Spring time

Well it's that time of the year again when we plant gardens, clean yards and smell for new growth.  Not mom... she plants the garden alright, and she cleans the yard, but she gripes the whole time about how everything died over the winter.  Try as I might, I can't get her to see that things haven't died, but rather took on a new form or went dormant and are now springing back to a new live one that is stronger and more resilient because of the changes they have gone through.  Forget it, it's a lost cause I tell myself... and yet, each spring I do try to have the convincing dialogue that explains how the cycle of life must occur.

With that said, we did get mom's box gardens moved to a new location in the yard, soil filled and wanter lines realigned.  The yard is starting to take shape once again and we will do all that we can to fight back the other cycle of life... WEEDS!!  I do believe they grown thickest in mom's yard! 

I am hoping that all will fall into line and before summer is over mom is located closer to us.  We have been making good progress on donations, link clicks that visit our advertisers and supporters.  I am looking forward to having her closer so we can sit outside and enjoy a fresh glass of lemonaide and debate the changing of the guards as far as gardens and backyards are converned!

Happey Spring and Garden time everyone!

Too Much or Too Little?

How do you tell someone to not over do it?  When is Too Much or Too Little not good?  On the one hand, mom wants to do things and I want her to be able to do them.  On the other, I want her to rest and not to overdo it.  How does one who is sick with Cancer find this balance?  I want to take mom to the mountains to soak in the hot springs... but I know she doesn't feel up to running around.  The pool will feel good and maybe make her feel better... but when someone is too tired and exhausted how do you convince them that doing some things will actually make them feel better? 

I'm not a good gauge of this level of activity because I go and go and go.  And I know that when the time comes for me I'll drop dead of a heart attack in the middle of going and going and going, or I'll just sit down and won't get back up.  I just can't imagine not being able to do that right now.  And for this reason it's hard for me watching mom go through this illness. I know she is just like me in the sense of go go go... but she also likes to stay home and be a homebody at times.  Just not all the time!

Striking the balance between rest and excersice is not something that western doctors talk about.  All we get is, "do what you feel up to"... and what if "what you feel up to" is smacking them for being vague and stupid?  If I can give any advice, think about how you would handle this now, when you don't have to, rather then when the time comes and you have to make the decision.  For me, I'm lucky, I have my computers... if the time comes when all I can do is sit and relax, I know enough world Web Cams that I can still see every corner of the world!!

Weather

The snow has got to stop!  The weather has not been coorperating at all.  We've been trying to schedule another acupuncture appointment for mom but so far the weather has been just oo crappy for her to get out of the house.  Today the foot of snow we had made it tough for folks to get around at all.  And when it starts to melt of the moisture in the air makes it difficult for mom to breath easily. 

I think we're all ready for summer to be here!  The warm air is easier for mom to breath and get outside for fresh air.  Keep your fingers crossed that summer actually arrives soon, cause the first day of spring was pretty much a joke!

Where mom lives, out on the plains it seems to be a bit more humid than here in the metro area.  For people on oxygen humidity causes a host of other issues.  Breathing is one of the tough ones to deal with but the joints aching and the tiredness that mom goes through is also exhausting.

Where is Summer??

Time

Wow, the time it seems to fly! I talk to mom each day, or at least text, of chat online.  But never seems to be enough hours in the day to just hang out and do nothing.  We're on the go all the time. And frankly I think that exhausts us both but more mom.  Trying to get her not to over do is just impossible!  She feels like her house needs to be spotless and everything tidy, the kids taken care of and always something to do!

We are getting closer to finding a house in our neighborhood to move her closer but it's not going as fast as we'd like.  Today it's snowing and those are days that mom can't go outside much.  Harder for her to breath in that kind of weather.  Its these days that I wish she were next door more than every.  I'd like to bake something and take it over while it's still warm, knowing that she'd sit and eat something then.  She's a quirky one, doesn't like cookies after they've cooled off. 

Hope you're all having a good quality day with your families.  Thank you for the continued support of mine!

