Toughest Lady I've Ever Met!!

It's Monday night and my family apologizes for not updating the blog sooner...it's been a very busy and challenging couple of days but I'm going to try and get you caught up...

This is Adam, Mary's son, and I took over for Julie and David on Thursday night and got the chance to stay with her until my Dad came up on Friday. Friday was a very tough day, I'm not going to sugarcoat things...the Team of doctors came in that morning and had some pretty challening things to say to Mom (and partly to me as well). They explained to us that the pneumonia that Mom has is a very challenging form and they believed it was a "fungal" pneumonia.  As you probably already realize, Mom's immune system is non-existent because of her leukemia and she's been having to get transfusions for blood and platelets since arriving at the hospital over a week ago. Viral pneumonia would have been challening enough for her to deal with due to her condition but to know that she's facing a steep uphill battle with this fungal pneumonia had us all very nervous.  Thankfully you all were praying for her and although you might not have known specifically what to pray for, your prayers were still paying dividends!! 

My biggest concern when we woke up on Friday morning was making sure that Mom was ready for the current battle that she was facing.  The previous few days as well as Friday morning had her feeling very lethargic and the medicine that she was taking was making her very weak and sleepy most of the time. I knew I had my work cut out for me that day because they were telling her that she needed to have a bronchoscopy which is where they take a camera down her throat into her lungs in order to look at her lungs and get a sample to find out the specific type of fungal pneumonia she had.  Talking her into that was NOT going to be easy because she already told Dad the day before that it "wasn't going to happen!"  Well, after her and I got back from her CT scan she was getting some rest and God sent a little Angel into the room, her name is Dr. Jessica Altman, mom's leukemia doctor.  She was a sight for sore eyes because any time she comes in to see Mom you can instantly see Mom's mood and attitude change for the better.  It was no different on that Friday afternoon, Dr. Altman has a way about her and a calmness that gives Mom and our entire family confidence that she can move forward and dominate whatever hurdle is ahead of her. 

Dr. Altman looked right at me and said "she can beat this pneumonia, I have no doubts about that".  So then I said "Dr., I believe in her as well, she's about the toughest person I've ever met!"  Apparently I was "way off" because Dr. came right back and said "Adam, let me correct you...she IS the toughest person that I have ever met!!"  She went on to say that she has treated a lot of patients during her time as a leukemia doctor and she's never seen anyone who has been stronger and more determined than Mom.  We've learned a lot more about what she means over the last few days...Mom's not supposed to be here right now, there is no data to support her making it through 3 other rounds and now going on to beat it for a 4th time.  She's in uncharted territory because there is no data on her chances of survival to beat this leukemia again...and when the doctors told us on Sunday that they give her a 50/50 chance to beat the pneumonia I figured those odds are pretty incredible!!  Much higher than any odds she's had before!  In all seriousness, she is already our "miracle Mom", and we had/have no doubts that she can make it past all of this again.  God has used her in so many ways over the past 4 years, and she's touched lives that we probably don't even know about.  We haven't been able to figure out why God "chose" her to carry this disease, but the farther along we go the more we realize that He is the only one in control.  He alone knows the reasons, but we have hope that He will continue to use her for his glory no matter what her outcome might be! 

Later on Friday she ended up moving forward with the bronchoscopy after getting the encouragement that she needed from Dr. Altman.  All of my siblings and spouses joined me at the hospital so that we could all be there with her without the kiddos.  And while I'm thinking about it...thank you to all of you who have reached out and either offered support and actually taken a role in helping in some way, you are amazing and we can't do this without each of you!  That visit seemed to jumpstart her mood and a shift started to occur...she had perked up some and was talking and interacting more...which was a great sign to all of us.  Saturday then came around and we ended up bringing the kids up to see her, and it was like we were at 213 E. Lincoln St....kids running around everywhere, people eating food and candy, conversations that were way to loud for a hospital...and right in the middle of it all was Mom, loving every second of it!  Uncle Joe and Aunt Cheryl came by with their daugher Sarah, and then later her sister Sue visited with her daughter Jenni and husband Mark (Sha right!), and I know she enjoyed that as well.  All the while my Dad was there all weekend, helping her in any way that he could...I've been very proud of him each and every time she's been through this, but especially this time because this is definitely the toughest it has been for her...and he's barely left her side! 

