It's All Good

Mom was seen very promptly in the ER, her labs were fine and chest x-ray clear. The urinalysis showed she has a UTI (urinary tract infection), at which point she said to me, "well I have been peeing a lot more and it is sort of cloudy." AHHH! Textbook symptoms, but somehow they didn't raise a red flag. So she was discharged from the ER at 10pm with a prescription for cipro and that antibiotic should start making her feel better in less than 24 hours.

Teaching Opportunity! But just because her antibiotics might make her feel better before she's taken the full course, does not mean she can stop taking them. Resistance to antibiotics happens for two reasons: the being they're over prescribed to begin with, and the second is because people are non-compliant and don't take the full course of drugs. If you don't dose your body properly the first time, the next time you really need an antibiotic, it might not work because your body learned how to fight it off.

So repeat after me: I ______, swear to always take my full course of antibiotics, even if it's for something little, and to never stop earlier than prescribed because I'm feeling better.

"I Have Cancer & A Fever"

This is what I made my mom practice saying as she drove to the Emergency Department at good 'ole St. Frannie's. She returned home yesterday from 10 lovely days in Florida with her father, looking so forward to a big dinner with all her Helping Hands friends, but surprise! Fever!

She's been feeling really under the weather today, and when she called me at 4pm, she hadn't thought to check her temperature, which she promptly did, and is running a 102 degree fever. One phone call to Judy later, and she's on the way to the hospital.

No reason to get concerned, but they'll definitely draw some blood to check her red and white blood cells, as well as get a chest x-ray. If anything seems suspect, she might have to stay a night or two for some intravenous antibiotics.

Fortunately, I'm not working tomorrow, so if she needs some support, I'm a quick drive away. I'll blog as soon as I have an update!

That's a Wrap

YEE HAW! Mom completed her four cycles, 8 treatments, 12 weeks, today- and with flying colors! She sent me this picture from her phone of her with our beloved Judy, whom we couldn't have done this without. She fielded every question and phone call with respect, empathy, and a prompt response. She did have to giggle a bit when Mom called concerned at how cold her nose was two weeks ago, but we'll call it even for the "Christmas gift" we gave her. If you missed that...you'll just have to back-read for yourself.

Tomorrow Mom flies to Florida for 10 days of relaxation with her father, who spent a month at the house following Mom's surgery. I'm so thrilled for both of them that they'll be able to really spend some quality time together.

In three months she'll have a CAT scan and some blood work to monitor her progress, but as of now, she is free and clear of appointments.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I don't know how we'll begin to thank everyone for their support. Mom has talked about volunteering some time for other patients diagnosed with cancer, and maybe that's the only way we'll ever be able to repay the generosity we've received; by paying it forward.

We're not out of the woods yet, but it's hard not to feel positive that we've beat this!

Beginning of the End

And I mean that in the best possible way!

Mom had her 7th treatment, which officially commences her forth and final cycle of chemotherapy. She met with Dr. D before hand, who basically waved her hand at mom and said, "get out of here!" No one can believe how well she's done. She'll have her final treatment next Monday, then Tuesday she is off to Florida for 10 days of well-deserved R&R in lovely Nokomis with her father.

The tricky part is the same day she flies out, she will be due for her final Neulasta injection, which boosts her white blood cell production. Dr. D is just going to send her home with it on Monday in hopes that she can administer it to herself, but as a back up she might have to seek out some retired nurse in my grandfather's community in case she chickens out.

Anyone who's had contact with my mother recently has noticed a change in her- she's like her old self on speed! So much so that I've even gotten an email and phone call here and there from loving friends saying, "Is this okay for her to be so busy?" My answer- yes! She is feeling happier and healthier than ever, and is building in plenty of time for herself as well, so not to worry.

It's amazing to think back to December 3rd when this all began- who would have thunk?

Beantown Beckons

Mom is headed to Boston today for various meetings, and we'll have dinner together tonight, but what she's most excited for is Gwennie's arrival into Logan Airport at 9:15pm. Mom's seen Gwennie once since we dropped her off at school in August, and that was in December when Gwennie had her wisdom teeth pulled and Mom was happily on narcotics. Looking forward to this long weekend together has certainly helped Mom stay focused during this yucky week.

