Miracles happen everyday. They happen all over the world. Some are big, and some are small. Oh how amazing miracles are! I am so thankful that my family has been so blessed to receive many small and BIG miracles. 

 Recently:

- a local elementary school surprised my mom with a check from a Relay for Life event they did. 

- a local high school presented my mom a check of the money they had raised through various fundraisers.

- on my mom's birthday last week, many people brought her nice (and delicious!) gifts. 

- My mom had a pet scan and we got the glorious results today.

              Thank you for everyone's support, love, and prayers.                        We truly live in a beautiful world. 

      Here are a couple of my mom's facebook posts. You can hear the news in her words.

               Feb 2012- diagnosis of stage 4 esophogeal cancer, terminal, 6 months to live untreated, 1 yr to live or longer treated. Non curable. May 25, 2012- results from pet scan- tumor? not there- no where to be seen, big lymph nodes that were filled with cancer? gone. Spots in lungs that were worrisome? no cancer! One lymph node that is 1/2 inch big is a hot spot and there is cancer there. 18 weeks of chemo, continued prayers and I would say I beat the 0% odds the dr. gave me. Non-curable? with faith, and works and prayer and priesthood ANYTHING is possible! love you all!

               So 18 more weeks of chemo and possibly surgery to remove my esophogus but I will cross that road when it comes. I feel like I have my answer that it is Heavenly Father's will for me to be here. If you have researched esophogeal cancer you will know that what has just happened to me after 5 weeks of chemo and radiation doesn't happen- there were other forces working for my good besides the chemo and radiation!

I (kayla) have slacked a little on posting updates.. Sorry about that.. here are some posts from my mom's facebook:

April 20

Finished up the first 5 week plan- 28 radiation treatments and two rounds of chemo. Saw the doc today and gained 1/2 pound. I get a 3-6 week break then he wants to do some chemo sessions 3 weeks apart of the heavy chemo- I was thinking what was that I just had? But maybe it will be more tolerable because no more radiation! I told my "cancer" dr. well I was planning on some vit. d therapy over the next 3-6 weeks a little r & r- he said, "don't forget to wear sunscreen!" These last 5 weeks have been hard but I made it- should start feeling better within the next week or two.

 

 

April 24

afib, racing heart, er, admitted, great doc. on 2nd floor, 2 new medications, home from the hospital-happy heart! let the healing continue

 

May 05

The week after my 28th radiation treatment ended was the hardest week I have had in terms of pain and nausea- I am happy today to have a "normal" day- Costco, Wal-mart, lunch with my Mom and Aunt Gayle, shopping with my 17 yr. old later, and Menchies. I am so happy to feel good and just be alive!

Message from Cheryl:

Sometimes it is okay to "whine"- second week of chemo- Wed. night woke to blood and chemo on me and my sheets, turned out a malfunction of a part- so I called the number, drove myself over to the er, they unhooked the port, came home washed my sheets twice, showered and slept on the couch for the rest of the night. Went in today to get the chemo pack off and "whined" about being so nauseous- the nurse said-"well lets give you a shot for that!"- she said it should work for a few days- I think I will try whining more often!

Message from Cheryl:

For the first time in 3 months for the bi-monthly mother-daughter date Melissa and I go on- I was able to eat at Frostop with her! Little blessings you don't realize until your unable to do them. 3 weeks down of radiation/chemo- two more weeks til more testing. Friday was hard, on the couch, aches probably the build up of a weeks worth of treatment. Sat. just the opposite. Conference with Melissa, lunch at Frostop and shopping with Melissa until evening, visiting with 4 siblings in the evening, eating cookies along with everyone else. I sure appreciate the good days. Got up early today because I just wake up and thought it would be kind of nice to pamper myself and so I heated up a hot oil treatment and washed my hair in the sink, it might be the last hair treatment I do for awhile- don't know if it is the beginning or not but lots of hair came out when I combed it. I might be sporting a new "do" here- guess time will tell. Think I will go give myself a pedicure- my toe nails ain't going anywhere!

