A Collection of blog posts from Mom's Journey with Cancer

Its been one year now since we found out that Mom had cancer. I have hopes of writing my full account of this journey with my Mom. However, that will all have to wait till another time to get posted.
For now, I’m going to copy and paste excerpts that were taken from my main blog. Since they are from my main blog, these posts are complete with status updates and surgery schedule giving a real every day account of what happened in our lives during this time. So, it may not read as smoothly as some other things that I’ve posted, but it still sketches a glimpse as too what happened, and how we walked through it.

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11/6/08

-Everything Has Its Time-
To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven . . . (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
As the scenery has greatly changed outdoors, giving us new bright Autumn colors to gaze at,
so has the scenery changed in our household . . .

Dear beloved Family & Friends,
I write to you today asking for prayers as our family enters a new walk of faith. We have recently learned that my Mother has Stage three Malignant Melanoma (skin cancer).
This this news all started a few weeks ago when our M.D. did a biopsy from a small tumor on her back. As he sent it off to the lab, he confirmed to us that it was defiantly at least stage one Melanoma Skin Cancer, but that he felt sure would be at stage two.
While waiting for the confirmation call, we learned from the nurse that they had the tests back into the office … but our M.D. still did not call us. As a day or two passed we knew that something was must be wrong.
The confirmation call finally came in saying that it was much worse than we had hoped for, that it was at Stage Three. This means that she will need to have surgery to remove large (+6 inch sections) of the cancer filled skin on her back.
The very next morning we found ourselves sitting the Dermatology office. The specialist there took another biopsy from a spot on her face and made sure we knew the gravity of this situation. Then, since the cancer is at the ‘dangerous’ state of stage three, the doctor ordered for more testing to be done too make sure that it has not metastasized to her liver, lungs or lymph nodes. That afternoon we went to the hospital and had the blood tests and x-rays done, and an appointment is currently being made in Madison to have her a biopsy on her lymph nodes. We hope that the Madison hospital will remove the skin at the same time they do the biopsy, but things are yet to be confirmed in this area.
There are still many things to be worked out and we would greatly covet your prayers as we start this new journey of faith.
Humbly yours,
Dawn for the Beatty Family

11/7/08
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (Romans 12:12)

This morning, we received a call from the University Hospital about a appointment next Wednesday, the 12th, at 2:30 in the afternoon. As with any new doctor that we see, there will need to be a consultation before any real work is done so we believe that this appointment will hold some information gathering and a few tests.
The surgeon is Dr. Weber. We were informed that she is normally not in on Wednesdays, but has agreed to see Mom on her day off of work. We ask that you please pray for Dr. Weber, for knowledge, wisdom and accuracy and grace for the time with us on her day off.
We still cannot help but wonder if this is THAT urgent enough, that a doctor would come in on a day off to see her?! Somehow it doesn't seem possible that it could be all that bad. However, at the same time, we are resting in the Lord and his will. All of us are grateful for His presence and the knowledge that He is with her, with us.
It is in these times that we are reminded of our total dependence upon our Father in Heaven and our Saviour. Praise Him for He is good and His mercy endures forever.

11/10/08
"Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God."
(Psalm 43:5)
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials; knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience; But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
(James 12:2-4)
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!For His mercy endures forever.
(1 Chronicles 16:34)

