CHEMO ROUND #3

Chemo round 3 started today. Moms white blood count is down below what they would like to see it but since everything else is good they are going to go ahead with another round. She is not quite sure about this one. She is really weak and sick and tired of being sick of tired I guess. That is understandable, I can't even imagine. I spent the afternoon with her yesterday and you wouldn't even be able to tell she was miserable because she is always joking and laughing about something. I wish I could be as optimistic as she is. She just deals with the cards that have been dealt... she has always been good about that. Chemo went well today. One of the chemo drugs she has was reduced a little and she is becoming a pro at the whole process. She said she took a nap and worked on a puzzle. After this round we will re-evaluate the treatment and make a decision on what to do next. Mom and dads friends Marsha & Mike Beacham (I probably spelled the wrong) have some kind of herbal tea that is suppose to be really good for cancer patients. She was going to go out to the house tonight to bring them some and educate them about it. Mom was pretty excited. She was also happy to report she got some CUTE HATS ON SALE in arizona and couldn't wait to show them to me when I was there yesterday.

Home and Safe

Mom and Dad flew into Spokane yesterday and were able to get home safe and sound. Once in Tri-Cities, they battled the snow around town to get some Prescriptions filled and moms blood work done for chemo Wednesday. I talked to her last night and she was doing good. She took a hot bath because she, "Just can't get warm!" She is funny, she takes a bath about 3-4 times a day. She is cold, dad is hot the thermostat is up & down, up & down. It is pretty funny to be there during one of dads hot flashes and moms tub dashes! We love you mom! Glad you are home!

HAPPY DAY ! A phone call and GOOD news!

Mom got a phone call today, while she's being wheeled around in a wheel chair having a ball. Dr. Weeks called to inform her of the CT scan results. Her lungs look much better and the tumor has shrunk. Yea!!!! She doesn't know specifics- like how much the tumor shrunk and more detailed info on the fluid but nonetheless, we are all smiles. She was impressed that they called her to fill her in. Mel's gonna try to get her hands on some pics of their trip. I'm sure she'll post them as soon as she gets them.

I've received several compliments on this blog. Thank you all for the love and concern that makes this blog useful. I'm so happy that so many of you enjoy reading and keeping up with everything. May God Bless all who's prayers and hearts have been with my mom.

Arizona Fun

I talked to mom the last couple of days. She has been about a 3 on a 1-5 scale. She said her mouth and bottom hurt the most but other than that she is pretty good. Aunt Christi borrowed a wheelchair for her to use while she is down there. Yesterday they went to the Mesa Temple and visitors center and out to lunch. They were on their way home when I talked to her and she was pretty tired. My cousin Angie wears a lot of cute little hats and has been letting mom wear them. She was really excited about how cute they were and was wanting to go shopping for some similar if she had time. She also mentioned maybe taking a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. I am not sure when they plan on it or if she was kidding but I will let everyone know if I find out more.

Off to Arizona

I talked to mom this morning, she called on her way to Spokane to the airport. I was late for work and couldn't talk long but she said she just wanted to call to tell me that their was snow on the ground, that it was a beautiful day and that she loved me. She is the greatest. They will be in Arizona for a week and enjoying lost of sunshine and good food. She had a CT scan on Friday before and as far as I know, the tumor has shrunk a little. Mom said they would find out more when they get the report but dad was sure it had definitely shrunk some. So...... keep your fingers crossed everyone!

She is beautiful!!!

Mom stopped by to pick up some Salsa for Dad on her way home from her class at the Cancer Center. They have a class to teach you how to put on make-up while going through Chemo. I think she got some free Estee Lauder products as well some other things. She wasn't here long but Devon was happy to see his Grandma and proud to introduce her to the neighbor girl who was over playing. She told mom she liked her hair. After mom left she said, "Your mom is pretty." I beamed, and said thank you, she is, isn't she." Then we took off to pick up Ethan and Whitney from gymnastics, and Devon informed Ethan that Grandma had stopped by. Ethan was pretty bummed that he'd missed her. Devon said, "She looked really cute in her new wig."

My kids love their Grandma. She is beautiful, and the best part is, her beauty begins from the inside and shines so brightly you can't help but notice it in her eyes and in everything she does. Her beauty has made me who I am today. I love you MOM.

Update....

Mom is doing pretty well. Yesterday I was able to spend the evening with her. She was very very tired and fatigued, achy muscles and all but not much more to report. She said overall she just feels crappy. She said she wants to do things but just doesn't have the stamina. She has been working on a quilt here and there which keeps her mind busy. On Monday they are flying out of Spokane to Phoenix to visit my dads sister Christy for a week. She is hoping that she doesn't get sick and that she will have more energy. Her last day of oral chemo is Friday. The nurses did say though that the week after chemo isn't always necessarily the "Safe Week." You may feel more energy but you are also prone to get sick and have problems still. She has to be careful to not be around people with colds, or even getting over something. The airplane part might be a challenge. She is looking forward to having some sunshine and having Aunt Christy spoil her! We love her bunches and hope she gets better soon!!!! We love you momma toad! :)

Chemo Round #2

Sorry for those of you who have been patiently awaiting an update. I have been a little busy. Last Wednesday mom had her 2nd round of chemo, this time over at Kadlec. When mom and dad got there, the nurses gave about an hour and a half intro with an overview of her chemo drugs, side affects and so on. I got there in time for lunch around 12:30 and she had just started her pre-chemo meds. The oncology department at Kadlec is awesome. Mom was very happy and very comfortable. Before she was in a chair all day and at Kadlec they have chairs and hospital beds. Mom was able to get a hospital bed which was nice. She was able to lay down to sleep and with lunch, sit up. The hospital serves food off the menu for patients, you just have to pick of the phone and order and if you are a guest you just pay the same time mom orders. It was nice not to have to starve all day long or run out to get lunch. She didn't have any reaction this time to the taxol. The nurses were very careful not to give too much at first and had meds ready in case she reacted. I liked the nurses that helped us a lot. They were both super nice and on top of things. We were all very impressed with the service.

