Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes…….

Here we are…… one YEAR after the diagnosis and almost one year from mom's huge surgery. My stomach turned every time I thought about returning to this blog. It is almost as if blogging brings me back to some of those awful moments we experienced together this year. Some of those my-mom-is-kicking-cancers-ass-but-it-still-hurts-like-hell moments. But then I remembered the purpose of this blog which is to educate those who may need to know more about inter-peritoneal cancer, Dr. Growdon, or moms who kick ass. The other purpose of the blog, besides a therapeutic outlet for myself, is to keep our friends and family up to date on mom's progress. Our family has so much to be grateful for, even since mom's diagnosis on July 6th, 2014. After all here we all are one year later!!! Go mom!

Mom is doing really well. She is a fighter through and through. She beat all the odds when she got through that final round of inter-peritoneal chemo. Only 40% of people complete that final round. Add her to that statistic! We couldn't be more proud. 

Her 6th month check up is on Monday July 27th with Dr. Growdon. We know he will deliver good news. Mom still battles exhaustion and pain on the daily but her biggest battle at the moment is the neuropathy in her feet. Neuropathy is nerve damage, which in this case was caused by chemotherapy. Neuropathy causes tingling, pain, numbness, and weakness of the feet (in mom's case). Walking for extended amounts of time, or taking care of two two-year-olds for a few hours ;) causes moms feet to bloat and be in extreme pain. This limits her to how much standing or walking she can do in a day. We must not forget that she is also extremely limited in the movement of her left hand since her surgery that went bad back in November of 2013! 

Mom's hair decided to grow back WHITE and curly! It is so cute. People compliment her on it all the time because the color is just stunning. She loves it short, but is contemplating keeping the color. What do you guys think? 

This summer has treated us really well. We are all soaking in the time together, the memories and the sun! Last summer was such a wake up call for me. Life is precious. Time flies. Spend time with your family. Until next time…. XOXOXOXO

Sesame Street Live! Our First Outing Post-Chemo

Mom and I took the kids to see Sesame Street Live at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium yesterday. It was a Christmas gift from my brother Matt to the twins. We had an amazing time. What a great show for little ones.  I can't tell you how much I have missed being able to go out with my mom. She did an incredible job considering we were gone from 10-2.  I can only imagine how exhausted she was after our outing, because I was beat. Two two-year-olds will do that to you ;)  I'd say the best part of the day was watching the kids light up with joy when they saw their favorite characters. I'm looking forward to many more shared memories with my mom and my kiddos. Life is precious. Take it all in.

 

Did mom tell you we surprised her with a family trip to Florida in April?!?!? Cocoa Beach here we come! More on that later…… 

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! 

May 2015 bring you joy and good health. 

Family, food, and traditions

Mom has had an awesome few days. She is feeling good and has a good amount of energy. On Sunday we brought the twins to see the Santa parade in Dunstable. We had a blast! Paige got SO excited when she saw Santa on the big fire engine and Jonathan has been talking about it for the last two days. We followed Santa to the Fire Station where the kids enjoyed a snack and juice, and got a gift from Santa. Growing up I hated being from a small town. I always dreamed of what life would be like in the big city. I would tell my mom that Dunstable was too boring and that everyone was too similar. It is amazing how times have changed because I would now do almost anything to raise my kids in Dunstable. It is such a loving, cozy, small community. If only Joe would cross state lines back into MA! Hoping one day I'll persuade him! Anyways, it was so wonderful to see mom out and about with the kids. The joy they bring her is palpable. Joe treated us to a huge home cooked  turkey dinner after the parade. Overall, a perfect family day!

If her counts are good, Mom starts her final round of chemotherapy tomorrow! Please send good vibes, love, strength, prayer, hopes, wishes, good thoughts, karma, anything you got! ONE. MORE. ROUND. I couldn't be more proud of my Momma.

XO
Amy

Thankful

Well everyone, we did it.... we helped mom gain 4lbs heading into her 4th round of chemo. And because of her strength and determination she is officially.......

I can not tell you how excited I am to see that 80. This round was certainly a lot harder than the rest. Mom is getting tired emotionally, physically and mentally. She was unexpectedly admitted to MGH a day before day 8 of cycle 4. The only way to explain what she was feeling was exhausted. She needed some TLC, rest, some hydration and some around-the-clock care from the amazing MGH nursing staff. All of  her labs came back "normal" with no risk of infection. Her electrolytes were a little low suggesting that she was dehydrated and in need of some extra fluid. 24 hours later and she was ready to complete cycle 4. She continues to amaze us! Only 40% of women that go through this treatment make it through 5 rounds of IP chemotherapy. She is done with 4 and we are PRAYING she makes it through all 5.