Update

Was hoping to take mom tomorrow night to another acupuncture appt.  But with the rainy/snowy/crappy weather it makes it hard for her to breath in the humidity.  When you're struggling to breath it just runs ya down to the point of just wanting to sleep all the time.  Unfortunately, mom isn't getting good sleep so recharging her battery is not happening.  I am hoping it gets better so I can take her next week.  I think the treatments will really help her to rebuild her adrenals and energy levels.

On the financial side, we suffered a little set back.  Amazon has decided to stop their affiliate program for the state of Colorado.  It seems that Colorado has decided to start charging an internet tax.  Amazon is pissed.  And rather than taking more money from it's customers it's going to stop paying affiliates who drive business to their site.  No commissions for us, but tax money for the state of Colorado... Way to go you moron politicians!  So, the Google Ads, Google links, and other advertisements you see are still very helpful to our cause.  I thank you all for visitin our sponsors on a regular basis.  Every little bit is helping us!!

New Milestone!

Well, first off, mom hates needles! She is so afraid of them it's not even funny.  But mom went out on a limb and trusted me and went for her first accupuncture appointment! It started out a bit slow but after the first needle went in and she didn't feel it, then the second... six needles later she was amazed she was doing it!  After a little moxa (stinky stuff that warms the skin) and some ultrasound we were well on our way to getting rid of some of the pain that she had been feeling.  Worth every penny to get her moving and groving in the office. I think she was trully amazed that she was feeling so well and the pain had lessened. 

Stay tuned to hear how mom feels tomorrow after a good nights sleep!

Thank you

Today was a particularly long day - for me and for mom!  Mom is not feeling great and just doesn't have a ton of energy.  If all goes well, tomorrow she is going to have an accupuncture treatment.  I think they will help with her energy level, pain and over all health.  Please keep fingers crossed and prayers coming!

On an upbeat note.. I wanted to take the time to thank each and everyone of you that read the posts, donated, clicked on the advertising links and read other websites or might show amazon or other sponsors sites.  All of this is very healpful to our mission.  For each weblink you visit we benefit!  So far, it's been just over a month since I started blogging and we have reached $558.54.  It's not huge, but we are well on our way!  I thank you each for your time, effort and contributions.  We march forward!!  The house next door is still on the market and we still have our mission!!

Thank you all, and God Bless!

Follow-Up

We're headed to the doctor soon to follow-up on how they think the radiation did for mom. I get scary images of a bad artist standing back with his thumb up, one eye closed, and sizing up the subject with the easel. How else are they going to know what the cancer is doing or did? If they go by pain, she still has it. Frankly, I think the reason she has it is because her body doesn't bounce back like most and it's still inflamed from all the invasive crap they have been doing to her. So today, we'll jump through hoops, hear a lot of hoopla and just go with the flow.


On another note, I was able to make an acupuncturist appt for her on Tuesday evening. She says she isn't going back if she can feel the needles. Now, I've had it done a number of times, and had no issues. But she'll imagine the paint off a truck if she thinks she can feel the needles. Keep your fingers crossed! I think this is her best chance of getting rid of most of the pain, aside from the Lollipops! (but that's another post!)

WE're still making progress on the finances! Way to go people!  We'll get there!

To Scan or not to Scan... that is the question

It's becoming increasingly insame when reading the web, listening to doctors or doing any kind of research on cancer.  Some say, get radiation, others say, don't it will just make things worse... mom didn't do chemo or radiation when she got breast cancer. We decided to go the natuopathic way... and for the most part, it seemed to be the right thing to do.  It certainly was less stressful than the other way.  Which, for mom, was a good thing. Her body and mind could take no more stress!

Now, it's bone cancer, and we opted for radiation of the evil masses.  But the questions of to do, or not to do rears its ugly head once again.  After going through radiation for her bones the question is, should you do another PET scan to see how much the cancer worked, or should you have blind faith. Since, it doesn't matter, if they didni't get it all, there is nothing they can do anyway.  And some say that the PET scan could cause more cancer (who knows if ti's the same kind or not) to show up.  Does one blindly just believe that 'They got it all' or do they opt for the 'the tumors shrunk X%'??  It is times like this that the blindly faithful have a leg up!  Just trust and move forward... because, being skeptical and ruining the rest of the days doesn't seem to be a great place whether you have one day or 60 years!

