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Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Katie's plan...
As much as I want to be there to help and watch over my mom, my husband needs me home some times. So for now, while my mom is still strong I am home with Eric and the kids in Washington. It's hard to be here when I feel needed there,and hard to be there when my husband is here. So I go where I am most needed. I plan to go back to Ashton in a few weeks, for the end of the treatments. That's when most people get really sick and tired and need help. For now, I need you Ashton-ites to be eyes, ears, and hands. Please tell me if you see a need that is not being met so I can make arrangements. Please let me know if there is something you would like to do to help, but are unsure. Please contact me with questions or concerns. Also, if you see that things are worse than I realize, please let me know so I can come sooner.
One more thought. Your kind words and letters of encouragement will be the best support. The only thing better is your prayers.
Chemo/Radiation Take Two
It's been a while since I gave you all an update, but there hasn't been much to tell. Surgery went well. After about ten days of recovery Kathy started chemotherapy and radiation treatments yesterday, March 7. She is doing chemotherapy at home and radiation daily in Idaho Falls. She is so tough! Her attitude and spirits are great. Please keep her in your prayers though, as this is a very physically challenging time for her.
The plan, for now anyways, is to do this chemotherapy and radiation for 5-6 weeks and then have a recovery time before another surgery, followed by more chemotherapy.
It us critical during chemotherapy that she be kept healthy, and her resistance will be dramatically weakened. If you are sick or you kids are suck, please be very aware and do what you can to keep the whole Anderson family healthy. Thank-you
The plan, for now anyways, is to do this chemotherapy and radiation for 5-6 weeks and then have a recovery time before another surgery, followed by more chemotherapy.
It us critical during chemotherapy that she be kept healthy, and her resistance will be dramatically weakened. If you are sick or you kids are suck, please be very aware and do what you can to keep the whole Anderson family healthy. Thank-you
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Friday, February 18, 2011
The Sick Kids
In our way here we woke up sick in Boise, with coughs, fevers, and stuffy noses. My mom said come anyway, and so we drugged up and came. Eric woke up with a fever on Wednesday, so joined the sick house. Then James came home from ski club with a fever, so he joined us, too. Thursday the rest of us were done with our fevers. Kate still coughs, I have a head ache, Eli is becoming known to me as another boy, and Eric seems great. However James is getting worse. Do this morning he woke up with a fever of 104.8, so we hurried and went to the clinic in town where he tested positive for influenza a. Yucky. He is miserable. He is quarantined to his room and on the best drugs we can get for him. He will be sick for at least a week, probably two or three. Please add him to the long prayer list. My mom can't come home until everyone is healthy.
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The Procedure
The procedure went very well. In fact, they said up to three hours, and finished in just over one. They looked around at her liver and abdominal cavity and they all look great, which means the cancer hasn't spread anywhere. They did what they needed to do. My mom was up this morning feeling good. Happy day! Now we need prayers that the rest of us will get better so she can come home!
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Tuesday, February 15, 2011
My Gratitude
Hang in there with me as I make one more post that I feel is very important.
I have been sitting all the way over there in Washington wishing I was here helping and taking care of everything. I have been so worried about my mom getting where she needs to be and the kids getting to all their stuff and dinner and a clean house and all that stuff that gets so hard when you are sick. Now that I am here I feel like all my worry was in vain. People have dropped everything to drive my mom to the many appointments she has. Friends and parents of friends have driven way out through the snow to pick up and drop off kids from all the many activities these crazy kids do. The kitchen is over flowing with leftovers from the wonderful dinners that people keep bringing, and the fabulous deserts. People have been so good to my family. I don't know how to show my gratitude to all of you kind people. Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU! We have been in need, and you have helped us. Bless you, and thank you again.
I have been sitting all the way over there in Washington wishing I was here helping and taking care of everything. I have been so worried about my mom getting where she needs to be and the kids getting to all their stuff and dinner and a clean house and all that stuff that gets so hard when you are sick. Now that I am here I feel like all my worry was in vain. People have dropped everything to drive my mom to the many appointments she has. Friends and parents of friends have driven way out through the snow to pick up and drop off kids from all the many activities these crazy kids do. The kitchen is over flowing with leftovers from the wonderful dinners that people keep bringing, and the fabulous deserts. People have been so good to my family. I don't know how to show my gratitude to all of you kind people. Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU! We have been in need, and you have helped us. Bless you, and thank you again.
The Medical Update
This part is so hard to do. Last week I had people asking me what the news was, and I just couldn't figure out what to post. My apologies. I didn't want to cause any stress or worry, I just don't know how or what to write, because as soon as I post anything, everything will change. But here goes a shot at an update.
