Postponement

Well, after consulting with the doc on the 23^rd, mom has decided to postpone her stem cell transplant so that she can do a little recuperation.  It looks as if  she will be waiting for two weeks to see if it makes any difference.  With the pain in the legs and her being tired so much, they felt a little rest would do her good.  He did prescribe Lyrica for her legs and still on the Vicodan. 

After talking with her myself, I think she wasn’t quite at peace with this transplant at this time.  I am hoping that once she feels a little better, the fighting spirit will return and she will dive head on into the unknown.

Thank you for the continued prayers and support for my family.  This Christmas has been especially meaningful….different, but special none the less.

Pain

Pain is a funny thing.  You can't really see it.  Sometimes you don't really know that a person is in pain unless they express it to you.  It can be constant or come and go.  In most cases, we don't even know what is causing it..just that it hurts.  That is what mom is going through right now.  It is located mostly from both knees down and it is a constant hurt.  She is waiting to see what Dr. Zakem says, maybe another cat scan or different meds.  Something to ease the pain.



She is really quite amazing to me the way she handles it all though.  I wonder if at times she doesn't want others to worry or fuss.  I think the only real time she has ever expressed how bad it is is when she asks me to start the prayer chain for her.  I believe her faith is what keeps her strong and knowing that God is good and will be with her through  the pain.

She and dad will be going to U of M on the 23rd to see Dr. G. and get all the final info on the transplant.  She harvested all her stem cells in two days when she was there earlier, which is quite wonderful.  Dad had a stint put in his groin area to try to increase blood circulation to his leg (and his decaying toe) so hopefully he will be in less pain and able to keep up with this journey.

Continued prayers are requested for her strength, endurance, and peace.

December

As I type, mom is undergoing her stem cell harvesting at U of M.  I honestly think that when she began all the testing for the stem cell transplant that she secretly hoped she would not be a candidate.  I believe God has big plans for her and all was well with the testing and she is underway.

Last week, she began with the shots to boost her marrow production and keep the prayers up that she will have a quick harvest.

As far as the cancer goes, all testing shows that she is in remission and that there is no more abnormal protein in her blood.  Because of the meds, she has pain and numbness in her hands, legs, and feet and also she has been getting headaches.  The doc is hoping that once she is off the drugs, those symptoms will diminish.

We had a great time with my brother and family during Thanksgiving and looking forward to his Christmas visit this weekend.  Please keep the prayers for our family as we lift up my aunt's husband, Mel to God's care because he is looking at bypass surgery this week and the doctors are not sure he will make it through the surgery.  Mom and dad are very close to them as we are and it has been a terrible blow to them not to be able to do anything for them.

Thank you for all the prayers, and well wishes.  We are truly blessed by wonderful family and friends.