Hi, all!

It has been quite some time since we've updated you and I've had several people ask about Mom's progress since the last update. We are so appreciative of all of you for how you continue to check up on her and show her love! We're sorry we haven't gotten this to you sooner. I thought a new CaringBridge may be the easiest way to get the info out there for all to see.

Here's some highlights of what has happened since our last post...

• We have seen Dr. Sokoya several times since August and he has been very pleased with Mom's progress and the way the graft is taking to her mouth. Each time we see him, he encourages us to be patient with the healing process and allow time for Mom's body to learn how all these new parts should all work together. She's had to accept the reality that there is no way she will have the function she used to have & since 2020 it has been limited already. This has been hard to accept.
• Dr. Duran (the wound care doctor) has officially discharged Mom from his clinic! 🥳 This happened about 2 weeks ago. Her heel pressure wound & her leg wound were both closed and doing well at her last appointment. The pressure wound on the top of her foot was just barely still open, but they told us to keep an eye on it and it should do the same. She still has to wear a compression sock on her leg & foot. But a big win - one less doctor's follow-up to have to worry about!
• Mom has been walking like a champ. 💪🏼 She no longer relies on either the wheelchair or the Rollator to get anywhere, especially not around the house. She's been able to wear flip flops over the bandages on her feet, so this has enabled her to even be able to walk outside the house some and feel a little more human. 😊 Luckily it hasn't gotten too cold here yet, so wearing flip flops has worked for now.
• Mom started eating solid foods about a month ago. Dr. Sokoya told her she could do this when she felt ready, so like the fighter she is...she tried earlier than we expected! This was going alright for awhile. Eating was certainly not enjoyable still, and "solid" is a loose term...she tried for softer foods that were easy to cut apart & chew on the good side of her mouth. Her determination was born from wanting to get rid of the feeding tube ASAP. The quicker she can maintain her weight without using it, the better the doctors feel about taking it out.
• The trach is out!!!! 🥳 This was by far the biggest victory we've had throughout the journey. Dr. Sokoya felt that Mom's airways were clear enough that even if she experienced swelling during radiation (which she has), she would still be able to breathe independently. He removed the trach and it (like most other things) has taken time to heal.
• Mom had her radiation mask made two weeks ago on Friday 9/30. This is much like her last radiation mask that is custom-made to fit to her face and ensure she stays in the same spot on the table while radiation is being given. This mask is then strapped to the table & unfortunately they have to put a rubber device in her mouth which is not going so well. Not the most comfortable set up!
• The radiation was scheduled to be given in 5 doses over a two-week span, every other day. Starting Wednesday, then Friday, Monday, Wednesday, and last treatment on a Friday.
• Her first Cyberknife radiation treatment was last Wednesday, 10/5. This first treatment lasted about an hour of full radiation. This was quite the task and made it hard to ready ourselves to face this 4 more times...but luckily, the last 4 treatments only have to last 20-30 minutes of actual radiation. The trouble comes from having to lay pinned down to a table while they *set up* the machine...🙄 This is quite uncomfortable and to make matters worse, Mom's been having some bad sinus drainage that she can't seem to swallow when laying flat. Makes for an all-around miserable experience.

Since then, we've been taking it one day at a time. Truth be told it doesn't get easier; if anything, it becomes more difficult as the days go on. In her current state (after 3 rounds of radiation), she is unable to talk and can barely swallow any water due to significant swelling. She's having debilitating headaches that are lasting longer than we'd like. Her energy has gone down due to the physical toll it's been taking on her body. And she is just TIRED. Ready for a new body, she says.

For fear of sounding negative or pessimistic, I should add that we want to be transparent with her journey and where she is. While she made great progress in between our last post on CaringBridge & pre-radiation, it's easy to feel like we've taken 1 step forward and 3 steps back. Nevertheless, we regularly remind ourselves that God remains present and walking with us through each new day. We have made it our goal to find just one thing that makes her smile every day, and God's mercies are new each morning with this beautiful fall weather, pictures of her grandbabies, or a lightening of the mood with some jokes (the men of the family seem to have that part taken care of -  you have to keep your humor!) Please continue to pray for her in the days ahead as we face the last two radiation treatments this week. Wednesday she will go for treatment @ 11:00 A.M., and we'll find out Friday's schedule soon.

Thank you again for your prayers, and I'll attach a photo of Mom enjoying a little time outside on our deck for those of you that haven't gotten to see her sweet face in awhile! 🥰

Address for sending cards: 2547 Glendale Circle, Smyrna, GA 30080

Phone numbers:
Jessica - (912)687-4336
Jamie - (912)687-4180
Greg - (912)687-2855