July 29,2011

Ruth/Mom/Grammy saw both of her oncologists this week. Her radiation oncologist, Dr. Barker, continues to be impressed/amazed with her lack of complaining about the side effects she is enduring. Her neck and throat are raw, yet when asked how she is doing, she says "okay." She uses no painkillers as she says the pain and discomfort are bearable. Dr. Barker has a doctor from UT Southwestern in Dallas working with him this month, and he too is impressed with mom.

Mom also saw her chemotherapy oncologist, Dr. Nugent, this week. You remember him? The one who didn't think she could endure the treatments at her age?  His comments to Mom this week were "you're amazing" and "you're incredible." He also said "I (meaning himself, Dr. Nugent) worry too much" but I know now that although he is much different than Dr. Barker in his "bedsid manner", he too has mom's best interests at heart. I think he learned a valuable lesson, though, to not just look at the person's chronological age on paper as that is not a true indicator as to how someone will tolerate treatment.

Now for the slightly negative aspects of her treatment. Mom continues to lose weight, but she and I are working on a plan to keep it at its current level or, God willing, to gain back a few pounds. Her biggest trouble swallowing is the excess mucus brought about by the radiation treatments which makes it difficult for her to swallow some foods and liquids. Yes, we have started using her feeding tube, but she also continues to eat soft foods and drink milk shakes to make sure her throat remembers how to swallow after the treatments are over.

The other negative is the burn on the side of her neck from the radiation. It is getting very ugly, raw, and painful. She puts her radiation cream on it, but even the act of touching the cream to the burn is painful. With that said, she doesn't complain about it. She just endures it.

So, with the posting of this blog, Mom has 7 more radiation treatments and 1 more chemotherapy treatment left!  Woo hoo! 

KEEP PRAYING!!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

July 16, 2011

Ruth/Mom/Grammy is now halfway through her 35 radiation treatments and she continues to receive chemotherapy once a week. She is doing great and she continues to amaze the doctors. Dr. Barker called her his "Poster Child" this week for how she is enduring radiation. Her throat is red, but she doesn't complain about it, and she continues to gargle/swish with a prescription mouthwash to help with the radiation side effects. Food has either lost its tastes or tastes wrong, but she continues to make herself eat and she has only lost a pound or two depending on which office is weighing her. Her skin on the outside of her throat is not bothering her, but she has lotion from the doctor if it does. When Susan, Dr. Nugent's PA, looked over her lab report this week, she said that over time, her lab results have improved instead of worsening.

I hope all of you out there who are reading this and praying for Ruth/Mom/Grammy understand the power of prayer and how your prayers are helping her endure the treatements and holding her up throughout them.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE KEEP PRAYING, especially as we get into the second half of of her radiation treatments! 

July 7, 2011

Ruth/Mom/Grammy has now had 12 radiation treatments with 23 to go.  She is tolerating the radiation well, and Dr. Barker is amazed at how well she is doing. The worst part for her is the small ache the radiation table sometimes causes in her back. Her weight is staying fairly consistent, and she continues to eat normally and does not use her feeding tube for nutrition. She cleans it with water every 3 days, and it is ready if she needs it. Dr. Nugent decided to continue her chemotherapy regimen since she is doing so well, and of course the tumor will shrink more quickly if she can tolerate and continue the chemo at the same time she has radiation. She goes once a week for infusion and the worst part is sitting in the waiting room for long stretches waiting to be called back for labwork or to see the PA or doctor. The chemotherapy has caused a sore in Mom's mouth that annoys her but doesn't keep her from eating. Mom said the reason she is doing so well is because of all your prayers, and I agree. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your continued prayers.