Think

Unclear Margins

Mom's visit with the oncologist today was a surprise. We were all expecting more chemotherapy.

Instead we received other news. First I do want to let you know that as long as there's something "to do" there's a chance that she can fight this thing. We're taking the positive approach. Are you sitting down? The surgeon and oncologist agree that additional surgery is needed. This will not take place until she's healed from the most recent surgery. The reason has everything to do with the margins not being cleared from the removal of the cancerous nodules. So they feel she will have a better chance of staying ahead of this monster if they "clear" the margins. Mom's surgeon is truly one of the best and did already remove more than he felt was necessary, however it just wasn't enough. It's nearly impossible to tell during the time of surgery even with the pathologist in the room taking and testing frozen sections as the surgeon works. We're estimating 6 more weeks of recovery before additional surgery. After the next surgery they will let her heal, rescan and then evaluate for chemotherapy depending on results of the scans.

So until the next time I shall keep you updated with love and hope always. Stay strong and fight!

Love Jess

Doctor Appointments

Mom's upcoming doctor appointments

Surgeon, Wednesday, Removed staples
Oncologist, Friday, Consultation on pathology report
Surgeon #2, Tuesday, Follow-up on kidney stint
Surgeon #3, Friday, 6 month follow-up from hysterectomy

Thank you so much again and again for your never ending love and support!
We shall keep you posted! A little nervous about Friday with the Oncologist!

from Jess

In 3 years I will have lived in Arizona the same amount of time that I lived in Illinois. Time goes by so quickly and especially as I've gotten older. When I moved away Jenelle was only 8 and little Josh was 6. I never planned on living in Arizona as long as I have but after college it quickly became my new home and a very comfortable place to live for many reasons. I have a wonderful husband of 5 years, a great job of 9 years, a house and 2 beagles. I've learned over the past 15 years that you don't have to be a 30 minute drive away from your family to be close. I love my entire family so much and we've always remained very close. In fact sometimes I feel that I've come to appreciate them even more being further away. We don't take each other for granted and we hold the time that we do get to spend together very precious.

When Mom was diagnosed in 2008 I thought that we needed to move closer no matter what the cost but it's not as easy as one could imagine both physically and mentally. Anyone who has moved far away from their family (and survived) knows what I'm talking about. It's been a very difficult 3 years being so far away from Mom during her fight with cancer. We don't know what the future holds and all that we can do is try to make the best decisions and choices as each day brings it's own set of challenges.

Thank you for being a part of this blog and of our lives. I'm so glad that we started this from Day 1 of Mom's fight and I'm happy to help be a part of this fight in my own little ways.

Love Jess

Pathology Results

Pathology results show the nodules removed are cancer. The name for it is a "Sister Mary Joseph nodule." Next step is to meet with the oncologist to determine if additional chemotherapy is needed. Information about SMJ nodule is posted below. We're grateful this was found and removed but too upset to comment further at this time. It's been a long road, we don't know what the future holds but we're ready to fight and continue, together!

What is a Sister Mary Joseph Nodule

Home At Last

Mom's home already! She sounds great and Jen is there with her tonight. She really wanted to get out of the hospital and is much happier at home. Let the healing begin! Mom has a lot to look forward to so she's definitely mentally prepared herself and probably has a whole list of self motivatived ideas running through her head as I type this. She's just simply amazing! Keep it up Momma! She's so very thankful and blessed for all of your love, support and prayers. You have no idea how much she loves you all! Thank you again, we can never thank you enough!

Surgery Day

Mom's in surgery now, they made special arrangements to have the kidney stint and removal of nodules done with both surgeons on the same table. I just got word the stint went in great and Dr. Icaza is starting his procedures. She's such a trooper!

Aunt Barb just talked to Dr. Icaza, he said she did good. The frozen section was inconclusive and there were possibly some abnormal cells but they were not sure. A lot of scar tissue was present as well so they want to wait until they get full pathology back before saying for sure what it is. We should know something by Friday.

They did remove her belly button but it served its purpose well!

{live update from Aunt Barb}

We'll keep you updated!
Thank you for all of your prayers and love!