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 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 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 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 41 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Friday, June 27th 2014

Mom woke up at 3:00 this morning with a massive nose bleed.  We arrived at Cancer Treatment Centers of America early for mom's 11:50 am radiation treatment appointment to inform Dr. Gullett about the nose bleed.  Mom's mouth is in bad shape too!  Her mouth is swollen and covered in blisters and scabs.  Dr. Gullett canceled radiation for today and Monday to give mom a much needed break.  We have to meet with her team Tuesday morning at 10:00 am before radiation for mom's weekly check up.

We had over an hour wait for mom's blood transfusion appointment in Quality of Life Infusion so we decided to head out for a little while.  Once we arrived back for her appointment, her temperature was 99.3, BP 122/60.  After mom took the Tylenol her temperature went up to 101.3, and then 102.8.  The nurse held the blood transfusion due to the fever again and gave mom another dose of Tylenol.  If mom has a fever of 100.5, or higher the transfusion cannot be performed due to the risk of infection.  The nurse spoke to mom's doctor and they ordered a chest x-ray and blood cultures.  At 5:00 pm, mom's temperature came down and they started the first of two units of blood.  

Once mom was all set up in infusion, dad and I headed home and Toni came for the second half.  The second unit of blood finished around 8:30 pm and the nurse came in and said that mom's Chest X-Ray came back normal and since her temperature hadn't spiked she could go home.  Toni got her home and into bed.

The Charm of the Day is Ruby Red

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 28 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Thursday, June 12th 2014

First on our schedule today at CTCA was mom's radiation prep and treatment.  We applied her Fentanyl patch this morning before heading to the center as directed.  Radiology was unable to get her into her mask due to the pain in her mouth and throat even though mom took Hydrocodone and Lidocaine.  Dr. Gullett and our Care Manager Kathy McLaine met with us to discuss going forward with radiation and some changes to be made to the mask.  Debbie, one of the Physicist is going to reconfigure mom's mask to keep it from cutting into her chin.  Radiation has been reschedule for tomorrow morning at 8:30.  Mom was also prescribed some Lolly Pops that mom is to start sucking on for the pain.  She is to continue with the hydrocodone and lydacain along with the Magic Mouthwash and salt water rinses.

Acupuncture was schedule for 10:30 for a duration of 45 minutes with Dr. Harris Frank, Doctor of Medical Qigong.  He asked mom again if she was sure she wanted to have acupuncture since she refused it earlier in the week.  Dr. Frank explained to mom the benefits of acupuncture and the fact that it is not required but it is an option.  She agreed to have it done in hopes that it will help with her pain.  Dr. Frank placed the acupuncture needles on her arms and legs as well as her forehead and chin.  He asked if the pain was getting any better and she said she could feel some relief.  He asked if I wanted to stay while mom went through the relaxation period and I decided to step out so mom could experience it in full.  Dr. Frank turned off the lights, started some very relaxing music and mom went into relaxation mode!

"What I love about Cancer Treatment Centers of America is that here you have a model of care where the entire team comes together to create a treatment plan for the benefit of the patient, and that includes the wealth of resources Chinese medicine has to offer."
                                                                              - Harris Frank, LAc, Dipl OM, DMQ

The Charm of the Day is Peace!

Day 25 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Monday June 9th 2014

Today was our 25th day at Cancer Treatment Centers of America.  We arrived at 8:00 am for mom's scheduled Acupuncture Session at 8:15 with Dr. Harris Frank.  Within minutes, mom came back out and said she didn't need Acupuncture.  It seemed a little strange to me so we checked and mom got confused and refused treatment.  We rescheduled her session because we believe it will truly help with many of the things mom is experiencing.

Since mom didn't have acupuncture today she was early for her daily radiation prep and radiation treatment.  Radiology took her right back.  While mom was in treatment I called our Care Manager to have the Neupogen shots delivered to their home.  The out of pocket cost for the home delivery was more expensive than traveling back and forth to CTCA, so we canceled the order and decided to come on Saturday and Sunday instead.

The Charm of the Day; ΙΧΘΥΣ

Ichthys

Day 24 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Sunday, June 8th 2014

Today was mom's second Neupogen shot and her appointment was at 10:00 a.m.  We went up to Quality of  Life and the nurse showed me how to administer the shots to mom in either the back of her arms or even in her stomach.  These Neupogen shots are to be administered on Saturdays and Sundays following her Chemotherapy sessions on Tuesdays. The plan is to have the shots delivered to our parent's home and save her a trip over the weekends . Today the injection seemed to burn going into the back of her arm but our mom is amazingly strong and was fine right afterwards.

 Today, Steven was able to come and experience CTCA for the first time.  After the nurse in infusion was finished with mom's shot, we all went for breakfast at the wonderful cafeteria and then gave Steven a tour of the resort style campus. 

The Charm of the Day is Garnet,
Steven's Birthstone.

Day 23 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Saturday, June 7th 2014

Today was the first appointment for mom on a weekend at Cancer Treatment Centers of America.  It's quite a different place on the weekend.  The daily hustle and bustle was gone.  Our appointment in Quality of Life was at 10:00 a.m. for the Neupogen shot. We requested a blood pressure check because mom's blood pressure has been very low at times.  Luckily today mom's blood pressure was better, it was 113/63 and her pulse was 73.