Mom came home from cycle 4 on Thanksgiving day. Since she was diagnosed with her cancer she has expressed her wish for her family to be together on this very special day. Cousins, aunts, grandchildren, grandparents, sons, daughters, uncles and neighbors gathered in Dunstable on Thursday and we had a great time. Mom was awake and in good spirits all day. She had a good appetite and a good amount of energy. The snow storm caused us to lose power until late Thursday afternoon but everything came together just perfectly. Thank you to everyone who joined us.

After a great day on Thursday, mom had a horrible Friday night. For the first time since August she threw up. It seems that the chemo is just taking a harder toll on her this round. Dr. Growdon explained that it doesn't necessarily mean that round 5 will be as hard, but the chemo is cumulative and it is not unusual for each treatment to gets harder. Given the curve balls that this cycle threw us, I decided to submit my FMLA paperwork in case I have to take some leave from work this month. I will do anything to get mom through round 5 and I know she will too.

It has been a long 4 months for our family and we would not have made it without the endless love, support, prayers, food, company, rides, flowers, gifts, house organizers, christmas-tree-decorators, etc. We love you all and appreciate everything you have done. If all goes well, mom will be done chemo the week before Christmas. How awesome of a gift would that be?

Until next time,
XO
Amy

3 done…. 2 to go!

Hi everyone, we are in the thick of it now. Mom has completed 3 out of 5 cycles of chemo. Hooray for 60%!!! Dr. Growdon has asked that everyone pulls the reins in tight and continues to support mom as she gets through the hardest, most tiring, two cycles. Chemotherapy is cumulative and every cycle gets harder and harder, making mom more tired than ever. When we first began this journey Dr. Growdon explained that some people make it through 3 cycles of IP chemo, few make it through 4 and very few make it through 5. I think this is a testament to how strong mom really is. We all know that she will make it through all 5. She is finally recovering from her 3+ week battle with a cold, just in time to head in for the beginning of cycle 4 next Tuesday. 

I never understood the importance of getting the flu shot until I gave birth to two premature babies who had to spend time in the NICU. The flu shot does not only protect you and your loved ones, but it also protects those with compromised immune systems. Mom is one of those people right now, and for this reason I ask you to get the flu shot before going anywhere near her.

Here we come cycle 4!

Love,
Amy

The big 4-0!

Well, here we are at 40% completion. I wish I could sound more excited, but if I'm being honest it has been a long road, and I'm not even the one in pain. We all can't wait for that number to say 100%!! Mom is doing well but has come down with some sort of bug. She had a temp of 99 on Saturday but is doing much better today. Sniffles, sore throat, cough. I guess no matter how careful we are germs still manage to sneak in. Please continue to wash carefully and stay far far away if you are sick. Many viruses are contagious to others for days after your last symptoms.

Auntie Maryanne made a surprise visit with cupcakes and chicken soup for mom this morning. There is no love like that of a sister. It has been really sweet to see Mom and Auntie together so often. Thanks for everything Auntie. Sisters by chance, friends by choice. <3 Mom loved the chicken soup and even ate a cupcake. Her appetite has been really awesome this week. We are hoping she puts on a few pounds before her next round of chemo on October 28.

Mom's goal this week is to get herself a pedicure. She hasn't been out of the house/hospital a lot and she is feeling "sick of being sick". I think getting her out over the next couple weeks will do wonders for her psyche. Unfortunately she has to avoid most public places because of germs and illness. Anyone want to drive Miss Jeanne around? I remember when I was on hospital bed rest with the twins all I wanted to do was breathe fresh air. The nurses would laugh at me. "Your only wish is fresh air?!?!" YES! Being cooped up is the worst especially people with busy little minds! ;)

Anyways, I hope you all are enjoying this beautiful New England foliage! We sure are.

Until next time,
XO
Amy

Round Two of IV/IP Chemo

Hi Everyone!
Mom is undergoing her second round of IV/IP chemo at Mass General tonight. She has her absolute favorite nurse Brianna and is in great spirits.  She will be staying for two nights because of the length of the chemotherapy treatment. I did not get in to see her today, but I'm happy to report that she had plenty of company. Thank you to dad (as always), Sharon G, Amanda and Kaitlin for being by her side. The twins and I Facetimed her tonight around dinner. She looked great in her sparkly blue cap! If anyone knows anyone who needs a cute cap for chemo we would highly recommend The Abbey Cap. It is sold on Amazon, comes in a million different colors, and is very comfortable. Mom has the blue one with sparkles and everyone just loves it.

Abbey Cap Seen here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H3WDVCW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I had to make some changes to the meal schedule. Please check them out here:
http://www.takethemameal.com/meals.php?t=LNDN4634&v=935abd7169

Thanks to Reilley H. for an awesome lasagna meal tonight!

It is truly amazing how a warm meal can lift someone's spirits. Thank you all so, SO much.

Until Next Time,
XO,
AMY