Head test came back clear

I know I am really late writing this but I wanted to let you all know that Peggy's MRI for her head showed that all is clear. No signs of cancer in her head and everything looks like it is healing great. Her hearing is even making a slight come back on her bad side. The PET Scan for the rest of her body will be in December and that will search for any signs of cancer growth. Please keep the prayers coming.

Prayers needed

Well, this Friday marks one year that mom had her brain surgery to remove the large tumor in her head. She has made remarkable strides and major recovery even after the last surgery in May that removed her spleen along with other tumors.
This Wednesday Nov 16 she will be going back for another scan to look for any signs of new tumors. Please keep our mother in your prayers as she awaits the results of the scan.

Thank you,

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.

February 2nd Doctor visit on what's next

Today was the doctor visit that we all have been anticipating. Today we would find out the next phase or series of steps that are needed. I think that we are learning that cancer is approached in many different ways but over all it's an "attack... wait and see....wait and see....attack" rhythm that can wear on everyone involved, especially the patient.

So to bring you up to speed thus far mom has had MRI and CT scan testing, a major surgery to remove the very large tumor from her head, speedy recovery from surgery, 28 days of radiation, the PET test that has shown another tumor on her aorta and then today's visit to map the future.

Unfortunately I was the only one of five children that was unable to go to mom's Dr. apt with her and dad today but I got the full review from Josi. The Dr. wants to wait for another 8 - 10 weeks and do another full MRI on her to see if anything has come back on her head, to see if the other tumors have grown and to see if anything new has appeared. If all has stayed some-what the same they will proceed with surgery to remove the spleen in it's entirety and burn the tumor that is located on her liver. There was talk about not removing the spleen in my previous posts but they feel it should now be removed. The tumor on her aorta is not confirmed yet to be cancerous so they want to wait and see what the MRI shows in 10 weeks to see if there are any changes and then they will address it then. It does not appear that they will remove that yet. If there are signs of significant growth between now and the MRI they may have her undergo further radiation to shrink those tumors. Once surgery is complete the physicians are considering a pill form of chemo to ward off further growth of cancerous cells. So once again it's a wait and see then attack scenario. For now we need to fatten her up and keep her rested so she can be strong for surgery.
I'll keep you updated on her progress throughout the next 8 weeks and let you know the results of the MRI and once again the next steps.

Results from the PET tests

Aiden and I arrived in Shawano Monday afternoon just before mom and dad returned back from their trip to Appleton. Mom was pretty sick and the most tired I have seen her yet. Some days the radiation takes everything from her. She said she usually has about 2 days out of the week that she's that worn out.


Tuesday was a very long day for her filled of tests and more radiation. We needed to be in Appleton by 9am for her radiation treatment. After radiation came the PET IV fluid and then after laying still for about an hour or so she had to have the scans. After the tests were done she was tired but very hungry as the strict  diet she was on before her tests had kept her from many of the foods she can handle eating. She was starving for a chocolate shake so we hit a drive thru and then headed off back home through some wonderful winter weather.


Wednesday was another day for Doctor visits and radiation but this day was at the normal time in the afternoon. It was a few hours prior to leaving when Jana had called me to say that she had called mom's Oncologist and the results were read. The scan has shown another tumor on her aorta. This tumor may not necessarily be a new tumor but could be that the other scans dis not pick this one up. I explained to mom and dad what the scans showed and we gathered ourselves for the appointment to the Neurologist and radiation.


The Neurologist was extremely surprised at mom's progress and happy to see the results of the surgery. A patient that has this type of surgery normally would or could be still in a wheel chair with mental delay and/ or hearing and seeing impaired. The only lingering side effect from the surgery is that my mom has pretty much lost her hearing in her left ear. The Dr said he thinks it was because he has removed so much bone that there are no longer the bones to help with the vibration to the ear drum. The radiation has also caused some swelling in that ear but he  doesn't feel that the hearing loss is just from the swelling. The Neurologist was joking around with mom and dad which really helped lighten their spirit after the news of another tumor. They had mentioned to the Neurologist about the new tumor and he looked the results up and said not to worry that she had an excellent team of Oncologist working on her and she would get the very best care. We left the Neurologist and headed straight to Appleton to make the radiation appointment.