Tensions have risen as we are eagerly anticipating all the remaining details to fall in place for Mom's test results and surgery information. There have been many many calls today going back and forth between different hospitals and doctors however we are now happy to have a few things figured out and some dates set. We are still awaiting one biopsy result (that will not be in until later this week) however the tests on her lungs and liver came in clear, praise the Lord!
This Wednesday, the 12th, we travel to University Hospital in Madison. At 10:45 she has general registration for the hospital; register at the surgery clinic; then see Mary Beth (the surgeons assistant) for a total skin examination, history and more paper work; then go to the 'Learning Center' for paper work; then an appointment with the anesthesiologist and sign his papers; then, at 2:30, she will see the surgeon, Dr. Weber. We appreciate the very thorough approach they are taking to rid her of this cancer. Surgery is scheduled for Wednesday the 19th. No details on this day yet, just that she will report to the Nuclear Medical Department that morning for a Sentinel Lymph-node Scintigraphy test. This means that she will be injected with a blue dye at the cancerous tissue site that acts like a little GPS system and is tracked via X-ray, this tells them which sentinel node the cancer may have channeled to. Then that node will be biopsied for cancer cells. That afternoon, she will have surgery to have a large area excision. We will learn more details about all of this on this Wednesday, when we visit the hospital.
Thank you to everyone for all of the notes, calls & prayers! "We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers ..." (1 Thessalonians 1:2) We are very grateful for your love and support as we walk through this. There is still a long road ahead of us however, we are eager to see where the Lord leads.
-Interesting Info- Before Mom got Melanoma, we really did not know much about skin cancer at all! Most of us basically thought that it was something that you got from the tanning bed or from getting sun burnt one to many times. However, now we have been exposed to an enormous amount of information. Come to find out, (like in Mom's case) you do not even need to be exposed to the sun at all to get it.

11/13/08
I Know Whom I Have Believed
(4th verse)
"I know not what of good or ill may be reserved for me, of weary ways or golden days, before His face I see. But I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day."

This song has been on Mom's heart and mind lately leaving the tune stuck in my head all day. The Lord is so good, and His mercy endures for ever. We are ever so aware of His presence with us. We certainly have committed this entire chapter of our lives to Him.
The trip to University Hospital in Madison yesterday went very well. The good news of the day was that the biopsy from her face came back benign, not malignant! So, she is now fully registered with the hospital and the surgery clinic, and all pre-op work ups are done, so she does not have to go back before surgery day.
We met Dr. Weber (the surgeon), her nurse and her student doctor. All are very pleasant to work with. All of them are very happy with the way Dr. Coates (the dermatologist in Rockford) has handled this. Dr. Weber is assigning her an Oncologist there at the Madison hospital, so, we look forward to meeting him soon.
If the lymph biopsy (that they take the day of surgery) shows shows a metastasis, they will take the whole cluster of lymph nodes out in a second surgery.
Dr. Weber made sure we/she understood the need for intensive follow up for the next 10 years. Dr. Coates will do the post op follow up 2 weeks after surgery, and take the stitches out, then she will see her every three months. She will take care of the other suspicious places on her. We have yet to get an appointment with the Oncologist.
Mom has a phone consultation tomorrow with a nutritionist. The nutritionist will work up a diet plan for her based on her blood tests, and lab reports. We hope to build her immune system to help fight anything that is currently trying to metastasize. She will have an in person consultation as soon as we can work out an appointment time.

11/16/08
Kleenex have been a common sight in our house this past week because, Mom has become very ill with a chest cold. Everyone else has had the sniffles, but nothing like the Bronchitis that has settled in Mom's chest. Early this morning, she could not breath and had to go to the ER. Her Bronchitis simply triggered/caused an asthma attack. After two nebulizer treatments, she is now finally able to breath.
The surgeons will not do the surgery if she has a cold much less Bronchitis. So, we are doing everything possible to help her heal quickly. We would covet your prayers concerning her heath as we approach the surgery date that is coming up all to soon.
On a lighter note, in an effort to come up with things to keep Mom's hands busy as her back heals after surgery, Mom requested that I quilt a few tops that she had pieced so that she could have some binding projects to do. Our friend, Margaret, was gracious enough to let me come in this past week and use her long-arm-quilter to run some panaghraphs on Mom's pieced tops.
I have not used Marg's Long-Arm in a long time (probably not since I worked for her at the quilt shop!) So my skills were rather rusty. However, Marg was more than happy to help me out and get me going. I was able to do two baby quilts, and one full sized one. So hopefully, with the binding projects along with some crocheting and fine needle work, a few good books, and a few dozen cups of nice tea ... Mom should be able to keep her fingers rather busy while she is healing after surgery.

