Bubbles!!

Well since I am WAY overdue in my blogging I figured it was definitely time to catch everybody up on my Mom's progress. Sorry I am so way behind, but when you don't hear anything from us for a while, just know that "no news is good news" and that life is just keeping us busy.

Since January my mom has been extremely busy with radiation treatment 5 days a week, daily chemotherapy and has started her new clinical trial of Avastin that will continue for the next 2 years. We gladly celebrated her last day of radiation on February 4th, woo hoo!! As she would tell you, her treatment got very intense towards the end. Her radiation tech buddy Aaron described it as "peeling an onion," meaning that it gradually becomes more focused with each treatment, as it hones in to target the cancer cells. The Bellingham Cancer Care Center truly enjoyed seeing my mom everyday for the past month and even gave her the nickname "Bubbles." They say her energy and zest for life is contagious and just bubbles out of her :)

Right now she is enjoying a much needed break from chemotherapy as well, she will be starting up again in the next couple weeks to start a 5 day course that will occur every 28 days. Her blood counts and overall health continue to look awesome and her oncologists are so impressed with how her body held up during such an intense first round of treatments. We are so very blessed that besides being exhausted and have some hair loss, she hasn't experienced any harsh side effects of cancer treatment. She has acquired a very beautiful collection of fun hats and scarves and wears them proudly wherever she goes.



She's been feeling up to getting out of the house a little more and going for walks almost everyday, rain or shine! We are very excited about her new nutritionist, who was recommended by her oncologist at the Cancer Care Center. My parents have met with her twice already and like the recommendations she has made. So far she has my mom eating a very "clean and green" diet with lots of lean proteins, organic fruits and veggies and a few new supplements (including some kind of interesting dried mushrooms)...But I really like the fact that she encourages my mom to indulge whenever she feels like it, for example the girl scout cookies I'm bringing home to her this weekend!

Overall things are looking very good for our family. We continue to be hopeful for the future and are grateful everyday for my Mom's strength and the wonderful advances in modern medicine. My mom has found such a great support system made up of all the staff at Bellingham Cancer Care Center. Also, I continue to be AMAZED and eternally grateful for how our close family and friends have stepped in and come through for us in whatever way we have needed help thus far. Our load has REALLY been lightened by all the delicious meals that have been made, offers to drive my mom to doctors appointments or help her run errands and especially the professional house cleaning donated by my mom's dear friend Brenda. You have no idea how much we appreciate IT ALL! We love you, God Bless.