It’s been a brief two weeks since I updated but I have great news! Da Momma met with her oncologist yesterday and discussed her status, progress and next steps. All are fabulous! Mom continues to gain weight, increase her strength and stamina and expand her activities! Her oncologist is hesitant to pursue the remainder of the chemo treatments at this time because we don’t want to move backwards (again). SO… for the time being we’re going to continue with monitoring her status. Mom’s situation is so unique being that she had only one very small tumor and the chemo, radiation and surgery have done all that we had hoped. That being said, there is nothing to do at this time except set up an appointment for mid-April for her to have tumor marker blood work and scans of her chest, abdomen and pelvis (3-month intervals are the plan for the time being). Now, I must say that this is about the most welcome update as we welcome the slowdown in appointments, needle pokes and additional radiation exposure! As if there’s a need to top all of that; mom will be cut off from home nursing and PT services this week! She will be referred to continue PT at the TCO in Blaine (less than a mile from home). She’s driving! Did I forget to mention that little tidbit? Well, she is and I can tell she is relieved and happy to have that freedom back! It’s good for her to be more active both physically but also mentally/neurologically and her healthier appetite is fueling it all! We are beyond thankful for the outcomes that we get to embrace thanks to the amazing team of docs she had at Minnesota Oncology and the Allina Health Cancer Institute. I do need to give a special shout out to Dr. Mark Hill who did the Whipple Procedure and provided honest and sometimes difficult information but gave da momma the best possible chances at a longer existence with all of us. Secondly (only because I’m going alpha order) Dr. Sushma Tatineni, her oncologist who continues to be so supportive, informative and available. Both of these doctors have amazing teams working with them who have made this experience manageable and at times, even enjoyable albeit under the ugliest of circumstances. I ask for prayers for the docs and their teams to continue to be able to provide the same exceptional care and best possible outcomes to all those they come in contact with! 

As for da momma… she continues to improve and impress! She’s gone back to enjoying all of the great food at Carol’s Calico Kitchen in Blaine where she and her sister Mary ate probably 6-8 times during the week my sister and I were in Mexico. Mom and Mary had a great time last week! They traveled to Rushford, WI in search of “GOOD” lefse since we didn’t get to make the best stuff this year. They found some good stuff but nothing like da momma makes! We may have to do it “out of season” and have it for Easter this year and not wait for Christmas when we typically make it. We’ll see!!!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! All of the love, prayers, support, texts, calls and check-ins are critical to where we’re at today! Know that we felt every single feeling from everyone! It’s still hard to think about the toughest days without breaking down in tears and realizing how close we were to losing this amazing woman in the past year…. As soon as I start to fall back to those times, I immediately remind myself that’s why the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror…. Looking forward is SO much easier and rewarding than looking back; for all aspects of one’s life. I implore you all to keep that windshield clear so the sun can shine through, put on your shades and be thankful for every day you have and take nothing for granted. I know I won’t! 

I hope you continue to enjoy the winter that we’re NOT having in MN! Be well, be happy and stay in touch!

God Bless!

Tina