June 24, 2008

We got our nails did! :) We have two days before the projected date of mama's immune system bottoming out sooo I took her to get her nails done. Mani/Pedi...She looks lovely and feels great too! Had a little business to tend to then off to get George's chicken!! WooHoo!



Back home and relaxing...we are about to watch yet another movie. I promise we do other things our options are just slightly limited ...we live in MYRTLE MS! :) I am attempting to catch up with all this blogging...I have been a little of out it with the medications the dr gave me...so sorry that I have been slacking!



GOOD NEWS!! My boyfriend will be back in from work tomorrow...I will be in Jackson, MS to pick him up on Thursday and he has already informed me that the competition is on! He says that by the time he is through waiting on mama hand and foot she would be wishing him to be her son! :) We will see!

ALSO...Daddy gets off work tomorrow until after his vacation so we will have him around more! YAY!



Focused Prayer:

-Continue praying for no side effects...she has been great and we would like to see that continue

-Strength in body and mind

-Please cont praying for me...I need to get better so I can take care of mama! :)



Thanks for everything!

Charlcy

June 23, 2008

So today was interesting...We took Aunt Robin to the hospital for some sort of evaluation. Then mama made me go to the dr. I finally gave in! $63, one stab in the backside, and two prescriptions later...I still feel icky! :)

We checked out more dvds from the library...Sense and Sensibilty, Northanger Abbey, and Becoming Jane...can you pick up on our new addiction? Not long after crawling up on the couch to watch a movie the knocks started at the door. First it was Jake coming down to show us the 7 lb bass he had just caught, then Brittney to fix Aunt Robin's hair, Jake came back to play Rummikub with mama, Daddy came in from work....It was a wild and crazy night at the Ray house no doubt. Mama was exhausted but at least felt like she had accomplished something within her day. Finally we got some rest....about 11:30!!

Thanks for everything!
Charlcy

June 22, 2008

WE WENT TO CHURCH! Mama said it was difficult trying to refrain from dancing! :) She is so crazy! Overall it was a great day! Aunt Robin even went to church with us! After church was out JR Kizer(Stevie's BFF) and new girlfriend, Amber came over and grilled out for us...it was a blast!

The pain level is WAY down. Mama seems to be doing great...a little tired at times but great!
Again we want to thank everyone for your prayers and support!

Charlcy

June 21, 2008

Hello everyone!

Today has been GREAT! I called the on-call nurse this morning and they decided to increase her pain meds which has worked! She gets irritated at how it makes her feel but then again she would rather be out doing just about anything other than sitting in the house all day.

I MADE WAFFLES! Sooo for days now mama has been craving waffles and fresh fruit and this morning I finally got out of bed in time to make them for her! Breakfast at the Ray house ROCKED OUT this morning! :)

VISITORS: Brittney and Sis. Pulse(my mom's previous pastor's wife) both stopped by today...that was greatly needed and appreciated!

Focused prayer:
-NO SIDE EFFECTS!
-Strength...she wants to go to church in the morning.
-ME...I am still feeling icky!

Thanks for everything!
Charlcy

June 20, 2008

Today has been rather rough. The neuropathy has been worse today than any other. We have had to keep heating pads on her legs almost all day. She desperately needs prayer for strength and peace as well as the support of her friends and family. Your calls(though she may not answer) , cards, and visits(only if you are NOT sick!) are very much welcomed! :) Thanks to Latrelle and family for the flowers...she put the on the coffee table so she can look at them all day...beautiful!

We are driving daddy crazy with the chick flicks...Jane Austen's Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, Ever After, aaand lets not forget mine and mama's all time favorite tv show....ANDY GRIFFITH! WHOOP! If you guys have any suggestions for relatively positve movies, no swearing or killing, pleeease let us know! :)

Focused Prayer:
- Please pray for my body...I have been sick since Monday evening and I cannot seem to kick this myself.
- The neuropathy...is was unbearable today!
- Daddy's nerves! :)
- We could all use a little more strength and peace.

THANK GOD FOR HER HEALING AND WHOLENESS!

Thanks for everything!
Charlcy

Treatment 1: June 17, 2008

Our first treatment was kinda rough. The reality of the situation set in...very emotional. Blood work until the end of the treatment, 7:30am til 2:30 pm, made for a loooong day for sure. Most of the day we hung out side by side in the same recliner listening to the ipod and talking about the faithfulness of God. The doctors and nurses decided that her veins were not good enough to continue administering chemo through an IV. We have decided to do a port in her chest. This is a surgical procedure that will take place prior to her next treatment. With the port, she will not have to be stuck continually and risk burning her veins out. She will get stuck only once each visit and that will be for her blood work.

CA 125: 153(target is 30 or below)

Received: Taxol and Carboplatin(Carbo)

Side Effects: Mostly she has experienced neuropathy and some nausea as well as fatigue.

Focused Prayer:

- Strengthened immune system

- No side effects

- Peace and Strength for our family especially Mama and Daddy

ABOVE ALL...THANK GOD FOR HIS WORD AND THE HEALING THAT HE HAS PROMISED MY MOM!

Charlcy

Intro to Blog

Hey everyone! Thanks for stopping in! I wanted to give you a brief overview of everything that is going on so you do not get lost in the terminology and numbers. Most of you have heard the diagnosis as well as orders from my mom not to claim them sooo we will NOT be using the "c" word on this blog. We are having to do a little bit of chemotherapy(chemo) to appease her surgeon however we are trusting God for complete healing and wholeness.

Terms and Medications:

CA 125: A test known as a tumor marker, it is a way of measuring what her body is doing and how the cells are reacting to the chemo. Anything above 30 is noted as being dangerous/suspicious. Prior to surgery Marilyn/Mama tested 989. Since surgery, the number decreased dramatically. It was at 153 at our first treatment. This is a blood test that will be given prior to each treatment and the results will be posted with the days treatment blog.

Pre-meds: These are drugs given prior to receiving the chemotherapy lasting apprx 45 min. Saline(for additional fluids), Benedryll(to head off any allergic reactions), Zantac( contains an antihistamine, as well as helps keep her stomach calm), also one other shot which helps prevent nausea for up to 10 days.

Taxol: A chemo drug. This is the first part of her treatments which takes up apprx 3 hrs. It has minimal side effects of which we thankfully have not experienced any at this time and pray we do not ever.

Paraplatin/Carboplatin: A chemo drug. This is the second part of her treatment which takes up apprx 30 min. The side effects with this drug have been a little more evident. She has been experiencing an extreme amount of pain in her joints. This is called Neuropathy.

Dr. Santoso: The Physician/Surgeon

Mrs. Mary: The RN

If I have left out anything I will explain as I enter it but this is just a few things that will be mentioned. Thanks again for your support!

Charlcy