Mom and Dad made it home from the hospital today. She has gotten rid of all but 1 tube. The doctor bandaged her neck where the iv was removed and it is bothering her pretty bad. Thankfully that comes off tomorrow too. Yesterday as well as today have been harder days for her. She can't seem to really pin point what hurts or aches, she just doesn't feel well. I guess it's a part of the process too. She also has developed thrush (what a lot of babies get) in the back of her throat from taking all of the antibiotics. This could be a part of the culprit that is making her feel yucky. I believe in a week or so she will be going back to the doctor. Probably to schedule her first chemo treatment and have the staples removed. So we are all just settling in... trying to get used to the adjustments and new routines to help things run smoother.
Mom read all of her cards that came in the mail while she was in hospital today. It really blessed her big. Thanks for making her smile. Means more than you know.
Thank you for the continued love and prayers,
Joanna
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
silly willy
Here's a video of mom and her silly self if you need a good laugh.
She's crazy! I'm sure you all knew this already :)
She's crazy! I'm sure you all knew this already :)
I am going to try to share a piece of my story....which may or may not fall into place. I always want to share my healing with you and the restoration to my body.
Every single day I get hooked up to LIFE. I see so much clearer now.
I am starting to understand like never before. My body is growing stronger by the second. My mind seems alot clearer of the anesthesia. The pain is getting better.
Why is it when you're trying to do something good, someone has to make sure you don't get too excited? When I start my walking around the nureses station, it never fails that someone will have some kind of comment.
Like either, "honey, you've got that on backwards, don't leave this floor, no playing on the elevators, don't over do it and don't under do it, and don't eat too much but you need to eat now. We're going to walk and we're going to shower but we never make it for the task at hand.
But all in all......everyone and I mean everyone has left their imprint. This is truly a rewarding experience.
Every single day I get hooked up to LIFE. I see so much clearer now.
I am starting to understand like never before. My body is growing stronger by the second. My mind seems alot clearer of the anesthesia. The pain is getting better.Why is it when you're trying to do something good, someone has to make sure you don't get too excited? When I start my walking around the nureses station, it never fails that someone will have some kind of comment.
Like either, "honey, you've got that on backwards, don't leave this floor, no playing on the elevators, don't over do it and don't under do it, and don't eat too much but you need to eat now. We're going to walk and we're going to shower but we never make it for the task at hand.
But all in all......everyone and I mean everyone has left their imprint. This is truly a rewarding experience.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
A lot of progress!
Mom had a great day today. Each day she seems to be doing better and better. She looks great, ya'll. Yesterday we convinced her to walk a lap around the nurses station. It was a pretty long walk. Afterwards she joked and said, "if ya'll would have told me how far that would have been, I would have slapped everyone of you." haha! Martha Jo, Gay, Juliette, and I were all like a little train following her around the hall holding onto all of her tubes. Jo has been like a saint to mom. I swear the woman hasn't left mom's side. Don's certainly been a trooper too. What a powerful friendship they share. It's pretty incredible to see someone willing to sacrafice so much. All mom has to do is say one word and Jo is at it. I know it makes us all feel better knowing she's in such good care. Mom is one blessed lady to have so many people rooting her on through this valley.
So, back to the progress. Yesterday mom made one lap. Today she made 5 and 1/2!! Whoo Hoo, GOOOOO Momma! She also showered and finally was able to eat some jello and tea. She was so happy to be able to put something in her mouth other than ice chips. She's looking good, folks. Continue to keep her, as well as all of us, in your prayers.
Goodnight everyone,
Joanna
So, back to the progress. Yesterday mom made one lap. Today she made 5 and 1/2!! Whoo Hoo, GOOOOO Momma! She also showered and finally was able to eat some jello and tea. She was so happy to be able to put something in her mouth other than ice chips. She's looking good, folks. Continue to keep her, as well as all of us, in your prayers.
Goodnight everyone,
Joanna
Friday, July 16, 2010
post surgery
I thought I would update you all on mom after the surgery...
Surgery was Wednesday. The doctor said he got 99% of the cancer. He also said he removed over 6 liters of fluid. CRAZY! Her omentum (which is normally similiar to a thin, lacy cloth) was about 2 inches thick, hard as a brick, and full of tumors. We are certainly glad that's outta there! He also said he didn't see where the cancer had spread to any other sorrounding organs. We are so thankful for this! We are hoping and believing she will respond very well to the chemo and will soon be cancer free! Today the nurse came in to remove the dressing over her incision which is about 12 inches long. I was a little nervous about how this would look, but was quite pleased when I saw it. No redness or anything. It looks really good. Mom was out from the meds and slept most of the time I was there. We were thankful she was sleeping... hopefully keeping her mind away from the pain. On a side note, Tuesday afternoon Patrick said that a friend of his said his mom had a historectomy and was mean afterwards. He wanted to know if mom was going to be that way. We laughed about it. I told him I didn't think mom would ever be mean. I also told mom about this conversation. After the surgery, and I mean' right after, as they wheeled her to her room, she looked at Patrick and said, "See, I'm not mean." She is so funny! Even with all that she has gone through, not once has she had a pity party, been upset, or even frustrated for that matter. She is still the same ol' momma who makes us all laugh continously with her jokes and admire at the same time with her undisturbed faith that Jesus is all over this.
