Mom's Update

This week has been a long week. Last Friday Mom had a drain put into her abdomen so that she would not have to go into the hospital every other day to get fluid drained caused and produced by the cancer cells that are producing. The drain worked great Friday Saturday and then it just did not work right on Sunday. We drained about 1000ml of fluid both days and then Sunday the fluid was a cranberry color and there was only 100ml of fluid. Mom developed on her right side from the abdomen down swelling all the way to her feet and toes. She had a hard time bending and needed to lay down quite a bit. We called the Surgeon on call to see if there was a malfunction and made an appointment for Monday morning. Going in and seeing the Dr did not do anything other then comfort us in know that her Liver function was just fine and that she had not developed any blood clots. We also found out Monday that she was excepted into the clinical trial for her treatment which is a huge blessing for her. She will be on a drug called ipomomab not sure how to spell it but it is a research drug that is suppose to shrink the cancer that is growing and reduce the producing of fluid being produced by the cancer cells. So on Monday it was good. The Dr. Called Tuesday and wanted us to try to drain Mom again and we did but to no avail there was no fluid coming out and it was just painful to watch mom in pain and get no relief. The draining hurts and she says it is like a knife stabbing her in the right side of her chest every time the drain is turned on. The Dr then said if it still does not work on Wednesday that they would like to look at it and check it out some more. So we did got to do that today. Mom had everyone up in the air as to why her drain would not work. The Dr. Nurses and a rep from the company came in to look at it tried to flush it and still nothing. So they went ahead and installed a new drain on the left side of her abdomen, and when they took the other one out there was nothing wrong with it. They then tested the new one and drained 3000 ml of fluid and hopefully her swelling will now resolve it's self and she will feel better soon. She is supposed to start her treatment on Monday and we can hardly wait to see how she responds to this treatment.

As to the mood of the family we are all holding up ok and we all have our moments and feelings and thoughts of our mother and her future. It is hard at times but the peace that comes when I think of my Savior Jesus Christ and his Resurrection.I know that I will be able to see my Mom after she dies and that our Family will be together forever. I know that the Savior would not leave us alone and let us wonder about this he taught it to us and still teaches it to my heart every day. I believe that we are Spirits having an earthly experience and when Father in Heaven calls us home we will rejoice. One thing that my Moms Bishop shared with us as a thought is that before we lived on earth we lived in heaven as spirits and we were so excited when it was our turn to come to earth yet sad to leave behind our family that would soon come to us. I think of that often and know that now as we are facing the challenge of death with our mother that we are sad to see her leave us but our spirits are rejoicing for her to return and report her life to her Father and continue to help and serve on the other side. She loves the Savior Jesus Christ and I know that she will do what ever is asked of her by him. Also she will not be alone her Parents and Sister are waiting for her and I know that she will be met with open arms and a wonderful family reunion.

So to wrap things up we are making memories with her each day. Today the kids and I and Aunt Kate and her kids gathered round her bed and she read the kids a story and laughed because anyone that knows my mom knows that she likes to act and has a good story reading voice!!! It has been hot here in Kansas so we have been inside lots but hope to be able to go to the lake tomorrow night for a picnic and swim. I hope Mom feels up to it. We have a lounge chair that we can take for her to lay in and enjoy the moments that now are limited to us. We love you Mom and are prayers and thoughts our with you always:)