Round 6 done and still feeling the side effects

Well, on thursday mom had round 6 chemo and she has been doing pretty well, but it did take quite a bit out of her. She has been feeling the fatigue and nausea pretty hard. Other than that she is doing well and staying positive. Hopefully this weekend will be relaxing and rejuvenating.

Keep her in your prayers. We will meet with the doctors again in a couple weeks and start a new maintenance program. We will keep you all informed on the progress. God bless!

CTRC Appointment today was good.

It actually was the easiest meeting we've had being at the doctors. Nothing new to worry or fret over and it went very smooth. We still have to keep watch over the bloody noses, anemia, hematomas from the blood thinner shots, nausea, and vomitting, but other than that things are looking good. Mom is worried about a few silly pounds that she has put on, but as the doctors say... they would rather her gain weight than lose weight.

She is keeping her spirits up and seems to be handling it well. I know that she is frustrated a bit at times and still feeling lonely, but it is really hard going through this. She mainly is just trying not think about it and keep herself busy so she won't think about it.

I ask if you see her just give her a hug or a kiss on the cheek. Don't feel bad if she starts tearing up, they tears of friendship and knowing that she is not alone and people care about her.

Thank you all.

-Vanessa

Overwhelming....

We are all overwhelmed. We don't know what the future holds, but for now we are so happy that my mom's tumor's are shrinking. I wish that the doctors would continue the chemo because she is handling it so well. Her hair is shedding, but it has not fallen out completely, she does have nose bleeds, and nausea. Even though these are her symptoms, it could be worse and I don't want to focus on that. she is doing so well and she is the most amazing woman I have ever met. I am proud of her and proud to be her daughter.

I still can't believe it ever happened. I wish my brothers would write on here about how they feel and deal with it. Because I find it very difficult to be the only one saying anything and talking about my mom's condition. It is really hard and it hurts everyday. I am trying to be strong for my mother, but it still hurts and its hard. I love her very much and I pray that god will heal her. He is healing her.

If you see my mom, please give her the biggest hug you have ever given and just tell her you love her even if you don't know her that well. And if you don't know her that well, you should really try... because she is the most amazing woman (educated, traveled, experienced) you will ever meet. She's been to Africa.. Ask her about it....  ask her about France, Prague, Scotland, Her travels........ Ask her......

I keep telling her to write a book... encourage her to do it, because she should.

Love,

Nessa

My mom is really brave and will forever be an idol of mine

I love my mother, she may not recognize it because of our difficulties in communication as a daughter and mother relationship. It is really hard to have conversations that are so emotional, but I will always look up to her as I always have. We may not get along or agree on things, but I will forever hold her in my heart as one of the most amazing persons I have ever been blessed to know. I am even more blessed to be so lucky as to have her as my mother. I pray that she knows how much she means to me. She truly is an awesome (in every meaning of the word-awesome) woman! She is so giving and kind. She is always doing so much for others. A true humanitarian. She is very inspiring in all of her knowledge and never ending search for truth and honesty... Even though it is difficult to find that truth and honesty that we all want to avoid within ourselves.

I wish we could all be honest. Honest with each other always and not be afraid to speak of our fears or vulnerabilities and accept that we may not want to hear what is said; But in what may be said can come happiness and peace because we can all be accepting of each other and our feelings and our fears.

I hope that of you all who do read this blog will share your thoughts and I also hope that we can all learn from these experiences and try better ourselves.

Peace be with you.

-Vanessa Hudson Reyes   : )

Round 5, finally happened.. took forever....

I should first write about the fact that mom has to give herself shots in the stomach now because of that thrombosis (blood clot) in the right jugular vein. The shots make her dizzy for a while and she has to do it twice a day- 6:30am and 6:30pm, every day. Its one more thing that is complicated and difficult.

Anyway, mom was able to get her fifth round of chemo on thursday. She was there at 7am and had to wait till about 1pm before she was able to get the chemo. Interestingly, she was next to another guy that was getting chemo for testicular cancer and he was in jail for burglary and had a guard the entire time watching him. I think its really great that our current healthcare is so giving to criminals who get it for free and yet if you own a home or make just above the margin for qualification of certain help (regardless of how much debt you may have because that doesn't count at all)... I could go on, but I don't see a point in it anymore. The world  and government is so corrupt. I told my mom today that maybe she shoud just go commit a felony and then she will get it for free like the criminals do. It was in poor taste for me to say that, but there is a part of me where none of this makes sense. And I have questions and possibly still looking for an answer or something to blame. So far I know I can blame beaurocracy and big Pharma. It is who you know and how much money you have or how affluent you are. I am saddened that we can't just look at people and see them as our own brothren or god's children and just help each other. I know many have lost their path or maybe never even knew they had one becuase of the way they were raised.
Cancer frightens me becuase there is no specific scenario, Do you have a choice and what do you do.

