The Cancer Fighter

Sunday, August 3rd, 2014

I woke up this morning a few minutes after 2:00 am, with so many thoughts and phrases about my mom running through my head. Feeling extremely clear minded, I turned on the bedside lamp, grabbed my pen and pad and began to write. The words just flowed from me effortlessly which didn't feel abnormal at the time.

I thought of the sight of my mom sitting in the waiting room under a warm blanket waiting for the daily dreaded treatment. I remembered the hollowing feeling the day I walked down that long cold hallway with her heading for her first radiation treatment. Recalling how scared I felt and wondering how scared she must of felt. The feeling I get every time I leave my sister alone during mom's chemotherapy treatments. Suddenly, my thoughts and feelings began to focus on my mother's strength and willpower. How she wakes up everyday exhausted but ready to battle. After I finished writing these thoughts down, I had a feeling of relief. It was as if my spirit was purged of all fear and that God assured me my prayer's were already answered. I turned the lamp off and went back to sleep.

Here I share with you something I cannot explain.

I recognize that spirit! The cancer fighter sitting in the waiting room.  Waiting to battle again today as she did yesterday.  The one who looks so frail and unable, but God says differently. The frail one walks into the windows of the unknown for the rest of us, but comes out and never fails. The warrior against the thing within. Angels spread her wings and sets her a sail. Not to never be seen again, but to be watched over from time to time! The strong one with wings larger than sight, flies by the direction of God and proves that life is worth continuing and fighting for!

Day 62 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

 Tuesday, July 29th 2014

 Today at CTCA we arrived around 9:00 a.m. We got out of the car and Meemaw could not even walk two feet, so I ran in and got a wheelchair again. Then , I got her to get in it and we went to Quality of Life on the second floor.  I checked her in and then in about 10 minutes they took her back for another blood draw.  I stepped out of the room for a while, so that the doctor could take blood from Meemaw.  I stepped out because I can't stand it!  I think that it's just really gross, but that is just me!

      

I got her back in the wheelchair and we went to radiology and got checked in. The nurse said that we could go back so I pushed her back to the radiation waiting room. It felt like an hour before the nurse took her back for treatment, but it was only 35 minutes.  I came back out to the lobby to wait while Kayleigh and Uncle Bubba went to the Cancer Fighters Center upstairs.  While Bubba and Kayleigh were up on the second floor he got a good call, it was the Quality of Life nurse, she said that the blood work was fine and Meemaw will not need to come back up today!  So, now all that was left to do was go home! As we were leaving we ran into a new support dog. His name is Dr. Dolittle.  He is a small white dog dressed in a country boy outfit.

Kayleigh and Dr. Dolittle

So I pushed her all the way to the front door and Bubba pulled the car around and I got Meemaw in the car. I had to go and return the wheelchair to the front desk and get in the car myself.  We are getting closer to Meemaw's Graduation Day!

Day 57 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Tuesday, July 22nd 2014

Yesterday, mom said she didn't feel well and decided not to go for her appointments at CTCA.  The schedule for yesterday was a full load including her next Chemotherapy Treatment and now the entire schedule has to be reworked.

Dad and I spoke with Dr. Gullett, mom's Radiologist, in the lobby about mom's progress.  Dr. Gullett and Kathy McLaine are two of the nicest people I have ever met.  She and Kathy corrected the insurance issues regarding mom's Fentanyl patches so she can start back using the long lasting Duragesic. She is to be on 37.5 micrograms of Fentanly now.  Her attitude is a lot better and she is less irritable when she has the patches.  

You can really tell she desperately wants to eat because she continues to try every time we go out or eat at the cafeteria.  Her tongue is still raw from the treatments and nothing is really providing relief at this point in the process.  We have our weekly meeting with Dr. Gullett and her team tomorrow as well as her nurse assessment and blood draw so hopefully everything continues to go well.  Graduation from Radiation is just a couple of weeks away!

Day 56 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Friday, July 18th 2014

ZEN LANDSCAPE III

Today was our 56th day at CTCA for another radiation treatment and mom is still handling the treatments well with the new mask.  We have nine more treatments to go before graduation day!

Kelli Dani Fitzpatrick and Studio El

There really isn't much else to report from today.  We will be back Monday for a full day's schedule including Chemotherapy and the fifth of nine more radiation treatments.

