Kathie was checked in quickly (as in... 15 minutes) to Wake Forest in Winston-Salem on Christmas evening. Bob spent the night with Ben's family. They actually let Kathie sleep through the night after taking her temp and blood pressure at 11:30. At 10:30 in the morning, two oncologists came in to talk to her. The good news was that her white count had actually gone up since her blood tests on Monday... the bad is that she definitely had some sort of upper respiratory infection. They gave her some antibiotics via an IV but she got checked out in the afternoon...
Lauren spent 4 hours in urgent care the day after Christmas and only got back about a half hour before Bob and Kathie. So... everyone is still stick, but slowly recuping. At least Kathie was not neutropenic!
Kathie was tired today, but still managed a visit to the new house with Bob, Lynette, Kaitlyn, Sophie, Ben and Lauren. The seven of them also met up with Ben's parents for a nice lunch at the winery between Lexington and Winston-Salem.
So, despite Christmas not being fantastic, we still had a nice day today. Everyone just kind of lounged yesterday... all of us on a nice amount of antibiotics.
Posted by Lauren
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Giving the doctors something to do
Well, we figured there are all those doctors and nurses that have to work on Christmas regardless, so we might as well make them feel like it was worthwhile to be there. Kathie was admitted into the hospital about an hour ago. They are doing the standard blood tests and starting an antibiotic tonight. Tomorrow (when you are allowed to have cancer), an oncologist will come in to look over everything and see how things are going.
Though the doctors made an excellent effort to keep Kathie out of the hospital on Christmas, her fever just kept going back up.
Bob and Kathie will stay in Winston tonight, and if Kathie is going to have to stay for a bit, Lauren, Lynette, Sophie and Kaitlyn will join them tomorrow.
All and all, this has not been our best Christmas... but tomorrow is a new day.
We will definitely be toasting to the end of 2007.
God bless.
Posted by Lauren
Though the doctors made an excellent effort to keep Kathie out of the hospital on Christmas, her fever just kept going back up.
Bob and Kathie will stay in Winston tonight, and if Kathie is going to have to stay for a bit, Lauren, Lynette, Sophie and Kaitlyn will join them tomorrow.
All and all, this has not been our best Christmas... but tomorrow is a new day.
We will definitely be toasting to the end of 2007.
God bless.
Posted by Lauren
Merry Christmas?
Well, as noted before, Kathie got to get the second part of her treatment yesterday on Christmas Eve. Kathie and Bob spent the 23rd night at Lauren's fiance's (yes, you read that correctly) family's house.
The appointment was early on the 24th, and since Winston is about an hour an a half from Eddie's, it was worth being 10 minutes down the road instead. Blood tests showed her white counts as decent - but she pretty much slept the day away after receiving her Erbitux.
Unfortunately, Eddie's house has been a house of disease. Emily had some sort of virus at the beginning of last week, and a cough that was going off and on most of the week. Bob had/has a sinus infection, Lauren is suspecting she has managed to get a lovely case of bronchitis (self-diagnosis... she'll go into urgent care tomorrow if she still feels this badly). Lynette has a bit of a cold, and Ben (Lauren's fiance as of 12/13) also was starting to get a bit of a cold as well, but has now retreated back with his family in Winston. Basically, Kathie was surrounded by germs... and despite best efforts to not breathe around her (and a ridiculous amount of hand washing)... she seems to have caught something.
As a result, Kathie spiked a fever of 103 last night, which almost earned her a first class car ride back to Winston-Salem to get checked into the hospital (apparently, you can't have cancer on Christmas Eve or Christmas - the cancer center at Rex in Raleigh was closed, as was the one at Wake Forest in Winston, but in Winston they were going to admit her to the hospital right away, in Raleigh, we would have had to go through the emergency room). The doctor prescribed a z-pak, and we have all been crossing our fingers that she isn't neutropenic. Luckily, Walgreens was open last night, so Bob and Lauren picked up her z-pak along with more meds for Lauren.