I'm almost done, hang in there!!  Sunday was the reunion, and I know Mom was really looking forward to that day, but she obviously could not be at Sue's for the festivities.  Thanks to technology we were able to Facetime her and everyone got a chance to say hello even if it was just for a second or two.  It was a great time being together but it wasn't the same without my Mom and Dad there.  We were able to update the family and prayed together, about 100 people strong!!  It was decided that day that all of my Mom's siblings were going to try and get up there today to see her, and I'm told that many of them were able to go and spend some quality time with her. It must have paid off because while Bre and I were at dinner with our kids we received a picture from Julie that showed my Mom, her niece Kim, and her best friend Kathy taking a walk with her around her floor!!!   It was an awesome sight to see because that can only mean one thing...she's getting stronger and continuing her fight...remember, she's the toughest lady that we've ever met!!!  Needless to say the weekend ended very well to see Mom moving around, conversing with friends and family, and eating some food in order to get her strength back.  We still don't know what type of specific pneumonia she has but just keep praying that it goes away because they cannot start any chemo to treat her leukemia until she has overcome this pneumonia. 

That's all for now, thanks for being patient, and thanks for your love and support.  Get up there to see her when you can, she would love to see you...and if you can't make it then write something on her blog or send her a text. We'll update again soon, God Bless and love to you all - DO WORK MOMMA!!

Thursday

Hi everyone, it's Thursday and I've been hanging out with my mom for the last couple of days. Since I've been here, she's still been fighting the fevers. These fevers have just taken a lot of energy out of her, have brought on lots of naps and also some aches and pains in her joints and bones. She's kept on the "diet" of Tylenol and other meds to help, but we are really praying these fevers away! Again, it's just all too important these fevers stop so that she has all the strength and all the energy to be able to start the chemo treatment the doctors have decided on.

I just wish it were easier to explain all of what I want to explain to you all. It doesn't look like there is much to report, but it seems like everyday...every minute...someone is coming in to tell us something. It would be so hard to keep up with it all on here ;) Things change around here a lot...which reminds me and I hope I can someway relay the importance of reminding you too, that God IS in control. I am needing to hear this, so maybe you all do too :) WE HAVE to rest in that because it's always something they are looking into and something the team of doctors needs to talk about - and they come and tell us that they are thinking and talking, so it's easy to get ahead of ourselves and it's easy to start thinking and talking ourselves. But, we don't need to worry...or be anxious...or try and guess what's going on. The doctors have to, but WE, we need to Trust. We need to Pray..and we need to Believe.

Today was a full day..and my poor momma - endured a bone marrow biopsy, her PICC line put in and the teams of doctors (the infectious disease doctors, the lung doctors, the oncology doctors coming in and checking in) and they are all trying to hear her, understand her, help her and solve what's going on inside of her right now (and we very much appreciate it!) but it's not so fun while fighting a fever, full of pain meds from the biopsy and all she wants to do is sleep!! :)    

Keep praying friends & family! We know we have our "Miracle-Mary" as it is and we are soooooo thankful and have loved every minute of the precious time we get with our Mom (& Grammy). We say she makes cancer look easy but it's still tough! And it's tough watching her. Pray for us while we are here - Satan tries to attack our thoughts & us anyway he can...and she needs us!

Saw this and wanted to share:

What Cancer Cannot Do:

Cancer is so limited.
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot corrode faith.
It cannot eat away peace.
It cannot destroy confidence.
It cannot kill friendship.
It cannot shut out memories.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot reduce eternal life.
It cannot quench the Spirit.

Sunday

So it's been a more difficult last few days. Mom was not feeling well on Friday with an ear infection and chills. We took her temp that evening and it was pretty high so we decided it was time to take her to Northwestern. She checked in and got settled in her room with antibiotics and fluids. They determined she has the flu which also caused some pneumonia. Her temp today has been much better and she's feeling ok. My dad spent the last 2 nights with her and now her sister, Sue, is with her.

