Good Afternoon Everyone! I hope each of you had a good week and are having a good weekend. After a busy week, and a lot of travel, Cindy and I are taking a rest day today. We spent the night in Raleigh with Cindy's parents on Thursday, and got an early start to Charlotte on Friday, where Cindy had an appointment with the medical oncologist. As it turns out the biopsy she had last week was positive, and she has metastatic leiomyosarcoma in her left breast. This is basically the same type of cancer that she has been battling for almost 9 years now, it has just translocated from the original site or from others as they have developed. Dr. Livingston said that it was highly unusual for metastatic sarcoma to show up in the breast, and that this was the first case he has seen in his practice. Leave it to Cindy to be unique, but I guess that does say something about her longevity and battling spirit, and there is a blessing in that. The oncologist is very reluctant to put Cindy on the standard, toxic chemotherapy drugs given her current physical condition, and instead is opting for an oral chemo drug, which has similar properties to one she was on a year or so ago, but has somewhat different molecular pathways. This will have to be ordered from a special pharmacy, and with insurance approval hopefully we can get started next week.
Overall, Cindy had a pretty good week this past week. Her mobility, while still limited appears to have improved somewhat. She continues to have issues with balance, and it is hard for her to position her body and legs when she is in a prone posistion, or lift them up from the floor to get horizontal. She is using the walker around the house, and the wheel chair when she goes out. Friends and family continue helping out by staying with her, which allows me to go to work. Cindy's sister, Anne stayed with her on Monday, taking her to PT, and for a short shopping excursion. Denise also came on Monday, and cleaned the house. Our friend, Ulla was here all day Tuesday. She and Cindy have some interesting conversations, and I was in hopes that they could solve the world's problems while she was here. Ann S. and Betty Jo fixed dinner for us on Tuesday. Ann S. helped Cindy get ready for and took her to bible study and PT on Wednesday. Our friend, Shirley came Wednesday afternoon and again on Thursday. She can do anything, and in addition to being company for Cindy and addressing her needs, also helped with household stuff. Jannet came from Wilmington on Thursday, and was able to spend a good deal of time with Cindy, and she and Shirley helped us get ready for the Charlotte trip. Kim, her dog, Peduncle, (Luci's boyfriend) and Amanda have been taking Luci for walks this week. So you can see that we have had lots of good help. This week will be the first in a while that we have not had an appointment with a doctor, a procedure, or a treatment. Hopefully, things will begin to level out a bit, and we can establish a new routine. It has definitely been something other than routine the last 4 months.
Many of you are aware that my mom is at Mary Gran Nursing Center here in Clinton, and have asked how she is. There have not been any dramatic changes lately. I was with her for a while on Thursday, and she was in a jovial mood. She does enjoy the activities at Mary Gran. They have current events sessions, preaching and singing almost every day, and game and craft activities. They had a mexican-style costume lunch some time back. There are pictures of mom on the bulletin board in a sombrero and moustache that are truly a hoot. They also went to White Lake this summer, and had a big time.
Our son, Adam is living and working in Arizona, but has been traveling quite a bit lately. He has been to California twice and Colarado in the past four weeks. We talk with him on the phone multiple times each week. He is planning to come home for a visit around Thanksgiving, and we are looking forward to that.
We are very grateful for your continued thoughts and prayers, and we know that we are surrounded by them. We are also very thankful for all the wonderful things that folks are doing for us and helping us with. We are being reminded of Paul's letter to the Ephesians: "And be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32. May each of you have a blessed day!
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2 comments:
Hello dear friends! I was so sad to miss visiting you both over the weekend while we were in Sampson Co but didn't want Cindy to catch my cold and it does sound like you both were overdo for a rest day on Sat! I was glad to talk with you, Cindy, on the phone a few min and look forward to hearing your voice again soon! We had a nice time with the Beulah UMC homecoming and Faircloth Reunion Sun. night. I was glad to see many of my family members. I like the bible verse you posted. I continue to pray daily for you both and yes! Cindy has been such a fighter over the years so I'm sure she has been "beating the odds"! Trevor's uncle was just dx with esophageal cancer in Aug and is not doing well at all-cancer can take so much from a person and the ones who love them, but I'm so thankful Christ is our hope and has the victory over any sickness/sin! I am thankful to have you as Christian friends! Loved the update on Ms. Mozelle. =) Glad Adam is enjoying his travels.
Love, Maria & Trevor
Hello Mrs. Gurley,
I am so grateful for this web site to keep us updated concerning you. As many has said, you have been an inspriration in my life too. The strange thing, you might not even know it. Thank you for those such in encouraging words you have given me concerning to pursue my goal of becoming an LPN. Don't worry about your mother- in law. She is very well taken care of at Mary Gran. I don't work too much, for I'm in school full-time. You take care. Remember Jesus loves you, and I do too!
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