On Tuesday, the 8th (man that feels like a long time ago...) Kathy met with Dr. Dickson, at Madison Memorial Hospital. They discussed Chemotherapy and scheduled to start everything on Tuesday, the 15th. On Wednesday, the 9th, she met with the Radiologist in Idaho Falls and they scheduled to start on Tuesday, the 15th, as well. On Thursday they lined everything up for the radiology. On Friday they got all the stuff out of the way for the chemo. They should have been all set to start on the 15th. But everything changes everyday. I'll explain.
There are a few complications. Kathy has an abscess near the tumor and the tumor is growing, which have the doctors worried. She has a fever, although she is on antibiotics. What all this means is that they have put off the chemo and radiation until after they do a procedure to relieve and divert some of the pressure on the abscess and tumor. As of right now, Kathy will go meet with a doctor at the Huntsman Institute on Wednesday, the 16th, to talk about doing the procedure on the 17th. Hopefully then they will be able to start the chemo and radiation next week, and after maybe 6 weeks of that they will be able to remove the tumor (hopefully). Then after another bout of chemo she should be much better. Its a long haul and I am sure that we will learn something new tomorrow at our 9 am appointment.
We are in good spirits here, and have strong faith that Heavenly Father is watching over us, and helping us grow. We really appreciate all the prayers and help and kindness. We pray everyday and always that she will be healed. Let that be your prayer too.
On Tuesday, the 8th (man that feels like a long time ago...) Kathy met with Dr. Dickson, at Madison Memorial Hospital. They discussed Chemotherapy and scheduled to start everything on Tuesday, the 15th. On Wednesday, the 9th, she met with the Radiologist in Idaho Falls and they scheduled to start on Tuesday, the 15th, as well. On Thursday they lined everything up for the radiology. On Friday they got all the stuff out of the way for the chemo. They should have been all set to start on the 15th. But everything changes everyday. I'll explain.
There are a few complications. Kathy has an abscess near the tumor and the tumor is growing, which have the doctors worried. She has a fever, although she is on antibiotics. What all this means is that they have put off the chemo and radiation until after they do a procedure to relieve and divert some of the pressure on the abscess and tumor. As of right now, Kathy will go meet with a doctor at the Huntsman Institute on Wednesday, the 16th, to talk about doing the procedure on the 17th. Hopefully then they will be able to start the chemo and radiation next week, and after maybe 6 weeks of that they will be able to remove the tumor (hopefully). Then after another bout of chemo she should be much better. Its a long haul and I am sure that we will learn something new tomorrow at our 9 am appointment.
We are in good spirits here, and have strong faith that Heavenly Father is watching over us, and helping us grow. We really appreciate all the prayers and help and kindness. We pray everyday and always that she will be healed. Let that be your prayer too.
Happy Valentine's Day!
OK, so I know I've just missed the actual day, but better late than never, right?
Today has had some ups and downs, like everyday.
The down: Steve had to go to Wyoming early this morning. Sad, lonely Valentine's Day.
The up: My kids and I got to Ashton! We are here to help out with every thing for a while!
The down: My kids and I have colds... Pray we don't get anyone sick! (We are doing what we can to get better. We went to a Doctor in Boise.)
The up: People are so loving and supportive! We were brought a fantastic dinner and plates of cookies and deserts! And there are flowers all over this house! And we had such a steady stream of people here this afternoon! And plus also, some very great helpers carried the large pile of wood we were given (generously) into our basement where the wood pile is stacked next to the stove.
The down: All the important stuff changed again! (see the next post for more information...)
What a roller coaster day. But the Anderson home is full of love on this Valentine's Day, and gratitude for all the people who have so generously helped out today and over the last few weeks.
Today has had some ups and downs, like everyday.
The down: Steve had to go to Wyoming early this morning. Sad, lonely Valentine's Day.
The up: My kids and I got to Ashton! We are here to help out with every thing for a while!
The down: My kids and I have colds... Pray we don't get anyone sick! (We are doing what we can to get better. We went to a Doctor in Boise.)
The up: People are so loving and supportive! We were brought a fantastic dinner and plates of cookies and deserts! And there are flowers all over this house! And we had such a steady stream of people here this afternoon! And plus also, some very great helpers carried the large pile of wood we were given (generously) into our basement where the wood pile is stacked next to the stove.
The down: All the important stuff changed again! (see the next post for more information...)
What a roller coaster day. But the Anderson home is full of love on this Valentine's Day, and gratitude for all the people who have so generously helped out today and over the last few weeks.
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