Uh.... UPDATE.

I know it's been forever since my last post, and you are all probably on the edge of your seats wondering what has been going on with Mom, so here is an update: You probably don't know this, but, my (middle) sister, Debra has moved from Alaska to help me with all that has been going on. Don't know what I would have done had she not been able to do this. She's been bringing Mom to her chemo treatments and doctor appointments, as well as tending to Dad (on top of her own family miles and miles away!). She has truly been a life-saver in all of this. Mom has had her chemo and suffered all the side-effects that come along with that. She's also been hopsitalized a few times because of her "Electric Lights" being off (as well as her potassium and other key nutrients a body needs). Her mental status is not back to normal (she is still confused at times and behaves in the most bizarre manner), but all in all, not too bad. We had an appointment with Mom's oncologist yesterday. He showed us the scans that were done in 4/08, and the recent ones (8/08). I know it's hard to believe, but her "Aggressive, Inoperable Small Cell Carcinoma" has all but cleared up. The next step is to do extensive radiation treatment on her chest to kill off any remaining cells that are hiding and hopefully keep them from rearing their ugly head. On the flip side, she does have highly suspicious areas in her right breast that need to be evaluated further. Her oncologist's office is in the process of getting those appiontments set up (the radiology specialist and general surgeon for a breast biopsy). Then back to see him in a couple weeks. Deb has also had Dad evaluated and he has some gastro-intestinal issues that need to be investigated a bit further. I suppose that all those years of drinking is catching up (he's 82 and has been drinking since before the age of 20!). Deb told Mom the doctor suspects this is from SECOND HAND SMOKE. Sneaky... But, doubt it will help Mom kick the habit. Deb has made an appointment for Dad to have his eyes evaluated, and I believe she will be trying to get him to a Dentist for dentures which may help him eat more healthy foods. Kathy, my eldest sister has gone the denture route. I tell you - I couldn't even TELL she had dentures! They looked so much like her teeth always looked, and did not affect her speech at all. So, I guess that kinda helped Dad to at least consider dentures. Great job sistas! I wanted to take this opportunity to send out a heart felt THANK YOU to each and every one of you for your prayers and thoughts. I am sure there is a power far greater at work here, and don't think we would be where we are without your support. I also want to say, Hats Off to Debra. When she sold what she could up north, quit her job and hopped on the first plane to Louisiana, she instantly became my hero. I had never expected her to do that, but, she did. And living with your PARENTS after being on your own for 20 years is never easy, and our family is certainly no exception! She even managed to get Mom down to about a pack a day (Mom was smoking about 2-1/2 to 3 packs per day)! Amazing! Well, take care friends. I will try and be more consistent with the updates as they become available. Jeaux