The Perfect Amount

It drives me crazy when the kids ask me how long items take in the microwave.  It isn't an exact science, it is more of of method.  Ya know, heat till desired temp!  Yes, there is a 'popcorn' and 'hot water' button (along with a lot of other ones I don't use), but if there isn't a button with a picture of leftover spaghett, so they are lost!  I am trying to teach at least the big kids anyway, put it in, choose a small amount of time, if it is still cold, cook it longer and if it is too hot, wait a little before you eat it.  It takes working with food and that specific mircowave to get the timing perfect. 

Mom's pain meds seem to be the same way.  Dad said she slept well last night and did amazing this morning!  She picked her own clothes, dressed herself, put on makeup and fixed her hair - ALL ON HER OWN!  Yes, that was the part that made me sad to know she couldn't do.  Dad fixed her breakfast, and she ate it all.  During breakfast, she said she needed some of the immediate pain relief medication.  Dad gave it to her and then she kinda went back into that slow and confussed state.  The next time she needs the imediate relief, he is going to give her I think the Tylenol 3, what she had at the very beginnig to see if that takes the edge off enough, but not to dope her up.  This is also part of the game, finding the perfect amount of pain meds - enough to control the pain, but not too much to make her loopy. 

Also, prunes are helping her and their "go power" is doing it's job.  Hopefully that will help her to not have too much pressure in her tummy and not have to get up so many times at night. 

I guess posting a comment continues to be challanging AND Grandma Brinkman was Betty Stewart's grandmother.  Betty would like the recipe for her grandma's buns.  She didn't get it before she passed away.  I'll try to remember that when I am there this weekend.  I'll be sure to make the special side note of 'add flour till you sneeze.' 

I am looking forward to going to Indiana tomorrow and Saturday. 
Good night. 

comment

Can a few people please try to comment on a post?  I went into "settings" and changed something.  Maybe it will be easier to post a comment now.  If not, I will check a few boxes that I don't know what they mean to see if that makes a difference too.  :-)  Thanks!

A Bun in the Oven

Those of that know my mom well know that she is an amazing baker!  I know this sounds silly, but growing up, it was a treat for us to have "bought" bread.  Well, that was before my mom started working, anyway.  She would bake bread, pies, cookies, but the closest to her know it was her "Mema Buns" that she was famous for.  It doesn't get much better than f fresh Mema Bun right out of the oven!  She has recipes from close friends and she doesn't stray.  I think her cinnamon roll recipe was from Alberta Wood, and her bun recipe was from Mrs. Brinkman?  I am not sure who that is, I know that my Aunt Marilyn had friends, the Brinkmans, in Illinois, but I want to say for some reason, this famous Mema Bun recipe was from maybe the Stewart's in McDonald?  Hmm...I'll have to do further research.  She has been perfecting cookie recipes for weddings for years and makes notes on them so she remembers exactly what made them just a bit better.  Her cinnamon rolls melt in your mouth.  I remember her making them ahead and freezing them too.  When we were little and would have a big snow fall, the Lazor Brothers would sometimes plow out our driveway too.  Gary liked being paid with Gingie's Cinnamon Rolls.  Becky has been making them!  Amazing!  I have never tried them.  Jeannie has made the buns successfully.  Mom came over one day to show me how to make the Mema buns.  She doesn't have an "exact" recipe, I believe it says something like, "add flour unit it looks right."  Really?  What does THAT mean?  So, she started ...1/2 cup by 1/2 cup adding the flour.  Then she sneezed.  I remember her saying, "oh - that's how I know I have enough flour.  I always sneeze at this point."  Great!  So, my recipe reads, "add flour until mom sneezes?"  I think I did try to make them once on my own, but they turned out like hockey pucks!  When I questioned her on it, and review what I did, she said, "well, sometimes the humidity can affect them too."  I was done at that point.  Measurements done by allergy levels and proper yeast activity by the outside temperature are things I just can't count on.  I buy my bread at the store.

One of my dad's favorite expressions is "She has a bun in the oven."  Jimmy's wife Becca currently is sporting this expresstion!  They are due in September with #2.  We are excited to have a new cousin and Penny will be a big sister!  Mom is looking forward to the new baby.  :-)

The Forgotten Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQX8YFceYhU

This is the song that I was referring to in the last post.  I forgot to attach it! 

Some good news is that some of the "body functioning" prayer request have been answered.  :-)  I am trying to avoid any kind of puns or jokes about it and trying to be respectful. 

Please continue to pray for Dad as he needs rest.  I am planning on going to Indiana Friday and staying over through Saturday.  Maybe I could do the night shift for him. 

Also, because of the blood clot, Dad will need to give mom a shot of Heparin 2x/day.  Again, sometimes we get to do things that we didn't sign up for.

Thank you so much for the meals and cards.  We love you. 

Nothing is Beyond You

It is crazy how little things can change your plans.  There is a whole book, a black 3-ringed binder that sits on my parent's dining room table that has everything you would like to know and I assume everything you don't want to know, about her cancer treatments.  A black binder is also carried to each appointment as it is the medication log and the daily journal.  Again, everything that you would like to know and don't want to know are in that book. 

