Well the day we have waited for since January has arrived.  Pat has finished all of her treatment and we have the results of her CAT scan.  However, we are unsure as to what the results are.  The doctor told her that there is something still there but hopefully it is scar tissue.  He is going to recheck her in two months and redo the scan.  At this point we do not know what to think.  So once again we wait.  Please pray that it is scar tissue and not the remnants of the cancer.  She wanted to go a balloon ride when we went east last fall.  Gary and I have scheduled a ride for the three of us this next Thursday, at sunset.  I pray she is up for it as she has been very sick and weak from the brain radiation treatments.  As it is with everyone's life I have been very busy and have not posted lately...I will try to do better.  Love and God's blessings to you all.

June 2, 2014

Well it is finally here...Pat's last round of chemo.  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and she will be finished with her chemotherapy.  But, here is a bit of strange...instead of doing the brain radiation right away the Oncologist is sending her to a Neurologist.  Have no clue why and she doesn't either.  She didn't ask and he didn't tell her.  I wish I could be there with her just once to ask MY questions.  I would probably never be let in again.  I tend to be a little overly zealous when I want answers.  Pat just sits back and nods as her doctors ramble on.  I wish I had her confidence in modern medicine, but I don't. So as soon as this is over I am assuming, which could be dangerous, that there will be tests done and long awaited answers forthcoming...let you know!

Hello everyone,
I must apologize for not keeping you informed.  Until now things have just kinda been on hold with Pat's treatments as I explained in my last entry.

Now, she has one more round of chemo, a three day session, that will be the last one.  She will then begin her brain radiation treatments for preventative measures, as small cell cancer tends to metastasize to the brain.  We are quite concerned as it does cause memory loss.

Last week she received good news.  The tumor in her lung did not show up on the latest X-ray.  Answered prayers for sure, all your prayers and ours have been heard.  We are cautiously optimistic with this news.  She is not out of the woods, but there is a clearing up ahead.  I will try and do better on posting...so much to do lately.  God's blessings to you all and keep us in your prayers.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Pat got an unexpected "vacation" from her chemo last week.  Her blood work indicated that she was not strong enough to receive another round at that time.  She has gotten two units of blood and more fluids.  So, she tried to rest...even though she is still very weak and combating nausea.

Yesterday, was the day she was supposed to start the next round of chemo, however, she will remain on her chemo vacation for yet another week.  Disappointing news for her, she was hoping to move forward in her treatments.

The doctor told her that if she is still not strong enough next week; they would hospitalize her.  I am assuming that would be to keep her hydrated and control the nausea better.  So we wait.  I will update when I have news to share.  Keep those prayers coming, we could sure use them.

Friday, March 21

Today Pat is receiving her final radiation treatments.  HOORAY!!!  She will have had 30 in all.  Now she has to get through the second half of her Chemo.  She has developed a type of palsy (tremors) along with headache and dizziness.  This was a great concern to her doctor, so he ordered a CAT scan on Monday of this week.

Needless to say, we had to wait for the results.  Scared us all because we knew they were checking for evidence that the cancer had reached her brain.  Praise God for answered prayers, it has not!  The tremors, headaches and dizziness are most likely side effects from the radiation to her brain.

In addition to her CAT scan on Monday, she had to have two units of blood, and more saline solution for dehydration.  Kidney problems have become an issue also.  Wow, the treatment is brutal.  Guess it has to be if she is going to win the war cancer has waged upon her body.  The doctors certainly have attacked with both barrels loaded.

She is an amazing person...remaining is good spirits as she fights for her life.  Her strength is inspirational.  We all live each day aggravated by the petty annoyances that life brings to us... while others, like Pat, strive to just make it through the day.

Be very grateful for each day you have your health.  We all do not really appreciate life until we are in danger of losing it...for it is the sweetest thing me know.  Please continue to pray for Pat, and throw an extra one in there for our family. 

God's blessings,
Jean

March 6, 2014

Just returned home from Pat's.  This week she finally began her radiation treatments.  She gets two per day.  The first is for 30 minutes directed at the tumor in her lung.  The second is 20 minutes for her brain.  They are doing this five days a week for three weeks.

She has also been doing her third round of chemo.  Half way through the series of 6.  She receives three treatments, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; then waits two weeks before beginning the next round.  Basically she has nine more weeks of her chemo treatments left.

They have adjusted the chemicals in her "cocktail" as her kidneys did not like the one they have been using.  She has been extremely dehydrated and has received two bags of fluid every other day.  Her white count has also been a problem.  They are hoping this new combination will alleviate the kidney issues as well as maybe helping the nausea.

She continues to be upbeat although she is extremely tired.  The radiation for her lung has "burned" the inside of her esophagus making swallowing painful.  It is a constant burning sensation for which they have given her two different liquid medicines that she takes before and after eating.

We also this week lost our Aunt Shirley who lived in Tennessee with her daughter.  Our father's "baby" sister.  I cannot leave Pat to go to the funeral, just can't.  Our brother Frank and his son are going to drive down in the morning.  Our prayers have been focused on her family this week as they grieve the loss of their mother.  She was a caring, loving, selfless woman who loved the Lord with all her heart and demonstrated that love in all that she did.  She will be missed tremendously.

Please continue to pray for Pat as we journey onward.  Blessings to you and yours.

Jean

Again, I have not posted for over a week.  I am still a bit under the weather, but improving.  I saw Pat yesterday, had to wear a mask as I did not want to take any chances.

Her color is better, but she is very weak.  Still having nausea and vomiting issues.  She finished her second session of chemo last week.  Her white count is down again and having some other concerns.  They gave her another shot to boost her white count production which once again caused severe bone pain.

Sporting her bandanas, she still feels self conscious of her hair loss.  We talked about it and I told her it is her badge of courage and to be proud of what she has accomplished in her battle. Although she is not yet reached the half way point in her treatment the doctor says her lung sounds a lot better as far as the air flow.  There isn't much else to tell right now as they have postponed the start of her radiation until March 5th.

I will post when I have more news.  Keep up the prayers, and Pat ask me to thank you all for the cards you have sent her.  May God bless you all as you continue to support us.