Brenda Email Update 7/4/09

Hi Everyone ! I finally feel well enough to be on the computer. I was on earlier trying to check my 365+ e-mails, but the computer was going soooooooo slow I started getting sleepy. That is, when I wasn't spinning around on the office chair making my self dizzy while waiting for the computer to decide to do what I was telling it to do. I finally gave up and went and watched a movie. Now I'm baaaaaack ! The chemo embolization went well. The doc decided to keep me over night. Room was ready at 3 pm. I didn't get to it until after 9. Rik was really tired and, to say the least, bored by this time. At least he didn't run both cell phone batteries down like he did in March while waiting. I felt pretty good on Saturday and did 5 loads of laundry. Sunday the tiredness and achiness finally set in. I ran out of my laxitive medicine and Protonix on Monday and wasn't able to get them refilled until Thursday. By last night my stomache was a real mess. Needless to say I was up all night. I feel pretty goood right now. Even thinking of going on a bike ride. I plan on returning to work on Monday. Starting to get bored sitting in my recliner. I think I have watched all of the CSI, CSI:NY, CSI:Miami & NCIS series. Movies are all starting to repeat also. I did do a lot of crocheting though. Just need to sell some of the stuff I've made. Rik had to go buy 2 more storage tubs. I was really starting to feel good before the embolization, and I was feeling a little discouraged this week because of this set back. But I know God is still with me and He will help me make it over this small hurdle also. He is my Savior, Protector, Guide and Father. In Him I place all my trust. Thanks to all for the continued prayers. Love to all, Brenda

So far, so good.

Since the last post, not much has changed really. Though it tires her, Mom continues to work and carry on her day-to-day activities. Aside from a recent onset of hot flashes and night sweats, she feels "pretty good"; as she informs me when I call. The last scheduled plan for her treatment was for her to have a CT scan on July 1st then a follow-up on the 6th to determine the next round of treatment. This past Friday, June 19th, she was told by her doctor that there has been a change in this plan. She is now scheduled to have a repeat Chemoembolization this coming Friday, June 26th. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers, and let's have faith that this time will be as successful as the first one. I will follow-up with an update in the days following the procedure.

Good News!

Good morning all !!!

What a beautiful morning it is !!! God is so Great !!!

I went to the oncologist Monday for the results of the CT scan done last Thursday. The results were good. All the tumors have shrunk, the large tumor shrank 1.5 cm. No more chemo for at least 2 months !!!! Praise the Lord !!!!!! I will have another CT Scan done on July 1 and then see the oncologist again on July 6. My prayer is for the tumors to continue to shrink. I had to quit taking one of my digestive medications (Reglan) due to experiencing tremors in my right hand. Other than the tremors and still being really tired at the end of the day I feel great.

Thanks to everyone for the prayers and support.
GOD IS AWESOME !!!

In His Loving Arms Always & Forever !!!
Brenda

Poem: Dear Mama by Wanda Coleman

Dear Mama

when did we become friends?
it happened so gradual i didn't notice
maybe i had to get my run out first
take a big bite of the honky world and choke on it
maybe that's what has to happen with some uppity youngsters
if it happens at all

and now
the thought stark and irrevocable
of being here without you
shakes me

beyond love, fear, regret or anger
into that realm children go
who want to care for/protect their parents
as if they could
and sometimes the lucky ones do

into the realm of making every moment
important
laughing as though laughter wards off death
each word given
received like spanish eight

treasure to bury within
against that shadow day
when it will be the only coin i possess
with which to buy peace of mind
--Wanda Colemanin "Tangled Vines," Lyn Lifshin, Ed., Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1992

Thursday morning greetings to all !!!!

Well I made it back to work this past Monday. PRAISE THE LORD!!! I was afraid I would be off for about a month or two after the chemo embolization (that was according to reports and other peoples stories). I'm tired but other than that I feel pretty good. I even made it to my son's track meet last Saturday (got sunburn on my face to prove it...nose is flaking now). I go for a CT Scan on May 4th. Will probably see the oncologist or surgeon later that week or the following week for the results. I pray that the results from this procedure will be a lot better than the results I got from the 6 rounds of chemo. My next goal is to start walking (hopefully this evening after supper). I really need to build up my energy levels so I'm not so tired all the time. Walking is something i will have to force myself to do at this time because I'm usually really tired when I get home from work and just want to sit and crochet and watch T.V. Actually I was too tired to even crochet last night but I did some anyway. God is sooooooo Great !! He gives us strength even when we don't think we have anymore. So pray that I will be given the strength to go for walks in the evening.

God is still in control and I believe He can still heal me if He so chooses. If He decides not to heal me I know He will be with me every step of the way, carrying me when necessary. God is Awesome !!!

In God's loving arms Always & Forever !!!!
Brenda

Brenda - Update 3/31/09

Dear All,

Sorry it's taken me so long to get this update out. I had the chemo embolization done last Wednesday. Everything went well. It took a little longer than expected because the radiologist had trouble feeding the line through the artery. But he finally got it. I was feeling really good Wednesday evening, but they decided to keep me over night so they could do liver function test on Thursday morning. All the test came back good. I started having pain at the insertion site but it wasn't too bad. Friday evening I was able to go the our church's women's Night on Encouragement although by the time I returned home I was exhausted and aching all over (even my skin hurt). The exhaustion and achiness lasted until last night when I finally took one of Rik's pain pills (mine weren't touching the pain I was feeling). I saw my surgeon yesterday morning. He even said I looked tired. He said the achiness and tiredness were all normal and could possibly last a couple weeks. So far this morning I'm feeling really good. My goal for today is to be able to attend my son's first track meet of the season.

Thanks to all of you for your contnued prayers. I know that God is in Control and I pray that I will be able to return to work on Monday April 6th.

In God's Loving Arms Always & Forever !!
Brenda

Success!

Thanks to all of you that have shown your concern for my mom. Her Chemo Embolization went well yesterday. They were late getting started and it took about an hour longer than expected due to her artery being twisted and twirly, but they were able to complete it without any major complications. She was kept overnight for observation and blood testing this morning. Other than some pain and fatigue, which is expected, she is doing well. She has been released to go home. Her recovery should last about 7-10 days and she plans to return to work. Over the next 30 days chemo will be released by tiny beads that were injected into the artery leading to the liver. Those beads will settle in the blood vessels in her liver and leading to the tumors and cut off the main source of blood supply to her liver and the tumors that are on it. Hopefully this will cause the tumors to stop growing and shrink. She will have another CT scan in about 4-6 weeks to check the status of the tumors and that will determine the next course of her treatment.

Thanks again,
Nicole