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 54 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Wednesday, July 16th 2014

After four days off, we were back at Cancer Treatment Centers of America this morning early for a full day's schedule.  Mom had blood drawn at 8:00 a.m..  During the nurse assessment, mom weighed in at 107 pounds, she has lost 7 pounds since the last weigh in.  Now that she is properly nourished her body is using her nutrients to fight the cancer.  We were told to expect this.  Her blood pressure and temperature were normal.  

The Chapel

Mom's tongue was sore and raw which is a side effect of the Chemotherapy.  At 9:30 a.m., we met with Leticia, Dr. McKnight's nurse.  Mom's Hemoglobin is up to 9.4 and 6.8 for the white blood cell counts.  Dr. McKnight's team are planning on returning to Chemo treatments starting next week.  Mom will only have the Taxol and not the Carbo for the next two weeks and after that Dr. McKnight will evaluate her progress and decide on a plan going forward.  They don't want her blood levels to drop again.  Edra Spevack, mom's Naturopathy checked to make sure she is still doing well on the supplements that mom is on.  She must start using L-Glutamine again which will help her tongue and mouth going forward.

Mom went back to radiation at 10:45 a.m., to use the new mask and start radiation treatments again.  When she came out of treatment she was very happy with the new mask, no pain or aggravation.  Her last appointment today was with Ms. Jennifer Cargile, Speech-Language Pathologist.  Ms. Cargile said her throat muscles and her ability to swallow are both working really well.

We will back tomorrow for radiation.  Only eleven more radiation treatments!

Day 53, Coming Home from Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Saturday, July 12th 2014

Dad, Gabie and I drove to Cancer Treatment Centers of America to pick up mom this morning!  We arrived and mom was ready to go.  She was dressed, packed and waiting on us to check out. Gabie and I carried her belongings to the car so we could pick her and dad up at the front door, but mom decided to walk to the car instead.

When we got her home, Toni, Steven and Kayleigh were waiting for us.  Mom was so excited to see everyone and be home!  Duke, the family dog, was happy to see her too!  We had to put him on the leash to keep him from tackling mom because he has missed her so much!  When mom had the nose bleed and was admitted into CTCA, Duke went through the trash can and pulled all of her bloody tissues out and laid them in a pile in her bedroom.  Duke has never pulled anything out of the trash before.  If you were to sit in her chair at the kitchen table, Duke would nudge you with his nose and if you didn't move out of her seat he would try to bite at you!

Debbie and Mom

Mom had some surprise visitors after she was home.  Lifelong friends, Debbie and Gerald, came to see her this afternoon and brought her some new pajamas for when she is just lounging around.  We all reminisced and enjoyed hanging out together.  Mom had a great time and was so surprised when they pulled in the driveway.  They hadn't seen each for quite a few years.

Mom is doing much better and we are glad to have her home!
We are not scheduled for anything until next Wednesday, July 16th, which is when mom is scheduled to start her last twelve radiation treatments.

The Charm of the Day

Silver Dog Bone

Day 52 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Friday, July 11th 2014

We came to Cancer Treatment Centers of America to see mom in her new room this morning.  Mom hasn't eaten anything by mouth in a few weeks and she actually ate some breakfast this morning.  She looked better than ever.  Mom even went for a walk down the hall to get some exercise.  She hasn't been outside in over a week so if she doesn't come home soon, that's our next goal.  She has a nice view overlooking the pond at the cafeteria.  I'm sure the view would be beautiful at night.  This is truly a five star hotel room!

Finally out of bed!

After we got back home, dad spoke with a member of mom's team, Ms. Hearn, and was told that since she could commute back and forth for her schedule, mom could check out tomorrow morning.  We called and told mom she was coming home and she was so excited!

Yesterday, on our way to CTCA, the Newnan Police Department were at the intersection of what was about to become formerly known as Parkway North and Bullsboro Drive.  Dad, Kayleigh and I watched as the street sign for Parkway North could be changed officially to Celebrate Life Parkway!

Day 51 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Thursday, July 10th 2014

Becky, David and Steven came to Cancer Treatment Centers of America to see mom and spend some time with her.  They were surprised at how good mom looked today. We took them for a tour of the property and then had lunch at the cafeteria.  Mom was very happy to see her family and was pretty upbeat today.  She is improving each and everyday and she was supposed to be moved to the hotel floor of CTCA this afternoon.

