Ok, I Can Tell You Now!

Hi Friends,

I have been given the go ahead from Lauren to let you know the big decision. If all goes as planned, Lauren will be having a liver resection! We talked with Dr. Sonnenday, her liver surgeon, for over an hour a week ago Monday and he said now is the right time. Lauren is going to call him tomorrow and let him know. I think we were all in shock when we first heard and have finally snapped out of it. Lauren had to be 100% sure she wanted to take this on. She said she was thinking a few days ago about everything and felt happy, so she knew it was meant to be. She has made a request that she only wants to hear positive thoughts. I don't think I even need to say that to any of you who read this blog. You are all so supportive and wonderful. I think she was talking about random people on Facebook. I will go into more detail about everything later. I just didn't want to leave you wondering what was up. Much love to all of you.

-Pam

Our Christmas card this year.

A Big Decision

Hi Everyone! There has been a lot going on since last week and our heads are spinning. Lauren and I left for Michigan Monday morning. Lauren had an appointment for a physical Monday afternoon for a research study she is participating in. Basically, the study tests Lauren's DNA and tumors to see what chemo will work best for her through blood, saliva, cheek swab, and liver biopsy. The physical was done by Dr. Zalupski, Wo's oncologist, and the researcher, Linda sat in as well. Lauren had been off chemo since around Christmas because the study works better with active cancer cells. The physical was mainly to see if Lauren still felt good enough to participate in the study. Everything looked good, so the biopsy was still on for Tuesday.

Monday morning, before we left for Michigan, Dr. Sonnenday, Lauren's liver surgeon, called and said he wanted to see us when we were up there. His secretary called back and we were so see him at 4:30. Kristen and Bruce came to the appointment and we talked for over an hour. I am very sorry that I cannot discuss any of this with you since it is Lauren's wishes. I can say that she has a major decision to make and is only discussing it at this time with family and a few close friends. I will let you know the second she makes a decision. You cannot imagine how hard it is for me to keep my mouth shut!!

Tuesday was the liver biopsy for the study and Lauren was quite nervous. We had to be at the hospital for labs and to get her port accessed by 7:30. Her biopsy was at 9:00 and we had to be in the waiting room by 8:00. Kristen came to the hospital a little before they took her back and sat with me since she didn't have to work until 3:00. The nurses in the pre-op area were very nice. Lauren told them that she had a bad experience with her last biopsy and felt everything. Her nurse made sure to tell the person sedating her this and Lauren didn't feel a thing this time. They numbed her skin and went deeper to numb her liver. The nurse told her she had looked up who did her last biopsy and I guess he was a doctor nobody cared for and he was no longer at the hospital. Boy, I wish I had known that back then. That stupid doctor caused Lauren so much anxiety and pain. They must've given her some extra sedation this time because she slept through most of the 4 hours after the procedure that she had to be monitored. Kristen and I went and got her a sandwich from the cafeteria when she was able to eat. She had to eat and drink laying flat. I was praying she didn't choke! Everything went smoothly and we went back to Bruce and Sis's. Lauren was really sore. They took 6 chunks out of her liver.

Wednesday was labs again. Wo had a doctor's appointment with Dr. Zalupski and he decided to continue with chemo and give her Gemzar and 5-FU instead of the dreaded Xeloda pills. She had 5-FU before. It is the infused equivalent to Xeloda. Wo has to wear a pump for 48 hours, which she used to hate but will take it over the bad feeling effects of Xeloda any day. I think we were at the Cancer Center until 7:00 that night. Lauren is quite a popular girl up at the Cancer Center and really enjoyed telling lots of people about the Mexico trip and her engagement to Gio.

We left Michigan on Thursday and headed home thoroughly exhausted from the week's events. We are sorry that Mark and Gio couldn't be there, but they couldn't take off that much work.

We got home on Thurs. evening. Lauren was tired, sore, and didn't have much of an appetite. She rested most of the day on Friday and I disconnected her pump in the late afternoon. Saturday, she and Gio went shopping and then to his Mom's house where Lauren learned how to make homemade pizza sauce. Lauren and Gio had a pay-per-view wrestling party last night. They made homemade pizza for their guests and enjoyed Royal Rumble. Haha. Cracks me up that they all love watching wrestling. Ryan went on a road trip to Pittsburgh with friends this weekend. Crazy kids.

