tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65175944825715658722024-02-21T09:15:53.667-08:00MM stands for Moving MountainsThe story of my mother's fight against Multiple Myeloma and CholangiocarcinomaMelaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-6053034871904155882011-12-18T08:43:00.000-08:002011-12-18T12:03:45.920-08:00Mom is healed and with the HealerI write this with a heart broken into a million pieces, yet each of those pieces rejoice that my precious momma is no longer suffering. She has won the ultimate battle with cancer. It can't touch her anymore.<br /><br />Mom passed so peacefully, in her home surrounded by her adoring family. Honestly, surrounded. You always hear that, but I never imagined it. Daddy was next to her, and the rest of us stood around her bed. She held on until her sister arrived from California and when Brenda arrived at 8:22 pm Friday evening, she opened her eyes for the first time that day, looked around at her family and took her last sweet breath. <br /><br />She sat at the banks of the River Jordan dipping her feet in. And in this life, she was scared of the water, but at 8:22pm she know longer knew fear. She dove in, and crossed the River to the other side and she is free and experiencing love and radiance I can't imagine. <br /><br />She is still with me. My son, Cody said that she will always be with us, because no one in that room that night would be who they were if not for her and her love. <br /><br />But she is face to face with her Healer. And that brings me joy! <br /><br />Please pray for my dad. He adores her and she was his life and he has to begin a new chapter. I have no doubt that God has amazing plans for him and is going to use him greatly. There is still work for him to do and I can't wait to see what that is. <br /><br />There is more to write here, but my heart is still searching for words.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-83655531043620375262011-11-14T06:48:00.000-08:002011-11-14T08:11:32.261-08:00AnniversaryToday Mom and Dad will celebrate their anniversary in the doctor's office, as Mom receives chemotherapy. <div><br /></div><div>I realize I have not updated lately, and I have no excuse, other than wanting to write wonderful news and waiting until we had some. </div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, the world doesn't seem to want to give us wonderful news. </div><div><br /></div><div>We have been told that this tumor is inoperable because it exists in both lobes of the liver.</div><div>We have been told that Mom is not a candidate for a liver transplant.</div><div>And we have been told that without these options cure is uncommon. </div><div><br /></div><div>So now, we treat. We treat with a chemotherapy that mom started last week. It was promising at first. The afternoon after receiving her first dose, she felt fine. The next day, she even thought she felt better than fine. Then on the third day she felt awful. By the 5th day, the tummy troubles were gone, but the weakness remained. And today she starts all over again.</div><div><br /></div><div>She had a little complication this week that is common when you have a sick liver. Her abdomen filled with fluid which had to be drained. The doctor mentioned that this would make her weak, and she was already dealing with weakness from chemo, so we are praying that her weakness will not be as severe this time. I am also hoping that now that the doctor's know how she is reacting to the chemo, they can adjust the medications they give her to counter the side effects. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hate this. I have to fight the urge to yell at God about fairness. She's been hit once before with this.. So had Daddy. Why a third cancer!? </div><div><br /></div><div>And you know, God is just fine with my grumblings about His fairness doctrine.. because He always has an answer for me. He reminds me in his oh so gentle way that what is fair to Him is something I won't be able to comprehend until I'm sitting face to face, basking in His glory. I will ask Him why, and only then will I be able to understand. (Between you and me, I will probably follow up with a question about the duck billed platypus and what WAS He thinking there... but that question doesn't seem as weighty right now.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Joni Eareckson Tada, who was paralyzed in a diving accident said this.. "God sometimes permits what He hates, to accomplish what He loves."</div><div><br /></div><div>In the Bible, God permitted Joseph to be sold into slavery by his very own brothers, to be thrown into prison by the false accusations of powerful woman, and ultimately to be promoted to second in command of Egypt, where he was able to save nations!</div><div><br /></div><div>In the same way, I believe that what has been permitted in my Mom's life, will serve a greater purpose. And we are seeing hints of that... </div><div><br /></div><div>Mom and Dad have touched many people as they travel this road. The Bible says that God is with the brokenhearted and God is certainly with Mom and Dad. So much that it is noticeable. It is palpable. Doctors comment on it. Nurses comment on it. People commit to working on making their marriage stronger after spending minutes with my Mom and Dad. Cold hearts melt, and tears fall and people see God after visiting with Mom and Dad. They are changing lives as they are being used by God.</div><div><br /></div><div>No, the world doesn't have much wonderful news to offer right now, BUT God can turn things around. He can contradict what the world says. He is Wonderful News. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the Gospels, Jairus had heard of Jesus and had come to Him seeking healing for his daughter who was at home dying. I can only imagine his desperation as he forced his way through the crowd to reach Jesus. I can imagine his excitement as Jesus heard him and agreed and return home with him. And I can also sense his disappointment as Jesus stopped because someone had touched the hem of His garment. Can you see Jairus trying to hurry Jesus along as He is ministering to the woman with the issue of blood? He had the Master in his grasp.. he was heading to his daughter and now they were stopped. This isn't fair.. Jairus had him first. How does one respectfully tell Jesus to hurry! And then suddenly, all hope was lost. Members of his household came to him and told him it was too late. Leave the Teacher alone. The world had just give Jairus the worst news of all. </div><div><br /></div><div>BUT, Jesus overhead all this and His news contradicted all that the world was offering to Jairus.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Luke 8:50</b></div><div><b>...Don't be afraid, just believe. She will be healed.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>And she was... <b> </b></div><div><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-66632965906715931522011-10-15T04:57:00.000-07:002011-10-15T05:23:07.110-07:00Home Sweet HomeThe wonderful news is mom is back home right now. She is sleeping in her own bed and eating actual food! <div><br /></div><div>The other news is that tests confirmed our battle is indeed against Cholangiocarcinoma. This is a rare cancer, affecting only 2 in 100,000, that begins in the bile duct. </div><div><br /></div><div>We are still in wait mode as far as coming up with a plan of attack. While the surgeon here in Tulsa does not think surgery is an option, there is another surgeon in OKC that specializes in these types of surgeries and mom's oncologist has referred her to him. </div><div><br /></div><div>After that appointment we will know more. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mom is feeling well, aside from the pain in her side. She still has two tubes draining her liver and gall bladder and apparently having tubes going through your side and into two different internal organs can cause some discomfort. Who knew? </div><div><br /></div><div>The immediate prayer at this time (besides a complete healing causing the doctors to be baffled and bewildered because what was once there is now gone) is for the surgeon in OKC to be able to remove it surgically.</div><div><br /></div><div>We appreciate your prayers, that are literally coming from all over the world, and we can feel them. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'll let you know when the appointment is in OKC so you can be praying then as well!</div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-6230895234150698382011-10-10T19:03:00.000-07:002011-10-10T19:24:25.883-07:00In which we wait....We were really hoping to have some news on the biopsy today. But alas, the doctors are still studying it. They want to be thorough. They want to get it right, and we appreciate that.. but waiting is hard.<div><br /></div><div>We are waiting to find out if the cancer started in the gall bladder or the liver.</div><div><br /></div><div>We are waiting to find out if it is truly inoperable.</div><div><br /></div><div>We are waiting to find out if it is cancer at all, or perhaps just inflammation.</div><div><br /></div><div>The one thing we do know is all the liver function tests are back to normal.</div><div><br /></div><div>We know that Mom needs to move and breath deeply, despite the fact that she has two tubes coming out of her side that cause some discomfort. And I use the term "discomfort" in the same way one would describe the French guillotine as causing a slight pain in the neck. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mom also needs to eat, despite the fact that she's in the hospital, being served hospital food. And I use the term "food" in the same way.... well, you get the idea. </div><div><br /></div><div>We may get biopsy results back tomorrow, but then again it may be Wednesday. </div><div><br /></div><div>Until then we wait.</div><div><br /></div><div>We wait for the report.</div><div>We wait for the treatment plan.</div><div>We wait for more tests.</div><div>We wait for tubes to come out.</div><div>We wait for Mom and Dad to get to go back to their home.</div><div>But mostly, we wait upon the Lord.</div><div><br /></div><div>...those that wait upon Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint. ~ Isaiah 40:31 </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-82297722781690203492011-10-06T15:43:00.000-07:002011-11-14T05:59:15.713-08:00Dance<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">I wrote this for a writing contest a few weeks ago. The theme asked the question, "When did you first understand what love was?" Unfortunately, due to a crazy schedule I didn't make the deadline for the contest, but this was so in my heart I had to write it anyway. Those that read it told me that there was another place for it. Here, on this day, is the place for it. Because the dance continues.. and will continue, despite the music... </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">They were teenagers in the 50’s, the decade of sock hops and dance marathons. They married and started their family in the 60’s, the decade of dancing to the beat of your own drum. They have probably danced hundreds of thousands of dances together, but it was one dance that caught my heart. It was one dance that showed me what love was.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">I don’t remember mom and dad being terribly demonstrative when I was growing up. I take that back, Daddy was. I remember vividly the whoosh of his recliner as it returned to its upright position. I remember him displaying his most exaggerated pucker lips as he left his chair and crawled on his hands and knees to where my mom was napping on the couch. He would smooch the air, until she woke up, took one look at him, and playfully demanded that he leave her alone. He was comically flirty, she fittingly coy. And this was their dance. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">` They knew each other so well, they could anticipate each other’s steps. Mom instinctively knew just how Daddy would lead, and she would follow. They danced through life, having children, watching them grow and giving them up to new dance partners. Grandchildren came and with them came even more dancing - Goofy grandparent dancing. Their music was the joys of life. Sometimes the beat was slow and steady… sometimes a bit frantic and overwhelming but they always danced with grace no matter what life’s soundtrack brought.