Today I travelled back up to St. Joseph's after my daycare duties of course. She was a hoot, ya'll. Oh my goodness. She was feeling nauseaus so they gave her some medicine for relief. Apparently it made her a bit loopy (more so than usual) haha! As I walked into the room she said, "fasten your seatbelt Jo," meaning she knew she was talking crazy. She was feeding herself pork, mashed potatoes, and ginger snaps, cleaning out the car, putting shoes in her closet, told dad to go to Kroger because they could count it faster, she told Martha Jo to pick up Austin, she wanted the Dr.'s fax number, asked me what Chris was doing tonight because she wanted him and Jeremy to talk to the lawyer, and the list goes on and on.... After she said something, I couldn't help but laugh. She would come out of it for a minute and realize that she was making absolutly no sense and roll her eyes or laugh but it wasn't 2 minutes and she was at it again. I told her at least she was keeping us entertained. We got her out of the bed. She stood up and then sat in a chair for about 10 minutes. So that is definitely progress.
That's all for now.
I will try to keep you updated.
Joanna
Surgery was Wednesday. The doctor said he got 99% of the cancer. He also said he removed over 6 liters of fluid. CRAZY! Her omentum (which is normally similiar to a thin, lacy cloth) was about 2 inches thick, hard as a brick, and full of tumors. We are certainly glad that's outta there! He also said he didn't see where the cancer had spread to any other sorrounding organs. We are so thankful for this! We are hoping and believing she will respond very well to the chemo and will soon be cancer free! Today the nurse came in to remove the dressing over her incision which is about 12 inches long. I was a little nervous about how this would look, but was quite pleased when I saw it. No redness or anything. It looks really good. Mom was out from the meds and slept most of the time I was there. We were thankful she was sleeping... hopefully keeping her mind away from the pain. On a side note, Tuesday afternoon Patrick said that a friend of his said his mom had a historectomy and was mean afterwards. He wanted to know if mom was going to be that way. We laughed about it. I told him I didn't think mom would ever be mean. I also told mom about this conversation. After the surgery, and I mean' right after, as they wheeled her to her room, she looked at Patrick and said, "See, I'm not mean." She is so funny! Even with all that she has gone through, not once has she had a pity party, been upset, or even frustrated for that matter. She is still the same ol' momma who makes us all laugh continously with her jokes and admire at the same time with her undisturbed faith that Jesus is all over this.
Today I travelled back up to St. Joseph's after my daycare duties of course. She was a hoot, ya'll. Oh my goodness. She was feeling nauseaus so they gave her some medicine for relief. Apparently it made her a bit loopy (more so than usual) haha! As I walked into the room she said, "fasten your seatbelt Jo," meaning she knew she was talking crazy. She was feeding herself pork, mashed potatoes, and ginger snaps, cleaning out the car, putting shoes in her closet, told dad to go to Kroger because they could count it faster, she told Martha Jo to pick up Austin, she wanted the Dr.'s fax number, asked me what Chris was doing tonight because she wanted him and Jeremy to talk to the lawyer, and the list goes on and on.... After she said something, I couldn't help but laugh. She would come out of it for a minute and realize that she was making absolutly no sense and roll her eyes or laugh but it wasn't 2 minutes and she was at it again. I told her at least she was keeping us entertained. We got her out of the bed. She stood up and then sat in a chair for about 10 minutes. So that is definitely progress.
That's all for now.
I will try to keep you updated.
Joanna
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
finally....
Yesterday I decided to go meet Stan in the drive for a walk. I ran as fast as a turtle with 3 broke legs....but 1st to the bathroom. Inch by inch I make it and by this time we're at the end of the drive where we turn around and head back to the house. I look back at Stan and he has this bewildered look on his face, my entire gown in the back in tucked into my pannies. What a sight. I told him to watch out for me when we are out in public because there is no telling what I might do. Things like this happen when I'm not sick, so with me sick......we have to use caution. I'm so glad I wasn't parading up and down the hospital hallway.
This day can't happen soon enough for me.......
This day can't happen soon enough for me.......
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