Talked to Mom this weekend, she is sounding strong. Her throat is still bothering her, but less than it was. Her appetite is coming back, she says (Not that I think she would lie, but I sometimes worry that she thinks she's protecting her kids by putting a positive spin on things...)
Tomorrow, she's going back to Campbell River Hospital to get her bloodwork done, and hopefully continue on with her chemotherapy. I am still amazed at how far we've come; from dreading the thought of it, to being impatient!
Mom has embraced baldness!! Yesterday, she and Joe went to tour a new golf course, and she didn't even realize she was uncovered. Progress!
A tiny update, I know, but at this point, it's all I've got. I promise, when I hear anything, you'll be first to know.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Waiting ... waiting ... waiting
We had been hoping that Mom could continue with her chemotherapy treatment this week. She had her blood work done, and everything looks nice and strong on paper.
Trouble is, her esophagus is still burning from the radiation (apparently her back and collarbone are too). The doctors want to give her a little more time to heal before they start again.
So, we wait another week, and see how she's feeling. Right now, she's feeling tired. I'm sure she's physically tired, and mentally tired. It's hard to get all pumped and ready to fight, then be told to slow down and ... wait.
If you hadn't already noticed, that seems to be the recurring theme of this little story ... wait. We wait for diagnosis ... we wait for the treatment plan ... we wait to heal ... we wait for results (July 22nd is when Mom is scheduled to go back to Victoria for a follow up consultation).
On the positive side, Mom says she's gained 6 1/2 pounds since I last saw her (8 days)! I think that's great news, her body needs all the help it can get in this fight!
So, people, unless something extraordinary happens, the next post will be early next week. In the meantime, we all ... wait.
Trouble is, her esophagus is still burning from the radiation (apparently her back and collarbone are too). The doctors want to give her a little more time to heal before they start again.
So, we wait another week, and see how she's feeling. Right now, she's feeling tired. I'm sure she's physically tired, and mentally tired. It's hard to get all pumped and ready to fight, then be told to slow down and ... wait.
If you hadn't already noticed, that seems to be the recurring theme of this little story ... wait. We wait for diagnosis ... we wait for the treatment plan ... we wait to heal ... we wait for results (July 22nd is when Mom is scheduled to go back to Victoria for a follow up consultation).
On the positive side, Mom says she's gained 6 1/2 pounds since I last saw her (8 days)! I think that's great news, her body needs all the help it can get in this fight!
So, people, unless something extraordinary happens, the next post will be early next week. In the meantime, we all ... wait.
Friday, May 9, 2008
In Fern's Own Words...
I have been home for a week today.
It was great fun to come home with Andy and Donna, and for a bonus, Larry and my granddaughter Raven showed up for the weekend. I hated to see them leave.
As much as I enjoy being at home, I have to admit I miss the social interaction with the other people at the lodge in Victoria. It was great fun to spend the evening yakking up a storm with the others and trying to complete a jigsaw puzzle at the same time. Not an easy task.
The nurse for chemo called yesterday and it sounds as though they will start the next three-day session on Monday depending on the blood count. Hopefully, it will be good and I can get these treatments over with. I am feeling well and have not had any fevers so I think it will be okay.
Once again, the support and prayers you all have sent have been great. Thank you.
It was great fun to come home with Andy and Donna, and for a bonus, Larry and my granddaughter Raven showed up for the weekend. I hated to see them leave.
As much as I enjoy being at home, I have to admit I miss the social interaction with the other people at the lodge in Victoria. It was great fun to spend the evening yakking up a storm with the others and trying to complete a jigsaw puzzle at the same time. Not an easy task.
The nurse for chemo called yesterday and it sounds as though they will start the next three-day session on Monday depending on the blood count. Hopefully, it will be good and I can get these treatments over with. I am feeling well and have not had any fevers so I think it will be okay.
Once again, the support and prayers you all have sent have been great. Thank you.
Monday, May 5, 2008
A Milestone - 30 Sessions of Radiation!
Well, she did it! Mom completed the prescribed 30 sessions of radiation therapy, with only a two-day break. Huge accomplishment!!
Now she will rest for two weeks, then have 3 days of chemotherapy. After another two week rest, she will have the final 3 days of chemotherapy. And that's it... right? She'll be cured?
Cancer is a tricky thing. It's very hard to be absolutely certain that you're 'cured'. The experts prefer to use the term 'remission'. This means that the disease isn't active. Complete remission is where the disease disappears completely with the treatment. Partial remission is where the disease shrinks but does not disappear completely with the treatment. It takes a few years of being in remission before they'll say, "Mrs. Peterson, you're cured". So, we wait.
Actually, we have to wait anyway. They won't know for quite some time whether the treatments were effective. So right now, we go on how Mom is feeling. And the good news is that she's feeling really good. She is clear-eyed and walking steadily. Her positive attitude shines through, and it's wonderful to be around her.
Mom and Joe have listed their house for sale in Sayward and plan to move to the mainland (anyone know of a small-town place they could rent?)
Now she will rest for two weeks, then have 3 days of chemotherapy. After another two week rest, she will have the final 3 days of chemotherapy. And that's it... right? She'll be cured?
Cancer is a tricky thing. It's very hard to be absolutely certain that you're 'cured'. The experts prefer to use the term 'remission'. This means that the disease isn't active. Complete remission is where the disease disappears completely with the treatment. Partial remission is where the disease shrinks but does not disappear completely with the treatment. It takes a few years of being in remission before they'll say, "Mrs. Peterson, you're cured". So, we wait.
Actually, we have to wait anyway. They won't know for quite some time whether the treatments were effective. So right now, we go on how Mom is feeling. And the good news is that she's feeling really good. She is clear-eyed and walking steadily. Her positive attitude shines through, and it's wonderful to be around her.
Mom and Joe have listed their house for sale in Sayward and plan to move to the mainland (anyone know of a small-town place they could rent?)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