There is a little voice inside of all of us that tells us what we should do or not do. We should all remember to listen and follow the litte voice. Listen to our angel. It is our most comforting tool, and we should go with it.
Anyhow, Mom went to round 5 and did well. I brought her liver and onions for lunch from lubys because she needs more iron. She also ate some spinach. I love that. I am glad becaues I am worried about her anemia coming back. She had a really bad bout last year. So with these blood thinning anticoagulants you can imagine that there are severe side effects and anemia is one them which she is prone to.
Please comment an paste your concerms. Share you story too. We all feel alone and it is hard sometimes.

Thank you

Dr's appointment today-Mostly good, but some complications.

S we met with the new Dr today, but first we sat and spoke with his P.A. who took forever to tell us the good news and the anticipation was so stressful and unnerving that when he finally told us mom's tumors have shrunk a little more and that most likely the new doctor will continue to round 5 and round 6, she bursted with tears. We are so happy that the chemo is still working. I knew it was. My faith is strong and I believe God is healing her. The newest CT scan showed the thickening of the pleural has reduced a little and that the tumors are a little smaller in size. One tumor that was 13 mm at round 2 is now at 10mm. Also, the scan showed no fluid build up in the pleural space. So, even though all this is great news one thing did show up in the scan that was incidental and a complete accident that they found it. They found a thrombosis in the right jugular vein. This means she has a blood clot. They took an ultrasound of her neck and said it most likely developed within the last 10 days. Dr says it is a common side effect of the chemo. Now she has to be worried about pulmonary embolism. Dr. gave her a prescription for Lovenox which is a really expensive ($1500month) anticoagulant (blood thinner). This drug is taken by injection into the stomach every 12 hours. Some of its side effects can include more nausea, redness, swelling, bleeding (which is not good with a blood thinner), redness and rash, and anemia. Anemia is a concern for mom because last year she battled with anemia as well. So we really need to watch out for bleeding which can lead to hemorrhaging and the anemia which can do the same.
Anyway, so after learning all that. The new Dr. tells us that he believes continuing to round 6 is a good idea (YES!!!) and after that she will continue on a maintenance program. He said possibly the maintenance program will consist of the Alimta and Avastin (she is already taking both as part of her chemo regimen. The only one left out will be the carboplatin).
So, today was supposed to be round 5 after the doctor's appointment and ultrasound, but her blood work came back and her white blood cell count was too low again. She will try again on thursday for round 5. So between now and then lots of cooked veggies and fish to eat and lots of water for her immune system. She did get her Lovenox medicine so she started the first dose this evening. She is so strong. Continue praying. We thank you so much. God bless you.

-Vanessa Hudson Reyes

Depression and Family

Its been really hard going through all the emotions. I think we are all upset and trying to avoid the reality of what Mom's diagnosis is. I think she is trying to avoid it too as much as possible. Family,moms, dads, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters. There are so many aspects of life that we all have to be responsible for. We have to be there for each other and not fight or be destructive because we are afraid to communicate with one another. I understand that we all secretly want someone to blame or to find a reason, but the reality is that with cancer there is no answer.

I really do believe that she will beat this cancer. I have faith in God and that His will is to heal her. I pray that my family will be able to come together and be open, truly open and communicate.

My mom has agreed to go to therapy with me. I think this is huge. We definitely need this to be able to truly say everything that we harbor inside both of us and to let out our frustrations and anger with this disease out and not on each other because we love each other so much and at times it is difficult to not be mad or really sad and want to put blame on something or be angry at something. I am speaking from my heart and I know that we are all upset and hurting and trying to hide it. I don't want to hide it anymore. I don't want to have anything festering inside of me or my family and I don't want anything to hold me or my family back. We need to be able discuss all of this and so even though I know we are all depressed and trying to hide it, we are going to be talk about it with a professional. Thank you. Thank you all for being a part of our lives.

God Bless America.

-Vanessa Hudson Reyes

I love you so much mom

I just want you to know how much I love you. I love you and there are no words to describe how much

Some of the difficulties of going through cancer

Loneliness, is a major part of this. Its not just lonely for the person that is going through it, but the family around the person feels it too. Loneliness is difficult. You experience it even when you look your friends in the face. You feel it almost all the time. You don't feel it when you preoccupy yourself with other things to do or work. My mom is able to go to work. She is exhausted by it, but it helps her keep her mind off things. I know she feels lonely. I've always worried about her, even before she was diagnosed with cancer about her loneliness. I wish and hope that in this fight she will feel us all with her. This disease can be condemning, but it doesn't have to be. I really don't want to believe that its happened, but it has. I don't understand why it has happened to my mom because she is a good woman. Regardless, its happened and I know she will get through this.