I am sorry Lauren has still not posted pictures from her trip. Imagine if you relied on her to write this blog. We would still be on page one! I can't blame her though. She is busy living her life. Which is exactly what we want her to do!! Here is a picture of Gio and Lauren in Mexico that she posted on Facebook. I'm sure others will come soon. Hopefully, I will have news for you soon. Until next time...
Love, -Pam

Lauren and Giovanni  at a dinner for hotel guests.

Lauren And Gio Are Home, But Not For Long For Lauren!

Hi Everyone! I just wanted to let you know that Lauren and Gio got home last night. Wo was really tired when Gio's Dad dropped them off at our house. She's not that tired today. They left at around 1:30 to go to a football party. They had a great time in Mexico and Lauren will post pics on Facebook when she can. Maybe I will make a music video on here of the pics. I love doing stuff like that. I think I will interview her and write about their trip on here since she doesn't care much about writing. At least then it will be told by her.

She doesn't have much time at home because tomorrow we leave for Michigan for at least 3 days. I already told you about that before, so I will spare you the details. Prayers would be nice though! Hopefully, we will find out what is in store for her next.

We had some sad news today. One of our Cholangiocarcinoma warrior friends passed away last night. His name is Joseph Garassino and he was only 29 years old. I have become friends with his Mom via e-mail. She is such a delightful woman, so full of life. He also has a beautiful sister. I can't imagine how sad they must be and it breaks my heart.

I will leave you with a picture of my choosing as I take a look through my photo library. Thanks to all of you for your love and support. We sure do appreciate it.

Love,

-Pam

The picture of Lauren that I had made into a necklace for myself, Mark, and Kristen. I have it on every time I leave the house. It says Lauren Patrice-Forever in my heart on the back. I usually rub the charm when I pray for her.

Lots Going On

Sorry I haven't posted in quite some time. I think I needed a little break after the holidays to get back in the groove. Everything is fine here.

Lauren and Gio left for sunny Mexico on Sunday. It didn't start out well for them. Gio could not find his passport on Saturday while packing and everyone was freaking out to put it mildly. I told them I would come over to his house and we would go room by room and leave no place unsearched. I was half way over and I got a call that he found it in his gym bag. This was after they had been searching for at least 3 hours. I made him give me his passport and the tickets to hold until Lauren packed her purse. Kids!! Gio went out with a bunch of guys after packing and Lauren came home and I helped her pack. We went to bed about 1:30. At about 2:30, Ryan came and woke me up to tell me Lauren needed me. She had a bad stomach ache and back pain. Then at about 3:00 she threw up and the other end started. This lasted the rest of the night and they had to be at the airport by 5:30. I wasn't sure she was going to make it. We got to the airport and she said she felt sick. I saw a sign for the restroom, but she couldn't make it and threw up in a trash can. I felt so bad for her and was so worried. She said she was better so they got their boarding passes and headed for the security check-in. They got through that and we waved good bye and left. She called a little later and said she felt better. I had called a few days ahead to the airline and asked that Lauren be provided a wheelchair at Atlanta Airport because I knew it was really big. Lauren said their was someone waiting at the airport in Atlanta and Cancun and they wheeled her through the airport right to where she needed to be. I am so glad Lisa told me to do this. Thanks, Lisa. I am happy to say that Lauren and Gio are having a marvelous time and Lauren did not get sick anymore after the airport incident. I can't believe she had been sick from nervousness. She wasn't even nervous. I think it was a touch of a bug or something. God sure listened to our prayers for her to get better.

Lauren and I went to Michigan last Monday for an MRI on Tuesday. They had a hard time accessing her port and stuck her 4 times, had to get another nurse, made her sit up, lay down, sit up, push all around her port. They finally got it but that is the last time this is going to happen. From now on, we are going to the cancer center to have her port accessed. Nobody in the regular hospital seems to know what they are doing when a port is involved. You may ask why she doesn't just get an iv in her arm. When a person has chemo for as long as Lauren has, their veins are shot and are very hard to put an iv in. Her doctor doesn't like her using her port for anything but chemo, but he doesn't have to be the one getting poked a bunch of times!! I think she was more nervous than I have ever seen her for this scan. She had a terrible time the last time she had an MRI. She took 4 Ativans before this one and was still nervous. She requested the large MRI machine because the small ones totally freak her out. They told her the large one was not available, so she said she would try a smaller one. The one she had was different and it didn't bother her so much, plus someone had mentioned to put a towel over her eyes and it might help. It did and she got through it fairly well. I have never seen her so happy when she was done. Kristen called us and told us that the MRI showed shrinkage of all tumors except one and we are very pleased.