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> To tell the truth I never really caught on that their life, their love was a dance. It wasn’t until a new more sinister beat began to echo. My dad heard it first. The doctor told him it was prostate cancer that had spread to the bone. The pain was unimaginable, and it stilled him for a bit. Mom put all her energy into taking care of him and it worked. He was soon crawling across the floor to the couch where she lay resting; blowing exaggerated kisses until she woke up and the dancing began again.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> But just like a bad song on the radio, the sinister music hadn’t played out. And this time my mom was caught up in the beat. Multiple Myeloma brought more unimaginable pain. And it was then that I began to understand the dance.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Mom was truly in so much pain that she could hardly breathe, let alone move, but she had to move. As she stood up, pain hit her body so hard she couldn’t go anymore. She stood there weeping, unable to take another step and unable to sit back down. Daddy wrapped his arms around her. I thought he was simply going to help her get moving again, but he just stood there holding her. And after a few minutes, I realized he wasn’t just holding her… he was swaying with her. She relaxed and followed his lead. For several minutes they danced to some sweet melody that only they could hear. He had danced this dance before.. He knew the pain. And he was taking the lead now, holding her tight and not allowing death to cut in. He knew there was more dancing to be done and he was not willing to give up his dance partner.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> I cherish the memory of this moment, and I thank God that I got to witness it. It was true love and true romance and true fight, this love that dances no matter the music.</p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-81826841948946867662011-10-05T11:40:00.000-07:002011-10-06T13:37:29.163-07:00Here we go again....Well, it's been over a year since I wrote what I had hoped would be the final post on this blog. Unfortunately, we have discovered that while mom may have bested Multiple Myeloma, another contender has stepped into the ring, trying to have a go at her.. <div><br /></div><div>Here's the latest news in a nutshell...</div><div><br /></div><div>Sunday afternoon, mom and I had planned to go shopping, but I received a call from dad saying that she wasn't feeling well and had decided to go get checked out at our local ER. Mom has been doing really well since the days of MM, so her not feeling well kind of threw me. Mom just doesn't get sick.. and when she does, it's a doozy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Still ,we weren't too worried as all her symptoms seemed to point to gall bladder issues. You must understand that the war between our family and gall bladders is legendary. The gall bladders attack each of us one by one, taking us down in a storm of pain and belching... but we rise victorious. We just find a nice friendly doctor and ask that the gall bladder be removed far from our bodies to be stored in some glass jar at some remote medical facility never to hurt us again. In fact, Mom and Mike are the only ones who still have their gall bladders. The gall bladder battle is so insidious that it crosses blood lines and even attacks family by marriage. My sister in law is fighting her own gall bladder even as I write this. </div><div><br /></div><div>So my point is, gall bladder, not such a big deal.. We've all been there, done that!</div><div><br /></div><div>And yet, mom's gall bladder seemed to not be so simple. The battle lines there were just not quite as clear, so it was decided that further investigation would be necessary and our little local ER moved mom to the big city hospital across town. </div><div><br /></div><div>Still, we weren't too fazed. We were certain we could deal with any gall bladder issue.. We had experience on our side. </div><div><br /></div><div>The big city hospital put mom on the oncology floor.. you know, the one reserved for cancer patients. I was almost thrown at this point, but mom offered that this was simply a precaution due to her history with MM and she actually appreciated it. I bought this explanation and pushed away any creeping anxiety. </div><div><br /></div><div>Monday came and tests were performed. Unfortunately, the big test, the deciding test, the test that would change our little world as we knew it was ordered wrong and we had to wait until Tuesday to take the test and hear the results.</div><div><br /></div><div>My brother, Mark, was with mom and dad when they got the results and he began the task of informing us. I am grateful that he called my husband Jim first, instead of me. Jim came to where I was working and was with me when I learned the news. </div><div><br /></div><div>Cancer had returned. </div><div><br /></div><div>But it wasn't the same cancer. Multiple Myeloma is still being held at bay. This was a new enemy. Cholangio Carcinoma. </div><div><br /></div><div>A tumor was growing around the bile duct and eventually completely blocked it, causing mom's liver to quit functioning properly. This was causing her symptoms and dealing with this blockage became the priority. </div><div><br /></div><div>On Wednesday, mom, who by now had taken on the hue of BigBird, underwent a procedure that completely and successfully unblocked her bile duct. Her liver could now do it's job! Not only is the duct draining into the small bowel as is it's job, but mom is sporting a new accessory bag where her liver is draining from her side. This is just temporary, but it's needed to get everything back in order. </div><div><br /></div><div>The doctor's chose not to do a biopsy of the tumor during this procedure because they didn't want to traumatize the liver more than necessary. Instead she will have the biopsy tomorrow and get a matching tube and bag for her gall bladder. </div><div><br /></div><div>This morning, she was all pink again and feeling better. Her bilirubin levels were normal, which is glorious word when dealing with what we are dealing with. The immediate danger has passed, but we still have the rest of that nasty tumor to deal with. </div><div><br /></div><div>The biopsy tomorrow will confirm the Cholangio Carcinoma diagnosis and I'm praying it doesn't. But no matter what... mom says God is in control and together they beat Multiple Myeloma..and that same power, that same grace is still with her. I have no doubt that this new contender will be knocked out in the first round!