Some tylenol and a wet wash cloth got Kathie's fever down to 100... and the decision was made to just keep checking overnight. Kathie and Lauren slept downstairs on the couches... Lauren waking up every two hours to feel Kathie's forehead. Everything seemed fine at 3:30 AM when Lauren did her last check, but Bob came down at 5:30, and Kathie was back up past 102. Again, she almost got to take a trip to Winston, but a little bit of time, tylenol and the wash cloth took it back down to almost normal... so the doctor said to wait and see if the z-pak helped. However, if her fever goes back up, Bob is taking her to Wake Forest to get some blood tests and an IV going. Merry Christmas, huh?
Anyway, Kathie does not feel like she is neutropenic - she is not feeling the weakness she has in the past, she's just tired, and has a very attractive cough... second only to Lauren's. Just in case she is neutropenic, those questionable foods are being avoided until we know that low neutrophils are not the cause of her fever.
On the positive side, Lynette was able to extend her and the girls tickets, so she and the twins are still here visiting grandma - giving her a healthy dose of laughs and smiles.
Posted by Lauren
The appointment was early on the 24th, and since Winston is about an hour an a half from Eddie's, it was worth being 10 minutes down the road instead. Blood tests showed her white counts as decent - but she pretty much slept the day away after receiving her Erbitux.
Unfortunately, Eddie's house has been a house of disease. Emily had some sort of virus at the beginning of last week, and a cough that was going off and on most of the week. Bob had/has a sinus infection, Lauren is suspecting she has managed to get a lovely case of bronchitis (self-diagnosis... she'll go into urgent care tomorrow if she still feels this badly). Lynette has a bit of a cold, and Ben (Lauren's fiance as of 12/13) also was starting to get a bit of a cold as well, but has now retreated back with his family in Winston. Basically, Kathie was surrounded by germs... and despite best efforts to not breathe around her (and a ridiculous amount of hand washing)... she seems to have caught something.
As a result, Kathie spiked a fever of 103 last night, which almost earned her a first class car ride back to Winston-Salem to get checked into the hospital (apparently, you can't have cancer on Christmas Eve or Christmas - the cancer center at Rex in Raleigh was closed, as was the one at Wake Forest in Winston, but in Winston they were going to admit her to the hospital right away, in Raleigh, we would have had to go through the emergency room). The doctor prescribed a z-pak, and we have all been crossing our fingers that she isn't neutropenic. Luckily, Walgreens was open last night, so Bob and Lauren picked up her z-pak along with more meds for Lauren.
Some tylenol and a wet wash cloth got Kathie's fever down to 100... and the decision was made to just keep checking overnight. Kathie and Lauren slept downstairs on the couches... Lauren waking up every two hours to feel Kathie's forehead. Everything seemed fine at 3:30 AM when Lauren did her last check, but Bob came down at 5:30, and Kathie was back up past 102. Again, she almost got to take a trip to Winston, but a little bit of time, tylenol and the wash cloth took it back down to almost normal... so the doctor said to wait and see if the z-pak helped. However, if her fever goes back up, Bob is taking her to Wake Forest to get some blood tests and an IV going. Merry Christmas, huh?
Anyway, Kathie does not feel like she is neutropenic - she is not feeling the weakness she has in the past, she's just tired, and has a very attractive cough... second only to Lauren's. Just in case she is neutropenic, those questionable foods are being avoided until we know that low neutrophils are not the cause of her fever.
On the positive side, Lynette was able to extend her and the girls tickets, so she and the twins are still here visiting grandma - giving her a healthy dose of laughs and smiles.
Posted by Lauren
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
First chemo...for the third time
Kathie and Bob had a long and busy day yesterday. Lauren headed to Winston-Salem with them at 9 in the morning, and they arrived at the hospital at about 10:30. Kathie had a blood test scheduled for 11:30, and a meeting with Dr. Aklilu at 12. Bob had a list of questions prepared, and Dr. Aklilu went over some issues from the last appointment.
