Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

The details for the spaghetti dinner fundraiser have finally been worked out and they are as follows:

Date: Saturday April 25, 2009

Time: 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Place: St. John Catholic Church

511 South Monroe St.Monroe, MI

$10.00 Adults $5.00 Children (4-10 yrs) 3 and under Free

50/50 and Other Raffles

Tickets are being printed now. If you would like to reserve tickets, please email me at: emily_short@comcast.net or you may post a request on this blog. Please invite any friends who may be interested. Thank you!

As for my mom's status, she completed her third dose of chemo last Wednesday and we've found that each dose is compiling and not giving her much relief in between. She has been told that her last dose on April 1st (April fools day!), will stay in her body for about 4 weeks afterwards. She is struggling a bit now with feeling optimistic, and I think the last leg of this battle will be hard for her. Because of the circumstances that occured after my mom's diagnosis, she will be closing her business for good in the coming weeks. As you may guess this is very hard for my mom to accept. She has taken pride in growing her business for many years and this is a stage of her life that will be hard to say goodbye to. Any words of encouragement you'd like to send her via the blog or in another manner will be greatly appreciated! I personally believe the next chapter of my mom's life will be the most rewarding and exciting for her. When my mom ran her businesses, she rarely had time to visit with family, especially her grandbabies. That was always hard for her, so I think wherever the future leads her, it will be closer to her family. Have faith mom!

Here is a scripture that I may for my mom today:

Mark 11:22-24

And Jesus answered them, Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown ino the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you received it, and it will be yours.

This is also what I give to my mom today to cheer her up:

Lots to Talk About

First, here is a journal entry from Mum written on 3-13-09:

“It is a week and a day after my second chemo treatment. This go round seems to be a little more intense than the last. I had my hair shaved from a "boy cut" down to my scalp and I am glad I did. The two processes of the cuts were a wise choice for me. It kept me in control of something. I got use to my boy cut quickly and it gave me an unusual sense of freedom and liberation. This was quite unexpected since I prefer to hide portions of my face behind my crowning glory. Now there is little to hide behind. I am starting to see large patches of white scalp showing through the patches of salt and pepper that still remains. My head now hurts and feels like someone is pulling my hair out by the roots. It even hurts to lay my head on my pillow. It is like an alien force trying to escape from my pours and hair follicles. I didn't expect the discomfort and pain. I don't like any pressure on my head and I resort to soft scarves and my very soft winter hat over my wig at this point.

This too shall pass and not too soon for me. I have four more days before my third chemo treatment. Obviously, this is something I dread and do not look forward to. The nausea was worse this time but the body aches and headaches were less. Food continues to taste peculiar and I never know which ones will sit okay and which ones will not. The whole process continues on and although I need to stay brave for those around me, I find a strong resistance to let them put the "poison", (which they recently told me is nicknamed the red devil), into my body again. It is a very unnatural process to sit and allow such a thing to happen to yourself.

So many dismal events seem to be occurring in the world these days and so many things seem out of our control. Parts of our city have been swallowed by the treacherous river that flows through town. The racing currents were merciless as they had no concern for homes or businesses in its way. I feel like my poisonous chemo is much like our river now and it recklessly flows through my body. It swallows all that gets in its way. I know that there will be sunshine and new beginnings when the flood recedes all who were affected will reclaim their belongings, just as there will be sunshine and new beginnings when my treatment ends and I reclaim my body.”

Vinces hit by the flood. Thank goodness, after lots of work, they opened today and looked busy!

Next: We had our "Pity Party" this past Saturday and it was a total success! I believe just about all of the females on my mom's side of the family were in attendance. This included her two aunts, Auntie Anna and Auntie Tina, and all of her cousins; as well as her sisters and some nieces. There was even an unexpected visit from her Unlce Sam, even though it was a girls only event. He was "The Don" at the Italian Ladies Gathering, as my Aunt Laurie puts it. It was a long time since everyone had gotten together in an intimate setting where everyone could catch up and bond. It meant a lot to my mom and to my other aunts as well. There were a few tears, but mostly lots of laughter and love. I won't say too much more since I want to post lots of pictures. The only other update is my mom and I attended a cosmetic session at her support group tonight and we had a great time together, as usual. I am mentioning this because there are some pics below of her trying on some new wig styles! Here are the pics, and thank you family members who came to the pity party - It was something that will definately need to be repeated in the near future, only lets not call it a pity party!

Blondes have more fun...?

Red headed...

Or....Sassy brunette....

Let the Pity Party begin!!!

Two Cycles Down; Two More To Go

Well this past Wednesday my mom completed her second chemo cycle! We are now half way through chemo (hurray!) After she completed her treatment, my mom and Aunt Fran came over my house to visit the kids for awhile. My mom sure was in rare form let me tell you - and not in a bad way. She was giddy and chatty and high spirited. At first I thought it was her depression medication or the fact that she really has been in a very positive place lately dealing with everything. But then she informed me that her nurse says she is experiencing "chemo brain". Apparently this is something that happens to some cancer patients where you say whatever comes into your head without a filter. Also, they give my mom steroids with the chemo, so that just added to her chatty and energetic mood. We had a laugh about it when she told me what was happening. I thought, boy she really is the poster woman for a positive cancer patient. I did enjoy seeing her in such a good place though.