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-75973598987351361262010-09-11T13:19:00.000-07:002010-09-11T13:49:30.922-07:00The post that has been 2 years in the making....I thought that some of you might like to know what's been going on these past two years since my last post. The answer is nothing. Absolute blissful, sweet nothingness. Oh, mom has continued getting Zometa, the medication that is making her bones stronger, and she goes regularly for check ups but every report has been better than the last. <br /><br />Blood Tests - Normal<br />Full Body X-rays - Normal<br />Back to Shopping, Cooking and Generally Spoiling her Grandkids - Normal<br /><br />That's not to say that <span style="font-style: italic;">everything</span> is back to normal. I don't think anyone in the family will ever go back to the normal that was before the diagnosis. There is a new appreciation for God's grace and mercy that you don't acquire unless you go through difficult circumstances. <br /><br />Job said it best. " My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you." (Job 42:5)<br /><br />It is easy to speak of God's love and compassion, but to speak of it after you have gone through the kind of fire where you have to rely solely on Him, is more difficult.. mainly due to the lump in your throat. Times like these draw us closer to God, and we know Him more intimately and learn His voice and His ways. After you have seen God this way, things can never be the same, nor would we ever want them to be.<br /><br />The change is subtle on the outside, but noticeable none the less... especially, it seems, by children. <br /><br />On two different occasions, after Mom's hair had grown back in, two different little girls asked Mom what had happened to her hair. These little girls had never seen Mom before and even if they had, her hair had grown into the same short cut she always wore before her chemo, yet they saw something had changed about her. Something had. God had leaned in really close and kissed her. And you can't hide God's kisses.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-5680404608290456372008-09-11T17:03:00.001-07:002008-09-11T18:29:44.376-07:00Long Awaited Update...First, let me apologize for taking so long to update. I will explain why after I tell you how Mom is doing today.<br /><br />Great.. She is doing great. She is taking a little time to recover after the stem cell transplant but everyday is a little better. Her blood counts are taking their time rising, but they are rising. She went to the doctor this morning, half expecting to need a transfusion, but her hemoglobin, though low, was rising.. and that is great news. She started back on her Zometa IV today which will strengthen and repair some of the bone damage caused by the myeloma.<br /><br />Her back is weak but that hasn't stopped her from resuming some of her old activities. She has been going to church, to the grocery store, to restaurants and more. Her hair is growing back beautifully. I think it is going to be thicker and darker than it was, and I'm thinking it is going to be straighter, too. Right now, it looks just like a very cute pixie cut.<br /><br />Now, why did it take me so long to fill everyone in on all the good news....<br /><br />Well, back when Mom went in for all her tests that would confirm how successful we knew the stem cell transplant was, we were expecting to hear the word "remission". We didn't. <br /><br />Mom still has some myeloma cells.. that's the bad news. But the good news is those cells aren't causing any damage or reeking any havoc. I have to be honest and say that I focused on that bad news for a while and I didn't want to update the blog and have to say those cells were still there. That simply wasn't the plan. I guess I figured if I didn't write it, it wouldn't be real. It's not that I was in denial... it's just that I was being very selective about what reality I would accept.<br /><br />I have watched Mom get stronger and more active and I began to realize that a few myeloma cells can't mess up God's plans. <br /><br />And then the other day, God reminded me of a story in the Bible that, for some reason, seems appropriate to share here.<br /><br />Numbers 13 tells the story of Moses sending men from each of the twelve tribes out to inspect the land of Canaan. <br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">In much the same way, the Doctor sent x-ray technicians, phlebotomists, nurses and the like to inspect Mom.</span><br /><br />In the Bible, the men came back with the old good news/bad news scenario... The good news: The land really is flowing with milk and honey.! The fruit is delicious! The cities are beautiful! The bad news: Ummm... well, there are some people that live there.. they look pretty scary.. pretty tough and really really big. There are giants in that land, so hey, this wilderness doesn't look so bad.. <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Kind of like when Mom got her test results.. The good news: Kidneys look great. Bones look great.. no new damage of any kind. The bad news: We still have some myeloma cells.. (Ok, to me, myeloma cells, though microscopic, are the equivalent of giants in the land.)