The Good news:
- The bone scan shows no issues and no need to do any further tests.
- Kathie does not need to get a flu or pneumonia shot (not shown to be very effective with chemo - this is mostly just good news for Kathie, who did not want to get any more shots;) )
- Kathie is KRAS "wild type", which apparently = good for this treatment regime... this basically means she has the right markers on her cancer cells to have a good chance of responding to this particular treatment... Dr. Aklilu had promised he would do a "Whoo" cheer if this ended up being the case - and Kathie made him make good on his promise - arms raised and everything:)
- Kathie does not need to get a mammogram (again, this isn't "good" per se, but good to Kathie), Dr. Aklilu feels this will be "extra"... "...we have enough problems to deal with without going and looking for more cancer."
Lauren got to ask Dr. Aklilu about a treatment she had been researching, and though he was not very encouraging that it was a good option, he did an excellent job of explaining why - which is at least some comfort. Lauren was very impressed with her first meeting of Dr. Aklilu and is excited about the change - he definitely has a much better bedside manner than our "favorite" MD Anderson oncologist.
Dr. Aklilu was on time, as usual, and the appointment lasted exactly 1/2 hour - they are definitely more about staying on time at Wake, but also very patient attentive. He did a great job of answering all of Bob and Kathie's questions, and with a 1/2 hour meeting every two weeks, they will have plenty of time during treatment to check up with him.
Kathie did get in a little late for chemo treatment - but got a private little "pod" with doors and a television with a DVD player and VCR. We are assuming this is first time treatment care - and next time she will get a curtain pod like everyone else;) She'll still have the TV, DVD, and VCR and privacy though.
Unfortunately, there is a good chance Kathie is going to lose her hair again - she is hardly thrilled. We are also watching her VERY carefully for fevers and any signs of neutropenia since the holidays are fast approaching and we'll be around a lot of people! Bob is getting over some sort of cold, and Emily (Kathie's granddaughter) just got over some 24 hour virus and strep. Lauren has been popping airborne hopping to avoid everyone else's disease since she was worn down from finals week.
Unfortunately, Kathie has to be going to treatment on Christmas Eve AND New Year's Eve! Since Wake is only open 1/2 day on the 24th, Kathie and Bob will be staying at the Heruskas' on the 23rd so they can be at Wake early. Next week's appointment will be much shorter since she is just getting the erbitux.
We have an exciting week ahead of us as a family. Lynette and the girls are flying in tomorrow and all of the ladies are having a girls day out at the spa while the boys take care of the kids. Nothing says holiday spirit like facials, manis and massages:)
We're still figuring out Christmas since Eddie and Melissa will be in Indiana for a short trip to see her family over actual Christmas day and the remaining clan may head to the Heruska family Christmas - depending on how Kathie is feeling and her white blood count.
Posted by Lauren
The Good news:
- The bone scan shows no issues and no need to do any further tests.
- Kathie does not need to get a flu or pneumonia shot (not shown to be very effective with chemo - this is mostly just good news for Kathie, who did not want to get any more shots;) )
- Kathie is KRAS "wild type", which apparently = good for this treatment regime... this basically means she has the right markers on her cancer cells to have a good chance of responding to this particular treatment... Dr. Aklilu had promised he would do a "Whoo" cheer if this ended up being the case - and Kathie made him make good on his promise - arms raised and everything:)
- Kathie does not need to get a mammogram (again, this isn't "good" per se, but good to Kathie), Dr. Aklilu feels this will be "extra"... "...we have enough problems to deal with without going and looking for more cancer."
Lauren got to ask Dr. Aklilu about a treatment she had been researching, and though he was not very encouraging that it was a good option, he did an excellent job of explaining why - which is at least some comfort. Lauren was very impressed with her first meeting of Dr. Aklilu and is excited about the change - he definitely has a much better bedside manner than our "favorite" MD Anderson oncologist.
