It has been six months since Morgan's PET scan in January so we contacted Huntsman and asked about what to do concerning her screening for Li Fraumeni. She was scheduled for a visit to dermatology, bloodwork, brain MRI, and a full body MRI.
Dermatology was first. They did a head to toe exam looking for anything out of the ordinary and didn't find anything. It really was just a baseline appointment and we won't have to go back for two years unless something shows up that is a concern. Morgan's bloodwork looked really good. She has a few things that show up a little low, but supposedly that is left over from the chemotherapy.
The brain MRI had really good news! There were no solid masses which would indicate tumors. A couple of areas of white matter were "overintensified" which is indicative of "chemo brain." It explains why she sometimes feels fuzzy or can't remember something. The doctors said that on most people this wouldn't even be mentioned, they would just say that your scan was normal. It may or may not resolve itself. Also, some small cysts showed up in her sinus that are most likely left over from a sinus infection, but no worries.
The full body MRI covered from the base of her skull to the base of her spine. Again, it was really good news! She has a small ovarian cyst that will resolve itself but other than that a CLEAN SCAN!!! We are so very blessed!
The plan now is to do another scan in six months to see if there are any changes in any of the above mentioned issues. Morgan has decided to attend Herriman High School with me this year so for now her job is to just live as normal a life as possible for a 16/17 year old girl!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Meeting with Komen
When we entered the Race for the Cure last May, I had written the Komen SLC Affiliate about Morgan's story. They were very interested in meeting her once the craziness of the race had died down. So we finally got together with them in June. You would have thought we were celebrities the way we were treated.
Morgan told them her story starting from when she first felt the lump through how she has dealt with school to her plans for the future. They discussed different options of how Morgan could become involved with Komen and their mission. Morgan wants to help bring awareness to the younger generation and have young girls become familiar with self exams. Komen has decided to write a letter to all of the Student Body Presidents in all of the high schools in Utah and ask them to participate in some type of pink fundraiser this year. In the middle of the letter is Morgan's personal story written in her own words:
When you are 15 years old, you are probably worrying about getting your driver's license, going to prom, or getting your first job. Wondering if you'll be alive in the next year isn't exactly the first thing to come into your mind. In August of 2010, I showed my mom a large lump in my breast that I was concerned about. She, naturally, became very worried and contacted 5 different doctors about the matter. After many different appointments we finally had the lump removed on August 25th with the thought of the mass being nothing more than a swollen gland or a fibroid cyst. Only two days later, my life changed completely.
"Triple Negative Medullary Breast Cancer" is what they called it. More doctors and more procedures gave me my schedule for the next year or so. Six chemotherapy treatments - each three weeks apart, a double mastectomy in January 2011, and radiation M-F for five weeks. The type of cancer I had was not only one of the rarest types, but it is also one of the most aggressive. Because of this, I had to have one of the most toxic forms of chemotherapy and also had the most invasive and radical surgical treatments possible due to the high chance of recurrence of my tumor without those treatments. It has been a very long process and has taken every bit of energy I have. I finished radiation treatments in late April and now only need one more reconstructive surgical procedure this fall.
Because of this whole ordeal, I basically missed my entire Junior year at Riverton High School, and also lost (along with my hair) many moments I could have shared with my friends and family. Breast Cancer is known as an "old woman's" disease. I want to send this message with the great people of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to alert and notify the public that it is far from it. This disease can affect anyone; daughters, mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmas, even men. I hold myself personally responsible to spread breast cancer awareness among young people and educate them about checking themselves. I want to enforce the act of getting annual mammograms at an even young age than ever before realized. I hope my story can inspire you to do the same.
Komen also is having a large Survivor Gala in October and have chosen to use a picture of Morgan as their invitation. It reads...Fight Like a Girl! It is so awesome! Morgan's brother, Doug, took the picture of her earlier this year when she didn't have much hair and she looks so great! Once they have sent out the invites, I will post a copy of it online, but I don't want to steal the moment, so for now it is just for the family to see. One of the pictures was maniputlated into an art project for a class at BYU by Kylee. It is absolutely amazing. She cut the word Survivor into the background and then cut some flowering vines coming out of Morgans chest to represent regrowth. Don't be surprised if you see it on a billboard someday.
