Hey all,
Sorry this is so late in the day-I spent the day at Mom’s place and we spent most of the day outside playing with Ryan (my son).
So here is the full update from today-there’s a fair amount as there were a bunch of changes made throughout the day.
Mom and Brian went and met with Dr. Ong, the surgeon, this morning and the first thing the Dr. did was sit down-never a good thing from a Dr. She asked if my mom had talked to the oncologist yet-which she hadn’t and Dr. Ong told her “I’m so sorry.” Again, not something you want to hear from your doctor. The results from the x-ray and CT scan weren’t good-there are numerous spots in the lungs. However, the good news is that the spot on my mom’s liver is just a cyst-so YEAH!!! At that point, Dr. Ong had decided that she wasn’t going to do the biopsy as there wasn’t really a point to doing it saying as how they were able to see how much there was and what they were up against. She told my mom and Brian that she would call the oncologist and let him know and go from there. She was however, going to drain the fluid from my mom’s lungs next week-which would entail a large needle going in my mom’s back and into her lungs (eesh!!!!).
My mom called the oncologist as well and left a message for him to call her back. Once he did, he asked her what the surgeon had said. My mom explained everything she had been told (he also had the report as well) and he still felt as though she needed to have a biopsy. Mainly because he still feels as though this is not the breast cancer re-occurring and that it is a completely separate case altogether. The other reason is that he wants to make sure that the correct treatment is being done for the particular type of cancer.
So after a few phone calls, the surgeon and oncologist agreed to do the biopsy. So with that the original plan to do the lung drainage was cancelled. So what is happening now is that on July 25th, Mom has to go to the hospital to do all the pre-admission paper work and the following week she will be going in for the biopsy. What this biopsy will entail will be the removal of tissue, the lung drainage (as originally planned), as well as a possibility of some material being placed in her lungs to help prevent fluid build-up. With this being a larger surgery, mom will be put under with a general anesthetic.
Mom will have to go see the oncologist 5 days after the surgery and the chemo/radiation treatment will be planned out and started.
This little bit was written by my mom:
The next two weeks will be tough but will muddle through.
Brian has been amazing through this and this is very hard on him as well as for me and for the kids - and they are amazing too!
Mom also got a package today from Victoria Quilts (http://www.victoriasquiltscanada.com/) which is a ministry that makes quilts for free for people who have cancer and/or going through cancer treatments. Mom cried when she read the card and LOVES the quilt-it’s beautiful!!!! I will have to get Mom to take a picture of it so I can post it on here. There was a bookmark that came with it as well and it had a poem on it and it spoke many words of truth, so I thought I’d share it with you all.
What Cancer Cannot Do.....
Cancer is so limited,
It cannot cripple love,
It cannot shatter hope,
It cannot corrode faith,
It cannot destroy peace,
It cannot kill friendship,
It cannot suppress memories,
It cannot silence courage,
It cannot invade the soul,
It cannot steal eternal life,
It cannot conquer the spirit.
- Author Unknown
So I think that’s about it for now. I will write more if anything else comes up between then and now.
Sorry this is so late in the day-I spent the day at Mom’s place and we spent most of the day outside playing with Ryan (my son).
So here is the full update from today-there’s a fair amount as there were a bunch of changes made throughout the day.
Mom and Brian went and met with Dr. Ong, the surgeon, this morning and the first thing the Dr. did was sit down-never a good thing from a Dr. She asked if my mom had talked to the oncologist yet-which she hadn’t and Dr. Ong told her “I’m so sorry.” Again, not something you want to hear from your doctor. The results from the x-ray and CT scan weren’t good-there are numerous spots in the lungs. However, the good news is that the spot on my mom’s liver is just a cyst-so YEAH!!! At that point, Dr. Ong had decided that she wasn’t going to do the biopsy as there wasn’t really a point to doing it saying as how they were able to see how much there was and what they were up against. She told my mom and Brian that she would call the oncologist and let him know and go from there. She was however, going to drain the fluid from my mom’s lungs next week-which would entail a large needle going in my mom’s back and into her lungs (eesh!!!!).
My mom called the oncologist as well and left a message for him to call her back. Once he did, he asked her what the surgeon had said. My mom explained everything she had been told (he also had the report as well) and he still felt as though she needed to have a biopsy. Mainly because he still feels as though this is not the breast cancer re-occurring and that it is a completely separate case altogether. The other reason is that he wants to make sure that the correct treatment is being done for the particular type of cancer.