Dr. Aklilu was on time, as usual, and the appointment lasted exactly 1/2 hour - they are definitely more about staying on time at Wake, but also very patient attentive. He did a great job of answering all of Bob and Kathie's questions, and with a 1/2 hour meeting every two weeks, they will have plenty of time during treatment to check up with him.
Kathie did get in a little late for chemo treatment - but got a private little "pod" with doors and a television with a DVD player and VCR. We are assuming this is first time treatment care - and next time she will get a curtain pod like everyone else;) She'll still have the TV, DVD, and VCR and privacy though.
Unfortunately, there is a good chance Kathie is going to lose her hair again - she is hardly thrilled. We are also watching her VERY carefully for fevers and any signs of neutropenia since the holidays are fast approaching and we'll be around a lot of people! Bob is getting over some sort of cold, and Emily (Kathie's granddaughter) just got over some 24 hour virus and strep. Lauren has been popping airborne hopping to avoid everyone else's disease since she was worn down from finals week.
Unfortunately, Kathie has to be going to treatment on Christmas Eve AND New Year's Eve! Since Wake is only open 1/2 day on the 24th, Kathie and Bob will be staying at the Heruskas' on the 23rd so they can be at Wake early. Next week's appointment will be much shorter since she is just getting the erbitux.
We have an exciting week ahead of us as a family. Lynette and the girls are flying in tomorrow and all of the ladies are having a girls day out at the spa while the boys take care of the kids. Nothing says holiday spirit like facials, manis and massages:)
We're still figuring out Christmas since Eddie and Melissa will be in Indiana for a short trip to see her family over actual Christmas day and the remaining clan may head to the Heruska family Christmas - depending on how Kathie is feeling and her white blood count.
Posted by Lauren
Monday, December 10, 2007
Quick edit
Sorry, Kathie had not had a CT scan done at Wake Forest before... the one today was so he can compare apples to apples in the future.
Posted by Lauren
Posted by Lauren
The Game Plan
Bob and Kathie felt they had a good meeting with Dr. Aklilu (now you have his spelling good luck with the pronunciation).
Eddie joined them for their appointment - more ears are always helpful when re-going through all the information presented in such a short span of time.
Kathie is currently getting another CT and then a Bone scan on Thursday so that they can see if they need to continue going to MD Anderson on a "regular" basis for scans. If Wake Forest's prove similar, they may not have to go to MD Anderson so often. This is also so Dr. Aklilu can determine for himself if he feels the tumors have truly enlarged (he had his own scans done there before and wants to compare apples to apples rather than comparing the MD Anderson scans to his own). There was some question in the family's head about whether Kathie has been on the FOLFOX long enough. It is supposed to be 4-6 treatments before it can be determined whether it's working. Kathie had 4, but only 3 were consecutive (she had one week that had to be put off due to low blood counts). Dr. Eng was very conclusive, but she is also not great about answering questions, and second opinions are just a good idea.
Kathie definitely likes their version of the CT scan better - she's allowed to eat while she drinks the lovely metallic lemonade (reducing the penny aftertaste effect) and it was 45 minutes versus the almost hour and a half at MD Anderson. We'll find out soon enough if this affects the overall quality of the scans.
Either way, for now, Kathie is looking at starting on a regimen of Erbitux and Camptosar. Many of you may recall that Kathie does not metabolize Camptosar correctly and that it causes her to become neutropenic. This treatment will be at a much lower level of the drug (supposedly helpful?) and they will be monitoring her neutrophils on a weekly basis to decide what level to keep the Camptosar at. So week one (starting Monday as of now) is both the Erbitux and the Camptosar, and week two is just the Erbitux. So this is also different in that she will be getting some sort of treatment every week. This regimen has about a 20-30% success rate, but Dr. Aklilu had a good point when he was speaking with them, 'It's either 0 or 100% for you.' And again, we're hoping since Kathie has been in the lower percentages, maybe she can be in the lower percentage for something positive this time:)
Due to the fact that they need to use the monitoring of her neutrophils to determine the amount of Camptosar to give her... she will not be receiving a regular neulasta shot, but will receive boosts if they detect her count going down.