I am so very proud of Morgan and her decision to represent young survivors. She is very passionate about informing young women so they don't have to go through what she has had to go through. Check yourself at any age!
Morgan told them her story starting from when she first felt the lump through how she has dealt with school to her plans for the future. They discussed different options of how Morgan could become involved with Komen and their mission. Morgan wants to help bring awareness to the younger generation and have young girls become familiar with self exams. Komen has decided to write a letter to all of the Student Body Presidents in all of the high schools in Utah and ask them to participate in some type of pink fundraiser this year. In the middle of the letter is Morgan's personal story written in her own words:
When you are 15 years old, you are probably worrying about getting your driver's license, going to prom, or getting your first job. Wondering if you'll be alive in the next year isn't exactly the first thing to come into your mind. In August of 2010, I showed my mom a large lump in my breast that I was concerned about. She, naturally, became very worried and contacted 5 different doctors about the matter. After many different appointments we finally had the lump removed on August 25th with the thought of the mass being nothing more than a swollen gland or a fibroid cyst. Only two days later, my life changed completely.
"Triple Negative Medullary Breast Cancer" is what they called it. More doctors and more procedures gave me my schedule for the next year or so. Six chemotherapy treatments - each three weeks apart, a double mastectomy in January 2011, and radiation M-F for five weeks. The type of cancer I had was not only one of the rarest types, but it is also one of the most aggressive. Because of this, I had to have one of the most toxic forms of chemotherapy and also had the most invasive and radical surgical treatments possible due to the high chance of recurrence of my tumor without those treatments. It has been a very long process and has taken every bit of energy I have. I finished radiation treatments in late April and now only need one more reconstructive surgical procedure this fall.
Because of this whole ordeal, I basically missed my entire Junior year at Riverton High School, and also lost (along with my hair) many moments I could have shared with my friends and family. Breast Cancer is known as an "old woman's" disease. I want to send this message with the great people of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to alert and notify the public that it is far from it. This disease can affect anyone; daughters, mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmas, even men. I hold myself personally responsible to spread breast cancer awareness among young people and educate them about checking themselves. I want to enforce the act of getting annual mammograms at an even young age than ever before realized. I hope my story can inspire you to do the same.
Komen also is having a large Survivor Gala in October and have chosen to use a picture of Morgan as their invitation. It reads...Fight Like a Girl! It is so awesome! Morgan's brother, Doug, took the picture of her earlier this year when she didn't have much hair and she looks so great! Once they have sent out the invites, I will post a copy of it online, but I don't want to steal the moment, so for now it is just for the family to see. One of the pictures was maniputlated into an art project for a class at BYU by Kylee. It is absolutely amazing. She cut the word Survivor into the background and then cut some flowering vines coming out of Morgans chest to represent regrowth. Don't be surprised if you see it on a billboard someday.
I am so very proud of Morgan and her decision to represent young survivors. She is very passionate about informing young women so they don't have to go through what she has had to go through. Check yourself at any age!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Mexico!
May 8 - 22 was spent in the Mayan Riviera part of Mexico! Morgan, Riley, Mom and Boyd flew down for a much needed respite from doctors and hospitals. After one week, Boyd flew home and Kylee and Kaylee flew down for the second week of fun and relaxation. The biggest decision we had to make on a daily basis was whether to go to the pool or the beach!
Morgan's doctors warned her to be careful in the sun so she wore a "rash shirt" some of the time and we spent time under the cabanas. One interesting thing was that when she laid out on her back so that she could get sun on the front, a perfect rectangle showed up on the back of her shoulder! It was the strangest thing! The lines were perfectly straight and it was obviously from the radiation.
