Jan. 25 Update

Mom seemed to be doing better this weekend. The cough is still there which continues to affect her sleep at night, but otherwise she's doing pretty well....still no nausea. It was so wonderful to walk in on Fri. night and see her looking so much more like herself...with jeans and a fleece top on (instead of the nightgowns that she's been wearing since her surgery) and makeup on too!

She's moving around more, especially in the kitchen....she was fixing her own eggs and scrapple Sat. morning and made rice pudding on Sunday! She was in the mood for pizza so it seems her appetite was better this weekend. On Tues., the scales showed she had lost 9 lbs. where she got her bloodwork done, but today it appeared she has gained 2 lbs. on the home scales.

She was getting to 750 on her breathing tool today so that's progress as well. It will be nice when we finally have some warmer days, and Mom can walk around outside and have some time out of the house. If it wasn't cold and flu season, she could at least walk around the grocery store as a change of scenery. Mom and Dad went to a friend's house for dinner tonight so I'm sure Mom enjoyed being able to get out of the house for a while.

Please continue to lift Mom and Dad up in prayer and praise God for her progress. I pray for strength for both of them, and I'm thankful that they are not on this journey alone. This all comes as no surprise to God, and He will give strength for each new day.

Jan. 19 - First chemo treatment

The first treatment seemed to go well. It's a long day of course with the time on the road back and forth to Hopkins and the actual treatment, but Mom was pretty alert when I arrived Fri. night at their house around 9pm. She was sent home with 2 nausea medicines which seem to be working since she hasn't felt any nausea. That is such a huge blessing, especially since a big concern at the moment has been this nasty cough she's had. She had a cough after the surgery which may have been related to the breathing tube, but the current cough seems more cold-related and is starting to break up.

Mom's appetite has diminished some since the treatment so right now she's trying out foods to figure out what she feels like eating and trying to drink as much as she can (needs 32 oz./day which doesn't sound like much, but it is for her).

Last night, I was flipping channels around 7pm (getting a break from football while Dad was out walking Missy), and I came across America's Funniest Home Videos. That brought some smiles and laughs from Mom so they'll definitely have to be sure that is on every Sun. night.

Mom goes back in about 3 weeks for the next treatment (Feb. 9), and the next day she will have a port put in. Also, she will begin getting a shot the day after chemo. Supposedly, the caregiver or the actual patient can give the needle. Dad doesn't like to be in the room when needles are given to anyone, but he thinks he can do this. Thank you continuing to lift up my family in prayer! And praise God for health insurance! It is intimidating to receive those enormous bills from Hopkins, but God has been faithful and has already given Dad the gift of being wise with his finances...we know He will continue to provide and bless just as Dad has blessed others!

Jan. 15 Chemo

Tomorrow is the first day of chemo. treatment....praying for it to be smooth and for Mom to respond well and feel confident that she can do this! Also praying for Dad as he is on the front lines with Mom as her #1 supporter!

Message from such an encouraging friend...
CANCER CANNOT SHATTER THE HOPE OF THE GOD WE TRUST!!!WAIT FOR THE LORD ;BE STRONG (WHEN YOU ARE WEAK REMEMBER HE "PROMISES" TO BE "STRONG" AND TAKE HEART AND WAIT FOR THE LORD. PSALM 27:14MY FLESH AND MY HEART MAY FAIL,BUT GOD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART, AND MY PORTION FOREVER. PSALM 73:26REMEMBER THE BATTLE IS NOT HERS, BUT GODS. HE BROUGHT YOU ALL TO IT, HE WILL (HE PROMISES) TO BRING YOU THROUGH IT.YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WILL FIND STRENGTH YOU NEVER KNEW YOU HAD. I CLOSE WITH THIS FROM DEUT 8:18 , YOU DO NOT REALIZE WHAT I AM DOING NOW, BUT LATER YOU WILL UNDERSTAND.

