You will face many defeats in your life, but never let yourself be defeated” - Maya Angelou
Today was a hard day. We saw both the radiation oncologist and the medical oncologist at Cancer Care. Mom had gone for a scan earlier in the week, and today was results day. It was not what we were hoping to hear.
The cancer has spread to Mom's liver. The spots are small, but there are several of them. Also, the lymph nodes around her neck (where the original lump was) are inflamed, and there is cancer there, too.
The problems with her liver answer a lot of our questions. Mom's appetite has been non-existent for several weeks, and when she has been able to eat, she had trouble keeping it down. The nausea has been constant, and the weakness has been an albatross. Mom has been quite listless and very weak. The doctors say this all makes sense because her liver is affected by the cancer. Her liver is swollen and is pressing on her stomach, so that explains her lack of appetite. Her exhaustion and weakness is explained by the liver not working properly at filtering everything out.
So that is the situation. The radiation oncologist has said that he has done all he can do. Radiation can't be done on the liver; it is far too sensitive. However, the fact that it is so sensitive works in our favour when it comes to chemo. The medical oncologist (chemo doctor) says that the liver is quite responsive to treatment, and he is getting Mom started right away. This round of chemo will be different than the last rounds she endured. She will receive a shot every three weeks. We don't know yet for how long. She is also being started on a different vitamin regimen and on steroids, which should help the nausea and the exhaustion. The doctor is hoping this will encourage her appetite and she will be able to eat, as she needs all the strength she can get. She is fully prepared to look like Roz from Monster's Inc. again once the steroids kick in! The nausea will add to the total look this time around because she will be a little green!
Those are the facts. And they aren't pretty. But they're not hopeless, either. Mom looked at me and Bri when the doctor left and said, "I'm down, but I'm not out." Even though she is having trouble walking and is even uncomfortable when sitting straight up in a chair, she is looking at this as a set back. We have already procured all her supplies, so she will be ahead of the game on her steroids and vitamins when it is time to start the chemo, which should be in a week or so.
The wonderful Auntie Dee has come to stay with Mom for the weekend to help her get used to this new regimen and just to enjoy her company. She arrived in town from Toronto as we were in with the doctors. She came to the hospital. Mom was quite happy to see a smiling, loving face.
This weekend Mom will have lots of smiling, loving faces around her. Family and friends are descending for the annual "Survivor" weekend at Pelican Bay. It will be toned down quite a bit this year, and the venue has moved down the street about 32 steps so Mom can have some peace and quiet when she wants it. However, she will have no shortage of company, and I'm sure there will be some great memories made!
I know after reading this, many of you will be worried and want to reach out to Mom. Please don't be afraid to do so. She doesn't answer the phone if she is too tired to talk, but feel free to call and leave a message. She loves getting them. Also, she is quite an iPad aficionado, so please feel free to text her or send her an email. She truly loves to hear from all of you.
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| Survivor Fire at Mom's place!!! |
Hugs.
