Long awaited update…

First, thank you all for your continued love and support during this long journey. Secondly, I am sorry for the delay with this update. Life has been a bit tiring lately. Once we had Linda home all the sudden we became responsible for making sure that she took her pain pills every 4 hrs. I, Katrina, went 10 days of interrupted sleep every 4-5hrs. All I can say is that I found out that I don’t operate at even half capability when sleeping so sporadically. For those who have called or emailed, I am truly sorry that I haven’t responded. I just didn’t have the energy or brain power to respond!

Even though Linda is now taking her pain pills every 6 hrs and she is now in charge of taking them herself…we have found that sleep is still VERY IMPORTANT! As a result when trying to reach us, PLEASE ONLY CALL ONE of our phone numbers and leave a message. We promise we will return your call when we have the energy. Also, PLEASE DON’T CALL BEFORE 1pm MST, because the phone ringing wakes Linda up. Thank you for your understanding. I know that you all love Linda and call out of concern, but this is what she is going to need in order to beat this!

As for an update:

It has been 3 weeks since Linda’s surgery. Linda has been home for 11 days. The first few days were all about getting settled, in a routine and sleep. Basically we were up every 4 hrs and the rest of the time was spent trying to sleep.

On Thursday the 16th Linda had an appointment with one of her nasal surgeons. Dr. Andrews said that Linda was doing fantastic and then proceeded to pick off portions of the scabbed over wound from the inside of her nose. Linda will keep on having an appointment to continue the removal of the scabs weekly until they are gone.

Linda had the staples removed from her head on Tuesday the 21st. She was very concerned that it would hurt. However, we were all pleasantly surprised when it was painless. Actually Linda barely felt anything. PRAISE GOD! She was so energized that after her appointment she wanted to go out to eat. This was the first time that Linda had been out to eat since before the surgery. Afterwards she still felt so fantastic that she insisted that we go shopping and get her a few new nightgowns. When Macy’s didn’t have what we were looking for she insisted that we go to Dillard’s. Even though she found what she wanted, she was on such a role that we also went to The Rack. It was a GREAT day!

Well, the next day Linda paid for her grand adventures. She was exhausted and fought her pain more than she had been, making her appointment with the OB/GYN that day a bit more challenging. It was our first meeting with her OB/GYN, Dr. Winters, to discuss the growths on her ovaries. It turns out that she has a mass on her left ovary that is just under 10cm/4in and also a smaller one on the right ovary. Dr. Winters ordered an ovarian ultrasound to get a better look. She is going to consult with another specialist from St. Joe’s. If they feel that the masses are suspicious there is a slim chance that they may move the 3rd surgery to remove her ovaries up to early May, before she starts chemo and radiation on May 18th. We should know more by the end of next, beginning of the following week.

Today was a very busy day. The afternoon started with Linda’s consultation with the oncologist. Due to the pathology they are recommending a very concentrated form of chemo. Basically he explained that SNUC tends to be more aggressive than other forms of nasal cancer. Because of that they are concerned that if they don’t completely eradicate it, that it will have a stronger chance of reoccurring then in other forms of nasal cancer. He is suggesting a six week cycle in conjunction with the radiation. Together he said that it should increase the potency of the radiation increasing our chances of destroying any cancer that may be remaining. Mother is so determined to live and only have to do this once that she said, “Let’s do it!”

All day Linda has been fighting pain more than usual. This is because they are trying to switch up her pain medicine. This made for a very interesting day/evening. Our day concluded with a 9:30pm appointment for her ovarian ultrasound. It was quite the adventure, as Linda had to drink 32oz of water an hour prior to the appointment and had to HOLD IT. :o/ What a trooper! She did it!! Yet once we were home her pain was so severe that she was crying. Linda has gone back to her other pain pills and we are praying they will enable her to a restful night’s sleep!

This weekend is all about resting up for another round of doctor’s appointments next week. I promise the updates will continue, just at a slower pace as I have the energy. After all Linda is my main focus at the moment. Thank you again for your love, support and prayers during the marathon of a journey!!