While Kayleigh and I were in the library, Cody and his master came by and Kayleigh asked if he could come see her grandmother in her room.  He brought Cody in to see mom and put a smile on her face.  He is such a great dog and brings smiles to everyone who sees him.

Becky brought a card with a Prayer Cloth from her church, The Bridge Church.

The Prayer Cloth has been anointed with oil and contains Acts 19:11-12.

After we were home, mom called and said she was in her new room on the hotel floor.  Toni and the girls drove back up to CTCA to see mom and her new room.  Her room is like a five star hotel room!

Day 50 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Wednesday, July 9th 2014

We came to CTCA this morning to see mom and she looked really good today!  Her feet and left elbow are still swollen.  The nurse came in and released mom from isolation.  No more masks or gloves and mom is less susceptible to catching anything!  Her blood cell counts are on the rise, too. 

 ZEN LANSCAPE II

Kelli Danis Fitzpatrick and Studio El

This is very positive news!  Her mouth looks great with only a couple of sores left.  Her mouth has been steadily healing everyday due to her platelets rising and using Medihoney and DeramQOL.  She was told that she will be released from Inpatient Care and will be moving up to the 3rd floor tomorrow which is the hotel.

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 36 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Friday, June 20th 2014

Today was a light day for mom.  The only appointment on today's schedule at CTCA was radiation prep and treatment.  

Everything went well with the today's treatment and we found out we do not have to come back this weekend for a Neupogen shot!  Two days off for mom will do her some good.

The Charm of the Day

Blue Hearts

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 

Day 3 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Wednesday, May 7th 2014

Today is the day we finally got to meet mom's Medical Oncologist, Dr. John McKnight.  Hearing him speak to us regarding the Chemotherapy Plan that he recommended gave us the feeling that everything is finally about to start.  His words were so touching and thorough.  Saying he is going to do everything God allows him to do to heal our mom.  The plan given was Chemotherapy once a week that would take four hours. We would do it again in three weeks. For only three treatments. We also met with mom's Nutritional/Clinical Dietitian, Amy Jones.  Dr. Jones discussed meal plans and the need to start eating more organic in order to stay away from any toxins. Mom's Naturopathic Oncology Provider, Ms. Edra Spevack. She went over different vitamins, minerals and supplements that would be perfect for mom's condition.

Today was another wonderful day filled with high hopes and the feeling that we actually have a fighting chance of winning this battle against cancer!

The Charm of the Day
Silver with Rose Crystals

Hope All Over Again, Day 1 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Wednesday, April 30th 2014

Mom's first day at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, in Newnan, Georgia, was on her birthday, Wednesday, April 30, 2014. Walking in as a family we were beyond confused based on our previous experiences at Emory Healthcare, but this place automatically gave us a new feeling of Hope. We met with the clinic and six nurses sang Happy Birthday and even had her a balloon.

 Then we went into a meeting with her ENT Specialist where things began to get emotional.  We finally were told so many answers we had been needing for four months now.  We were told mom's cancer was at Stage 4, and also she was not a surgery candidate so we knew right then treatments were our next option.  Even though hearing those words were the hardest things to ever hear, we still had a feeling of a new beginning. The doctor was still very positive about healing our mom.  Afterwards, we met with our Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Noreen Gullett, where she actually showed us mom's scans and where the cancers were and discussed in detail exactly how she would want to use radiation to shrink the tumors. Mom's plan was to have radiation treatments Monday through Friday for seven weeks.  But was told first she would have to have all of her teeth pulled and be healed so she could have a simulation done of making a mask to fit her face for the daily radiation treatments.  The mask is supposed to act as a shield to protect the organs that do not need to get radiation and should not be damaged.

As we were walking out of the treatment center on the very first day, I purchased a bracelet by Amanda Blu and had an idea that each day I would add a charm that would represent a stepping stone that mom and our family is going through. Each charm will represent something different. What she had experienced that day or maybe even how she was feeling.

The first Charm of the Day is an Opal.  The mix of the clear and light blue hues gives the feeling of a beautiful sky opening up and giving our family a new feeling of Hope all over again.