Jan. 11 Update

Mom has been home for a little over a week now...getting lots of rest and has been so blessed by friends, family, and neighbors providing meals for them. Tomorrow is her first follow-up appointment, and hopefully she'll have her 2 drains removed. Also, at her appt., she will most likely start to hear about treatments for the ovarian cancer. I ask for continued prayer that God would provide her strength and determination before she even starts the treatment. It's common knowledge that the chemo really takes a toll on the body, and we know it's not easy anticipating all that so I pray that Mom's thoughts would be focused on the positive and all that God has brought her through thus far...going along with a quote that was shared with me today: "If God brings us to it, He will bring us through it!"...thanks, Sheryl!I was reminding Mom today how God has made it so clear to us that His hand has been on everything so early on...even back to Oct. 31 when Mom had her heart attack that ended up being a mild one. There have been so many details that have worked out so perfectly...some might call it "luck", but we know...Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

We praise God for:
-positive reports from the surgical team
-successful surgery
-wonderful support for Dad and I during the surgery (soooo thankful to my mom's brother & his wife AND Mack & Kendra)
-AMAZING staff at Hopkins (so attentive to Mom....and so accomodating to us when we were camped out in Mom's room in the ICU and her hospital room everyday)
-for the nausea that caused us to come to the ER on Christmas Day (Mom's surgeon was "on call" the week of Christmas and "on vacation" the week after Christmas)
-Dad's chickens being taken out later than planned
-Lisa being able to fly up from Florida (for a great price)...she was so instrumental in asking the right questions and getting all kinds of info. from the docs & nurses
-Dad, Dave, and I already being off from school/work during this time
-Dad's last flock of chickens for a while
-Dad having a substitute for his school bus route if needed
-safe traveling back and forth to the hospital
-getting released from the hospital by the weekend as hoped
-incredible support from family, friends, and neighbors

Jan. 4 In a nutshell

Thanks for ALL the encouraging notes and comments! I know some of you are asking what has happened since it's kinda spread out over many posts, so here is a synopsis of the last couple weeks:

Dec. 22 Mom's pre-operation appt. (hysterectomy planned for Jan. 6 to remove mass and find out if it is cancerous) - she had started swelling alot at this point...lots of fluid

Dec. 25 Drive to the ER at Hopkins as directed by surgeon after Mom has nausea Christmas morning/admitted to hospital/start prep. for surgery.....even more swollen

Dec. 26 Mom is in surgery for 10 hours/stage 3c ovarian cancer

Dec. 27-30 Intensive Care Unit

Dec. 30-Jan. 3 Recovery room

Jan. 3 Home sweet home back in DE

Jan. 4 Back at home!

Mom and Dad are all settled back at home now and have started to get into some routines. Dad is doing a nice job with taking care of the 2 abdomen drains with the bandaging and recording of the fluid. Mom seems most comfortable in the living room in the recliner (or as comfortable as you can be with a 10 inch incision down your front), and she's sleeping in her bed at night. Dad is continuing to make sure she takes the time to walk/move around and use her breathing tool to help in her recovery. Mom has a great appetite and is really enjoying food since that's pretty easy compared to walking and moving around and other everyday things.

We are so amazed and blessed with the outpouring of love and support! We arrived at Mom and Dad's yesterday, and 15 min. later, the phone rang, and it was the next-door neighbor saying she and another neighbor would be over with dinner and dessert in a few minutes!!! Then she called back today and said the community has dinners covered for the whole MONTH! Friends and people from church are also providing meals so I feel so blessed by that, especially because I'm not right there the way I'd like to be helping them out with meals too.

We're continuing to see God's hand on every detail, and I thank you for your thoughts and prayers for my mom! It has been so humbling to see my mom receive so many cards, phone calls, and offers to make meals!

P.S. Dad prepared our traditional Christmas morning breakfast for us today...better late than never! :-)

Jan. 3 Last day at Hopkins

Mom was given the option of leaving today or tomorrow, and she chose today! While very excited, there is still some nervousness about going home. We pray that no infection occurs as the incision and drain sites heal.Dave and I will head back to DE with Mom and Dad and come back tomorrow to get ready to go back to the grind on Monday.It is has been amazing to see God's hand on all the details of this journey we've started, and we know He will continue to be there in the all the steps ahead!

