Update #5 - March 26

Dear Family and Friends,

Maybe the best way to start this email is with a quote: "The best way to move a mountain is one stone at a time. Nothing is insurmountable if you take one step before you take the next."

We want to let you all know how my mom's appointment in London went on Wednesday. But it has been difficult to find the right words and also to wrap our minds around the difficult news that was delivered to her. The doctors in London confirmed that my mom as stage 4 cancer, which means that it is advanced, with the primary tumor in her bowels which has spread to her liver and lymph nodes -- and therefore her cancer cannot be cured. This is a very shocking blow to all of us, and very hard to swallow, as we all love my mom more than anything in the world. And we can't even imagine losing her. But the good news is -- and yes, there is definitely some good news! -- that the doctors have said that her cancer is treatable, and they hope to give her many many long happy years to come. The doctors were cautiously optimistic for her to respond to the chemotherapy, which will attempt to stop the spread of the cancer and shrink the existing tumors. They were also sure to make clear that nobody knows how long she has, and much will depend on how she responds to the treatment. We have been reminded of stories where patients are still around after 10 or 15 years and even longer, so these are the cases we are focusing our energy on. My mom plans to be one of these cases, and wants you all to know that she is using her mind and heart to accomplish just that.

The doctors will be starting her on chemotherapy in the next couple of weeks. Next Wednesday she will be getting a stint placed in her arm, as they prepare for chemo treatments to being. She will be going to Wingham for the chemotherapy treatments (because it is a much shorter drive) although Dr. Kerr in London, will continue to be the doctor in charge of her case and will see her every month and monitor her progress. Her treatment plan is still not set in stone, but what we know is that she will be getting the IV chemotherapy for 2 days (started with IV at the hospital, and finishing the IV treatment at home with a nurse) every two weeks. She will continue to receive this treatment, every two weeks, for a couple of months, at which point they will re-test her and find out if it is working. They hope that she will respond to this treatment, but also said that if she doesn't, they will try some different medications. They are not giving up on my mom yet, and neither are we. Not by a longshot!

They have given my mom a new schedule for her medication in order to help with the pain and help her be able to eat and get up her strength. Eating, getting some exercise, and keeping her mind and body strong is the focus right now. Until the treatments start, for the next couple weeks, my mom is going to focus on eating, getting her bowels moving, and using the power of her mind to visualize the treatments working.

My mom is scared of all these treatments, but she is also strong. And she is ready for a fight. She needs all your love, support, and prayers, and positive energy in her corner. Nothing but the best most hopeful thoughts are welcome. She plans to be here for many happy summers to come to play with her grandson and enjoy all her family and friends. And in the meantime, like all of us must do, she plans to enjoy each day to the fullest, and live in the moment.

And now, in fitting with how we began, I'll end this update with a quote: "Life does not come with instructions on how to live, but it does come with trees, sunsets, smiles and laughter, so enjoy each day you've been given."

Lisa
PS -- Linda says these pictures are a reminder of what it is all about.



PICTURES