It's Me this time!

I want to thank everyone who sent those beautiful cards throughout my current illnesses. They were welcomed every day and helped me deal with being housebound.

My Pulmonary doctor was my lastest appointment and she ordered oxygen, inhaler and more drugs to get the pneumonia out of my system. For the 2 week cold that's going around and caused me a heap of trouble I'm eating oranges and Vitamin C. She added that the pneumonia recovery would be about 12 weeks. That'll make it a full year that I've been sick.

Since I've been on the oxygen my voice is stronger and I'm able to talk although I've forgotten a lot of words so the "Maria Charades" lives on. I'm eating 3 meals a day but my love of food hasn't come back yet. I eat to gain some weight but it's not happening yet. When the weather is nice I try to walk outside sometimes it's just the cul-de-sac and sometimes I can get to the end of the street.

I'm no longer in the cancer drug trial because the drug no longer kept the cancer from growing. Once I've recovered from all my current ailments we'll research where we'll go next. My hope is that I'll be able to post on the blog more often. I'm sorry but the email was impossible--I can't sit at the computer that long.

Change in Direction

Gary here, pitch-hitting for Mom again on the blog today. We just got back from her appointment and she is going to discontinue the drug trial. The drug hasn't been as effective lately and the side effects are too difficult to manage during Mom's recovery. She is going to spend her time getting her strength back and looking for a new treatment. The doctors offered several drug options to consider and some have the reputation for being easier on the body, so that's good news.

Needless to say, Mom is happy with the news that there might be something better out there for her. It will take time for the current drug to totally leave her system (before she can start another therapy) so Mom is looking forward to the down time from the constant demands of cancer treatment so she can concentrate on recovering from surgery.

In the meantime, Mom has a full week of "other" appointments ahead to check her progress on recovering from surgery and pneumonia and right now, that's our primary concern. Fighting cancer is hard enough but it's almost impossible when you have pneumonia.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts, cards and gifts. I can't tell you what a difference it makes for Mom knowing that she has you in her corner. Keep up the great work!

UP and Down

I've been home from the hospital for a week but I've had little improvement. People who've experienced pneumonia say that the recovery takes a long time. I'm inclined to believe them now since I'm not seeing much improvement at all. I'm still having trouble talking for any length of time even though my voice is stronger now so I just keep the talking to a minimum.

While I was in the hospital I received so many cards daily that kept my spirits up and helped with my positive attitude. I want to thank everyone who sent cards and flowers, candy and Belgian cookies.

I met with my Oncologist from the drug trial and since I'd been off the drug for 15 days he decided that I shouldn't go back on them. He wants me to have a CT Scan tomorrow so he can make a decision on whether I should go back on the trial drug. He'll get the results of the CT test on Monday which co-incidentally is also the 21st day of being off the pill. If I miss 21 days of taking the pill the trial would bounce me out. So if he decides I should stay I would take the pill at the office and still be in the trial. If he decides the other way I could research another lung cancer drug trial.

I'm focusing on improving my eating so I can get some strength back. I figure my stomach is about the size of a walnut so try to eat something every two hours if I can.

Don has been a great caregiver and actually WOWed me with his ability to cook, wash clothes, and keep me fed and warm. It's been a fantastic surprise.