Pool Party II

Let me tell you, Mom sure knows how to "throw" a pool party! Today was a bit of a rough day and we spent 3 hours at the Mountain States Tumor Institute (MSTI) for labwork, radiation and then an hour of iv fluids. Mom needed the fluids as she's had a hard time getting any food or liquids down and keeping them down. She was a trooper and hung on through the long afternoon at MSTI, then lay down exhausted when we got home. About 6:30 p.m., Natalie arrived and I walked past Mom's room to see her dressed in her swimsuit, wrapped in a beach towel. "Get your suit on," she said to me, as she tossed a suit to Natalie. So we did! The three of us hopped into her pool and splashed around for half an hour! Of course we got to wear Mom's stylish swim caps and she had us pointing our toes and posing for Dad to snap a picture. It was SO refreshing but the effort cost Mom as she came inside and lay down for the rest of the night. Her tenacity is amazing--she pushes through the pain and discomfort and keeps on going.

Sunday Feast

Mom and Dad invited the gang over for Sunday dinner. I was excited to have the 4 girls who live here and their families come over, but we were worried about Mom and the effort it would take. Everyone pitched in and brought side dishes to ease the load, but Mom and Dad cooked a roast, potatoes and carrots and then we caught Mom making apple crisp! That go-getter! We had a wonderful feast and enjoyed visiting and laughing. When everyone was gone and Dad came over to sit by Mom on the couch, Mom contentedly said, "That was a fun night." It really zapped Mom's energy but was well worth it.

Flower Cake

Look at this awesome flower cake! Natalie's hotel made it for Mom and she brought it out the other night. It looks edible, but is all made of flowers!

And here's the bearer of this cake...complete with a potato chip clip in her hair! :)

Saturday Was A Busy Day

Saturday was a very busy day. Since Mom didn't have a treatment, she wanted to try to get over to her brother Don's to visit. Sharon joined us and we were able to go to Don's and have a great visit with him and Bert. We shared some yummy Arizona oranges with him. It's such fun to share them--wish I could have brought a vanload with me!

 (Sharon was with us, too, but she graciously took the picture so I don't have one of her to post here!) After our visit with Don and Bert, we stopped by Mom's Aunt Ellen's for a moment. Mom was tiring quickly, so we just said hello. We'd driven by her home a few times this week and Mom had wanted to stop by, but just hadn't felt up to it. It was sweet to see her. Our last stop of the day proved a bit too much. We went to RC Willey's to check on an adjustable bed for Dad and Mom. Mom was feeling pretty miserable by then, so I had prepped the salesman on the phone before we got there and we rushed him through his explanation of features and pricing as quickly as we could. By the time we got home, Mom retired to the couch with a terrible headache and nausea. Her biggest challenge these past few days has been finding anything she can stomach (nothing tastes good or sounds good) and then keeping it down. It's been pretty difficult.

There's Nothing Like A Sweet Toddler

Friday we ventured out to see Lynette, Michael and Matthew. It was sweet seeing what that little toddler did for the spirits--Mom even got down on the floor to find some toys for him! The trip to treatments each day is about enough to wear Mom out, so any extra activity is a special treat.

Purple Sisters

Mom had another fun visit today from Darlene and Jerry. Both Mom and Darlene were dressed  in purple so I had to get the picture! We did a bit more today than yesterday--Mom had some bloodwork done before her treatment and then we grabbed a bite to eat before heading to her organ lesson. Her teachers are awesome and it was fun to be there and see firsthand why Mom enjoys it so much. She hadn't been for 5-6 weeks, so it was nice for her to go and everyone greeted her so warmly. We made it home just in time for Mom to catch Dad's phone call, telling her he was at the airport, ready to start his flight home. She was so glad to make it home for his call! The labwork was routine and came back good as kidney function and blood sugars were all normal. Now it's time to get back to recording memories and life's experiences. {Below is a picture of the "purple ladies" with Jerry.}

Mementos and Music

Any visit to Dad and Mom is always a treasured opportunity and I am blessed to be in Melba now with them. I arrived Monday night to find dinner waiting -- Mom had made spaghetti and strawberry fruit jello! No matter how she feels, she is always a mother and taking care of us! After dinner, she treated me to some beautiful organ music. It was so wonderful to hear her play so well and to know she now enjoys the gift of making music that she gave to all of us--all those lessons for piano and band/orchestra instruments and enduring years and years of us practicing and now she finally gets her turn. Her organ is so fun--if I wasn't here for a purpose, I'd be taking her up on her invitation to try it out. As it is, I did get to play a song or two.