PRAYER REQUESTS: That God would guide Linda, our family and the doctors in how to proceed with the 3rd surgery, helping us to prioritize what is truly important/life threatening. That God would COMPLETELY ERADICATE ALL THE CANCER FROM HER ENTIRE BODY!! That God would give our family the STRENGTH to run the MARATHON BEFORE US!! That Linda would NOT be WEAKENED by the chemo and radiation! FOR GOOD HOLY REST/SLEEP!!!!!! Lots of it! And of course, however else the Lord may guide you.

Linda is Home! :o)

Linda came home this evening after 11 days in the hospital. 5 of those days were spent in ICU. We have had two very busy days…thus the lack of updates. We are all very tired, but doing well. I will do my best to have a complete update posted by tomorrow evening.

Thank you again for tremendous love and support during this challenging time!!

Slowly, steadily, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled…Habakkuk 2:3

It was a great day! There isn’t much to report. Linda once again had a challenging night, mostly because she was congested. However she faced the morning with great energy. After every meal she walked around her hospital unit, even stopping to go up and down a set of physical therapy stairs in one of the waiting rooms. Other than during her nap, Linda spent the day in her chair. She even enjoyed a Third Rock from the Sun marathon on TVLand. Man were we laughing! :o)

Linda had a good day when it came to pain management. She took at set of her pain pills around 9:30am and didn’t feel the need to take more until around 7:30pm. This is HUGE!! Linda wasn’t bearing through it, rather her pain although severe at times is lessening. PRAISE GOD!!

Once again tonight her temperature was 99.6 at 8pm. Thank you for continuing to pray that her temperature would consistently be normal! That her pain would continue to diminish to nothing! For her restoration back to remarkable health!

Love to you all! May you all have a Blessed Passover and a very Happy Easter!!

Oh what a difference a week makes!!

This morning Linda called the house to let us know that she had a tough night. In the middle of the night she said that it sounded like a rubber band snapped in her eye. Linda also started to have localized pain in different parts of both of her eyes. As a response her doctors ordered a CAT Scan. Within a couple of hours her nasal, eye & neurosurgeons all had read the CAT Scan and said that it look normal.

It was another big day for Linda. Besides the CAT Scan, Linda got to take her first shower and washer her hair since the surgery one week ago today. She was so happy to be clean and to have clean hair! Linda also spent the majority of the day in her chair.

Linda took a long siesta this afternoon. Once again she ate a very hearty dinner. After dinner she got out of her chair and literally walked around her unit. She was so cute. She is still experience extreme eye sensitivity, so she wore her sunglasses the majority of the day and on her walk this evening. SO PRECIOUS!!

This evening however her temperature once again is in the 99.something range. She is also becoming a bit congested. The nurses think it because of the dryness in the hospital…so they have put her back on oxygen that is humidified.

Please pray that her temperature would continuously be normalized! That her sinus would be draining properly, so that she can be getting the deep breaths she needs to fend off pneumonia! That her pain would be minimal to non-existent! That she would continue to be restored to miraculous health!

Blessings!

Linda is out of ICU!!

A day filled with much activity. They removed Linda’s two remaining IV’s and her catheter. She once again spent 2 hours of her morning in the chair. Rested and then walked around the ICU a bit. Then it was moving time. Once we arrived in her new room Linda spent another 1 ½ hours in the chair.

This hospital is AMAZING!! Linda’s new room has a BEAUTIFUL view of the Flatirons…it makes spending our days in the hospital as enjoyable as they possible could be. :o)

With the move out of ICU, Linda is now completely off of oxygen and all the monitoring devices. Every couple of hours the nurse comes and takes her vitals. It feels very different. A good different, yet there is that part of me, Katrina, that doesn’t like not being able to look up at anytime to see her vitals. Oh well, it’s ultimately a good thing!

As for tonight, she had a hearty dinner…at least by the standards of this week. Since she had such a huge day, she is very tired and has been resting ever since.

At about 8:30pm her temperature was 99.somthing. I know it’s not a large temp, but please continue to pray that her temperature would be consistently stable!

