fighting4mom

Thank you everyone! Michelle, I am going to try that flavoring tip ... never thought of that. You are so smart and generous with your suggestions!

Hi everyone, Sorry that I have been off the grid for a while ... but this is still on the topic. Mom continued to be very, very tired through the end of the week (gee, was that ONLY last week) and her rad onc prescribed megace to help with appetite...btw, she said it tastes horrid! Also, her blood counts - both white and red - were very, very low - even lower on Friday than Monday. So 2 units of blood were ordered for Friday. That seems to have made a WORLD of difference. Her energy level was way up over the weekend and we lounged by the pool for 2 days!!! Yesterday, counts were back up to normal range (happy dance anyone?!?!) And, net/net she has only lost 3 pounds during the whole course of treatments. No nauseau to speak of and no esphogitis (her rad onc is truly amazed). Blessings, indeed. Now, she will have to treatment, shots, pokes or prodding until her CT scan and lab work on the 21st. Following that we have a long weekend planned with family at the beach (helping me with scanxiety) and check in with the doc on the 29th. Thank you all for being with me and supporting me through this part of the journey. I can't say thank you enough. I know there is more to come but I am not worrying about that now. Not borrowing any trouble, right?!?! Blessings to all, Kimberly

Thanks Dana and Rich! We have an appointment on Monday and I may mention Megace. Sounds like that may be helpful in stimulating her appetite as well (she eats but isn't necessarily hungry).

Hi Donny, Congratulations to you ... and well wishes that you are continually getting stronger and more peppy!! Your treatment plan sounds almost exactly like my Mom's. I'm praying that her results are like yours as well! Blessings, Kimberly

Hello Everyone, Happy Friday to you all. Pardon me if this has been asked and answered before (I did try to do a search on all the topics but was unsuccessful). What are some ways that I can help my Mom with the tremendous amount of fatigue she is having? She is ALMOST finished treatments (had her 2 cycles of chemo (6 days each) and 30 of her 33 radiation treatments) and the doc said it is very, very normal. I know it is a huge blessing that she has had so few side effects. She has had procrit but she is just so 'zonked'. She definitely is not trying to over-do it and can accomplish normal tasks but I just wonder if something may give her a little more pep? I think I read that someone recommend Ginseng. True? Any other words of wisdom from the group? Thank you! Kimberly

Hey Judy, "Cheersing" you from South Cacalacky! It's 5 o'clock somewhere, right?!?! Awesome, awesome news!! Blessings, Kimberly

Michelle, You and your husband continue to be in my prayers. Blessings, Kimberly

YAY DENISE AND TOM!!! Thanks for sharing the WONDERFUL news! Blessings, Kimberly

Hi (again), I should have read this one first!! YAY!!!! I think your visit was the best medicine possible. Good for her and you!!! Blessings, Kimberly

Hi Susan, I am sorry to be late in chiming in, but, I sincerely do hope that you had a wonderful weekend with your Mom. I hope your presence brought her joy (no doubt!) and that she is getting stronger and stronger each day. What a wonderful boss you have (me too!). That really helps a lot, doesn't it? Blessings to you, Kimberly

Susan, I am sorry to hear of the rough time your Mom is having. I hope she can get the care and treatment needed in the hospital and be feeling better soon. Praying for you, Kimberly

Hi Joy, Adding my voice of support and gentle hugs to you. Echoing what all of these fine folks have said. Blessings to you in the fight, Kimberly

Dear, Dear, Carleen Many gentle hugs to you. Your post brought tears to my eyes. Your relationship with Keith, the feeling that you share, well I think it's just magical. I am reminded of a line from Steel Magnolia's "I would rather have a moment of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special" but gee, isn't it human nature to yearn for the lifetime of wonderful?!?! I am praying for you, in hopes that ... ... your pain is eased ... the dark and sad periods are shorter ... your warm and happy memories replace your grief -- someday soon Blessings to you, Kimbelry

i'm going right home to give my 'shelter' dog some extra kisses tonight ... and continue to thank all of the brave men and women who serve. thank you for sharing that story!

