Day 55 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Thursday, July 17th 2014

Today mom was only schedule for a radiation treatment at Cancer Treatment Centers of America.  We are counting down the treatments.  Two treatments down and ten more to go!

We can't wait until mom has been added to the tree!

On our way home we stopped to have lunch at Speedi-Pig Barbecue.  It was mom's choice but unfortunately due to her tongue being so effected by Chemotherapy, mom was unable to eat.  Gabie and the folks had been there before but Kayleigh and I hadn't.  We had piglets and stew and also sampled some amazing smoked chicken wings.  The Brunswick Stew almost reminded me of the stew at the old Harold's Barbecue on McDonough Street in Atlanta.

Day 49 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Tuesday, July 8th 2014

Dad, Kayleigh and I headed up to Cancer Treatment Centers of America a little early today in order to be there when mom meets with Radiation Oncology.  The Hospital Doctor came in and said mom's white blood cell counts and platelets are coming up.  Ms. Summer Baptist came in after the doctor and said that she and Stephanie from Wound Care spoke and they decided the Medihoney and DermaQOL are the best for her mouth.  

At 11:00 a.m. the nurse from Radiology came to get us to meet with Dr. Gullett.  Dr. Gullett peeled mom's lips apart and examined her mouth and said it looks like everything is healing great.  Kathy McLaine and Dr. Gullett cleaned all of the dead skin off of mom's neck.  Dr. Gullett stated mom only had nine more radiation treatments left.  Now that she has been without radiation over a week, they need to get the simulation complete today for the new mask.  To get the mask prepared and everything set up will take a week which will give mom another week of healing.  When radiation is on hold, the cancer becomes more aggressively.  Our outcome is still projected the same as it was, mom will just have a little longer to go before she is cured.  Dr. Gullett stated that originally we were going for a cure and we will not change the plan other than now we will have twelve radiation treatments left on our schedule.  We are completely fine with adding more treatments to the plan, especially now that mom will have a mask that will keep her lips away from the radiation.

Out with the old
and in with the new.

Mom came back from the simulation with her old mask and the nurse connected the feeding machine and all of her fluids.  Toni and Kayleigh came up to CTCA this afternoon and Dad and I headed home.  Mom's feet and left elbow have started to swell but she is improving in so many ways.  

We are hopeful she will be coming home soon!

Day 48 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Monday, July 7th 2014

Jeannene, Michelle and her boys came to stay the day with mom at Cancer Treatment Centers of America.   Mom is still in isolation due to her blood levels and platelets being so low.  As long as no one has any symptoms of any kind of illness, it is fine to visit her.  When we arrived, mom's mouth was crusted shut from the scabs sticking together.  I spoke with one of mom's nurses about getting her lips apart and she explained to me that they have to leave her lips alone because her platelets are so low if the scabs were to be picked at or pulled off she would bleed badly.  I asked if this would get better soon and she stated that it would.  

After we visited mom for a while we all went to lunch at the cafeteria together and then took everyone on a tour of the property.  I believe the campus really amazed Jeannene and Michelle as they were quite surprised at all of the amenities here at CTCA!

Once we got back to mom's room, Ms. Summer Baptist, 

Naturopathic Oncology Provider & Acupuncturist, came in to go over mom's supplements and to discuss which supplements will be added back to her daily regiment.  It was a pleasure meeting with Ms. Baptist and she was very thorough in discussing mom's needs and condition.

"I joined Cancer Treatment Centers of America because I wanted to be part of a pioneering company that focuses on integrative, innovative and patient-centered care. I wanted to join a team that works together to provide our patients and their families with high-quality cancer care and support."
                        - Summer Baptist, MS, ND, LAc

As Ms. Baptist was leaving, Mr. Stephen Jackson, Chaplain, stopped by to check on mom as he often does.  Mr. Jackson read a few verses from the Bible and Jeannene asked if he would have a group prayer over mom and the family.  It was touching to stand in a circle holding hands around mom as he prayed.  Of course many were in tears afterwards but his prayer lifted every one's spirits.

Even though mom was tired and not feeling great, she was very excited to see everyone.  Jeannene, Michelle and the kids put a smile on her face and that's very important through her inpatient stay here at CTCA.

It's always hard to leave

We headed home later in the day and Toni came up to see mom after work.  We have no idea how long mom will be staying here but as long as she is here we know she is in the best possible care!

The Charm of the Day
Praying Hands

Day 45 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Friday, July 4th 2014

The Concierge seating area was empty today

Today was mom's 3rd morning waking up at Cancer Treatment Centers of America and it's the morning of Independence Day, the 4th of July. Due to today being a holiday, CTCA was literally empty except for a very limited staff.  Even though the staff members there today were working on a major holiday they still displayed such loving care and uplifting happiness.

No one in the usually
 busy hallway

Now that mom is under isolation due to her white blood cell counts being so low, we are all wearing masks and gloves if we go to touch her or assist her in any way.