What comes next?
Well after mom found out she had another tumor she was also told that she needed to go for radiation 28 days instead of the 25. This is because the gave her shorter doses each day than the had first figured so instead of having radiation end today (Monday) Thursday will be her last day. So she will wrap up radiation for her head this week and her Oncologist will meet with the board of Oncologists tomorrow (Tuesday) and they will review mom's case and decide the next moves. Mom has an appointment on Feb 2 to discuss what the board decides to do for future treatment.


She is in good spirits and still has her sense of humor!! She is very excited to have a week off between radiation and her next Dr. appointment and looks forward to resting.

January 9th Update

Just wanted to give you a bit of an update. My mother is on her last leg of her radiation and is staying strong. I will be heading up tomorrow afternoon and will be taking her tuesday and Wednesday. The end of last week she received a letter from the Doctor's office saying that her PET test is scheduled for this Tuesday morning. If you don't remember the details about this test click on this link to go back to this previous post for the details  PET test. Tuesday will be a long day for her as she will under go this procedure in the early morning and then it will be followed by her radiation in the afternoon. Hopefully she will be able to rest in between the two. Wednesday she will have a follow up appointment with her Neurologist and then we are off to Appleton for another radiation treatment. I will only be able to stay Monday afternoon to Thursday morning as I will have Aiden (2) with me leaving the two older kiddos home with Matt holding down the fort. The weather should be okay so Aiden and I are off for a road trip.
I will let everyone know how the PET tests go and will update as soon as I have computer access.

Taking it's toll and shoulda, coulda, woulda

My mother is doing okay but as the holidays come to a close she's become more depressed as the Radiation is taking it's toll. She is nearing the end of Radiation with only 9 more treatments to go. Unfortunately the light at the end seems dim to her as she knows this will be her normal with tests and treatments for the rest of her earthly life. She is experiencing many of the painful side effects of Radiation but as always she finds the humor in anything and everything. Please call her or write her as your support is like boosts of energy her spirit truly needs. Also keep my dad in your prayers and thoughts as well this has definitely taken it's toll on him too.

This morning as I was preparing myself to write this post I came across this e-mail that I would like to share with you. Normally when I open these types of e-mails I read through them, take them for what it's worth and either trash them or pass them along. This one came from my mother-in-law and I thought it holds too much truth to sit in my trash on my desk top. So I am passing it on to all of you...

Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming or are too rigid to depart from their routine.

I got to thinking one day about all those people on theTitanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back.  From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible.

How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed?  Does the word 'refrigeration' mean nothing to you?

How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence while you watched 'Jeopardy' on television?

I cannot count the times I called my sister and said, 'How about going to lunch in a half hour?'  She would gas up and stammer, 'I can't. I have clothes on the line.  My hair is dirty.  I wish I had known yesterday. I had a late breakfast.  It looks like rain.'  And my personal favorite:  'It's Monday.'    She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together.

Because people cram so much into their lives, we tend to schedule our headaches.  We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves,  when all the conditions are perfect.

We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get little Kevin toilet-trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet. We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college.

Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of 'I'm going to,' 'I plan on,' and 'Someday, when things are settled down a bit.'

When anyone calls my 'seize the moment' friend, she is open to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of Rollerblades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord.

My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy.

Now...go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to...not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say?

And why are you waiting?

Do you run through each day on the fly?

When you ask 'How are you?'  Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head?

Ever told your child, 'We'll do it tomorrow.' And in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch?

Let a good friendship die? Just call to say 'Hi'?

When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift....Thrown away.... Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over. 