</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Just</span> then Caleb and Joshua spoke up. They had seen the giants too, but they weren't afraid of them. They knew God was on their side and that He had promised to lead them.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">The doctor spoke up. He had seen the myeloma cells, but he also saw how well Mom was doing. He told her those cells weren't going to keep her from feeling good. They might be there, but they weren't going to hurt her or cause problems. </span><br /><br />Now the rest of the story unfolds like this.. Of the twelve spies who went into Canaan, 10 focused on the bad news. They were punished. They never got to go live in the land. The two that focused on God, Caleb and Joshua, inherited the land and God's promises. <br /><br />I want to be like Caleb and Joshua. Mom and Dad already are. They are "strong and courageous" as God commanded Joshua to be. God could have caused Mom to be in remission. God could have healed Mom completely, (something the doctors can't do) but He didn't. And it's not because He was withholding it from us. It's because He is giving us an even more precious gift than healing, the gift of walking in Faith every day, living with courage every day, and EVERY DAY building a closer and stronger relationship with Him.<br /><br />A few years ago I wrote an essay called "Daddy's Hug" that was published in a Chicken Soup book. The basic story was how I was jilted by some Romeo my freshman year of college. This heartbreaking event sent me home to my dad who made it all better with just a hug. It was a hug I will always remember, and it was a hug that would not have happened without that heartbreak.<br /><br />Mom and Dad are walking in the perpetual hug of God right now. No wonder Mom looks so good. She is glowing, because she is leaning on her Saviour and His glory is shining through. And just like Caleb and Joshua did inherit the promises of God, despite the giants in the land.. I now know Mom will live a long, healthy life, inheriting her own promises from God, despite those teeny tiny cells. <br /><br />God has a plan. And I now fully trust Him.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-73328384090163794522008-07-24T17:12:00.000-07:002008-07-24T17:23:16.304-07:00Not only is the grass growing...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERx8FucqnqwNeG4sxmEHPd-msBMTbgd0vTx6Qe7Qb3yvD9J61zEY8mg4baIRN8GO2QRP4x71on8j5uXV9Dk_OqmYjBx5RpCbCMR03TkEwcR3JmYMYlD34_BHjWP8_A4wvhqytD1__0Xc/s1600-h/mom+update.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226740574414995874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERx8FucqnqwNeG4sxmEHPd-msBMTbgd0vTx6Qe7Qb3yvD9J61zEY8mg4baIRN8GO2QRP4x71on8j5uXV9Dk_OqmYjBx5RpCbCMR03TkEwcR3JmYMYlD34_BHjWP8_A4wvhqytD1__0Xc/s400/mom+update.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>but Mom's hair is growing too! If you look closely you can see all her new growth coming in. She is feeling good these days and right now is looking forward to getting her port removed. She will be going in tomorrow morning.. If she no longer needs fluids or blood, chances are great that she won't have to wear that port anymore. We are also hoping she gets the results of all her tests last week. We know by looking at her that the stem cell transplant did it's job... we are just anxious for the doctor to say it too. I will update as soon as we get the results.</div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-24499272327227099342008-07-09T11:31:00.000-07:002008-07-09T13:15:12.880-07:00And now for something completely differentAnother update, but this time the update is on Dad.<br /><br />He had surgery today to repair a hernia. Mark is with him, while Mike and I are home with Mom. She is feeling better, but probably not up to waiting in a waiting room.. but then does any one feel up to waiting in a waiting room.<br /><br />Dad is now out of surgery and in recovery. He did very well.. and apparently so did the surgeon. Not only did he repair daddy's hernia, but he also discovered a stranded gall stone, hanging around long after daddy's gall bladder removal years ago.<br /><br />The gall stone was removed, the hernia was repaired, and all is well. Thanks for you prayers.<br /><br /><em>Edited to let everyone know that daddy is home and resting comfortably.. ok, comfortably might be a bit of a stretch.. but he is as comfortable as one could be after surgery.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Also stay tuned for updates on my mom.. her 100th day (from the stem cell transplant) is coming up next week. We will celebrate with x-rays and a bone marrow biopsy. I'll give all the details very soon!</em>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-15969890327301021662008-07-03T08:17:00.001-07:002008-07-03T12:46:31.288-07:00The Grass is GrowingI just wanted to post a quick update so everyone could see how much the "grass has grown" around here...<br /><br /><ul><br /><li>Mom can finally taste food again</li><br /><li>And it tastes good!</li><br /><li>We even went out to eat the other day.</li><br /><li>She told me that she feels like things are working right again.</li><br /><li>And to prove that, she went to her weekly doctor visit and all her numbers were good. She didn't need blood, platelets, fluids.. Her body was making everything she needed.</li></ul><p>And all this is just in time around here. Daddy is going to have surgery on Wednesday to repair a hernia, so the roles will be a little reversed . Mom will be the caregiver .. (Actually, Megan, Mark, Mike and I be hanging around quite a bit too)</p><p>So, Mom's getting better.. Daddy's going to be better.. yep.. the grass is growing around here.. because it's being watered with all your prayers. Keep praying because the grass is sure pretty.</p><br /><p></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218809445729303698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYP9Zyb04P5wBoJ5zdUHfGtgIYJBjsMraWsq8EZyPOqtcjonTMWxhKOSfMwb7o8QtuuU2WdpOD9ZzR7uDhQtd3Pj40P41UyaD0jeAwVB7AlcAF93MUXXi8LChMPpyCKKbvv8MnKFZZyYE/s400/grass_close-up.