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.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
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!
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!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
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...
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.
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.
Monday, January 25, 2010
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!
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!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
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.
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.
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