse was over on Tuesday to evaluate her and the Physical Therapist came today to evaluate her. I guess he gave her a few exercises to do on her own, but he won't actually be back to work with her until next Wednesday.

Mom and Roger is in the other trailer now. (Their phone number has not changed, so if you try to call them there is no need to worry. They had it moved over.) Devin is on Spring Break this week and spending the week with his Grandpa Breneman in Terre Haute, so I went over to Mom's on Tuesday and Wednesday night after work. She's still pretty fatigued, but that's all part of it. She can get herself up from the chairs and potty and walks with a walker. She seems pretty happy with the move, however Mom is really good with hiding how she really feels when she wants to. I personally think this place is better for them and for her. They have a little bit more room and it seems easier for her to navigate around.

Aunt Sharon came down Wednesday to help around the house. She and I went to Wal-Mart and I shopped for mom and Aunt Sharon bought some stuff for them too. I guess she spent today cleaning. I need to get over there this weekend and hang pictures. I hope they leave that for me. Sometimes I feel so useless when I go over to help and they've already done it all.



On another note, I want to ask everyone to please pray for my mom's little brother, Fred. Fred was diagnosed awhile back with Bone Cancer. (Cancer has not been kind to my family.) I guess he's in pretty bad shape and is in the hospital down in Evansville.

Thank you for all your kind words and prayers. You all prove what a wonderful community we live in and just how many great people we know. Thank you so much. We Love you all.

Tammi