We swam with dolphins, sharks, and stingrays; played on the beach in the surf and shopped in the local markets. We painted pottery, ate lots of yummy food, and shopped some more! Our resort was located halfway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen so we spent some time in both towns. It was so beautiful and we made the best of memories!!
Morgan's doctors warned her to be careful in the sun so she wore a "rash shirt" some of the time and we spent time under the cabanas. One interesting thing was that when she laid out on her back so that she could get sun on the front, a perfect rectangle showed up on the back of her shoulder! It was the strangest thing! The lines were perfectly straight and it was obviously from the radiation.
We swam with dolphins, sharks, and stingrays; played on the beach in the surf and shopped in the local markets. We painted pottery, ate lots of yummy food, and shopped some more! Our resort was located halfway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen so we spent some time in both towns. It was so beautiful and we made the best of memories!!
Radiation Treatments Through April 21st
Morgan was a trooper through radiation. It was at 3:15 every day M - F for 24 sessions. Each session only lasted about 15 minutes or so, but it took us about 40 minutes to drive there and an hour to an hour and a half to drive home due to rush hour traffic. We would go into the facility and Morgan would change into a gown. She would go into a room where the door and walls were over a foot thick. She laid down on a table with a plastic form for her head and they would line up her "tattoos" with the lasers until she was in the exact position. She had to hold perfectly still while the machine rotated around her.
The staff at Utah Cancer Specialists were so wonderful. Morgan went to the Prom during her radiation treatments. On the day of the dance, they let her come in at 9 in the morning rather than at 3 in the afternoon. They were all so excited for her and wanted to see her pictures the next week. It was like being a part of a big family of people who truly cared about Morgan and wanted her to not only get better physically, but to be happy and emotionally healthy as well.
One visit, about halfway through the process, I was waiting and waiting for her to come out. In the waiting room there were several of the same wonderful people that I came to know quite well and became good friends with. We would do puzzles and share stories...they were truly a blessing to us. Anyway, it had been quite a while and I looked at my watch...it had been an hour! Should I be worried? What was taking so long? After about another half hour, Morgan came out looking a little worse for wear. She was holding her neck and didn't look very happy.
Apparently the doctor wasn't pleased with the way things were lining up and wanted to make sure it was perfect. The tattoo wasn't in the right place on her body (the tech had placed it to the side so it wouldn't show when Morgan wore a v-neck rather than right in the center of her chest). So from that session on, they were going to take x-rays first to make sure the radiation was hitting the exact spot each and every time. Good news for thoroughness/bad news for comfort. Now the sessions were always 45 minutes or longer. I am not complaining, I would do anything for my kids, but it is strange to look back on this time for it felt like it would never end.
On April 21st, after Morgan completed her last radiation treatment, she came out and "rang the bell." It was awesome! It is a tradition to ring the bell after completing radiation treatment. We were fortunate enough to witness more than one patient get to ring the bell. It is an empowering and emotional moment for them and their families.
FYI: Once you have radiated a particular area, that area cannot be radiated again. You can have chemo for a recurrence, but cannot have a second round of radiation in the same exact area. That was something I did not know.
The staff at Utah Cancer Specialists were so wonderful. Morgan went to the Prom during her radiation treatments. On the day of the dance, they let her come in at 9 in the morning rather than at 3 in the afternoon. They were all so excited for her and wanted to see her pictures the next week. It was like being a part of a big family of people who truly cared about Morgan and wanted her to not only get better physically, but to be happy and emotionally healthy as well.
One visit, about halfway through the process, I was waiting and waiting for her to come out. In the waiting room there were several of the same wonderful people that I came to know quite well and became good friends with. We would do puzzles and share stories...they were truly a blessing to us. Anyway, it had been quite a while and I looked at my watch...it had been an hour! Should I be worried? What was taking so long? After about another half hour, Morgan came out looking a little worse for wear. She was holding her neck and didn't look very happy.
