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How It All Began (written April 24, 2004)
My mom called me at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 1 because her shoulder hurt so badly she could barely move. I went over there
to give her some painkillers I had, but nothing worked. The next day she went in to see the doctor and they immediately admitted
her to Methodist Hospital for more tests. They diagnosed her with leukemia that day. Her white count was unbelievably high
and they couldn't believe she didn't feel sick besides the pain in her shoulder (which, by the way, was the side effect of
an enlarged spleen - associated pain, they said.)
The next day, I took Mom to UNMC, where she now receives all her treatment. She began her first chemo treatment the day
after that. After many tests, we found out the kind of leukemia she has, ALL (acute lymphocytic leukemia), is about 90 percent
curable. She is to go through eight rounds of chemo and then she should be done forever. If there is any relapse, it will
happen within the first year after treatment is done.
Because my mom is only 50 years young and active, they have decided to treat the cancer very aggressively. Each time
she goes in for chemo, it is a four or five day hospital stay.
What's Happening Now (April 24, 2004)
Mom is finished with three of eight chemo treatments. She is a little frustrated because her fourth chemo got delayed.
She got an infection (by no fault of her own) and cannot go in for the next chemo until she's done with the antibiotic
they put her on. She's trying to keep busy with sewing and craft projects.
Moving Along (April 27, 2004)
Today is the last day Mom has to take the antibiotic for the infection. Tomorrow, she will go to the doctor and they
will determine when she can go in for her next (fourth) chemo. Then we'll be half done!
I'm going over to her house tonight to show her this web site! I think she will be very excited . . .
The Next Round (May 1, 2004)
Mom is done with the antibiotic and is feeling a little stronger. She has another appointment Monday and they expect
to admit her for her fourth round of chemo. Then we're half done!
Back on Track (May 4, 2004)
Mom went in yesterday for her fourth chemo. She's doing good...telling the doctors what to do :) She's just glad she's
back on the road to getting this thing done!
Half Done (May 8, 2004)
Mom went home from the hospital yesterday. Four chemos down, four to go! Unfortunately, she got another infection, but
at least they caught it while she was still in the hospital. So she's on antiobiotics again. . . I don't know if that delays
the next chemo or not. . . if so, probably not very much.
Update (May 14, 2004)
On mother's day, mom had to get blood, so she was at the hospital almost all day. Doug and I cooked her dinner
when she got home. The next day she was there all day again, because they messed up her spinal tap. She's been doing pretty
well the last couple of days and appreciates everyone's continued support!
Catching Up (June 1,2004)
Sorry I haven't updated........I live a crazy, busy life......Mom went back into the hospital last Monday for her fifth
chemo. She went home Sunday. This one was long and pretty hard on her. Today she goes in for a spinal tap at two. Please keep
praying for her.
One More Roadblock (June 7, 2004)
Mom had to go back into the hospital Wednesday night. She had a fever of 101.8. She is very upset because this is her
third infection. Even though there are only three chemos left, each infection delays the next chemo. She voiced her concerns
about her care and insisted that they keep her longer after chemo so her counts can get high enough to avoid infection. As
of right now, she thinks she will be in the hospital until Wednesday.
Finally Home (June 12, 2004)
Mom went home Thursday, but she still has to run the antibiotic i.v. at home for herself. She was supertired and pretty
frustrated Thursday, but sounded a little better when I talked to her yesterday.
A Little Treat and Another Chemo (June 21, 2004)
Mom got to eat Sgt Pfeffers yesterday because her counts were up (we were celebrating my birthday.) Today she goes in
for her sixth round of chemo. Everyone pray that she doesn't get another infection!
Just Two More!! (July 7, 2004)
Mom finished her sixth chemo and is just excited to get this whole thing finished. Her sister Janice came into town Thursday
the first so it has been nice for her to have a guest. The three of us spent the 4th together.
In the last lap . . . (July 28, 2004)
Mom went in for her seventh chemo and came home Sunday. Just one more and we're done! While she was in the hospital last
week, Channel 6 interviewed her and featured her on the 4 p.m. news in a story about the need for blood donation.
No More Spinal Taps!! (August 2, 2004)
The doc says Mom doesn't have to get any more spinal taps!! She is ecstatic because she's had pretty much two per chemo
(which is around 14 or 15 total.) Each one consists of shooting chemo into the spine and then her having to lie flat for an
hour, so she's very relieved not to do it again!!
She's been getting major pain in her hip bone due to the growth shot she's getting. This is good news, though, because
this is the first time it's happened even though she's been getting the growth shot off and on for a long time. This means
the bone marrow's kicking back into gear!
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