So Soon

Mama will be having her #5 out of 6 treatments tomorrow. It was supposed to be Friday, but since she would already be at the West as I so fondly call it they asked if she would like to go ahead and get it over with. They will be dropping 1 of her 3 medicines (paraplatin) and they are hoping this keeps her from getting so sick. We can only dream she will sail through these next 2 rounds with only being a little tired and of she is a little sick we can handle that. I pray this round she can stay at home and rest and not have to spend so much time at the hospital. 

Good news is after this she only has 1 more round!!!! How funny is it that I am already looking forward to her next round because after that everything feels like it will be a cake walk. She still has surgery and radiation to get through, but she is a tough cookie and she will sail right through those next 2 steps. 

You know what I am going to ask now. Lots and lots of praying. Just like I taught my babies this week it doesn't have to be a big prayer, but maybe just stop for a second. Close your eyes. And just be quiet for a moment. 

 Mckinley says thank you!

Sharing Is Caring

I know I do some updates on my Mama here on my blog, but today she asked me if I would set up a CaringBridge
site for her friends to be able to check. I will be posting updates on mom's treatment and recovery here as well as her site and I will periodically post links to the website here and on facebook in case anyone needs it.

Today has been a good day. We are watching a movie and just had a little lunch which if you knew how sick Mama has been the past few days you would know that is pretty awesome!

Please send her prayers for her next round of chemo. We are hoping the Dr's. are even more vigilant than they have been and we can keep her from getting so dehydrated which seems to be what is keeping her so sick.

Thank you to everyone who has prayed, sent flowers, treats, cards, meals, or done anything else for our family over these past few months.

If you ever have a friend or loved one going through anything like this the most important things I have learned that you can do are

1. Don't hover over them, but check in on them. Mom likes having company, but just talking wears her out so we chat for a bit, but I try to leave her alone until she asks for me.
2. Easy freezer meals that aren't spicy, greasy, rich, and are nutritious are the best thing you can fix for a family in need of feeding. Mom may not be able to eat everything everyone fixes, but this has been a wonderful resource for dad and Jen. this may be the #1 thing you can do for a family in need, but check and make sure they aren't overwhelmed with meals. Mom's friends have coordinated a schedule which has been awesome.
3. Helping out around the house while you visit might not seem like much, but just cleaning off a counter or emptying the dishwasher can be a huge help to a family experiencing illness.

The biggest thing you can do for someone in need is of course to pray for them which I believe with all my heart works.

Simple Thanks

For our restful sleep at night,

For the rain and sunshine bright,

For the love that Thou dost send,

For our homes and for each friend,

For the day and all its pleasures,

Grateful thanks I render now.

May our lives pass on the blessings,

None can give to us, but Thou.

Amen.

A Moment

If I have said it before I have said it a million times. I really don't know what I would do without my precious husband. 

Right now I am taking a break from Parent Orientation work, Baby Girl, The House, Life. Just for a moment. I have sequestered myself in our tiny bedroom and I am quietly listening to some Beatle's music on Pandora and writing. Brent and Mckinley are playing in the den and from the sound of it they are having a pretty good time. I swear she only screams and fusses for someone to hold her when i am around. She is such a nut. he even got up with when Mckinley woke up last night around 1 he took her out in the den to wear her out a little and let me get a little sleep. 

I just need a minute to write and think and thankfully I am lucky that my husband has my tired back.

I haven't had a chance to write about what is going on with Mama, but she is in need of  a lot of prayers right now. We really thought she had this past round beat until she suddenly got very sick. My Dad and Sister ended up having to call 9-1-1 because they could not get her to the hospital by themselves and she has been there since Wednesday night. I honestly am not even sure if that i the right day. My days and nights feel so mixed up right now I honestly had to look back at the calendar to make sure. She is in a lot of pain and it breaks my heart to see her like this. My Sister has been an angel and has been staying the night with her which I know isn't pleasant because no matter how you try sleeping in a hospital room those couches are never comfortable.  Aunt Debbie has also been amazing and spent the first night with Mama and I think she will spend tomorrow morning with her. Daddy has been trying to get a little work done when he can and he spends most of his time with Mama and is there right now. I went up yesterday and spent a few hours with her which wasn't long enough for me. It kills me that inservice and school is starting because I can't be there like I was after rounds 1 and 2. 

So that is where we are right now. My Mama is very sick and needs every prayer we can send to her. Please pray for the doctors to figure out how to get her feeling better. Pray for 2 and not 3 more rounds of chemo. Pray for God to give her strength to get through all of this and feel better. Pray for my family and give us the strength to do everything we can for her. 

O Saint Peregrine, you who have been called "The Wonder-Worker" because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you, who for so many years bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more: you who were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction, ask of God and Our Lady the cure of these sick persons whom we entrust to you. Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing praise to God for His great goodness and mercy. Amen.