The Big C

July 7th

My mom found a lump around her pelvis.  They thought this was a swollen lymph node so she was treated with antibiotics for a 2 weeks and it got smaller but was still there. 

August 7th

She had surgery with Dr. Akainda to remove the lymph node.

August 13th

My mom went to meet with Dr. Akainda to have the stitches removed and find out the results of the biopsy.  The biopsy came back positive for Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma.  Dr. Akainda knew that this had spread from somewhere.  He checked her rectum and there he found a mass that he immediately biopsied.

It was an hard morning.  I knew there was a chance that it could be cancer but I was hoping for other news.  Her appointment was at 10:30 and when I hadn't heard from her yet at 11:15 I was starting to get nervous.  Pretty soon my phone rang and it was Jan asking me to come down to exam room 1 because my mother wanted to see me.  I dropped everything at work and went flying out of the door.

I knew when I walked in that room I was about to get the most horrible news I could ever hear.  My mother was crying and Jan was crying.  I honestly felt like I had been delivered a punch from Mike Tyson right in my gut.  I just held her hand and cried.  I don't remember too much else.  I am just so mad that neither Quinn, Dad or I were bossy and just said we were going to go to that appointment with her whether she wanted us there or not.  I hate that she got that news alone.

August 16th

Mom and Dad went to Omaha to meet with Dr. Jon Thompson at UNMC.  They did scans and blood work.  Our biggest fear was that since we knew that it had spread into the lymph node system and that it is squamous cell carcinoma was that it had already spread to her esophagus and lungs.  Mom really likes Dr. Thompson, she said that he is soft spoken and kind.  When he met with her that morning he said, "So you mean to tell me that you were living a perfectly normal, happy and healthy life... and then they sent you here to see me."  That made her laugh a little.

August 17th.

Finally we got some good news!  The scans showed that it has spread into the lymph nodes around her pelvis, but that is hadn't spread to her lungs or esophagus..  Also the biopsy came back that the mass in her rectum is squamous cell carcinoma which is great news.  And the best news is that Dr. Thompson is giving her a 50% chance of survival!!  As my mom says, "My glass is half full." :)  Dr. Thompson will be presenting her case to the tumor board on Thursday and from there they will decide on a course of treatment.  We know this will involve chemo, radiation and possible surgery.


Anyone that knows me knows that my mom is absolutely my best friend.  I talk to her several times a day about anything and everything.  She is my rock, makes me laugh and helps me to keep moving the right direction.  I just don't think that mom's should be allowed to get cancer.  The woman that I have leaned on and depended on for comfort now needs to lean on me, and I will do anything I can for her.

It makes me smile how differently everyone reacts to things.  Dad, he is the deep thinker.  He has such a way of putting things that just make total sense.  My favorite example is how he feels about waiting to figure out what mom's treatment will be.  "I feel like my house is on fire and I have called 911....... the operator that answered said they would love to help but the fire truck is getting worked on in Neligh and they will get here when they can.  Until then I have to watch my house burn."  And me, well of course I am the cryer.  I am also trying to keep things light and even make a few jokes here and there.  At this point mom isn't sick from treatments and still has all of her hair so I figure we better not take things too serious for now as things are going to get very serious, very quickly.  So why not laugh a little. 

Cancer Joke:  What do you call a doctor that is always on the phone?  And On-CALLogist.  :)

My mom is so strong.  I know that she is going to win this battle.  It won't be easy or painless, but she is going to win.

Please send prayers, love and positive thoughts our way.