Previous Information (2/13/2000 - 4/23/2000)
5/5/2000 Dear Friends,
When life throws you curves, you get a bigger glove. When there are rocks in the road, you get bigger tires and an SUV. Well, this is one of those moments. We are going to need to broaden our scope of thought. It's not going to be enough just to think about Christy, we are all going to need to pray. Check out the "prayer line" heading on the main page of this site.
Unfortunately, Christy is back on the roller coaster of cancer. She hates Cedar Point and here she has been living a ride for the last year. Last week Christy found another lump on her left chest near her incision. At the same time she had been feeling a tightness in her lungs and chest area. On Wednesday a sample of the fluid around the lump was taken and it came back positive for cancer. Today she has a CT Scan of her lungs and on Tuesday of next week she will have a bone scan. We are keeping positive thoughts that it is contained in that area on the chest. We will know more next week. In the meantime, Christy is taking a chemo pill orally. I have talked with Christy and she is fighting this all the way. This is our test of courage and strength. Nothing thus far has been normal in the treatment of this cancer with Christy. There has been peaks and valleys and surprises all along the way. We will just need to pray harder, hug more, and love deeper. We can not and will not give up!!
6/11/2000 ZAPPED!!! In more ways than one. Lightening struck my house, taking out the main computer connection to the Internet among other items. I am trying to get back on line but it is taking longer than I had hoped. Paying customers always come first. The power also went out at the Yenkel house during that bad storm in May. We were all ZAPPED with the news Christy had to give to us at book club that evening in early May.
I will never forget the blanket of warmth that was in the room that night. We were done with our discussion of the book for the month. Christy sat in a chair kind of at the head of the room and had to tell us the results of her tests. It must have been so hard for her to share her worst nightmare, the truth of cancer. That it is a thief in the night that steals your spirit as well as your body.
The test results came back from Dr.Chottner. The CT scan of Christy's lungs has shown a pleurisy or tightness due to fluid that is most likely cancerous. The scan also showed two spots on her liver as well as making positive the lump on her left breast side. Unfortunately the doctor was not as positive as we had all hoped. But, the doctor doesn't realize that Christy just keeps coming up with bigger gloves to catch herself in and keep going. In her sorrow, yet determination to find something that will wipe out this cancer she found herself picking up a book and reading it. The book was called, A Year Of Miracles by Susan Wolf Sturnburg. Twenty pages into the book she found the name of a doctor right here in Ann Arbor who helped this woman cure her terminal cancer.
So, Christy in on the road again in treatments. She sees Dr. James Aaron Thomas at the Center for Complimentary Medicine. He is working with Christy to heal herself through meditation, herbs, and diet in conjunction with her oncologist. Some of the things she will be working on are her release of her emotions, acceptance of help and support, and knowing when to ask for it. She is gathering her team together to beat the cancer. Maybe we need a cheerleading team too!
We talked about many things that night. For those of you who don't know what to say to Christy, just know that you couldn't say anything that she wouldn't want to hear. If you have stayed away and it's been a long time since you last talked, never fear, she loves that you have thought of her and will take you whenever you can reach her.
I know that all of us feel a special closeness with Christy. She has become a part of all of us. We are all scared and disappointed, but Christy has a wonderful positive attitude that is contagious. It is time to regroup and help her work toward her new therapy solutions.
6/22/2000 Christy had another appointment on Tuesday with Dr.Chottner. Just before her trip to Chicago for the weekend with Mark and the kids, Christy found another lump under her right arm. Besides not feeling well from the chemo drug Zaloda that she has been taking, she was scared. They went to Chicago since the doctor couldn't see Christy until Tuesday anyway. They had a really nice visit with Christy's cousin and their new baby but the dark cloud was looming overhead and it was hard to get out from underneath it.
Dr. Chottner has taken Christy off from the drug Zaloda since it does not appear to be doing what they had hoped. Christy was on a very high dose and not many women have been able to stay on it as long as she had. Next week Christy will have a CT scan, the doctors are concerned about her liver and the cancer spots detected there. Starting July 6 they will start Christy on a different drug Gemsar that she will take once a week. It is a high dose drug that they can't keep women on for too long. So in the meantime she will continue to see Dr. Aaron Thomas who fills her with so much positive energy. She will also give her body a rest and time to heal. We need to pray for no new growths. In a few months, Dr. Chottner is hoping to have Christy stabilized so that she can be part of a new drug study for negative receptor cancer patients.
Some other plans on the horizon is the now annual "Christy Walk" that will be held in September. This is something that is near to Christy and Marks heart, and as nauseous as Christy may be she is still thinking of others in need. The committee for the walk is made up of dedicated and talented people who get together and release all that positive energy, and we are rejuvenated. I know that we can't help being depressed over the last turn of events. That we have failed, or somehow could be doing more. But whenever I start to feel that way I am rescued by all of you. Our chain of support is getting stronger, and we are all the important links. Christy gets so much energy from all of you who care so much about her. You help get her through the days.
