Top 10 Things We Have Learned--It's Always Groundhog Day

We have had a number of people ask about this type of cancer, we are still meeting with the doctors concerning treatment and prognosis.

Things we have learned from Mom's stay at the hospital:

1. Warning--don't always believe what your doctor tells you, it is hazardous to your health.
2. Mom says, "Go Eat." Que for us to leave her alone.
3. When the nurse asks, "What is your pain on a scale of 1-10?"....response "Beyond a 12!"
4. And if nurse than asks "Do you need any pain medication?"...response, "No I like to be miserable, thanks for asking."
5. Mom, "What the heck is the time?"....response, "What time do you want it to be?"
6. Mom, "I'll start tomorrow."....response, "Sure you will."
7. Mom's feeding bag is called the steak and potato meal, but if it comes in pink its not strawberry.
8. How many nurses does it take to change a bag, we don't know we are still counting.
9. Mom has developed a 7th sense....the sense of somebody sitting down, the sense of somebody falling asleep, the sense of somebody relaxing....her instinct to this sense "I need just one more thing."
10. Most common sound in the hospital--beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep.....beep!

We Love Mom:)

Misdiagnosis

Mom was misdiagnosed, she does not have ovarian cancer. The cancer she has is Poorly Differentiated Neuroendocrine. Dr. Soisson originally thought Mom had ovarian cancer but the pathology report came back as Poorly Differentiated Neuroendocrine Tumors.

We are still praying for a miracle for Mom and we have witnessed the many tender mercies of the Lord. We are grateful for the small miracles we have been blessed with as a family. We also know it is not in our hands.

Families Are Forever

"What all of us long for in our hearts is to feel bound together in love with the sweet assurance that it can last forever. This is the promise of eternal life, which God has called His greatest gift to His children (see D&C 14:7). That is made possible by the gifts to us of His Beloved Son: the Savior’s birth, Atonement, and Resurrection. It is through the Savior’s life and mission that we have the assurance that we can be together in love and live forever in families." --President Henry B. Eyring

Ups and Downs

Mom had a great morning. She was able to sit in a comfortable chair for an hour. She also took a shower with the help of many. Mom, "Oh it felt so good." Physical Therapy came by but she was to exhausted, so Dad asked if they could return later. (Mom asked if Dan Ivie could be her PT--"you know he is the best) As the day continued she slipped further into exhaustion and was unable to do anything else the rest of the day. We are so excited for what she accomplished today! It may not seem like much, but it was a marathon for Mom.

Day 20

Day 20 and life right now for Mom is pretty rough. She had great night. The nurses came in to stand her up this morning (she is unable stand or walk), they dropped her. This is the third time she has been dropped in the last ten days. She has so much fluid (it truly is unbelievable the amount of edema she has) that she is dead weight. She literally cannot stand on her own. Mom has so much fear from being dropped, she is scared to death to get out of bed. This has again set Mom back.

The results from the abscess showed Mom has E-coli. This was caused from removing some of the intestine during surgery. She is being treated with antibiotic. Dr. Redding feels very strongly the E-coli caused the lungs to fill with fluid so rapidly after each drain. Yes she still has fluid in her lungs from the cancer, which is a concern, however the lungs are not filling at a rapid pace. A tremendous blessing.

Dr. Dobson switched her pain meds. That to is a blessing. She still has pain but is able to keep her pain level at a 7 instead of off the chart. Yes this seems endless but Mom is still fighting and is with us. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
(Pictures: Christmas day, John D. dressed as Santa and delivered Mom her gifts, she smiled)

Tender Mercies

Mom has enjoyed the moments she was able to spend with our family. Lori is coming on Monday. Many tears and memories were shared as a family. The tender mercies of the Lord are being given to Mom and Dad.

First day of the New Year and a request

Mom expresses appreciation for all the thoughts and prayers that you have each offered. At this sensitive time, the family requests that all visitation is restricted to direct family.