Susan, Sending you and your Mom gentle hugs, best wishes and the power in prayer through these treatments. Thank you for mentioning the Megace rx. My Mom has been slipping a little on the weight front and I just wondered what may help. Blessings to you, Kimberly

YAY MICHELLE! I may look into that service for my Mom. Thank you for bringing that to our attention! Blessings, Kimberly

Tova, What a wonderful chronicle ... thank you for sharing the moments of your (and Mom's) amazing weekend! I am so pleased to know that there are more and more advocates to reduce the stigma of this disease. Though new to the jouney, I think more and more it's all about passing it on, isn't it? Helping and supporting others when you can. Leaning on others when you need to. It all comes back around, doesn't it? I am thinking of you and your Mom as she does the WBR sessions. Blessings to you, Kimberly

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONNA!!!! and MANY more Best Wishes, Kimberly

I don't know if this should be a new thread ... but I didn't necessarily want to start another as I feel it's the same topic (anxiety). Mom had her first CBC / blood chem yesterday and - as I should have expected - white and red counts were very low ... boosters needed. Neupegen every day and Arnasep (sp?) yesterday and in 2 weeks (when she starts the next chemo cycle). Of course, I held it together through the doc visit but after I just LOST it. I think I am so nutso because she is really showing no signs of illness (Barb, I can totally relate to what you are saying) but the #s on the sheet don't lie. DAM* IT! However, with each day, with each test, with each hurdle and with the support from all of you, I am getting stronger AND I will say that I didn't fret too much BEFORE the results so maybe that's progress??? THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! All for your support and guidance.

Hi Jen, Sending you and your dear Dad my prayers. Blessings, Kimberly

Thanks everyone! I may sound like a broken record but I am so very thankful for all of the care and support here and I can't reiterate that enough. Nick, after posting yesterday I did actually read the posting on GRACE about scanxiety ... wow, good to know that I am not the first -- and certainly won't be the last -- to be in that frame of mind. I am reassured knowing that everything I am thinking and feeling is normal (or the "new normal") and that there are so many resources and wise sages to guide me on this path that none of us would have chosen. But, by walking together, the road seems less bumpy. Thanks again ya'll (I am in the South, you know) and blessings and happy thoughts all around! Kimberly

Hello LCSC Family, We are in week 2 of treatment and I am certain many of you can recall being in this position – either as patient or caregiver. First and foremost, I am SO very thankful that my Mom’s side effects have been pretty minimal thus far – but am worried about what lies round the bend. I can’t get over a feeling of anxiety over what comes next and wonder if anyone can identify? I kept hoping that once treatment started and we had a solid plan I would feel more relaxed (I did to some degree thanks to a rx from my doc for xanax). Now that we are here, however, I am constantly thinking “what will the scans show at the end of the 6 weeks?” “What if my Mom does everything right (and she has) and the tumor doesn’t shrink?” She has an amazing attitude now and I would just hate it for her. The docs have explained that radiation, especially, continues working for weeks – sometimes months – after so she is aware. I don’t suppose there is advice or a question here – I think I am merely venting and lamenting and ‘spinning’ over something that I can’t really control. I think I’ll pop another xanax and say another prayer…and fill my head with more positive thoughts. I am just glad to know you are all ‘out there’ and we are all in this together. Thank you for reading! Blessings, Kimberly PS - wow, i think i have just learned that typing it out really does help with working through some of this 'stuff'...amazing!

Dear Marci, I am lifting your Nanny, you and the rest of your family up in prayers. Best, Kimberly

Dear Shirley, That is also my Mother's name. As her primary caregiver on this road, I have felt so welcomed and comforted by the many kind people here. As a 'newbie', I can't offer much in the way of advice, though I do believe that taking steps such as this to surround yourself with supportive people (even virtually) and seeking out all information available can have a powerful and positive affect on your attitude (which is SO important). I am hoping and praying for you not to have to battle the beast. Hugs to you, Kimberly

Dear Tova, I feel such a connection to your relationship with you Mom - as my Mom and I share such a similar one. I am inpsired by your strength and tenacity and hope to immulate you ... as we begin our battle. I wish that I had more to offer than just my good wishes, virtual support and hugs. Please know that you are in my thoughts and I wish you and your Mom all the best. Blessings, Kimberly[/i]