Friday mom goes back to the Radiation Doctor and these questions will come up.  Should she have the pet scan or should she just go with the flow.  And if she gets the scan, what will it tell her?  The tumors have shrunk? They haven't shrunk? They've grown? Do they tell you the truth?  It's like exploring new software without a users manual... you have no clue what it does or doesn't do, but the surprises when it crashes aren't that fun!

Stay tuned to see how the appointment comes out.  I can tell you that mom has agreed to see an accupuncturist to see if we can get rid of the pain.  She's freaked out about the needles, but as some of you may know.. those tiny little needles are nothing compaired to the pain she is going through.

Exhaustion or Illness?

When a cancer survivor is recovering, fighting, or getting through cancer how do they know if it's the cancer or another illness? You read everywhere that if you're feeling this or experiencing that, you should call you doctor. When calling your doctor you get a "customer service" person (not much sarcasm there!) and then maybe a nurse. If your lucky (again more sarcasm) enough to get your doctor after they call back in a day or two... Only to tell you "oh that's to be expected" Why bother? How much of the persons energy is wasted on a false sense of service?

Why are we giving health care coverage to more people who will just be unserviced and disolugioned by the medical industry? Is anyone having a great medical experience?


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What is Zometa?

ZOMETA is a proven treatment for people with bone metastases. It can help protect the bones and delay bone complications caused by the spread of cancer.




Bone metastases

Sometimes referred to as “Bone mets“. Areas of tumor in bone that result from the spread of cancer from another site in the body.

Bisphosphonate

A class of medicines that inhibit bone removal (resorption) by osteoclasts, a type of bone cell that breaks down bone.

Anemia

A condition in which the number of red blood cells is below normal.

Pyrexia

Fever.

edema

Swelling caused by excess fluid in body tissues.

Anorexia

An abnormal loss of the appetite for food.

Myalgia

Pain in a muscle or group of muscles.

Arthralgia

Joint pain.

neoplasm

Tumor; any new and abnormal growth, specifically one in which cell multiplication is uncontrolled and progressive. Neoplasms may be benign or malignant.

Insomnia

Difficulty in going to sleep or getting enough sleep.

Paresthesia

An abnormal touch sensation, such as burning or prickling, that occurs without an outside stimulus.

Dyspnea

Difficult, painful breathing or shortness of breath.



edemaSwelling caused by excess fluid in body tissues.







ZOMETA is an FDA-approved prescription drug developed by Novartis Oncology. It is used to treat patients with multiple myeloma. ZOMETA is also used to treat patients with other cancers—including breast, lung, and prostate cancer (following at least one course of failed hormonal therapy)—that have spread to the bones, a process called bone metastasis. When cancer has spread to the bone, treatment with ZOMETA helps to protect bones and may reduce or delay such complications as:



Bone fracture

Need for radiation and/or surgery to bone

Spinal cord compression

Even patients who have already experienced bone complications from the spread of cancer to the bones may be helped by treatment with ZOMETA.



ZOMETA is used with cancer treatments such as radiation, hormonal therapy, or chemotherapy.



To help manage your treatment, see additional ZOMETA Patient Resources.



If therapy with ZOMETA is recommended for you, here are some things you should know.



ZOMETA is given as an intravenous infusion every 3 to 4 weeks. You may receive it at your doctor's office or at a clinic or infusion center. The infusion takes at least 15 minutes once ZOMETA is prepared.

Concerns that you may have about receiving intravenous ZOMETA should be weighed against the potential benefits of treatment, as the complications of bone metastases can be devastating. Speak with your doctor.

In some cases, ZOMETA and other bisphosphonates have been known to cause kidney damage. Prior to each infusion, your doctor will routinely do blood tests to monitor your kidney function. If you have kidney problems, your doctor may determine that ZOMETA should be administered at a reduced dose or should not be given. Patients with severe kidney problems should not take ZOMETA.

