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 17 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Friday, May 30th 2014

We arrived today at Cancer Treatment Centers of America and there was a Staff Bash going on!  This must be one of the best places in the world to work!  It's obvious that CTCA really takes wonderful care of not just their patients but their staff as well!

Dad and I watched a tug of war between what must of been at least 25 employees on each side of the rope. There was a dunk tank, a photo booth and many other activities.  Cody was there too and a few other dogs.

Mom had speech therapy with Jennifer Cargile and forgot to bring her exercises log book.  Ms. Cargile said she was doing well with her exercises and to continue doing them daily as recommended.






After her appointment with her speech therapist it was onto radiation treatment prep followed by her seventh radiation treatment.

The Charm of the Day; Amber Triple Crystal Crown

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.

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 5 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Friday, May 9th 2014

Today was our fifth day at Cancer Treatment Centers of America and mom's first appointment of the day was at Radiology Oncology to have her port accessed and reviewed.  According to our schedule for the day she was to have simulation directly following.  Being that mom's mouth was still very tender and still had stitches in her gums, her simulation was rescheduled for next Wednesday morning. 

While we were waiting on mom to come out, we noticed this bell with the story of the Two Horses.  The story is very inspiring and the bell is used during a patient's graduation from Radiation Therapy!  We are very excited and can't wait until mom graduates after 7 weeks of daily treatments.

TWO HORSES

(Author Unknown)

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But if you get a closer look you will notice something quite interesting...One of the horses is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made him a safe and comfortable barn to live in. This alone is pretty amazing. But if you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. It is coming from a smaller horse in the field. Attached to the horse's halter is a small, copper-colored bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow. As you stand and watched these two friends you'll see that the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, he will stop occasionally to look back, making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell. Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse, being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. And at the other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way.

Next on today's schedule was a Mammogram followed by an MRI.  The Mammogram was ordered due to a procedure that was done last year.  During mom's 2013 yearly Mammogram, an usual spot was found.  After many tests and a biopsy, it was discovered that she had a calcium build up.  CTCA thoroughly examines each and every aspect of their patients so I knew this was a precautionary test and not a new concern.  Thankfully, the mammogram came back completely clear and the calcium build up has completely disappeared. What a relief! Finally some good news!  The MRI was canceled so went to lunch.  

The cafeteria here is unreal with organic foods and an amazing menu. The prices are extremely inexpensive and the patients eat for free.  I love the seaweed salad!

Next on the schedule for today was an Evaluation and Treatment appointment with Jennifer Cargile, Speech Language Pathologist.  Ms. Cargile was very informative about the needs of certain exercises mom should be doing to keep her throat muscles strong in order to be able to swollow during the radiation treatments.  She tested mom's ability to chew and swollow as well as her ability to drink fluids.  So far so good, mom passed with flying colors.  We will be meeting with Ms. Cargile pretty often once radiation starts. 

Finally, our last appointment of the day was a Physical Therapy Evaluation and Treatment with Judeen Rivers. Ms. Rivers was also a pleasure to meet with and gave mom a list of physical exercises to do daily to keep up her muscle mass and strength. Ms. Rivers stated mom seemed in pretty good shape except for her left hip is a little weak and that could likely be from her Osteoporosis.

Today was an excellent day!  We left CTCA exhausted from a full schedule and full of hope!

The Charm of the Day is Diamonds which is our Mother's Birthstone.