Delay...

This last weekend was a nice weekend spent at the lake with the kids. We did manage to get out in the boat. It even ran! We enjoyed the water as well as the sunshine:)

We have had lots of visits from friends as well as phone calls. I have sure enjoyed the visits as I am now in a strong, positive place! I am happy to be getting a bit of a social life going again, as we all know I am a bit of a social butterfly.

Kelly and I spent the afternoon today with the dietician, social worker, and doctors at Cancer Care here in Brandon. We are happy to have caring, professional people on our team.

Unfortunately, we did learn of a bit of a delay! I was supposed to start chemo tomorrow, but now, I will have a port put in on Thursday, and start chemo Friday. I have to admit, I am quite frusterated about this.

One of the things I am looking forward to, is that they tell me chemo will shring my belly. I am happy to say my six pack will be returning within the next week.

I am proud of my Kelly, who I have nicknamed #1 Wingman, as he plans to enjoy his last cigar before I start chemo on Friday. He has been practicing quitting by smoking his ecigarette wherever he pleases.

So, within a few days, chemo will be underway (Pleaaaaaaaase no more delays!!!) and we will keep you in the loop with any further developments.

From, Donna

Date set

Hi guys! Finally have a start date for mom's chemo. It will begin on Wednesday, June 27th here in Brandon. We are all relieved that treatment is starting soon.

Mom and I had some fun and laughs mixed in with a tear or two this morning as mom tried on wigs at the Ultimate Centre. The owner, Kathy, was wonderful and showed mom how beautiful her new hairdo will look. We took some pics to show dad and he is a tad heartbroken that mom didn't purchase the blond bombshell wig!

Next week will be huge for mom and our family as she meets with the Oncologist here in Brandon, tours the Cancer Care centre, and begins treatment.

We will keep you in the loop, thanks for being so wonderful to us and mom.

Manda

Hi everyone.

Waiting on the chemo start date has sure been tough on us all, but we have managed getting through each day by being together and spending time with some wonderful people.

Last week, we met with the Cancer Care Navigator. Kelly and I are feeling more comfortable with the system after that meeting. I was thankful to have my Aunt there with me for this. She is a wonderful lady and has been victorious in her own battle with cancer. Pretty inspiring.

Over the last week, my abdomen has filled up with fluid again so Kelly and I went to the doctor today to have it drained. While waiting, we were asked when we were due with our baby. It caught us a bit off guard, but we have to laugh at it now but it paints a picture of exactly how full my belly was. The doctors drained my abdomen and took off 4 litres of fluid. I am feeling like a new woman and am now ready to get my bikini on.

Our family will be heading to the lake this weekend and we are hoping to get out in the boat. It still hasnt started yet, but with some help we think we have identified and fixed the problem. Fingers crossed!

Kelly has been a very faithfull wingman to me over these tough weeks. He also has become quite the talented smoothie maker. He has been making me shakes and healthy food as we have learned that cancer hates healthy stuff like fruits, veggies and lots of protein. Unfortunately for me, cancer loves sugar. I guess no more blue wales for me! Some of Kelly's smoothies have to be eaten with a spoon as my Kelly feels that if one scoop of protien is good for me, then 3 scoops must be great. If one avacado is good for me, why not add a second!? I am so thankful to have him.



For now, we are still waiting on the test results from the abdominal fluid the docs took in WPG last week, as this will allow the Brandon Cancer Care people to book my chemo time. We had expected to have heard and had a chemo time booked by now and are hopeful this will happen very soon.

Thanks for the love and support, we will continue to keep you in the loop.

Donna

WPG Consult

At 11AM today, we managed to get in to see the Oncologyst/Gynecologist in Winnipeg to find out what our game plan is going to be.

We started the day with a couple of tests and removing fluid from Donna's abdomen. The reason for this, is to run a few more tests confirm the type of cancer and medicine.

They told us a few new peices of info: there is 2 masses, one on each ovary, there is also one on the omentum flap (fatty apron that protects abdomen). The doctors made it clear to us that this is a typical place for cancer to attach itself to with Ovarian Cancer. There is also a mass on the peritoneum (membrane that lines the abdomen). The good news is that there is no  major organs affected.