6/26/2000 Christy and her family had a pretty good weekend. She was feeling a lot better as compared to last weekend. She still has the discomfort around her chest and through her back but the other side effects of the Zaloda were wearing off. She felt so good in fact that she participated in the Woman Only Walk with Cerene, Cathy P., Jen., and Ali. This is a 3.2 mile walk but Christy said she felt good even though she hadn't walked in a week and a half. On Sunday Christy, Mark and the kids attended a graduation party where they enjoyed themselves with some swimming and a few brews, and then they came home and all took a nap. When they woke up rested the family went to the Top of the Park to hear some music and watch Nathan sing and dance to the tunes. It was a beautiful evening and Christy said they just enjoyed each other so much. It was a great topper to the weekend. Today Christy is going for another visit with Susan the author of the book, "Year of Miracles." She is going to find out more information on a particular spiritual reading she may partake in on Saturday. Christy also sees Dr. Aaron Thomas this week for a shot in the arm of positive reinforcement. She has a mini tape recorder to take with her now to keep the positive and comforting conversations that she has with him permanent and accessible any time. On Thursday she has her CT Scan on her liver. So be thinking "No Liver Spots" on this day. On Friday Christy will be going to a Meditation Lecture. It sounds like she is keeping a busy schedule, but be assured she does lock herself up in her room and rest everyday. However this business of attaining a healthy body is a full time job and there isn't time to be idle.
Christy would like to invite all of you who can make it to a Healing Prayer Service on this Sunday July 2nd at 12:00 noon. Christy's friend Marge has arranged for this service at her church and all adults and kids are welcome. Marge would like to remind everyone that you don't have to be of the Catholic faith to attend, you just have to have faith. It will be at St. Pat's Catholic Church on Whitmore Lake Road. If you are coming from Ann Arbor the best way because of highway shut down and construction is to take Barton Drive to Whitmore Lake Road and head west. Or from US23 north to Whitmore Lake Road exit and head west. The service should last approximately one half hour. This is a great opportunity for us all to pray together for Christy. See you there!
ATTENTION PLEASE!!!!
The above invitation of the Healing Prayer Service has been cancelled. As it turned out, Christy's parents are going to be out of town as well as close friends that she would like to have there at the service. We will reschedule this service however, so look for that date to come in the next few weeks. Thank you.
7/9/2000 The suspense is over. We will need to take the bad and really concentrate on the good news. The results of the CT Scan are in and they were not exactly what we were hoping for. However, like Mark said it's nothing that they were not already preparing for. Dr. Chottner went over the CT Scan results with Mark and Christy and found a few more spots had developed on her liver. While they are not large spots, the cancer is still advancing. Dr. Chottner is still concerned about her chest wall and the lumps that are continuing to appear there. They were prepared for this possibility since Christy has not been on any Chemo medication to stall anything. They also discussed the blood draw results which were done earlier in the morning. There is a CA count which is a marker for breast cancer patients. This marker is up since her last blood draw. At the appointment they also discussed the fluid in her left lung and the tightness in her chest. So while Christy was at the infusion clinic getting the new Chemo Gemsar, done by I.V. she had the fluid drained. They drained out four pounds of fluid! And they could have taken more. No wonder the woman couldn't breath well to be able to walk. The good thing about the draining is that if there were cancerous growth around the wall of her chest and lung the fluid would not have come out very well when the catheter was inserted. In Christy's case the fluid just flowed right out. More positive items to concentrate on! Another positive is the relief Christy will feel in a few days from the fluid being removed. Christy was given a anti-nausea medication prior to the Chemo treatment but she could possibly have some side effects. Some nausea, vomiting, and some swelling of her feet. Time will tell. Next Thursday Christy goes for another Chemo treatment in a series that will last for a month.
Meanwhile, Christy is pursuing her other avenues of healing with a vengeance. She has gone to a Meditation seminar to learn more about the benefits and how to really do it. Christy has also visited a spiritual reader which put her on the path to a healing of hands called Reiki. At the spiritual reader she was positively reinforced by what the reader Chetna had to say. Chetna told Christy that she had the spirit to heal her self. After that they did a healing hand session of which Christy has done four more of. Christy lays on a bench and Chetna puts on a certain vocal singing which Christy says isn't necessarily relaxing music to listen to. It's what the vocals are saying and what you concentrate on while Chetna puts her hands in certain places and positions, applying no pressure. Christy says she felt burning pain at the front of her chest and it going through the back of her shoulder. All I can say is wow, with lots of goose bumps. I must tell you all that I believe something is working. Maybe its all of the alternative medicine she has been doing that is making its way into her soul. I say this because while she was telling me about the day on Thursday, she was so strong sounding in her voice. The positive thoughts she was relaying most importantly, the concentration on the good things instead of the bad news. There was a general calmness in her voice and how she was explaining everything. Does it give you goose bumps?