11/18/08
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
(Hebrews 11:1)
Tomorrow is Mom's surgery date and it appears that she has healed JUST enough from her bronchitis for the surgery to still go on. Prise the Lord!!
A few last minute details for tomorrow: Mom reports to the surgery clinic at 9:15AM and will then get settled into her room, and have her vitals taken IV put in etc etc ... Then they will take her to Nuclear Medicine for a 10:15 appointment. This is when they will put in the radio active dye that I mentioned earlier. Her surgery is scheduled to start at 1:45. Originally, we were told that it would take a few hours for surgery. However, they think they may have too take a lymph node from the groin as well as from the arm pit, so they are now allowing more time. It is sometimes easy to feel that all of this is almost over now. However, we know that there is still much to be done, surgery is just the first step to beating this Melanoma. Thank you all for your prayers and concern, they are greatly appreciated. :)


11/19/08
Ok this is just a quick update .... many more details to follow later on tonight! Surgery went well. When they did the radio dye this AM it traveled to two lymphs (one under each arm). When they did the surgery on the lymphs they found two lumps in one node and one in the other. These will be sent off to be biopsied and we will get the results next week. Doctors were pleased with how things went on her back. I have yet to see her yet as she is still asleep in recovery. Hoping to give a detailed post this evening with more info. :)

11/20/08
Surgery day proved to be a very loooong and trying day. Things started off bright and early yesterday morning. Mom got all cozyed up in her comfy PJs and matching slippers as we packed things up in the car. A few past doctor visits prepared us to come in comfy warm clothing when expecting a long day. Upon arrival she got signed in and headed right off to the nuclear radiology department.
This is where they injected nuclear radio active material in around her original cancer sight. This material then traveled in the same pattern that the cancer does leading them to the right lymph nodes for them too (later) biopsy, and test. Since lymphs grow in clusters, the object is for this material to go right exactly to what cluster the cancer may have traveled so that they could take out the right node. They tracked this material with a "GPS" system via x-ray pictures up too two lymph clusters, one under each arm pit. This surprised the Doctors as usually one arm pit would be involved. Later on in surgery, they would bring out a pen like rector scale that would buzz around the right nodes in the cluster. Then, they injected a blue dye that traveled in the same pattern up to the lymphs to identify 'in blue', exactly what nodes could/would be metastasised with melanoma so that they would extract the right ones for biopsying. So the nuclear stuff was to identify the right cluster, the dye was to get the right nodes with-in the cluster. After the nuclear stuff was done we headed back to her room where we had some nervous chatter with the Doctors. There were a few worries here and there as we approached surgery time. Enough worries to make us a tadd jittery so Mom pulled out a baby blanket to bind. The small needle work kept her hands busy until time to go back for surgery.
During this time we also met more Doctors that would be working on her. Since this hospital is such a wonderful teaching place, there were quite a few student Doctors that got to scrub in and take part. At times it was easy to loose track of names from the +6 Doctors/Student Doctors that were involved with the surgery.
Then, the time finally came to take her back. A few hours later, the Head Surgeon informed us that she was out of surgery and that things went well. She was very pleased with how the surgery its self went and how her back looked after the 3" x 7" section was taken out.
Doctor said that they went in very deep under her arms for the nodes. They ended up taking out five lymph nodes all together. Three under one arm, and two under the other. These nodes are being sent off to the lab for biopsying and the results should be back in one week. This also meant that she would be very, very sore under there, probably more sore under there than her back!
A few more hours passed and then Mom woke up. When she first woke up she was in a LOT of pain and it took them a while to get her pain under control. After that she was just really groggy, and things were extremely painful under her arms. She stayed rather green faced for quite some time as she rested. It still took time for the pain to calm down and she had some major nausea if she moved. As soon as she felt better she was discharged. There was much talk about staying over night however, the Doctor said that it would be better for her to come home and get a full nights rest at home, rather than have the nurses waking her every 2-4hrs (protocol wakes for hospital patients) so she was soon strolled out to the car where, (as gentle as the driver was being!) there were quite a few bumps and lumps but we finally made it home around 10ish (PM).
Upon our arrival home, our hearts were blessed to see that a dear sweet family had picked things up around the house, made dinner and set the table for us leaving wonderful get well cards sprinkled about.Even though we were not able to enjoy the meal last night, we are looking forward to having it to day. It was a tremendous blessings to Mom (and to our) hearts. Thanks so much dear ones!!
I will continue to update as she recovers here at home. Right now we would covet your prayers as she is still in a LOT of pain and has quite a bit of recovering to do.
Well that's my update for now! I must be off to bed but like I said, I'll continue to post more as she recovers!!
~Dawn for the Family

