The beginning....

Last week my mother was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. 

My sisters and I took her to the hospital on Sept. 23rd because she was having trouble breathing. After sitting in the ER waiting room for, NO LIE, 7 hours, she was seen. After a chest x-ray and CT scan were done she was admitted. The Dr.'s had found fluid surrounding her left lung with a mass located inside the lung. Within two days the fluid was drained and tested.

On October 4th we went to see Dr. Sandur, a pulmonary Dr., who gave her the diagnosis. She has cancer. It started with a tumor on the inside of the lung and has spread to the lining of the lung. He scheduled her for a PET scan and MRI.

On Oct. 11th, she had her first Dr. appointment with her oncologist at the Harold Leever Cancer Center, who had the results of her PET and MRI scans from the previous week. Three small mets were found in her brain so the Dr. scheduled an appointment for the next day with a radiologist, Dr. Percaropio. 

Yesterday we met with Dr. Percarpio, who is an exteremely nice Dr. who explained everything and even showed us all of the scans so we could fully understand what was happening. The lung scan was amazing. Mom's left lung looked like a cloud (which is where the tumor and cancer is located), her right lung looked like a clear black sky. Her brain scan showed two small mets in the cerebellum, which controls your balance. Another met was found in her left lobe which could effect her memory or give her headaches, both of which she has not experienced. 

The Dr. stated that he wanted to start radiation right away....the next day....10 treatments of the entire head. He explained the by the 8th or 9th day my mother would lose all of her hair. This is not easy for a woman who has had the most full head of hair since the day she was born. We then met with the nurses who brought my mother to get fitted and marked for her treatments so it would only take approximately 5 minutes from start to finish when she came in everyday.

So today we begin....the first radiation treatment, the beginning of her battle. Next week she begins chemotherapy for the cancer in her lung. This has been an extremely fast process.

My mother is the STRONGEST person that I know, has never been sick, has never complained, has ALWAYS taken care of everyone else. It is now time for us all to take care of her. Now....you all know that will be a problem since this woman does not except help from anyone....but....that is just too bad. :)

I thought that this would be the best way to keep all of our family and friends involved and up-to-date on Mom's battle. And I know she will appreciate the support. And I believe that Madison, who I know is the light of my mother's life will bring her so much comfort during this time. She loves her Grammie very much and will be there....everyday!