Jan. 2 Update

Thursday
-1 out of 3 abdomen drains taken off
-did 2 consecutive laps around nurses' station
-Uncle Ronnie and Aunt Judy came to visit
-Lisa flew back to FL

Friday
-a full morning of visitors...~my parents' pastor who has a great voice and sang for/with us...funny guy~my parents' friends, Kathy and Steve...Steve is the wonderful one who took care of my dad's chickens
~my in-laws....my mother-in-law sent over a breakfast casserole and muffins last week and is providing us with dinner tomorrow night
-catheter came out...all that's left is one IV
-started soft foods (eggs & cream of wheat for breakfast, salisbury steak & mashed potatoes for lunch with vanilla ice cream for dessert...she finally got her ice cream!)
-tried the stairs with the physical therapist and did well
-requested permission to have one of the chocolates Steve and Kathy brought...and scored...Mom was lovin' it! :-) She said, "I can have the coconut one...that's soft, right?"

It is still possible Mom can leave on Sunday. It's important for her to continue her breathing practice to prevent pneumonia...she'll work on that more later this evening since there wasn't as much time this morning.

We've been telling Mom some funny things she said as she was coming out of anesthesia..."is my nose still attached?", "I have no lungs", and on paper before her breathing tube was out, she wrote, "did I see a mouse?" :-)

Dec. 31 Update #2

Well, Mom got close to her request for ice cream...she was given some orange sherbert for her dessert with dinner. Her diet is pretty much broth, jello, italian ice, ginger ale, and ice at the moment. The nurse this evening was really great....she started getting Dad ready to dress Mom's bandages and empty the drains to Mom's abdomen so he'll be a pro by the time he has to do by himself at home. We've hoped to get some of the same nurses we've had before, but even the nurses new to us have been great. We had one nurse, Emily, who we loved...she was with us the night before surgery with the bowel prep. Our favorite nurse in the ICU was Michael...so, so attentive to Mom's needs as well as ours. He let us stay during the 2 hr. period when visitors really aren't supposed to be there. Today, Mom was pretty tired and didn't get to walk around much as hoped, but she did have the chance to practice with her breathing apparatus and was starting to improve with that. I'm calling Dad "Sgt. Wingate" since he's being sure Mom is diligent with breathing practice.

Dec. 31 Update

Well, my sweet husband has us all hooked up in Mom's room...we've got Dave's laptop here now (and JHH has wireless access) and he also brought a CD player so my mom can listen to music. Mom is having a sonogram done right now to check for bloodclotting in her legs. We hoped to be able to leave this weekend, but we'll have to see since it's taking a little longer for Mom's breathing to get back to normal. She is enjoying all the things she can eat and drink now (liquid diet for now). We have some visitors coming over the next 2 days so that will help time pass too.

Dec. 30 My "behind-the-scenes" man

As you've seen from my posts, I haven't been home very much, but there has been someone who has, and he's been absolutely amazing...my husband, Dave! He has been holding down the fort and taking care of our dog plus my parents' puppy, Missy. Also, he has been grocery shopping, getting food ready for us to take to the hospital, making a photo slideshow for my mom to watch during recovery in the hospital, running errands, doing laundry, doing the dishes, having coffee and breakfast ready for us in the morning, etc. In addition, he's been making daily mid-day visits to the hospital. Am I blessed to have this guy for a husband or what? He's the best!!!!

Dec. 30 Update

Yesterday it was the breathing tube out and today it's off to Mom's recovery room...bye, bye ICU! She'll be going back to 4B like we hoped!Mom hasn't been able to sleep much the past day or 2 but today she's finally getting some rest today. They had her walking a little earlier, and she'll be walking a little more later to get her ready for her move up to the 4th floor. Mom is definitely looking more like herself...today it appears all her swelling in her limbs has gone down since her arms and legs are back to the size they were before...most of the fluid is now out. You can tell she is definitely feeling better because she asking for things like a mirror, a toothbrush/toothpaste, comb, etc. :-)