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p><br /></p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-66810996396121422042008-06-15T22:51:00.001-07:002008-06-15T22:54:57.545-07:00Shout out to the DadJust wanted to take a second here to say Happy Father's Day to my dad. He is doing an amazing job of caring for Mom. I can see my Heavenly Father reflected in everything my Dad does... and I just wanted him to know that I noticed.<br /><br />Happy Father's Day, Daddy!Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-66900951961779897742008-06-08T21:18:00.000-07:002008-06-08T21:35:19.308-07:00How has your life changed?I was visiting with Mom and Dad today and we were talking about how Mom has been fighting this cancer for a year now. (Although she wasn't officially diagnosed until July, she did go to the emergency room on June 1st, 2007 for pain that we would eventually find out was caused by the Myeloma.)<br /><br />Last July, Mom was sicker than I have ever seen her, before or since. She is fighting with grace and strength. When she begins to feel better, will she feel like her old self? I think not. I think that she can't come through a battle like this unchanged. All of those around her are changed too. We all have a strength that we weren't aware of before. We all are much more generous with the "I Love You's". And most importantly, because God says He is with the Broken Hearted, we have all experienced God's love in a new and different way than ever before. And that alone changes you. It can't not change you.<br /><br />I dare you to watch this video of some people showing how God has changed them. Then I dare you to leave a comment saying how God has changed you. I triple dog dare you.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RvDDc5RB6FQ&hl=en"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RvDDc5RB6FQ&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />My mom's cardboard testimony could be...<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#990000;">Cancer Patient</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#990000;">(flip)</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#990000;">Victorious Survivor</span></em><br /><br /><br />Mine would say<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#990000;">Fearfully depending on other people</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#990000;">(flip)</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#990000;">Faithfully knowing God will meet ALL my needs.</span></em><br /><br />What would yours say?Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-61991557856549576642008-06-05T19:04:00.000-07:002008-06-05T19:12:36.355-07:00The grass is still growing but we got a weedRemember the other day when I wrote how waiting for Mom to start to feel better was a bit like grass growing. Well, the grass is growing and mom is feeling a little better every day, but I think we might have grown a weed... <br /><br />Mom has had a persistant cough since... well, since she got her stem cells. In the last few days the cough passed persistant and began down right annoying. We haven't been terribly worried since a cough can be a side effect of her chemo, but we have been watching it closely. Yesterday morning, Daddy could tell that Mom just wasn't feeling as well as she had been and her cough was getting worse. There were scheduled to go into the hospital just to have her iv lines flushed, but they weren't scheduled to see the doctor until Friday. <br /><br />However, after Daddy checked Mom's temp and discovered she had fever, they immediately called the doctor who told them to come on down. A chest x-ray later, we discovered that mom was trying to develop pneumonia but they caught it in time. They gave her an antibiotic, as well as a shot to boost her white cell production . She is already feeling much better, and that weed is now under control. <br /><br />We are just settling back to watch some more grass grow.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-5811473148486806202008-05-18T09:45:00.001-07:002008-05-18T09:47:27.520-07:00Surgery Went WellJust a quick update on my grandmother: She had surgery this morning and did very well. Her next step is rehabilitation. Thanks so much for your prayers.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-90285822435725872882008-05-17T20:37:00.000-07:002008-05-17T20:54:54.479-07:00Call for PrayerWhile I want everyone to keep praying for Mom's continued recovery, we have a new prayer request. My grandmother, Mom's Mom, <a href="http://mmstandsformovingmountains.blogspot.com/2008/04/speaking-of-birthdays.html">who just turned 90</a>, fell yesterday and broke her hip. She is in Houston and transferred to St. Lukes, where they can take better care of her. She will be having surgery at 8:00 tomorrow (Sunday) morning. As I understand it, the surgery will not be as complex as a hip replacement, and she should be up and walking within 24 hours.<br /><br />Brenda and Jeff have both flown to Houston to be with Mamo. As you can imagine, Mom would really like to be there, but that is simply not an option at this time. <br /><br />Please pray that surgery goes well, and Mamo recovers quickly. Pray also for peace for Mom.<br /><br />I'm certain those of you in Houston will be busy but if you happen to read this and have any updates, please leave a comment and let us know the latest news.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-14462842178905569742008-05-16T15:12:00.000-07:002008-05-16T15:42:21.731-07:00Flashback Friday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvUR_H1DSsoCjhgv2QHJYdDyLDBEco_mIKIJgqQkmv3WmM1i7vOPyPtydTivHEwXdxA7ag5kgJdzMIUwXWQVCLon3pDQhL5lGWwAUN54ESMObNijuagxSjebJU6C_0_PM0TGzB8FqsJA/s1600-h/img004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201102596450100514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvUR_H1DSsoCjhgv2QHJYdDyLDBEco_mIKIJgqQkmv3WmM1i7vOPyPtydTivHEwXdxA7ag5kgJdzMIUwXWQVCLon3pDQhL5lGWwAUN54ESMObNijuagxSjebJU6C_0_PM0TGzB8FqsJA/s400/img004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Just checking in with this flashback, circa.... well, I'm not sure of the date but considering that I'm exposing my belly button in this photo, we can be well assured it was long, long, long ago. This picture shows the family working in the yard which makes me think of two things... First, I dont' recall ever working in the yard. I'm fairly sure Mom and Dad worked in the yard. Mark and Mike were probably coerced into helping but not without whining and moaning. And I am fairly certain that I merely flitted and danced about practicing cartwheels and such. (To get a better look just click on the picture. It will allow you to see it in all it's vivid 70's detail.. on second thought, maybe you don't want to click on it.)