They Yenkel Family is doing its best to hang on for this ride. They are doing things with friends like dinners, going to the fireworks and Top of the Park, even the occasional golf game. They have even been determined to plant a new garden on the side of their porch. It looks great! With Christy adding a few more perennial plants every year it will really fill in. Marks birthday has been celebrated and Christy's birthday is just around the corner. We do have blessings everyday, its whether we choose to see them. Tune in next Sunday for another installment of the update.
7/24/2000 Yes, it's been two weeks! I'm sorry for not keeping in touch. There has been little to report as far as progress in Christy's health care routine. Christy's scheduled second chemo treatment did not go well. Her count's were low, which was kind of expected, and so instead of getting the chemo she received some blood instead. Which turned out to be a good trade off and gave Christy a little more energy over the weekend. She would need it because this was the annual Prokos family golf outing. Unfortunately it was a long day at the hospital. She was there with Kathy Bartson from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The girls hadn't eaten anything all day and Christy was tired. Later that evening while Christy's sister Cerene was visiting, Christy was miserable with certain bowl problems. Trying her best to cure herself the phone rang, it was her angel of the evening. Denise Epp had come to her rescue that evening with her gentle hands and soothing ways. It's no wonder you are a nurse by profession Denise, and Christy is blessed to have had you call. While soaking in the tub Cerene, Denise, and Christy made light of a miserable situation. Christy went on to have a nice week-end with her family and out of town relatives.
This last week focused on a set of chest x-rays and Christy's appointment that was on Wednesday. Dr. Chottner didn't see the need for any fluid to be drained from her chest and also said some positive things about her lung. The doctor also discussed with Christy about a drug trial about to be done at the Karmanos Cancer Center. It has to do with a non-toxic Antio-genesis drug that cuts blood off from the cancer tumors not allowing them to live. (I hope its a quick death). They will be investigating the possibility of her being a candidate. After her appointment it was on to the infusion center for the chemo. The primary side effect that Christy has been having is cramping in her mid-section. It was pretty painful on Friday and Saturday and she had to stay in bed. Even standing was painful for her. Some relief has come from the use of a heating pad, however she has not been able to enjoy many walks which she really misses. Christy begins her second round of Raike(?) which I hope to attend with her soon. I will be able to more understand these sessions of healing when I am there. It sounds fascinating and I will be sure and tell you all about it.
Throughout these last couple of months, Christy has still had the inspiration and desire to have a walk for charity. As you all remember last years event was a huge success with just three weeks of planning and just under $14,000 was collected. There has been a planning committee in place to assure that Christy's wishes for the walk come to reality. The event will be on Saturday September 16,2000. A web site will soon be up. I will let you know the site access name for the walk in Christy's honor when it's up and running, which I hope will be this week-end. Meanwhile, keep the prayers and positive thoughts coming.
8/6/2000 Christy has made it through two more chemo treatments with the Gemsar. The cycles go three treatments one week off. The one last week didn't go as planned. Christy's hemoglobin counts were low this time and so instead of getting the treatment that day she had to come back the next, Thursday, and get blood and chemo together. Well, it was a horribly long day. It starts in the morning at around 10:00 a.m. and she didn't get done until 5:30 p.m. Besides getting chemo and blood she also had more fluid in her lung drained. The one comfort is that the nurses in the treatment center at St.Joe's are great and her little treatment room is trying its best to be a nice place to spend the day. With carpet on the floors and floral wall paper and color, it takes the edge off of what could be a cold, white, stainless steel experience. Christy's second chemo round went a little more as expected. Blood draw, testing done while she waits, and then treatment. Her counts were low again, however they did the chemo treatment anyway and decided not to give blood. Instead they brought the chemo dosage down a bit. Christy also had her chest felt by the doctor where it was her thought that there was not too much going on there at the surface level that she could feel. The third treatment will be on Thursday the 10th, then she is off for a week.
The doctors are still investigating the drug trial at the Karmanos Institute. Meanwhile last week Christy, her sisters and her mom went to the genetic counselors for Christy's test that was taken. The genetic test is one that scientists can do to see if someone is a carrier of a cancer gene. The results are still a few weeks away but they learned some valuable information to take home and absorb.
