For those of you who have not already heard, mom passed away on January 14th at 7:55 pm. It happened very quickly. We do not know exactly what happened but something went wrong and bleeding began in her brain. As her blood would not clot well, there was nothing that could be done to save her. We were told that she did not suffer.
When she was told that she had leukemia, her initial reaction was that she had lived a wonderful 70 years. She spent her life doing what she loved, teaching. It is a rare thing for someone to have the opportunity to earn a living doing something they love as much as mom loved teaching.
For those of you who prayed for her, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. So far, we are putting one foot in front of the other and trying to cope with this sudden and unexpected loss. Thank you for all you have done for us.
For those of you who are interested, the funeral arrangements are below. The times are a bit unusual but they were arranged specifically to allow any of her wonderful friends in education to attend if they were able.
God Bless you all.
Funeral arrangements:
Tuesday, January 18th
Viewing 4:00 – 6:45 pm Cookeville First United Methodist Church
Funeral Services 7:00 pm Cookeville First United Methodist Church
Wednesday, January 19th
Burial 10:00 am Crest Lawn Cemetery, Cookeville Tennessee
Cookeville First United Methodist Church
165 E. Broad Street
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 526-2177
Crest Lawn Cemetery
800 West Jackson Street
Cookeville, TN
(931) 526-6384
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
A Very Frustrating Week
So it's Thursday night 1/13. I'm at home making this blog, Stephanie is at the hospital with mom, and hopefully dad either is or will soon be at home to sleep in his own bed for the night. Mom continues to be in pain, and we are essentially in a holding pattern... it has been a very frustrating few days.
Essentially, we're waiting for a surgery to install a Hickman Port. This is an advanced type of IV that they will use to administer mom's chemo. Unfortunately, her blood simply hasn't been cooperating. They have tested it three times over the past two days and both times have found issues that required them to postpone the surgery.
Right now, the problem is that her blood will not clot quickly enough for them to feel comfortable doing the surgery. It's not a problem for her lying in bed, but it is for surgery. So, they're trying to give her supplements and medications to fix the problem, but it hasn't worked yet.
Please pray for mom's blood tests to come back in the clear so that we can get on with this.
Essentially, we're waiting for a surgery to install a Hickman Port. This is an advanced type of IV that they will use to administer mom's chemo. Unfortunately, her blood simply hasn't been cooperating. They have tested it three times over the past two days and both times have found issues that required them to postpone the surgery.
Right now, the problem is that her blood will not clot quickly enough for them to feel comfortable doing the surgery. It's not a problem for her lying in bed, but it is for surgery. So, they're trying to give her supplements and medications to fix the problem, but it hasn't worked yet.
Please pray for mom's blood tests to come back in the clear so that we can get on with this.
The Road Ahead
It took several days of tests and consultations to get a clearer picture of the chemotherapy that would help mom recover her health. The hematologist (blood doctor) talked with mom and dad on Tuesday night 1/11 and again when I was there on Wednesday morning 1/12.
I think they identified her leukemia as an acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). I don't have the notebook here, so I will issue a correction if I find I am remembering wrong. I am more certain that they indicated that it was a type M4.
The treatment plan has 3 phases. The overall goal is to kill off all of her body's ability to produce blood cells, then let the body regenerate itself and see if the cells it starts producing are normal. If they are, then she's in remission and should return to good health. If not, then they will try again.
For the first phase, mom will be in the hospital. During Week 1 they administer the chemo drugs. During Week 2, all her own blood cells die. Red cells and platelets can be replaced via IV, but her immunity will be essentially zero, and she will likely require IV feedings and isolation. During Week 3 her body will begin to produce blood cells again. Assuming she achieves remission, then Week 4 should see her regaining her strength.
The second phase consists of 4-6 months of outpatient treatments. Typically, chemo is given 5 consecutive days in the first week. The second week can require hospitalization for IV feeding and isolation.
The third phase (often called maintenance) varies based on her individual needs. Mom will obviously need to be tested regularly to ensure she remains in remission.