Morning TV Land with MeeMaw

Mom continues to be on fluid therapy and was fed through her PEG Tube up until 9:00 am.  After her feeding was done the nurse came in and unhooked mom from all  monitors and machines and said it was okay if I helped give her a shower . I gave mom a nice warm shower and dressed her in new comfortable pajamas.  I noticed that her ankles and calves were swelling and that was due to taking in so much fluid therapy and not releasing the same amount.  So as I  changed her bed linens out I got her to sit up in the chair for a few and Kayleigh sat right by her side.


As She got back in her bed with clean sheets and blankets, I elevated her legs to help with the swelling.  I also applied a lot of  Medihoney to her lips and the nurse hooked her back up to the heart monitor and fluid therapy.

A few of the Limos and Buses were parked today

Dr. O. came in later this afternoon to go over her vitals signs and her current state of well being.  He explained that her kidney and liver functions are good.  Her blood levels seem to keep changing daily.  He was surprised that I told him her mouth looked great compared to this past Tuesday up until today.  He said if I had not told him her mouth was much better he would of said it was awful!  He is new to CTCA and it was a pleasure meeting him and we look forward to seeing more this weekend.

Day 44 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Thursday, July 3rd 2014

Front entrance bouquet for Independence Day

Today is the second morning for mom to wake up at CTCA. We all met up early this morning and mom seemed to be doing about the same.  Her mouth looked a lot better from the nurses applying Medihoney.  Medihoney is an amazing thing!  Today she is talking a little better and has actually gained 10 pounds over the past week.  As she rested on and off, we went shopping for her some clean linens and had lunch.  She has slept more today than she has since she was admitted.  She has woke up once to a serious nose bleed where the nurses had to come in and assist.  Later on she woke up with bleeding from the mouth again and coughing really bad . Today she says she feels awful and seems to be more lethargic.  Mom hasn't had any more pain medication since last night.  Her team added an antibiotic due to her white blood cell counts being so low it is believed that she is possibly fighting an infection.  Mom has also been plugged into the feeding pump which continuously feeds her Isosource throughout the day. Kayleigh and I stayed the night with her.

We went to the Art Expressions class down stairs and painted an American Flag for MeeMaw and we also made Patriotic Mason Jar candle holders and lanterns later that evening.  After we were settled in, around midnight mom's nurse woke me up to put on a mask.  She started to explain to me that as of right now mom is going to be under isolation due to her white blood cell counts dropping.  As she told me this I started to hurt and worry if I was doing mom any harm by staying with her.  The nurse assured me that Kayleigh and I were fine next to her, that we would just have to wear a mask and gloves if we were going to be around her.  Any visitors needed to wear the same until her blood counts came back up.  Mom seemed to sleep a little more than the night before.

Day 43 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Wednesday, July 2nd 2014

This morning was the first morning waking up in Cancer Treatment Centers of America.

Mom didn't sleep much the night before . The nurses had to change the bedding during the night because mom continued to bleed out of her nose and mouth. She spent the day hooked up to continuous fluids and and had a Chest X-ray performed in her room . She was taken down at 10:30 a.m. for a CT scan but her mouth was too sore and scabbed over so it was rescheduled for a week from now.

She spent the day resting on and off. They gave her another two units of blood and also units of platelets.  Her white blood cells are low now and her red blood cells are reading in the normal range.

You can tell mom fights sleep when anyone is around so I decided to stay late by her side but to drive home before bedtime so she could get some rest.

The Charm of the Day

Aurora Borealis

Day 42 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Tuesday, July 1st 2014

This morning on our way to Cancer Treatment Centers of America, mom's mouth and lips looked worse than they ever have.  They are continuously bleeding and she said she had another nose bleed this morning also.

First thing on mom's schedule was to have blood drawn and then to see Dr. Gullett at 10:00 a.m. When Dr. Gullett saw mom and us in the hallway, she took us straight into her office and started to look at mom and questioning how long she had been bleeding.  It was a bit alarming to meet with Dr. Gullett in her office instead of an exam room, we knew something major was about to happen.  You could see the concern in her as soon as she started talking to mom.  She immediately said she was going to admit mom into the hospital and explained why she thought this was the best way for her.  She said the chemotherapy is causing her red blood counts to drop to a low level which makes mom's body unable to form clots.  With the radiation attacking the tumors through her lips, she will continue to bleed.

Dr. Gullett wanted mom to be monitored around the clock to get her blood counts back up and to be able to form clots to stop the bleeding before we went forward with anymore chemotherapy or radiation.  Dr. Gullett said that mom has fought too hard and long and this was just another step in our journey.  We were aware things would get a lot worse before they would get better as almost everything in life.  As she said the words "admit you", you could see it in mom's face she was not only scared but also very upset.  We assured mom that she would never be alone.  It wasn't long before mom was put in a wheel chair and brought to her room.  The rooms here are more like huge hotel rooms and do not feel like a hospital room at all.  They ordered fluid therapy and pain management.  At around 3:30 pm, mom's temperature was taken and had a fever again of 101.9.  The nurse placed the leg sleeves on mom to prevent blood clots and started the Fentanyl patches for pain.  I spent the night with mom and she didn't sleep very much!