It is also important to keep up your fluid intake while on ZOMETA therapy. Signs and symptoms of low fluid intake include thirst, sagging skin, low urine output, and dry mouth. Be sure to drink plenty of water or other fluids.

ZOMETA contains the same active ingredient as found in Reclast® (zoledronic acid). If you are treated with ZOMETA, you should not be treated with Reclast.

Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems before taking ZOMETA.

It's important to have your blood tested (serum creatinine) during the course of ZOMETA therapy.

ZOMETA should not be given if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or if you are breast-feeding.

You should have a dental examination prior to treatment with ZOMETA and you should avoid invasive dental procedures during treatment.

Good dental hygiene and routine dental care is important while you're on ZOMETA treatment.

If you have multiple myeloma and bone metastasis of solid tumors you should take an oral calcium supplement of 500 mg and a multiple vitamin containing 400 IU of Vitamin D daily.

The most common side effects associated with ZOMETA include: anemia, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, pyrexia, weakness, lower limb edema, anorexia, decreased weight, bone pain, myalgia, arthralgia, back pain, malignant neoplasm aggravated, headache, dizziness, insomnia, paresthesia, dyspnea, cough, and abdominal pain.

Consult your doctor about your individual treatment plan if you experience any of these side effects. Your doctor should closely watch your response to ZOMETA.



ZOMETA should be used with caution in patients with aspirin–sensitive asthma. ZOMETA should not be given to women who are pregnant, because there is the potential that it might harm the unborn child. Women given ZOMETA should not become pregnant during therapy.

Doc or Duck?

Well, I must say that I've been going through each day with hopes that today would be the day that mom would stop hurting and would realize that the radiation has helped her to fight off the cancer in some measurable way.  But it's hard.  First off, her pain continues in her hip.  I expect this since, we were told that the radiation would keep working for 2-3 weeks beyond the last treatment.  Since we're still not even a week out, I understand that the area of treatment is irretated and inflamed and can cause pain. 

The second difficult issue is that one of her doctors, (DUCK as in QUACK!) did a 180 flip on us.  All of the things he told her she should be doing, and all the good that the treatement would do for her... he basically said - well, no sense in getting another PET scan to see how well the treatment worked since you can't get any more radiation in the same spot...ignorance is bliss right?  And then tells her that she can either continue with the ZOMETA shot to strengthen the bones or not, her choice... Sort of a sing song - what ever makes you happy... la dee da... WHAT THE HECK IS THAT ABOUT?  Now, keep in mind, he has no idea what all the radiation has done for her... he knows nothing about how the treatment is progressing... he just woke up one morning and decided to tell all of his patients to roll over and play dead.  How does one encourage and support a person going through cancer treatment when they have a whacked out duck like this at this stage in the game?  When we need the support the most the duck just quacked on us!  How does one pass this information on to the next unsuspecting person who is depending on this Professional to guide, encourage and lead them out of darkness? 

Her folks, is where I tell you that there is not enough natural selection in our world!  I know it's hard to be optimistic and upbeat when you don't feel good... but when you're employed, making good money and basically doing what you love to do... step up and take responsibility for delivering the goods to those who are paying you.  And trust me, we are paying these doctors a great deal of money to treat us with better kindness and support than many of them are delivering!

Days after Radiation

It's only been two days since the last treatment of radiation and mom's skin is healing from the blistering that occurred.  They tell her not to get hot baths for several more weeks but how does one cope with the aches and pains that the joints and bones are going through?  None of the pain meds they have prescribed have even come closer to working. At best they have distracted her with additional rashes, difficulty breathing and itchyness that will drive you nuts.  So, no pain meds. 

There is the option of medical marijuana!  However, that isn't cheap either!!  How do people who use medicinal marijuana afford it?  You have to have a fulltime job to afford it, but most are too sick to be able to work and afford the basic neccessities.  What a catch 22!

The good news is, mom is getting a little more rest.  She still isn't sleeping all the way through the night.  Melatonin only does so much for a person!  Hopefully with the coming days she will get more rest and start to feel better.  Will keep you posted!