Last night dad noticed swelling in mom's hands and feet.  That was another thing that they were to call the doctor on ASAP if it happened.  They called and he saw her first thing this morning before her radiation appt.  They did do an ultrasound and found that there is a blood clot in her left arm - where the pic line is.  This of course is very serious.  The pick line will need to come out and dad is picking up a medication (we assume a blood thinner.)  She does receive her chemo through the pic line, and she will not get chemo again for 6 more weeks.  However, they do other necessary draws and injections through there, ie:  blood work and she received the unit of blood that way yesterday.  I am not sure of the status of a future line, or maybe they will just use her veins. 

The doctor is also concerned about her "confusion."  Although yesterday was a very "sleepy" day, Jeannie said that she was more alert and "in the know" then she had been for the past week.  She was wanting to fall asleep while she was eating and Jeannie had to remind her to chew.  She replied back, "oh thanks for telling me, I am just so tired."  She hasn't responded appropriately like that since treatment started.  He, Dr. Raminini, wants them to try and cut back the morphine.  He doesn't want her in any pain, but he doesn't like how drugged she seems now either.  He wants dad to try to NOT give the fast release pain med and to just stick with the extended release and see how that works for her. 

Another thing that needs prayer for is that her body processes her food and waste properly.  This has been a bit of an issue and really needs to function correctly. 

Last night she was up 6 times through out the night.  Dad has to get up with her too.  So, he is VERY tired today.  Please pray for rest for both of them. 

Everyday I listen to a national christian radio station, KLOVE.  It comes in out of Pittsburgh, but days like today, when it is rainy, it doesn't come in too well.  I turned on WISH 99.7, "easy listening hits of yesterday and today."  Well, after listening to Positive and Encouraging KLOVE all the time, WISH 99.7 seemed too hard for me!  (I wasn't in the mood to hear, "Walking on Sunshine."  I  must be getting old.)  I decided to just listen to some cd's so I opened up the player.  Christmas music was still in there!  UGH!!   I turned it all off and went back the hall to finish getting ready.  Quiet and alone thoughts started to fill my head, thoughts of fear and worry.  "Ok - go back and put some music on to get your head where it should be!"  I took out all the Christmas cd's and surprisingly enough, I found all the right jackets to match!  I put some Christian music in, things I hadn't listened to in a while, and turned it up.  Growing up, I loved Amy Grant.  This is one of my favorite songs that today, again reminded me that "Nothing is Beyond You."  I am so glad that my Abby Father, seeks me out!  There is a picture in this video of an outstretched palm.  Amazing.  Again, giving me hope and security. 

Hairy Situation

Tuesday evening check in...

I talked to Dad tonight.  Mom did receive the unit of blood today.  Unfortunately, it didn't give her any more "pep" and actually she was more sleepy than usual.  They had trouble getting food and drink into her.  Please pray that she is alert enough that she can get the nourishment that her body needs to make everything function properly. 

They did receive some good news, her blood cultures came back and it was indeed a false negative from the labs that were drawn the other day.  She has NO blood infection or any other kind of infection.  The doctor said they can stop the antibiotic. 

My twins ask me daily how Mema is feeling and if she is getting any better.  Today, I told David that she probably is going to be sick for several months before we notice she is getting better.  He thought about that.  When praying over dinner, Devon asked Jesus to please heal his Mema.  I hear my cousins in Illinois' children now refer to them as "Aunt Mema and Uncle Papa."  (Pretty sweet.)

They are still asking about her hair.  David is especially sensitive and asks the most questions.  I told them both that she may loose her hair.  I was worried about his response, maybe some sadness and if he would lay awake at night like he sometimes does wondering about that.  I should have known better...typical 8 yr old boy...((giggles in an evil kind of laugh)) "hee hee hee...Mema BALD!  Hee Hee Hee..."   Then Devon said, "maybe we could get her a can of that stuff we saw on the TV commercial.  You just spray it on your bald head and your hair grows!" 

And with that thought, I will tell you good night.  We love you and are thankful for your prayers. 

Eat More Kale

Our church retreat weekend went great.  This is a quote from a family that attended the retreat, yes, I asked permission if I could copy it from her Facebook page...

 

"I just have to say, we had the most awesome time at our church family retreat this weekend! It was truly a life-changing event and I really believe that God has talked to us through our hearts and is telling us what he is using us for and what he has in store for our family in the very near future. We had fun as a family, with friends, making new friends, and of course all of the FOOD!"

 

It is nice to see comments like this because when someone asks me how the retreat went, I tend to look at the technical side of things, "Yes, everyone got there safely" and, "No, I didn't loose any kids in the Laurel Mountains."  It's all good!  It is fun to see how the hard work pays off and how God takes over the weekend and works in people's lives and speaks to their hearts. 