A Very Merry Christmas

It will truly be a Christmas to remember. Once again "The Bastar Clan" filled 4 or 5 church pews at the First Presbyterian Church in Shawano as we gathered for the Christmas Eve service. After the church service we all or most of us went back to mom & dad's for some homemade pizzas. The children age 21 to 2 played games while the adults visited. This went until about 11:30 or so and many spent the evening having one very large slumber party at mom and dad's house. We all (30 of us) gathered back in the morning about 6:30am to start our traditional early morning Christmas. As the Bastar tradition has it all of the adults were only allowed to surround the Christmas tree in the basement and then the children were all allowed to parade in one at a time. Mom of course was in her crazy humorous mood sporting her Christmas Hope shirt and her Santa hat. She cooked enough food to feed an army, wrapped a slue of presents, laughed until her cheeks hurt and shed a few tears here and there. Over all mom kept up with the Christmas festivities. 

Blowing the ball of her hat out of her face:) Being a clown.

 Aunt Pat (mom's sister) sent each one of the Grandchildren & Grandchild a t-shirt saying "I Love Gramma" and then mom has an outfit that says "Grandma". It was a surprise for her. As each child opened their t-shirt and put the shirt on it slowly brought her to tears and then she put hers on last. Sobbing she said that she has the greatest sister's and brother's ever. The sign mom is holding is from Jenni and her family. It says "What Happens at Grandma's Stays at Grandma's. So many family members and friends have been so very gracious to help make this Christmas a great one for mom. We are all very humbled by everyone's gifts, thoughts and prayers.


4th back row: David Parrott, Robert Parrott, Katilynn Parrott, Jordon Schoen
3rd row: Pauline Parrott, Emilee Bastar, Mollie Schoen, Stephanie Bastar, Jayden  (Amanda's son)
2nd row: Morgan Krueger, Aubrey Knitter, Hattie Schoen, Amanda Bastar, Elizabeth Bastar
1st row: Anna Schoen, Gramma, Aiden Knitter, Johnathan Knitter

Jana's Max wasn't able to make the picture and Amanda will be adding a Great Granddaughter in June to this ever growing family. We are so very BLESSED.

Gramma & Aubrey Knitter snuggling 

Aiden Knitter and Jordon Schoen admiring Grandma and Grandpa dancing. YES DANCING!!

Hope your Christmas was as blessed as ours was today.

Jana's post ~ Updates on what's next

Today I took Mom to see Dr. Chang a surgeon in New London, who works out of Fox Valley Surgery.  This is what he had to say:  

First of all he said that chemo doesn't usually work well to treat neuroendocrine carcinoma, he said it is usually best treated by removing any removalable tumors.  His concern is with her liver and spleen.  He said radiation doesn't work well to treat these areas, so that is not an option.  He said that once she finishes radiation, which would be about the second week in January, she will need a PET scan.  A PET scan is a computerized radiographic technique that employs radioactive substances to examine the metabolic activity of various body structures.  In PET studies the patient either inhales or is injected with biochemical, such as glucose, carrying radioactive substance that emits positively charged particles, or positrons.  When these positrons combine with negatively charged electrons normally found in the cells of the body, gamma rays are emitted.  The electronic circuitry and computers of the PET device detect the gamma rays and convent them into color coded images that indicate the intensity of the metabolic activity of the organ involved.  The doctor said this test is needed to see if there are any other tumors in the body, this would show more then a CAT scan.  If the test only shows the tumors on the spleen and the liver then the plan is to remove the spleen, and burn the tumor on the liver.  He said if he would remove the tumor on the liver which is really small because of the location, he would have to remove half the liver.  He said he can insert a device and just burn the tumor off.  As far as the removal of the spleen goes, I asked about what harm that would do to her, due to what the spleen does for us.  Dr. Chang stated that the spleen does release a good bacteria for our body, and by removing it the chances of that person getting sick from not having the spleen is 1 in 250.  He also stated that the is vaccinations that can be given for that bacteria.  Ok bad news/ worse case scenario, is that if the PET scan shows the cancer is wide spread, then he would not do surgery, and we would go other routes of treatment.  He said that although chemo isn't very effective for this kind of cancer, it's still often used to help treat it.  Sorry if you are all confused.  To sum it up, with Dr. Chang:  PET Scan after radiation therapy is complete, we need to pray and keep fingers crossed that it is not wide spread, so he can do surgery to remove this cancerous areas.  

