April 30, 2011

    Insurance, schmimsurance.  Being sick is no fun. Meds, peds, bandaids, laxatives, brown stretchy wraps, new smell shampoo, shabby chic bedding, prune juice, cotton swabs, vomit bags and extra paper towels.  No canned dog food.
    Flip flops, fuzzy sox, bendable straws and shmooze. 10 boxes Girl Scout Cookies.
Hair cuts at home, retail therapy, philips milk of magnesia and ensure.  Every color of Gatorade, little white pills, big red ones.  Long un-fun trips. Cozy jamas.
    Hair clips, pony tail holders, 24 kinds of tea, alcohol swabs, q-tips and bobby pins.
Alkaline, Cetabine, Iodine, Assinine.
    Plastic tubs and file drawers, strong coffee, erase boards and more vomit bags.  Big calendars, glasine envelopes and gas. Yogurt, soup, yogurt, soup, yogurt, soup.
                   Get well-thy soon!

The tables turn

Love the poem mom posted by my grandmother:)

Tables have turned, mom is now laid up, she had her surgery yesterday and now the 2 of us can't help each other, otherwise we would end up so looped up because we cant keep it all straight. Don't mix the vicodin and the dilodid mother and daughter duo..... phewwwwww.

Marla saved the day and stayed with me to help with my TPN new regime, which is cutting my calories on the TPN by half:) making up the other half with actual food.  Also,bringing the time I have to wear it 10 hours vs. 14 hours.  This is a big luxury deal, being hooked up to an ugly black back pack is not what I call fun, at least I only have to wear at night so it does't have to match my bed attire, but when you have to get up 4-6 times throught out the night beause your being loaded up with liquid calories and of course..... cant forget the ugly backpack has to come with you..... put it this way I cant wait until I can just eat real food.

Mom will be back on here with her witt, I won't bore you with me trying to write with any kind of witt..... 

Love to all!

April 26, 2011

Poem by my Mom, Marie Garvey that reminds me of Sara D.

Interlude

Out of the storm for a little while

Safe in the warmth and light

Out of the noise and the hurry

The cares of deceit of life

Safe and secure and rested

New strength to meet new pain

Then out of the warmth and light

And into the storm again

Marie Powell Garvey

April 26, 2011

    Well, Sara is mostly sleeping through this bout of chemo.  She did so well when she was on her 7 day break I think we all were so thrilled to see her eating and getting around, we were kind of jumping the gun.  Gotta stay patient.  The insurance case manager asked how she was doing with all this and I had to stop and think about how I would be doing if it were me.  It was not a pretty picture.  But it made me realize how Sara {That's my daughter...} Has handled this with grace, patience and aplomb.  She never gets crabby or unruly or gets too bossy.  She always is concerned about how everyone feels and if they are too tired or need a pedicure. She still wants to pay for everything, even food,  and she is not even hardly eating.  She appreciates every tiny effort, cards, unexpected gifts, gesture and kind words.  If she were us and we were her, she would like so be there for us.  I am so proud of My Daughter through this, the worst scenario anyone could endure. 
   

Did I say.......

I don't think I said thanks for the Spuds lunch mom, "thanks for lunch!".

Also, thanks to the group last night, talking benefit stuff..... it will be fun! Did I say I LOVE GSS's hair! And thanks to Howard for the good advice.... the benefit is on it's way to getting whipped into shape:)

Ok, going back to sleep, these pills are exhausting.


~S

April 21, 2011

    The look on the Drs. face said it all yesterday. Nurse Erin went to the appointment also to ask pertinent questions and hold on tight to Sd while she got her Big Shot. Which did not hurt like a %%$#%^ like the last one but was still shocking enough to give Erin a free neck adjustment when Sara threw herself at her. The Doctor  was astonished at how good Sara looked.  She had a great 7 day break from chemo and will start again today.  We went to Spud's after the appointment and ate a huge lunch.  It was a real pleasure to buy Sara lunch.  The day before Sara and Jenn went for a ride to 'Fonners Berry' and had lunch there also. I am so thrilled to see her eating.  Had Oreo ice cream bars for dessert.
    Her vital signs are all good and she is responding very well to treatment. Do not underestimate the power of prayer, good vibrations,  family and friends. And a big High Five to her superior caregiving team. Thanks to all.

April 17, 2011

    Well, Sara is doing very well.  She is telling all her caregiver's to leave her alone for a while. Guess we all kind of started getting too bossy.  Plus she can't find anything in her kitchen because everyone puts stuff away in a different place. We are all certainly there if she needs us!  She is eating more and more and has a ferocious appetite. Wednesday is the doctor appointment and then we will see what is going on. Maybe re- evaluate her meds so she doesn't have to be asleep all the time.  I know one thing, it is all good.  Love y'all!

