Doing Well!

Mom is doing well since she got home from the hospital.  She is currently on her chemo pill, sutent, again for the second round.  One of the big downsides to this is that it causes sores in her mouth.  These sores are extremely painful and really make it difficult for her to eat or talk.  So she has been learning all about protein shakes and all the different liquids you can drink! 

She has been doing well at home and getting around beautifully!  She even went grocery shopping by herself to Wal-Mart the other day and used one of those electric carts.  The boys are extremely jealous she did not invite them along for the ride!   She has a house cleaner coming every week and I told her to send her on over here! 

Thanks for the thoughts, prayers, and support.  She loves getting cards and phone calls!  Keep them coming and thanks!

Love,
Jo

Done and Done!

Mom finished her radiation treatments for a while on Monday!  Yeah!  She is now back on her sutent (chemo pill) for the next 28 days then another break.  She is at home and feeling MUCH better!  Amazing what a few little surgery's will do!  She is getting around really well!

She made a final decision this week, that she will take a semester off from school and possibly go back in January.  This will be good healing time for her to get back to "school" shape.   We drove past the hospital the other day and the boys asked if MiMi was still in there.  I said, "No she got to go home" and Jaxson replied, "It was about time!".  I think that was her and everyone's thoughts!  Thanks for the support and prayers!

Jo

Only Five More!

Just talked to mom.  She is doing great!  She drove herself to radiation this morning!  I know she is glad to have that little freedom back.  She saw the radiologist doctor this morning and he said only 5 more radiation treatments to the hip area.  She will complete those this week.

I will update as she sees all the doctors this week.  Her sister is coming in this evening to stay with her for a bit.  I know she will enjoy the company.  For some reason when I and my entourage (3 boys, 3 and under) go over it is just not relaxing. :)  We have to make our visits short and sweet! 

Love,
Jo

Home Again!

Mom called yesterday morning around 11:30 and said there was a chance she might get to go home - by 1:30 we were headed back to Canyon!  She is feeling good and enjoying the sunshine again!  Rachel headed up this way from Lubbock and we spent yesterday afternoon and evening getting mom settled back into the house. 

She will start radiation again on Monday and has five doctors appointments next week with her General Physician, Lung Doctor, Surgeon, Radiation Doctor, and Oncologist!  That is a lot of people looking after her. 

She is getting around pretty well, but there are things she will not be able to do for a while such as wash dishes and clean house.  Rach and I have been figuring out the logistics of everything.

Thanks for all of the visits, prayers, food, and love.  On to the next phase of this adventure!

Jo

Wednesday Morning

Another Wednesday in the hospital!  Mom is doing well, it just takes time to heal.  The doctor was in this morning and said maybe a Friday or weekend release date.  They are just waiting on her blood levels to get normal and for her wound to quit draining so much.

All in all she received 6 units of blood these past couple of weeks, so getting the levels back to normal has taken a bit of time.  It has also taken time to replenish her system after she came in so dehydrated and malnourished from being sick.  She has been keeping down solid foods so that is a huge blessing!

Thanks so much to the people who have been visiting her in the hospital - it has really brightened her long days!  This week I have made a couple of trips up there, but with three little ones in tow it is always a quick trip!  Funny story, mom had a potty chair in her room since she was hooked up to so many cords.  Ryan saw it and asked me later if it sang to her after she went,  like his Elmo potty does.  I said probably not and he said, that is too bad it would make her happy!

I will keep you posted as things move along.  I am guessing she will begin radiation next week after she is out and she has an appointment with her oncologist on Thursday of next week to discuss the sutent and when to start back up on that.

Love,
Jo

Monday Morning

Mom is still holding up the walls of Northwest Texas Hospital!  She is improving each day, it is just a slow process.  Her blood levels are all out of whack, so they have been giving her nutrients, lasiks, potassium, you name it it has been shot into her.  She is feeling better each day and each day provides new milestones.  Yesterday she was able to intake solid food and keep it down!  This has not happened in a couple of weeks so yeah!

She has been up and about and walking the halls.  I think we are all expecting a departure about Wednesday or Thursday.  A couple of days to get her blood levels back and make sure she can keep down solid foods.

Thanks for all your prayers!

Jo

Friday Morning

Mom is doing much better this morning.  She said last night out of the three surgeries this was by far the worst of the bunch.  This was also the most "real" of the surgeries with a huge incision and not just laproscopic!  She is feeling better this morning and not in as much pain.  Rachel and her have already talked to the surgeon this morning and she should be getting rid of some of the tubes today and tomorrow.  He would like to see her up a couple of times today, but mom looked at him like he was crazy so not sure if that is going to happen!

We are so blessed to have one of Rachel's best friends as mom's charge nurse for many of these days in the hospital.  It is so nice to have a familiar face and know that someone is on your side of the conversations with some of these doctors!  We love you Kaci!

I think we are looking at mid week next week for departure from the hospital.  Thanks for all of your prayers and support!

Joanna