So after a few phone calls, the surgeon and oncologist agreed to do the biopsy. So with that the original plan to do the lung drainage was cancelled. So what is happening now is that on July 25th, Mom has to go to the hospital to do all the pre-admission paper work and the following week she will be going in for the biopsy. What this biopsy will entail will be the removal of tissue, the lung drainage (as originally planned), as well as a possibility of some material being placed in her lungs to help prevent fluid build-up. With this being a larger surgery, mom will be put under with a general anesthetic.
Mom will have to go see the oncologist 5 days after the surgery and the chemo/radiation treatment will be planned out and started.
This little bit was written by my mom:
The next two weeks will be tough but will muddle through.
Brian has been amazing through this and this is very hard on him as well as for me and for the kids - and they are amazing too!
Mom also got a package today from Victoria Quilts (http://www.victoriasquiltscanada.com/) which is a ministry that makes quilts for free for people who have cancer and/or going through cancer treatments. Mom cried when she read the card and LOVES the quilt-it’s beautiful!!!! I will have to get Mom to take a picture of it so I can post it on here. There was a bookmark that came with it as well and it had a poem on it and it spoke many words of truth, so I thought I’d share it with you all.
What Cancer Cannot Do.....
Cancer is so limited,
It cannot cripple love,
It cannot shatter hope,
It cannot corrode faith,
It cannot destroy peace,
It cannot kill friendship,
It cannot suppress memories,
It cannot silence courage,
It cannot invade the soul,
It cannot steal eternal life,
It cannot conquer the spirit.
- Author Unknown
So I think that’s about it for now. I will write more if anything else comes up between then and now.
8 comments:
Meghan - thanks dear for doing such a thorough job of Mom's update - you are simply the best!
Roni - listen hon, I'll be talking to Dr.K. a little later - you know how much we both care and we know you will fight this new challenge with every fiber of your being.
I'll talk to you real soon. I am truly sorry for the diagnosis but so thankful re: the liver. One step at a time, we are all holding your hand Roni - we love ya!
Hi Megz & Veronica,
Well mostly good news, I guess...
I'm so very glad to hear the liver isn't an issue -- I think that would have been quite a problem, and of course, it's also good news there weren't any tumors anywhere else either. So at least now you know the battleground...
Now on to the fight!
Our hearts, and spirits are with you Veronica...
BTW -- I quite like the poem... In particular, the last 4 stanzas.
Veronica, they fit you well...
R.
Roni and Megz,
Thank you so much for the call yesterday, Roni... though now I'm hesitant to answer my phone when I'm overseas, if you keep calling me with bad news... But I'll keep answering!! Never fear!
As Rick mentioned, I'm also very glad and relieved to know that the cancer isn't in your liver, though being in the lungs is going to be a battle royal in itself, for sure.
I spent part of a sleepless night thinking about your call, and the prognosis, and the treatment that you'll have to undergo.
I finally fell asleep knowing that you'll be strong and fight with everything you have... And with help from your family, very many friends and supporters.
You know that we're all beside you through this!
I also love the poem on the bookmark, that you shared with us, Megz. It was beautiful!
Roni, keep that bookmark and poem with you all the time, and look at it often, and believe in the words written there - believe they were written just for you.
Be strong and keep up your positive attitude!
What Meghan didn't say, was that the quilt was from my kids. Shannon, Meghan and Patrick. And I thank them so very much - you are awesome kids!!! And I love you lots!!! It is beautiful and I will take some pictures and Meghan can figure how to put them here! And the colours of the quilt go with the new paintjob in the bedroom!
Love
Mom
Roni:
You know we love you lots and lots... so I am officially informing you on behalf of myself and all your former coworkers that we are fully expecting you to kick the crap outta this thing.
xoxo
Niki
LOve you mom
Pat
Hello Veronica,
Having this blog site is really helpful for everyone,Thank You Meghan.
It sounds as though you have been a cancer survivor in the past,that the amount of support and blessings coming your way, today,is new and filled with a lot more positiveness.
I wish to remind you of all the prayers and well wishes being sent your way,from Corey's side,as we read updates and hear from Meghan we will continue our prayers of strength,comfort,and bonding, for your family and be reminded how blessed we all are, for the cherished friendship we have with one another.
Be true to yourself!
Love Marsha
Hi Roni, Nice talking to you today, glad you were enjoying wether and waiting for baby to come. You are strong and brave and an encouragement to me. I've had a hard year and know what you are going through. Your grace is amazing. Talk again soon..love and regards to you, Sandra
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