An Exciting Saturday Evening

Last night Linda & I (Katrina) spent our Saturday evening in the emergency room. Yesterday as the day progressed, the more swollen Linda’s face became. By dinner time her face resembled her post surgery swelling. Linda’s temperature was slightly elevated, so off to the ER we went.

After hours in the ER, blood work, and consultation with the ENT (Ear Nose Throat) on call, it was decided that Linda has a sinus infection. Thankfully Linda’s white blood count was 3.9, which is NORMAL (for a non-chemo patient). The doctors felt that it would be best to give her antibiotics and send us home.

This morning the swelling has started to decrease, although it is still pronounced. She is feeling a bit better, although Linda forehead and eye region is still tender. Please continue to pray that Linda’s body is able to fight off the infection and to bring forth complete healing!

Currently Linda is having her second ultrasound on her ovaries. We believe that her 3rd surgery is going to be September 18th, although the date is not a definite yet.

Dad’s healing is going very well! Michael returned to work on Friday the 10th. He feels good and is happy to be back to work.

Thank you for continuing to pray and support our family in the midst of this challenging year!

With Love & Gratitude!

What a month!

This last month has brought many new challenges. Linda’s second round of chemo was very challenging. Her energy levels were very low and she battled with extreme nausea, although she never threw up. Linda also has been struggling with swallowing. The further we got into the radiation treatments the more challenging swallowing became. On and off Linda has been limited to a liquid diet. Thankfully Linda’s sister, Annie, suggested that we get a Vita-mixer. It has truly kept Linda out of the hospital, because we have been mixing and puréeing EVERYTHING!!

Linda had her last chemo treatment on Monday the 29th and her last radiation treatment was on Wednesday July 1st. So far this round of chemo has not been as hard as the second. However she is still struggling with her energy and swallowing. Linda’s radiologist told us to expect the side effects of the treatment to continue for at least the first three weeks preceding her final treatment. At this point they are just beginning to lessen. Yesterday she was actually able to eat a whole thing of yogurt without having to blend it. This may not sound like much, but was a really big deal! Overall Linda is doing very well…all things considered.

To say that the last four months has been a bit stressful is an understatement. It has affected us all in different ways. My father Michael started experiencing chest pain and arrhythmias. A couple of weeks ago he had an abnormal stress test, which lead to a referral for a cardiologist. Michael met with his cardiologist while mother was having her last chemo treatment on the 29th. During that meeting the cardiologist suggested that Michael have a Cardiac Catheterization to make sure that he didn’t have any blockages, etc. Before we knew it Michael was scheduled for his procedure on July 2nd at St. Joe’s downtown. Thankfully, Michael only had minor plaque buildup and did not need any further intervention. He is currently home recovering from his procedure. We are so thankful that the Lord Blessed us with another ideal outcome!

Many of you have known that my mother’s little dog Reggie had not been doing well. Unfortunately on June 20th we had to put Reggie to sleep. He could barely walk, lead a lone get up from a laying potion. Then he started passing blood in his stools, as well as coughing up blood. Mom, Mabel (our golden retriever) & I (Katrina) were with Reggie when he took his last breath. Unfortunately, Michael had to be at work. We all love and miss our little dude, but know that it was the right choice.

Linda was so distraught when we got home from putting Reggie down that she got online and started looking for a shelter dog. I was determined to wait, after all we still had radiation everyday and there was no way I was going to deal with house training a new dog. However, there was this poodle mix out at the Adams County Animal Control that caught our attention. On Monday the 22nd in between doctor’s appointments and radiation we went to the pound and found the newest member of our family. Lily is an 8 year old poodle cocker mix. She is the sweetest little girl. We brought her home that Wednesday and have not had one single accident in the house. Our only challenge is that she has been struggling with a case of kennel cough. After three doctors visits our little girl is finally acting like a health well adjusted dog.

Thank you for everyone’s love, support and prayers during this challenging time. I truly could not have survived without the six weeks of dinners. You all have helped to take a huge load of my shoulders. I can’t thank you enough!

Please continue to pray for Linda’s & Michael’s complete healing. Love to you all!

Letter from Linda

Dear Family and Friends,

On June 3 I had my 2 month anniversary of my 2nd surgery. Yea! Every day is a gift from God!

I want to thank-you for your continuing prayers of love and support. I am able to maintain my calmness and inner peace during this incredible journey with your prayers and the grace of Jesus Christ.

Many of you have indicated how “heroic” you think I am. I am definitely no hero; I did not choose to have 3 surgeries (number 3 is going to be in August – date TBD), cancer, or chemo and radiation treatments this year. I just take each day – one day at a time. (I think true heroes volunteer or sign up for dangerous work – like our armed forces, our police officers and fireman).