Day 15.5

Well mom made it through all of her treatments! Now she needs rest while it continues to work for another two to three weeks. She will still have infusions of a drug called zometa once a month for five more months.

I am also going to look for an accupuncturist just in case as mom said she was willing to try it once. I think it would help with pain and cancer!

Please keep checking back as I am going to continue to blog our progress on the home, moms condition and getting her moved closer to us.


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Day 15

The final day of radiation treatment for mom. I am so excited for her simply because she is so tired. Prayers, positive thoughts and good will is all we have at this point. Even if a miracle treatment came along I am nit sure mom would trust doctors enough to try it. I would like her to try accupuncture but we will give her time to heal and rest for now.


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Day 14

National Cancer Day

How ironical! The snow is flying and today is the next to the last day of treatments. Mom gets a free 30 minute massage today. It's a nice feature of the hospital. Since her pain has been bad she doesn't sleep well, making her neck stiff and painfull. She needs better sleep but no one seems to know how to help her with this right now. The usual melatonin and warm milk just ain't cutting it! I am hoping that after tomorrow she can sleep in more and get better rest.


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Day 13

They say mom is in the "think" of treatment... that is an understatement!  Everything aches, tireness is beyond exhaustion and the roller coaster ride of not being hungry and craving something is a ride I never want to be  on!  Thank God there are only two days left of the radiation. 

So what happens when you have to have treatment like  this?  Mom arrives each morning, goes to a set area and gets on a gown.  then heads to a microwave looking machine where they warm blankets. Ah, now that is a machine that could make it big in society!  Then she waits for her turn... her fifteen minutes of torture.  When they come from her, they ask her birthdate, full name and she hops on the scale.  Mom's weight has been fluctuating about 2-3 lbs a day.  Then it's on to the table.. a table that lifts, shifts and moves the person into the exact location that is needed to get their radiation treatment.  In mom's case, she is getting zapped from the left side and the right side, so as not  to hit her lungs.  The treatment is in the rib area as well as the pelvic area.  For the time the radiation is being emmitted the person can't move even a hair.  For mom that is a difficult task! Since mom is on oxygen, laying flat on her back and not moving is horrible!

The staff adjust and shift and position mom into place.  Then they leave the room, zap... return and adjust and push and prod.. leave the room and zap... and within fifteen minutes she's done for another treatment.

I hope that none of you ever have to go through this type of treatment!

Day 12

With only three days left of radiation treatments I would like to say that each day gets easier.  It doesn't.  For those people who have more than 15 days or go through this more than once, my hat goes off to them!  Each day the will power to have hope that the treatment is working without any proof is exhausting.  You just don't know if the radiation they are pumping into the body is helping or hurting.  Mom is being a real trooper. Even thought the pain in her hip is still there and today she woke up sick and not feeling great, she keeps plugging away each day.  With only three days left, staying positive and having hope  are all we have at this point.  We won't know if the radiation shrunk the tumors for another 4 to 6 weeks when they redo the petscan.  And even then, will the doctors share the truth?  This whole business about medicine and "practicing" is a bit of a joke in the waiting rooms but sadly, are far too accurate.  I believe that the treatments are helping, but have no proof.  Just my gut instincts telling me that they are making a difference. 

Keep your fingers crossed, as well as prayers and good wishes coming mom's way. We can use all we can get.  Tomorrow is another day and we have that at least!

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Day 11

If ever there was light at the end of a tunnel, it would be shining now! Today started out with pain, cold weather and FOG! But by the time we got out of the radiation center the sun was out with a balmy 44 degrees, prairie dogs were yipping for joy and mom only has four more days of getting zapped.

Mom has lost a few pounds. But that is to be expected. She is tired, in pain from her hip and the radiation drains you of any desire to eat. Lucky for her I have to eat ever couple of hours and her little ones are always ready for a bit or two. So there is always an opportunity to nibble on something.

I wanted to thank those of you following along, supporting us through donations and encouragement. Please take the time to visit out sponsors as they are being supportive of us too. With only four days left of treatment this process becomes a waiting game. Please feel free to comment on posts or send a message.



