She's Gone

Well Memaw went to be with the Lord yesterday about 5:30. She was surrounded by the girls and it was very peaceful. We are not sure about services yet but it's looking like they will probably be Saturday. Will give more information when I have it.

-april

She's Gone

Well Memaw went to be with the Lord yesterday about 5:30. She was surrounded by the girls and it was very peaceful. We are not sure about services yet but it's looking like they will probably be Saturday. Will give more information when I have it.

-april

Update on Memaw - Crystal

Memaw was admitted thru the ER late last week with severe stomach pains with the doctors thinking she had an obstruction. After viewing the cat scan and bone scan the results were that she did not have an obstruction but rather another tumor in the bottom of her lung that was pressing down on the nerves in her stomach and intestines, the present tumors had grown, and the bone scan showed signs of it being in her spine. They gave her some blood and sent her home. Hospice was called and they are handling things now. She is being kept on oxygen and morphine along with many other medicines. The evaluation this morning brought news that it was not going to be much longer.

August 24 Dr report and Chemo

Today we went for results of CT scan,etc and to discuss further treatment. Dr. said she did not see as good of results as she had hoped. There was only a little improvement but tumors were about the same size. Further chemo is not recommended. There is a drug that she wants us to think about, Erbitux. So far what I have read I am not thrilled with and I am encouraging everyone to look it up and am looking for all feedback. I was surprised at her report because Mom is really doing pretty good right now. Her oxygen level waS 98% that's not bad for stage 4 lung cancer. She still has full function of her right lung. The cancer is unchanged in the lymph glands and they will do another Pet scan to see if there are any changes there. These decisions are hard to make.

Tommorrow is the funeral of a friend that had breast cancer then brain cancer. We learned that another had uterine cancer and another is fighting breast/liver. We have lost quite a few wonderful people at church. And a really wonderful man died after heart surgery today after battling cancer twice. I really hate cancer!!!!!!!!I am going to start eating asparagus daily. Heavy heart tonight, need prayer time.

Mom has such a good attitude, she hasn't felt sorry for herself, she is more worried about us girls. My prayer is that we will have a clear answer on what to do in the future and that she will stay feeling pretty good for a long time.

Our Mother didn't have chemo today,Dr.decided to wait at lease another week to get stronger from her stroke.They did take a CT.Than we go back next wed.She's doing alright just real tired the last 3 days.We keep praying for her carolyn.I was so happy my boys came and helped out while she was in hospital.So will see what hapens this week.........

New Grandbaby!

Memaw is a great-grandmother again! My sister, Crystal, had her baby last night! Her name is Jacee Dawn and she is precious! Memaw is still in the hospital but suppose to be going home today. We are hoping that they will wheel her down to see the baby before she leaves. It definitely lit her up last night when we told her we thought it was time for the baby to come. It's very convenient for both of them to be at the same hospital for my mom. :) This is number 16 great-grand kid (if I'm counting right) and she just loves them all so much. Thanks for your prayers!

post from April

I just got back from seeing Memaw and she's in better spirits than I thought she'd be. She really wants to go home and has tried to convince every person that enters her room that she's okay to be released. :) But we're slowly getting across to her that she can't go home unless she follows their rules. I'm looking forward to taking my kids up there to see her and maybe lifting her spirits even a little more. Please keep praying because she is still in danger of seizures and we aren't sure if she'll be able to continue with chemo once this is under control. Updates to follow....

Galen stayed with mom last night and let Debbie and Carolyn go home and get some rest. It looks like mom will staying 4 0r 5 days. The blood clot is in a part of her brain that could cause seizures. The Midnight Cowboy Dr. (we call him that because he only comes at night) is going to call mom's cancer Dr. and then decide if she will have her last chemo.
I haven't decided on whether to go or not.

Well mom is in the hospital. She has a blood clot on her brain. They give her blood thinners and hopefully it will dissolve it. She is not happy about staying in the hospital. She has been really weak this round of chemo. Debbie and Carolyn has been with her at the hospital the whole time. Diane was in Albuq. and I am home in OKC. Lynda is still home recovery from her surgery. Donna is working. So thank goodness for Debbie and Carolyn. We will keep you updated.

