3 doctor day visiit

Today was a beating!!!! Mostly for mom. My friend Mitzi (who loves the gory & gross) voluntered to take Mom & I to our doctor appointments. At the plastic surgeon, I had to have my back fluid aspirated. He did a great job & I did a great job of not passing out :)!!! Mom got one of her last fills (she may only have to go a time or two more).

Then it was on to the oncologist for them to look at mom's sores on her arms. (I don't remember if I explained that besides the miserable sores in her mouth, she has 3 on her left arm) The Dr. had never seen anything like them before & put her on a powerful antibiotic 2 days ago. The spots didn't seem to have spread but the oncologist sent Mom to a dermatologist. Mom had to have all 3 spots biopsied (I left the room . Wasn't feeling to fond of needles at that point.....thank goodness for Mitzi. She helped mom). Hopefully we'll find out results in a few days. The dermo thought maybe shingles???? They just looked strange & gross b/c of the chemo. Mom has been having to take pain meds for her arm they hurt so bad. So I guess the shingles would be awesome compared to flesh eating bacteria something or staph!!!!!

Last stop for Mom today was to get fluids. She has hurt so bad in her mouth , that she crys when she trys to eat & has to drink from a straw as far back in her throat as possible. Bless her heart......it's just one thing or another, but that's satan's legions are aiming for! We are on to their schemes & they might as well vacate the premises. We are covered in prayers & satan has no chance.

** Please pray for mom's left arm sores & that her mouth sores LEAVE!! If they are not gone by Wednesday, she can't have her 5th (& ALMOST FINAL!!!) round of chemo. She's just pretty low right now & needs a break somewhere ..... well.....not an actual bone break you understand :) **

Please keep the cards and packages coming. She loves them.!!!! She loves the ones with gift cards in them also. They are a great way for Mom and Dad to eat w/out having to have people continue to bring dinner. *** Thank you for beng prayer warriors for an awesome strong precious lady.!!!

again forive the drugged typing. so hard and takes so long so that's why the posts are few and far between:)

blog update

 This blog is supposed to be about my mom....not me, but so many of you are asking and "keeping up" this way.  I think it's a great way for me to express my thoughts (when I am able to type b/c of the valium......go valium!) so I guess I''ll continue doing it for me & mom. Please forgive the typos.  You have no idea how hard it is to type 2 words a minute :)

I have to admit the last several weeks have been some of the toughest of my life.  Besides being miserable w/drains, incisions down my back, reconstruction in the front & just the pain itself, I've been beside my mom who I've never seen so miserable.  My surgery pain gets better each day, all drains gone, dr. visits every few days (joy), I have valium (that's a life saver for muscle spasms).  But, after the 4th round of chemo, Mom got the worst mouth sores she's ever had.  She would talk like her tongue was 4 times it's size & has to drink from  a straw to get the liquid to the back of her mouth past the pain of the sores.  She's fighting so hard & I tell her that we are so proud, but she says she will never do this again.  Of course we would all say that in the middle of misery, but she is at a very low point. 

I came home today for a few days ( I have a dr. appt. on Friday)  I needed my family & got out to see some of my children's sports......go valium!  It felt so good to be out & in familiar surroundings again. But Mom can't.  The only place she goes is to the doctor or out on her back porch.  

** please pray for her spirits to stay positive & strong. Pray for her mouth sores to disappear!!!  God can move mountains, He can certainly take away ulcers in a mouth***

My sweet family with me.

The best man I know, my sweet husband ......& my drains (hidden under my shirt thankfullly) :)

Fourth Chemo and Fourth Drain June 10, 09

I have completed my fourth chemo today and feeling good, But I know in a few days I will be in bed with flu-like symptoms again. Tomorrow I get my dreaded shot and Friday I will get my fluids so I don't get so sick. Even when I feel good, I still battle with exhaustion and weakness. I get dizzy and feel faint sometimes but I celebrate that I only have two more chemo sessions to go and I will be DONE!! I still face surgery for reconstruction but am looking forward to a cancer-free life!

Kristan had four of the six drains removed and is hopeful to get them all out tomorrow at her appointment. She is doing amazing well but is still on some serious drugs and that keeps her feeling tired and weak. Her breasts are healing impressively well and they are just beautiful. Her incisions hurt and she still feels pretty beat up but she is happy with her progress. She PREACHES in her sleep for every woman to get a mamogram and if you admit you haven't gone she will get mighty UPSET!

Huge thank you for everything that everyone has done for all of us. One day we will be able to show you our appreciation but for now, just know that we love you so much and are so thankful for all you have done and are doing for us. Kristan and I feel stronger because we are facing this together and also with all of you. We want you to know that we are attacking this head-on, with humor, with laughter, with tears and with Faith!

Carolyn

Kristan's note

Today is the first time I've felt like siting w/my arms up typing, but want you all to know that I am COMPLETELY overwhelmed. Sweet Kimberly Cox Grogan filled in for me, & I appreciate her so much! It was a long 11 hour surgery & a very very hard goodbye to my sweet husband, but I had no doubt that my family would be covered with prayers & friends. I had to tell him he was my hero because of ALL he is going to do & is doing, but there were SO MANY heroes for him & my dad in the waiting room that day! I can't even begin to express the words that you mean to us for giving your support.....some of you all day. ALL DAY......hours and hours and hours. That to me is being "Jesus" to our world. I know you made an impression on the doctors & nurses that were seeing the crowd of support. It was an awful day for mom having to stay home waiting to hear news but I think dad filled her in pretty good

Coming out of surgery was awesome with tears not of pain but of joy at seeing my family & dear friends. I may not remember all those from the days to follow but I DO remember those that were with me when I woke up. I was worried about being under anesthesia for so long, so it was a relief to hear & see you all. Thank you Jenny for bringing my/your carload of children to see me. It meant the WORLD to me to see them.

I'll write more later.

On the road...

Thank Heavens... Kristan has left the hospital and is now resting and recovering in the comfort of her Mom's house. We couldn't be more happy with how she is doing. As always, she and Carolyn would appreciate any prayers and words of encouragement. Kristan and Carolyn read the blog daily and love to hear from friends and family -it is the highlight of their day. During the next several weeks both Kristan and Carolyn will need some help. They could always use meals (I know Mike would appreciate this also..), visits when they feel up to it, and emails or phone calls. Thanks again for all the prayers, but please keep praying for Carolyn as she battles on and for Kristan that she will continue to get stronger each day. Also, remember Mike, Steve, and the kids as they deal with the pain of watching their precious loved ones suffer and pray for their strength and patience during this time.