We spent a bit of time looking for parts of Mom's life story that she had written over time so I could start putting it all together but got a bit sidetracked when we ran into Romney mementos -- George Romney, that is! George Romney, father of Mitt, was Dad and Mom's stake president in Michigan and they worked on his campaign when he ran for governor of Michigan. They still have scrapbooks full of newspaper clippings, pictures, campaign buttons and huge posters. It was SO FUN to see! I had to share a few pictures here:

Yesterday I went to her radiation treatment with her. They began radiating a third area, this one on her back near the second area. We spoke to a social worker for a bit after her treatment, then made a quick trip to see if we could find an adjustable base bed. After a quick look and some pricing help, we headed home as Mom's pain medication was wearing off.

Today has been a bit harder day. We went to radiation treatment again, but Mom's back has been hurting more and she has been quite dizzy. I made a major mistake and am in the doghouse with Dad now. We didn't record earlier, but after Mom's mammogram MRI a week or so ago, which caused her to lie in an excruciatingly painful position for 45 minutes, she walked out into the waiting room when done and Dad looked up, surprised, and said, "What? Done already?" Mom retorted, "Do you want to get hit?" To her, those 45 minutes were forever. Well, today she went back to her treatment and before I could even open my book to read, I looked up and there she was, all finished. I said, "That was fast!" and she said, "Just like Dad -- did you forget what I said to him?" Uh-oh, I had forgotten! To me it may have gone quickly, but every procedure is long and painful to Mom. Her back especially hurt as she was lying there today. We made it home okay and she did let me in the house, so we worked on LDS Journal a bit and got a few entries made. It is such a gift to me to be able to listen to Mom talk about her life and experiences.

You Don't Mess With Paula!

I've always loved this picture - what a lot of fun Mom and Dad always have been! (Too bad I don't have easy access to the Toucan Sam costume pictures -- those rival this one!). :)

Sisters and Crazy Daughters!!

Today brought a visit to Mom from her older sister Darlene and husband Jerry.  What a fun visit they had, laughing about the good old days with Grandpa and Grandma Towery.  Mom enjoyed seeing them very much but was sad to hear about her brother Don being very sick and on hospice care.   Natalie and Sharon were having a fun fashion show while they helped Mom clean out things in her closet!!!  I missed it as I came down with a head cold and have been trying to recover so I can go help Mom with things she wants done.  Dad is doing well and being a great caregiver to Mom.   Looking forward to Sunday and the opportunity to go to church!  Thanks for all your prayers in Mom and Dad's behalf. 

Radiation, MRIs and Romney

Well, I always knew not to call Mom during any Purdue basketball games, and now I realize it's best not to call during a Mitt Romney debate! :) I caught Mom at the end of the debate last night and her first words to me were, "Romney shined tonight!" I hated to interrupt, but it was so good to hear the enthusiasm in her voice! We are learning vicariously that "radiation is not for wimps"! These 3 days of radiation have brought nausea and discomfort and Mom's been a good sport, going to treatment, losing her breakfast and everything else in her stomach (that is, all but a cucumber!), and bravely returning to do it all again each new day. Today she lay under the MRI machine for 2 1/2 hours and received the wonderful news that "it" (like Mom, I don't like to say the word) is not in her brain and spine. [Mom put it this way, "There's nothing in my brain!" and Dad chuckled and said she'd better be careful how she phrased it!] Next week the doctor will give his analysis. For now, it's faith, rest, prayers, faith, crackers, more faith, prayers, and bland nutritional meals that will stay down! Go Romney - you're our man!

Faith, Hope and the Fight

(Our thanks to the sweet creator of this illustration, Lori McDonough, who gave us permission to use this on Mom's blog and sent her prayers for Paula. Her art is found at http://freshpickedwhimsy.typepad.com/fresh_picked_whimsy/current_affairs/page/2/)

