Things are just humming along out here in Colorado. My next CA125 (tumor marker) will be on October 30th followed by chemo on November 1st. I’ll do an update when I have the results. Otherwise, I am recovering very well from the gallbladder episode with only minimal abdominal discomfort these days. Actually, Paul and I went to the gym this a.m. for the first time in months. It felt really good although I was careful not to strain anything of importance.

I wanted to share a couple of photos of our other two, beautiful granddaughters (Beth’s girls), Mae (1) and Ila (4 ).

 

One especially difficult thought for me has been that I wouldn’t be around to see our grandchildren start school. Well, Vivian is now in kindergarden and Ila starts next fall ... I’ll be here for sure!

The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it.   C.C. Scott

Love you all,
Big Giant Grandma Nysh

Brief update from Mom and the latest of the girls!

I continue the slow recovery process from my gallbladder surgery. I’ve been surprised at how painful it still is at times. Some really good news to celebrate: my CA125 went from 291 seven weeks ago to 261 last week. This is not a huge drop, but as my oncologist said, it could have gone up because of the recent surgery and the inflammation that accompanies it, so we’ll take it! I had my fourth round of chemo last week as well with minimal side effects: fatigue and some loss of appetite.

A special thanks to our British friends, Roger and Carol, who came over to visit from France. It was a wonderful week and hopefully, we’ll be going to see them next time around.

Otherwise, all is quiet on the Western Front ...

Love,
Nyshie

from Mom ...

Ok.  I’ve decided I definitely have a target painted on my back.  Feeling good, had a great summer, beautiful fall, just getting started with a visit with my mom and wham ... my gallbladder?  What the …
As you know, the surgery went fine, I was discharged home this past Monday and am starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel.  Saw the surgeon this a.m., who removed the staples and everything looks good so far.  We also saw the oncologist, who recommended that I wait 2 more weeks before resuming chemo. That’s about it for now.

I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.   -  

Maya Angelou

My Mother Lucretia with baby Nyshie & Vivian

should be home ...........

Hi,

I'm still in Mississippi with the girls, so this will be brief.

Talked to Mom this a.m.  She sounded really good.  In a lot of pain but discharge papers were signed.  She is probably home by now and resting, hopefully.

The girls and I fly home tomorrow so I'll post tomorrow night or Wed.  But, just recovery time now.  They'll be watching her white count closely so she can start chemo relatively soon.



Thanks for all the love,
Maggie

more from Maggie

Hi,

Paul called this morning and said that Mom had turned the corner.  :)

She was feeling better, took a shower, felt like going home, etc.  But, as things tend to go, she changed her mind as the day went on.  I talked to her this afternoon and she was really worn out and still in quite a bit of pain.  The discharge plan is still for Monday.


Night,
M.

from Maggie

I talked to Mom briefly mid-morning.  She sounded okay.  The PT had come by yesterday and got her up in a chair, which she said was beyond brutal.  The dilaudid pain pump had started giving her head aches so they were switching her to morphine.  She sounded a bit blah, understandably. 

I'm in Mississippi with the girls.  Ben flew in too and our cousin Li'l Nysh.  We're having a mini-reunion with my Aunt Liz and Grandma Lu and Mom is supposed to be here with us.  So, instead she is having to deal with all of this.  YUCK!  To say the least .....


I'll try to post more later.

M.

yesterday's news from Paul ...

Sorry all, I was travelling yesterday and didn't get on my computer. 

Here is the update from Paul from yesterday ....

"I left the hospital about 5am this morning (Thursday). She was awake and in her room but in significant pain —“10”. She was in recovery an extended amount of time because they couldn’t get her pain under control but her vitals were stable. The nurses said they weren’t afraid to give her max doses of pain meds so hopefully she will be more comfortable soon. For the last month or so she has “not felt quite right”, has not been hungry, nauseous off and on, and losing weight. We of course, thought it was the chemo, but it was the gall bladder heating up. When we were in MD Anderson they did tell us she had three gall stones but “they are not blocking anything so not to worry.” When we got to the ER last night they ordered multiple tests (many of which she had had the night before in Bay St Louis). Then the surgeon came down and took a look at the black and white Nysh had been given of the CT scan and he cancelled all the tests and said to just move her to pre-op. Young surgeon with a good bed side manner so we were comfortable. The gall bladder was about 5-6 times its normal size so they had to open her up to take it out.—“a big, bloody, infected mess” as he described it. Said there were no surprises and that the tumors he saw were about pea size. I am so glad she was able to get back from MS. I suspect the Dr.s there are happy as well. So, now if we can just avoid the complications. They immediately put her on antibiotics before the surgery hoping to avoid all the infections we have encountered in the past. They did not have a private room on the surgical floor so she has a room-mate who snores so she feels just like home except she is too far away to elbow. The room is very cramped with no place for a guest to sleep so I won’t be crashing there at night. She has a drain in the wound which he said should come out in a couple of days and then home in a couple more if all goes well. As social as she is, she may enjoy the company of a roomy. Nursing staff seemed competent and attentive so I am feeling ok at this point. I am training CCL this week and they are covering for me today. I work half day tomorrow and then am off until next Wed. I may cancel next week depending on how things go. They are just great and say “just go, just go, quit hanging around here.” They are better at kicking me off the job than I am.
I just called her oncologist's office to tell them what is happening and was told she had called first thing this morning to let them know and to cancel and reschedule her chemo for next week. –I think she will be fine.

Came to the hospital around noon (Thursday). She was awake and somewhat alert. Sleeping off and on but seems so less ill than any of the other times she has been in the hospital. Not so frightening this time and her pain is under control although of course she does hurt. Dr. said all looked good. Also, said when he looked at her intestines he can’t believe they work at all. – just a mass of scar tissue.

I will keep you informed and thanks for your support. We all feel very loved and supported by each of you."


Paul