Updates on Grandma Austin

So mom has been a frequent flier to the various doctors offices and their phone systems in the past two weeks...

Grandma had her appointment with the Oncologist that specializes in the wonderful world of women's reproductive systems. He confirmed that Grandma has a non-aggressive cancer that has attacked her womb and that it is likely late stage 1 early stage 2. His has already laid out several plans of attack- all without any treatments of chemo or radiation. All plans include a complete hysterectomy with the removal of 2 lymph nodes and a biopsy of 3 or 4 others to be safe. He wants to make sure that there aren't any cancer cells potentially lying dormant in her body to wake up later and make another come back.

Plan A: Complete hysterectomy by way of laser incision and robotic camera/arm. This plan would have grandma back up and on her feet within 72 hours... This is the best case scenario...

Plan B: Same as plan A but with the additional removal of the other lymph nodes which would mean a little more pain and a little longer procedure... but still up and about rather quickly.

Plan C: Worse Case Scenario- A traditional hysterectomy with the removal of the various lymph nodes... this is the worse case because the recovery time would be upwards of a month... this scenario would take place if once they get the robotic camera in and they realize that the previous radition not only left painful scar tissue but also adhered the organs together (bladder to the uterus, intestines to the uterus, etc).

The surgery has been scheduled for next Friday, May 27 in the morning... please keep her in your thoughts and prayers as she prepares for the surgery and recovery. I am hoping for plan A... not to be selfish but I want my mom and dad to enjoy themselves in Colorado when I get married in July and if the surgery ends up being Plan C, my grandma might still be under their care when they come out... and trying to get home health set up is not an easy feat, especially with Medicare...

Remission No More...

If planning a wedding and being within 60 days of the big day isn't stressful enough for any bride... or the final 20 days of school with IEPs to finish, evaluations to complete, progress reports to update, folders to organize, rooms to pack/move/clean isn't stressful enough for any teacher... or looking for a job (for yourself or your significant other) isn't stressful enough for any unemployed person... or having a close friend or family member deploy (or redeploy) to the Middle East isn't stressful enough... we find out that my mom's mom (my Grandma Austin) is no longer in remission from cancer. What a wonderful time in my life right now! If I happen to spontaneously burst into tears, you will understand hopefully...

Grandma had been in remission from renal cancer since 2004. She was diagnosed in the Fall of 2002 with late stage 5 renal cancer, one the doctors didn't think she would fully recover even with radiation and chemo... by Spring of 2004 the Oncologists announced that she was in remission... and has stayed that way until this year...

My mom noticed that Grandma hadn't wanted to make her annual "cancer doctor" appointment in January and that she had been complaining about various ailments that were out of the ordinary for her. Mom FINALLY broke down and made the doctors appointment for her mom... only to find out that the doctor had some SERIOUS concerns and he wanted Grandma to complete a CT/PT scan, a visit with the "cancer doctor" and an appointment with the OB-GYN for more tests... all were scheduled last week for the next few weeks (one a week for 3 weeks).


Today was Grandma's CT/PT scan (not sure which she had) in the morning. By the time they were finished with the scan, the doctor's office was calling mom asking them to come into his office that afternoon. My dad met my mom and grandma at the doctor's office this afternoon to get the first round of news. The scan showed renal cysts (doctor isn't worried about these), some diverticulitis (not concerned either since it isn't inflammed), and uteran cysts (very concerned). Not to mention her blood pressure has been higher than the doctor would like and her blood work showed high CSA's (an indicator of the presence of cancer). Her OB appointment has been changed from 2 weeks from today to Friday- well woman appointment has turned into an appointment complete with a biopsy and other tests... Cancer doctor appointment is next Tuesday.

Please keep my mom and grandma in your thoughts and prayers as they re-embark upon this voyage again...