You can‘t always choose what happens to you, but you can choose how you respond to it. It doesn’t matter who you are, we will all experience life, which is full of unjust situations. We (or those we love) will get serious illnesses, we will experience family challenges with spouses/parents/and/or children, financial issues, death of loved ones, job losses – the list is endless. You cannot let life’s challenges destroy your happiness, or steal your JOY.

I am curious how my cancer experience will shape my future. I already am seeing how God can take my bout with cancer and create a positive outcome. My daughter, Katrina and I go to radiation 5 days each week, with a standing 2:45PM appointment. Katrina and I enjoy talking with the same people each day, all of whom are there as drivers, or patients. There are smiles, laughter, hope and joy in the waiting room. A few, at first, seem scared, but all have starting smiling and sharing their stories. It is definitely a “safe place”. We are all there fighting for our lives and the chance to live a longer life.

My friend – Connie has set up a dinner website for the full 30 days of radiation. It has been an incredible gift. Since we are in downtown Denver Monday through Friday for radiation at 2:45 PM, we are not always home in time for dinner preparation. Almost all of the 30 days have been signed up for by friends and family. Thank-you all so much!!

Every morning I wake up and listen to the birds sing, and thank God for another day. It is amazing when facing the possibility of death with my surgery on April 3, how appreciative I am for each day. We will all die, we don’t know the date, but there is so much peace at having Jesus in your heart. He truly is the Holy Comforter.

Last Sunday morning was so joyous. I sat on the back porch, ate my breakfast and listened to the beautiful chorus of birds. We have several nests in our backyard. There are several house finches, a dove, and a chickadee family. I got out the binoculars and watched the mother chickadee feed her 3 babies for several hours – what a treat! My roses are beginning to bloom, my coral bells are lovely, and the columbine flowers under my pine tree are shades of yellow, purple, white and blue. My white peony plant is full of blooms and I am still waiting for the other two peonies to blossom. Spring is definitely my favorite time of the year! New life is flourishing all around me. :o)

Some of you have asked if radiation hurts – no, it really doesn’t hurt. It is just a bit weird and uncomfortable. Weirdness comes when the 2 foot thick door closes after everyone leaves and the flashes of blue light from the radiation begin. I am strapped to the table with a specially molded 2 foot by 3 foot mesh mask which attaches to the table and holds me – absolutely still during radiation. When the mask is removed my skin looks like “Lizard Woman”, for about one hour. I am pretty funny looking!

I have completed 13 radiation treatments – so only 17 to go! Yea! My next chemo treatment will be June 9. Michael has an early morning all store meeting and Katrina has to get Shari up with breakfast and lunch and then off to workshop. My friend Connie (Yes, the same friend who set up the dinner website) will be taking me to chemo. Michael and Katrina will come by later. Chemo takes about 5 ½ hours, so it is a long day. After chemo, Katrina will drive me downtown for my radiation treatments. My last chemo treatment was tolerable and not as bad as I expected. I am so fortunate that my doctor is giving me some very powerful and effective anti-nausea medication. As I get farther and farther away from my last chemo treatment – 20 days, today – I feel more normal and able to eat a more variety of foods. My hair is still on my head – although my scalp feels tingly, and it takes about 2-3 weeks to lose my hair. With the first loss of hair, I will go to my local JCPenny’s store where they have a private room, in order to have my head shaved. It is one way I can to control an uncontrollable situation. With my surgery scar from ear to ear, I am just going to wear scarves and hats. I think that a wig will “itch” my scar and be hot during the coming months. So, remember, this is the year of the HAT, so please all wear your hats and think of me. :o)

We had read where acupuncture can help during chemotherapy and radiation. So, I have been having 2 treatments each week, since beginning my chemo and radiation. My acupuncturist is passionate about cancer patients – her sister has had cancer 4 times! I am so lucky to have been able to find Jana.

My doctors are always impressed with my progress! I attribute this to your continued prayers, the grace of Jesus, regular acupuncture treatments, and my limited contact with my friends and family. Thank-you all for the understanding and cooperation during this time. I am, indeed, able to funnel all of my energy to my HEALING! Katrina has taken on the monumental task of my household chores, while taking care of all of my needs, and Shari’s needs. Katrina has done this on her own – I did not ask for her to give up her life for me for most of 2009. Boy, am I am lucky Mom! Katrina is doing all of this with a happy and joy- filled heart! I am able to channel all of my inner strength to healing. Michael has taken on additional household responsibilities, too, in addition to keeping his job at Nordstrom, which provides us with incredible health benefits.