One of Linda’s neurosurgeons is going to be removing the staples in Linda’s head on Monday. As of today, they are saying that we will most likely get to take her home Monday. :o)

Please continue to pray for her pain. As the swelling goes down Linda is starting to experience new pain in her face and head. For a continued rapid healing! As previously mentioned, that her temperature would be consistently stable!

Thank you!

Another GREAT Day!

Linda had a GREAT Day! One of her nasal & one of her neurosurgeons dropped by…they are so happy with her progress that they have signed off to have Linda moved out of ICU. Now all we need is her main nasal surgeon, Dr. Chung to sign off and we will be moving to a different unit. Once we are out of ICU we are hoping to have her out of the hospital and home by Easter. It truly would be the finest Easter gift ever!

Linda spent two hours this morning sitting in her chair, followed by a two hour nap. Around 3pm they got Linda in her chair again for another 30mins, followed by brushing her teeth and a walk around the ICU. She was SO cute. She was talking to all the nurses and making everyone laugh. She even did this without the aid of any oxygen. After all that exertion Linda was ready for another nap. Then it was time for dinner. Linda has eaten more today then another day. She even ate meatloaf with mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, a small bowl of strawberry’s and of course a bit of vanilla milkshake for dinner.

This evening when I stepped out for a bit, Dr. Dragon Linda’s eye doctor dropped by to test her vision. Dr. Dragon couldn’t believe it, but Linda’s vision is better than it was before the surgery. We have been told not to get too excited, because the pressure around her eye is most likely altering the shape of her eye allowing her to see better. The doctors say that it will most likely go back, however we BELIEVE that God can do ANYTHING!! :o)

Tonight as I have been sitting by Linda’s bedside typing this, Linda requested that I include her following thoughts: She wants everyone to know that “to KNOW JESUS, is to KNOW PEACE. You will have PEACE if you allow God into your life, especially during trials and tribulations!” She thanks you all for your prayers and PRAISES GOD for the miracle of this week, for being cancer free and the continued HEALING process!

As I get ready to leave for the evening we PRAISE GOD that Linda’s temperature is a wonderful 98.1! :o)

In Gratitude!
XOXO’s

What a day…God is FAITHFUL!!

Linda’s temperature had once again stabilized by morning. They did start her on some antibiotics before Annie arrived this morning at 9am. The morning was a tough one.

Dr. Andrews (one of Linda’s nasal surgeons) came in and removed the surgical packing that was in Linda’s nose. Annie told me that she heard Hughie (Annie & Linda’s little brother who died in 1991) say to the removal of the packing, that it was “gnarly.”

Linda also had the drain in her back removed and then sutured. Her lower back is very tender, but we are so glad that the doctors no longer seem concerned about her spinal fluid. THANK YOU JESUS!!

Another thing that made the morning more challenging is that the IV in her left arm had started to flow into the her body’s tissue. They removed the IV and the swelling has been going down throughout the day. Even though it is still bigger then I would like it to be, the nurses say that it looks great!

When I, Katrina, arrived about 2pm Linda had been resting after her intense morning. However, Dr. Chung one of Linda’s nasal surgeons had ordered that Linda sit up for at least an hour and a half today. After yesterday and with the morning that Linda had, she started bargaining with Dr. Chung. She asked if she could do two 45min sessions? Dr. Chung agreed. 3pm rolled around and Linda got up, brushed her teeth and walked around her small room to the chair. She was in good spirits and was holding court. She talked for 20min to one of the nurse without her oxygen mask on. Her color was great and she was so cute!

So its official Linda can actually taste…not the same -- as of yet…but she HATES the hospital yogurt and milk shakes. So much so that she sent me on a run in the midst of her chair workout to go get her the “right” yogurt and a vanilla milk shake from GoodTimes. When I got back she had been in the chair for almost two hours. It was amazing!! She hadn’t thrown up and even though she was a bit tired…she looked fantastic to me! :o) She started on that milk shake and wouldn’t stop. She said that she is Bill Huntington’s daughter and will be made well by milk shakes. You needed to know my Grandfather to fully enjoy the moment.

Once we got her back in the bed Linda was tired. She has been resting comfortably (rather as comfortable as she can be) ever since.

