Journal entry by Mike Mitchell —
Hello Everyone
I apologize to all of you because I know it has been way too long since my last update and a lot has happened since then.
First of all, many of you knew that Brenda's Mom had been pretty much fighting for her life. In fact, she went into Hospice Care at St. Bernards in early to mid April. Unfortunately, she lost her battle on May 21. Brenda had been with her every day for the few weeks prior to that. She and her sister, Reba, were valiant but they both recognized that it was time for their Mother to go home and reunite with their Dad. Brenda, much to my amazement, was able to deliver a beautiful eulogy at her Mother's funeral service. She knows that her Mom is now in Heaven and all is wonderful for her!!
On June 6, Brenda had her final scheduled chemo treatment of the 3 that were ordered after the PET Scan in early April. Because that scan showed that there were only "traces" of the cancer, we were hopeful that the traces would be gone and that Brenda could declare victory!!! However, that was not the case. On June 21, we had an appointment with Dr. Tillmans at West Cancer Center in Memphis for another PET Scan. Although the traces had shrunk, they were still there. Dr. Tillmans asked her if she had 3 more chemo treatments in her and she said she would put on her "big girl panties" and go for it. We know that the doctor is not taking any chances and we appreciate that, but she was very, very disappointed that she had to do more chemo. She has her first of the 3 treatments tomorrow.
On Thursday of last week, Brenda had two MRIs done on her spine. Dr. Tillmans ordered the MRIs thinking that her arm pain and weakness might be a result of somthing in that area (pinched nerve, etc). When Brenda goes in tomorrow for the chemo, she will first meet with Mandy, the APRN, and we hope that she will be able to share the results with us and that there might be an answer to the arm issues.
Once again, we thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and ask that you keep it up!!! Brenda has fought hard and has been valiant through all this, but she is tired and in need of a break from the cancer threat.
We love you all !!!
I apologize to all of you because I know it has been way too long since my last update and a lot has happened since then.
First of all, many of you knew that Brenda's Mom had been pretty much fighting for her life. In fact, she went into Hospice Care at St. Bernards in early to mid April. Unfortunately, she lost her battle on May 21. Brenda had been with her every day for the few weeks prior to that. She and her sister, Reba, were valiant but they both recognized that it was time for their Mother to go home and reunite with their Dad. Brenda, much to my amazement, was able to deliver a beautiful eulogy at her Mother's funeral service. She knows that her Mom is now in Heaven and all is wonderful for her!!
On June 6, Brenda had her final scheduled chemo treatment of the 3 that were ordered after the PET Scan in early April. Because that scan showed that there were only "traces" of the cancer, we were hopeful that the traces would be gone and that Brenda could declare victory!!! However, that was not the case. On June 21, we had an appointment with Dr. Tillmans at West Cancer Center in Memphis for another PET Scan. Although the traces had shrunk, they were still there. Dr. Tillmans asked her if she had 3 more chemo treatments in her and she said she would put on her "big girl panties" and go for it. We know that the doctor is not taking any chances and we appreciate that, but she was very, very disappointed that she had to do more chemo. She has her first of the 3 treatments tomorrow.
On Thursday of last week, Brenda had two MRIs done on her spine. Dr. Tillmans ordered the MRIs thinking that her arm pain and weakness might be a result of somthing in that area (pinched nerve, etc). When Brenda goes in tomorrow for the chemo, she will first meet with Mandy, the APRN, and we hope that she will be able to share the results with us and that there might be an answer to the arm issues.
Once again, we thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and ask that you keep it up!!! Brenda has fought hard and has been valiant through all this, but she is tired and in need of a break from the cancer threat.
We love you all !!!
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