<br /><br />But this yardwork image also reminds me of just how difficult it is to watch grass grow. And according to Mom's doctor, that is what we are doing right now... watching and waiting and waiting and watching while grass grows. Let me explain. Mom came home from the hospital several days ago, and we were looking forward to her feeling better and stronger everyday. It hasn't really happened that way. She is pretty much as week and fatigued as when she left the hospital. And the chemo really did a number on her tastebuds this time and absolutely nothing tastes good to her. She's just really not been feeling well.<br /><br />She has been going back to see the doctor twice a week. Everything is going according to plan and she is getting better, but it's just as a pace that is something like "watching grass grow".<br /><br />But here's the thing about grass growing... You may not be able to actually see it grow, but it does, and my front lawn is sprouting with proof right now. When you look at the picture above, although you might be able to actually watch Mark's hair grow, the grass is still a bit, ummm.. still. But I'm sure it wasn't longafter this picture was taken, before Daddy started up the mower, Mom put on her head scarf, the boys started complaining and I began skipping. Because even though you can't see it.. it does grow, and it grows and it grows.<br /><br />And just like that grass, Mom IS getting better everyday. We may not see it yet, but it's happening.. and just like a beautiful batch of bermuda on a dewy morning, mom will soon find her energy and her strength. And then maybe she will even feel like mowing the lawn.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-24570640521364165672008-04-25T14:13:00.000-07:002008-04-25T14:23:11.384-07:00Where the deer and the antelope play.....Ok, so maybe there aren't any antelope, and it might not be on a range.. but I have seen deer prancing about and more importantly ... It's HOME! And that is where Mom is! <br /><br />Yep, Mom's home! She will have to go back to the hospital daily for a few days, but she gets to come home and rest in her recliner and sleep in her bed. She is a little weak and her mouth still burns a bit, but she says she's feeling pretty good!<br /><br />More later... It's a busy day for me, but I wanted to let you know that Mom is home!Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-61116130454838304732008-04-21T10:00:00.000-07:002008-04-21T17:16:01.380-07:00Chemo is still bad, but white blood cells are better...Mom has been having a bit of a hard time with the chemo this go around. They gave her a huge dose, larger than the last time, so it is not uncommon to see some effects we didn't see before. Her main complication this time is stomatitis.<br /><br />Here's the scoop. Cancer is a rapidly multiplying cell and the chemo is designed to kill cancer. Unfortunately is can't differentiate between bad rapidly multiplying cells such as cancer, and good rapidly multiplying cells, such as the lining of your mouth and digestive tract. So while the chemo is doing it's job on the nasty myeloma cells, mom's mouth lining is making the ultimate sacrifice. And this is called stomatitis. And mom has it bad. Grade 3.<br /><br />To make it bearable she has been on a morphine drip IV. And that is helping. In fact, it's helping her escape her room. Apparently she has been playing a little golf (she told daddy all she needed was three birdies) Maybe now that she's playing golf in her drug induced dreams, she will take up golf with daddy when she is healthy again. How fun will that be!<br /><br />The morphine has a few side effects of it's own.. besides the whole golf thing, that is. She is retaining some fluid and that in turn has caused some breathing issues, so she has been on oxygen. Her blood pressure has been a little on the low side as well.<br /><br />BUT, as bad as all that sounds.. here is the good news. These are only problems till the heroic white blood cells return. The chemo killed them off, and while those white blood cells are gone, all hell breaks loose. But once the white blood cells come back, everything will return to order once again... and guess what..... THEY'RE BACK!<br /><br />Mom's white count went from readings like .1 and .2 in the past couple of days to 2.9 today! So, we expect those white cells to start whomping some stomatitis butt soon, and mom should be feeling much better. In fact, the doctor even insinuated that she would be back in her own bed at her own home in about 48 hours.<br /><br />You just can't get a much better report than that!Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-64929039587861455522008-04-16T15:40:00.000-07:002008-04-16T15:57:50.975-07:00Stem Cells Good - Chemo BadWhile we are thrilled Mom has new healthy stem cells, we hate that she has to deal with the effects of chemotherapy. <br /><br />The good news is there is no C. Diff. although she is having tummy troubles. They have been watching her closely for this but all tests continue to be negative. For that we are so thankful!<br /><br />The bad news is Mom has developed a new symptom that she didn't have to deal with the first go around, but we are told it is quite common when recieving stem cells. Her mouth hurts. Bad. So bad, in fact, morphine is only taking the edge off. It hurts to talk, eat or swallow. This is a complication that will go away soon but we want soon to be sooner!<br /><br />Continue to pray that there will be no C. Diff and that the lining of Mom's mouth and entire digestive track will heal quickly.