Mom had her THIRD round of chemo yesterday. This means she’s halfway through the chemotherapy, and let me tell you, the cancer cells are scurrrrrrred. As Dr. Juvvadi examined Mom’s breast yesterday, she said, “I can’t even feel the tumor”. Needless to say, we’re pretty excited about this. This is a really good indication that the tumors have shrunk significantly. Since the liver and the breast/lymph node tumors are made of the exact same cells with the exact same receptors (triple positive), we know that whatever is happening up top is happening in the liver.

Scans!

Many of you may remember that after the third round of chemo it’s time for more scans! Mom hasn’t had any scans since the original staging studies. She is having a chest and abdomen CT and a breast ultrasound in two weeks, and we are praying for tiny or nonexistent tumors. I think she has a pretty good shot at these results! They’re also going to be able to take a look at that nasty blood clot that caused all of that drama at the beginning of this mess. I’ll be sure to post an update when we get the scan results.

Sadie’s Wedding

Mom has been handling the kryptonite (chemo) pretty dang well. Many of you know that after round two, Mom hopped on a flight to Cancun less than a week after chemo for my sister’s wedding. She did so great in Cancun, and we had no major issues. She got to relax and enjoy the ocean views from her hotel room or the pool when she needed to nap. She was amazing, and everything turned out so perfect for the wedding. Check out how beautiful she looked!

I let her have ONE glass of champagne. Which she begged me for and hated anyway…

Side Effects

Mom’s side effects have consisted of the following:

• fatigue
• crazy taste buds (everything tastes terrible, even water)
• nausea/occasional vomiting
• upset stomach
• sores (looks like fire ants bit her all over)
• occasional nosebleeds
• hair loss
• body aches
• neuropathy (numbness of her hands and feet)

She’s been able to manage most of her side effects with medications. She’s a total pill popper now. Of course you already knew about the hair loss. We did just learn that one of the chemo drugs she’s on may make it to where her hair never grows back. But I mean, what good is hair anyway when you rock a wig like this?

Another really terrible side effect has been her crossed eyes. We may have to have her kicked by a mule. 😉

 

“She falls down a well, her eyes go cross. She gets kicked by a mule, they go back. I don’t know.”

Name that movie.

Gratitude

As you can probably tell, we have a good time at chemo. I go get donuts so mom can eat something yummy before everything tastes awful. Mom’s had a couple of friends come visit like her sweet friend Kristen during round two and her longtime friend Blane yesterday. My grandparents also always come to be with her. They came to Texas when she was diagnosed and haven’t left since. She’s definitely loved! My sister and brother-in-law also come on some weekends and are coming for Thanksgiving! We’re going to love spending time together, eating turkey while my mom eats a banana and graham crackers, and being thankful for all of the good things in our lives. Because y’all, there is so much to be thankful for! My mom is alive, she’s being treated, and we’re getting more time together than we ever have.

We’re so grateful for friends, family, and amazing coworkers (that’s y’all!) who continue to love, support, pray, and offer sweet words of encouragement to my mom, to me, to my sister, to my husband, to all of us. This experience has reaffirmed what we already knew: That we are surrounded by the very best people. We can’t thank you enough for your continued support.

I’m personally grateful for the example of astonishing endurance, unwavering faith, and incredible strength that I am able to witness daily through being with my mom. She is so. dang. tough. I’ve watched her throughout this process in awe of the amazing woman she is. As crazy as it sounds, I’m forever grateful for this experience. I’ve gained so much. I love Thanksgiving because it reminds us to be grateful for all that God has blessed us with.

 

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings; name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Count your blessings; Name them one by one.

Count your blessings; See what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings; ev’ry doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.

Count your many blessings; money cannot buy

Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged; God is over all.

Count your many blessings; angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end

“Count Your Blessings”, LDS Hymnal

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Love y’all,

Sydnie