Today was also Duane's first visit to CTCA and he found the center to be a little overwhelming.  It's not your usual medical facility, CTCA is more like a resort than a hospital. After the nurse taught us how to administer the Neupogen shot, we ran into our friend Denise Harris.  She said her tumors were shrinking and they had to do a new radiation simulation and altered her radiation treatment plan.  God is good!

The Charm of the Day is Amethyst, 

Duane's Birthstone.

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 21 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Thursday, June 5th 2014

Today we were back at it at CTCA for our 21st day.  Mom had her eleventh radiation treatment today and her mouth and throat are starting to get sore. She handled today's treatment with no problems. The raw natural honey really helps soothe her mouth and throat after radiation treatments; as well as the Magic Mouthwash which is a combination of three different medications. 

Yesterday my sister and I met a very young lady who also has been receiving radiation. Today, while walking my mom to her daily radiation treatment, the young lady walked with us.  Her name is Hope and today was her graduation day!  Hope is from South Carolina and has been receiving cancer treatments since October 2013, so she was thrilled that she was going home.  I waited for her to come out of treatment to join in her graduation ceremony and the ringing of the bell.  It was a great celebration and made me feel even more anxious for the day that mom graduates.

Normally, tomorrow would be the last day for the week but mom's schedule has been changed and now we have to come back on Saturday and Sunday for a Neupogen shot.

The Charm of the Day; Red Hearts

Day 20 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Wednesday, June 4th 2014

Today is moms twentieth day here at Cancer Treatment Centers Of America. On our way to the center, we received a phone call from Radiation Oncology that they wanted to start earlier with mom so as soon as we checked in we were called back.

We started our day off in radiation and she has gained 2 pounds!  Mom now weighs 113 lbs.  We first met with Dr. Gullett, mom's Radiation Oncologist and Kathy McLaine, mom's Care Manager.  They checked mom's blood pressure and it was dangerously low yesterday but today it seems to be a little better. They are still very concerned with her numbers and how dehydrated she is starting to get so early into treatment.  We were instructed to work our way up by giving mom 30 syringes containing 60CCs of water through her feeding tube along with Gatorade mixed with water by mouth.  Also rinsing her mouth with warm salt water after each meal and before bedtime.  Dr. Gullett took a look at mom's mouth and throat and said things look to be improving . She doesn't like to use the word "better" because everything is red and irritated from the radiation.  As we were leaving mom's radiation checkup, mom went in for her daily radiation treatment and we went for lunch.

After we ate lunch, mom came out of radiation and straight into her speech therapy appointment and then onto physical therapy where a few more exercises were added her daily routine. 

Since our day started out way before scheduled we were way too early for mom's chemo appointment scheduled for 4:00pm so she was finally able to eat some lunch and take a small break.  Today we started a new type of chemo cocktail because the previous chemotherapy was effecting her hearing way too quickly!  The sessions only last 4 hours which also includes the the fluids.

Me and Mom had a little organic snack during chemo.
Anytime mom wants anything to eat is a good time.
The cafe here at CTCA is unbelievable

The Charm of the Day is a Silver Horseshoe with Crystals.

Day 19 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Tuesday, June 3rd 2014

First thing on the schedule today was a lab draw followed by the nurse assessment.  Mom's blood pressure was 65/41 and her weight is at 110 lbs.

Dr. McKnight stated her blood pressure was extremely low due to her being so dehydrated.  So now she must have fluids today and tomorrow in Quality of Life.  He is concerned that the Cisplatin could destroy her hearing permanently so the chemotherapy type is changing to Taxotere, Carboplatin along with Neupogen which is a biologic response modifier. Neupogen is used to stimulate the production of granulocytes , (a type of white blood cell) in patients undergoing therapy that will cause low white blood cell counts.


Mom is not taking in enough fluids.  Her appetite has greatly decreased due to the changes in her taste buds from having radiation therapy daily.  She has also been experiencing some nausea.  Edra Spevack, Naturopathy, ordered that mom take Zinc Lozenges to counteract her changes in her taste buds. Also she must get at least one to two liters of water daily. She also ordered a liquid supplement derived from Mushrooms called Maitake Gold to help support healthy bone marrow function and to increase white blood cells and platelets.

We had to really hurry to make mom's appointment with Radiation Oncology.  Her appointment was scheduled for 12:10, and we were running late. Mom "took" her Clover Honey, another raw honey from Barley and Vine and went back for her treatment.  

Infusion was last today and then we headed home!

The Charm of the Day

Day 15 at Cancer Treatment Centers Of America

Wednesday, May 28th 2014

Today was a very easy day for mom but a very exciting day because "The Girls", (her grand daughters), were able to come to Cancer Treatment Centers of America for the first time and are now Meemaws new caregivers .

We started the morning out at CTCA with mom's radiation treatment and ended with a follow up appointment with Dr. Keith Kowal, ENT.  At her consultation Dr. Kowal wanted to check her hearing once again and mentioned having hearing aides added to her schedule . 

The Charm of the Day is Silver with Purple Crystals.
(Chosen by Kayleigh)

Today completes the first bracelet.