I think they identified her leukemia as an acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). I don't have the notebook here, so I will issue a correction if I find I am remembering wrong. I am more certain that they indicated that it was a type M4.
The treatment plan has 3 phases. The overall goal is to kill off all of her body's ability to produce blood cells, then let the body regenerate itself and see if the cells it starts producing are normal. If they are, then she's in remission and should return to good health. If not, then they will try again.
For the first phase, mom will be in the hospital. During Week 1 they administer the chemo drugs. During Week 2, all her own blood cells die. Red cells and platelets can be replaced via IV, but her immunity will be essentially zero, and she will likely require IV feedings and isolation. During Week 3 her body will begin to produce blood cells again. Assuming she achieves remission, then Week 4 should see her regaining her strength.
The second phase consists of 4-6 months of outpatient treatments. Typically, chemo is given 5 consecutive days in the first week. The second week can require hospitalization for IV feeding and isolation.
The third phase (often called maintenance) varies based on her individual needs. Mom will obviously need to be tested regularly to ensure she remains in remission.
Initial Diagnosis
So mom was in the hospital on Saturday 1/8. She was surprisingly weak - to look at she's very petite, but if you know her at all then you understand just how strong and sturdy she normally is. For her to not be able to stand on her own was frightening to all of us. She was still able to sit up and communicate, but she was in constant pain. We all began to understand that something bigger might be happening.
Sunday morning 1/9 came and I wasn't there (my daughter was sick). I have my news second-hand, but what I understand is that mom continued to be very weak and in pain. In the mid afternoon, the doctor came and gave the news we NEVER wanted to hear - mom has an acute form of leukemia. We don't know the specific type yet, but we know we have a longer road to recovery than we hoped. We must trust in God to bring mom back to full health.
Sunday morning 1/9 came and I wasn't there (my daughter was sick). I have my news second-hand, but what I understand is that mom continued to be very weak and in pain. In the mid afternoon, the doctor came and gave the news we NEVER wanted to hear - mom has an acute form of leukemia. We don't know the specific type yet, but we know we have a longer road to recovery than we hoped. We must trust in God to bring mom back to full health.
How it all Started
It started about 2 weeks ago - back during New Years weekend. Mom had been doing some cleaning, with lots of reaching and bending, and her back started hurting. She thought she had just pulled a muscle, and probably didn't tell any of us how much she was really hurting.
Monday 1/3 was her first visit to the doctor. He poked and prodded, and thought he found the muscle she pulled, and recommended pain meds, a muscle relaxant, and rest.
Wednesday 1/5 she was back in his office with bruising and red spots all over her legs. At this point, the doctor feard a negative reaction to one of the meds she was taking, so they drew blood for testing and sent mom home with a steroid and instructions to stop taking the muscle relaxant and (I think) to change her pain med.
Friday 1/7 she went back in, still with heavy bruising and red spots. The blood tests were troubling, so they ordered both more blood tests then and scheduled mom for some tests in the hospital on Monday. They also told her that if things got worse over the weekend that she should call and have herself admitted to the hospital. They also told her to stop taking any meds.
Saturday 1/8 her pain was so bad that she called and was admitted to the hospital. She got there around 9am, was in a temporary room until late afternoon, then got to her own room in time for supper.
Monday 1/3 was her first visit to the doctor. He poked and prodded, and thought he found the muscle she pulled, and recommended pain meds, a muscle relaxant, and rest.
Wednesday 1/5 she was back in his office with bruising and red spots all over her legs. At this point, the doctor feard a negative reaction to one of the meds she was taking, so they drew blood for testing and sent mom home with a steroid and instructions to stop taking the muscle relaxant and (I think) to change her pain med.
Friday 1/7 she went back in, still with heavy bruising and red spots. The blood tests were troubling, so they ordered both more blood tests then and scheduled mom for some tests in the hospital on Monday. They also told her that if things got worse over the weekend that she should call and have herself admitted to the hospital. They also told her to stop taking any meds.
Saturday 1/8 her pain was so bad that she called and was admitted to the hospital. She got there around 9am, was in a temporary room until late afternoon, then got to her own room in time for supper.
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