Now, today is a different story. Today is a down day. She is still in good spirits, but very exhausted, quiet and experiencing the "crash". To add to her trials today, her hair started falling out last night. She showed me a clump that she was able to pull from her head. She called her stylist first thing this morning, and he was able to shave the rest of her hair this afternoon. My Aunt Fran and her granddaughter Jaclyn came to my mom's house to meet me and my girls so the kids could have a play date. I'm very thankful that Fran has been taking very good care of my mom - driving her to chemo and taking her places she needs to be. It was good we were all at her house after she got her hair done. First thing she did was show Evelyn to see if she'd be okay with it, and Evelyn just said, "It's okay Mum, you look beautiful". When she said, "its okay", she looked like an adult telling a child who has just fallen down that she will be okay. Where do children get that empathy? Then Evelyn hugged my mom tight and Jaclyn did the same. (Jaclyn has a grandmother who has beaten breast cancer also). I think that's what made my mom cry, not the fact that her hair is gone. She did confide that she was afraid to let my dad see her. I guess she still worries what he'll think even though we all know my dad would love and find my mom beautiful even if she wore a bag on her head.

Well, she’s been through the worst of everything now. If she can get through this, she can get through anything. At my mom’s request, all the women in my family are getting together for a “pity party” for my mom. It’s obviously not really a pity party – it’s more of a celebration of what she’s achieved so far. We’re all going to wear bandanas and scarves and drink pink cosmos. My mom is really excited because we’re making the guest of honor her Auntie Anna who is eighty-eight years old and is also battling breast cancer. Ironically, when my mom was at chemo this week, her treatment was scheduled the same time as Auntie Anna’s and they got to visit each other. My mom said her heart broke for her as she watched her get her treatment. At her stage in life, she should be spared such worries. It seems cancer touches so many people, and what it really teaches you is that most people are stronger than they ever thought possible. My mom’s new saying is: “God never gives me more than I can handle; I just wish he didn’t trust me so much”.

These are the scriptures that I pray for my mom today:

Psalm 91:14-16
Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

Since I mention my Aunt Fran in this post, I thought you all might like to see her trying on my mom's wig. Nice mullet! You all should have heard them laughing on the phone over this just like silly teenagers! Here is an old picture of the two empathic Mum huggers (Jaclyn and Evelyn). Let's all say it......Awwwwww!

"Invincible" By Teresa Anne

I got up today and felt "invincible", so much so, that I had even stopped taking my depression pills the night before. I got my new wig and felt like a woman again, so I was in full "let's go on a date" mode. Larry eagerly agreed since he has been a slave to my every need since my diagnosis. Other than his bowling nights out with my eldest son Ben, he has been a hermit in our house since before Christmas. Thank God for Ben's bowling competitiveness against his Dad. Ben says he lets his dad win, but its Ben who breaks a sweat, ha-ha! God bless you son for getting Dad out of the house.

The afternoon and evening of our date went well until we decided to go window shopping and the temptation of all the beautiful spring attire got the best of me. I tried on a few things until I became so weak and tired I needed to sit and regain my strength. Sitting there I trembled - what is this unusual feeling I am having? Larry said I looked pale and to just sit there for awhile, but I was frustrated, thinking this is NOT me. I am strong, I shop till I drop, and “I am invincible". But not today.

On the way home it all became too much for me to handle and tears streamed down my face. How will I work Monday? How will I make it through a whole day for Ben and Ashley's wedding? I can't even go on a date and try on some new clothes. What's up with that? After hours of uncontrollable crying, I came to my senses and realized I abruptly stopped my depression medicine, and maybe that explains the despair. But wait - I DON'T NEED depression medicine. I am Teresa Anne - "I am invincible". Well, maybe stopping the medication was a stupid thing for me to do right now since the medicine helps you forget that cancer makes you helpless.

I sit here in amazement. I sit and think how fragile life is and how things can change in an instant. A member of my family sat and told me about a little boy only eleven years old who was taken from his family due to a fatal seizure. I sat listening and just shaking my head wondering why that little boy was called to heaven. She told me about the hundreds and hundreds of supporters that attended his funeral to be with his parents, his younger sister and other family members who were all in shock and asking why this happened. I ponder and ask why. I ask God what would have happened if I had not felt that lump which was in a "hard to find location" in my right breast. Why was I spared? If it grew from nothing in less than a year to a tumor the size of a tangerine, what damage could it have done had I not found it? Would it have spread to surrounding organs, bones, or to my brain? I thank God that is not what happened and that the cancer was caught in time.

I can do this! I can get through the shakes, the crying spells, the sore mouth, the fatigue, the bald head, the fragmented thoughts, the disfigured body (its never been perfect to begin with), and I can even handle the poison they put into my body every other week. I can do this! "I am invincible" - I am Teresa Anne.

By Teresa Anne

I am so proud of you mom! You are my inspiration. I love you! Love, Emily Jo

Here is my mom with her new wig. JUST JOKING! This one was for laughs. (Good one Drew & Tara!)
This is really my mom's new wig! Pretty, huh? She is afraid that when her hair grows back she won't like it as much as the wig since the wig is very thick, full and requires little maintenance.
Evelyn with Mum - She is writing her another love letter. That is her favorite thing to do - make Mum cards.
Evelyn trying on Mum's wig.
This pic my mom's friend Kim took while they were out to dinner. Evelyn let Mum borrow her plastic fork since metal forks make my mom's food taste like metal (chemo side affect).