As I mentioned before, my eyes continue to be a challenge for me. The radiation is causing my prescription to change, but it is useless to get new glasses until 3 weeks after radiation ends. The effects of radiation will not start until 3 weeks after the first treatment, and will continue for 3 weeks after – probably until the third week of July. My eyes get tired easily, and do not always work together. I see my eye surgeon every 2 weeks. It is a time for me to be patient until we see how radiation will affect my optical nerves. There is a 1% chance that I could lose partial or full eyesight in one or both eyes. So, thank-you all for your continued prayers. It is such a comfort knowing that you all have me in your thoughts and prayers. :o)

Much love,

Linda

A letter from Linda

Thank-you for all of your prayers!

I am in the midst of beginning my chemo and radiation treatments.

So far I have not had any bad nausea or throwing up – what a blessing!

The chemo treatment is not as bad as I had anticipated, it was very long, about 5 ½ hours. At the end, I was so relaxed that I actually got into a deep sleep for the last hour of treatment.

I have not been reading my emails regularly, so I apologize for not replying.

My eyes get tired easily, and I found that it took about 2 weeks after surgery before I could read the fine print on the newspaper. I love to read, so this has been a challenge for me. I have also had some minor issues with eye infections, but it seems to be clearing up.

The radiation treatments side effects will probably kick in about the 1st week of June. I am not sure how this will affect my vision. There is a 1% chance of me losing sight in one or both eyes. Losing partial sight is also a possibility in one or both eyes. Please keep me in your prayers for the complete eradication from all cancer cells, and maintaining my vision.

Thus, there is a possibility that I will not be reading my emails for awhile.

Katrina will be keeping you posted on my progress, as time allows, and as new information is available.

Thank-you, again for your prayers – they are obviously working!

1st day of Chemo & Radiation Update

Keep the prayers coming…they are working!! Linda has had a magnificent day and we are praying that will continue! She has yet to get sick and her energy levels are surprisingly high for what she went through today.

The morning started with Linda having a bit of anxiety. However that was quickly rectified once we were at the hospital. The nurse gave Linda a FANTASTIC anti-anxiety drug, which helped her to be calm for the rest of the day. Chemo took 5 ½ hours. Then we ran downtown for radiation. Radiation took longer than it was supposed to. They had Linda in her facial mask, strapped down to the table for 30mins, which is double the maximum time that it was supposed to take. For whatever reason the radiation machine was giving them a hard time, but they eventually got it.

Currently Linda is sleeping and we are praying for a restful night with no complications! Thank you for your continued prayers and for those helping with the meals, they are truly making a difference!!

You asked...

Greetings dear friends and family,

You all have been so kind during this challenging time…always saying, “let me know if there is anything I can do to help?” Well, I am making good on my promise to let you all know what we need. We need meals during Linda’s radiation and chemotherapy treatments. I, Katrina, will be chauffeuring her to and from her daily doctor’s appointments through the next 6 weeks of treatment. I have found that getting Shari off to workshop, then getting Linda ready and to her doctor’s appointment(s) and then having dinner ready isn’t working so well. Well, having dinner ready that is. As a result we are asking to have meals delivered. We are in need of meals Monday-Friday for the next 6 weeks.

One of Momma’s dear friends is organizing this effort, Connie Siebenrock. She has created a page on www.lotsahelpinghands.com. The direct link is www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/614251/. It is a quick and easy way to see what days still need to be covered and then to fill those needs. If you have any questions or would rather work directly with Connie, please feel free to contact her at csiebenrock@comcast.net.

We thank you all for your compassion and help! If you wish to bring meals please follow the following guidelines:

We are in need of dinner for 4 adults. We are sorry to be so specific, but Shari sees a dietician monthly and Linda needs to have well balanced meals for her healing.

Things We LOVE
Chicken breast, lean beef, fruits and veggies.

Our Favorite Meals
Mexican food, BBQ beef or chicken, curried beef or chicken, teriyaki chicken, lean meatloaf (no sausage added please) and we would also love to try your family’s favorite chicken dish. :o)

Dietary Restrictions
Please no fried foods, no pork, no bacon, no hot dogs, no sausage, no fish, no seafood, no gravy, no mushrooms and no sauerkraut.

Please limit:
Sugar, sweets and carbohydrates.

If containers need to be returned, please label each item and be willing to pick it back up at the Wogan’s. The containers will be cleaned and placed in the cooler at the front door within 48hrs of being dropped off. Once again, thank you for helping to make the challenging time easier on all of us!