My mom had her 3rd chemo,went smooth,long but smooth.She is in a little pain today been sleeping.This usally last about 4or5 days.Over all she's good.Thanks for all your prayers & keep them coming

Chemo Day ll

Well, we got thru another chemo day. All of this is so very enlighting! It was a long day. We saw the Dr. and did labs, x-rays, and then the chemo and all the waiting in between. Everything is looking really good and Mom is feeling pretty good. We wore our wig today! We only had 1 little incident and that was when the chemo leaked out from the tube all over her shirt and they threw it away!!! We had to wash her down and he urged us to bath her the minute we got home.
But it is ok to go into the body, yikes! Three weeks till the next treatment and just lab work in between and her weight is beginning to hold. We ended the day with waffles. Thanks for your continued prayers. Debbie

from carolyn Just a short update on my mom.She has had couple good days!!She's been eating fairly well.She is getting ready for the Poling reunion.Her sister Teen is in town & have had visits with her.Naomi & Yvonne have also been over.My sister Janie will come Friday.Hope my mom enjoys her week end we will have to take it slow,Lots of breaks.Thanks for all your prayers,& keep praying for her

Cookout Time! -April

This last weekend we had a cookout at Matt and Kara's house to spend some time with Michael and his family while they were in town. Four of the sisters were there, 6 of the 13 grandkids and then all the kids that belong to those 6 grandkids. :) Matt cooked fabulous steaks and the kids really enjoyed playing together. I thought you would enjoy seeing some pictures I took throughout the evening. Memaw seems to be doing okay...she seems pretty weak and unsteady on her feet but for what she's going through, she is doing well. She is quieter than normal but seems to enjoy sitting back watching everyone. It was good to have her there.

Memaw and my oldest, Jaxen, waiting anxiously for food.

Mike and Adam hanging out

Mike's oldest, Cydney, and Kara's youngest, Charlie

My youngest, Jayla, and Mike's youngest, Mardi on the see-saw

All of the "greats" who joined together for some cousin time. From left to right they are:

Saige (Kara's middle), Jayla (my youngest), Mardi (Mike's youngest), Cydney (Mike's oldest), Charlie (Kara's youngest), Hayz (Kara's oldest), Jaxen (my oldest), and Logan (Sheena's only). :)

It was a wonderful evening and really good to see family we hadn't seen in awhile. Memaw gets blood drawn every Wednesday and has her next treatment June 30. They had her picture made yesterday and hopefully we can figure out how to post it because they are awesome! :)Memaw along with all of us have really enjoyed your comments of encouragement, love and prayers. Keep 'em coming. :)

June 9 2010
Today was our first day of chemo and we left the house very well prepared. We had attended chemo class, been to all of required appts and learned all we could.
First was the lab drawing more blood, report came back good except for a little anemic. Mom said no wonder since they take blood every time they see her. Then checked in with the Dr. who said she checked out good. Then over to BSA for chemo
at 11:00. Every chair was full! They ended up putting us in a private room (boohoo) which was great, but did not get to us until 2:00. Meanwhile I went down and got us lunch. Diane was with us. Lynda had started the day but had to leave.
There are pre-chemo meds, then chemo. No more then 5 minutes passed and Mom started waving her arms and was obvious in trouble. She had turned red all over and seemed to be having trouble catching her breath. She says she saw shiny lights all in front and her stomach hurt. I ran down to the chemo room and got the nurse and they came running and shut everything off. They put her on oxygen and got her back to normal and went to call the Dr. Report back, start again but slower. It went real s..l..o..w. Finally we were thru that med and on to the second which took 45 minutes in which she slept all the way through and we were done! Went by and got a taco on the way home and she said she was feeling fine, a little tired and now can look forward to visiting with Mike and family..Hair loss is expected in about 2 weeks, but will grow back. Our prayer is that chemo will not make her nauseous or weak. Our thanks to God for seeing us through this day!
It is really wonderful to see all the notes and Mom is going to love all of them for a long time. Thanks. Debbie

Let's start at the beginning.....April

Where to start? Well, I keep waiting on my mom to write something but she's been a little busy lately so I thought I would make the first post. To begin with, this blog will be written on by several people so if it seems like I have some psychological problems, I really don't have different people in my head, just several aunts who are sharing as well. :) We have created this blog to give you, our loved ones, who are scattered around the country a chance to check in from time to time to see how things are going. However you may know her as, Gwen, Mom or Memaw, I'm sure if you're reading this, you care about her and are concerned for the journey she is embarking on.

Let's start with the basics: she was told in early May after a chest x-ray that she may have lung cancer but would need further testing. After a biopsy, they did confirm a few weeks ago that she did indeed have a tumor in one lung, below her bronchial tubes (so it's not affecting her breathing right now) but were concerned that it had spread into her lymph glands. More testing was needed....as of Tuesday of this week, it has spread into her lymph glands and so the decision was made to go forward with chemo. This type of lung cancer is not curable but with chemo, it may slow it down to allow her some more time. Today she had her port put it and her first chemo treatment will be June 9.

So, I think that pretty much covers the basics and lets you in on where things are at now. Hopefully between all of us we can keep you well informed as to what is going on and what specific prayers are needed at that time. Please remember that I am in no way a health professional so some details may be incorrect but I'll do the best I can to be accurate and precise.

Thank you for visiting and check back often. Any comments, questions or encouragement is greatly welcomed and we appreciate you loving and caring for Memaw. Oh, you can also become a follower by signing up on the right. :)