Apparently the doctor wasn't pleased with the way things were lining up and wanted to make sure it was perfect. The tattoo wasn't in the right place on her body (the tech had placed it to the side so it wouldn't show when Morgan wore a v-neck rather than right in the center of her chest). So from that session on, they were going to take x-rays first to make sure the radiation was hitting the exact spot each and every time. Good news for thoroughness/bad news for comfort. Now the sessions were always 45 minutes or longer. I am not complaining, I would do anything for my kids, but it is strange to look back on this time for it felt like it would never end.
On April 21st, after Morgan completed her last radiation treatment, she came out and "rang the bell." It was awesome! It is a tradition to ring the bell after completing radiation treatment. We were fortunate enough to witness more than one patient get to ring the bell. It is an empowering and emotional moment for them and their families.
FYI: Once you have radiated a particular area, that area cannot be radiated again. You can have chemo for a recurrence, but cannot have a second round of radiation in the same exact area. That was something I did not know.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Radiation Begins... (March 23)
Okay, so I deserve "The Worst Blogger" award! I shall do my best to redeem myself. On 3/15 we met with Dr. Avizonis (our radialogic oncologist). (We LOVE her!) When Alison weighed Morgan she says, "Perfect, as usual." I told her that that wasn't the usual answer and she said, "well, they (others) just aren't as smart as we are here!" This is just an example of the type of people and treatment we can expect to receive from these great people.
The Doctor told us that she had been thinking about Morgan a lot over the last few months and had awoken in a panic just that morning over her. In fact, she had called a "mini tumor conference" on the phone that morning just to make sure they were doing the right thing starting radiation. And the consensus was that "the risk of regional re-occurrence is high so radiation is necessary."
Morgan began with a CT scan which the doctor would then create a grid on the computer and compare to her PET scan. It was decided to radiate the internal mammary lymph nodes up by her collar bone also. This would consist of 24 total treatments Monday through Friday. She would have a sunburn show up about halfway through the treatment and her skin and pec muscle would get very tight. The worst side effect would be the fatigue.
We then went into the CT scan where they lined up her body to red lasers lined up on a grid system. Once everything lined up just where they wanted it, Morgan received her 3 tattoos! These made it possible to line her up in the exact same position each day. One is on the back and sort of under each arm, and one is on her chest. They are only as large as a pin dot and so it is really not that big of a deal. The tech placed a drop of black ink on her skin and then punctured her with a needle and voila! The one on her chest hurt quite badly and she didn't like that so much.
The doctor then spent the next week building an xyz graph over the CT scan of Morgan's chest to determine the specific areas which would need radiation and we were due to come back to begin the sessions on the 22nd of March.
The Doctor told us that she had been thinking about Morgan a lot over the last few months and had awoken in a panic just that morning over her. In fact, she had called a "mini tumor conference" on the phone that morning just to make sure they were doing the right thing starting radiation. And the consensus was that "the risk of regional re-occurrence is high so radiation is necessary."
Morgan began with a CT scan which the doctor would then create a grid on the computer and compare to her PET scan. It was decided to radiate the internal mammary lymph nodes up by her collar bone also. This would consist of 24 total treatments Monday through Friday. She would have a sunburn show up about halfway through the treatment and her skin and pec muscle would get very tight. The worst side effect would be the fatigue.
We then went into the CT scan where they lined up her body to red lasers lined up on a grid system. Once everything lined up just where they wanted it, Morgan received her 3 tattoos! These made it possible to line her up in the exact same position each day. One is on the back and sort of under each arm, and one is on her chest. They are only as large as a pin dot and so it is really not that big of a deal. The tech placed a drop of black ink on her skin and then punctured her with a needle and voila! The one on her chest hurt quite badly and she didn't like that so much.
The doctor then spent the next week building an xyz graph over the CT scan of Morgan's chest to determine the specific areas which would need radiation and we were due to come back to begin the sessions on the 22nd of March.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Setback...