11/21/08
36hrs later
Dad went right back to work after we got home because he has some NASA job to get done and Beth has now returned to her Nanny position. So, I will now only see her and Dad on the weekends making this house feel much bigger than it really is.
The first 24hrs after surgery were very painful for Mom. Between the combination nuclear active material in her body, the blue dye (both make you feel really icky) and the irritation of a breathing tube (that really, really aggravated her healing bronchitis) and the shock of surgery on three parts of her body she has really had it rough. The incisions under her arms are about 2-3inches and they took the biopsies pretty deep with-in the arm pit nodes. This made all arm movement pretty impossible.
I had planed on dealing with her pain from the surgery on her back however, I did not figure on her arms being immobile. So, as you can imagine, it was pretty challenging to find a position to make her comfy. Laying on her back was not an an option due to her surgery there, and laying on her sides was not really an option either due to the surgeries there, and her stomach was not an option because of the rolling involved to get her in and out of that position . Sooo, we ended up with lots of pillows to prop her into kind of comply spot. Needless to say, Ice packs have been her favorite buddy lately. I have enjoyed many many trips to the freezer in swapping out her packs and piling on the quilts to keep her warm. Through it all she has maintained a very positive attitude. However, the human body can only take so much and as remarkable as the Lord has built us, our bodies still need lots and lots of time to heal after things like this.
Now, 36hrs after surgery (taking everything into consideration) she is doing pretty good. This morning she is able to be a little bit more mobile and is feeling well enough to carry on small conversations here and there. Her pain and swelling is starting to go down as well so that is wonderful.
Well, that's all the news that I have time to type for now! Thanks to all for your continued love and support. We would still covet your prayers as she recovers and as we walk out the next stages of this journey.

11/22/08
This dark deary sky that we have seen the past few days seemed to be creeping into our home as well . So, on one of my many ice pack runs I got an idea to bring an extra big smile to Mom. Thus, a wig and bright make-up was quickly applied making little Dawn-Marilyn-Monroe-Beatty appear. The look on her face was priceless as I asked if she would like some oatmeal for breakfast! *haha* Needless to say, smiles were not lacking around our house this morning!
On a more serious note. It's amazing what we take for granted on an every day basis. Our mobility is certainly a wonderful God given gift and should not be taken lightly. The simple every day things that us mobile beings enjoy like brushing your hair, bending over the sink while brushing your teeth, getting in and out of bed or a chair by yourself are all simple things, but yet so important to every day life.
Today was an encouraging day because Mom was feeling well enough to do these things again by herself. I've been able to slack off on my ice pack runs as her pain and swelling have gone down a little. Even though her pain is letting up, she is still pretty limited in what she can do or how she can move and it does not take much to get her tuckered out. Although, she is still being quite the trooper with it all!
In other news ... this morning we got her new cancer diet from the nutritionist so we are eager to get going on that this week. There are not to many new foods in her diet that we are not already used to eating. However, the way that they are prepared and the combinations are a bit different so we are going to be eating lots of 'new' meals.

11/24/08
64hrs Later we are still managing to put one foot in-front of the other. Today, Mom is showing good improvement in her pain level and mobility. Our family has SO MUCH to give thanks for this year as we approach Thanksgiving. Today I am very, very thankful to the Lord for having such the tremendous blessing of my Mom. Its so wonderful to see her feeling better today as we celebrate and wish her a happy birthday!

