Over Halfway There

Today was the 17th radiation treatment for my mom. Although still not eating as much as I'd like her to, she is sounding stronger on the phone. And she helped Daniel a bit with his state book project this weekend. She even said she's driven a couple of times. Her PCP has ordered physical therapy for her shoulder, so I guess she'll start that soon. She went today and they put ice on it. Seemed to help.

Haven't talked with my dad since Saturday, so he must be doing okay. He helped John weed-wack on Saturday. Still needs to eat more, though.

Just thought I'd give a brief update.

Let Them Eat Cake! (Or anything, for that matter)

As many of you know, my mom went to the hospital on Monday night with diabetic shock (her blood sugar was 34) and dehydration. After sitting in the ER for 8 1/2 hours, she was admitted for 2 days. John and Daniel brought her home on Wednesday afternoon. She continues to complain of a low appetite and difficulty eating and drinking. While the radiation has contributed to these complaints and the surgery contributed to low saliva output, it is ultimately my mom's choice whether she is going to eat and drink.

Thanks to those of you who have taken food to her and my dad. He needs to bring up his weight as well. While I have provided meals, Boost, Ensure, and Vitamin Water, it is ultimately up to my mom to fight this battle by choosing to eat.

Please pray for the constant pain in her shoulder and the continuing confusion. It is difficult for her and my dad. Also pray for my kids who are sad and don't always know how to put into words how they feel.

Thanks for caring.

Love, Anita

p.s.: please don't ever pray for stamina again :) sitting in an ER for 8 1/2 hours was enough for me

Stamina

That's the word for the week. Please pray for stamina for my mom, my dad, me, and my family.

Thanks! :)

Changes

I spoke too soon when I said that my mom didn't have radiation side effects. She has, unfortunately, noticed changes in her appetite (she's not as hungry) and in the smell and taste of foods. These are most likely related to the radiation to her right neck, and they will probably get worse before they get better. She is also very tired during the day and she seems to sleep 3-4 hours. Part of her need to sleep may be the Darvocet she is taking for her shoulder pain, but it may also be from the radiation.

When we went to MCV on Thursday, the doctor decided to change her anti-rejection (immunosuppressant) medication because he feels the one she has been since her transplant is not good for people with cancer. She will slowly make this change over the next 10 days, and there is always the risk of liver rejection. Please pray with us that rejection will not occur. They will do bloodwork in 10-12 days and once the results are back, she will change completely to the new medication. It makes me a bit nervous, but we are trusting that this doctor knows what he's doing. (In my business, that may not always be the best thing, but the doctor actually gave me clinical literature to support his opinion.)

My dad fell down the back porch steps and has a small bruise on his right shoulder blade. He doesn't have any fat, so he hit right on the blade. Ouch!

They both need to eat more, so I will be making dinners for them and taking them over on Sunday night and making more food on Wednesday nights. Pray for strength and stamina for me. I am also trying to help them with their accounting and John is cutting their lawn (in addition to our lawn, the largest we've ever had).

It struck me again today how strong both of my parents are. They have survived many things and so when people ask me, "How do you keep going?", I will now answer that I come from strong parents who taught me how to rely on God and to be strong.

Each day is a gift from God ~ enjoy it!

6 down, 24 to go

My mom has made it through 6 radiation treatments - only 24 more to go. Really, the radiation has not created any side effects. My mom's major problem is constant pain in her right shoulder and arm. She has stopped receiving in-home physical therapy and she is supposed to be doing exercises on her own. She is on a painkiller but doesn't like taking it because it makes her sleep. I don't know whether the pain will ever go away, because the nerves and muscles were affected as a result of her surgery.

The other big issue is her memory. She knows it's bad and that's difficult for her and my dad to deal with as well. She has also lost more weight.


I bought my dad some new clothes this week because almost everything he owns is too big. His echocardiogram was normal but he still has pain. He needs to put on a few pounds (well, more than a few!). When I told the choir that I was telling him to drink Boost, some misunderstood me to say "I'm telling him to drink booze"! I said, no that's me, I drink the booze and he drinks the Boost.

We head to Richmond tomorrow for a 6 month check up at MCV, where my mother received her liver almost 12 years ago. And, hopefully, we can go to West Virginia next weekend.

God is working in all of the members of our family and my parents are claiming healing for my mom. Please join us as we do the same.

Anita

PAR-TY!!!!

We partied on Sunday! We celebrated my mom's 75th birthday with friends and family ~ a real pick-me-up for my mom and our family. She greeted each guest and made sure that everyone knew each other. Always a great hostess! Thanks to the many friends and family who sent cards from afar. She really appreciated them. Thanks also for the photos you sent to me. They were included in the book or given to her separately, so she has all of them.

My dad had a 2D echocardiogram on Monday and will hopefully find out what is causing his rib cage-area pain soon. He is so tired but a real trooper. Pray that he will be able to rest and get some "down time". It is difficult for my mom when he is away from her and she worries that something will happen to him while he's driving.

My mom's shoulder continues to ache and she's still doing in-home PT twice a week. When her shoulder hurts, the strength in it diminishes. Pray that the pain will decrease.

The radiation treatments start tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. Then they will take place for a total of 30 sessions at 10:40 a.m. each weekday (or until they are completed). Thanks to those of you who have shared your stories and/or your families' stories with me about radiation treatments. It sounds like she should do well with a minimum of discomfort.

Please know that I'm praying for you guys, too. I have been through those "Where are you God?" moments but He always reminds me that He's right here. Those aren't the easiest of times, but I am grateful that God always listens and knows my heart.

Peace.