Dr. Post Operation Appointment & Test Results

Yesterday morning my mom had her post operation appointment and the test results were in from pathology. The tumor near her pancreas was positive for cancer, the spleen was also cancerous but the spot on her liver was NOT cancer. We are all counting our blessings that the Dr. decided to completely open her up and remove the spot near her pancreas as it would have otherwise been left in and would have grown and spread.


She is still sore but is getting around more and more each day. They removed her staples and replaced it with tape for now. When I was talking to her the other day she was talking about replanting and re-potting plants, making bread among other things on her to do list. I'm thinking cancer picked one strong woman to try to attack:)


So now what? Now mom needs to heal and recover from her surgery and we try to keep her healthy. As of now the Doctors feel they have all of what was first detected. In August she goes back for a MRI for her head to see if anything came back or if it remained cancer free. Then in November she will go back to get a CAT scan for the rest of her body to see if anything came back from that. So far no more radiation is needed.


On behalf of the Bastar clan, I would like to thank all of you for all of your prayers, thoughts, donations, gifts and your full support during this roller-coaster ride. This past year "YOU" family and friends have been our family's true back bone and have helped us to keep on our two feet during a time when it was difficult to stand. The Doctors have done great miraculous work yet without you we wouldn't have been able to focus on our mother as well and still juggle our everyday family lives as well.


Now, we know the battle is not over but for now we can count our blessings, take a deep breath and say thank you to you and most of all to God.

today's progression 2 steps forward 3 steps back 2 steps forward...

Today the Doctor's orders was to get up walk around and sit in the chair most of the day. Well, she did accomplish it all but it was not an easy task by any means and it was a long day for her. I left this evening and she looked and felt 100 times better than she had all day. I pray that it continues in this direction and that every day will get easier. 
Today the nurse and I were helping my mother to walk with her walker and the nurse said to me that she was amazed on how strong my mother was and she was in awe of her will and determination. She was so true. Even during the most painful moments mom pulled through enough to focus on the task that she had to accomplish even if it was to sit up in bed. 

Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers. Please keep the prayers coming. This woman can do anything especially when she knows her friends and family are backing her in prayer.

Update on today's surgery

I wasn't able to update because I didn't have access to the Internet all day. Peggy is doing okay and the hospital staff is trying to manage her pain level the best they can. They decided during the surgery to open her up with a large incision down her entire abdomen. This was because the tumor located on her liver was actually on the backside of her liver and they could not remove it unless they were able to make a larger incision. While the surgeon was there he was able to locate the tumor in which we thought was near her heart when in fact it was closer to her pancreas but not on her pancreas. It seems as though the surgeon was able to remove all of the tumors that we are aware of thus far. So the good news is that we have  all of the tumors out and the not so good news is that she'll have a rougher recovery and much longer stay in the hospital. I will try to keep everyone updated the best I can or as long as I have the computer access to and please feel free to call any of us kids if you want an update as well. Please keep the prayers coming we have come so far knowing there is so many family friends praying for us this past year.

Prayers needed for todays surgery

Today my mom will be having her 2nd surgery. They will be removing her spleen and removing a tumor from her liver. This will be a laparoscopical procedure and we think she will be able to go home as early as tomorrow Friday as long as her pain is managed ad everything else is okay. I will try to update everyone afterward depending on internet availability.

We All Are Praising God& Counting our Blessings!!!

Just received a call from Josi. 

Surgery can be scheduled for the end of April to remove the other tumors. Her head is CLEAR. She had been having dizzy spells but the Dr. feel that it's from the radiation creating a build up of ear wax. Something that can be taken care of easily. She hopes to have surgery the end of April after Easter so she can recoup in time to travel again to visit more family. She has gained enough weight.

 She continues to have some loss for words but that should come eventually as long as she continues to talk.... so call her and make her talk as much as possible!! 

She has worked so hard to get to this point and is now celebrating with an ice cream cone with everyone that went with her today.

 We have taken this battle minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day and month by month and celebrating every small victory along the way. Today we are celebrating the good news :) 

Thank you Lord!

April 4th MRI and Doctor Appointment

So for the past couple months mom has been recouping, relaxing, and trying to fatten up a bit :) 

She also got to spend a few days relaxing with her sisters in Ohio!

This morning mom will have the MRI that will decide the next measures to how the Doctors will attack her cancer. The MRI will show if the existing tumors have grown or spread to any other parts of her body. We need some BIG prayers out there that her tumors have stayed the same and surgery can be scheduled to remove them. She is pretty strong right now and feeling a little better with each day other than getting tired. She is a fighter and she is ready to battle through her next surgery.

HaPpY HaPpY BIRTHDAY!!

 How many people do you know that have had a major surgery to remove a large stubborn tumor from on their brain and goes bowling less than 3 months later? 

Ahh not too mention just getting through 

with the first round of radiation. 

Yup, That's our mom. One tough cookie!

A woman that has sooo much life within her that 

nothing will hold her back from 

having a little fun with her kids!

Enjoying some Birthday Cupcakes.

So Friday night Jayson's clan took mom out for a Birthday dinner because they couldn't join us on Saturday. Mom, Dad, Jenni, Josi, Jana and myself along with our families enjoyed a day of bowling, pizza, some cup cakes and gifts to celebrate mom's Birthday. It was good laid back fun. Although mom was bowling and having fun she did get tired about after 2 hours. It was short and sweet but so worth the time of just having fun.


On Sunday the party continued with an after church celebration. Jenni had brought a Birthday cake to church to enjoy afterwards. I was not able to be there for Sunday's celebration but I have heard that it was a great way to wrap up her Birthday weekend.

So very THANKFUL that our mother's recovery has brought her to another Birthday celebration. We all are very aware of the gift we have been given and we all cherish every single moment together and know not to take a single moment for granted.