Did you know.....

That November was National Lung Cancer Awareness month? I just found that out today.
Ironically Mom spent the whole month of November in the hospital after just being diagnosed with Lung Cancer.

CT Update - Friday January 16th 2009

GREAT NEWS!
Mom went to see Dr. Madden today for the results of her CT scan earlier this week. I am pleased to announce the the results were beyond amazing! The report shows "significant to near complete resolution of previous mediastinal (chest) and hilar (lung) adenopathy. Lungs are completely clear. She still has seven tiny subcentimeter low density lesions on her liver but the doctor seems very confident that with the next two chemo's those should be gone as well. He will do another scan at the end of the second chemo to see where that stands then they will just watch her very closely ....no more chemo! Woot Woot!! I asked if she would be considered in remission after the chemo is over and he said that he could almost say NOW that she is in remission (not yet though). So, she isn't quite yet in remission but so damn close I can smell it! lol
Her heart is normal sized now. The first scan she had (on 10-17-08) showed it was enlarged due to the pulmonary hypertension. Since that huge mass that was sitting on her pulmonary arteries is gone the hypertension and cardiomegaly is resolved!! YAY!
This is the best news we could have gotten (aside from having complete remission of course).
Dr. Madden mentioned that had we not gotten ahead of the cancer when we did she would not have made it. Her recovery from when she was first diagnosed until now has been miraculous!

Alot of the reason for this blog about me

Yes this sign is on my back door, and not an ashtray to be seen once you are inside. Anyone who knows me knows I always said that would never happen in my home , guess the old saying is right never say never because you never know.

The other pic is just what Jeannie said it was its a reminder of my fight . I know that the good lord has given me a 2nd chance at life ,because I made it threw to Thanksgiving. I don't believe they had to much hope that I would. So ... This fight is between me and the devil ( cigarettes). In my mind I think that because I made it threw that bad time , that if I do light up a cigarette the good lord is going to say , "I gave you a chance you blew it , you let the devil win" and poof I'll be gone because I will choke to death on that puff I obviously just had to have. So what you are seeing in that pic sits on my entertainment center so I am always seeing it . I also keep an open pack with a lighter in my purse , I take it out sometimes open it smell it even have taken the lighter out , but then I put it right back again . LOL

I have had long hair for years and when I knew I had to go threw chemo I knew my braid had to be cut off . Thats what you see hanging with the beads on it , I wore it for dang near 18 years ( it hung down the left side of my head) Well Jeannie hated it was always hoping someone would cut it off me , Well I told her she had to do it of course then she didn't want to lol . Well she had Derrick and Shea with her so I told her all 3 of them could take a cut at it . Oh the gleam in Sheas eyes really scared me , she was ready . LOL Anyways Derrick had his snip and Jeannie finished it off (I believe she had the last cut , rough days back then bad memory)

Hope this was not to boring . Jeannie is much better at this stuff then me. I hope my pics come out ok . I'll find out in a minute .

I want to thank everyone again so much for all the thoughts and prayers. One of us will repost after the 16th to update Dr. Madden's visit and ct results.

Guess we were thinking about the same thing today Jeannie

I do have 1 correction to make on yours tho , This is just round 4 of chemo. Yes it has been 71 days of no smoking and no 1 is more surprised then me ( after 43 years and for a long time a 2 pack a dayer.)
I do feel good , I tire pretty easily some days , but thats ok
I am set up for another ct scan on Jan. 13th . The results from it will be on that Friday the 16th . I hope my blood work being so good the last 2 times , is an indication that things are going ok . I only hope and pray .
I also have to tell about my lunch date today . Bailey invited me for a bologna sandwich awhile ago but today it came together. She made the sandwiches herself,& she served it to me with a glass of milk. It was really nice , next time I guess its my turn at my house lol lol Gotta love them !!!!

Is there anybody out there?

Yikes! Looks like I've been neglecting the blog! The good news is that there hasn't been too much to report on. Mom has been doing so well at home! Tomorrow she'll be starting round 5 of her chemo. She has been tolerating them so well....her bloodwork is coming back great and everything.
She is on day 71 without a cigarette. Yes, you read that correctly SEVENTY-ONE days! I am so proud of her!!!! She still keeps her cigarettes around but only to remind her of her fight. I'll let her post later to tell everyone what she's done with them lol.
Anyway, I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! I'm glad to be getting back to a somewhat normal routine!!

Until next time!
Jeannie