Date for Surgery

We saw Dr. Malay today. She was thrilled with Mom's progress and said how good Mom looks. We absolutely love Dr. Malay. If every doctor had her bedside manner, we would all be so very lucky. She and her staff are very professional, as well as compassionate. They have numerous hugs to give out and are so good at lifting your spirits.

We have a surgery date of November 4th tentatively scheduled, pending no complications with the rest of Mom's chemo sessions. If everything goes as planned, her last chemo treatment will be the 1st week of October. We have to wait 3 weeks before surgery; Dr. Malay is on vacation the last week of October, so 1st week of November it is.

After surgery Mom will have 6 1/2 weeks of radiation. That is 5 days a week for 6 1/2 weeks. We are looking at early 2009 before this whole process is overwith. And even then it isn't over.....Mom will have to take meds for 5 years to help prevent the cancer from occuring in the right breast. Mom would like Dr. Malay to just take them both at once, but Dr. doesn't think that is necessary.

Mom will only stay overnight 1 evening, then come home with 2 drains. They will arrange for a visiting nurse to help us take care of her. All of her stitches will be on the inside. Which makes me very happy. I am going to take that week of work, so that I can be there to take care of her. Dad gets so nervous that he simply cannot do it all be himself. And it will take two of us to hold her down when she tries to do too much too fast! She is a stubborn one.

Dad & I took Mom to lunch after the Dr. visit. Brittany wanted them to see her apartment today, as we were already 1/2 way to Pitt, but Mom was exhausted. Her back was hurting, too. When we arrived home, she immediately put her comfies on and reclined her chair with a blanket over her. She was out of energy for the day.

It is amazing how worn out she gets now. All of her energy was spent on the Dr. visit. That was it. Done.

She goes to Dr. Simon's office for her weekly bloodwork. Hopefully her counts will be o.k.

Thanks for listening. and praying.

Maureen

Bad Day

Mom & Dad's anniversary was yesterday. Mom was having one of her worst days ever, though. She had bad back pain and was the MOST tired she has ever been. I had to go to Pittsburgh last night to help my daughter in her new apartment and Mom & Dad were going to come with me. Mom called me at work crying...........she was having a "bad day" she said. I told her she is most certainly allowed to have a bad day.

I went home from work changed my clothes, packed up Britt's things and stopped at Mom's. This was a low point. I haven't seen her this upset and depressed since the whole "C" word was uttered to us. I cannot explain how difficult it is to see someone you love suffering.

She dozed most of the night and went to bed early. She was still sleeping at 10:00 AM today when I called to check on her.

I have to work 12-8 today, so I will be checking on her by phone as often as I can. I have only two words:

CANCER SUCKS!

New Chemo Treatment

I stopped to see Mom after work today. She is trying to sound strong, but I can tell that she is not feeling great. She had no adverse reactions to the new chemo, Taxotere, but she is absolutely worn out. It is so difficult to see her like this.

I wanted to go with her today, but my boss had other plans for me. What else is new? I took a vacation day August 11th so I could go to the surgeon with her.

I despise the fact that they have to literally put poison into your body to kill the cancer; it has such negative affects on your body and spirit.

Mom was NOT herself today. AT ALL. I worry so much about her. Please continue praying.

Britt & I are going over there tomorrow for dinner. She insists she is cooking; stubborn as she is. I know it is good for her to do things and be active, but she just looks so damn tired.

Another update will come tomorrow evening........

Not much new to report. Mom's levels increased when she had bloodwork this week, so that was a good sign. She gets her 1st treatment of the new chemo drug on August 5th. She is fretting about it. Very much. This is supposed to be more harsh on her body and decrease her energy level even more.

I will let everyone know how it goes......................................keep praying. WE appreciate it more than you will ever know. :)