Dec. 29 Update #2

We finished our dinner a little earlier here in the family lounge...little room with a fridge, microwave, table/chairs, and obviously a computer. In the ICU, visitors aren't allowed between 6:30 and 8:30 in both the morning and night but some nurses have been bending the rules for us (not tonight though). Last night I started off by saying "I couldn't be happier" but I lied...I'm even happier this evening b/c....Mom's breathing tube came out today!!!!!!! Huge step!!!! It was wonderful to have the tube out, but right after she was quite disoriented and scared. The nurse was able to reassure her and explain what had been going on so that seemed to help. It appeared maybe Mom thought that since the breathing tube came out, all the other tubes would come off too. During the morning and afternoon, Mom had been writing us some messages on paper...there was only so much she could communicate with the nodding and shaking of her head. After the tube came out, Mom was allowed to have some water from a little sponge on a straw...she loves it and she loved it during her surgery prep too. A little earlier, Mom was requesting ICE CREAM! Dad said, "oh, are you being funny?" She shook her head "no"...she really wanted ice cream so that's a goal for down the road to be able to eat ice cream. I told her we'd gotten her and Dad gift cards to Cold Stone Creamery for Christmas so once she's allowed, she can get some ice cream there. Two of the docs from the surgical team stopped by after Mom's tube came out, and she smiled so big when they came in the room...biggest smile yet! We're so thankful for that whole team...they are amazing!I've been watching Dad with Mom during the beginning of this journey, and I have to say I don't think I'll ever see a better picture of "through sickness and in health". It has been unbelievably difficult to see Mom have to endure all this, but I think it's been the most difficult for Dad. He's been strong though. It was the sweetest earlier when Mom was able to start talking, and Dad said, "ya know what I want to hear? I love you." And she said, "I love you"...then he said "who else in this room do you love?" and she said, "Lisa and Lori". It hurts for her to talk right now, but it will get easier. It is so wonderful to hear her voice again. While going through voice messages on our cell phones, both Dad and I had old messages from Mom so we enjoyed hearing her voice on those during the time Mom couldn't speak to us. That's all for now. I continue to thank you for praying for my mom...thanks for all your messages and e-mails...I haven't been able to respond to all of them but know they are appreciated!!!Oh, one more thing, a specific prayer request...we REALLY liked the staff in 4B before Mom's surgery so we're really hoping and praying Mom will be able to go back to 4B during her recovery since they're already familiar with us.

Dec. 29 Update

Dad called this AM and let us know Mom stayed awake and alert most of the night so they tried the breathing test...she's at 720 and needs to be at 1000 in order to get off the breathing tube (which is a big goal right now and....this tube was a fear for Mom...she was asking how big the tube was and all before the surgery...we know it's uncomfortable for her so we pray it can come out soon when she's showing she's absolutely ready). Dad wanted the tube to be out by the time we got there this morning, but it's ok...we know she's on her way to getting it out!

Dec. 28 Update

I couldn't be happier to report that Mom showed alot of progress today (mostly this evening). When we arrived this morning, there was concern b/c she had not been responding well overnight to stimuli and questions. A CAT scan was done but didn't really reveal anything. So the day continued, and we talked to Mom even though we weren't sure if she could really hear us. Lisa was singing praise songs to Mom, and I joined in on the ones I knew. At one point, we were told not to stimulate her too much b/c her heart rate was going up. Later, my dad decided to get someone to do the tasks he had to do at his farm so he ended up being away from us for less than 24 hrs, and it was during the next few hours after Dad arrived back that Mom started responding REALLY well, and we talked her ear off!!! Mom continued to wiggle her toes at our request and was nodding some, opening her eyes, raising her eyebrows...all fantastic signs that she is waking up which means that breathing tube can come out and she can leave the ICU to go back to the floor where she was before the surgery. They had given her a medicine that reversed the anesthesia that seems to be what has really helped her improve along with all your prayers!Dad is staying overnight in Mom's room at the ICU. At this point he is free the rest of the week to stay there overnight so he most likely will. That's it for now...we are soooo thankful for Mom's improvement with her responses....we're so glad she can hear the words of love and encouragement we're speaking to her....she was even able to smile a few times. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for all of our prayer warriors out there!!!