I've always believed that everything in life happens for a reason. Maybe she can help science or faith in people. Her being diagnosed has solidified my faith! I pray that my mom will overcome this. I don't care if everyone else thinks I'm crazy for believing in the healing power of God. He is healing her.

 My mom is an amazing person, who is getting herself out there every day and continues to do for others, but I know that she feels lonely. She is in this fight for her life by herself because only she can face what she is going through. None of us will ever know what she is feeling. I pray that she knows we are all here for her. How can we show it? We can talk to her and not be afraid to speak our mind. We can all discuss things not of generalties, but our true nature and being. How can we let her know that she is not alone? We can all let her know she is not alone because we all feel that way and we are all afraid of things and thats why we can count on each other and are here for each other. We are all scared of what we don't know. However, we can be there for each other. How do we know when our last day is. We don't. It can be anything. It can happen today or tomorrow; a car accident or 10 years from now. We certainly have no idea with cancer. Cancer is a weird disease. It can go away in some people and they become No Evidence of Disease and live happily. I believe it can happen that way in my mom. She has a cancer inside of her and we can fix it. Can we make her better? I have faith in God that we can. God will heal her. It is his will. We can pray:
"Be strong and of good courage; Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: For the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest." Joshua 1:9

My mom gave be this prayer when I was a kid. I have always believed there was someone, supernatural, with me. My faith is solid. I believe in the Lord and I believe it his will to heal her.

-Vanessa Hudson Reyes

Interesting new type of therapy to consider

Well, now that mom has a new doctor and wants to evaluate where she is at and continuing treatment, I would like to ask him what he thinks about Photodynamic therapy (PDT)—a type of laser therapy. A chemical is injected into the bloodstream. It is then absorbed by the cells of the body. The chemical rapidly leaves normal cells. It will remain in cancer cells for a longer time. A laser aimed at the cancer activates the chemical. This chemical then kills the cancer cells that have absorbed it. This treatment may also be used to reduce symptoms.
Its a new type of treatment that is not widely used, but is considered a potential therapy by the National Cancer Institute. Anyway, we will have to wait and see until after September 9 when mom gets more scans done and we can see whether its just scar tissue or new little tumor cells in the pleural space.

I have faith that the Dr. is only going to see scar tissue and that he will see the tumors are shrinking.

The main thing we all must do is continue to pray and ask God to hear our prayers to heal her.

-Vanessa Hudson Reyes

Prayer to heal Cindy Sue Hudson of Cancer

O God, our Father, Your Word says that You are a very present help in the time of need. I come to You now on behalf of Cindy Sue Hudson who is suffering with cancer. Father, I ask You, in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, to touch and heal her.
Distance is no problem for You, God. As I pray, You are there with her, even as close as the very breath she breathes. So I am asking You to touch her body and heal her.

Now, you foul disease called cancer, I speak to you. Go from her body in the Name of Jesus! I command you, cancerous cells, to wither and die at the roots in the Name of Jesus!! Devil, I bind your power in Cindy's life, and I command healing to come to her now, in the Name of Jesus!

Father, I ask You to replace with new cells those that have been damaged by cancer. God, You can do that, because what is impossible with man is possible with You. You are a God who cares, and we believe You will do it just because we have asked. You love us that much.

Father, may strength and wholeness come into Cindy's body this very day. Thank You, Lord, for doing it.

I thank You, Jesus that we will hear good reports from people who have been healed because they held fast to their confession of faith without wavering, because You are faithful who promised. Thank You, Father, in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Its actually a little rough this week

I apologize for not writing sooner, but its been a little difficult these last few days. Mom met with the new Dr. and he's not quite as positive as the last one. Mom is okay, but even more fatigued and nauseas than ever. I pray for her every day and night! She's had 4 rounds of chemo and considering that I would think she is doing fantastic, the new Dr. has brought up some up concerns that we don't have answers for yet. We have to wait till Sept. 8 and 9. There has been confusion and we need to get in touch with her other Doctor, Dr, Mita, who left for California. I will explain tomorrow, but I am tired and so is my mom. Bless you all.