Now off to Appleton we went, which we were running behind, due to the doctor being late.  We got to radiation at 3:10 and had to wait, mom's treatment was to start at 3:00, good news we got to talk to Dr. Krueger today instead of tomorrow so I asked her the prognosis, and if she could explain this cancer to me, and treatment plan. 

Bad News:  This is a stubborn cancer, not really curable, doesn't seem to have a primary source really.  She said that chemo is not very effective in treating this type of cancer.  That she can not give us a prognosis because it's not like other kinds of cancers, it seems to be more of a treat and wait and see type.  Meaning she said with hit it with everything they got, and opperate on the tumors that they can, and do chemo sometimes, then continue to monitor, and we wait for when or if another tumor shows up, and do the same, hit it with everything they got.  She said she has a handful of patients with this type of cancer, and they are on numerous rounds of treatments.  They are not as healthy as Mom is anymore.  The doctor told Mom that thsi daily treating of cancer, the team of doctors, seeing different doctors, going to different appointments, that thie will be her new NORM.  Mom seemed a little upset about hearing this,  I think we all were under the impretion that the tumor was removed from her skull, and that area was being treated with radiation, and all we had left was to worry about the spleen and liver, then once those areas were gone, she would be in a sense cancer free, and go back to her normal life.  This is not the case, in fact it is quite opposite, she will forever have to keep fighting her cancer.  The doctor could not tell us when her tumors would come back, and who knows where they will be next, or how often they will occur.  Mom said "I will do whatever it takes, I will keep fighting, and I have to take it one day at a time, and live life to it's fullest everyday."  Also Mom was complaining that her left ear area was reddened and painful and warm, Dr. Krueger put her on Keflex which is an antibiotic, just because of the holidays, and said she didn't want Mom to end up in the ER with a full blown infection in that area, and this would be precautionary.  

Mom is so grateful for everyones love and support, she also wants to make sure everyone knows how much she appreciates all the unexpected cards, gifts of money, gift cards, and everyone who has played a little Santa, helping pay some bills, all the wonderful food, the people that take her to Appleton,  there are so many people, a lot of people who want to remain anynoymous, which is ok.  She said this is really a Merry Christmas with lots of Santa's out there, and wants everyone to know how much everything has helped, and she doesn't have to spend hours worrying about things that she shouldn't woory about.  She needs to stay focused on her treatment, she said today is day 10, and only 15 more days to go.  She is looking ofrward to a long weekend off without running to the doctor.  Please keep the cards coming when you have time, and words of encouragement will help her through this, she looks forward to opening mail, and seeing what someone has to say.  Once again I'm speaking for all my family, but we all want to Thank you for everything you have done, and everything you have giving without us even asking, Mom is truly blessed to have such a loving family and friends. 

 Mom says (Hope you all have a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!!!!! Love, Mom - Peggy)

Love,

Jana

A visit from Peetie (mom's sister)

Many of you have gotten this in e-mail form from Peetie but I thought I would share her visit with those of you that do not receive e-mails from that side of the family. Peetie (Pauline) lives in Alpena, Michigan and came to visit and help out. Thank you Aunt Peetie for all you have done and do. We appreciate it all.