The plan of attack will be start with 3 rounds of chemo, each 21 days apart. Donna will get a concoction called Carboplatin Paditaxol (carbotaxol). They will do bloodwork prior to each round to ensure Donna has lots of healthy cells to help her do well with the chemo.

Next step will hopefully be surgery. The surgery is called Debulking and will be followed up with 3 or more rounds of chemo.

The hope is that chemo will start within 2-3 weeks and will be done here in Brandon which will make things easier. 

We will do a post when we have a chemo start date and keep you in the loop throughout the process. Donna and our family are sure encouraged to know this is beatable. Thank you for all your support.

Kelly

Comments fixed

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Wes

Consult Set!

Hi there, It's Donna here.

We got a call today and my appointment with the gynecologist/oncologist is set for Tuesday, June 12th. I am relieved to have this set. The last few days have been tough but I am feeling positive and have been spending my time with family and friends.

Over the weekend, we spent a day at Clear Lake. The men were looking forward to some fishing on the boat. Unfortunately, we ran into a few problems. First of all, the boat key was no where to be found. Wes drove back to Brandon to try to find it with no luck. Luckily, Kelly found it while he was raking the yard! It had fallen under the cabin! We were so pleased to have found the key we decided to head out to eat dinner on the boat. We got the boat in the water and all got loaded in to learn the boat wouldn't start. It really wasn't looking like our excursion on the boat was meant to be! So, we decided to eat dinner in the boat anyway. Wes offered to pull us back and forth around the dock. I am sure we looked odd eating dinner in a boat that wouldnt start by the loading dock, but after the week we had, we all had a chuckle as we knew that these issues were "small stuff".

The next week will be a long one but I plan to fill my days with positive things. I have found one of my best medicines to be my grandson, Sawyer. All he wants to do is watch the Wiggles, play toys, eat treats, go on his swing and love each other up.

I want to thank you all for respecting our privacy and giving us space. I am feeling much stronger after having some time. So, if you want to call, please feel free.

Thanks again for your support. Will talk soon.

Donna

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Thanks

Waiting...

Hi everyone. After a few days, we have had some time to digest this news.  We wanted to share how thankful we are for all of your support and how encouraged we feel to see how many great people are behind us and our family.  We haven't heard from Winnipeg yet, but are hoping to hear this week.
Thanks again,
Love Donna and Kelly

We would like to start this blog by thanking everyone who has already shown so much support and love for our Mom. This blog was created to provide info for everyone who wants to keep up to date with her progress. The idea to blog about this time comes from very special family friends, The Lowes, who have inspired us.  We intend to take on this diagnosis in the same manner they have: together, with faith, and with a lot of love.   Our family is thankful to have so many people that care.

She has a lot to take in right now, so we would appreciate if people could show support and love through commenting on this blog or via email rather than phoning or dropping in.

As some of you might know, she has not been feeling well over the last 6 weeks and had been seeing her doctor. On Thursday (May 31^st) Mom was diagnosed after a CT Scan with Ovarian Cancer. There is also concern about lesions on her stomach and more investigation is required to determine if it has spread anywhere else. Mom, Dad and Wes were there for this. Our family has since spent a lot of time together.

Mom is still processing this news. However, she has made it clear to our family that she has a lot to live for and is eager to get moving with treatment so she can be healthy and cancer free. As we all know, Mom has a TERRIFIC family (if I do say so myself) who love her very much and are very committed to supporting her  with lots of love and TLC through this. Dad is being the supportive great man we all know him to be and I know mom is thankful.

The next step is to meet with a Gynecologist Oncologist in Winnipeg and have further CT scans. After this, Mom will begin a treatment plan. As we learn more about the treatment plan and what’s happening, this blog will be updated by Mom and members of our family. We know that there are many people that will be reading this, and we will do our best to “Keep you in the loop” as Mom would say.

Thanks again for the love and support, talk to you soon.

Amanda and Wes