Okay, now first...the oncology visit.
Margaret met mom and I to meet with Dr. Kishore Sehgal in Murrieta. Pulling no punches, Dr. Sehgal confirmed that mom has adenocarcinoma. Looking at the marker in the blood that indicates severity, mom's has doubled within the last month and is a level nearly 30 times the normal rate. What this says is that her cancer is pretty aggressive.
Chemo is the only treatment option available that may extend her life with some level of quality of life preservation. There are basically three levels of chemo that could be used. The doctor wouldn't use the highest level with mom because it's just far too strong. The first level alone wouldn't really do anything for her. So, going with the #2 "just right" option will be a combination of Gemzar and Abraxane. As every person reacts differently to chemo, she will have to wait and see how she reacts. At that point, she will decide if she's willing to continue chemo or she also knows she has the option of just stopping treatment and shift to a hospice level of care to live out the rest of her life as she wishes and is able.
The doctor is scheduling a treatment of once a week for three weeks, then off a week. Each visit is approximately 2-2.5 hours on site in Murrieta. We do not yet know how long that treatment cycle will last...could be just once, but there are multiple factors that creates the "it depends" response. We also do not yet know when the treatment will begin. First, Dr. Sehgal needs to get clearance from Dr. deVera that all things surgical are good to go and he can begin treatment. More importantly, mom needs to give permission to begin too! More on that in a minute.
After that appointment and on the way to Margaret's place, there was a short visit to Kohl's to get a few new, comfy clothes on sale, as the ones she has right now are really just too big. This will also come in handy soon...as in starting this Monday for the road trip she and Margaret are about to depart for.
Yes...a road trip!
One of the 'bucket list' items mom has mentioned is she would really like to see Mt. Rushmore. So, as she is wont to do, Margaret immediately started making that happen so that we can get her there before chemo begins. And when I say immediately, I mean...IMMEDIATELY! By the end of the day, Margaret had the route planned, the RV reserved, dog training visits scheduled in both Salt Lake City, Utah and Colorado Springs, Colorado (mom likes watching those!) and an itinerary to Dale and I before the end of the day...because, they're leaving on MONDAY! She's got nothing on "no time like the present", to be sure! I think it a bit of a whirlwind for mom, and she knows she'll be exhausted, but she's also excited...and she's determined to "see" as much as of America possible during their trip! :) She's never been up to that part of the country, so this will all be new to her. The good thing is Margaret is renting an RV that mom can go lay down as need be and the dogs can also be free and not crated up. Margaret had been thinking about doing something similar with just she and her dogs, but here's an opportunity to do two things in one.
Might I say that Margaret is such a multi-tasker and planner that she started organizing this when we were in Kohl's, continued while we cooked and then finished up before bed! ;)
Right...and speaking of cooking, check THIS out!
Hard to see it all, but from left to right we've got tins of cheesy scalloped potatoes, macaroni & cheese, bean soup with the green lids, split pea soup still cooling and tins of "pocket meals" that include some either potatoes or brown rice with broccoli and tilapia...all of which have been primarily cooked (except the fish) and all mom will have to do is either finish it off while warming in her toaster oven or 'new' micro wave. Mom's micro went kaput quite a while ago and she was getting by with her stove, oven and toaster oven. However, with it harder for her to stand and cook, we wanted an easier way for her to warm up and/or cook some food...and a St. Vincent dePaul thrift store microwave was just the ticket Margaret & I picked up on the way to the market...we scored on our first try! :)
The rest of the afternoon Margaret and I cranked in the kitchen...we were quite the team! She's the better cook, so I chopped the mise en place and played sous chef while Margaret cooked the soups and made the cheese sauces.
When we were done, we had prepped no fewer than thirty small meals to stock my mom's fridge. Thought it would be a little more tetris-like in the freezer, but no problem, mon! :) We were thinking, hmmm...might be a specialized catering business in this...so much more personalized and yummy than any silly frozen food, corporate prepackaged stuff would be. ;)
So...big day, don't you think?
Mom's asking a friend if she can watch her fur child cat Jezebel during the trip, and her pastor has assured her, they will help make sure the kitty is cared for. Thanks ahead of time to mom's Spirit of Joy family...it means a lot to her.
Mom is doing okay with all this news, accepting that when her Lord calls her home, it will be time. In the mean time, she appreciates the continued prayers, laughter and positive thoughts from you all. She will continue to strive to appreciate each day and is learning, too, that there will be the time when she may need your help as well...even if it's just a simple visit of companionship.
After about 3 weeks down here, I will be heading back up north on Sunday after taking mom to church. I'm sure I will be up and down with some frequency, but Margaret and Dale will be the first in line for chemo appointments and checking in on mom as she starts that phase. I will continue to write this blog and keep you all up to date as possible. Thank you all.
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