Mom's white blood cell count climbed steadily last week (from 0.8 to 3.9), so that is a very good sign. She is still feeling great; she volunteered again yesterday. Today we go to Dr. Rixe in Cincinnati for a consult. He was worried about the low numbers, so hopefully this gain will put his mind at ease and we can move forward. We will know this afternoon what the next steps will be. Stay tuned!
Three cheers,
jk
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Numbers Low, Spirits High
So mom's blood work numbers were a little off this week (low white cell blood count), but you wouldn't have known it from the way she has been feeling. This week alone, she has gone for a two mile hike, attended Julie Rubio's yoga (with dad!!!), volunteered for the Prince of Peace auction, fixed a beautiful chicken soup with rice, and today she is off to Clifty for a Thimbleberries retreat with her sister, Jane. Whew! It's exhausting just to type all that. But as long as Mom has her nap each day, she is full of energy.
Dr. Rixe was a little concerned about the numbers, so we are planning to meet with him next week and go over next steps. Because of the rarity of her tumor (fewer than a hundred people in the United States are currently affected by a SNUC), treatments are very individualized. So we will see how it goes next Wednesday. In the meantime, I hope you are all well and enjoying this little burst of sunshine we have had. Spring will come, after all!
Much love,
jk
Dr. Rixe was a little concerned about the numbers, so we are planning to meet with him next week and go over next steps. Because of the rarity of her tumor (fewer than a hundred people in the United States are currently affected by a SNUC), treatments are very individualized. So we will see how it goes next Wednesday. In the meantime, I hope you are all well and enjoying this little burst of sunshine we have had. Spring will come, after all!
Much love,
jk
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Guest Post from Ryan Vande Water
This is from Ryan, my parents' Godson:
Hello Everyone!
I wanted to write a little bit to tell you about something that our family has added to our daily routine for Ms Rosie. But first, some background. When I was talking to Paul and Rosie a couple weeks ago, they mentioned that they had read an article in the paper about Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and the miracle that had most recently been attributed to her. (the healing of Phil McCord) I told them that when I had heard of Rosie's tumor, I had immediately asked for Mother Guerin's intercession... mostly because I knew that she had interceded for other people with tumors, and also when her remains were exhumed, her brain was found to be intact... after 50 years! Julianne and I have a special connection to Saint Theodora... Julianne was a student at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (founded by St Theodora) and her shrine is currently located in the church where we got married.
(If you haven't heard of Saint Theodora, you can find more information here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%C3%A9odore_Gu%C3%A9rin
I know that there are probably a lot of you out there who have felt the same way as our family: We would love to help more, but how? Well, let me give you an idea. Our family has added a small prayer to our evening dinner blessing. It's very simple, easy to remember, and doesn't ask for much. After we bless our food, we add 7 simple words: "Mother Guerin, please pray for Ms Rosie." Of course, you can say more! But this one is easy for the kids to remember and understand.
I hope that you'll join our family in this simple prayer.
Regards,
Ryan Vande Water
PS. For non-Catholic readers of the blog, I've included links to how saints are "made" and why Catholics say prayers of intercession to saints.
More information on the canonization process:
Why Catholics pray to saints:
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Chemo: Course Three, Round One, Day Two
Hello everyone,
I hope you are all well and warm this first day of February. The worst of the storms seem to have passed us over here in Madison, so Mom and Dad had no trouble getting to Cincinnati yesterday. They arrived on time for an early start (8am!) for Mom's first dose. Everything went smoothly, and when I spoke to them yesterday, she had taken a nap on the sun porch, and they were catching up on the blog and enjoying all the comments (and of course my witty prose). She said she feels good-- a moment of "chemo stupor" here and there, but those only last a second or two and then she's feeling fine again.
Somehow, despite the fact that she is out of town, she is still managing to take care of everyone else. Example: she had made dinner for us Sunday night, but we were under the weather, so she saved it. Yesterday, she was directing me from afar, describing each container and its state of preparation, listing out cooking and reheating instructions. So tonight we had dinner courtesy of Ms. Rosie (and a few others too, I suspect ;) ): ham, sweet potatoes, salad. My kids loved it. But they missed their Gram and Pa. We went up to check on Casey Jones and Marley this morning, and Esphyr was quite upset to find her grandparents gone. "Where are Grandma and Grandpa?" she kept repeating. When she finally understood that they were in Cincinnati at the doctor, she consoled herself with: "They will come back. They WILL come back."
One more day and they will! Go, Mama, go!
Cheers,
jk
I hope you are all well and warm this first day of February. The worst of the storms seem to have passed us over here in Madison, so Mom and Dad had no trouble getting to Cincinnati yesterday. They arrived on time for an early start (8am!) for Mom's first dose. Everything went smoothly, and when I spoke to them yesterday, she had taken a nap on the sun porch, and they were catching up on the blog and enjoying all the comments (and of course my witty prose). She said she feels good-- a moment of "chemo stupor" here and there, but those only last a second or two and then she's feeling fine again.