Kathie will be on this treatment for about two months before we'll know if it is working. When they discussed some of the other options, Dr. Aklilu did not seem to believe there was strong evidence of extension with them, so this is the primary choice.
Bob is heading back to Lafayette and then Bob and Lauren will head down on Sunday (Lauren's finals are dragging all the way out to Friday and her roommate is graduating on Saturday). Lynette and Sophie and Kaitlyn will be joining the family for an early Christmas - so we'll be almost complete for the holiday. Christen will be coming for an extended visit in February, as it looks now anyway - but you know us, always changing plans!
Thanks again to all the friends who are helping out with the house in Lafayette.
Posted by Lauren
Eddie joined them for their appointment - more ears are always helpful when re-going through all the information presented in such a short span of time.
Kathie is currently getting another CT and then a Bone scan on Thursday so that they can see if they need to continue going to MD Anderson on a "regular" basis for scans. If Wake Forest's prove similar, they may not have to go to MD Anderson so often. This is also so Dr. Aklilu can determine for himself if he feels the tumors have truly enlarged (he had his own scans done there before and wants to compare apples to apples rather than comparing the MD Anderson scans to his own). There was some question in the family's head about whether Kathie has been on the FOLFOX long enough. It is supposed to be 4-6 treatments before it can be determined whether it's working. Kathie had 4, but only 3 were consecutive (she had one week that had to be put off due to low blood counts). Dr. Eng was very conclusive, but she is also not great about answering questions, and second opinions are just a good idea.
Kathie definitely likes their version of the CT scan better - she's allowed to eat while she drinks the lovely metallic lemonade (reducing the penny aftertaste effect) and it was 45 minutes versus the almost hour and a half at MD Anderson. We'll find out soon enough if this affects the overall quality of the scans.
Either way, for now, Kathie is looking at starting on a regimen of Erbitux and Camptosar. Many of you may recall that Kathie does not metabolize Camptosar correctly and that it causes her to become neutropenic. This treatment will be at a much lower level of the drug (supposedly helpful?) and they will be monitoring her neutrophils on a weekly basis to decide what level to keep the Camptosar at. So week one (starting Monday as of now) is both the Erbitux and the Camptosar, and week two is just the Erbitux. So this is also different in that she will be getting some sort of treatment every week. This regimen has about a 20-30% success rate, but Dr. Aklilu had a good point when he was speaking with them, 'It's either 0 or 100% for you.' And again, we're hoping since Kathie has been in the lower percentages, maybe she can be in the lower percentage for something positive this time:)
Due to the fact that they need to use the monitoring of her neutrophils to determine the amount of Camptosar to give her... she will not be receiving a regular neulasta shot, but will receive boosts if they detect her count going down.
Kathie will be on this treatment for about two months before we'll know if it is working. When they discussed some of the other options, Dr. Aklilu did not seem to believe there was strong evidence of extension with them, so this is the primary choice.
Bob is heading back to Lafayette and then Bob and Lauren will head down on Sunday (Lauren's finals are dragging all the way out to Friday and her roommate is graduating on Saturday). Lynette and Sophie and Kaitlyn will be joining the family for an early Christmas - so we'll be almost complete for the holiday. Christen will be coming for an extended visit in February, as it looks now anyway - but you know us, always changing plans!
Thanks again to all the friends who are helping out with the house in Lafayette.
Posted by Lauren
Sunday, December 9, 2007
The next step...
