Took Mom to the Dr Today

I took Mom to the doctor today. We saw Dr. Chesney this time. Her blood work was pretty good. Her albumin number was a little low, but not bad enough to warrant an infusion. Dr. Chesney gave her the go ahead to do another round of gamma knife to take care of any more brain mets, so we will be scheduling another long trip to UK sometime in the near future. They also set up her next Pet Scan for Sep 25th. We got a couple new prescriptions to try to help her ongoing nausea problem and he upped her pain medication a bit. Mom also decided that she was ready to get a hospital bed put in on her first floor so she wouldnt have to negotiate the stairs as much anymore. That will also help to keep her legs elevated and avoid excess fluid problems.
I asked Dr. Chesney about any new treatment programs Mom could start. His response was interesting. He said that although Mom was very weak and suffering the ongoing effects of cancer throughout her body, the cancer cells have seemed to have stabilized in terms of cell division and growth. He said this is as good as can be expected. He didnt want to do anything to "rock the boat" at this point, since her body was doing so good at keeping the cancer at bay. He wanted to reevaluate after the Pet Scan on Sep 25. He added,"You are doing better at this point than any of us expected." Mom didnt know how to take that comment. It seemingly suggested that she should be dead by now. But I reassured Mom, that she has been so tough and so positive, that her body, with the help of thousands of prayers, has been putting up a tremendous fight. A fight within her body more violent than most can take for 7 months. Her body has taken a beating, but it is not down for the count. She still has a lot of fight left in her. Only God knows how much her body can take. He is in control and everything is according to His will and time-table. I thank God for blessing Mom with a body and mind that are so resilient. Keep praying!
"The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."
God Bless,
Boog

Mom's in KY

I met Boog up in Nashville tonight. It is so much better than driving all the way up to KY. Thanks Boog. I had a great visit with mom and I am sad that she had to go home. Sarah is coming down a week from Wednesday to watch the kiddos for 4 days while I go to Tailhook with Gavin in Reno (1st time away in 2 1/2 years) and mom may come down with her. Anyhow, mom and I went out for a few hours on Saturday -- did some shopping and then came back home and got ready to go to my friend Nancy Spence's house for Ellie's 3rd birthday. Mom came too since she has known the Spence's for years and we all had a great time. It is great to get mom out and about. She is really handling it well and she is eating really well too. She has an appointment with Dr. Miller on Tuesday and Boogie will update soon -- keep praying for mom to regain more energy and strength and especially to gain some LBS.

Love to all --shannon

No Hospital Stay-- Yeah!

Mom and I went to West Clinic yesterday, and for something that should have taken all of 30 minutes took about 4 hours. It took forever to get her registered and then just to get her called back took even longer. My family knows how I love to wait. I am still praying for that fruit of the spirit to kick in. Like always, they weigh mom, and I about passed out when the scale read 126 lbs. Remember she was @150 in mid - July and then we got her down to about 138 about a week 1/2 to 2 weeks ago. She has lost 12 lbs in 2 weeks or less. I guess the lasiks are working too much. Needless to say I am not letting her take those right now until she sees Dr. Miller next Tues. I thought for sure they would put her in the hospital here in Memphis and I immediately started worrying. Gavin happen to leave for San Diego that same day for just 2 days and so I was thinking that I would have to just plop my poor sick mom in some strange hospital. It took forever for the tech to get blood out of mom. She has to lift her arms and do all sorts of things just to get some tubes of blood. After waiting about 30-45 minutes for the results, all the bloodwork came back absolutely beautiful!!! We couldn't believe it -- even mom was shocked. She said she had her mind already planned to stay at the hospital. We were so thankful. You should have seen us in that waiting area. Thank goodness we were the last ones there. Mom looked up at me and said "I wonder what is wrong with me then?'' I just looked at her and said MOM, you have cancer but the cancer does not have you -- you are great, you just need to eat. It is all in your head. Now we are going home and eating! So we stopped by a chinese place, went home and she ate a plate of Lo Mein, white rice and a couple bites of sesame chicken. She had sherbet and crackers later on. This morning she has already had a half of yogurt and I just made her some oatmeal. Now, we are back to gaining the LBS. So your prayers need to change. FYI, there is a great appetite enhancer called Megase. It is in liquid form and you need a prescription for it. Mom had left it in KY so I called Dr. miller's nurse and she ordered it for us down here.

