Quick Update

Very quick update for y'all: They've doubled Mom's IV pain meds and she sounded a bit more comfortable when I talked with her. She was having pain in her abdomen last night so they did an x-ray and apparently it showed that her pain was tied in with what's going on with the cancer.

Gramme and Grandpa arrived on a flight into Raleigh/Durham late last night and they were visiting with Mom and Eric when I called up there earlier. I'm so glad they made it down to see her!

Please Pray for Peace

I have to keep this short because I have my own things I'm dealing with here -- I've been in and out of labor with Lily since Thursday.

Lots has happened the past few days. Mom is not doing well. Her tests show extensive spreading of the cancer.

Eric drove to town to be with Mom, all the way from Kansas. Gramme and Grandpa are looking at getting here soon.

Yesterday morning, Dale and Diane had Mom transported to Duke Hospital via ambulance due to pain. Since then, she's been going downhill. Oxygen levels are 88, hemoglobin is 8, creatinine is borderline, pain is high (even with IV pain meds). They're looking to do a blood transfusion on her.

I spoke with her a little bit ago and she was in misery. Please pray for her comfort and peace. It's not fair that she has to deal with this. I expressed my frustration to her that I can't be there right now due to being in labor but let her know that my family is holding her in prayer.

Please also pray that this baby will come soon so that I can go and be with my mother. It's so hard not to be able to hold her hand...

Mom is at Dale's

This afternoon, Amanda came to pick up my Mom and take her to our cousin Dale's. We are so grateful for her generosity!! They got there safely and I've since heard that Amanda made it back okay, too.

Mom spoke with Duke today and found out that the test on Friday is a CT guided biopsy at 10:30. Remember that on Thursday she also has some tests -- 8:30 appointment for radiology injection, 10:30 scan and 3:00 ultrasound.

My uncle Eric is on his way, driving from Kansas and will be here to be with my Mom for some of those appointments. I'm looking forward to seeing him, too, when he passes through the Charlotte area on his way back to Kansas.

Today was a funny day. The morning was a whirlwind. It would have made a good sitcom episode. Will woke up with a fever, sick as can be. The water line to the washer was frozen. The printer broke down. Mom was trying to get ready and I was having some more of the pre-labor contractions I've been having for weeks. As of now, things have calmed down with Mom safely at Dale's, Will in bed with his fever finally down a bit, the water line thawed out and my contractions non-existent. Allen and I are about to have a late dinner and I'm looking forward to some relaxation. Whew! :-D

Morphine is Working

I don't have time for a long update. I'm about to have dinner with my wonderful husband. :-)

I just wanted to let everyone know that the Morphine is now on top of Mom's pain and she is feeling a bit better. So glad for that!

Tomorrow, Amanda comes to take Mom to Dale's sometime between 1:30 and 2:00. She'll have the rest of her appointments on Thursday and Friday and then we'll know more about the course of action.

Thanks for all the support and prayers, y'all!

Ovarian Cancer

Mom spoke with Duke today and was informed that they found CA-125 indicator of ovarian cancer on her CT scan with tracer. This means that they believe that she is dealing with ovarian cancer that has spread to her peritoneal cavity. Mom's pain level was high today, so Duke called in a double dose of her Morphine. She still wasn't comfortable after taking that, but I'm hoping that she'll be able to get on top of the pain tonight so that she can feel a little better. It may also be that she needs something stronger. We'll have to wait and see.

We were able to find someone to bring Mom to Dale's house on Wednesday afternoon so that she can go in to Duke on Thursday for her tests. Thank you Lord!

Mom's energy level is low and she needs a lot of sleep but she tries to fit in some enjoyment when she can. Last night, we went to the Christmas lights display at the Speedway and that was gorgeous and a lot of fun. Today, she hung out with Will and I for about an hour in the early afternoon.

Please continue to remain in prayer for Mom and for our family. This is some tough stuff and certainly not the news we were hoping for, though we know that God is with us and that we'll be given strength and wisdom along the way.

Mom's Home Again

Mom got home safely around noon today. It's great to have her back! She had her CT scan with contrast done yesterday. All went well. They haven't interpreted the scan yet, though, and I don't suspect we'll know any more about that until sometime next week.

Big thanks to Dale and Diane for being so wonderful to Mom while she was there. She had such a wonderful time and felt so relaxed and at home.

Plan of Investigation

Mom called me earlier this afternoon with an update from her appointment at Duke. She got there safely and will be staying with cousins Dale and Diane for a couple of nights before coming home on Sunday morning.

The good news is that all of Mom's multiple myeloma markers are absolutely fine. So, the nodules and fluid in her peritoneal cavity are not caused by multiple myeloma.

The not so good news is that we still don't have answers. They are looking for ovarian, pelvic or vaginal cancer. Mom is going for a CT scan with contrast tomorrow at noon at Duke Hospital. The CT done in California was done without contrast since there are risk factors with contrast material and multiple myeloma. However, at this point we just need answers and a clear picture of what is going on, so contrast material it is.

Thursday the 16th, Mom gets to Duke at 8:30 for an injection in preparation for some kind of scan at 10:30. She couldn't remember what kind of scan. In the afternoon, she has a vaginal and pelvic ultrasound at 3:00.

Friday the 17th, Mom meets with her multiple myeloma oncologist. She has blood work at 10:30 and her regular appointment at 11:30. Depending on what they find during the week, she may or may not have her maintenance treatment with Velcade following her appointment.

Please continue to keep my Mom in your prayers. It seems so unfair that she has to deal with this after all she went through with the multiple myeloma.

P.S. For those wondering, yes I'm still pregnant. :-) ...I will let you know when that changes.