Just a quick update:
Overall, Patti has been in pretty good spirits and is anxious to get all of this behind her. On Monday (1/27), Patti will have her final surgery.
This should be the last time Patti has to go under the knife - yay!
An update will be sent tomorrow afternoon. Wish her luck!
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Bloodwork done and looking good! Next steps for Patti and dirty air?
Patti received her results from the blood work and everything looks perfect! This means we do not have to worry so much as she heads into her next phase with the upcoming surgery on January 27th.
Save the NEXT date!
Patti has secured another surgery date (March 13th) to scope down to the stomach and see what is causing all the drama in the tummy, as she continues to struggle with discomfort (acid - heartburn type stuff) throughout the day. She has good and bad hours all within one day - ugh :-/
With the crazy, cold and unpredictable weather we've seen over the past 1-2 weeks, it gets even crazier! We finally get a heat wave of 20 degrees and a "Particle Pollution?"
A notice was released a short time ago stating the following:
The notice, issued Thursday morning, indicates that fine particles suspended in the air have risen to a level where it’s unhealthy for people in sensitive groups.
Save the NEXT date!
Patti has secured another surgery date (March 13th) to scope down to the stomach and see what is causing all the drama in the tummy, as she continues to struggle with discomfort (acid - heartburn type stuff) throughout the day. She has good and bad hours all within one day - ugh :-/
With the crazy, cold and unpredictable weather we've seen over the past 1-2 weeks, it gets even crazier! We finally get a heat wave of 20 degrees and a "Particle Pollution?"
A notice was released a short time ago stating the following:
The notice, issued Thursday morning, indicates that fine particles suspended in the air have risen to a level where it’s unhealthy for people in sensitive groups.
- Sensitive groups are defined as people with heart and lung disease, older adults and children. People in affected groups are advised to reschedule strenuous activities.
- Fine particles come mostly from combustion sources, such as power plants, factories and other sources such as wood smoke.
- Particle pollution is often a winter phenomenon, while ozone, or smog, primarily occurs in warmer months.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Save the date and Happy New Year! Shots for...........................
Patti :-/ Lots of them to get her ready for surgery and to bring her to current.......
Patti had blood work done in prep for the reconstruction surgery, which is scheduled for January 27th, 2014.
While they were at it, Patti went for the Holy Grail and got a tetanus shot - why not?!
She also got an EKG - this was to check for damage to the heart due to the Neupogen (the drug to stimulate the bone marrow to create new white blood cells).
Chemo port was removed last week (12/27) and the steri strips were removed yesterday as well. Dr. Joe decided to put mini strips (not so adhesive but holding things together!)on for a few days longer to be sure the location where the chemo port healed properly.
And about that stomach ache she's had........doc thinks it "might" be a hiatal hernia..............more to come once we get that surgery date set and scope down there to see what's causing the problems Patti has been experiencing.
A special shout out to our sister Patrice! She brought Patti natural cancer fighting supplements that Patti wanted but couldn't afford (graviola and vitamin B17). Oh and by the way, that is the same name of the fighter plane that Patti had hanging from our bedroom ceiling when we were kids - yes, we planes hanging from our "girl" room! I am certain Patti will be happy to share more on this - just ask her!
Stay warm and be safe in these cold days to come!
Patti had blood work done in prep for the reconstruction surgery, which is scheduled for January 27th, 2014.
While they were at it, Patti went for the Holy Grail and got a tetanus shot - why not?!
She also got an EKG - this was to check for damage to the heart due to the Neupogen (the drug to stimulate the bone marrow to create new white blood cells).
Chemo port was removed last week (12/27) and the steri strips were removed yesterday as well. Dr. Joe decided to put mini strips (not so adhesive but holding things together!)on for a few days longer to be sure the location where the chemo port healed properly.
And about that stomach ache she's had........doc thinks it "might" be a hiatal hernia..............more to come once we get that surgery date set and scope down there to see what's causing the problems Patti has been experiencing.
A special shout out to our sister Patrice! She brought Patti natural cancer fighting supplements that Patti wanted but couldn't afford (graviola and vitamin B17). Oh and by the way, that is the same name of the fighter plane that Patti had hanging from our bedroom ceiling when we were kids - yes, we planes hanging from our "girl" room! I am certain Patti will be happy to share more on this - just ask her!
Stay warm and be safe in these cold days to come!
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Out with the old and in with the new..................
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| Christmas Eve 2013 |
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| Patti with Brittany (Mike's daughter) |
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Merry Christmas Patti and Mike! |
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| Fun with the girls - part one |
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| 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.
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!
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
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 :-)
Thursday, December 5, 2013
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?"
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"
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"
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
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 :-)
Seems that there are male and female angels in this world!
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.
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