I know that I have not posted any information this past week, but if you all were in the same boat that we have been in, you wouldn't be posting anything either!   Toby and I evacuated mom and dad out of their house on Tuesday.  I arrived at mom and dad's house at 10:30 a.m., as I had a snow day at school.  Yeah, I know what a great time to have to evacuate.  Toby came to help get the horses loaded, but they would not get into the darn trailer.  After trying for roughly two hours, we decided that we had to leave them behind.   Some of the other relatives came down to help move items up to the second floor and throw down a few sandbags around the garage.  A big thanks to Bink, Jeff, Ben, Casey, Jesse, and anyone else who was helping!  My cousin Casey helped mom pack up all of her bags, as I left because the snow continued to fall and I was concerned my car would not make it out.  Next year, I am buying a truck!  

Unfortunately, Toby had a mess of his own with a house he is building in Fox Island!  Toby and I went down to check on the flooding on Monday evening and what a mess!  The road was washed out and there was water wanting to devour the house.  Toby waded into the water and he was covered up to his waist, or as he puts it "balls deep."  On Tuesday, him and the guys that work for him had to remove all of the tools in Toby's tool trailer, that was on the lot.  They used our canoe and another boat.  I am so glad we have been able to put that to use even if it is winter!  The water continued to rise in Fox Island and submerged many houses.  Some houses had water halfway up their garages.  

Thankfully, Toby's project and the Rickel's house made it through without any damage to the actual structures.  The Rickel's barn did have water in it and the horses did stand in water up to their knees for a brief period of time.  Thanks to my uncle Bink, he was able to get the horses to higher ground.  Unfortunately, dad has been cleaning up stinky apples around the house for the last couple days, but we were all so happy to see the house and everyone safe.  

So, mom and dad stayed with Toby and I all week, and I must say I really miss the two of them this evening.  Mom and I were giggling and laughing so hard most nights that my stomach muscles got quite the workout!  I tell ya, I really do believe things happen for a reason and spending time with my mom and dad was the best gift I got out of this deal.  Toby also enjoyed having the Rickel's here and really enjoys having the two dogs here as well.  He has renamed Lady and we now know her as Toaster; he thinks she looks like a stainless steel toaster.

Well, mom and dad moved out today, because mom continues her doctor visits at Mayo Clinic on Wednesday.  A huge storm has hit the upper midwest yet again, so they had to leave two days earlier than originally scheduled.  Mom really did not want to miss the appointment.  The same day we evacuated them. mom talked to the doctor and received the results of her last tests done at Mayo.  We did not get the best of news, but are still very optimistic, as mom was told that they cancer is in her lymph nodes.  The doctors are still unsure of how many nodes have been affected, but the doctor still says the prognosis is in mom's favor.  Over the phone, the doctor was also suggesting a shot of chemo might be in line prior to the surgery.  The doctor scheduled the appointments this week to take another biopsy of a lump in her breast, and to speak with the plastic surgeon.  

As I receive news, I will update you all! 

Here is a new update for all of you that are checking in.  I spoke with mom and she has renewed strength in her voice again!  She sounds so great and seems really positive about things.  I really think she is one of the most positive and determined people I know.  I may be a little bias about this because she is my mom and my best friend.  

She had gotten out of the last test for the evening and the doctor had taken a biopsy in both of her breasts, as there were two spots, one in each breast, that were being questioned.  After the MRI this morning, only one lymph node was in question, as opposed to the two from yesterday, so they did take a biopsy of that also.  

She will be having surgery at some point next week and will receive the results from the biopsy next week, so we all get to play the waiting game.  When we find out, I will let you know!! 

Four weeks After the surgery, mom will return to Mayo Clinic to see the oncologist.  At that point treatment will be discussed.

Mom and dad will be returning tomorrow to the good 'ol town of Bismarck.  I am sure the dogs will be happy to see them, as Harper enjoys playing with mom at night.  

I spoke with dad again a few minutes ago and mom has been in surgery for another biopsy of an additional lump that they found in her breast.  The doctors think that it may be a calcium deposit, but need to test this area to be on the safe side!  They will not know the results of this test until later this week.  She has been in this test for the last two hours and they are also extracting some of the fluid out of the lymph nodes at this time too.  She is not sedated, but does have the area numbed, so I am sure she will feel some pain after this one!

Mom and dad will be coming home this weekend to get some rest and we will probably be heading out to Rochester for surgery on Thursday next week, with the surgery potentially scheduled for Friday.  Dad did indicate that mom's blood pressure was slightly elevated, but I think mine would be too if I was poked and prodded as much as she has been!!  Dad is going to try and get some rest this evening as he has been waking up very early, much earlier than the alarm.  