April 15, 2011

    Well, Sara is done with this particular round of chemo and seemed to respond to it very well.  She is up and around a lot more and having Marla make a grocery list.  Anybody need anything at Yokes?
    A nice sunny day would be a welcome addition to our rising spirits. We hope that a reprieve of seven days will give Sd a chance to feel like herself. {look out...} and gain strength for the next round.
    I can never express enough how much every little thing people do is so important and helpful.  Rich at White Cross drove all the way out to Arnie's to meet Erin  with something so she did not have to leave Sara alone too long.  Cards, letters and thoughtful deeds continue to pour in.  I hope you all realize this is a terrible situation, but is bringing out the best in all of us.  Sara will win this battle so we can all raise our fists in a big thumbs up.  We can do it!!  Sara is so strong and courageous and YOU GUYS are all awesome.

April 12, 2011

    Sara is sleeping and me, Bentley and Liza are keeping watch.  The mornings are not the best time.  In the afternoon she sometimes likes to go for an outting. Denise took her to Jenn's new place she works at, the Sandcreek Salon, so they could check it out then straight back home.  Someone in California sent her a card saying she read about her in the Priest River Times. The thoughtful expressions come from all over and are little blurps of encouragement.  Thank-you.
  The first round of chemo seems to be doing something but it is hard to tell just have to keep after it. Definitely see improvement. Just real gradual.  Stay with me on this.  Just not much to report right now. 

April 8, 2011

    Sara is pretty busy today kicking cancers ass.  She is up and about drinking coffee, eating burritos from Jalepeno's {plug} cleaning her house and generally having a normal day. So all the lasers of good vibes obviously are working. Thank-you everyone. I told her to take it easy and not over do it, but we all know how that is gonna fly.
    Erin and Denise are there today and tonite.  Today is Sarah Hess's birthday, devoted Dream Team member, so Happy Birthday to the best friend anyone could ask for.  Love you Sarah!!!
     So day 8 of chemo is a good day. "Come on cancer, you want a piece o' this?"
Wee hah!!

April 7, 2011

     Everything is pretty much staying the same right now.  Which is good.  Sara is staying up beat and looking forward to excellent results from the chemo. Boring is our favorite word right now.  Though with the group we have goin' on, never THAT boring.  Things are still falling into place.  We were thinking the dogs had to go away for a while and someone knocked at the door and there was Laura Rains.  She hardly said a word, just took the dogs and left us in peace and quiet.  Sara requires lots of quiet time.  Thanks Laura!!
     Jenn, Sara and I organized all the paper work flooding in which made Sara feel better. It is hard to feng shui insurance papers. We were watching first season of 'Absolutely Fabulous' which would take anybody's mind off just about anything. Still so funny.
     Sara has excellent caregiving people and everyone is going out of their way to make things run smoothly.  It is such a day to day experience, time goes by really fast, but really slow. Thanks to all!

April 5, 2011

    Erin an Niecey  had a hard time 'passing the baton'. They left Sara's  house nice and tidy and her feet very greasy from all the foot massage.
     It is an honor and a pleasure to be with Sara D. The hardship is seeing her be so uncomfortable with this cancer monster that if were a real person, I would strangle with my own bare hands.
     Today is a follow up appointment here in Sandpoint with Dr. Mason. 
     It is hard to write everyday as like Aunt Julie used to say; "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all."  Maybe every other day for a while.  We can still feel all the good will coming our way and can never express the appreciation we have for the love and support.  The other day I overheard a guy saying when people ask where he lives,  he replies; "About ten miles from God".  I really liked that.  Love to all.

April 4, 2011

Finally figured out the photo thing a majig.  Getting ready to go up to Sara's.  Hope today is a good day. 

April 3, 2011

     Sara is resting a lot today.  Maybe she can just sleep through the next couple of weeks.  There are no terrible side effects from the chemo itself.  We expect to see a lot of improvement from the treatment. She certainly has been uncomfortable long enough. Erin and Denise are still at her house taking excellent care of her. Jerry and I will go up tomorrow. And the Luce.  Everyone is helping out so much.  It is such a relief to know there are so many wonderful people and to be part of such a great family.  I finally got my pictures from Walmart and will attempt to post some. Haven't looked at them yet but can't wait to see the one of 'Debbie Downer', the IV rack at the hospital we dressed up with the scarf and purse. I'm on it. You all stay tuned. Lotsa Love.

April 2, 2011

     Lot of breath holding going on.  Sara seems to be doing fine with taking the oral chemo. Yesterday was calm and quiet at her house. We expect fast results with this so she can start eating and supporting the local food industry again. Today Erin and Denise, Administrative Team, are bringing her to the Spa At Seasons {plug} here in Sandpoint to get a treatment if she is up for it.  I am going to order veggie Pita Pit and hope that in this wonderful relaxing atmosphere she will be able to eat a few bites. Maybe a Mango smoothie, too. We are going to make this the most pleasant chemo experience ever.

April FoolS Day 2011

   Today is no joke for us.  Nurse Erin is arriving to administer Sara's chemo.  Denise will be the Administrative Assistant.  The chemo requires precise measuring. I will not be a part of the process as in 25 years of catering, I did not even own  a set of measuring spoons.
    Sara is nervous and apprehensive and freaked out.  Other than that, she is fine and totally ready to start this treatment.
She will be concentrating on this for 14 days, so send her good wishes on this blog or e-mail, or fb her.
Love to all!!