Monday, November 28, 2011

U of M


November 28, 2011   

On the Eve of December another post on the blog before the month long process of the stem cell transplant.  Wednesday, we go to U of M to go through the battery of tests from CAT scans to bone marrow testing.  We are hoping that all goes smoothly and that the day is not a drag for her.  I will learn how to give her her chemo on the 27th of December.  I believe that we will also get a better idea as to when she goes in the hospital, if she can receive visits, phone calls, flowers, etc.

She had a beautiful Thanksgiving with family all around.  She watched the youngest grandchildren bake cookies and the baby Reuben roll around on the floor.  Chip helped dad put up some outdoor decorations and we enjoyed  listening to each others stories of years past.

Here is trusting that her neuropathy will diminish and any side effects will be minimal.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Last chemo


What a ride…. the last couple of months with the chemo, physical therapy etc. and still we prevail.  As we sat in chemo, today in our cozy little corner of the world, we watched as a patient was helped from their wheelchair to the recliner to receive their chemo or blood or what have you and we found that just a short few weeks ago, we were there.  My mom was dependant on those around her for her basic needs and now, she is more independent, more confident and more capable of taking care of herself.  We are truly blessed with how her progress has made her more like she was before the diagnosis.

Now, she waits until the end of the month when she goes through the testing for U of M and then the harvesting of the stem cells and the ultimate hardship on her body…the mega doses of chemo.  I think the isolation will be the hardest part.  We go through that at the end of December so prayers are most requested then for the healing and no infection to be introduced during that time.

Mom has said that some people are asking what they can do to help.  They are requesting gift cards for gas or hotel stays while they are at U of M.  I think the gas cards are the best and money for the hotel would be the best for them.

We are so blessed that this has been a fairly smooth transition for her and that her body has not reacted negatively to the chemo except for the neuropathy.  Praises, praises.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Almost done

So far, so good.  We went to GR for chemo, my mom, my aunt Teresa and I on Friday. The ride over was very nice.  The weather still a little on the gloomy side, but it was a pretty nice day overall.  Mom is still having quite a bit of pain from the chemo drugs which causes her hands, feet and legs to burn and ache.  It is not a very nice feeling.  Most of the time it can be controlled with a med, but the med she was taking seemed to be making it all worse.  They switched her to a pain med and that has taken some of the edge off, but not completely gone.  The worst part is that when chemo is done, it is not guaranteed to go away. 

It was very nice to have my aunt here to help mom with things around the house.  She wrapped presents and put some decorations up and just spent time with her.  I am sure my dad appreciated the time away as well.  This way he doesn’t feel so guilty when he has other things to do but wants to make sure that she is taken care of as well.

Friday will be her last chemo treatment before going to U of M.  She goes on December 12 for all the testing to be done.  Then, right after Christmas, it all starts.  She has one day in which she has to have a chemo shot every hour on the hour and immediately following, she goes to the hospital for her month long stay.  I am a bit scared and excited that she may be nearing the end of this part of the journey.  Hopeful that it will be a long span in between when we will have to go through any of this again.

Prayers for less pain, endurance, and strength.