Love to all -- keep praying for mom

Shannon

Appointment Today at West Clinic in Memphis

Okay -- sorry I haven't post in a long time. There wasn't much to post, mom had been doing great and we have really not left the house since I started homeschooling last week and we also have been watching those darn Olympics and staying up forever. I have never seen anyone sleep as much as mom. She doesn't really even start her day until 11am. We went down to Beale street on Saturday and mom really didn't seem like she was in a very good mood at all. She was really quiet and when I told her whenever she is ready to go home just tell me, she immediately said she was ready. I was wondering if she just went out for me. I felt badly because she has just been lying in the bed for 4 days. She had more energy on Sunday but it was not the best day to go out because Nate was sick. So that leads us to the past 2 days. Mom has had zero energy since monday and yesterday she wouldn't even leave her room and was getting sick all day. She looks so pale and super skinny. I told her I didn't want her to take the lasiks and water pills anymore until we saw a doctor. I called Dr. Miller and his nurse said she should definitely go in and get some blood drawn and check out. So today we are going in at 12noon. I feel so bad for mom. Please pray that things check out ok -- I will feel horrible if she has to be admitted to the hospital down here.

Keep praying for mom -- love, Shannon

YEAH Memphis!

Yeah! I have mom!! I am so excited. I cannot tell you what an improvement she has make since the last time I saw her. She is walking around by herself without a wheelchair!! PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE all to you Lord!!!! God is so good. I met up with sarah and we stopped at Cracker Barrel for lunch and mom walked right up to the table and ate great. Then once we got to my house I was so surprised when she just sat up on the couch for a while and watched the kids play and walked around and looked at the house (she usually has to lay down immediately) Then she took a nap for about an hour and a half, then sat at the kitchen table and cut up veges while I cooked. It was great. Her legs look terrific, not much swelling at all. I am so excited for this week. I am hoping I can get a sitter for Friday or Saturday and take her to Beale Street and hear the Blues!!! Thank you all for all your prayers -- DON"T STOP! I will keep you all updated.

Love to all - keep praying for mom

Shannon

Mom on her way to Memphis

Sarah is driving Mom to Nashville, where Shan will pick her up and take her home with her. Mom didnt feel well over the weekend. She couldnt keep much food down, but seems to be feeling better. A change of scenery will probably do her good. I know Shan will take great care of her. Shan will have to post updates on how she does in Memphis.
God Bless,
Boogie

kentucky a lot

we have been to ky a lot. we have to leave my dogs and my dad and my dad always says be strong and i try but it is really hard. we have proably been there about 5 times. but it is worth it because i love my gig a lot she is the best ever.

pray for my gig --gabby duff

Mom doing well

Mom sounds great these days (I am back in TN). I talked to Dr. Miller's entourage of nurses and they said he doesn't want to see her for a couple of weeks. YEAH! So I made sure it is okay if she comes down here for a bit and he gave us the thumbs up. So our plans as of now is that mom comes to Memphis next Tuesday and stay for about a week and a half. She is ready to get out of that house. I am looking forward to staying in our new home for a while and taking care of mom. I will meet Sarah in Nashville so I won't have to go all the way up to Louisville. We probably won't post anything for a while unless something comes up -- Pray that everything will be wonderful and no surprises.

Love to all -- keep praying for mom
Shannon

24 hr Hospital Stay for Blood Transfusion

Friday, when Mom went in for her Albumin infusion, they found her hemaglobin was very low. They admitted her overnight and gave her two units of blood. She had planned to go to Memphis with Shan, but obviously that didnt work out. The transfusion boosted her numbers enough for her to go home Saturday afternoon. Her legs look better than they have in weeks, but she still hasnt gaining much strength back. Her walking is about the same. Her next appointment will get scheduled today. She still hopes to make it down to Memphis sometime soon to visit Shan.
Love,
Boog

More Albumin Today

Mom is going back in today at 1:30 to get another infusion of Albumin. They will also check all her bloodwork. If everything is fairly good, she is going home with Shannon to Memphis for a week. Only change from the last couple of days is that Mom has a pore on her lower leg that is leaking fluid. We dont know what to think about that. We'll have to see what Dr. Miller says.