Tomorrow, like last week, is a fairly important day, and as usual, we request any and all prayers that you have time for:)
Tomorrow, Bob and Kathie will meet the doctor at Wake Forest (I would tell you his name, but I haven't the faintest at how it's spelled). Bob and Kathie have been preparing a list of questions in order to make the best decision for Kathie's next step in treatment. They are preparing a smaller list about alternative treatments as well (non-traditional) to ask the Wake Forest doctor for a suggestion of someone who has expertise in the area. At the moment, we have no intention of replacing standard treatment with an alternative, but would like to consider ones with reasonable evidence for supplement treatment or general lifestyle change. It is important, however, that they do not interfere with the primary treatment.
There are about three options remaining with a lower overall success rate than the last two Kathie has done. However, it is important to remember that Kathie has been the freak in most of these areas... i.e. she was part of the 10% that couldn't metabolize the first one - meaning that there is a good chance that she will respond to the drugs that the lower amount of the cancer population doesn't (*disclaimer* there is no scientific evidence supporting such statements - just the hopeful ramblings of a daughter).
The decision will also be based on the results from the tests started last week. They are actually testing some of the drugs on some of Kathie's biopsies taken earlier. That can't be clarified much further, 1) because I'm trying not to think of cancerous lumps sitting in a jar waiting for something like this - eeew and 2) because I'm not even sure I understood the testing procedure correctly in the first place... and though I am Kathie's daughter, it seems wrong to make up stories here;)
So, we're all praying Bob and Kathie can get all of the information they need to make the best decision for Kathie, and for the family. Though the last blog was very positive, it is necessary to keep the reality that time and cancer do not go well together, and we need positive results soon or miracle - pray for whichever you'd like (or maybe it should be both?)... we'd be happy with either.
Some of you have requested Kathie's new address... aka, Eddie and Melissa's address. Being the internet, open to all, we respectfully decline posting that information on the worldwide web, but if you leave a note or e-mail Lauren (laducharme@bsu.edu)... someone will get back to you. Bob will still be in Lafayette a "majority" of the time, so if it is not urgent - mail will get to her eventually through him.
Posted by Lauren
Tomorrow, Bob and Kathie will meet the doctor at Wake Forest (I would tell you his name, but I haven't the faintest at how it's spelled). Bob and Kathie have been preparing a list of questions in order to make the best decision for Kathie's next step in treatment. They are preparing a smaller list about alternative treatments as well (non-traditional) to ask the Wake Forest doctor for a suggestion of someone who has expertise in the area. At the moment, we have no intention of replacing standard treatment with an alternative, but would like to consider ones with reasonable evidence for supplement treatment or general lifestyle change. It is important, however, that they do not interfere with the primary treatment.
There are about three options remaining with a lower overall success rate than the last two Kathie has done. However, it is important to remember that Kathie has been the freak in most of these areas... i.e. she was part of the 10% that couldn't metabolize the first one - meaning that there is a good chance that she will respond to the drugs that the lower amount of the cancer population doesn't (*disclaimer* there is no scientific evidence supporting such statements - just the hopeful ramblings of a daughter).
The decision will also be based on the results from the tests started last week. They are actually testing some of the drugs on some of Kathie's biopsies taken earlier. That can't be clarified much further, 1) because I'm trying not to think of cancerous lumps sitting in a jar waiting for something like this - eeew and 2) because I'm not even sure I understood the testing procedure correctly in the first place... and though I am Kathie's daughter, it seems wrong to make up stories here;)
So, we're all praying Bob and Kathie can get all of the information they need to make the best decision for Kathie, and for the family. Though the last blog was very positive, it is necessary to keep the reality that time and cancer do not go well together, and we need positive results soon or miracle - pray for whichever you'd like (or maybe it should be both?)... we'd be happy with either.
Some of you have requested Kathie's new address... aka, Eddie and Melissa's address. Being the internet, open to all, we respectfully decline posting that information on the worldwide web, but if you leave a note or e-mail Lauren (laducharme@bsu.edu)... someone will get back to you. Bob will still be in Lafayette a "majority" of the time, so if it is not urgent - mail will get to her eventually through him.
