Day 58 - 70

A QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE PAST 13 DAYS

The days since my first taxol injection have been interesting and unpredictable to say the least. Here are some of the "highlights":

• I developed a rosy flush on my face and neck. A couple of days on Benadryl (which meant a couple of days of sleeping) did the trick.
• One day was quite uncomfortable with lower back and hip pain
• After a couple of days of just not feeling well - nothing specific - my temperature rose quite high. The doctor prescribed an antibiotic.
• Heart palpitations and a pulse rate of 120 that lasted over 2 hours lead to a day in Brantford General ER. A number of tests were done but no conclusions made.
• Another spike in temperature while still on antibotics ended me back up in ER. Still no conclusions.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29

I have just returned from my check-up at the Juravinski Cancer Centre. Dr. Tozer believes that the temperature issue is caused from what is going on in the digestive tract lining. It is my understanding that these cells, like the hair, are fast growing and are therefore affected by chemo. What is happening won't respond to antibiotics but will correct itself. No more antibiotics. YAY! Another set of bloodwork was ordered. My poor little arms have quite an array of needle pricks. Thankfully, I have good veins. The doctor is ordering a Holter Monitor to check out the heart activity.

On the whole, with the exception of times of fatigue and a few temperature spikes, I am feeling quite well.

I have great appreciation for Dr. Tozer and all of the staff at the cancer centre. They are very thorough. How much more I want to express my gratefulness to a wonderful God. He is watching over me 24/7. I have been meditating recently on these principles. God is good. God's plans are for good. Therefore, I KNOW these days are producing GOOD that will bring glory to Him!

Blessings to each of you. I can't begin to express how it feels to belong to such an amazing, though vast and varied, family.

Please be praying...

The last couple of weeks have been a struggle. For the 2nd time this week, mom is on her way up to the emergency department. She has a fever that continues to fluctuate as well as other various symptoms. We will try to update you soon. Please be praying...

Day 57 - Taxol treatment #1

Mom and Dad drove to Hamilton first thing this morning for her 1st Taxol treatment. She told me that during the drive she could feel the prayers of many and experienced such an "overwhelming sense of peace and joy".

Mom was given some medication and then had to wait 45min before they could begin the Taxol treatment. Those meds were to help prevent an allergic reaction. When they began chemo, the nurses gave Mom the call button in case she began to experience ANY reactions. Shortly after they started, the hospital chaplain walked through the area. Dad spoke to her, so she came over and began chatting with them. Dad had to leave to move the van, so the chaplain stayed to keep Mom company while he was gone. After she left, Mom realized that the time had passed for the possibility of a reaction and she had experienced none!! The Benadryl made Mom sleepy so she napped off and on while she continued receiving Taxol. The entire procedure from start to finish took about 5 hours. Once she was finished chemo, she had enough strength to walk to the van but then couldn't wait to have a nap when she got home!

Tonight Mom is doing well - physically, emotionally and spiritually. She continues to walk this journey step by step knowing that her loving Heavenly Father protects her in the palm of His hand and thankful for the "family" that daily hold her up in prayer. Once again - thank you to so many of you for your many prayers. Never underestimate how powerful they are...we can feel them!!

We are continuing to believe for complete healing in Mom's body. In the meantime, God continues to show us His love and faithfulness and is teaching us in the midst of the storm. Even when we don't understand His ways or at times question His purposes, He never leaves us and always carries us through - day to day to day...

So in the words of Mikaela while praying tonite...
"Thank you God for grandma...and that she knows you...and we know she loves you. Make her feel better - take away the cancer and her chemo and all the bad stuff in her. Help her hair grow back and heal her so she can be normal again."

AMEN, AMEN and AMEN!!!

Andrea

Catch Up Time...Day 56 - (Tues)

Guess it's about time I update the blog for mom and bring everyone up to speed. My apologies to so many of you who have been faithfully checking for updates...

This past week was a rough one. Mom had numerous struggles - her fever fluctuating up and down, vomiting, weakness, exhaustion - but as always, rarely a complaint.

Today mom, dad and I went to the Juravinski Clinic for the usual bi-weekly blood work and appointment with the oncologist. 2 weeks ago was mom's 4th and final treatment of AC (the 1st chemo cocktail). She is now halfway through her chemo treatments! At this point things appear to be progressing as expected so they will begin a new chemo drug tomorrow - Taxol. It will consist of 4 more treatments, given every other week. This means Feb 27th should be her last and final chemotherapy treatment!

With Taxol comes the possibility of new side effects. The doctors do not know how each person will react and so it's always an "unknown". However, we've been informed of the possibilities which may include an allergic reaction, musculoskeletal pain and sensory nerve damage which could cause permanent numbness/tingling in her hands and feet...not to mention a continued increase of weakness and fatigue. Because of the possibility of an allergic reaction, mom has to begin taking medication the day before chemo and continue it until the day after chemo. They will also give her additional medication the day of her treatment to help prevent a reaction. Tomorrow, being her first day to receive Taxol, they will keep a close eye on her to make sure she does not have a reaction. She has to be at the Juravinski clinic by 9:00AM and once the treatment begins, the process will be a minimum of 5 hours.

Please be praying that there will be no allergic reactions to Taxol and that the extreme side effects (ie pain and nerve damage) will not affect her in any way. Also pray for my dad while he tries to entertain himself at the clinic for 5 hours or more!! (any one who knows dad knows how easy that will be - haha) :-)

Once again, thank you for the wonderful support, prayers and many things so many of you have done for mom/dad and our family! We thank God for all of you and speak His MANY blessings over you and your families!

Andrea

Day 47 & 48

I decided to write an update for mom. She intended on writing a couple of blogs a week but has found it difficult to find the energy. So...you're stuck with me!! :-D

Mom had her 4th chemo treatment last Wednesday (January 2nd). Usually, the 4th day after her treatment is her most difficult day...this was the case yet again on Sunday.

Her stomach pain and exhaustion level has increased with each chemo treatment. Yesterday was probably the worst day of pain she has had so far. But as always, mom was a trooper, never wanting to impose on anyone... so I "forced" my help on her :-) By Sunday evening, the pain was easing off and tiredness was her biggest complaint.

This morning on my way to work, I stopped in to see how mom was feeling. She was being served breakfast made by my dad (he's quite the cook now) and said she was feeling much better.

After work, I came back to the house and helped dad finish off supper (good salad dad...if you don't say so yourself haha)! Mom mentioned that she had a few enjoyable visits today with family/friends, for which she was thankful. She was feeling a little chilled so she decided to take her temperature and found that it was elevated. The cancer clinic has advised her that because her immune system has been compromised by chemo, she must be sure to watch for any sign of a fever which could indicate a virus or infection that her body would be unable to fight off. They have told her to call them whenever she has a fever of 100.5F (38C). By later this evening, her temperature had not come down so she decided to call the Juravinski clinic to find out what she should do. They told her that if it goes any higher or she becomes any worse tonight, she is to call the Brantford General Hospital and head up there immediately. After dad had called me, to let me know, and was about to hang up, I could hear mom in the background saying..."Tell her I'm fine - I'll be ok..." :-)

Mom's faith and courage is such an example to all of us. Many of you have expressed to us how encouraging this blog has been...and yes, she really has been as strong as she sounds in her blogs!!

Mom - I am so proud of you. For always thinking of everyone else and never wanting to impose...for always finding that little extra bit of energy for a smile (especially for your granddaughter)...for always wanting to end things on a "positive note" even when you feel like crap...and most of all for being such an amazing example of unwaivering faith in God even when things don't make sense...

Love you...
Andrea xo