Well, it went okay today and mom is feeling alright

It was a really late start with the chemo today, but she seemed to have a little bit of spunk when she got home. Just for a little bit, but it was good. Of course the nausea follows as usual. So the next Dr's appointment is on thursday and will get more information. Tomorrow, mom will go and get another thoracentesis done to take out the fluid that has built up.

Will keep you posted!!!

August 23 round 4 chemo

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work” (2 Thes. 2:16-17).

Mom's white blood count was good this morning so she is still getting the chemo. They took x-rays of her lungs and said not to worry too much. We will see the new Doctor on thursday and go over everything. It will be a really long day for mom at the hospital. She probably won't be done till around 8pm. She is alright and the fluid that is building up can be removed. She is stubborn, but she will not give up. She will continue to fight this and is staying strong!!!!!

Have no fear, God is with us. Hear our prayer

“…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:26-28).

Something is going on, but we don't know yet

Well, after round 3 we thought all was going great because the tumors looked like they were shrinking on the ct scan comparison from before starting to then. Right now, she feels like there is fluid building back up in her lung. Not sure what this means exactly, but it doesn't feel like its a sign in the direction we thought we were heading. She goes in for round 4 on tuesday and will get her white blood count done. We have a doctors appointment after that to which we will probably do another scan and get x-rays to check the lung and tumors.
I just pray that the tumors are shrinking and that she will soon be "no evidence of disease" so that all we have to do is continue with the maintenance program and that she will be okay. Its all just very scary and hard to relate. I know she feels lonely and scared. Pray and keep your faith. God bless!

-Vanessa

Today was rough...

Well, mom really isn't feel good at all. It was a difficult day for her and just really felt awful. Feeling bad all day long has overwhelmed her and makes her feel frustrated. I hate seeing her feel so bad. I wish there was something I could do to help her feel better. It definitely doesn't help that on top of feeling so bad, all she wanted to do was lay down and try to relax and watch tv, but the uverse went out and wasn't getting a signal. I was on the phone with them, but they couldn't fix it and will send someone out tomorrow. Just really sucks because she likes to sleep with the noise of the television. The tv going out also added to me feeling guilty because I'm the one who changed companies and had the uverse installed and for some reason its been a little hanky. Hopefully they will fix it and it won't be expensive. I just want her to be comfortable and I know that its pretty much impossible.

She goes in for round 4 on the 23th.

-Vanessa

Still nauseated, but hanging in there.

I apologize for it being a while since I've posted updates. I was out of town for a few days, but mom is doing alright. Its really hard for her to be nauseas all the time and she isn't keeping solids down very well. She is trying though, but it is difficult. She is staying positive and during the week she is out and trying to work as much as she can. The little bit of work she can do is helping to keep her mind off the cancer and chemo. I am very proud of her.

She did get another B12 shot on thursday so that should help her feel better and of course she continues to take folic acid every day and of course drink lots of water.

Please comment if you have any questions at all. I am more than happy to answer any questions. God bless you all and thank you.

Tough week, but mom is strong

This 3^rd round of chemo has hit her pretty hard. She still was running around and doing things this week but has been extremely nauseated by this round of chemo and I know that getting up and going to do for others every day is what she feels she needs to do. I am amazed at how she continues to think of others and do for them. We hope others see her as someone who they can go to for help. She is always helping others and will continue to do so. I hope that people will see her kindness and continue to help her as well.

 She is being strong and stubborn and sassy, as that is kind of her mantra in order to beat this disease (“beast” as she calls it) within. I am concerned because I know she is pushing herself.  So if you see her please be mindful and understand how she is doing. She puts on a good front, but she is in pain and managing.

The next treatment is scheduled for the 23rd of August and we pray that the white cell count stays up to allow the treatment because this last time it wasn’t and had to be moved.

Anyway, I am very happy that my Mom hasn’t lost her hair even though it is still shedding and changing colors, but that is a side effect of the chemo too.

The one message she reminds me of is that she loves her children very much and she is proud of all of us. I believe that my brothers and I are decent and good people and I will attribute that to all my parents. My mom really is an amazing person. She is an incredible woman, mother, friend, and human being.

Thank you.

-Vanessa

Round 3 went well!!!

I just want to give everyone a quick update on mom's status. Round 3 went very well today. It was a late start, but there were no problems at all. I brought mom some lunch and we hung out during the chemo. At least they have tv so we were able to watch Dr Oz. Mom really likes that show. He is very informative. Anyway, it was slow and a long day in the hospital, but it was good. Afterwards mom was able to visit with a few friends. She is tired, but feeling alright. It truly is amazing that she is handling the chemo so well. The docors are so pleased at her results.

I will right more tomorrow. Have a great night and God bless!