Posted by Lauren
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
A meeting with a kindred soul
Lauren forgot to mention that while at MD Anderson, Kathie got to meet her colon cancer friend, Jean (a connection made through a program at the hospital), face to face. Bob and Kathie did lunch with her. The woman is truly an inspiration - she's survived about 6 years with stage IV and still walks a half hour everyday.
On another note, Lauren attended Jeannie's funeral today and it was a beautiful memorial for a beautiful woman. Her husband had several words that reminded everyone that even when we can't see why something is happening a certain way, God has a bigger plan. If we look at it in that light - let's see how we've been blessed by Kathie's humble carrying of her cross:
1) I bet all you old... um, mature, people have gotten your butt over to see your doctor (pun intended) (and if you haven't, what are you waiting for? A personal invitation is unlikely and would be awkward, at best.)
2) We have non-Catholics praying through saints;) (and then praying for themselves...lol)
3) We learned that there are a ridiculous amount of websites dedicated to adding some junk to your trunk
and on a more serious note...
4) The DuCharmes have probably spent more time together as a family than they have had the opportunity to in a long time.
5) The outpouring of love and help from friends and family has been a blessing in itself - you have all shown us what the blessing of friendship is - and it's beautiful.
6) It has hopefully inspired us all to pay more attention to what is really important and let the small stuff slide.
The list could probably go on for awhile... but I figured we could all use a little positive thinking right now - so hopefully the abbreviated list does it for you.
Posted by Lauren
On another note, Lauren attended Jeannie's funeral today and it was a beautiful memorial for a beautiful woman. Her husband had several words that reminded everyone that even when we can't see why something is happening a certain way, God has a bigger plan. If we look at it in that light - let's see how we've been blessed by Kathie's humble carrying of her cross:
1) I bet all you old... um, mature, people have gotten your butt over to see your doctor (pun intended) (and if you haven't, what are you waiting for? A personal invitation is unlikely and would be awkward, at best.)
2) We have non-Catholics praying through saints;) (and then praying for themselves...lol)
3) We learned that there are a ridiculous amount of websites dedicated to adding some junk to your trunk
and on a more serious note...
4) The DuCharmes have probably spent more time together as a family than they have had the opportunity to in a long time.
5) The outpouring of love and help from friends and family has been a blessing in itself - you have all shown us what the blessing of friendship is - and it's beautiful.
6) It has hopefully inspired us all to pay more attention to what is really important and let the small stuff slide.
The list could probably go on for awhile... but I figured we could all use a little positive thinking right now - so hopefully the abbreviated list does it for you.
Posted by Lauren
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Disappointing
Well, today did not go as hoped - an unfortunate side effect of cancer. The news from the tests was disappointing. This chemo has not been working, and some growth has occurred in existing tumors. There was fear that the cancer may have metastasized into the bone (hence the fracture), but the bone scan was inconclusive - it does not appear that the cancer has spread there, but more tests will be done to double check.
On the positive side, there are three or four options to consider. Kathie is going to have some genetic testing to see if her body will be able to utilize some of the options and then Bob and she will discuss the options with the doctor at Wake Forest next week.
Sorry this is being posted so late, Lauren had class this afternoon when she found out about the results and then drove to Lafayette and went straight to Jeannie's wake.
Posted by Lauren
On the positive side, there are three or four options to consider. Kathie is going to have some genetic testing to see if her body will be able to utilize some of the options and then Bob and she will discuss the options with the doctor at Wake Forest next week.
Sorry this is being posted so late, Lauren had class this afternoon when she found out about the results and then drove to Lafayette and went straight to Jeannie's wake.
Posted by Lauren
A cheap thank you;)
Kathie spent this past weekend as the last real time she will live in Lafayette. Bob and Kathie flew out to MD Anderson on Sunday, and though Bob will return "home," Kathie will be setting up shop at Eddie and Melissa's in NC until the house on High Rock is finished.