Somehow, despite the fact that she is out of town, she is still managing to take care of everyone else. Example: she had made dinner for us Sunday night, but we were under the weather, so she saved it. Yesterday, she was directing me from afar, describing each container and its state of preparation, listing out cooking and reheating instructions. So tonight we had dinner courtesy of Ms. Rosie (and a few others too, I suspect ;) ): ham, sweet potatoes, salad. My kids loved it. But they missed their Gram and Pa. We went up to check on Casey Jones and Marley this morning, and Esphyr was quite upset to find her grandparents gone. "Where are Grandma and Grandpa?" she kept repeating. When she finally understood that they were in Cincinnati at the doctor, she consoled herself with: "They will come back. They WILL come back."
One more day and they will! Go, Mama, go!
Cheers,
jk
Friday, January 21, 2011
The Latest
Hello all,
Happy snow days! Mom's appointment with Dr. Rixe this past Wednesday went very well. One of his fellow's who hadn't seen Mom in a while was super impressed with her strength and how well she is doing. So that was nice!
As for next steps, her white blood cell count was a tiny bit low, so rather than start the next course Monday as planned, she will start the following week instead. That will give her a chance to be in the best shape possible for the treatments.
She'll have another MRI before then just so they can see the latest status of the tumor. Judging by how well she has been feeling and how much energy she's had, I would have to wager that the treatments are working. What a blessing! We are enjoying every minute with our sweet Rosie.
Love to all,
jk
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Good Times
Hello, all,
Mom continues to do well. She went to church this Sunday and really enjoyed it. Her respiratory infection seems to have cleared up completely. She took a great walk Sunday afternoon (and even felt a little soreness in her legs as a result-- she got a workout!). They went to Marriage Encounter at the Schroeder's Sunday night. And she was hanging out with us much of the day yesterday (after getting her blood work in the morning). Sonny stayed with Grandma and Grandpa while I took Esphyr for her two year well check, and they played Sorry (several games) and ate all manner of delicious soups. When we got back, Esphyr joined the Sorry game and decided she wanted to "stay with Gram" when I went home. Sonny of course was in agreement. But, since it was nap time for all involved, we went home. :)
Yesterday evening, they paid us a quick visit at our downtown house, so Mom has really been getting out and feeling great. And Dad is doing well, too. They are having lots of good time together, and in between times, Dad even gets to work a little. (haha) He is also excited that the Chestnuts are back in action. We've been making music again, which is fun.
Tomorrow they go to Cincinnati for a consult with Dr. Rixe, at which time they will make plans for the next phase. She has completed her second full course of chemo, so now it will be a matter of deciding whether to repeat a similar course or try something new. Not sure if she will be getting another MRI at this time. I guess we will find out tomorrow. Stay tuned! And stay warm.
Be well,
jk
Mom continues to do well. She went to church this Sunday and really enjoyed it. Her respiratory infection seems to have cleared up completely. She took a great walk Sunday afternoon (and even felt a little soreness in her legs as a result-- she got a workout!). They went to Marriage Encounter at the Schroeder's Sunday night. And she was hanging out with us much of the day yesterday (after getting her blood work in the morning). Sonny stayed with Grandma and Grandpa while I took Esphyr for her two year well check, and they played Sorry (several games) and ate all manner of delicious soups. When we got back, Esphyr joined the Sorry game and decided she wanted to "stay with Gram" when I went home. Sonny of course was in agreement. But, since it was nap time for all involved, we went home. :)
Yesterday evening, they paid us a quick visit at our downtown house, so Mom has really been getting out and feeling great. And Dad is doing well, too. They are having lots of good time together, and in between times, Dad even gets to work a little. (haha) He is also excited that the Chestnuts are back in action. We've been making music again, which is fun.
Tomorrow they go to Cincinnati for a consult with Dr. Rixe, at which time they will make plans for the next phase. She has completed her second full course of chemo, so now it will be a matter of deciding whether to repeat a similar course or try something new. Not sure if she will be getting another MRI at this time. I guess we will find out tomorrow. Stay tuned! And stay warm.
Be well,
jk
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
First Update of 2011
Mom is doing great after her most recent round of chemo. She went into it with a bit of a cold, which worsened after she returned home from Cincinnati. Dr. Rixe called in a Z-Pack for her and that seemed to help a lot. We got to hang out with her last night and she looked and sounded much better. We had pizza for dinner and then she played Crazy Eights with Sonny. She had been busy earlier in the day, too. Rather than nap, she helped my dad assemble juggle ball sets for his Western Kentucky tour this week. She folded several loads of laundry, too!
As we were leaving, her sister Jane was on her way from North Vernon for a sister slumber party. :) Life is good!
As we were leaving, her sister Jane was on her way from North Vernon for a sister slumber party. :) Life is good!
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