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Mom Prior to Cancer

What my mom did before cancer is not known to many of you.  Mom has COPD and is on oxygen so she doesn't really run around the neighborhood or drive kids to soccer like some moms.  After graduating from college she worked at a few jobs and was just finding her niche in the world.  I had given her the fir computer of many in her life.  Wasn't long before she upgraded and started learning new things.  She was as knoweldgeable as anyone I had ever met.  She didn't know everything, but she knew enough to be dangerous and knew where to learn more!  Soon, she found graphics!  She was a graphic freak.  Would stay up at all hours learning how to create new things.  Like most people of her time, her confidance was still blossoming.  And just about the time when I thought she was going to come alove and explode with her talent, we found out she had Lyme disease. 

She had Lyme some time and was unaware of it.  Not long after I found out I had it too.  We had lived in Minnesota for some years and both had picked it up the same summer according to our symptoms.  We have fought long and hard against this evil disease but we both believe you never tully get it out of your system. You merely hope that you can get it into remission and move on with life. 

The Lyme took it's toll. Mom didn't do as much graphics because she was so tired all the time.  But, what she did create I managed to hold onto.  I started creating things with her unique graphics on them.  I'd love your feedback on the things that I'm putting together.  Check them out on http://www.cafepress.com/a2h Keep checking back as I'll continue to create new items. 

Day 10

The tenth day of treatment came and went.  It's been two long weeks and frankly, I'm amazed we've made it this far!  A few moments of radiation are worse than a bad day at work.  With only fice days left it would be easy to think that mom could make it through all fifteen days without too much trauma.  But the truth is, her skin has started to get sores and 3rd degree burns.  The pain in the hip is taking it's toll.  She is a trooper and she were make it.  I just hate to see her going through all of the pain.

How do people do this alone?  We see people coming in for treatment driving themselves to and from the hospital.  Frankly, I'm worried for them and for those around them.  When pain strikes being behind the wheel of a car is not the safest thing to be doing!  Even more importantly, who is there for these poeple to rest their head on a shoulder?  Pain, fear, exhausting... all are overwhelming and no one should have to go through this alone.  Have you ever thought about volunteering just to drive someone to their appointments?  I never had before. It's just not a service we think of often.  Get this, if someone lives in a nursing home and has to go to treatment, no all residences will drive them.  They have to take a taxi, an ambulance or find some other way to get there.  What a screwed up world we live in!

On another screwed up note... my mom posted this blog on a cancer support site.  It's one of those sites where everyone gets on and talks about what they are going through.  Some askf or advice, others for prayers.  Mom got her hands slapped and was told she couldn't ask for money.  At the same time those hosting the site sell their wears to cancer survivors.  So, in a time of need, I guess it's ok to peddle your marketable goods but not to be straight up and ask for a little assistance to those who've made it through to the other side of cancer.  Again, I say, as if it will help me to understand, what a screwed up world we live in!

Day 9

Icy roads on the way to treatment today.  But it was a big day.  Mom got her first ever massage.  The clinic where she is getting treatment gives free half hour massages.  Her neck was feeling better afterwards.  Hopefully she will get better sleep tonight.  Mom wanted to bring the nice massage lady home with us, but they frown on that at the clinic.

Tomorrow is the end of two weeks.  Since radiation is a cumulative treatement each day mom gets a little more tired and run down.  The weekends are the best time for her to get caught up on a little extra sleep and less running around. 

There are others going through treatments at the clinic either before or after mom's sessions.  Some have family with them and others are alone.  Its hard to imagine anyone having to go through such a process without someone there to drive them, get them a warm blanket while they are waiting or just sit and chat with them.  I understand that not everyone has family close by to them.  But if you know of someone who is needing treatment, don't take no for an answer.  Be with them, give them a ride, visit with them... something.  No one should do cancer alone.

Why Mom Next Door? For the love of her kids!

