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 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 22 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Friday, June 6th 2014

Today at Cancer Treatment Centers of America we had a really short schedule!  Mom was just scheduled for radiation prep and treatment.  Today was her twelfth radiation treatment so we only have 23 more to go!

The Charm of the Day

A Simple Day

Day 18 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Monday, June 2nd 2014

Today was mom's eighth radiation treatment at 1:45 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America and so far everything seems to be going well. We have been informed that around the fourteenth radiation treatment mom's neck, mouth and throat will begin to get very sore.

Directly following radiation was mom's nurse assessment.  Everything went well!  We had to meet with Olivia Burks in Gastro to evaluate how mom is doing with the PEG Tube.  Ms. Burks directed mom to start drinking five cartons a day of ISOSOURCE.  So far mom has been maintaining her weight pretty well but in order to maintain her strength and nutrition levels she needs more of the formula each day.

Another great day at CTCA!

The Charm of the Day

Day 11 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Wednesday, May 21st 2014

After having yesterday off, we arrived today at CTCA at 1:00 for mom's first appointment of the day, radiation therapy prep.  It's Wednesday and 180 Degrees Farm was at CTCA with their organic produce, plants, nuts and seeds.  Mom purchased some organic Savoy Cabbage and a couple of other items. We met the wonderful people of 180 Degree Farms last week when we picked up about two pounds of organic flax seeds. Their charitable organization is wonderful so check them out here: http://www.180degreefarm.org/

  We didn't have much time to waste to get to mom's first appointment for radiation therapy prep, or so we thought, it turns out today was mom's first actual radiation treatment.  I guess we misunderstood what therapy prep meant because we were under the impression that the actual radiation treatments would begin tomorrow.  As mom and I walked down the hall alone, my mind filled with many different thoughts and emotions. Even though CTCA has given our family everything we need in order to conquer this battle, I still began to wonder.  Once we made it to the patient waiting area, mom and I met a nice lady named Denise who was also waiting for her first radiation visit. We spoke about her journey through breast cancer and shared our story of how and why our family ended up going to CTCA. It turns out Denise is from Virginia and her family couldn't be there today. I explained to her that I would be here at CTCA for next seven weeks, Monday through Friday, and I would give her my contact information if she should need anything.  We hugged and thanked God for the care she and our mom are both receiving. When we exchanged email addresses I found out her personal email started with Zoe, named after her black lab that she had to have put to sleep on July 2, 2012. As I am typing the letters of her email address into my contacts list, I had chill bumps come over my entire body as she spelled out z-o-e. I explained to Denise that my email address started with Zoe and that I had named my email address in part after my black border collie who had to be put down on July 1st, 2006.  At that moment I knew why I had decided to walk mom back even though there wasn't any need for me to.  She told me she was fine and she would be back. God had intended on Denise and I meeting today.  She said it was obvious that God was trying tell her that everything was going to be okay and that He was taking care of this battle. They took mom back for radiation first so I asked her if she would like me to stay with her until she was called back too. Within minutes she was called back, once again we hugged and I told her it was all going to be okay!  She said "Thank you" and walked away.

About thirty minutes later mom came out of her first radiation treatment and felt great so we headed over to speech therapy with Jennifer Cargile a little earlier than scheduled.  As I am walking into the room for mom's appointment I hear my name called.  It was Denise, she stopped me to tell me her radiation treatments actually start tomorrow, she found out after I left that today was just for prep. I also got to meet her brother who had just arrived from up north unexpectedly.  We shared our daily schedules and we plan to see her again soon.

During our appointment with Ms. Cargile, mom was taught a series of oral and vocal exercises that she will need to start doing three times a day in order to combat the effects of the radiation treatments. Mom is also required to keep a daily log of her exercises and turn in her results once a week so that Ms. Cargile can monitor the effects and changes during her seven week radiation treatment plan.

Today was a great day!  Mom has handled her first chemotherapy and radiation treatments like a champ! I believe God touched us today in some way that I cannot explain. Was God reminding me to open my eyes to the fact that our mother isn't the only one He is there for?  I just don't know, but I do know I was reminded today by Him just how much he loves each and everyone of us.

The Charm of The Day; The Pink Ribbon

For so many women and families.

Day 7 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Tuesday, May 13th 2014 

Today was moms first chemotherapy appointment . We begin our day at "Quality Of Life" . They get her comfortable in a recliner and wanted to start a bag of magnesium and fluids because her magnesium was low the day before. After they accessed her port, we are informed because of magnesium level they wanted to postpone chemotherapy until tomorrow so her levels have a chance of becoming a normal range. Magnesium is what is in electrolytes and with chemotherapy you have to be very hydrated. Sitting there with mom watching Gilligan's Island (one of her favorites), a nurse came in to show a video of how to take care of her feeding tube that was scheduled to be inserted. She also used a model and instructed how to feed mom and flush care. With two hours of down time before moms scheduled surgery for the feeding tube we all enjoyed the terrace at the top of the hospital and went and looked at the two huge salt water tanks in the front lobby.

