Always something...

Wow, I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted on here. I guess that just shows you how busy we all have been.

A lot has been going on since January. Mom has completed her reconstruction, I started a new job and Amy and Scott announced they are expecting a baby in November. We are all so excited about Mom's progress and the new baby joining our family.

But, of course, it seems like in this family when we have good news, it comes with some bad. I took my grandmother (Mom's mother) to the doctor several weeks ago after falling and hitting her head. While her head was fine, she mentioned to the doctor that she fell a few months back and fell into her nightstand (and this was the first any of us had heard about this fall). She said she had been having quite a bit of pain in her chest area since then. So, he asked if she had had a mammogram in the past year and she said she had not. In fact, it has been about 15 years since her last one (she's 88). Well she went and they found a suspicious spot and called her back for more views. They ended up doing both a needle aspiration and a biopsy and it turns out she has breast cancer. We took her to the breast surgeon and discussed her options for treatments. She had her choice of a mastectomy to remove the entire breast or do a lumpectomy and remove as much of the tumor and cancer cells as possible and then follow up with radiation. She refused the mastectomy so she will be having her lumpectomy on Tuesday morning.

That same week she was told she had breast cancer, my Papa (Mom's father) had a biopsy and they have found cancer cells in his bladder. Fortunately, they say his will be easy to treat. They will just have to insert a catheter and administer meds to treat the cancer.

So, lots and lots going on at this time with everyone. Just continue to pray for the best of health for this family. And pray we can make it at least a year without any kind of medical catastrophe!!

It's been a while...

Well, I know it's been a while since anyone has posted a blog so I thought I would take the time to update everyone on Mom's progress. Since the last post Mom has completed chemo and radiation. After chemo she had to go everyday for six weeks for radiation. She handled it really well. The biggest side effect of the radiation for her was fatigue and, of course, skin burning. But, she is FINALLY done with treatment and is now on a MUCH deserved and needed vacation. Dad wanted to take her somewhere since she has had either a treatment or doctor's visit to go to ever since she was diagnosed in May. He took her up to the mountains in Gatlinburg and they are having a lovely time.

She's scheduled to return to her plastic surgeon and radiation oncologist sometime next week when they get back from vacation. So, we'll be sure to update everyone on what is next to come for her.

Words cannot express how much we appreciate all the ongoing prayers and support for her and our family during this horrific ordeal. The cards and phone calls have meant so much to her and has kept her going and fighting. Continue to pray for her as she still has more ahead of her.

I also wanted to thank all of you who made donations to the Komen Foundation through our Race for the Cure team. Together we raised $3,268.01!!! We even made the "Pink Honor Roll" for our fundraising efforts and will be honored at a party in a few weeks. We are honored to be able to help those who are unable to receive the proper care they need whether it be a mammogram or some type of cancer treatment. There are so many in our community who need our help and we will continue to do our part. We will be participating in the Tarrant County race in April so be sure to check back to this blog for details for that race. There is also a website that donates a mammogram each time you click a special button on their page. Go to www.thebreastcancersite.com and register. They will send an e-mail reminder each day to click. They also have items you can purchase and they will donate a portion of the sale to breast cancer research.

Thank you all again for your prayers and support!!

God bless,
Mary's Family

We had such a great time at the Race for the Cure in Dallas yesterday. Mom really enjoyed being out after having a rough week of chemo and injections. We spent the night at a hotel near the race site and it was a nice little"getaway". We got to the race about 6:30 am and I couldn't believe the number of people that were there. It was amazing to see so many people all together for one cause. And to think that it started with one person who made a promise to her sister to end breast cancer forever is amazing.

Mom didn't feel too well, but she did what she could. Dad helped her walk to a spot to rest while Me, Mike, Ava, Allie, Amy and Scott went to the starting line to start the 1K. It was neat to see groups of "cheerleaders" cheering everyone on. Mom and Dad met us close to the end of the race. We all walked together and made it across the finish line. It was great to see Mom make it through. Since it was her last week of chemo, crossing that line kind of seemed like a new beginning. Her next step is radiation. Hopefully, after that, she'll be 100% cancer free and can complete her reconstruction and get back to life as she knew it before she was stricken with this horrible disease.

Yesterday was such a memorable experience and we hope to do it again in April when the Tarrant County affiliate holds their race in Fort Worth.

Here are a few pictures of our day together.

One more week!!

Just one more week and Mom's chemo will be done!! She will still have injections for a few days following chemo, but I know she is so glad to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

I just have to say how proud I am of her for all that she has had to go through. I know there were days where she felt so bad she couldn't even speak. It has been a difficult thing to have to witness and I know it has been a difficult thing for her to have to go through. And, although the treatments are almost done, she still has more to come. She still has more surgeries to come and she'll have to complete her reconstruction. But, the hardest part is almost over.

And to my Dad. I am so proud of you for being by her side all the way through this. I don't know how she would have made it without you. I am proud of you for all your strength and all that you have done for Mom the past few months.

I am very proud to be a part of such a loving, devoted family. We have been though so much, but we have made it through everything because of our faith in God and our faith in each other.

I love you,

Emily

Pink Party Benefit Dinner & Silent Auction

I just wanted to thank those of you who were a part of our Pink Party Benefit Dinner & Silent Auction this past Saturday evening. We had a great turnout and had a really great evening. Together with the silent auction proceeds and the donations sent in we have raised over $2500.00 for the Komen Race for the Cure. We are looking forward to the race on October 18.

Mom really enjoyed being out and getting a chance to visit with everyone even though she started feeling ill after the party. She's had a rough few days, but we're hoping that this will be a better week for her. She doesn't have to go for any injections the rest of the week so, hopefully, she'll start feeling better soon.

Thank you all again for your support and for being a part of a special evening for Mom.
-Emily

Pray for Mom

Please be sure to keep Mom in your prayers. This has been a really rough week for her. She started her Taxotere chemo last week and had to get Procrit and Nupagen injections through Friday and goes for more tomorrow morning. She has been in a great deal of pain. So much that she broke down crying Friday evening because she just couldn't find any comfort and she was hurting so bad throughout her entire body. So, please pray that the Lord will hold her hand and see her through the remainder of her treatment. She has just a little over one month to go. It may be the hardest thus far, but I know God will get her through this.

Also say a prayer for Dad. When he called me Friday night he just felt helpless. He didn't know what to do to help her and how to ease her pain. Just pray that God will give him the strength to get through this as well. This is by far the hardest thing he's ever had to go through. He has been amazing though. I don't know how my Mom would make it without him. Dad, I know you read this and I am proud of you and tell Mom how proud we are of her. You both have been through so much during your 40 years of marriage and I am proud of you both for never giving up and for always being there for each other. I am grateful to have such loving parents who love and care for each other through it all. That's what marriage is all about and I thank you for being such a great example. I love you both so much and I am so blessed to be your daughter!

Love to all,
Emily