Peggy is doing well. She goes to Appleton weekdays for 25 days of radiation treatments.  It is about a 45 minute trip there for a 5-10 minute treatment, but so far the roads have not been bad.  I went with them Thursday and Friday.  Thursday she got to see the Dr afterward.  The Oncologist
is Dr. Krueger. She said she had been with U of Mich hospital and with that work had been at the Cancer Center in Alpena.
She knew the Urologist, Dr. Montie, who had done Bob's surgery 11 years ago.
Peg asked if she would show me the MRI or scan picures of what Peggy had and how her skull looks now with the tumors removed.
Very interesting.  It is a marvel that Peggy is doing as well as she is.
The Radiation and the trip makes her tired and will be more tiring as time goes on.
All of you might send a card and those of you nearby should stop in to see Peg and John. They like company.
The best time is morning before 11:30 and the next best time would be after 4 p.m. and before 7:30. They are up early and Peg feels best mornings. She goes to bed about 7:30 or 8 p.m. She still cuts some hair????
You might want to call first so she has time to get dressed.  If you want you could call and say you are bringing supper and visit at that time. She fixes supper in the morning and then puts it in the refrigerator so when she gets home she only has to warm it  to eat.
They both like most foods. Especially fish, shrimp and anything hamburger. Pizza or Mexican is good too.

Some of you have asked what they need.  Right now it is mainly moral support. They have plenty of food, clothing etc.
I did jot down a few things while there---
Shower curtain liners.
Non-slip bath tub mats
Diet coke
Ensure--only dark chocolate kind
Things one uses up such as Kleenex. paper towels, Dishwasher soap, dish soap, T paper.
Peggy might like an additional winter jacket. Long enough to come below the hips. I wear a large so I think that would be her size too.
Money for gas for the trips is always nice.

Jayson sort of coordinates who drives when, but so do the others. A neighbor, Julie, drives sometimes and Amy's parents drive sometimes.
So if you could drive an Appleton trip, just call Jayson and tell him which day. The kids take time off work to go.

Peg's sense of humor is sharp as always. Her memory is better than mine. She was really touched shen she realized that we all had gotten her name for the name drawing. She got the note from Crys while I was there. she also mentioned different things she had gotten from others. Gift cards, pecans, poinsettia, checks, etc.
 She, John and the kids have the house in great shape and all decorated.  Jana is trying to find out what the plan of treatment is beyond radiation.  I am not sure the DR. will decide that until nearer the end of radiation treatments.

Just thought I'd let you know~

If you haven't talked to my mother lately YOU ARE MISSING OUT! 

I swear the lady should have been a comedian.

 I talked to her for a mer 20 minutes or so today and most of the time I was laughing so hard I was crying. 

She was joking around telling me that the surgeons must have taken the wrong files out of her head because there are things in there she could really do without but the things like her mom's chocolate cake recipe seems to be missing. If the surgeons would have asked her first she would have told them what files could have been thrown away. 

I love that she can make me laugh even in life's most scariest moments. 

She is in radiation now and I will keep you all posted through out her treatments to let you know how she's doing. Please pray that she keeps her sense of humor through this all as I think it keeps her pushing through it all.

and it starts...

Tomorrow December 9th will mark the date my mother starts radiation. She will be going every day except the holidays and weekends for 5 straight weeks. Still no word on chemo as she only had more testes done on Monday without seeing the Hematologist. Hopefully soon we can pin down a clearer schedule. We have been informed that there is a house next to the hospital the mom and dad can stay at during the treatments which will help during the winter season as roads become unpredictable.

Good news came today that my mom has passed a series of tests with her speech therapist and she no longer needs to see her.

Please keep mu mother in your prayers as she will need courage and strength in the up coming months ahead.