So once the drains were taken completely out...Morgan began having tissue expansions. The first expansion was only 30 cc's and the second one given a week later was for 60 cc's more. Things went really well and we thought we were on the road to recovery.
At the next expansion appointment, Morgan was putting on the hospital gown and I looked over to help her and saw that her right side was about 1/3 to 1/2 larger than her left. It was also bright pink. Vicky, the nurse, came into the room - took one look and said, "I hate to tell you this darlin', but I am NOT going to stick that with a needle...." :-D She told us that she was going to tattle on us with the surgeon and off she went.
Morgan and I just looked at each other and wondered what else could happen to us along the way! It seems like we take two steps forward and one step back. We have been planning to take a respite vacation so we can truly rest and recuperate from all of the stress and demands of our lives the last six months or so. We thought we had given enough time before our planned date of departure for expansion and radiation, but any more delays and we weren't so sure if we could still make it.
Dr. Agarwol came back and took one look and sat down with his chin in his hand. (he doesn't say much, but this body language means he just doesn't want to say what he is thinking) He asked Morgan how much she minded the size she is right now....because he doesn't really want to expand her any further!!!! He also said that it is getting to be time to begin radiation....we are 8 weeks out from the surgery. I asked him how long we could wait and he said he didn't really know, but we are there.
His final plan was to begin Morgan on heavy antibiotics to kill the infection that is obviously in her right side. He wants to see us at the end of the week for a follow up and will decide then if he will expand her any further....not the best news. Also, if the antibiotic doesn't make a great change in a day or two, she will be getting a port with IV antibiotics.
To give you an idea of what we are talking about in reference to size...the surgery removed 590 from the left and 530 from the right (after the original lump [about 60 cc's] was removed). The surgery replaced 300 on each side and now we have added 90 for a total of 390....not quite what she started with but still more than some girls were blessed with originally!!
Well, that was a week ago....(time flies when you write waay after the fact!) We went to see the doctor on Friday to check the infection. The pink is gone, but the side is still obviously larger than the other and has small pockets of fluid you can feel. Dr. Powers came in and expanded the left side another 30 cc's so they would match due to the inflammation....(I wonder what will happen when the infection is gone and the right side goes back to what it was...). Dr. Agarwol told us to make an appointment to begin the radiation simulation next week (the appt. is on Tuesday the 15th). Dr. Agarwol doesn't want to do any more expansions...period! However, he did say that when he does the reconstruction this summer, that he can stretch it up a little bit from where it is. (That is good news!)
At this point we aren't sure what to expect from the radiation simulation. Apparently it is just that...they pretend to give her the radiation to check on specifics of the location and amount. They told us that this is when she will get the small tattoos (greenish in color) to mark the spot. Radiation is the part of all of this that scares me the most!!! I know it isn't going to hurt, or necessarily cause Morgan to feel sick in any way. That isn't what makes me nervous...
Radiation can cause cancer!!! Ironic isn't it? The very thing that will save her life from this cancer... could very well cause a new cancer to form in her body that cannot fight cancer....EVER!!! It has been a painful decision for me to understand. Most people fear the chemotherapy more than the radiation because it is poison which is injected into your body to practically kill it before they stop. Who wants to inject their child with poison? Well, as far as that goes, radiation is much more harmful to a Li-Fraumeni patient than just about any other thing on this earth. Any amount of radiation that Morgan is exposed to for the rest of her life could very well start a new cancer growing inside of her.
You know when you are pregnant and you aren't supposed to take anything...not even an aspirin in case it does harm to the baby? Then you go into the hospital to have the baby and the doctor prescribes drugs like morpheine to get you through the birth and you wonder how that works...what is happening to the baby? Well, Morgan is not supposed to have ANY radiation for the rest of her life....not even dental x-rays unless absolutely necessary. Now we are going to radiate her body five days a week for five weeks!!!!