The Cross is the Charm of the Day

Day 40 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Thursday, June 26th 2014

Today Kayleigh and I took mom to Cancer Treatment Centers of America to have radiation prep and treatment.  Her mouth was extremely sore and her lips are scabbed up pretty badly.  Right before we arrived, mom took the Hydrocodone and Lidocaine along with the lolly pop to try and numb her mouth and throat before the treatment.  Next on the schedule was wound consultation.  Stephanie reviewed mom's neck and chest area to see how the radiation is burning her skin.  Mom is using Silvadene immediately following each radiation treatment and each night before bedtime.



Stephanie said she was looking pretty good other than her lips.  Mom has been using Aquaphor on her lips to help heal from radiation treatments.  Stephanie added DermaQOL to be used on her lips too.

We had over an hour wait until mom's 2:00 p.m. appointment for the Blood Transfusion in Quality of Life so we decided to venture out and go for a ride to see the City Square of Newnan.

Once we had lunch back at the cafeteria we headed up to Quality of Life.  Mom's blood pressure was 98/55 but unfortunately she had a fever of 101.4 degrees so the blood transfusion couldn't begin.  A temperature of 100.5 or higher can lead to an infection.  A urine sample and blood cultures were ordered to try and find out where the fever is coming from and there was no sign of a urinary tract infection or anything.  She is not feel well due to her hemoglobin being so low.  The Blood Transfusion was rescheduled for 1:00 p.m., tomorrow and we were released from infusion at 4:00 p.m..

The Charm of the Day

A Silver and Amethyst Crown

Day 31 at Cancer Treatment Centers Of America

Sunday, June 15th 2014

Today's schedule at Cancer Treatment Centers of America was the same as yesterday.  Just a very simple and a quick appointment for mom to have her Neupogen injection at 11:30 in Quality Of Life.  Today she seems to feel a little better.  She didn't sleep as much so we were able to talk on our way there and on our way home.  The nurse today was very easy and quick with giving her the injection and that's what mom likes.  As we were leaving she wanted to try pineapple juice but it burned her mouth and throat too much and she wasn't able to swollow it.

So instead she wanted to stop and try a chocolate milkshake from McDonald's together on our way home.  She was able to drink a little but said it was too thick and had no taste.  When we arrived at home she went in to rest for the afternoon.

The Charm of The Day

Day 30 at Cancer Treatment Centers Of America

Saturday, June 14th 2014

On today's schedule mom just had to go into Quality Of Life for her Neupogen injection at 11:30.  Even though today was a light day for mom, it wasn't an easy day.  She is extremely exhausted and in a lot of pain.  Mom is starting to have many sores and scabs around the outside and inside of her lips due to radiation.

On our drive up she rested the whole time.  As we waited for her injection to be delivered by the pharmacy, she slept.  The shot today burned going in but as always she is a very strong woman!  On our ride home she continued to sleep and went to bed when I got her home. 

The Charm of the Day; Gray Crystals

Day 29 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Friday, June 13th 2014

We arrived at CTCA earlier than our scheduled appointment today in order for Radiology to check and make sure the mask will fit with adjustments that were made yesterday.  Mom took the Hydrocodone, Lidocaine and the lolly pop to numb her mouth and throat pain so she could receive radiation treatment.  Unfortunately, she came back after the appointment and was too sore to have a treatment today.  She has appointments for tomorrow and Sunday for Neupogen injections in infusion.

The Charm of the Day

Black and White Crystals

Day 27 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Wednesday, June 11th 2014

Today was our 27th day at Cancer Treatment Centers of America.  Radiation was scheduled at 8:45 this morning, followed by a meeting with Dr. Gullett and Kathy McLaine at 9:50 a.m..

Dr. Gullet ordered Silvadene to heal the scab on her chin that is bring caused from the radiation mask not fitting  Mom is unable to properly use the bite block in her mask for the daily radiation treatments due to the pain.  Dr. Gullett brought in a physicist to determine what changes are needed to be made to her mask for her to continue and complete the radiation treatment plan.   A Fentanyl patch was added to give mom a long acting Duragesic due mom's pain level is at a nine and Dr. Gullett wants her at no more than a two.  Mom is to continue using the Magic Mouthwash before and a salt water rinse directly following each meal.

Organic Pop Corn from 180 Degree Farm

The only other appointment was her weekly Speach Language Follow Up with Ms. Jennifer Cargile.  Ms. Cargile said mom's throat muscles are still working well even though she is in alot of pain.  She's able to swollow but it's very painful.  

The Charm of the Day