Surgery was scheduled for 1:00 pm. We waited with her while in preop. Met a new Lady Chaplin that came in and knelled by mom's bedside to hold hands and said a prayer together as a family. Once again things got a little emotional but our momma is the strongest women ever in this world. When we thought they had taken mom back for surgery we went for lunch and just to take a break . The power went out and the surgery had to be delayed. We waited longer in preop, close to 2 1/2 hours. By policy no procedures could be done until complete power was restored and not running off generators. At 4:20 they finally took mom back to surgery and it wasn't long we were being called back to see her in recovery . After more care instructions for the evening I began to get momma dressed, put her in wheelchair and we were headed out the door . After helping her to the restroom she says to me she's in a lot of pain . Before We drove am hour home I wanted to walk her back down to surgery to ask a doctor if the pain was normal and if so what can we give her. As soon as we made it into the lobby of surgery mom began feeling sick. She continued to get sick and there was blood. A nurse came to help and they checked everything out and mom seemed to just be having a reaction from the anesthesia . She hasn't been able to eat all day and was still instructed not to eat until the following morning . The car ride home was a little rough, mom was sore and just felt awful. Getting her home we put her in her bed and comfortable where she slept all night .


Charm choice is a silver star fish since she loves the saltwater tanks so much.

Day 6 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Monday, May 12th 2014

It's day six at Cancer Treatment Centers of America and we have had a full schedule today!  First on the list was Pulse Oximetry, Pulmonary Function Test and Echo Cardiogram. Mom's breathing and Oxygen Levels were great so we felt pretty positive about the rest of the day.  It has definitely been a blessing to have two days of uplifting news.

The next appointment on our schedule was to meet with mom's Medical Oncologist, Dr. McKnight. We really feel good about having Dr. McKnight on mom's team.  He explained the fact that we are not going to take it one piece at a time and wait to see what happens.  He said again that we are going to attack the cancer full force with the chemo and radiation running concurrently. We at length about what to expect with the type of chemotherapy that he believes is the best for mom and the fact that she had lost four pounds within the last week.  We knew the weight loss was because mom hasn't been able to eat the foods she normally would eat due to her oral surgery.  She ate plenty during the week but nothing solid. She had gained five pounds prior to the oral surgery so we, the family, were not too concerned with the weight loss. Dr. McKnight explained the possible need for a PEG/Feeding Tube during her plan of treatment. The PEG was something we knew could be a possibility after meeting with mom's team prior to today but still it was a shock to mom. Dr. McKnight gave me some very important questions the he wanted me to ask during mom's Gastroenterology Consultation that was scheduled for later today at 2:00 pm.

"Every patient and every family member deserves to leave a consultation with the hope that treatment will make them better rather than worse. They also deserve to feel confident they will be treated with respect and compassion through one of the most challenging journeys of their lives."     

- John E. McKnight, MD, MBA

We met with Amy Jones, Clinical Oncology Dietitian, and spoke about mom's nutritional needs during radiation therapy.  Ms. Jones stated that during mom's treatment she will need approximately four feedings a day through PEG Tube and other ways to keep her nutrition level up.  During the radiation treatment plan it is expected that at some point mom will probably be unable to eat normally.  Also while she is going through chemotherapy her body will be burning twice as much energy than normally so the caloric intake needs to double.  After meeting with Ms. Jones it was time for mom's Naturopathy Consultation with Edra Spevack, mom's Naturopathic Oncology Provider.  Mom has been experiencing some nausea and vomiting on occasion so Ms. Spevack suggested instead of opening the Thorne Meriva Curcumin and adding to water in order to swish and swallow, just take the capsules normally.  Magnesium Citrate supplements were added to her list of supplements due to her magnesium levels being low.

The last appointment on the schedule today was with the Gastroenterology Department.  We met with Olivia Burks, Nurse Practitioner.  We discussed mom's nutrition level, muscle mass and over all weight.  Ms. Burks explained in detail that it would be in our best interest to go ahead and schedule the PEG Tube procedure and mom wasn't too happy about that.  Mom said that she was eating just fine and once her throat became sore then she would consider the procedure. Ms. Burks explained to mom that once Chemotherapy and Radiation starts she may not be able to handle the procedure and it would be best to go ahead now and have it done.  Mom agreed and the procedure was scheduled for the following day.  Even though mom has been eating pretty well aside from the oral surgery, we knew that this was the best option.  Ms. Burks also stated that mom should continue to eat naturally and once the time comes to use the feeding tube we would need to feed five times a day.  We are back at it again tomorrow with a full day's schedule!  It's alot of information to take in and each day can sometimes seem longer than the previous day but we really feel like we are truly making serious progress in this journey.  We can't thank Cancer Treatment Centers of America enough for taking wonderful care of our mom and not just her, our family as well!

Mom chose today's Charm of the Day, Silver with Teal Crystals.