Tuesday Jan 17th - Answers

Today we met with the cancer doctor for Mom.  I went with Dad and Mom to take notes and help.  The doctor showed us the results of the PET scan, the MRIs and the other tests.   They said that the cancer is breast cancer.  They found two large masses in the left breast.  These had spread to the bones and the liver.  There is just a small spot on the liver right now.   They told her that she is in Stage IV and that the disease could be controlled but not cured.  Tomorrow she will have a brain MRI and a full body MRI to see if there is anything in these areas.  She is also having the Hur2nu test which will help them determine the treatment.  They recommended radiation therapy and a hormone manipulation pill that will decrease the estrogen to stop the cancer cells from spreading.  Then in three months they will rescan and see if the tumors are shrinking.    After meeting with the cancer doctor we were able to meet with the radiation doctor, Dr. Smith.  He explained that he will give Mom radiation on the right hip and the sternum area because those are the ones that are causing the most pain at this time.  The radiation will be a low dose of radiation with the use of an electron beam.  She will have a 2-3 week course of radiation treatment, four days a week.  They were able to start today with the first planning session where they did another cat scan to locate the exact area to radiate and in the morning she will get the first radiation treatment.  Mom was in a lot of pain today after that session.  She is home resting and doing the best she can.   It is frustrating to Mom and to all of us that she told doctors a year ago that her back and her hip hurt but no one did anything for it but to give her pain meds and tell her it was old age.  The doctor said this has probably been going on for 9  months to a year.   We will take it day by day as we see how the cancer responds to the treatment.   He told Mom that she might have 2-3 years left or possibly 8-9 years.  He just doesn't know until they see how aggressive the cancer is and how it responds.   Mom is strong and being brave but sad to hear the news today.   Thanks for the prayers. They are needed. 

Pool Party

On Wednesday I was hanging out with Mom and going through pictures.  Mom had some tests on Tuesday that were very painful and was still pretty sore.   The doctor told her she could get back in her pool and so I brought my suit.  Brooke came out to say goodbye (she's going back to college in New Mexico) and so she jumped in the pool with us.  We had a fun pool party with Mom showing us the lights and the music and the strong current to swim against.  Mom said it felt good to be back in the pool.   Mom is moving around better over the last few days.   They said the other tests showed no signs of it coming from the breast but after the test on Tuesday they now want to do another mammogram and biopsy on the left side.  That will happen on the 18th.  Mom and Dad meet with the doctors to get any answers they have on the 17th.  Keep her in your prayers.  She is in good spirits and we are enjoying the pictures and movies.

Some Answers

Mom has been feeling a little better the last couple of days.  The medicine has helped her a little bit.  Her tests on Friday revealed that she does NOT have breast cancer.  They are still trying to find the origin of the cancer but that is good news for now.  She is having more tests done tomorrow.  Mom was excited to hear the news from the doctor today that she can get back to swimming or walking in her pool.  It has been too long as she loves being in the pool.  I am looking forward to hanging out with Mom on Wednesday.   We have been working on organizing all her pictures and it has been so much fun.  The stories and recollections of loved ones are fun to hear from Mom.  Dad got home safely from his trip. Mom had set up an appointment for Dad to have a physical today (always taking care of all of us) and so he went and got a clean bill of health for the most part.   We have the most amazing parents.  I am so grateful for their love and their example.

PICTURES

The last couple of days have been a little better for Mom as far as the pain. We are looking forward to seeing My Fair Lady tonight with Natalie, Sharon, and Lynette. Mom and I had tons of fun last night going through pictures and talking about the Towerys and Pascoes. Sharon cleaned out Mom's pantry and it looks AMAZiNG. Natalie spent a lot of time going through pictures with Mom and has threatened blackmail. So...if any pictures show up randomly on Facebook from when we were little..... Mom says to tell everyone thanks and for the concern you are showing for her. She is hanging in here and resting. She loves the letters and thank you notes she has received. She sends her love.

Winter Wonderland

Thought it'd be fun to share this gorgeous engagement picture with everyone - it's one of my favorites of Dad and Mom's (from 1958 in Moscow, Idaho).

Sunday, January 1, 2012

It was fun spending time with Dad and Mom last night for New Year's Eve.  Natalie and Sharon were there and we all watched more of the home movies.  Mom is still in a lot of pain and is anxious for the tests to be done and to get on with the treatment.  She is ready for the fight.  Mom's name is in 63+ temples thanks to Lynette and family.   Mom's cancer is not simple, this is the problem and why there are more tests.  They are pushing them through as quickly as they can.  Mom has three different tumors (small) and different lesions  they have found and they can't pinpoint exactly what type of cancer it is.  This is what is causing more testing so they know where it is located and how to treat it.  We have a very courageous Mother!  She is grateful for the phone calls and the prayers.