She was really trying to avoid going into the hospital but we knew it was necessary for her to be taken care of properly.  We aren't sure when she'll be home but we're hoping her doctor stops in in the next day or 2. They haven't given her a treatment plan because they're still waiting on the same blood work results. We will update when we know more. 

Please keep Mom in your prayers as she's felt like her body isn't as strong as she wants it to be. Obviously we have encountered issues like these in the past episodes of cancer but it still feels difficult to get through each twist and turn this journey brings.

We are choosing to trust and feel the "peace of God"...

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4

Friday Update

Hi there.  Just wanted to write a quick update as I'm sure some of you are wondering what's been going on this week.  Mom is still home and is feeling some of the effects of the medicine they have her on.  She's ok though and still doing things as she want to.  She had her blood checked yesterday in Morris and the levels are still ok.  When she has cancer and is on chemo her platelet and hemoglobin counts go down so that she needs transfusions at the hospital.  Her counts are currently ok that she doesn't need a transfusion at this time.

In the coming days we expect to hear a plan of what the doctors would like Mom to do.  They're still waiting on some information from her blood work.  There are plenty of good options for Mom and we are praying that whatever they decide will get rid of this disease forever.

Thank you all for your loving support and your prayers.  Mom is so thankful for each one of you in her life and for each of the comments you leave her.

Prayer Needed

Well, we really thought Mom had this thing beat.  It's been a few months since our last update and we are sad to let all of you know that, once again, the cancer has returned.  Mom received a call from her nurse on Friday afternoon saying that there is something not right with her counts.  Her platelets are down and her white count has gone up.  We have memories of these calls in the past, as this is Mom's 4th time hearing this news.  There is no way to prepare for a call like this...one that stops all of your plans, twists your stomach in knots, and makes you want to scream.

Mom had an appointment at Northwestern Memorial Hospital this morning and met with Dr. Olga.  Dr. Jessica is gone this week and works very closely with Dr. Olga.  Mom's counts are still showing signs of cancer but aren't dropping too fast so they did not have to admit her today.  We are thankful for that.  There are a few treatment options they discussed, but we won't have a clear plan until they receive more results from the blood work they took today.

We are thankful for God in our hearts who gives us hope and an eternity with Him if we believe, that no matter what life throws at us, we find JOY in Him.  He doesn't want this battle for our Mom any more than we do.  He wants her to be well and happy and full of His Spirit.  We are all going to go up against something in our lives, a battle that tears us down, but what matters most is having Christ to trust in.  He gives us hope.  He gives us peace.  And He wants us to turn to Him in good times and bad, to love Him deeper each day.

Mom knows she can beat this again.  She is strong in body and in spirit and has more support than anyone could ask for.  She's already a miracle and we are SO thankful for each day we have with her but we will also be praying for a miracle to take this sickness away forever!  Please pray with us. 

All is Well

Hi there.  We hope you all had a nice Easter weekend with your families.  Mom is doing well.  Her counts are good and she had a bone marrow done a couple weeks ago that came back great.  Mom also spent 10 hours at Northwestern Hospital about a week and a half ago getting more stem cells infused.  This was done to boost her fighting power if cancer cells do start to form at some point.

Over the last week Mom has battled a stomach bug, which she thought was just being spread around to lots of people we know, but is now on medicine for C-Diff...a bacteria that is contracted easily if you've spent time in a hospital.  They think she probably picked this up in her 10 hour stay a week and a half ago.  We're thankful she's on medicine now and today she is feeling MUCH better. 

If you were wondering from the last post, Mom (and all of us) decided not to do any further chemo treatments at this time.  We're very happy with how she's doing and how she responded to the clinical study chemo she had in December and January.  We debated, prayed, researched, and talked more with Dr. Jessica about our options and feel such peace that it's best Mom just get the stem cell infusion.  Now that the infusion is done, Mom will continue regular doctor visits and get back to enjoying life!

We are beyond blessed with how Mom has done through all her battles.  We're thankful for each moment we have with her and with each person important in our lives.  God has taught us so much through these trials and we hope you are all appreciating life like we now do.  Much love to you all.