Wednesday, March 24, 2010

REAL updated

So first I apologize that I did not give the update that many were waiting for after surgery yesterday. We wanted to be able to get mom out of the recovery room and also be able to talk to her first.

When they removed the tumors yesterday there were 2 on the ovaries (one each), 3 in the abdomen, and had to scrape the diaphragmatic lining. The tumors were malignant. She has stage III ovarian cancer. I do want to warn you though to remember a few things; Everything you read on Internet is not true. Also remember that the numbers found on the Internet are for the entire age bracket, so it is not entirely accurate for my mom. That covers woman age 40-99 years old. Obviously a woman who is over 70 is going to have a harder time going through the treatments my mom will. Heck a woman over the age 60 would have a harder time than my mom. She is a fighter. The number also won't show the faith in God my mom has, or the fact that she is a fighter. She is going to beat this thing.

Further treatment will be chemo. Mom will be trying out a new form of Chemotherapy that is supposed to work really well for ovarian cancer. They have put a port directly into her abdomen. She will be on a 21 day cycle for the Chemotherapy for 6 cycles (18 weeks). Day one is the IV chemotherepy, Day 2 is IP (Chemo put directly into her abdomen) These two days she will stay over night for these two days, Day 8 is the IP, this will not be an overnight stay. The port into her abdomen is definitely newer, but an exciting development. It will maker her sicker (that's a lot of poison)... but man I have never been more thankful for poison in my life.

As we move into this next phase of our lives, of Mom's treatment we have a lot to be thankful for. We are so blessed by the power of prayer of the people we know in our lives. To say that Mom has been prayed for on every coast is an understatement. I KNOW she's been prayed for in at least 15 states, probably more. Shes been prayed for in London, and Spain. What can I say, she gets around. We are so blessed that surgery went so well yesterday. That they were able to get everything. That it was not in any other organs. We are so blessed by our Lord above. And Mom is a fighter, and she has God on her side.

Prayer requests for today would include that she will keep up her recovery. Right now we are wanting her to take deep breaths because it opens up her lungs and keeps pneumonia. Because they had to scrape her diaphragm it is much harder to breathe and hurts a lot more. We also pray that her bladder loosens up so she is able to use the restroom on her own (sorry weird, but a true fact of recovery). We pray that she will be able to get some sleep in the hospital, and more than just sleep but some actual rest. We pray that as she starts to move and walk around that she is able to walk around more that her shortness of breathe will go away.

The good news is her spirits are high, she is doing great, and I completely admire her.

Again I apologize that we waited until this evening to give you this information about the tumors, the cancer, and the treatment plan from her on out.

Thank you all for your support. Keep writing comments, my mom loves to hear them. They are great encouragement as we sit in hospital.

11 comments:

  1. thanks for the update Caitie. I know your mom is a strong woman. I know she is in the strong arms of The comforter who is not taken by surprise in all of this. God knew those were there. She will fight and she will strong even in weakness. Please know I am praying for you all.

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  2. Kim, we will praise Him at the end of your successful treatment, and we will praise Him on the journey through the fire. You are surrounded with the prayers of the faithful, and by the love of everyone who knows you. You are a child of the King. Rejoice!
    Love you much!
    Cindy

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  4. Thanks for the update Caitie. Your Mom is a tough woman, and is blessed with family and friends who love her dearly. Please let her know we are here for her, and sending all our love and prayers.

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  5. Praying for strength and healing for you Kim. Yes, you can beat this thing! Much love, Lori

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  6. Kim, I have been keeping you in my prayers. I am thankful that you have the support of everyone in your wonderful family and a strong faith in God. I will continue praying for your recovery and strength.

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  7. Isaiah 58:8

    Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

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  8. Great update, Caitie! I spoke with my oncologist yesterday, relaying the little bit of information I knew. He was so supportive and hopeful and reassuring.

    #1 - He said it was good news that it was Stage III. The odds for survival are much better.

    #2 - the intra-peritoneal treatment is VERY effective against ovarian cancer. It will be a very tough treatment, but your mom (and the rest of you) just need to keep your eye on the prize - to be cancer free!!

    #3 - He said the MD Anderson has cutting edge treatment for ovarian cancer and she is in the best place possible.

    Love you all - Aunt T.

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  9. Kim
    We are so proud of your strength before, during and after the surgery. We are praying for you as often as we think about you. We love you.
    Lisa

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  10. Wow, I'm not even sure what to say that hasn't been said. I too, know that you are a fighter and I know you like to be a winner too! I'm always trying to catch up and beat you at all the games we play on the internet and all the days we spent playing together in Chicago. I miss those days. I have thought each day since you learned of this that I didn't work so I could just hop on over and help take care of you. You know you are in my prayers each and every day. I know that when you there is only one set of prints in the sand that God is carrying you and will continue to do so as he helps you through this time. I'm just so sorry that you have to go through all the pain of this illness and treatment before you get on the other side of this disease. I know that you can do this!! When you get to where you feel like a visitor, I'll be there. Love you!!
    Jen

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