Well, let's see...since the last post, Mom has gotten out of the hospital! She was able to make it to 2 exciting little league football games too!! She got bloodwork today and her counts have bottomed out (as we expected and they should!). She'll get blood and platelets tomorrow.
Just a little plug--although you can't necessarily donate blood directly to Mom, if you can donate (look for a local blood center in your area) you could be helping someone's Mom or Dad, Son or Daughter, Grandfather or Grandmother.
Speaking of Grandmother, Granny has spent the last few days in the hospital for some tests. Everything appears to be normal, just a "little spell" (as she calls it)...hopefully she'll be discharged on Tuesday.
Dad got his PICC line pulled today and should be able to return to work soon.
Thanks for praying for our family (even if we do take up half of your prayer lists!)
Also, several of you have asked about ways to help, especially with meals. Watch after Labor Day for details (if needed).
In the meantime, enjoy this upcoming holiday weekend!!
Love your Family. Love your Neighbors.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
It's Chemo Time!
Mom got her port placed this afternoon (she said it was quite an experience!) and then got admitted to the unit. She is back on 3 East, but now in room A8. Chemo starts tonight at 9pm and then each day at 9am and 9pm until Wednesday morning's 9am infusion. Each infusion will take about 2 hours She will be able to go home after that and will have return visits for lab work twice a week.
Several of the unit staff have already stopped in to say hello:)
Praying for strong, effective chemo that isn't too hard on the side effects!!
Several of the unit staff have already stopped in to say hello:)
Praying for strong, effective chemo that isn't too hard on the side effects!!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Another Admission...
Hello Everyone! Thanks to all for the well-wishes after Mom's AWESOME news. As mentioned earlier, Mom is going to be admitted on Friday, August 19th. She'll first go in for a procedure to have a port placed. The port will be inserted under the skin, in her upper chest, usually. The port will allow them to access mom for chemo, but then they can de-access it at the end of her admission. This way she will still have it in place for the remainder of her treatment, but won't be restricted by what she can do when she's not in the hospital and she won't have to get another PICC Line (a PICC line is like an IV, but it lasts for weeks rather than days, so that you can get drugs administered). Mom will likely be in the hospital for a week this time. When we now what her regimen will look like, we'll update the blog. Meanwhile, just pray for a smooth port placement and that Mom won't have to wait too long to get admitted (sometimes waiting for a room can take awhile).
On another note, since this is the Williams Family Journey, I would be remiss not to mention that Dad was admitted to IU West last Thursday for a leg infection. After a short admission (he was discharged Wednesday) he got a PICC Line (see above) that he will keep for a few weeks while he continues to get IV Antibiotics. He will also return periodically to visit Physical Therapy so that they can measure his leg to monitor the swelling and properly fit wraps for his legs to help keep the swelling down. He seems to be much happier now that he is home and hopefully he'll be feeling much better soon.
More updates soon. Take care everyone!
On another note, since this is the Williams Family Journey, I would be remiss not to mention that Dad was admitted to IU West last Thursday for a leg infection. After a short admission (he was discharged Wednesday) he got a PICC Line (see above) that he will keep for a few weeks while he continues to get IV Antibiotics. He will also return periodically to visit Physical Therapy so that they can measure his leg to monitor the swelling and properly fit wraps for his legs to help keep the swelling down. He seems to be much happier now that he is home and hopefully he'll be feeling much better soon.
More updates soon. Take care everyone!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Quick Update
Mom got her bone marrow results and she is in complete remission! She will have blood work done on Monday and will be admitted at the end of next week for chemo. Praise the Lord!!
ETA: Some have asked why more chemo if the cancer is in remission. This chemo is termed "maintenance chemo". This is given to help ensure any lurking cancer cells don't find a home in the body. The maintenance phase is typically 3-4 months. Each round will likely require a 7 day hospital stay followed by outpatient visits to the lab for bloodwork and then possible blood and platelet infusions. They will continue to periodically perform bone marrow biopsies to monitor the cancer cells. The results from each of these biopsies will allow Mom's oncologist to make the best decisions for her treatment plan. Any differences in what they see from one time to the next will help them determine if she is still in remission.
Again, Thank You to all who are and have prayed. God is Good!
ETA: Some have asked why more chemo if the cancer is in remission. This chemo is termed "maintenance chemo". This is given to help ensure any lurking cancer cells don't find a home in the body. The maintenance phase is typically 3-4 months. Each round will likely require a 7 day hospital stay followed by outpatient visits to the lab for bloodwork and then possible blood and platelet infusions. They will continue to periodically perform bone marrow biopsies to monitor the cancer cells. The results from each of these biopsies will allow Mom's oncologist to make the best decisions for her treatment plan. Any differences in what they see from one time to the next will help them determine if she is still in remission.
Again, Thank You to all who are and have prayed. God is Good!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Mom Update 8/4/11
Hello Everyone!
There hasn't really been much to update. Mom has been home since July 2nd. She's gotten labs each week and has visited the clinic and ER a few times for blood and fevers. Her biggest issue has been the constant dry and peeling skin. It appears to be clearing up just in time for her bone marrow biopsy next week. The results of the biopsy will help the oncologist determine the next steps for her treatment.
There will be more chemo regardless of the results, which we knew from the beginning, but we just don't know what that will entail. We don't think the hospital stay will be as long, but we need to wait for the doctor's final say:)
While Mom's been out she's enjoyed some tomatoes from the garden, spent a lot of time with family, and had a chance to enjoy the day at the Hendricks County Fair watching Dominic show his pigs!
Thank you to everyone for checking in, for the well-wishes, the cards and treats, and the prayers. Our entire family is so appreciative to everyone for your care and concern.
We'll post the results next week!
There hasn't really been much to update. Mom has been home since July 2nd. She's gotten labs each week and has visited the clinic and ER a few times for blood and fevers. Her biggest issue has been the constant dry and peeling skin. It appears to be clearing up just in time for her bone marrow biopsy next week. The results of the biopsy will help the oncologist determine the next steps for her treatment.
There will be more chemo regardless of the results, which we knew from the beginning, but we just don't know what that will entail. We don't think the hospital stay will be as long, but we need to wait for the doctor's final say:)
While Mom's been out she's enjoyed some tomatoes from the garden, spent a lot of time with family, and had a chance to enjoy the day at the Hendricks County Fair watching Dominic show his pigs!
Thank you to everyone for checking in, for the well-wishes, the cards and treats, and the prayers. Our entire family is so appreciative to everyone for your care and concern.
We'll post the results next week!
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