Moving Forward !

Rick was moved out of critical care and into a room today. He was alert, although very tired and weak. He looks and feels like a human pin cushion. Due to the anticoagulants he is on he is bruised and sore. I told him of all the phone calls, emails and prayers that so many of you have sent his way. We can only hope of moving forward one day at a time, with continued improvement. His "burr" haircut makes him look like the "Ricky" we use to call him, but it is growing fast. I told him that as soon as he has cravings for his favorite foods that I will be glad to provide. Thanks to all of you !

A day to rejoice and praise God !

Today brought much hope ! My MRI didn't show any additional cancer cells and my lymph nodes look clear !! Dr. Brown talked with me, Jim (& Peggy, my support) and gave me my options. He answered several questions I had and I have decided to have a lumpectomy, followed by radiation. I will have surgery on Feb 17th, than have 2-3 weeks to heal, followed by radiation. Since I have to go Mon-Fri for about 6 weeks I will go to Thompson Cancer Center so that I hopefully will be able to leave from work and return, without missing days of work. I am so blessed that this was detected early with my mammogram, and because it is a aggressive cell, I know to count my blessings.
Rick is still in critical care, but was better. He was alert, asking to shave and brush his teeth. They were able to get him up and sit in a chair for the first time in 12 days. He is very, very weak and quiet down in the dumps. I think that due to the fact that he is more alert he realizes how sick he has been, and it has upset him. We all are trying to encourage him and tell him that he is healing and doing much better. I have told him about each and every phone call, and words of encouragement that many of you have sent his way. I told him of the hundreds of prayers that are out there. Please continue to life him up in your prayers as his days ahead will still be rough.
Thanks to all who have sent cards and phone calls with encouraging words and your precious wisdom to keep me straight during this crazy time in the Kennedy family. I've had a few moments that I wasn't sure what my name was, and you don't know how much your love has meant to me.

A VERY long night & day, with much hope !!!

Once again, I cannot thank ALL of you for your prayers. I felt that power each time I sat with Rick over that last 24 hrs. We (myself, Vickie, Megan and Jimbo) took shifts during the night and stayed by his side all night. He was in a some pain, but the problem was that he was very agitated and confused. After about 3am he finally went to sleep and when he woke around 7am he was much more oriented. The labored breathing he had all night has gotten much, much improved and his oxygen saturation's are improved. (Which means the oxygen is getting to his lungs and brains like it should). After a 11 days in the hospital he is finally eating and keeping it down. He needs the nutrition to heal, so we are giving him what ever he wants. Although he wanted "NORVELL", as in my Jim, to bring him a big steak. His birthday was yesterday and I think it is all a blur. We will certainly have a big celebration when we get him home. The doctors are encouraged and are thinking positive at this point. We are too !!!!! Keep those prayers coming and again we love you and thank you !!!!

I haven't had time to even think about my doctor's appointment. I think I will just go take a hot bath, go to bed and face that decision when I see the doctor.
Save the Ta -TA's.......ANN

It's hard to take what life throws at you sometimes !

We are told that God only gives us what we can handle, and today has been a test for our family. Rick had to be moved back to ICU. He has several blood clots (pulmonary emboli) in his lungs. One which is large and in the pulmonary artery. At the time we are not worrying about his head but putting our energy and prayers to healing of his lungs. He is still very confused and gets easily disoriented. As you read this please say a prayer for Rick. Our family appreciates all the love, support, prayers and concern you have shown.

Was I in a time machine ?

I had the MRI today, and what a trip that was. I've had an MRI on my knee before but laying on my stomach with the Ta-Ta's in two holes, with my arms stretched out over my head, felt like and sounded like I was going to another world. There was NOTHING that felt familiar about that experience. I've been off of some of my "fibromyalgia" meds, since I will be having surgery, and I don't move very fast these days. Well, when the test was over the tech said you can jump up when you are ready. I thought, "Do you see any part of me that looks like I can move any faster than a snail?? I needed an oil can to move after being in that contraption. I'm just glad it's over !!! ...... Now for the part that told me I had GOD right there with me, and all of you wishing me well.... when I got in the car my favorite song, "What a wonderful world" was on the radio. For the first time the tears came, ... not a boo-hoo but a few tears of knowing I was being taken care of.
Tomorrow is Ricks 55th birthday. He was moved to a room today. He is still a long way from recovery. We are not sure that he is out of danger of facing another surgery. I'm asking each of you to pray for Rick's healing, patience, and strength. He has not been out of the bed in a week and he is very weak.
Next adventure is at 8 a.m. on Friday morning. I see Dr. Lytle Brown to make the plan for my surgery. It will depend on my MRI report, but if nothing else shows up it will certainly make my decision much easier. I will keep you posted..... as soon as I know what the heck is going on.

I spent most of my day today worrying about Rick, my brother. He had a brain tumor removed a week ago today, and has been to surgery 3 times this week. Finally today, he is doing better and more alert. It looks like he has finally turned the corner, and we are hoping that he will get out of ICU tomorrow.
Tomorrow I will have my MRI at noon, to find out if there are any more cancer bugs in there. I feel positive vibrations from all the prayer and encouraging words you all have sent my way. Then, it will not be until Friday, when I meet with the doctor at 8am, to make our plan. I have my chin up, and know that God is in control.
I still haven't figured out how to put my picture on this Blog, but maybe once I can take a breather I can figure it out.

I didn't think that I would do a BLOG after finding out my diagnosis, but it seems that if I don't, my phone will ring off the wall, and my cell phone bill will "go out the roof". I more than appreciate all the phone calls, cards and hugs I have gotten in this past week. Last Thursday (1/15) I got the phone call that you never expect will be for you. "Yes it is cancer, and we need to refer you to a surgeon". The cancer I have is DCIS. (Ductal carcinoma in situ). I went for my annual mammogram and there it was. There is no lump or tumor, that I can feel........

so.... ladies GET YOUR MAMMOGRAMS. I will have an MRI on Tuesday the 27th, and see the surgeon on Friday morning. (1/30). It there are no other findings it will be my choice for treatment options. ** lumpectomy followed by radiation and oral meds, or mastectomy and oral meds. He told me that the survival is equal for either choice. I had planned to wear my " SAVE THE TA TAS" T-shirt to the doctor, but it had a stain on the front. This journey is new for me, and it still hasn't exactly sunk in, so I don't really know how I feel about it, how I will handle all this, and what I will decide. Please pray for me to make the right decisions and for my strength. I've never tried this Blog Stuff before, so my site may be confusing.