There are a number of reasons why we are working  so hard to move mom closer.  Shorter trips to the doctor when she is feeling bad, dropping in to do things for her when she doesn't feel up to doing them for herself, and the list keeps going.  Mom has a passion for animals - her pets are her kids.  Over the years she has rescued more animals than I can even imagine telling you about.  Our house growing up was filled with all types of creatures.  For a while I had 2 pet mink that slept with me, 2 geese that I swam with in the baby pool, ground hogs, a horse, opposums, skunks, cats, cats, cats and dogs upon dogs made their homes with our famly.  Mom has a huge heart for those who can not defend or take care of themselves...

"Baby" was a rescued cat from Minnesota.  She is a bit of a loner but loves mom and talks to her throughout the day.  You can hear her cries asking for breakfast, then lunch, and then dinner... there is no denying that hungry kitty!

lil'One is a rolley polley pudgey one. But its understandable, he's had a hard life.  He is mom's angel.  He was rescued from a cold snow pile after he was thrown out during the coldest part of winter last year.  Lil'One stays with mom when she is sick.  He won't leave her side and watches her as she sleeps. She loves him like there is no tomorrow.  And this little guy makes your heart swell with his kisses and snuggles.

The newest, but not the last of mom's kids (she has a few more cats) was recently rescued prior to her finding out that her cancer was back.  No regrets though.  Half Pint has an enegery level and hyperness that makes you laugh llike crazy.  She keeps everyone on their toes by flying around the room and snuggling into your arms for long nuzzels and warm lap blanket time.  She keeps mom warm when her chills kick in and she can't keep her own body temperature up.  And this little cutie is giving Lil'One a run for his life! :)

Without mom living closer, she fears she will have to give her kids up.  If she can't take care of herself then she doesn't want them to suffer.  I don't want that to happen.  The love and happiness these kids bring mom are what is helping her to fight the cancer.  The unconditional love from furry friends is beetter than any medicine.

Day 8 - Hump Day!

More than halfway through the radiation treatment! OK now I know this is a one way blog, however, I also know many of you know me so please feel free to email your thoughts... radiation can cause problems in the intestinal area and yet, the medical professionals performing the procedures tell the patients not to use fiber.  When I brought it up, they said "oh no...stick  to mash potatoes and can food so you don't scratch the lining of the intestings..."  They basically are instructing folks to eat crap with no nutritional value.  Does this make sense to anyone else?

Mom still has pain in her joints and has a great deal of sweats and chills.  But each day she seems to wake up with slightly less pain.  Since radiation continues to work even after the treatments are done, the goal is that once it's effectiveness is complete the pain will be gone.  Keep fingers crossed, prayers flowing and kharma good!  These are all we have to go on since the pain killers that the doctors keep prescribing mom make her react poorly.  We have yet to find a medicine she can take without breaking out in a rash or getting more violently sick. 

Fortunately, mom has been eating better the last few days.  At the start of treatment she had lost several pounds  Each day she seems to eat a little more and crave more food.  Of course she can't keep up with her kids!  They eat like little pot belllie pigs.  More about mom's adopted kids coming soon.

Where mom lives now

About four years ago I got a great idea to move my mother and grandmother from Minnesota here to Colorado so that I could take care of things for them around the house.  The home they were living in was less than steller.  It was an old fixer upper that should have been scrapped and started over.  After selling the house there was enough money to buy a city lot... a city lot in a small town and not mainstream suburbia Colorado.  I wanted my mother and grandmother closer to me because they were both starting to have health issues and I just couldn't get away to Minnesota as much with my career.

Using a government grant I was about to build a new home for my mom and grandmother (Nanny).  The house wasn't paid for, but its a program where the mortgage is locked in at a certain percentage rate and the base and 1% is all they had to pay for their payments.  Since mom and nanny were on fixed incomes this made for an affordable mortgage in a healthy environment.  The house is more affordable than any apartment than I could have found for them.  Small town living has been good for them.  The church was just a few blocks away for nanny and on bad days, and the grocery store still delivers for 50 cents.

This past May my grandmother passed away at the age of 86 and mom has been able to stay in the home and program as long as she makes the payments on her home.  So far that has been possible but increasingly more difficult as her fixed income is less than $700 a month. 