Stepping into WIG WORLD

Mom got her new wig yesterday! It is a little long but she decided to get it instead of the first one because it fits her little head better. She is trying to decide if she likes in long in the back, but if not, she can always cut it. The longer it is, the more expensive it gets so I told her to wear it a while and when it starts to get long (ha ha) then she can go get a hair cut and have a brand new do again. She was feeling really good yesterday. We went out to JC Penny and did a little shopping. She got 3 new outfits and a cute pair of comfy shoes. On the way home we hit a little slick spot on the road and did a couple of 360's.....pretty scary! I asked mom what to do and she said, "I don't know Mel," and grabbed onto my arm. We came to a stop right before going into a little ditch on the side of the road. I am just glad we were safe. Mom said it was a miracle and that she wasn't really that scared. There was 2 or 3 cars behind us but they were far enough away not to run into me. Anyway, I am thankful that we were being watched out for.

Chemo Round #2

Mom was set to have chemo this morning. She went in and had her blood work done and then saw Dr. Weeks. Her blood work came back good, with all the various test showing good levels of the things she needs. However, as she was waiting to receive results, the nurse came to inform her of a PROBLEM. The insurance coverage mom had was changed in September when my dad turned 65. He is now covered by medicare and mom is covered by United Health Care. Sooo.... the plan she is covered by doesn't have the Tri-City Cancer Center as a provider for chemo on their list. However, they didn't catch the mistake and the billing department is taking the blame. They are going to cover for the mistake but the bad news is that the drug AVASTIN will not be covered. It was never approved and the plan she has will not cover it. It is $11,000.00 per infusion (each IV chemo tx every 21 days). It is a new drug that helps rob the tumor of the blood supply it needs to survive. Dr. Weeks is going to send a letter to the insurance company and see if they will make an exception as they sometimes do for patients that really need the drug. Dad gave her a blessing last night so who knows what the news we got today means. Sometimes the Lord works in mysterious ways. Maybe we don't need the drug anymore, or maybe Kadlec is better with chemo. You never know, just learn to trust what you are given and don't fight it. (According to BOB CARVER) The symptoms mom was having before chemo are subsiding and her lungs sound good. The fluid doesn't seem to be building up as much and is not effecting her breathing and other previous problems as much. She will be set up for a CT scan after this round of chemo and has a mammogram set up for the 10th to make sure and rule out any breast problems. She will now start doing chemo at Kadlec Hospital in their outpatient facility. Hopefully things will go better there. We weren't to impressed with the service we had at the Cancer Center the first day.
Mom goes to the salon tomorrow to pick up her new wig and is enjoying her extra 2 days off of chemo. Her attitude is awesome and she even got around do do some cooking this weekend!
Oh and she is still taking "Dad's crazy cancer cure concoction," as I call it so that might be helping also.

The pictures below are from last Saturday. I went to moms to take down the Christmas stuff and we were being silly taking pictures with scarves on. She kept saying, "That's not fair, you have hair under yours." She insisted that her head was too round and that she looked like a little toad. I don't know about you, but I think she is a pretty dang cute little toad. I wouldn't trade her in for anything, I like toads! Especially round faced, grubbin cinnamon roll making toads!!!!!!!!!!

Patchy Hair

I talked to mom today and she said that she put her head over the garbage and just started pulling gobs of hair out of her head. She was kinda cute. She says.... "You know that side burn hair? I just reached up there and trimmed it right off, gave myself a little hair cut. I filled your dads bathroom garbage can up this morning." She said that it is really thin through the top and back but that her bangs won't budge. She ordered a different wig today, a darker color than the first one. A dark brown with highlights I believe. She'll have it in and ready to wear hopefully next Monday. After her appointment, her and Lonnie Jensen went to the fabric store to get some material to make my dad a quilt. She sounded good today and had an awesome attitude.

Dad looking at "The Book"









Mom on Christmas Eve with
Sherri's youngest Davis

Wig Shopping

Saturdday mom had an appointment with a gal ofver at Franki & Co. to look at wigs and get fitted and so on.I met my mom at at the salon to help her pick out a wig. I was hoping she would do it before she lost all her hair so she wouldn't be so sad when she had to go later. It was pretty fun actually. She tried on some funky styles, a really curly one and a silverish white one. I loved this particular one myself. I told her that she looked like she was a sexy 40 year old! I think I embarrassed her a little but she was brave and wore it home to show my dad. I told her to wear it to church and get every one's opinion, that way she could decide while she still had real hair on her head. The lady at the salon had some little headbands and scarfs so I put this polka dot one on her because it was so stinkin cute. I love it! She looks so dang cute. Hopefully she will stick with this one. She has an appointment on Thursday to get it cut if she decides she wants it. If not, she can pick a different one and chose another color or whatever. She had a port put in on Monday and is a little sore but other than that she is doing good. Her hair started coming out in clumps this week. She cried this morning. She was washing her hair in the sink and she said gobs were coming out. She came to my office this afternoon and we were able to put her recipe book together for all 7 of the kids to have their very own CARVER COOKBOOK. We spend all afternoon copying pages and putting them in protector sheets. She took a little nap in one of the massage rooms and was ready to go again in a half hour! She did awesome. I am so proud of her.
Doesn't she look good in this picture? She has lost around 15 pounds since the start of chemo.

One hot mamma!