A Word from Mom and Standard Updates

Mom / Cathi

a comment from Cathi. I just want everyone to know how much I look forward to the posts out here. and how good it feels to have a large cheerleading section.Yesterday they called in a pulmonology team. Today the team came in to say good bye "we probably won't see you again." Damn I'm good. That was about the most fun conversation I've had. I miss guests but I am busy with things like walking, breathing exercises, bicycling and preventive measures for chemo side effects. I appreciate every single card, email and chocolate bar.

Cathi

Update

Well the WBC was up slightly today by about 0.2 - 0.3. I'm not posting the actual number as I do not have it, but speculation is that the 'infiltrates' (as Mom calls them - I LOVE that term) are still trying to fight. It shows her dedication to the visualiztion aspect of things, which I know can be a huge upside. I reminded her several days back of what she told me when my leg was infected and almost amputated below the knee. She told me back then (shocking that it'd be a sports reference) to envision batters hitting healthy cells to the knee from below resulting in the right health ingredients preserving my knee to this day.

Her WBC increase is not unexpected. These infiltrates are basically insinctive and looking at the low WBC to say, 'we should help.' It's Mom's duty to help them understand it's not their place to fight and they should and will go away. We'll have another update on WBC tomorrow.

I have not talked to Mom since mid-morning today, but I can tell you this. She's got the right attitude (not shocking at all!) She occasionally will ask what else she could have done differently, and I think this brings up a great topic.

First, as I look back at emails I got from her over the past 6 months I don't know that I've heard more times where she was 'kicking back on the sofa and resting up.' She even delayed and declinedd various trips. Perhaps this was listening to her body and instincts or just plain common sense. Second and more importantly, when people ask me, 'did they catch it in time?' I tell them 'ABSOLUTELY'. There's really nothing different Mom could have done along the way and I honestly admire her approach of ignoring what ails her in order to enjoy her life. It's what guides all of us to follow her as one of the strongest women we've ever met. Moreso and especially scientifically - if you catch AML, you've caught it in time. AML is often times deadly within weeks or months. The fact we're blogging today tells me we did catch it in time.

Another update I wanted to post was regarding one of my best friends whom I chatted with tonight. While I do not put pressure directly or exorcise anyone for their choices, it meant a lot to me that he said he was going tomorrow to give blood for the first time. This tells me we as a family are having a great impact on the world and ensuring that the battle is not just won this time but EVERY time. It's encouraging to me to think that what we're experiencing as a family can and will be a minor deal eventually.

Wednesday on my morning radio show (Mike and Mike in the Morning) they were raising money for the Jimmy V foundation. And while I think this is a different form of cancer, I was nodding my head when Greenberg said he sees a time where cancer is something you go to the doctor for, get an IV / pill, and you're good to go. I smiled out loud at that comment b/c I'm rallied more than ever around what I can do to help.

Walt called today to ask me for Mom's home computer login. I had one hell of a smile when Walt said that Mom wanted pictures of her doing outdoorsy-type activities printed and posted on her wall so she could 'remember when she was invincible.' That spoke to her attitude peaks and we're focusing on those as a family and ensuring those far outnumber any downs. I'll never forget her comment when I brought 'That Woman is a Success' to her room. Her response was, 'I'm glad you brouught that. It reminds me of WHO I AM.' Amazing.

I'll be in KC tomorrow after wearing my mask upon the plane and showering / sanitizing before I head to the hospital so I'll have more updates then. But key takeaways today are that blood results were not ideal. However they weren't completely out of whack. I keep thinking 'Momma said there'd be days like this.' All days aren't going to be 'seashells and balloons' as I like to say. We're going to have bad days and today was a slight step back while we look forward to the ongoing battle ahead.

One last note is tonight (7.17) is the 2nd night in a row she's slept alone, and it's gone well.