Update

Mom just finished up another round of chemo on Saturday and is doing very well considering what the past month has been like for her. After her round of chemo in November she had a grand mall seizure. She was rushed to the ER via ambulance on November 7th and came home from the hospital on November 10th. It was a scary experience for Katie and Jim but Mom doesn't remember a thing. On that Monday (November 9th) Mom was asked what she last remembered and she could only recall what she had done that Friday morning before, which was watching Regis and Kelly on T.V. in the morning. She was taken home on the 10th but with instructions that she is not to be left alone anymore for long periods of time, if at all. She has been put on seizure medication and will always be on it. Since the grand mall she has had small tremors we call them and one good seizure that we know of last Friday (December 4th). Mom tires very easily and sleeps a lot.

Mom has lost a lot of her strength in her legs and can no longer get up from a couch, dining room chair or regular sitting chair. Even getting up from the toilet is no longer an easy task so we had to buy a special seat for her. She is able to get in and out of bed so that is where she spends most of her time. We are in the midst of getting her a lift chair for the living room. She is very excited about this and cannot wait.

I know to some of you this may seem like doom and gloom of a post but this is the reality of it and from this date forward Mom wants everyone to know the truth. She is in great spirits. Yah, we've had some set backs with the seizures and her losing strength but she is still very positive and holding on to hope.

She misses you all so much at Essilor. As you all know by now she is not returning to work. She is on permanent disability and has officially "retired" and waiting for MetLife to approve her long term disability. Social Security already has and will be starting up in January.

Now comes the hard part for some of you to read. Some may already know this information but most do not, so here it goes.... The type of cancer Mom has is GBM (Glioblastoma Multiform) Grade IV which does not have a good prognosis for life expectancy or quality of life. Please do not believe everything you read on the internet. Mom is taking one day at a time and not focusing on her numbered years. She does have another tumor that was found but it has not progressed since July and its only 81/2 to 9mm in size. Very small in comparison to the 5cm tumor she had removed in July. The doctor has very high hopes for this one for nonprogression. The chemo and radiation have halted the growth on this tumor. THANKFULLY! This type of cancer is on a person to person basis. The Texas doctors told us 11 months for a life expectancy for Mom. The doctors at Moffitt here in Tampa have told us 15 to 17 months. But, each case is different due to the quality of operation and medications. Mom feels she had a very good surgeon and has faith that he did get 99% of the tumor removed like he told us.

Thank you for your thoughts and daily prayers. They are very much appreciated and felt in our hearts. This has been a lot for all of us as a family to take in. This cancer is what it is and we will take care of her the best we know how. Hugs and kisses to all!