Just a little bit that this mom needs to remain calm about.....so, for those of you who tell me that I should be so glad the worst is over.....just wait until after her reconstruction surgery to tell me that. I am so very grateful for the results we have received. Morgan is cancer free! She beat this cancer right into the ground, but we still have a tough road ahead of us...Dr. Agarwol chose Friday to ask us about the reconstruction and give him an idea of where we are headed. Morgan has chosen to go for the lat-muscle option. This will mean that she will have surgery on her back and front! (where is she going to lay down?) They will wrap part of the lat-muscle around under her arm and roll it up to create a breast. It really is amazing...but still very major and very unnerving, for me anyway. I promise to write more about that as it happens.
Thank you all for checking the blog once again to see the update. I apologize for not writing more, but there isn't that much happening every single day. We appreciate you for staying interested in us and what we do. We love you for caring and praying for us. We feel the prayers and the many blessings you all bring into our lives. We were talking the other day about how difficult it would be to not have all of those blessings. What it would feel like to not have the strength of others with us every single day. Please know that it is not going unnoticed or unappreciated. We have some thank yous to write still, but please don't feel that what you do for us is overlooked or taken for granted. Some have prepared meals, written notes of encouragement, visited, brought treats and meals and gifts, or even generously donated money to our cause. Thank you, thank you and thank you!!!
At the next expansion appointment, Morgan was putting on the hospital gown and I looked over to help her and saw that her right side was about 1/3 to 1/2 larger than her left. It was also bright pink. Vicky, the nurse, came into the room - took one look and said, "I hate to tell you this darlin', but I am NOT going to stick that with a needle...." :-D She told us that she was going to tattle on us with the surgeon and off she went.
Morgan and I just looked at each other and wondered what else could happen to us along the way! It seems like we take two steps forward and one step back. We have been planning to take a respite vacation so we can truly rest and recuperate from all of the stress and demands of our lives the last six months or so. We thought we had given enough time before our planned date of departure for expansion and radiation, but any more delays and we weren't so sure if we could still make it.
Dr. Agarwol came back and took one look and sat down with his chin in his hand. (he doesn't say much, but this body language means he just doesn't want to say what he is thinking) He asked Morgan how much she minded the size she is right now....because he doesn't really want to expand her any further!!!! He also said that it is getting to be time to begin radiation....we are 8 weeks out from the surgery. I asked him how long we could wait and he said he didn't really know, but we are there.
His final plan was to begin Morgan on heavy antibiotics to kill the infection that is obviously in her right side. He wants to see us at the end of the week for a follow up and will decide then if he will expand her any further....not the best news. Also, if the antibiotic doesn't make a great change in a day or two, she will be getting a port with IV antibiotics.
To give you an idea of what we are talking about in reference to size...the surgery removed 590 from the left and 530 from the right (after the original lump [about 60 cc's] was removed). The surgery replaced 300 on each side and now we have added 90 for a total of 390....not quite what she started with but still more than some girls were blessed with originally!!
Well, that was a week ago....(time flies when you write waay after the fact!) We went to see the doctor on Friday to check the infection. The pink is gone, but the side is still obviously larger than the other and has small pockets of fluid you can feel. Dr. Powers came in and expanded the left side another 30 cc's so they would match due to the inflammation....(I wonder what will happen when the infection is gone and the right side goes back to what it was...). Dr. Agarwol told us to make an appointment to begin the radiation simulation next week (the appt. is on Tuesday the 15th). Dr. Agarwol doesn't want to do any more expansions...period! However, he did say that when he does the reconstruction this summer, that he can stretch it up a little bit from where it is. (That is good news!)
At this point we aren't sure what to expect from the radiation simulation. Apparently it is just that...they pretend to give her the radiation to check on specifics of the location and amount. They told us that this is when she will get the small tattoos (greenish in color) to mark the spot. Radiation is the part of all of this that scares me the most!!! I know it isn't going to hurt, or necessarily cause Morgan to feel sick in any way. That isn't what makes me nervous...