On my feet again

Hey everyone out there in bloggerland that may or may not read my blog... As you know, I have been doing a lot of self-reflecting about my life and my habits. Many people have commented to me on facebook, myspace and here that I don't need to change, I am a wonderful person... even E has told me that I am a great person... but I am not changing for HIM! I want everyone to know that up front...I am wanting to change to be a better ME FOR ME!!!!

I have realized a lot of about me. I don't want to sound conceited or vain, because that is definitely not my intent... I am a very sweet and caring person. I tend to put others needs in front of my own. I go out of my way to help those that matter the most to me, my family and close friends. I am helpful and honest. I typically say what I am thinking, and sometimes to a fault. I am outgoing, almost always cheerful (except at the wee crack of dawn hours) and I try to see the sunnyside of situations. I know I am bubbly, sometimes annoyingly bubbly and perky... but that is me... I am chatty and childish... I like to be tucked in by that special someone and kissed good night before falling asleep. I still sleep with a stuffed animal or at least have something in my arms when I fall asleep (at least a pillow or blanket)... I am goofy and like to try new things, at least MOST things...

In the last few weeks I have realized that I have gotten into a bad habit of cutting people off, putting my needs first in conversations, not asking about others until I am finished with my thoughts... As I so sweetly was told the other night, I need to remember my SUMMARY button and use it more often...

I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers these past few weeks. I know that they are what has helped me make it through this trying time in my life. I ask that you continue to pray for both myself and E to be able to let go of past hurts and be able to continue to talk to each other and move past this hurdle in our lives. We both need the prayers.

THANK you Annie for your support and words of wisdom. I am doin my best to follow your advice because it is sooooo accurate and right on! And THANK YOU Aunt Kim and "Mom" Ronda for both being here for me. E commented the other day on the three of you being so right about me from your posts on facebook, on here, and in person.

Prayers for Military

Family and Friends~

I wanted to take a moment to ask you a grand favor... two of my close friends are deploying this week for Iraq... If you could please add Todd Frantom and Jeremy Crombie to your prayer list I would be appreciative.

My best friend Jeremy was over in Saudi in 2003 when the war first started and Todd was in the Arabian Sea at the same time. They both returned home safely that time and I am confident that they will return home safely again.

I know that Todd is a little apprehensive of this mission since he is going to be a combat journalist with the Navy SEALS. I don't know what part of Iraq he will be, but if he has reason to be concerned then I am sure the concern is warranted.

Thanks for this favor. I pray for all the military that are currently serving our country, providing us with the freedom that we all love and take for granted.

Prayers Needed

I have a favor to ask of my closest friends. I know that I can come to you all for anything, and through high school you all proved that I could come to you for prayer and a shoulder to cry on at any time... Most of you have heard me talk about my "lil brother" you know, the kid that is the closest thing that I will ever have to a little brother... well I am asking for prayer for his family.

When I came home the last time three weeks ago, Blake's Memaw had gone into surgery to remove cancerous tissue from her body. She has been in the hospital in and out of ICU ever since. Things are not looking so great for her right now. The last I heard the doctors were saying that she had pancreatic cancer and that it was in the late stages of development. I know that some new tests have been completed and she has undergone more surgery... but tonight my lil brother said that she wasn't doing so well.

I am asking for prayer for her, for peace and comfort from the pain... for her family as they struggle with this situation... her daughters, ex husband, and oldest grandkids have been staying up at the hospital around work schedules around the clock... but also prayer for little Ana Rae... the youngest grandchild... she is innocent... she does not know what is going on other than Memaw is in the hospital and that she can't go see her. Prayer for acceptance, comfort, peace, understanding...

Thank you all for this. Losing a loved one is not easy, as we all know... it has been almost 4 years since we lost my grandfather... Memaw is as much like a grandmother to me as my own grandparents. I hate that I can't be in Tulsa right now to stay with Ana and to help the family out. It hurts me to know that I won't be able to come home to be there for them anytime real soon unless the inevitable happens...

Lord hear our prayers...