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-69252002739366043792008-04-11T14:50:00.000-07:002008-04-11T15:13:15.598-07:00Speaking of Birthdays...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjderbKQgiuOjU5blM_mFCgRkttper1CiDeYNrrKB6MdjPdaiRe4OEOAYMy7eJ5xQNV9BxVhJsxBoAqBX4oKnGM3_EoQ5nJXGGCdC1_c3qnxvGryRSOqEd_sr6LwXrNCF6IXpJjDeByEGs/s1600-h/cutie.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188113982128174226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjderbKQgiuOjU5blM_mFCgRkttper1CiDeYNrrKB6MdjPdaiRe4OEOAYMy7eJ5xQNV9BxVhJsxBoAqBX4oKnGM3_EoQ5nJXGGCdC1_c3qnxvGryRSOqEd_sr6LwXrNCF6IXpJjDeByEGs/s400/cutie.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcobccTE7gO7EwTYN8p09a81Z8gwHc7BnaTstrZ2RmVbZbJn8DsZxFBBDdneoiG8cX9DNHKSiIw50Qd1fvWqddRzx0K6ggzXybSoSDv2DemOIDqE9t91SA0d1dKibkU_72-sLnObBvfE/s1600-h/mamo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188113806034515074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcobccTE7gO7EwTYN8p09a81Z8gwHc7BnaTstrZ2RmVbZbJn8DsZxFBBDdneoiG8cX9DNHKSiIw50Qd1fvWqddRzx0K6ggzXybSoSDv2DemOIDqE9t91SA0d1dKibkU_72-sLnObBvfE/s400/mamo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiim7XhPNR9E0EE6Qfk9CdM5W4oEr20suL7nNYtqp_7pYm9MhL8NiFUPYqVDe9DAEWf-L0McM93HWZjHrvZHIM5jbHaJMEGksGMbGL0pjy03ov7IzlLSoxQSx9cu33H1lfnC51W4eVYKjs/s1600-h/mamo&papo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188113462437131378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiim7XhPNR9E0EE6Qfk9CdM5W4oEr20suL7nNYtqp_7pYm9MhL8NiFUPYqVDe9DAEWf-L0McM93HWZjHrvZHIM5jbHaJMEGksGMbGL0pjy03ov7IzlLSoxQSx9cu33H1lfnC51W4eVYKjs/s400/mamo&papo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br />I just want to interrupt this blog to wish my Mamo a very happy birthday. My mom's mom, Trellis, is 90 years old today. Since Mom has been ill, Mamo has been traveling. She spent several months with Aunt Brenda in California and is staying with Aunt Joyce in Texas right now.<br /><br />Mamo, all of us here in Oklahoma wish you a wonderful 90th Birthday! We love you and we miss you. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-77893564914363573282008-04-09T23:55:00.001-07:002008-04-10T10:01:54.598-07:00<object width="425" height="373"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SPGmdMfhqvc&hl=en&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SPGmdMfhqvc&hl=en&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="373"></embed></object>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-52658698302113026642008-04-09T21:33:00.000-07:002008-04-09T21:39:32.758-07:00An Amazing DayMom's stem cell transplant went perfectly today. Mom was quite anxious at first because they told her all the list of side effects that could happen. Of course, they didn't, but Mom was understandably worried. <br /><br />The stem cells came to the room in a large container filled with freezing vapor. They thawed the stem cells, then her nurse, using all the strength she had, pushed the thick stem cells through the IV tube. As they entered Mom's blood stream, the perservative keeping the stem cells fresh, went to her lungs. She had to breath deeply and cough to keep her lungs clear. One interesting side effect from this preservative is a strange taste in Mom's mouth and eventually a smell that fills the room. For some this smells/tastes like Garlic. For some it is creamed corn. One patient described it as an old army boot and another set is tasted like an acetalyne torch. Mom thought it tasted like tomatoes.. probably because she's never munched on an army boot or a torch. Soon the room smelled like tomatoe juice which is not a scent I find particularly pleasurable. There were "Wow, I could have had a V8" jokes flying, but I think after today, it will be a while before Mom actually drinks another V8.<br /><br />Her stem cells came in 3 bags which took less than a minute each to push through. Besides the tomato taste and an itchy throat, mom had no unpleasant side effects. In fact, she is feeling no effects from her chemo yesterday. <br /><br />Janice, the transpant coordinator, told us that now Mom has another birthday. And you can be sure we will celebrate every year!Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-50037727171102072362008-04-08T13:31:00.000-07:002008-04-08T13:35:21.004-07:00She's had her chemo..I just spoke with Mom. She had 2 big bags of chemo in about 30 minutes. She said she's feeling a bit light headed but not from the chemo. They have given her pain medicine for some pain associated with her catheter. She told me she had a good lunch and all but licked the plate! <br /><br />This is such a change from when she went to the hospital in January. Then she was in a wheelchair. This time she walked to the transplant unit on her own.<br /><br />Tomorrow she will get her stem cells at 1:30. I will be there with my camera so check back tomorrow for pics!Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6517594482571565872.post-89929968143454318392008-04-08T09:50:00.000-07:002008-04-08T10:03:07.458-07:00Neither hail nor sleet nor snow....Ok, it didn't sleet or snow, but it sure did hail. And thunder. And flood. But that didn't stop Mom and Dad. They are at the hospital now and she has her catheter now. You might remember that putting the catheter in is a surgical procedure, although she can have it done in her room. This time did not go quite as smoothly as the last time. It seemed to take quite a long time and Mom felt it a lot more than before.<br /><br />She is in Room 7128 this time. We knew this room from a couple of outpatient visits and it's uncomfortable bed stood out. Fortunately, they've either gotten a new bed or Mom is not quite as picky as she was when she felt so bad. The official word from Mom is the bed is fine.<br /><br />She should be getting her chemo soon. The doctor and the pharmacists have a plan to battle the c-difficle before it even starts, but your prayers are still appreciated on this battlefront.<br /><br />More updates to come!Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640410434269492015noreply@blogger.com0