Dec. 27 Update #2

Mom looked better this morning...more of her color back and less swelling in her face although they are still pumping in alot of fluids since she already had so much fluid before the surgery and it needs to be replaced for now.My dad signed the consent form around noon to put a catheter in near her heart as a preventive measure so they can monitor it more (due to her mild heart attack on Oct. 31). After putting in the catheter, the x-ray done showed it was placed correctly and doing the job.She is well sedated, but they are waking her up every 4 hours while she has the breathing tube down her throat which we heard she tried to pull out this morning. Dave (my husband) is picking up my sister Lisa around 4:30pm so hopefully they'll be here around 5pm. It was a blessing that she was able to book a flight last night for a reasonable price. Please pray for my dad as he travels back to DE this evening so that he can get his chickens ready to be taken out on Monday. We got some rest last night but still not enough so we pray he will be alert and be at peace on his drive home alone. He will not be getting another flock of chickens in until summer (which was already planned) so that is another blessing so he will not have to deal with his chicken houses while mom is recovering.As mentioned before, it was such a blessing last night to have her respond to us by nodding, squeezing our hands, and even winking. We continued to receive positive reports this morning so that was encouraging. The cancer started as ovarian cancer and spread...I can't remember all the areas...it was so much to take in last night, but I believe there was a spot on her diaphragm which may explain the coughing she was having. It is expected that my mom will have a port in her abdomen where she will receive chemo...it hasn't been thoroughly discussed yet but a nurse on the floor where mom was the 1st night shared that is likely what will be done. Mom will go back to that floor for recovery and we know she will get such awesome care after seeing the outstanding job the nurses did on Wed. and Thurs. Again, I must say the entire staff here at Hopkins is absolutely amazing...I could go on and on about all the things they have done and said to make this experience the best it can be. That's all for now. I can't thank you enough for all your thoughts and prayers!!!

Dec. 27 Update

I have to be brief since we need to shower and get to bed while here at home, but just wanted to let you know after 10 hours of surgery, we were informed that all had been taken out that was of concern including cancer. Of course, we didn't want to hear that cancer was found, but the doctor was very positive.As mentioned before, Mom was VERY swollen from the fluid....it was 1 gallon of fluid we were told, but that's natural. We didn't think she'd be awake after the surgery in the ICU, but she was and could respond to us. It was soooo hard to see her with all the tubes and all the swollenness in her face...not looking like herself at all, but she is in excellent care in the ICU. We had my aunt and uncle and friends Mack and Kendra with us the whole time today waiting with us offering an amazing amount of love and support as we waited for the brief report we got every 2 hours...which was always "the surgery is in progress, and the patient is fine"...that was somewhat helpful during the first 7 hrs. Anyway, I need to stop, but THANK YOU for your prayers...so many things have been working out like: the doctor being here (he's on vacation next week), my dad's chickens not going out until Sunday INSTEAD of this morning (he has to be there in DE for that), Dave and I are both off work so we can be with Dad and help take care of their puppy, family/friends being able to be with us while we waited today, my sister's plans to fly up tomorrow, and I'm sure I'll have other things to report b/c that's the way God is! So it's a long road ahead, but we know God is in control and take GREAT comfort in knowing so MANY people are praying!!!!!!!

Dec. 26 Mom in surgery right now

I'm at Johns Hopkins in the family area right now while my mom is in surgery...we came to the ER here Christmas morning after Mom was getting nauseous with the fluid build-up and the doc had said to come if she had those symptoms. They decided there was no reason to wait until Jan. 6 to do the surgery since there was an opening today. The staff here has been absolutely amazing in helping mom (as well as Dad and I) be as comfortable as possible, and we are so thankful for the wonderful hands she is in. We'd appreciate all your prayers as this surgery is expected to take 4-7 hours depending on what is found. So there's a quick update....thank you so much for lifting my mom up in your prayers!

Dec. 4 Things that warm your heart

So as many of you know, my mom had a heart attack a couple weeks ago...thankfully it was more of a minor one, and she's doing ok right now. The cool thing (that has truly warmed my heart) is all the people who have been showing their care and support. My parents live near Bethany Beach, DE in a small town area where you're guaranteed to see someone you know when you go to the grocery store. There are people my parents have known for years but don't really keep in close contact with, and they've been calling, visiting, and bringing food over since "news travels fast" in that area. So I didn't mind today when I called my mom to see how she was doing, and she said, "can I call you back later? Josh and Lindsay are here, and they brought me a cake."

Other things that warm my heart....
~my mom e-mailing me at work telling me she's proud of me
~my dad giving me gas money since he still likes to take care of me
~coming home to a clean kitchen thanks to my husband
~my students showing random acts of kindness

First post!

Well, since I actually remembered my password to get on here, I thought I'd start using the blog I created in grad. school. I've been using Facebook as a blog to send prayer requests and updates on Mom after her surgery (12-26-08) so I've simply copy and pasted all those posts onto here. Reading through these posts is a sweet reminder to me of God's faithfulness!