Radiation can cause cancer!!! Ironic isn't it? The very thing that will save her life from this cancer... could very well cause a new cancer to form in her body that cannot fight cancer....EVER!!! It has been a painful decision for me to understand. Most people fear the chemotherapy more than the radiation because it is poison which is injected into your body to practically kill it before they stop. Who wants to inject their child with poison? Well, as far as that goes, radiation is much more harmful to a Li-Fraumeni patient than just about any other thing on this earth. Any amount of radiation that Morgan is exposed to for the rest of her life could very well start a new cancer growing inside of her.
You know when you are pregnant and you aren't supposed to take anything...not even an aspirin in case it does harm to the baby? Then you go into the hospital to have the baby and the doctor prescribes drugs like morpheine to get you through the birth and you wonder how that works...what is happening to the baby? Well, Morgan is not supposed to have ANY radiation for the rest of her life....not even dental x-rays unless absolutely necessary. Now we are going to radiate her body five days a week for five weeks!!!!
Just a little bit that this mom needs to remain calm about.....so, for those of you who tell me that I should be so glad the worst is over.....just wait until after her reconstruction surgery to tell me that. I am so very grateful for the results we have received. Morgan is cancer free! She beat this cancer right into the ground, but we still have a tough road ahead of us...Dr. Agarwol chose Friday to ask us about the reconstruction and give him an idea of where we are headed. Morgan has chosen to go for the lat-muscle option. This will mean that she will have surgery on her back and front! (where is she going to lay down?) They will wrap part of the lat-muscle around under her arm and roll it up to create a breast. It really is amazing...but still very major and very unnerving, for me anyway. I promise to write more about that as it happens.
Thank you all for checking the blog once again to see the update. I apologize for not writing more, but there isn't that much happening every single day. We appreciate you for staying interested in us and what we do. We love you for caring and praying for us. We feel the prayers and the many blessings you all bring into our lives. We were talking the other day about how difficult it would be to not have all of those blessings. What it would feel like to not have the strength of others with us every single day. Please know that it is not going unnoticed or unappreciated. We have some thank yous to write still, but please don't feel that what you do for us is overlooked or taken for granted. Some have prepared meals, written notes of encouragement, visited, brought treats and meals and gifts, or even generously donated money to our cause. Thank you, thank you and thank you!!!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Drains Finally Gone!
After five trips up to Huntsman in early morning rush hour traffic (bleh!) Morgan was finally able to have her last drain removed!!! She is free! (six weeks is a long time...) When we arrived the nurse took Morgan's pulse. She asked Morgan if she felt okay or if it felt like her heart was going to run out of her chest. I asked what her pulse was and she said 145. I was like...."no, her pulse...not her weight!" She said, "I know!"
The doctor came in all concerned with his head nurse and they retook her pulse by hand and it still was 122. They started murmering about things like EKG and "i-mac." Soon two more people came in and hooked Morgan up to the EKG which was fine, but her pulse was still 100. Been trying to upload a picture for this but for some reason it won't work....
She got a total of 30 cc's with a needle stuck straight into her chest. It found the right spot by using a magnet which lined up with a magnet that is in the port of her expander. It is all quite interesting. On March 1st, one week later, she received another 60 cc's.
We have about 4 more of these procedures planned, then we can begin her five weeks of radiation by the first of April. Some day, some way, I will get better at keeping everything up to date.
The doctor came in all concerned with his head nurse and they retook her pulse by hand and it still was 122. They started murmering about things like EKG and "i-mac." Soon two more people came in and hooked Morgan up to the EKG which was fine, but her pulse was still 100. Been trying to upload a picture for this but for some reason it won't work....
She got a total of 30 cc's with a needle stuck straight into her chest. It found the right spot by using a magnet which lined up with a magnet that is in the port of her expander. It is all quite interesting. On March 1st, one week later, she received another 60 cc's.
We have about 4 more of these procedures planned, then we can begin her five weeks of radiation by the first of April. Some day, some way, I will get better at keeping everything up to date.
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