An update on Linda:

Linda had minor surgery to place her infusaport in her chest on Wednesday. The surgery went really well, however after the surgery Linda suffered from an extreme case of nausea. Linda’s nausea continued until Friday when she had her acupuncture appointment. It was AMAZING the difference in Linda after she had her first acupuncture appointment! It completely eliminated ALL of Linda’s nausea! We are so excited to see how adding acupuncture to Linda’s treatments over the next 6 weeks will make Linda’s Healing Journey a more tolerable one!!

This next week is going to be busy! On Monday morning Linda has her introduction to chemotherapy class, followed by a quick eye appointment. Then we run downtown to St. Joe’s for Linda to have her test run of radiation. Tuesday brings another early morning starting with blood work, IV for hydration, doctor’s appointment and then finally her chemo treatment. After chemo we run from the north side of town to downtown Denver, for Linda’s first official radiation treatment. Talk about a long day. Wednesday Linda will have a radiation and acupuncture treatment. Thank God the acupuncturist office is less than 5 mins from our house! Thursday and Friday Linda will only have her radiation treatments. Then we rest through the weekend to do it all over again. :o)

Thank you for continuing to pray for my little momma as we go through this next stage of her treatment. Specifically that she would maintain her sight and that it would NOT be altered negatively! That miraculously Linda would not be affected by any side effects during these treatments! That ALL cancer would be COMPLETELY ELIMINATED from her body!

Letter from Linda

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank-you all for your prayers, love and support!! I attribute my successful surgery to your prayers and the grace of Jesus Christ. I am doing a great job of healing and am very blessed because that is all I have to do right now - HEAL. My daughter, Katrina is my primary care-taker and in addition, has taken over most of the household duties that I used to do. Michael continues to work and provide health insurance, as well as providing more help around the house and the yard, now that spring is here.

I will start radiation and chemotherapy on May 18. The doctor wants to do 33 days of radiation, if I can tolerate it. I will definitely be doing 30 days of radiation – 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Katrina will be my chauffeur. I will be doing 3 chemo treatments; one in the week of May 18 and the following 2 will be every 21 days. I am going to get acupuncture during this time too, because we have heard that it may help the side effects of the treatments.

I will still need your prayers (and you all have such a great track record!). There is a chance that the radiation could affect partial or full vision in one or both eyes. PLEASE PRAY for success in eliminating my body of even the smallest cancer cells, while maintaining my vision. My job is a host home provider for a wonderful 39 year old woman named Shari. It is similar to being a foster parent, except for developmentally disabled adults. It is my passion and my ministry – I need to be able to drive in order to continue having Shari in our home.

Shari has lived with us since November, 2007. She is a part of our family and we all love and adore her! Katrina has become certified as a Host Home Provider, so that Shari can come back to our home. Shari has been in respite, since my first surgery on February 25, 2009. She moves back home this evening, Tuesday, May 12! We are all so excited to have her here. Please pray for Katrina (it was her idea and initiative) to be able to easily handle one more job. Shari is very high functioning and independent, and can be left alone for 6 to 8 hours. Shari is anxious to come home and “help out the family,” especially with our two dogs – Mabel and Reggie. (They were the initial reason Shari decided to move in with our family)

Thank you all for your grace, in understanding the infrequent updates. I was on meds every 4 hours when I came home. This is not good for getting into a deep sleep. Katrina slept in the room with me, in case I needed help. It has been a time of sleep deprivation for all of us. I would have been in assisted living if Katrina was not here to take care of me. The addition we completed this last summer, adding a main floor master with the handicapped accessible shower was a major factor in my being released from the hospital. (I did not think that I would need them for 25 – 30 years!)

Since my CA125 blood work came back negative, and the ultrasound tests were not suspicious looking, we are going to wait until August to remove the cystic mass on my ovaries. The only way to really tell if it is cancer, is to remove the ovaries and to biopsy them. Since we know that my sinus cancer is very aggressive, we are opting for the treatment to kill the known cancer first. We do not have a date set in August, but we will let you know as soon as we know.

The updates will probably be infrequent during the time of chemo and radiation. My chemo treatment is about 30 minutes north of us – at Good Samaritan Hospital, and my radiation treatment is located at St. Joseph Hospital in downtown Denver – about 30 minutes south of us. We will be in the car most of the days, and it is going to require a lot of energy – not only mine, but Katrina’s too. So I want to thank you all in advance for keeping all of us in your prayers, even if we do not have regular updates.

Much love and appreciation for all of you,

Linda H. Wogan