She had treatment #6 on Monday and her neulasta injection on Tuesday. Her lab work shows absolutely nothing alarming, which I believe has to do a lot with how diligent Mom has been about drinking obscene amounts of water daily and washing her hands frequently. Regardless, this week has been filled with the symptoms she'd gotten so used to living without- nausea, upset stomach...I sound like a Pepto commercial. She has been working so hard these last few weeks, and chemo does have a cumulative effects, so none of this is unexpected or worrisome. She's got the tools to combat every symptom under the sun, and is doing so rigorously.

She continues to get delivered the most amazing food from her Helping Hands network, not to mention a shipment of chocolate biscotti and cookies from her friend Beth out west, and more delicious goodies from Lynn G. You ladies are really putting her self control to the test! She has gained back 10 lbs since her surgery, and is determined to stay there.

All in all, she feels great. Next week is her "off week," then the fourth and FINAL cycle begins.

One more little thing- remember waaaaaay back before Mom's surgery when I donated blood and said, "She probably won't need a transfusion, but it's still a good thing to do...blah blah blah." Well I just got a postcard from the Children's donor center saying it's time for me to come back. Since I donate two pints of red blood cells at a time, I can only go ever 16 weeks, but the average donor can go every 8 weeks because they only donate one pint at a time. Which means, if all of you who were able to donate, did so at the beginning, and then did so again 8 weeks later, you'd now be coming around be being able to donate again. That would be 16 lives each one of us could have saved between late November and now. Hop to it!

I Agree, It's Crazy!

Even Mom would agree that moving in the middle of chemo is less than ideal, but the heat is on from Paul's company if they are going to get relocation benefits. Gotta love corporate politics. Now, if his company had been smart enough to hire The Talbot Group to handle all their relocations...

Nonetheless, she is handling it very well. I spent the last two weeks there and left the house Saturday afternoon before two scheduled showings and it looked amazing! The open house was today, and I don't want to risk jinxing anything, but dare I say there has been some very strong interest already?

Her energy has been astounding, and the hair is still there! The quality of food delivered continues to amaze her, and the kindness and generosity of friends hasn't let up a bit. It has been particularly wonderful, because although her energy has been good, the meals and offers to help out here and there allow her to focus her energy where it is needed the most. Not quite sure how we will every pay this all forward!

Tomorrow is treatment six. I'll report in the afternoon to let you all know how it goes.

Life Cleanse

Sorry it's been so long, but I can't even BEGIN to express how busy life has been around here. I begin my new job on Monday, so I devoted these last two weeks to my mother, to use me however she sees fit.

We've completely moved her office back in to the house, while getting rid of a TON of paper and office supplies in her green initiative to go more "paper free," re-organized the home office, turned the old office into Tag Sale Central, and now that the house is going on the market this Friday, we've also cleaned it, staged it, painted the basement and garage floor, and Good-Willed the heck out of every closet. Okay so maybe we've hired a few extra hands to help out with a few things, but it's still been a lot to organize!!!

Marilyn Douglas called up Lisa Skelley and before we knew it, they were here to stage every room in the house! Marilyn had made Mom dinner the night before and heard what we had ahead of ourselves, and got Lisa on board to help, who is a fantastic home designer and stager. The place looks fantastic, and they gave us lots of little hints on how to make the place even better (which then magically appear on my "to do" list).

Tom, our beloved handyman, has been doing tasks all over the house, and even brought his homemade turkey and orzo soup for lunch to share with us today. Above and beyond!

One of Mom's lead organizers, Darlene, is a tag sale guru, and is manning our massive home & office sale this Friday in Mom's old office space. Every inch of space if covered in goodies, and we've been having a ball organizing, pricing, and chucking what I can't believe we saved in our infamous "tag sale pile" to begin with. Feel free to come on by this Friday 9-1, Riverdale Farms, Building 12.

Other than being massively productive on the home and office front, Mom is also doing phenomenally well with her chemo. So well that after her treatment this Monday, she completely forgot to take her medications! Whoops! But she spoke with her nurse today who helped Mom get everything back on track. Her kidney function is excellent, her blood values are where they should be, and her appetite is roaring. She said to me yesterday, and this is a direct quote, "I'm the happiest I've been in a long time." For someone navigating some major hurtles just one of which would completely undo any of us, that's pretty darn tootin' amazing.