We will be heading back to Michigan next Monday thru Wednesday. Monday she has to have a physical for a study she is going to take part in. Tuesday she is having the dreaded liver biopsy. Wednesday is labs, appointment with Dr. Zalupski, and chemo. Wow!! What a busy few days. Hopefully, we will hear good news from everything.

We had lunch last Thurs. with our friend, Lisa. It was Lauren's engagement celebration and Lisa treated us. Wo loves Lisa so much that she asked her to be a bridesmaid in the wedding. Lisa is so excited, but said she thought of the Murphy Brown episode where Murphy was in a wedding and had to carry a parasol. Haha. I don't think Lauren will make her wear a hoop skirt or carry a parasol.

I can't think of much else to write about so I will post some pictures as promised from my last post. Thank you all for your continued support. We sure do appreciate it. Please say a prayer for some of our CC friends that are having a hard time, especially Cindy and Joe. Also, Lisa and Kirk who are going through radiation. Thank you.

I can't get the pics to load, so I will try in a bit. Love to all, -Pam


Here we go. Pictures from my Mom and Dad's house in Port Clinton over Christmas weekend.

Look at all that food!! Grandma Tommie looks surprised. Haha.

Mark, Wo, Gio, and Sis getting a snack.

Getting ready to open presents.

The giant tree and Ryan. Papa Ron in the background.

Linda and Wayne's dog, Ernie, opening a present.

The Big Man aka Mark.

Wayne and Stephanie.

Sis and Brucie

Sis, Stinky, Bruce, and Buzz.

Katie, Papa Ron, and Matt. Papa Ron was banished to the corner because he had a cold.

Christmas, Lauren & Gio Got Engaged, And Fun At Grandma & Grandpa's House

Hi Everyone! I hope you all had a great holiday season. We sure did and we are just now recooperating from all of the partying!

Lauren is doing ok since she is not on chemo until after the 22nd of January. She has days where she has lots of energy and days when she is super tired and sleeps most of the day. She was very nauseous yesterday, but took a Compazine and chewed some gum and it went away. If she does a lot, her back hurts so much. So she tries to take it easy for the most part, but overdoes it some days. We will be traveling to Michigan next week so she can have an MRI. This is her least favorite scan because it is about 2 1/2 hours in a small, hot tube. She really freaks out in the tube, so hopefully they will give her something to calm her down.

Wo and Gio will be leaving the next week for a trip to Mexico on the Riviera Maya. It is an all expenses paid trip won by Giovanni. I am really excited for them. They deserve this and so much more for all they have been through. Gio has traveled a lot and is really excited. Lauren has never traveled without her family, so she is pretty nervous. I am sure they will have a great time.

I am sure you all have heard, but I will tell you again. Lauren and Gio got engaged on Christmas Day after 8 (yes, you read that right) years of dating. We are all so thrilled for them. Gio came over at dinner time on Christmas. He brought Lauren a red pot and a vacuum cleaner for her presents, so she wondered what was up. He said he had a large present for her at his parent's house that he couldn't fit in his car. Lauren was in her pj's because she was napping most of the day. She threw on her coat and they left. He took her to his house, not his parent's, and helped her up the steps to the porch while she had her eyes closed. He went and did something and told her to open her eyes. Spelled out with Christmas lights was WILL YOU and then she turned around and Gio was kneeling and he said Marry me? She said she busted out crying and said Yes!!

The ring was too small, so the next day Mark and I took Wo to Hartville Coin and Jewelry. They sized her ring in a day and she was one happy girl. Here are Wo and Gio after the ring was sized.

The gorgeous ring.

The rest of this post is going to be pictures from Christmas morning at our house and then Christmas at Grandma Tommie and Papa Ron's up in Port Clinton.

Presents, presents, presents!

Our beautiful tree all decorated with lots of homemade ornaments the kids made. The big round ornament in the middle was a macaroni wreath made by Lauren when she was a little girl.

The picture we take every year!!

 

Sweet Wozer Girl.

Brucie!

 

Sissymo!!

 

Silly Sis jumping into Ryan's shot. Look at little Peanut!

 

Wo was tuckered out.

 

Little Petey. I gave him a break this year and didn't dress him in his santa outfit!

 

Little Penny watching over Lauren.

 

Stephanie. Such a sweet girl.



Ryan and his new laptop from Steph. Love those Hugh Hefner pajama pants!

The whole gang and Gio showed up!

 



Gio and Wo before the big engagement.

I think I have posted enough, so I will continue with the pics from Port Clinton in a few days. Thanks to all of you that care enough to read this blog. We love you all and wish you the best in 2013.

Love, -Pam