Due to the chaos at the house (someone came at 3PM on Saturday to take pictures for a brochure to sell the house and Kathie was trying to figure out what she was going to need until Bob came out to NC again), we did not get to do a formal goodbye with all of those who Kathie has called friends. And though we discussed ways of thanking all of those who have made meals, cleaned floors, dusted, helped with garage sales, escorted Kathie to chemo, opened jars for her when her hands hurt, etc - there's little more that we can do at this moment than say THANK YOU!
If we were a more organized clan, or Martha Stewart was part of our family, you would have all received handmade thank you cards, undoubtedly made of homemade paper, dyed by plants from our backyard - but... we're not that family. In fact, if anyone gets a Christmas card before Valentine's Day, I would say we are having a good year. So for now... please accept this cheap (inexpensive, not crappy) THANK YOU! You have been such a huge help - to ALL of us. It makes all of the kids feel better that their mom has had such wonderful support since they cannot be there all the time.
If anyone needs ideas for Christmas presents... buy yourself a plane ticket to go visit Kathie during next year (when Bob and Kathie aren't mooching off their oldest... er, only son;) ) We told Kathie a long time ago that her support system travels. I realize this isn't the practical solution for all of you - in which case, phone calls are good (in short doses - she gets tired much more easily these days) :)
Since Kathie never reads this (is she scared of what we write?), I can safely put in here that the next time Kathie is back in Lafayette for a good chunk of time, or maybe when the house sells, I would like to get those of you around together with her for a little send-off - you all have really meant so much to her. If we were an NGO, our financials in the way of volunteer hours, donated food, etc would be kicking other groups' a**!
_________________________________
On a more serious note. Kathie had many tests done yesterday. Today is the big day when they get back most of the results. Lauren will post those when she can, she's heading back to Lafayette tonight for Jeannie's wake and funeral. What we really need are prayers - lots and lots of prayers. Cancer only has so many treatments, so we really want this one to have been working.
God Bless!
Posted by Lauren
Due to the chaos at the house (someone came at 3PM on Saturday to take pictures for a brochure to sell the house and Kathie was trying to figure out what she was going to need until Bob came out to NC again), we did not get to do a formal goodbye with all of those who Kathie has called friends. And though we discussed ways of thanking all of those who have made meals, cleaned floors, dusted, helped with garage sales, escorted Kathie to chemo, opened jars for her when her hands hurt, etc - there's little more that we can do at this moment than say THANK YOU!
If we were a more organized clan, or Martha Stewart was part of our family, you would have all received handmade thank you cards, undoubtedly made of homemade paper, dyed by plants from our backyard - but... we're not that family. In fact, if anyone gets a Christmas card before Valentine's Day, I would say we are having a good year. So for now... please accept this cheap (inexpensive, not crappy) THANK YOU! You have been such a huge help - to ALL of us. It makes all of the kids feel better that their mom has had such wonderful support since they cannot be there all the time.
If anyone needs ideas for Christmas presents... buy yourself a plane ticket to go visit Kathie during next year (when Bob and Kathie aren't mooching off their oldest... er, only son;) ) We told Kathie a long time ago that her support system travels. I realize this isn't the practical solution for all of you - in which case, phone calls are good (in short doses - she gets tired much more easily these days) :)
Since Kathie never reads this (is she scared of what we write?), I can safely put in here that the next time Kathie is back in Lafayette for a good chunk of time, or maybe when the house sells, I would like to get those of you around together with her for a little send-off - you all have really meant so much to her. If we were an NGO, our financials in the way of volunteer hours, donated food, etc would be kicking other groups' a**!
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On a more serious note. Kathie had many tests done yesterday. Today is the big day when they get back most of the results. Lauren will post those when she can, she's heading back to Lafayette tonight for Jeannie's wake and funeral. What we really need are prayers - lots and lots of prayers. Cancer only has so many treatments, so we really want this one to have been working.
God Bless!
Posted by Lauren
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