Its a cute home, but unfortunately it is nearly two hours from our home.  I don't mind the scenic drive, but I worry that I can't be there in time for mom if she needs us.  Now with the doctors appts it makes it very difficult for her to drive herself to them.  This is a big part of why I am working so hard to move mom into our neighborhood.  There is just too much she can't do for herself any more. 

Stay tuned for more about mom and her kids... 

Day 7

Mom's treatment is suppose to consist of 15 days of radiation.  Today was day 7.  With only 8 days left of the treatment there are always lots of questions.  Will it be enough?  Will the tumors be shrunk all the way? Will the pain go away? Is the treatment causing the hot flashes and chills?  These are all the things they don't tell you about when the word cancer is mentioned.  And frankly, I don't think anyone really knows.  There are simply too many variables when it comes to this type of illness. 

What they don't tell you is how cold they have to keep the room for the radiation treatments.  Mom  comes out of the room so chilled and shivering it takes a while for her to get warm again.  By then I am sweating and hoping I don't pass out from the heat in the car.  The loss of appetite makes it tough to stay strong and fight off illness as well. 

As long as cancer has been around, how is it possible that we don't have a cure, better treatment plans or are closer to the truth about cancer?  Instead of carbon foot prints and global warming why are we not focused on healing our people and making our food healthier?

Tomorrow is hump day... half way through the treatment plan.  Mom's pain is lessening but let's hope that she stops having all of the chills and sweats and starts to get better sleep. 

Day 6

Bare with me as I jump from the present and what mom is going through, back to the past and what got her to this place in life and possibly even the future and where we are headed for the sake of her health. 

Today was Day 6 of the radiation treatment.  The first week wasn't easy as moms pain tends to flare up after each day.  Its as much due to exhaustion as it is the cancer in her bones. By now mom had it down to a science.. arrive, change into gown, get warm blanket from the blanket microwave, chat with other ladies, one of which happens to work for the same agency as myself.  Small world!  Within a few short minutes and the ladies of the lab are asking mom her name and birthday.  Interestingly, mom's birthday was yesterday and the lady ahead of her each morning had a birthday today.  Crappy way to spend  a birthday! 

For fifteen minutes mom is laid on a table, adjusted and aligned perfectly so that the large machine can precisely blast away at her tumors.  Mom has three in total.  One in her sternum and two in her pelvic.  Fortunately the staff at the hospital are wonderful and very supportive.  The hardest part is getting mom to stay positive and optimistic.  Each day we're one more treatment closer to being done!

Beginning

Hi, my name is Anne. I'm a real person and this is a journey that I'm taking with my mother. 

I'm not sure where one starts a blog such as the one I'm writing.  But, I know I need to start it somewhere and I need to do it soon!  So, today, I begin.  First off, why I am writing this blog, and then we'll go back and fill in the details as to how we got to this point in the journey.

Surely, I know people who know people, who know people.  So, when the idea of of finding just over 200,000 of people came to mind, I thought "heck, I can do this!"  Why do I need to know that mane people?  Well, my thought is, if I can find 200,000+ people, who would donate $1 dollar, or would at the very least, click on one of the links on my page and make a purchase, then I could afford to move my mother into the house next door to us. 

OK, I know what you're thinking...first, why would I move my mother next door?!  second, are you nuts?  These are tough times! No one will do this.  But I think you will or at least I have hope.  See, here is where I start the story of why.  My mother has breast Cancer.  A few years back we thought we got it all when they did a complete mastectomy.  Only last month, after several months of fighting with the doctors to do more test, did we find out that the cancer had spread to her bones.  Currently, mom is going through radiation treatments to get rid of this evil illness.  She is a fighter!  She will overcome this and we are praying that she has a long and healthy life.  However, we're also realists.  She can't do it alone.  I ask you to follow along with this Blog, send it to friends, share it with others who may be understanding and supportive.  As we move forward I will tell you the story of how we got to where we are and why we're doing it the way we are trying to do it. 

I don't expect you all to understand, or even to support our efforts.  But I know I have a lot of good friends out there and I think this world is filled with good and caring people.  So, if I have a chance at pulling this off it will be with the support of all of you!  Please stay tuned as I will blog as often as I can moving forward.