Out with the old and in with the new..................

Christmas Eve 2013

Patti with Brittany (Mike's daughter)

Merry Christmas Patti and Mike!



Fun with the girls - part one

Fun with the girls - part 2!

Well..... Patti is "officially" done with Chemo!  On Friday 12-27-13, Patti had the chemo port removed! 

Next steps...............and not in any particular order:

• Prepare for a scope to determine what keeps causing her stomach issues (I still think it's stress!)
• Set the date to finish the reconstructive surgery.
• Start Radiation to complete the recovery process.

Backing up to the Christmas holiday, family members expressed joy in seeing how happy Patti was!  She looked great!  She was happy, smiling a lot, and REALLY fun to watch when we played Charades!  I've included a few photos of our holiday.  As you can see.....Patti is in FANTASTIC spirits!

The BEST gift we got for Christmas?  Patti:-)  We are so happy to have her with us, and feel confident in her recovery....knowing she is fighting to share many more holidays with us!

God bless all and stay tuned.......more to come in 2014!

Happy New Year!

Done with Chemo and looking good!

Austin and Aunt Patti at his Accompany Of Kids Holiday Show 12-14-13

 

Looking good sista!

Aunt Patti, Austin, and Denise at Austin's Holiday Choir Concert 12-17-13

 

 

Patti is finally doing well and recovering from the brutal chemo process.  We were thrilled that she finally got out and about - thanks to Austin and his performances, as he has a special place in her heart :-)

 

Tomorrow,  we meet with the oncologist to discuss the next steps.  Once we are through this visit, Patti will plan for more reconstructive surgery in the next few weeks (date TBD - stay tuned!).

 

Then there is the radiation process that will come sooner than later. 

All I will have to say to Patti about that is, "You glow girl!" 

 

More information after our doctor visit tomorrow.  Good night and remember that today is the fourth day of Christmas (according to Austin), which means........someone out there is going to get Four Calling Birds, which begs the question.........who are they calling.....THAT is the question :-)

Patti's dreaming of a white....

"HIGH" blood count.....just like the count she used to know.................

Patti's White Blood Count (we will refer to this as WBC) was extremely low yesterday :-/ 

11/20 - 1st Chemo Treatment and blood work     = 5.7
11/27 - Blood work to keep an eye on the WBC = 3.5
12/04 - Blood work to keep an eye on the WBC = 0.2!  YIKES!!!!  Dangerously low.
They would like to see her count stay above 1.5

With that said, they are processing a temporary medicine through Patti called, "Neupogen".  This seems to be used for treating neutropenia, a common side effect of chemotherapy where it attacks the good cells and takes them out.  This medicine will be administered for 3 days (via visit to the office for a shot), followed by Neulasta, which is the drug that Patti was hoping to avoid. 

What does this mean?  Patti feels the pain right to the bone (literally), as this medicine is designed to focus on stimulating the bone marrow where the larger areas of marrow are present.  The goal is to reproduce "infection fighting" white blood cells via stimulation.  Areas of pain: the sternum, much of the hip area (pelvic bone) and that other bone (I call it the butt bone:-).

It was suggested to get a heating blanket to help her body rest and provide comfort to the bone pain while she works through this part of the process.  Mike ran to the store to get this blanket with the hope that this will help her comfort level and maybe allow her to sleep.  $65 later and she is resting.  Small price to pay, and hoping this helps Patti get some relief.

You may be asking, "What can we do to help?"

PRAY for a "Patti" version of a "White Christmas" - on the HIGH side please! 

 Okay, maybe this is a little too white just yet!


Now that's more like it. AND more in line with what Patti would see as
a "White Christmas"

A hairy situation

Patti wanted me to share the changes going on with her, as well as her "hair" supporters...........

Today, Patti went to our hairdresser (Kristy McManus) who has graciously offered to take care of Patti's mane (or lack of) during her entire treatment program - what an angel :-)

As you can see by the photos, Patti is preparing for the next adventure in this process.  She started seeing signs of hair loss on Sunday and Kristy suggested to cut it short when this process starts.  I personally think she looks pretty darn cute with shorter hair (and younger too!)   Anything to trump me on that age thing - LOL!! (it's a sister thing :-)

Health update:  Patti's blood levels continue to stay within the normal range (YEA!).  She is currently in physical therapy to increase the range of motion with the arm where surgery was performed.  Her range of motion from her body, and extending outward is 100%.  The range of lifting is still being worked on, but she is close.  They will continue to work on the tight cording to bring her back to 100% in all directions.  All in time.  She has been given a bunch of exercises to do so look out!  She is going to be one tough cookie when she's done with all of this training.  

SPECIAL NOTE:  In honor of this loss and to support Patti's loss, her friend from up north (Rich Koss) shaved his head!  YIKES!!!  He is a man of his word, as he promised to shave his head at the first indication of Patti losing her hair. 

Seems that there are male and female angels in this world!