Radiation completed!

Just walking thru the door from the Cancer Center where I finished my last radiation treatment. Jill and Matt, my radiation team, were marvelous, competent, respectful, and kind. Thank you to them for making these last 15 days, "good days!" After radiation I had my 8th chemo session. Went well but I am tired and plan to nap. I'm glad to get started back on chemo to keep progressing and tell these tumors to "take a hike." My chemo treatments will now end (hoping) in December. I'm now on the every Wednesday schedule, 3 in a row and one off, to let your body and blood rejuvenate.
I'm still wondering how I'm going to fill my time. Mom thinks I should take in laundry! Before anyone brings over laundry, please call first, I'm not loving the idea!

Happy 90th birthday Mom!

90 years of birthdays marks this day for my mom, and I would love to honor her and wish her the best 90th birthday. She shows up every day to sit with me and I know some days she has better things to do, yet she comes and smiles and stays. I'd like to believe that my role is that of caregiver but my whole family, friends, and neighbors have surpassed me in me own chosen role. I feel so blessed.
My brain radiation will be completed on Wed, Aug 31. On that same day I will start back on chemo. I'm still holding on to a few strands of hair-I'm keeping it, my decision, for now anyway.
I'm looking forward to seeing family and friends this weekend in celebration of moms birthday. She invited 90 guests to her 90th. Sounds appropriate. Natalie has taken the reigns and organized it. Nat, I will be in charge of mom's 91st!
Thanks to all for your continued love, support, and prayers. I draw great strength from you. The YSA 1st ward surprised me last night with a precious quilt. It was a great night to visit and enjoy each others company. The official "no visitors" sign is down. Please come visit. You will bring me joy and my smiles getting a bit rusty!
One more thought, summer is officially over. Jaxon, I wish you the best as you start second grade! And a "happy birthday" to Monica. A shared birthday with mom!

"What Do You See"

Lately my mom has been asking us (our family), "What do you see when you look at me?"  My answer:  "I still see my mom."  My boys will simply answer, "Grandma". 

Hair or no hair :) I still see beautiful blue eyes and a smile that lights up a room.

Thinking deeper, I see my hero. I see strength, faith, compassion, courage,  determination, and hope.  I see stubbornness, sarcasm :) wit, curiosity, love, and empathy.

I see a FIGHTER, a SURVIVOR, and a BRIGHT FUTURE. 

My question now to you, "What do you see when you look at my mom?"  Please leave a comment and let her know, or send her a note.  She appreciates your faith, prayers and support more than words can express.

Speed Bump

It is hard to enjoy AMAZING news, then be delivered bad news the following week.  We are all elated with how well the chemo is working for my mom.  She is handling it well.  That is why we were surprised at the turn.  She started experiencing migraines (severe), and numbness in her left side.  At first we all thought-side effects of chemo.  Last Thursday night she went to the emergency room in Logan because she had a partial seizure.  Luckily we were able to get a hold of Dave Reese (thanks Jackie) and he raced to the ER (starting his shift really early--THANK YOU) to take care of my mom.  It was nice to have a doctor there that knew the situation so we didn't have to re-explain it to everyone.  He decided to do a CT scan of her brain (haven't yet done one throughout this whole ordeal--no symptoms).  The results were not what we expected to hear after our "good news".  The CT scan showed that the cancer has traveled to her brain--showing roughly 11 lesions, the biggest being 12 mm.  As my mom said, it is like taking one step forward then two steps back.

They transported my mom to Huntsman to meet with some specialists to come up with a plan of attack.  She had to ride in an ambulance (precautionary)--I know she was thrilled, and my dad followed them there.  I am told the facility at Huntsman is unreal (her room was donated by Karl Malone) and the staff is unbelievable, optimistic, and welcoming.  It was good for my mom to be in that type of environment.  After spending the night, the specialists met and determined that they would start 15 rounds of whole brain radiation on my mom.  They said this is a 100% guarantee that it will kill off the cancer in her brain.  Extremely positive and reassuring.  Dr. Ben Jacob in Logan was in the same mind set, so that is the plan of attack.

They released my mom on Friday.  On the way home her and my dad stopped at McKay Dee Hospital in Ogden and she had her 1st radiation treatment (lasted about 15 minutes start to finish), after which they came home.  She had her 2nd treatment in Logan, Saturday morning.  So, 2 down, 13 to go.  From what my dad was told, this is actually quite common.  There  is a blood-brain barrier so the chemo doesn't affect the brain.  We know that it is working in her body.  The doctors are going to  focus on the brain these next few weeks, then resume chemo treatments.  So a speed bump has been placed before us.  We appreciate your love, support, faith, and prayers.  They keep us going.  Please keep up the good work!

3rd Round of Chemo

Yesterday my mom started her third round of chemo (1 round = 3 weeks/once a week for about 4 hours).  We are all still elated at the progress revealed with the last CT scan.  The last few months have been filled with many ups and downs.  We are grateful for the faith, prayers and support of so many on behalf of my mom and our family.  She did say that this round started off a little rough.  Some of the  side effects include migraines, "chemo brain", dizziness, fatigue, and numbness in limbs.  It definitely is a day to day battle.  Looking at how  far she has come is amazing.  That is what we focus on.  Thank you for your continued love, support, faith, and prayers.  Knowing that we have so many on our side is reassuring.  This is a battle that will be won!

Happy day

This morning was my CT scan to see the progress of the chemo. Dr. Reese came with Randy and I to the appointment-I can't thank him enough! I've worried about this for days, even though family and friends remained steadfast that all would be well. I have great news to share. The CT of my lungs showed "dramatic favorable response." This news brought me to tears. Dr. Ben Jacob said that the original CT scan compared to this morning's scan does not look like it could belong to the same person! The endometrial cancer report shows "much less prominent." Thank you, thank you for your love, support, and prayers. One milestone reached, many to go. I appreciate your continued love, support, and prayers! Today is a happy day!

Happy Birthday Bo

Today is Bo's 24th birthday.  One thing that many are interested to learn about Bo--his real name is Derek Ferris Oldroyd.  I don't remember the last time anyone has called him Derek:)  Bo has been my mom's "guard dog" throughout this experience--never leaving her side!  He is amazing and a wonderful part of our family!  We love you Bo!  Enjoy your day!