PRAISE GOD!! At 9:30pm Linda’s temperature was only 98.1…which is AWESOME!!! Praise God that we are going to get through the night without running a temp!!!

Thank you for your continued prayers as they are truly making a difference!!

PRAISE GOD!!!

Oh what a difference a day makes! As you have read last night was not the easiest...today is a different story. Not that it was easy, but rather all the challenges she faced today are things that are bring her closer to her healing.

Annie arrived at the hospital at 8am and ever since then her temperature has been within the normal range. PRAISE GOD!!!

Within the first couple of hours the girls were greeted by Linda’s neurosurgeon & by her nasal doctors. The neurosurgeon capped off the drain in Linda’s back. So far it looks like they won’t have to uncap it. However, if we notice any clear liquid draining from Linda’s nose and/or Linda feels a salty liquid draining down that back of her throat we are to immediately notify a nurse, as this is a symptom that Linda’s spinal fluid is backing up. Otherwise Linda is progressing beautifully on the neurological level.

Dr. Chung, her nasal doctor, is also satisfied with her recovery. He ordered that Linda get up and walk around, as well as sit in a chair for ONE HOUR. This sounds like simple tasks that she should be able to master easily. However her pain is so intense that it was horrific. Linda was a trooper!! She knew that it was critical for her health and she persevered through it!! The hour of sitting in the chair was horrendous for her. She threw up numerous times, her blood pressure dropped drastically and took at least five minutes to return to normal. As well as the fact that she said that it felt like her head was going to explode…yet she got it done for her own health.

She was SO CUTE in the middle of it…a physical therapist was in the room going over all the exercises that she needs to be doing throughout the day. I’m not sure if the physical therapist was aware of how cognitively present Linda is, because it seemed that she was more explaining the hows and whys to me. In the midst of her explanation Linda, while in the chair in immense pain…starts doing her foot flexes. I AM SO PROUD OF MY LITTLE MOMMA!!!! She is doing whatever it takes…no matter what the cost in pain! Her will to live and her focus on beating this thing…it’s amazing!!!

Thank you for your continued prayers for NO COMPLICATIONS!! That her pain would be tolerable to nonexistent!! Our God is a BIG GOD and I BELIEVE THAT HE CAN DO ANYTHING!! Also, that He would CONTINUE to give her the UNBELIEVEABLE STRENGTH to TRIUMPH over everything that she facing!!

Immensely grateful for your prayers, love and support!

Michael, Annie & Katrina

Ok, addendum…it’s 8:30pm and her temperature is BACK UP for the first time today. It is 100.2. PLEASE PRAY!! Somehow we are back to where we were last night.

Temperature Update

At 11:30pm Linda’s temperature was down to 99.3 and by 3:30am it was 99.2. I, Katrina, stayed with Linda until 4am to make sure that her fever was under control. I slept in the chair next to her bed and was there if she needed anything…which she did call out once because she thought that she was going to throwing-up. She ended up not throwing-up, but she seemed conformed that someone was right there.

Thank you for continuing to pray that her temperature would NORMALIZE! For a RAPIED HEALING! That her pain would MINUMILZED and become NONEXISTENT!

Thank you for your continued prayers…she really needs them!

Attn: Prayer Warriors

WE ARE STILL IN NEED OF PRAYER!

Linda had a good day, but all of the sudden her temperature raised to 100.2 about 8pm. This doesn’t seem critical, but Linda is special (as we all know) and her normal temperature runs low about 97.8 or 97.9. They are concerned that it could go into pneumonia. By 9pm her temperature was back down to 98.5, but at 10:30pm it was back up to 100.0. They do not think that it this point that it is a sign of infection, but rather due to her shallow breathing caused by lack of movement.

Linda did get up and walk around today, but she would not sit in the chair for any amount of time like the physical therapist request. She said that she was tired…which of course she is. This evening we have explained to her that in the morning she is not going to have an option, as it is the one thing that can actively help her from developing pneumonia. Once that was explained she was willing to sit up in bed right away. God Bless her, she really is trying and I can’t imagine the amount of pain that she is in.

