Surgery Complete

My mom was able to have the surgery yesterday.  The doctor (Dr. Ryan Larsen) inserted a stent in each kidney so they "stay open".  The stents will stay in for 6-8 weeks.  They are keeping her in the hospital for the next few days so they can monitor her and she can rest and get her strength back.  When they did her blood work today they determined it wasn't where they wanted it so she didn't have chemo today.  The plan is to do chemo on Friday.  They will keep her in the hospital until Friday, then if all goes well she can get her chemo and come home.  Dr. Ben Jacob told my parents that he has enough of her original chemo to take her through the rest of her treatments (through December).  This is definitely good news.  We are ready to get back on track with the chemo so it can kill off all the cancer!  They are still planning on another MRI in 3 weeks to see what is going on.  Prayers said and fingers crossed that the cancer stays contained--AND shrinking!  Come on chemo--do your thing! 

Gall Stones, Blood Clot, Hydronephrosis, OH MY!!!

Today my mom went in for more testing to try and determine why she has been feeling so "rotten".  They did a pelvic/abdominal ultrasound to see what was going on.  Here are the results:  Gall Stones, and Hydronephrosis (blockage between ureter and kidney).  While they had the ultrasound machine they used it on her left arm and found that she has a rather large blood clot.  I guess when it rains it pours!  I told her that she is getting every possible illness out of the way so she will have nothing but a clean bill of health!  Treatment will include:  outpatient surgery to remove the blockage between the kidney and ureter (ASAP) and medicine to "dissolve" the blood clot. 
They also put her on a medicine to increase her appetite.  My dad had to go to 4 different pharmacies to find it.  Luckily Walmart had it, only because it was a cancelled order. 
On the bright side, the ultrasound showed that things had "remained the same".  No new tumors anywhere.  She starts back on her regular chemo Wednesday.  After 3 weeks they will do another full body MRI to make sure that everything is "back on track".  My mom is "super excited" to drink the lovely "banana smoothie" again.  Thank you for your continued support, faith and prayers.  We are so blessed!
Tomorrow is a new day. 

Rough Few Days

We are ecstatic with the Bone Scan Results!  Always reassuring to get "good news".  The past few days have been a little rough for my mom.  She has been very nauseated.  She has had a hard time eating.  It all kind of came about when they switched her chemo medication.  Now in her folder there is a note that states that she cannot be given that type again.  Luckily they got her original medication back in stock so she was able to have that last Wednesday.  Now we can get back on track!  She does have this week off of chemo.  Hopefully this will give her body time to adjust and "get back on schedule".  They have been giving her fluids and medication to help with the nausea.  Today is a new day--hopefully the nausea will go away. 

In addition she has experienced the side effects of radiation--tired and burned skin.  Recent side effet--"clogged ears".  I guess on a "good note"--with side effects like these, we know the radiation is still working.

Thanks for your continued love, prayers, faith, and support!  Keep up the good work!

Bone Scan Results

My mom just called with the results from her bone scan.  Results are in:  EVERYTHING LOOKS GOOD!!! The cancer has  NOT traveled to her bones!!!  Thankful for good news, "peace of mind" and daily miracles.

Happy Grandparents Day

Happy Grandparents Day to the BEST grandma and grandpa in the whole entire world!  WE LOVE YOU!!!

Bone Scan

On Monday, September 12 my mom will have a bone scan to see if the cancer has traveled to her bones.  This is the one test that hasn't been performed so Dr. Ben Jacob wants to do the test for "peace of mind".  As my mom said, "No more bad news".  This past week at chemo she was informed that they were currently out of the chemo medication that she has been using (I know, how can they run out of something like that--we ask ourselves that daily!).  She had to sign a waiver so she could be given a different kind until hers comes in (not the doctors/hospitals fault--pharmaceutical companies!).  They are hoping for a shipment to arrive this week.  We know how well the medication is working for her so hopefully this week she can go back to her "routine".  My mom continues to fight the daily battle.  Some days are better than others--we cherish the good days.  They help us through the "bad".  Thank you for your continued love, faith, hope and prayers.  Fingers crossed and prayers said that Monday's test results are good news only and her chemo schedule gets back on track!

Baby Jett arrived this morning!

8# 5oz, 20in, jet black hair, born 12:45 am, Sept 4. I can't wipe the smile off my face! Jett and Natty are doing well. She is 2 weeks early, but we are not surprised since all Nats children came early. We love you so much and we are so happy for you. Going to hold my Grandbaby this afternoon, can't wait!
I'd like to briefly share what I know regarding my treatments, etc, through Dec. I'd like to thank my BATC family for great advice on applying for long term disability. It's the right decision and I don't have to worry about it at this point, so thank you! I've given myself one year to heal. If I am able to get back to work soonner than that, it will be a bonus. I still love my job and those I work with and that is my goal. My chemo will continue through Dec and then a CT scan to know the progress. An MRI will be done in 2 months to follow the progress of radiation. On Sept. 12, I have a bone scan scheduled. I am worried about this. I told Dr. Ben Jacob that I could not have more bad news so he said that we will do the scan for "peace of mind!"
The day to day battle continues. Thank you all for your love, support and faith. For now we will find joy with a new baby and the three sons that will welcome Jett. And more joy to follow when Monica has a little boy this January to add to their 2 little girls. We are so blessed!