THANK YOU!

Mom asked that I include a grateful thank you for all the notes, phone calls, cards, prayers, and support she has received. You wouldn't believe it, but she has received a card in the mail almost everyday (only 1 or 2 days she hasn't) since this all began! In only a few weeks over 50 people have left her a note on this site, and the number of phone calls & prayers are unmeasurable. Thank you so much for all everyone has done. Although not a great way to find out how many friends & loved ones are truly in your life, it truly does help Mom and all of us to know that there is so much support.

Mom had her 2nd chemo-treatment last week. Her treatment went fine, and the side effects seem similar as the last treatment although she seemed to get right through the week and even worked a few full days at the end of the week. She had a slight alteration of her drugs because of a minor infection in her incision. They are being cautious as they didn't want it to get any worse. The chemotherapy drugs do significantly drop her white blood count that drops her immune system to help heal the incision. She then received a shot after the chemo was complete to boost her body to help produce more white blood cells as well as taking an antibiotic.

We had a great visit home, and had fun distracting Mom. It just so hard to leave & just need to plan a trip home so we can count-down to that day.

Thanks again for all of your support...keep the notes, cards, and prayers coming!

Good Week!

Thank you for all of your messages. This is really great, it's awesome to know how many of you are a great support to Mom & Tim, and all of us. Mom had a good week, thankfully! I think I can quote her saying, "I almost feel like normal". The side effects from last weeks chemo have subsided & besides having a hard time sleeping, it seems a little bit more like "normal" or the new "normal". We are leaving today to head to Nebraska and we are excited. Justice keeps saying, "Grama...swimming, swimming!" Lately, everytime we see G'ma, we go swimming, and we are this time too. Mom & Tim are meeting us in Omaha w/ Kaylene's family to spend a fun relaxing day in Omaha.

Weekly Update - Chemotherapy Side Effects

A quick post just to let everyone know how Mom is doing. She completed her 1st chemotherapy treatment on Wednesday mid-day. Although she was glad to get rid of the fanny pack on Wednesday, it wasn't too bad. She was able to sleep pretty good with it and didn't have too much trouble with showers as it is air-packed & covered. The side effects are just as they described. Mom was really tired Tuesday & it got worse on Wednesday/Thursday...Friday & Saturday were better days she said. She is sensitive to cold - hands and even drinking cold drinks. She said it feels like she has a sore throat so she is drinking room temparture water, etc. As I'm sure everyone is waiting for Spring, we should hope for some warmer weather soon so the cold to her hands/feet will go un-noticed (except for the freezer/fridge - which she needs to wear gloves). She should have a better week going into this week as her next treatment is March 23rd. Alexis, Justice & I will be heading to Nebraska on March 21st and will be there for Mom's 2nd treatment. Alexis has Spring Break so the kids are looking forward to spending sometime w/ the grandparents, Tara, Travis, & Tyler.

Mom's First Chemotherapy Treatment

It was a very nerve racking day full of anxiety & lots of unknowns. Travis & Tim were both there with her today with the rest of us praying for her strength & courage. She received her treatment for appox. 6 hours today & went home with a fanny pack that she will keep with her until Wednesday mid-day. She will continue her treatment like this every other Monday for the next 2-3 months.

Travis said that the nurses were really great & that all went well. The doctor reviewed the side effects with her today...said she will likely be extremely tired for the next few days and will likely be sensitive to cold so should stay away from cold weather, foods, drinks.

For My Mom...

We are going to try out this blog to keep friends & family updated on Mom's progress. I added to posts from emails I had sent below. Travis, Tara, Tyler, Tim and even Mom will hopefully all be posting messages. The most important part of this blog is to comment & share your hope, encouragement, and love to Mom & Tim.

Update from an email sent Week of March 3rd

We went to the Mayo Clinic last Friday to meet with an oncologist for a 2nd opinion. Mom had blood work done in the morning and then had a consultation session with an oncologist in the afternoon.

Tom, the kids & I meet them in Rochester which was really great. Alexis & Justice really can bring some cheer to the room :)

There were some positive things that we got out of the trip, the oncologist gave a similar chemotherapy treatment plan recommendation so it instilled confidence in the doctors that ultimately mom will be working with every week. Surgery is not an option because of there are too many tumors/liasions on her liver.

Some people have been asking about a liver transplant, this is also not an option, the drugs she would have to receive to accept the new liver would cause fast/aggressive growth of the cancer cells that would ultimately still be in her body.

She has either later stage III or stage IV colon cancer. The goal of her chemotherapy treatment is to maintain and/or shrink the tumors that are in her liver & kill any cancer cells that maybe in her colon. The Mayo Clinic's recommendation only made slight changes mostly w/ the timing.

We received more clarity around the side effects and just as we have been hearing...the chemotherapy for Colon Cancer is relatively tolerable (using their words). The goal is to maintain a good quality of life for Mom so at least 10 out of the 14 days she should feel pretty good, but it all depends on her reaction. She will be getting treatment every other Monday in Columbus...going home w/ a "fanny pack" for 46 hours & then she will be done until the next Monday.

Mayo is also going to check her progress and will suggest different treatment plans if they think it will help at Mom & Tim's request.

Update from an email wrote on 2/18/09...

Mom is at home (she was released from the hospital on Sunday, 2/15) and is on her way to recovery from surgery. She is doing okay, still is some pain, but really glad to be home.

We received the results of her biopsy from both the tumor in her colon & a sample from her liver. It is confirmed, she has colon cancer that has spread to her liver & through her lymphnoids. The tumor was removed from her colon as well as 15 lymphnoids (10 of which were filled & broke through w/ cancer) which is likely from there spread to her liver.

We met w/ an oncologist yesterday (2/17) & spent about a 1/2 day at the offices meeting w/ the different staff - RN, Business manager (insurance stuff), etc. The oncologist explained his recommendation for her chemotherapy treatment which will likely start on March 9th (if she has recovered from surgery 100% as once she starts the treatment, her recovery would stop).

We are going to be seeking a 2nd opinion to hear another point of view...The oncologist recommended a few doctors out of Omaha as well as the Mayo Clinic (noting that UNMC does not specialize in colon cancer & if she had a different type of cancer like breast, lymphnomia, luekemia, etc - UNMC would be the place to go). We sent a request for an appointment to the Mayo Clinic today & should hear back in the next day or so.