A CT Scan and Phlegm

Mom is getting her CT scan today. And she's sick. Saturday tricked her. It was nice out. She sat outside with her family enjoying the weather and good company. She woke up Sunday coughing and wheezing. She opted not to stay at our place as usual on Monday because she felt that bad. Instead, she stayed last night. She called Dr. Dy's office on Monday to get some cough medicine. It helped. Some. Yesterday she took a breathing treatment almost as soon as she got settled at our place. Afterwards, while sitting on opposite ends of the couch, I could still hear her chest rattle. I could tell from looking at her that it was bothering her. She was doing so well. Feeling so great. She started coughing up phlegm. No blood, Thank you God. Today her sputum turned green and yellow in color. A sign of infection. She is going to call Dr. Dy's office after her CT scan and let them know about her cough. I'm guessing pneuomia. Again. I am hoping it will pass soon.

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Happy Veteran's Day Jonathan.

Slowly But Surely

Mom's appointment was yesterday. She gained another half a pound and all her blood levels are great. Dr. Dy is ecstatic as we all are. She has a CT scan next week and the results the following week.

Help If You Can

My husband and I are participating in a suicide walk this weekend in honor of his best friend Steve Nelson. To help with this worthwhile cause, please click here.

Thank you.

A Shower is in the Future

Mom is rocking this chemo. She gained almost another full pound. Her blood levels keep getting better. And Dr. Dy can hear little to no wheezing at all in her lungs.

She got chemo yesterday and will get it again nect week. After next week's chemo she will have another CT scan to see how the chemo is affecting the tumors.

She was able to take a full bath yesterday morning complete with hair washing and leg shaving and then was able to moisturize and get dressed, all without needing to stop to rest. Mom hasn't been able to do that in a very long time, at least 6 months. She is hoping to be able to take a shower again soon.

Never mind the fact that she'll be bald by next week's appointment, mom is rocking this chemo treatment.

Weight Gain + Hair Loss

Mom's up two pounds from 2 weeks ago. She goes days without coughing and her overall attitude, health, and demeanor are awesome. Dr. Dy is quite happy. The only side effect so far from this chemo is the hair loss. It's coming out rapidly and in large clumps. She got chemo today and is planning on getting her flu shots tomorrow. Mom will have another CT scan after this cycle (so two weeks from now).

The Banner of Baldness

Mom's losing her hair. It's started to come out when she brushes it. Or washes it. She won't say it but I know it bothers her. It's not the actual baldness that bothers her. It's the big banner that baldness on a woman proclaims: I have cancer and I'm taking chemo. Mom hates being the center of attention. She doesn't like the stares or the sideways glances. And she doesn't like people knowing she is sick. I mean, yes, we all know she is sick. But at times, you can forget about it. If even for a minute. It's hard to forget she has cancer when you look at her bald self. And that's what she doesn't like. The reminders. The big banners.

Bliss.

I took mom and the tots to Champaign today to visit Jonathan and fam. We had a great day. Mom is feeling great, has a healthy appetite, and looks awesome. After eating at Olive Garden, Mom and I went to Target and Wal-Mart. It says a lot about mom's stamina that she could handle Target with me. I.look.at.everything.and.take.forever.

Went back to Jon's afterwards. Mom's touch is apparently not limited to grand-tots. It extends to grand-dogs. She had Jon's new pooch Ozzie (a 13 week-old American Bull-dog) in her arms cradled like a baby. He was out cold. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a teensy bit jealous. ;)

On the drive home she stayed awake the whole time and we talked. It was awesome. Pure bliss.