Mom and dad have been really happy with all the treatment and care that mom is receiving at Mayo Clinic, and they are very happy that they went.  

Thanks to everyone for the continued support and prayers!

I spoke with dad at 11:40 a.m. and they received the results from the liver enzymes and the bone denisty test. Everything has come back and there are no concerns!!! I am so happy that we are hearing good news again today! Dad also said that they had not done the aspiration of fluid in the abnormal and enlarged lymph nodes, and that test will not be done until 2:30 p.m. today. They probably will not find out the results of the lymph node test until Monday. I am still unsure of when she will have surgery.

She also has to complete the MRI today too. Mom and dad were just going to grab lunch and were excited that they actually get to eat today. I think mom is quite drained and needs some well needed rest this weekend!

They did look at prostetics today too! Dad thought those were pretty neat and he keeps saying what a great place Mayo Clinic is. They have checked mom out from top to bottom and it leaves mom, dad, Shelly, and me with a reassuring feeling!

Until later, enjoy your day and please keep praying because I know all the prayers are working.

I just spoke with mom and she said that she feels like she has been poked and prodded out for the day!  Her and dad only ate a piece of banana bread at 7:30 a.m. and have not eaten anything since. They finally got water at 3:00 p.m., so they are going to get some much needed rest and food to restore their energy for tomorrow.  She resumes the testing of her body tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m.  They will be completing an MRI of her breast along with any other tests they feel are necessary.

Mom and dad had a two hour conversation with the doctor today and had some positive information to share.  The doctor thought that a mastectomy or lumpectomy could be completed.  The doctor said that only 1% of women actually see the cancer appear in the other breast!  They still need to get all the test results back, but a mammogram and ultrasound were completed today on the infected breast.  The ultrasound did indicate one thickened and one abnormal lymph node, but this could be due to the biopsies that were completed in Bismarck.  With all the problems mom has had in that breast, the doctor did state that she has a lot going on in that particular breast.  The doctor was able to see the fibroids and calcification from previous operations and complications.  There is some fluid that has centralized in the area that the biopsies were completed on and there is some concern in relation to this.  Tests were also run on her liver enzymes and a test will be completed to see if there are any indications that the cancer is in her lungs.  Mom and dad have not received the results on the liver enzymes or the lungs as of yet.  This particular type of cancer has the possibility of spreading to the liver, lungs, or bone.  

The doctor told mom that the cancer has made up its mind and that she does have cancer, but we need to find its location before any official treatment options will discussed.  Although all of the tests results have not come back, the doctor did tell mom that she will receive the herceptin treatments to kill and attack any cancer cells that may be in the body.  As to how long the treatments will be need, that is still unclear.  

Herceptin is a specific type of biological therapy that is designed to shut down proteins by attaching to the proteins and, in effect, smother them.  This halts the pro-growth molecular instructions that these proteins relay into the bodies of cancer cells.  This therapy is often referred to as "targeted therapy" because the drug zeroes in on cancer cells much more closely than chemotherapy drugs do, thereby sparing surrounding tissue (Information taken from the Mayo Clinic website, written by Dr. Edith Perez).  The great thing about Herceptin is that it does not have all of the same side effects that regular chemotherapy drugs!  Susie may not have to be on wig patrol any longer!  

Until tomorrow, keep those prayers a coming!  ...Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discourage, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. 

Joshua 1:9-10

Mom's trip to Mayo

After having a wonderful meal with the Lund family last night, mom and dad adventured out of the city of Bismarck today to go to the Mayo Clinic.  Mom will begin her many tests tomorrow at Mayo.  

To catch you up to speed on mom's diagnosis, she has a rare cancer called Paget's cancer and Intraductal Carcinoma or DCIS.  The doctors in Bismarck say that she is in Stage 1 or Stage 2 and that only 5% of women get this particular type of cancer.  The doctors have said that she will have to have chemotherapy for a year after her mastectomy is complete.  We all agreed as a family that a second opinion was in order, so MAYO hear we come!

Mom and dad left Bismarck at 8:40 a.m. with the healing stone in mom's bra!  The healing stone was given to mom by Andrea's mom.  Andrea was my roommate prior to me moving in with Toby. Mom said that she had placed the healing stone upright in her bra, and by the time I spoke with her at three o'clock, it was already pointing sideways to the Paget cancer's location!  

They took a little detour and were lost for a few moments, as the directions that mom pulled from the internet led them astray!  Mom and dad called at 7:00 p.m. and they had arrived in Rochester and were sitting down to eat a good meal.  Dad was having a drink and mom was drinking water.  She said she wants to play it safe.  Mom sounds as if she is in very good spirits and is ready to take on the doctors and fight this disease with a positive attitude!  

"For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds," says the Lord. (Jeremiah 30:17)