corafortsupport.org

Hello everyone,

I wanted to let everyone know that mom has been doing pretty well.

The weekend after we got the tough news, she went out dancing with dad both Friday and Saturday nights. She got her chemo, and as usual she got tired and sores and low appetite about 7-10 days after. mom has been in good spirits though. We have had some fun times.

The other night Christine called me because she said mom didn’t sound good on the phone, so I drove up there to visit, and we ended up finding a CD with a bunch of pictures on it. mom was having so much fun looking at thre pictures, and really laughing at dads comments. It was fun to see mom laughing so hard.

Like moms social worker says. Moms quality of life may not be perfect, but it is quality of life to mom.

We still have great times as a family, and mom has been able to eat decently. She doesn’t worry so much about whethter what she is eating is good for her

She has craved chicharron, and Auntie Jeannie’s Pitas.

The other night after chemo, we got Thai food delivered, and mom really enjoyed that. She also got a visit from Rita and Tita Martha and Uncle Cesar that really brightened her week!!! They shared tears and laughter together.

Thanks again to everyone who prays for us, and shares so much love with us.

We really appreciate it. Christine Paul and the kids are up for the weekend, so mom is glowing again.

Talk to you soon!

love, Michael

Well to relieve the suspense. Moms tumors did not spread or grow. They stayed the same. Dr G said this isn’t the desired outcome, but he said it was much better than if they spread. Mom will get another round starting next Friday.

What we heard for the first time today, is that Dr G does not believe moms cancer is curable. He said he is trying to extend her life. At the time which the cancer begins to spread again, he said he would reccommend Taxol, which has a 20% chance of success.

Afterwards, we met with Leah the social worker. We asked mom if she wanted to conitnue treatment, we wanted to make sure that this is what she wanted to do. She said that she did feel she had quality of life still, and that she still had more good days than bad. Dr G is going to lower the chemo dose so that mom hopefully will not end up in the hospital again.

We also found out that when mom enters the hospital with complications or fever, such as before, that there is a chance she may not comehome with us.

Leah went over what would happen if moms disease prgresses to the point that there is nothing that can be done. She said Dr g would tell us,and that we would have the choice of hospital hospice or home hospice. Mom told us that if it gets to that point, she only wants family to see her that way.

I guess the best way to describe it is that I feel kind of numb.

I will still research the possibility of Avastin, but for now, I must enjoy as much time with mom as possible.

Thanks to those who have prayed. The cancer did not spread and that is a blessing.

Anice surprise for mom, was that Christine flew up for the appointment. As I type this, we are all watching movies at the condo, and mom and Christine are sharing a Napoleon Pastry Mom is in good spirits.

Thanks again…love, Michael

Well a lot has changed since the hospital. Mom got out last Monday, and we were all very happy, but when I went up to visit she looked terrible. I couldn’t hold back the tears. It was hard to see her like that. I asked her if she wanted to stop her treatments, and she said there were a couple of things she wanted to look in to. i assured her that no matter what she decided, that we would all support her decision.

I went home feeling pretty sad.

The next day, I went up to Seattle to spend time with her again. This was Wednesday. Imagine how surprised I was to see her and dad getting ready to go swimming!!! Mom said she felt much better after getting a good nights sleep finally. I was so happy to see her motivated and doing well. The next day, mom stayed home at the condo, and when I came up to visit, she said she wanted some excercise, so she walked laps around the condo with me.

Friday, she went with dad to Friday Circle, and had a great time. Thi sweek has been more of the same. she went swimming again tonight with dad, and also to the hot tub.

That brings me to tomorrow…

Mom is having her PET Scan to see if the latest chemo is working. The scan is at 10:30am followed by an appointment ith Dr G to find out the results. We know that if Dr G asks how mom is feeling first, followed by a series of questions, that the news is not going to be good. If the tests are good, he usually says so right away.

Mom has four options, if this chemo has not worked:

1) Go back to the treatment she had for 9 months last year, that at the end of it, she had no lesions.

2) Taxol 25% chance

3) Avastin: Stage 3 trials show effectiveness against Small Cell Lung Cancer

4) Decide not to pursue treatment in the medical way, and leave things in God’s hands.

Tomorrow will be another emotional day. We are hoping and praying for good news.

Thanks for your love and prayers!

Michael