11/27/08
One week later. Despite a horrible bronchitis flare up, Mom is feeling so much better and is starting to show real healing from her surgery. However, she is still rather limited in her mobility. Since she is feeling so much better, I have often found her stretching her limits as well as her stitches these past few days. Needless to say, some duct tape was applied to her and the recliner thus, solving the problem!
We are all getting used to her new diet and even though we have only been on it one week, we are already seeing some positive results from it! We are still awaiting her biopsy results (that have been slowed down due to holidays) but are hopeful of their outcome.

12/9/08
Dear Family & Friends,
We are grateful to report to you all the biopsy results are cancer free! The radioactive fluid tracked from her mid back on the right side of her spine, to the lymph nodes in the left arm pit and some tissue next to the lymph node cluster, then over to the right side. So the three 'sentinel' nodes and the tissue that took up the fluid on the left were removed and the two sentinel nodes from the right side were removed. All of them showed no evidence of malignant Melanoma.
My hope and trust has been in my God and His sovereign will. I had reached an obedient place in my heart and mind to joyfully receive and walk whatever He called us too, and so I joyfully received that it did not include Melanoma right now. :-) I can honestly say I was not "relieved", because it was no longer a burden, either way I would continue my walk with Him, I was prepared to rejoice either way. I rejoice that He has not called us too battle cancer right now. I rejoice for all He has taught me in the last five weeks. But mostly I rejoice in His love for me. He loves me enough to put me/us through trials and tests to grow me/us. I have learned more about steadfastness and my faith has grown.
We had the appointment in Madison on Tuesday with the surgeon, an appointment in Chicago with the nutritionist on Wednesday, and an appointment in Rockford on Thursday with the dermatologist. This has been a long week because we have also had the stomach flu run through our family. We received good reports from all of the doctors, Mom's incisions are healing very well. But we also received a lot of caution. The doctors in Madison warn that "this might come back". There is room for 'rogue' melanoma cells that are in transit and unable to be detected now, to settle in some place and start growing Melanoma at some point. We were also told to "prepare and be on guard because she will get a cancer again". So, it is important to keep all of her three month appointments, and do all the recommended scans, x-rays etc. The doctors recommend follow up for the next ten years. We were really encouraged on Tuesday when we were told to check into nutritional counseling about eating food to build my immune system! They said that this would be my best defense against any return or new cancer! They were excited to be reminded that we had already gotten with a nutritionist, and were on a new diet. This was all SO encouraging because even though we have seen food used as medicine to help our bodies heal, and we know people that can testify to it, we still were hesitant to continue because of the trips to Chicago, and asking my Dad to stretch us so far financially. So, we took this as a confirmation to continue to be diligent with food for nutrition and medicine. I would like to ask you to continue to pray for us; please pray that we would have wisdom and discernment concerning the Nutritionist, appointments and so on. I want to thank you all so much for the support, encouragement and prayers on our behalf this last month. We were blessed by your outreach of love and kindness.
Continuing in Him,
Dawn for the Family


11/4/2009
It has been one year now since we first got the call that confirmed Mom's cancer. Its been a long, but encouraging road since then. Mom has had lots of new cancerous growth in these past 12 months, and, has had to have three more patches of skin re-moved. The first two were malignant, but the intensity has de-creased over time and this last one (taken off 2 months ago) was not malignant.
It appears that the diet is working, we are so grateful that it is so that she does not have to go through chemotherapy. The Lord has been so good to us during all of this.
Right now Mom is being diagnoses as 'cancer free'. Praise the Lord!
Someday, I hope to write on a more personal level about all of this and how the Lord has worked in my own heart. But, all that will have to wait for another time and perhaps another season in life. For now, I am content to look over these posts and be reminded of God’s ever abiding presence and faithfulness in family’s life. God is indeed good.

Psalm 71:5-8

For You are my hope, O Lord GOD;
You are my trust from my youth.
By You I have been upheld from birth;
You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb.
My praise shall be continually of You.
I have become as a wonder to many,
But You are my strong refuge.
Let my mouth be filled with Your praise.
And with Your glory all the day.