 

I went back home to Indiana yesterday to see mom and learn some of what it take to make "Warren Road life" happen on a day to day basis.  Honestly, I was kind of nervous to go after I had heard some of the side effects she was having and wondering if I could jump right in. 

 

They were not home when I got there. 

 

Things looked ok there, but you could definite tell there was a "system" in place.  Mom has her little station by the couch with lots of pillows, blankets, Kleenex, cards, drinking glasses and heating pad.  I walked out to the kitchen and her meds were all ready to go in the containers and ready for the week.  I  walked back the hall and thought I could do some laundry.  Laundry hampers were labeled, "mom" and "dad."  Mom's had notes attached - "Wear rubber gloves and wash all laundry 2 times."  On the washing machine there was a card, "Wash #1" and on the other side, "Wash #2."  Oh!  Well, I guess I can start here...I put the gloves on, and put a load in the washer.  For 2 wks after she has her chemo, her clothes need to be laundered separately and the bathroom needs to be wiped down after each time it is used.  Lots of instructions, but I understood this one. 

 

My Uncle Jim Lukehart stopped by as I was there.  He is my mom's step-brother and he gives the BEST hugs!  It was really good to see him and so cool that when times are hard, the family gets tighter.  I love that.  We were able to chat for just a bit then mom, dad and Jeannie returned home.  Mom said that a grilled cheese sounded good, so I got her lunch ready while she and Uncle Jim talked.  She has been eating, but only very small amounts.  I think she ate a bit more than she usually does because she was enjoying the company and wasn't paying attention to the food quite as much. 

 

She looked pretty good.  Her color isn't too good, to say she is pale is an understatement.  She did have blood work done that morning and her blood count was down a bit, so today, she was scheduled to receive some blood after her radiation. She has radiation Mon - Friday at 9:15.  She had chemo all last week through her pic line.  She will not get chemo again until the last week of her scheduled radiation (at the end of 7 wks).  We have one week down.  

 

She does get pretty confused.  If you choose to call or talk to her directly, please know that the info that she gives may not be accurate.  

 

I was able to go to the family doctor appointment too that day.  So, yes, there were 4 of us in the room, Mom, Dad, Jeannie and me.  Luckily, there was lots of room, so it worked out.  He was a very nice doctor and we all liked him.  Dr. Nettleton (part of Dr. Heasley's group.)  He was kind, direct, and a little chatty so he was easy to feel comfortable with.  He does get all the reports sent to his office, but it was good for everyone to be on the same page and for him to be "caught-up" with everything.  

 

 We are still waiting for blood cultures to come back.  She had gone to the ER last week and the blood came back positive (for an infection) but it could have been a false positive too.  The second blood was taken Saturday night. 

 

Jeannie's family came over for dinner and we enjoyed some vegetable soup that a dear friend had brought.  Thanks Debbie -  it was very yummy!  She ate her soup, some bread and by the time the meal was over, she was barely able to get down the 2nd bowl of ice cream!  :-)  Mint chocolate chip - she had requested it.  Ice cream has always been a favorite of hers.

 

I noticed a bowl of something green, dark and frilly on the counter.  It was covered with a baggie.  I asked what it was, and Jeannie informed me it was Roasted Kale.  Hmmm...????  I had seen a large bag of Kale in the fridge, but I didn't ask what it was for.  I have never bought it, maybe eaten a bit in a salad that was served, but never was intentional.  So, Jeannie read that the kale, along with broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts are foods that cancer cells don't like.   So, eating more of these types of food would be very beneficial!  She said to try the roasted kale.  It was cooked with olive oil, salt & pepper.  It was crunchy and quite tasty!  It tasted kind of broccoi-ish.  So, maybe  I'll pick up a bag too.  I will get the recipe for it and share it.  Jeannie said she sprinkled it on her salad.  Yummy!  (It does look a little weird, kinda like parsley, but try it anyway!)

 

I was able to help mom with her bath and got her dressed and into bed.  I thought I would be sad having to do some of these basic things with her, but I guess my "mommy skills" kicked in and it was a pleasure to be able to do it.  It was good to be able to be strong and to lift her out of the tub.  She tends to be kind of weak.  Jeannie showed me how to wrap her arm in "Cinch Wrap" so that the pic line doesn't get any water on it. 

 

Jeannie has been there during the day and it is good that Dad also understands her medication schedule so he is also able to be on the ball with instructions and administering.  I am planning on going this Friday and staying over through Saturday.  It is hard being away, so I am happy to be able to do it. 

 

Mom opened her box from her friend and classmate, Nancy yesterday.  Nancy had made little blue flower pins with the letter "G" on it.  Mom has a group of 6 friends that they all went to school together.  Over the past few years, they have been intentional about getting together and even going away for a weekend.  They love being together and it is cute how they have little sayings and nick-names for their gang.  They all went to Hawaii this past September to celebrate their 65th bdays.  What a crew and a sweet group of gals!

 

Thank you again for all the love, support, prayers and food!  This certainly is a tough road to walk down, but doing it together is a bit easier.  We are certain that God is working though this situation and have not wavered from that fact.