Other great things about today: She ate solid food for the first time. It is just a bit at a time, but with each meal it is a bit more. She got up and was walking around with the aid of a walker. Linda was resistant to sitting in a chair for any amount of time, because the area around her incision is very painful even with the drugs. Her nausea is been greatly diminished with a change in her pain pills. Today was the first time that she allowed us to be in the room for any amount of time. :o)

As you can tell it has been a good day, but she is still in a very fragile state and we need BIG CONTINUED PRAYERS for NO COMMPLICATIONS!!! That her temperature would NORMALIZE!! That the Lord would take away her pain and continue to give her the STRENGTH to INDURE this situation!!! And whatever else the Lord guides you to pray!!

Thank you!

What a GREAT DAY!!

Last night when we all went to bed we decided not to set our alarm clocks and to sleep in. Whomever was up first was to feel free to leave for the hospital…knowing that we would all make our way there by early afternoon.

Annie was the first one up and out of the house by 8:30am. Michael was getting ready to leave when I came up stairs at 10:30am. At that time Annie called and to let us know that Linda does not want us at the hospital and that she had asked Annie to leave. Linda said that she is tired and wants to rest.

Annie went and told Linda’s nurse that she was leaving due to Linda’s request. The nurse explained that was fine for a bit, but that Linda does need stimulation even if she doesn’t want it. Also, even though Linda is tired the nurse is going to have to get Linda up and walking around this afternoon, even though it is going to be hard and painful. Linda’s lungs and the rest of her body need movement to aid in the recovery.

For now we are giving Linda a bit of space. We are going to go see her later this afternoon. Annie said that she looks great…even better than she did last night. She also said that Linda is very alert. One of the nurses came in this morning and was quizzing Linda about her medical history. Linda knew all the answers. It truly seems at this point that Linda is not experiencing any cognitive issues. PRAISE GOD!!

The nurses seem to be doing a very good job of managing Linda’s pain. The only consistent complaint that Linda is expressing is that her throat hurts. They had a tub down her throat for the entire 9 hours of the surgery to keep from getting anything in her lungs. As of this morning they are giving her throat lozenges and she is being allowed small amounts of water.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED PRAYERS!!

PRAISE GOD!!!!

IT IS A FANTASTIC DAY!!!!

THE TUMOR IS OUT!!! The Doctors got the margins they were looking for!!! They were able to go through her skull and up her nose to remove the tumor. They did not have to cut her face. The only scar that Linda will have is the one that goes from ear to ear on the top of her head, which of course will be covered by her hair. They were also able to maintain the outside of her facial structure. Meaning that once the swelling goes down she should be the beautiful Linda that we are all accustom to. :o)

Praise God!! They were able to keep her eye. Even better, as of tonight, Linda is squinting out of the eye in question and is able to see. There is still a question if there has been any alteration to her vision, but we won’t know for a day or so.

Linda had a CAT Scan on her way to ICU. She will be in ICU for at least the next couple of days. She looks amazing considering what she has been through!! SHE IS ALERT!! She is so alert that she is telling us what to do…which is AMSOME!!!

Prayer Warriors, Keep Praying!!! She is not out of the woods and it is going to be a long haul, but man are we thankful for such an amazing day!!

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS & SUPPORT DURING THIS JOURNEY!!!

XOXO’S
Michael, Annie & Katrina

Surgery Update

Linda awake in good spirits and very much at peace this morning at 4:30am. We were off to the hospital by 5:45am & by 6am were checking in. They wheeled her into surgery right about 7:35am and the miracles event of Linda becoming CANCER FREE was under way.

Michael (Linda’s husband), Annie (Linda’s sister) & I, Katrina (Linda’s daughter) went to breakfast. At 9am while at breakfast we received our first update, letting us know that they were about to start “the surgery.” They explained that the last hour and a half had been spent prepping Linda.

At 10:30am we received the next update from the OR liaison. The surgery was in full swing and everything was going smoothly!

The last update at noon informed us that they had just completed inserting the lumbar drain in Linda’s back. They had already moved on and were in the brain, headed down into the sinuses. All her vitals are right where they want them and everything is still going smoothly.

THANK YOU FOR KEEPING THE PRAYERS COMING…THEY ARE WORKING!!