Tuesday, January 20, 2009

I know there's a connection here, but WHERE??

First: My sister is doing well. She has her first chemotherapy on Tuesday. I have posted a link at the top of this blog page to her "caringbridge" site where I frequently post updates.


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This morning on the way to Gram and Pap's I was explaining to Gabi about the importance of today:

Mommy: Did you know that today is a monumental day in American history?

Gabi: Why?

Mommy: Because a "brown man" (as she calls him) is becoming President for the very first time.

Gabi: (dismissively) Cool.

pause

pause

Gabi: Do you think sharks eat brown people too, or just white people?


HUH??? WHAT???

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Unsolicited Advice A La Gabi

Walking out the door this morning at 6:30am....

Gabi: [Looks me up and down a time or two] "Your nose is a little bit too crooked for those boots. But don't worry Mommy, you'll grow into it."

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Sister at Sister's

Still at Sister's Hospital with my sister. I have put a link at the top of the blog entries that goes directly to her Caringbridge site where we post more frequently.

Today is Saturday. We have been here since Thursday. Mom and I have been staying at Hope Lodge which is a gorgeously restored mansion that the American Cancer Society supports. It's such a gift. We are truly only there to sleep and shower. We have been getting in from hospital at 10pm and are right back here by 8:30am.

Unfortunately, the surgery to remove her lymph nodes did indicate that the cancer had spread to them. Two were very large and infested with the cancer. The others were positive, but not as obvious.

This puts her at Stage IIIC Ovarian and Stage IIIC Uterine Cancers. I keep repeating that IIIC in my head. That's what Aunt Annette was. IIIC. Eighteen months and three days after her diagnosis she was gone.

The Dr. assures us that although it is IIIC each case is different. We must remember that.

As I sit here watching her sleeping, I can't imagine the hell that lies before her. She is so brave. I myself would need to be restrained given my "love" of medical procedures that IGNITES my panic attacks to the Nth DEGREE!! I would still trade places with her.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Surgery

Surgery to remove lymph nodes is Thursday January 8, 2009. Updates then.
xxxooo

Monday, January 5, 2009

Dr's Dr's Dr's

Last night Mom, Gidget, and I headed to the Millennium Hotel in Buffalo so that we would be close by for today's 7:00am appointment with the Gynecologic Oncologist. This was the appointment we had been anxiously anticipating as we prepared ourselves to hear the results of the recent CT/PET scan, as well as the findings of the in-depth review of her pathology slides from the hysterectomy.

Today we learned this:

--She has two forms of cancer- uterine and ovarian.

--The PET scan was "positive" which means that cancer was present in her lymph nodes.

--There was also evidence of cancer on her fallopian tubes.

The plan is:

--Another surgery ASAP (within 10 days) to remove her lymph nodes. This will allow for precise staging of the cancer as well.

--Chemotherapy

--Radiation Therapy

It's all so much to swallow. It's just a nightmare with no escape upon awakening.

We did have some "mandatory fun" (per my demands) at the hotel last night. We swam, ate big slices of chocolate cake, mighty taco, and watched Desperate Housewives snuggled up in bed. I think we even forgot that mandatory part for awhile!

Friday, January 2, 2009

Crib Time


Gabi, Allie, and Mackenzy 1994


Cullen and Ellie Jan 1, 2009

I couldn't resist getting this shot of the twins when they were in Ellie's crib yesterday. Took me back to thier big sisters hanging out in there.