Results have been received

This past Thursday we received the results that the tumor was actually Neuroendocrine carcinoma. The Neurologist had thought that her cancer was Osteosarcoma because of the tumor being on the skull and it was thought that the tumor on her skull was the primary source before surgery. When the Neurologist met with us after the surgery he informed us that the tumor on her skull was not the primary source of the cancer and we needed to wait for the pathology reports to know where it was. We finally received the report on Thursday stating the cancer was actually Neuroendocrine carcinoma. A neuroendocrine tumor begins in the hormone-producing cells of the body’s neuroendocrine system, which is made up of cells that are a cross between traditional endocrine cells (or hormone-producing cells) and nerve cells. Neuroendocrine cells are found throughout the body in organs, such as the lungs and gastrointestinal tract (such as the stomach and intestines), and perform specific functions, such as regulating the air and blood flow through the lungs and controlling the speed at which food is moved through the gastrointestinal tract.


My mother went to have her stitches removed yesterday ( Friday) from her head and they were able to get her into see her Radiation Oncologist. The Radiation Oncologist has stated that this has stumped them as this type of cancer is not normally found to settle on the skull or around the brain. She does still have the tumor on her spleen and her liver which is normal for this type of cancer but the skull is very rare. Thus the Radiation Oncologist has asked if she could use mom's rare condition to conduct research and write about it. This is something my mom is happy about because it puts a purpose to everything she has gone through and still faces as long as it helps someone else in the end.


They will not be surgically removing the tumors from the spleen or liver and instead focusing intense radiation to these areas. The team of doctors do not want to remove her spleen because it would be an intense surgery and because the spleen is a place that white blood cells trap organisms. If they remove it her body may have to work even harder to fight of viruses and other illness that may come with her Chemo weakened immune system.


She will be starting radiation a week from this Monday and will need to go everyday for 5 weeks straight. Mom will be meeting with her Hematologist Oncologist Monday morning and it will then be discussed when Chemo treatment will be started. The team of doctors have stated that this is a very malignant cancer and they need to fight it aggressively. 


Even with the large obstacles ahead of us we have much to be thankful for. First we are thankful that the cancer did in fact settle on her skull because otherwise this cancer has no other symptoms. We are thankful that the Neurologist performed nothing short of a miracle during surgery as at this time there is NO sign of remains of the tumor left on her head all seems to be gone. They still will do radiation to this area as they want to be sure to kill any remaining cancer cells. The Oncologist said that God was definitely in the operating room that day after she read the reports of what was done. We are thankful that mom has recovered from surgery so well. There were risks of her eye sight and hearing being impaired and so far just her hearing is a little off and that could be because of some swelling that should go down. She is up and walking around and talking almost as nothing has happened. She still gets tired but it's getting better everyday. We are also thankful that so far this cancer has not settled in her pancreas as this is where this cancer can be found mostly. 


Please keep our mother in your prayer as well as the rest of us as we have a long road ahead of us. 

A Blessed Thanksgiving it Was

I haven't written an update lately as much hasn't changed other than my mother's recovery improving. She seems to be doing better everyday. She will be getting the rest of her stitches out this Friday. Every now and then she does have head pain around the area of the surgery but it also only has been a little over two weeks from surgery. The results from Pathology are in but we're waiting for them to be written up as the pathologist was gone due to the holiday and needs to catch up. We are all anxious to get my mother into see the Oncologist but we can't even make the appointment until we have the results in hand. Now that my mother has come this far she wants to know the next hurdles to jump over. Her head is looking good and she's able to fix her hair so it covers most of the stitches which makes her happy. She still has a little swelling on that side but compared to what the Doctor told us was going to happen it's nothing. There was a chance she could have lost her hearing or eye sight and so far so good.

Thanksgiving was great. We were all able to celebrate it together this last Saturday. Mom was happy to help with some of the cooking and of course she insisted on making the rolls even if Jana bought some. It was great to see mom laughing so hard she was in tears at one point. All thirty some of us didn't stick around too long as she did become tired towards the end. We gathered, ate, cleaned up and were on our way within 3 hours or so. This week is full of Therapy sessions and Dr. appointments and once we know what lies ahead I will be sure to let everyone know. Thank you so much for all of the cards, gifts, thoughts and most all prayers. Truly has helped carry us all through this.