Friday, July 25, 2008

Mom & Dad visited with Britt & I last night. They were over for about an hour or so. Mom was tired, though, and they decided to get home. She gets worn out so much faster these days.

She has a rash on her one leg that is bothering her. I told her to talk to Dr. Simon's about it. I am not sure if it could be a side affect of the chemo or not. She said that it calms down at night, but in the AM it flares up again.

I received an email from Jane, whom I told everyone about. She would like to get together with Mom & I sometime. I gave her Mom's telephone number. Funny how something as awful as cancer gives you the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people.

I'm at work, so that's the update for today.

More to come............................please pray.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

O.K. Everyone should not be alarmed. I have now blogged 2 days in a row! :) Mom was feeling a little better yesterday. Not quite so tired. She & dad are coming to visit with Britt & I tonight and I can't wait to give her a hug. And to show her Jane's message. Jane posted two comments yesterday on my blog and I can't wait for Mom to read them.

As always, I thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers.

Until tomorrow..............................

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Well, again it has been too long since I have posted. I am such a procrastinator.

Mom has continuted to be quite the trooper, but the chemo is having it's affects on her. She is now completely bald (and beautiful, I might add). Brittany shaved her head for her so she didn't resemble a cupie doll anymore! Her lack of energy is increasing and she gets tired so easily. The Nuelasta shot she receives the day after chemo makes her bones ache and it is getting difficult for her to climb stairs. Her mood remains upbeat, though. She is such a fighter and I am so proud of her!

She met a woman who worked at Westminster yesterday. Her name is Jane and she is currently going through her 2nd bout with cancer. There was an article about Jane & her husband in the New Castle News (both have cancer) and an address was listed for Jane's blog. I have since read it each and every day, and it is the reason I begain a blog for Mom.

I am not as dedicated as Jane, though. I shall try to do better.

Anyhow, please keep Jane in your prayers as well. I am so glad that she & Mom met. Perhaps they can be an inspiration to each other.

Mom begins her next round of chemo on August 5th and will be receiving Tamoxere. Dr. Simons told Mom that this drug will be hard on her veins (still no port) and will probably result in strong fatigue. Mom is not looking forward to it. She went yesterday for bloodwork and her platelets are low. If she had been scheduled for chemo yesterday, she wouldn't have been able to recieve it.

The dr. told her to be extremely careful not to get cut. With the platelets being so low, her blood won't clot properly. I am going to meet her & dad at her next chemo appt. so that I can have the nurses explain her counts to me and what they mean. Mom gets a copy of her report each time she has bloodwork, but has no idea how to read the report. There is so much info to keep up with, it is amazing.

The mass in her breast and under her arm are both decreasing in size! YAY. The mass under her arm has decreased the most. From 5cm to 2 cm. We see her surgeon on August 11th, and are hoping for a date for surgery.

My brother is coming up from Florida for a long weekend in August. Mom is so excited. She loves having both of her us here at the same time.

My aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer, as well and had a lumpectomy on Monday. Her lymph nodes looked o.k., but some were removed for further testing. If all goes well, she will have to have radiation; no chemo.

I am so tired of hearing of people having cancer. You don't realize how many people it affects until someone you know and love is diagnosed.

Until next time.....................please keep praying.