 Message from Cheryl:

Had an appt. today- things are going really well- except that what I thought was exhaustion from the treatments from the last two weeks was reallly my body running with 4 pints low in blood. Didn't have much time to come home and grab a few things and make sure my kids were taken care of and went back for a transfusion. Two tomorrow, and one on Sunday. I sat in the infusion chair and listened to some very good music and had a really personal, special experience. I can't even explain how many blessings have come to me and my family because of challenges. My spirit has grown and reached and I just feel so blessed! Thank you for Kayla and Don for taking care of (the 3 yr old) and making it fun! Thanks Mom for fixing dinner for my kids. The next week is going to be great- a full tank of blood and real food!

Message from Cheryl:

It must be fun to be named "anonymous" someone gave me a $20 bill in an envelope with no name- when I picked up the money it felt sacred and I felt gratitude for that anonymous. Anonymous #2 knocked on my door and ran and when I went to see who was at the door was met with a BEAUTIFUL hand made quilt so pretty and soft with the dearest note. Thank you all you anonymous's and named angels out there!

The Benefit Dinner was a huge success!! Thank you everyone that helped and donated! We had an awesome turn out :) 

Yesterday was my mom's first day of chemo and radiation. Here is an update from her:

Day one down- Cheryl vs. cancer- I spent from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the cancer institute- 1 hr in radiology. Waiting, 1/2 on table and a good visit with the radiologist who has tweaked my plan with one I feel is really inspired for my good. The rest of the time was spent in a chemo recliner. First waiting, watching two r.n.s take care of every chair in the chemo unit filled to capacity all... day with often times patients waiting in the reception area for an open chair. They hardly sat down and I don't know when they ate. Two of us were left until almost quitting time and the nurses were just as cordial to us as they were at 11 a.m. Took my i.v. to visit the woman in charge of the loaning out wigs, hats, scarves etc. She was so compassionate. She sent me home with a children's book that pre-empted our regulary scheduled f.h.e. lesson. We read the book and we discussed things then the little kids tried on the wigs, looked in the mirror and my 17yr old took pictures. Not only did I start day one with the best western available to me, but I drank 12 ounces of essiac tea w/ a drop of frankincense in it, 1 1/2 cups of chemo tea (3 herbs to combat nausea), liberal use of essential oils on my stomach and feet, adrenal complex/vitamin I dissolve and put in my g-tube, but I also met with my naturopath to discuss further ways to all facilitate my body's ability to fight, survive and thrive!

I am in awe of people's generosity. There have been so many donations for the Benefit Dinner. People who have given my mom and younger siblings gifts, treats, dinners, etc. I am so thankful for all that have been real-life angels to my family.

Something incredible recently happened that I want to share with everyone. My mom has a blood clot and the medication she needs to take is very, very expensive. Her limited insurance will not cover it. A pharmacy gave her the first week of medication for free. We still didn't have finances figured out after that week, so her oncologist gave her another week or so for free. During that time a lady at the hospital had been helping my mom by talking with the pharmaceutical company directly. We recently found out that the company will give my mom her medication. She needs to be on it for 6 months. That's about $30,000 of medication given to her!!

Thank you friends, family, and strangers that have been helping my family during this difficult time. I will be forever grateful.

- Kayla

Message from my mom (Cheryl):

I have been keeping really positive since finding out about my health challenge but yesterday I went in to get marked for radiation- tattooed- and the dr. I guess has to be blunt- I was embarrassed to start crying and told him I was really trying to remain positive and am expecting a miracle. Then a few hours later I had to go to the chemo place and have my port flushed and blood drawn in prep. for starting on Monday. It was a real big dose of reality and I let negativity in. Wouldn't you know my r. s. pres. would be inspired to bring down a plethora of gifts for the kids, me and tasty treats. After reading her note which was the most important gift, I was reminded that none of us are alone, we are watched and cared for by a most loving Father!

Message from Mom: 

I just wanted to thank EVERYONE! I can't believe the love, thoughts, prayers, anonymous and known gifts being sent my way. I am way humbled and grateful! Met with the oncologist today and have my 5 week plan set, I think it is possible to see a miracle in 5 weeks, that is what I am praying for but if not I will keep going with the next plan! Thanks everyone!

