Still Her Same-Old-Self!

I've been talking to Mom over the phone in the past week and she still sounds the same and says she is "doing all right, I guess." The doctors keep asking her if she is having trouble eating, swallowing, etc and she isn't :) It seems as though they suspected she would by now, but so far, so good! Also, she thinks the MRI on her brain will be scheduled sometime toward the end of September (to determine whether the gamma knife procedure worked on the brain tumor or not).

I want to say with overwhelming gratitude THANK YOU to the STANTON MIDDLE SCHOOL STAFF for providing my Mom (and family) with 12 meals from Dinner by Design, as well as a $100 gas gift card to help Mom get to and from treatments every day. I have the best co-workers!!! =)

I just wanted to post a quick update since some people have been asking. Stay tuned!

Survived Week One!

Well, Mom survived week 1 of chemo/radiation with flying colors :) Everyone that saw her this last weekend was floored by how "normal" she looked and acted. It was good to see her feeling well, aside from some fatigue and her knees/ankles still bothering her. The nausea is minimal (so far) and she seems to be in good spirits.

This week she continues cycle one. Monday will be her long day (6hrs) and that will conclude her chemo for this cycle. Radiation will continue to be everyday.

I'll post more when I know more, but until then, keep those prayers coming!

Grandpa's Info...

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?n=frank-b-mallek&pid=144637287&fhid=2087

Sad? News

This song is so fitting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EThmOXku6Nc

I got some news this morning - first from my sister via text and then my Dad called shortly after. My grandpa (my Mom's dad) died last night in the hospital. It's such a strange feeling for me - I feel like he is right where he belongs in Heaven with his wife & daughter. I have heard him say more than once that he was ready to die and be with his family in Heaven. A few things that trouble me a bit, though, is that he's been so ill these last few days that I'm not sure if he went peacefully or not. He had stomach cancer and he'd been in the hospital because he couldn't keep any food down because the masses in his stomach were too large. Also, it makes me sad to know that my family is hurting - I just pray they find the peace the Lord has given me. Yes, I feel this loss, but I know it's what he wanted and that helps put my mind at ease. Finally, I hope this doesn't deter my Mom from her path to healing. Other than that, I think he was ready, and I guess God was ready for him, too.

With Mom's treatments starting and the loss of her Dad, I'm sure this week will be extra, extra tough for her. Please pray for healing, strength and comfort for her and the family. She just lost her sister to colon cancer not even a year ago, so I can see how she hates this disease, as it is trying to take her life, too.

On another note, if you'd like to sit in with my Mom during any of her treatments, here is the information: Northwest Community Hospital @ the North Pavilion in the basement (stop at the service desk for specifics).

Monday 8/9: 9am (6 hrs)

Tuesday 8/10: 11:00am (2 hrs)

Wednesday 8/11: 10:30am (2 hrs)

Thursday 8/12: 10:30am (2 hrs) Virginia Nurmi will be visiting.

Friday 8/13: 10:30am (2 hrs)

Monday 8/16: 9am (6 hrs)

**No flowers, please. Chemo patients cannot have live flowers around them.

I will post my grandpa's memorial information as soon as it becomes available.

Cycle One Begins...

Chemotherapy starts Monday 8/9

Radiation starts Tuesday 8/10

Here is the breakdown:

Chemo will start on the Monday, and that is the longest treatment at about 6 hrs. The subsequent treatments will be 2 hours for Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, and Mon.

Radiation is every weekday (Mon-Fri... this week starting on Tues) for about and hour.

Both chemo and radiation will be done at Northwest Community Hospital. Mom can have visitors during her chemotherapy sessions, but not during radiation. I'll see what I can do about posting a schedule on the blog if you'd like to see her and keep her company.

Keep Mom in your thoughts as she begins this new journey.

The Coming Weeks...

Tonight my mom, sister and I sorted through tons of medical bills and got everything organized. When we were finished Amanda sat back, looked at it, and commented, "So, this is what cancer looks like in an accordian folder." Hmm.

Mom is going for treatment! She still has quite a road ahead... her ankles and knees are still doubled in size and very painful - doctors still aren't sure what the cause is. Also, she's worried about the side effects of the treatments: losing hair, skin burns, difficulty swallowing, nausea and fatigue just to name a few. Mom should start treatments before the end of this month. She also needs her follow up CAT scan to see if the Gamma Knife procedure got rid of her brain tumor(s) or not.

I understand that there is no "cure" for Stage IV cancer and that medically, treatment is only to maintain or slow the cancer as well as relieve symptoms. But, we can always pray for a miracle!

Prayer Requests: Pray for strength, healing and peace. Pray that the treatments shrink the tumors and stop the cancer from spreading. Also, pray that the next CAT scan shows NO brain tumors.

As always, thank you for your love and support!!