After another 3 months of chemo, her scan results are good. The goal of the last 3 months was to maintain as she was on a less aggressive treatment plan to hold the cancer at bay. And, there was no change in the growth of the tumors; exactly as expected. All reason to celebrate, and breathe a sigh of relief & thank God for answering our prayers!
As I mentioned back in September, her spleen is enlarged, and this scan showed it is enlarged further. In addition, she has fluid near/around her spleen. The doctors don't seem to be too concerned, explaining that this organ sits right near the diseased liver - many reasons why this could be. He would like to watch it closer; she will have a repeat scan in mid-February (after 4 more treatments - about 8 weeks from now). Mom is having a little discomfort from it; she tends to notice the after she has eaten (enlarged spleen is near her stomach causing less room & feeling of bloating). She is going to have a follow-up with her surgeon next week to have an ultrasound & see how much fluid is actually there. The doctor will make a recommendation from there on next steps.
After all of this, Mom is back to her treatment today...same treatment plan. As I have explained in past posts, she is doing well, all-in-all, with the side effects even through the treatment is emotionally & physically draining. But, just like typically Sharon, she powers through it and doesn't let anything stop her from preparing for the holiday season ahead. We will remember & celebrate this holiday with gratefulness for the support of family & friends!
God Bless and Merry Christmas.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Life Changing Event...post from Tom German
From my husband, as we end another year, I thought this was appropriate to post. Keep Mom in your prayers (as you always do), she had her 3rd scan this morning, an update on the results will be posted soon!
I think many people go though life, so busy with day to day to-do's that one day you look up from what you are doing and realize so much time has past by. People that meant so much to you just years before are not part of their life anymore and the people that are still part of your life have changed without you noticing. Your babies that were so dependant on you for everything are now becoming beautiful independent children. Friends, though still important to you, have been put on the side burner because “life” has kept you too busy to sit down and contact them. And pretty soon living the “American Dream” has consumed your life. Life becomes a series of steps that “have” to be accomplished or you have not been successful.
Then one day all that can change, and for us that day was in February of this year. Tania’s mom went to the doctor with abdomen pain and left the doctor’s office with stage 4 colon cancer that had moved to the liver and several lymphoid. All the sudden you can have all the money in the world, the biggest house and nicest cars and it really doesn’t make a difference all you really want in life is LIFE. Your whole life’s perspective changes in one phone call. Luckily, Sharon is doing very well. She has been very positive, the doctors have done everything that they can do and God has given her good results with her treatment plan. Our friends and family have been very supportive and helpful and to that we are very thankful. Sometimes it is hard to find positive things in situations but I really think there are many good things that are still happening in this family. One is the fact that even before this happened; Tania’s whole family has been very closely connected. It always has amazed me by how the whole family makes every effort to make it to a family event whether it was a birthday of a cousin or a baptism of a great-grandson. In that respect they have not had to reconnect, they were always connected. The reality is that things like this happen to so many people and some do not have the support of such a closely knit group of family and friends. It is also a blessing that Sharon appears to be in such good health. I still think she has more energy and vigor for life than most completely healthy adults, which is a testament to the type of person she is.
This time of the year has always been a retrospective time of year for me and this year is no different. In years past, I have always thought the year as a whole has been good, even when difficult things have happened. Surprisingly, to me anyway, this year is no different. Yes, we have been though a lot of ups and downs and some of the lows were, at times, very low it has been inspiring to me how Tania and her family have responded to Sharon’s illness. She is battling a life threatening disease which is both physically and emotionally exhausting, but she still takes every opportunity to do all she can for everyone around her. The whole family and I would like to extend our deepest thanks to everyone that has prayed and supported us this past year. I personally want to thank Sharon for being Sharon, you inspire me to be every thing I should be. Happy holidays to all and remember what the season is really all about.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
I think many people go though life, so busy with day to day to-do's that one day you look up from what you are doing and realize so much time has past by. People that meant so much to you just years before are not part of their life anymore and the people that are still part of your life have changed without you noticing. Your babies that were so dependant on you for everything are now becoming beautiful independent children. Friends, though still important to you, have been put on the side burner because “life” has kept you too busy to sit down and contact them. And pretty soon living the “American Dream” has consumed your life. Life becomes a series of steps that “have” to be accomplished or you have not been successful.
Then one day all that can change, and for us that day was in February of this year. Tania’s mom went to the doctor with abdomen pain and left the doctor’s office with stage 4 colon cancer that had moved to the liver and several lymphoid. All the sudden you can have all the money in the world, the biggest house and nicest cars and it really doesn’t make a difference all you really want in life is LIFE. Your whole life’s perspective changes in one phone call. Luckily, Sharon is doing very well. She has been very positive, the doctors have done everything that they can do and God has given her good results with her treatment plan. Our friends and family have been very supportive and helpful and to that we are very thankful. Sometimes it is hard to find positive things in situations but I really think there are many good things that are still happening in this family. One is the fact that even before this happened; Tania’s whole family has been very closely connected. It always has amazed me by how the whole family makes every effort to make it to a family event whether it was a birthday of a cousin or a baptism of a great-grandson. In that respect they have not had to reconnect, they were always connected. The reality is that things like this happen to so many people and some do not have the support of such a closely knit group of family and friends. It is also a blessing that Sharon appears to be in such good health. I still think she has more energy and vigor for life than most completely healthy adults, which is a testament to the type of person she is.
This time of the year has always been a retrospective time of year for me and this year is no different. In years past, I have always thought the year as a whole has been good, even when difficult things have happened. Surprisingly, to me anyway, this year is no different. Yes, we have been though a lot of ups and downs and some of the lows were, at times, very low it has been inspiring to me how Tania and her family have responded to Sharon’s illness. She is battling a life threatening disease which is both physically and emotionally exhausting, but she still takes every opportunity to do all she can for everyone around her. The whole family and I would like to extend our deepest thanks to everyone that has prayed and supported us this past year. I personally want to thank Sharon for being Sharon, you inspire me to be every thing I should be. Happy holidays to all and remember what the season is really all about.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
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