Thank you everyone that has included our family in your prayers, sent nice messages, brought food and fun stuff for the kids, and has donated money. We greatly appreciate it and are amazed by everyone's kindness.


Donovan and I are making a lot of progress on planning the benefit dinner. We have received a lot of cool donations for the auction so far. If anyone would like to help us sell tickets or post flyers, let me (Kayla)  know. :) 


Our mom is still recovering from the surgeries and her hospital stay. She is really achy and low on energy. We would like to request that she have no visitors for awhile, so she can concentrate on healing and resting. You are more than welcome to write her a letter, email, or even comment on this blog. 


We are all looking forward to seeing everyone at the Benefit Dinner. 


-Kayla

My mom was able to to go home today! They found a blood clot in her lung, so they put her on blood thinner. Problem is, her tumor is bloody, so the medication has made it leak even more blood. Once she starts radiation it should shrink the tumor enough that it won't be a problem.

Miracles keep happening left and right. I thank you all for your prayers. When they took the first lung biopsy the test result came back as "dead cells". The doctors thought dead cancer cells, so they took a second lung biopsy to double check. (sometimes the inner part of a cancer cell will be dead, but the outer will still be alive)  We got the second test result back, there is no cancer in her lung! This doesn't change her diagnosis, still stage-freaking-4. But it is better than if it was in her lung.

-Kayla

February 20-21, 2012

10 PM Monday night my mom called Donovan (my husband) and I. She was in severe pain and throwing up blood. We sped over to her house and took her into the ER. Her bowel had a kink in it, a complication from when they put the feeding tube in her small intestine on Thursday. I am very impressed with the ER doctor and nurse, they totally had my mom's back with everything and they were just plain awesome. Actually all of her doctors are awesome, and hunks as well ;) 

We stayed in the ER until 2 AM.. they then moved her into a regular room in the hospital. Donovan and I left when she started to fall asleep (around 3:40 AM). Cody (my mom's oldest kid) came to stay with her after his night shift.

Her surgery was successful. They unkinked her bowel, removed the feeding tube from small intestine, and put a feeding tube in her stomach. My mother has the best attitude about everything. She's quite the jokester. She was telling jokes in the ER, before the surgery, afterwards... anytime of day or night, regardless of how much pain she is in, she will say funny things.

The first thing she asked me when she came out of Post-Op, was how are my siblings doing. After I said they are doing good, she started to complain. Not about pain or how much this situation sucks, but complained that a nurse didn't laugh at her joke! Right before the operation a nurse asked her if she was allergic to anything, she responded, "you mean besides cancer". 

On Sunday, February 12, 2012, my mom went to the emergency room. She thought she had a blood clot or something minor. After a few hours of tests the doctor came in and told us that she has cancer. He was as gentle as he could be breaking the news. My mind and body disconnected. I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare. The doctor told us a few details about the cancer. I don't remember much from that day or from that week. But I do remember my mom asking the doctor if she could cry now.  My mother is a strong lady who has endured many things. It is unfair for her to get dealt this card too.


She stayed in the hospital for a week. While there she had tests done, a feeding tube put in her small intestine, and we got the test results back.


Stage 4 esophageal cancer. It has spread into some lymph nodes and there is a spot on her lung. It's terminal. The doctor did not even give her a 1% chance, just said it is not curable. He said without treatment the life expectancy is 6 months, with treatment 1 year, but in her case he is hoping for 2+ years. I am hoping for 20+ years. Miracles happen everyday. I desperately need one to happen for my family. My mom is a single mom with 5 kids. The youngest is only 3. My two youngest siblings know she has cancer, but do not know the severity of the situation. We'd like to keep it that way.


Pre-cancer diagnosis, my mom was running a daycare out of her home for income. She can no longer work. I created this blog to keep people updated on her cancer treatments, let people know of upcoming fundraisers, and to ask for any prayers or good thoughts you can send my mom's way. If you would like to donate money or buy something from the shop, that would be greatly appreciated. 100% of all proceeds will go directly to my mom. Any money would really help out with her medical bills and her finances.


I am doing everything I can, but some things can't be done alone. Please help me save my mom.


- Kayla