Meanwhile, we are all relieved with Christy's decision to eat some more food. Her doctors pointed out the necessity of the protein and fat that she needs in order to have more energy and meat on her bones to fight this battle. A suit of armor if you will. I was pleasantly shocked to sit down next to her and observe her eating processed white sugar and white flour contained in home made coffee cake. Wow! She wont be going over the deep end and indulging all the time, however we are all happy to see her at least eating, healthy normal food. I believe we also have seen a risen energy level as well. Keep up the good work Christy!
So you can shower her with love and admiration, in case some of you don't know, Christy's birthday is August 17th.
8/17/2000 Happy Birthday Christy! It has been a long year of trial and frustration, and when you blew the candles out last year I'm sure this was not your wish.
It has been a good week and a half. On Monday and Tuesday of last week, Christy and five other shoppers invaded the Chicago IKEA store. We were women on a mission to spend money and spend quality time with each other. I must say Christy kept up with the rest of the shop-aholics. We enjoyed watching her eat a grilled cheese sandwich and picking up a few necessary items for her house. It was a chick-bonding couple of days and we all are looking forward to doing it again.
Upon her return, Christy had a doctor appointment for chemo on Thursday. Christy didn't get the chemo, however she did get the results from a chest x-ray that revealed the fluid in her lungs was depleted a little and it was not moving over to the other lung. Her blood platelets were down too low but that is part of what the Gemsar does to the body. This low blood platelet count could be the reason her chest where she was radiated is not healing properly. Christy's left arm is also noticeably swollen from that of her right arm. She is going to be going to see a Lymphadema specialist. The doctor also discussed with Mark and Christy about doing some more treatment on her chest for the lumps. On Wednesday September 6th she will start a ratiation hypothermia treatment. Five days a week Christy will have radiation treatment for 15 minutes. This will continue for three weeks. On the other two days she will receive a hypothermia treatment where two catheters are inserted on the sides of her chest and a box placed over her. The area is then brought to a temperature of 43 degrees. She will not feel much pain but she will be awake so that she can assist in finding the hot spots that occur. Some cells that are not affected by the chemo and radiation become more susceptible to the chemo if they have been exposed to the hypothermia. This procedure has been very successful in many cases. Over the weekend, Mark, Christy and the kids went away with the Bartson's to their cottage. It was wonderfully relaxing and they made some wonderful summer memories together.
Back home again and Surprise! We all pulled one over on Christy Tuesday evening. About sixty of Christy's family and friends were gathered outside her house to surprise her upon returning from a manicure and a pedicure. The plan was hatched in the car going to Chicago where us girls had decided we needed to celebrate Christy's birthday. Yes it was for her birthday, but we also felt she needed to know how much everyone is in her corner. All of her cheerleaders that want to give their love and support on one special day. Christy gives us a gift everyday by getting through the tortures of transfusion, tiring hours of chemo, blood workups and x-rays. This was one small way for us to say thank you Christy for your courage and your fight for life. And so we celebrate you.
On Wednesday it was back to the daily grind. For Christy that meant a blood transfusion. One bag could take two hours and she would probably receive two. This will give her some good blood cells on which to take with her to San Francisco. Yes, Mark and Christy are going away, just the two of them ,to California for a cousins wedding. They are both looking forward to this little vacation. Away from the hospitals and doctors. Away from the constant interruptions of cancer. A time to just be Mark and Christy.
8/27/2000 Mark and Christy returned safely from California. Christy reports that the trip was good and she is glad she went. The weather was perfect and it was a great opportunity to catch up on relatives in the west, especially her cousin Sammy. Although the scenic vistas of California were wondrous to behold, Christy was in a lot of pain and discomfort. She did the best she could to get motivated in the mornings (pain controlled) to allow for some afternoons of sight seeing. Mark and Christy then traveled down the coast to Monterey and Carmel where they stayed in a quaint Bed and Breakfast. Unfortunately Christy felt as though the trip revolved around her schedules of medication and the need to rest. One day soon Christy, you'll make the trip again, and be free!
It was back home on Thursday, with a doctors appointment with Dr.Chottner on Friday. Unfortunately the appointment didn't go in the most positive direction. There have been more lumps and a rash appearing on Christy's chest and two new lumps on her neck. Christy was scheduled for chemo today, but did not have the treatment. However, for Christy to be considered for the study of the new drug at Karmanos she needs to be chemo free for four weeks anyway. This drug study should be coming up soon and the doctors are playing phone tag to discuss the possibilities. Meanwhile Christy is trying to manage her pain with medication. The trouble areas are her chest, under the left armpit and the left arm all the way down. She still has a great deal of swelling in her left arm for which she is seeing a Lymphadema specialist for therapy.
The road these days is getting really hard. It is uphill all the way, with 100 degree temperatures, a no speed bike, and no water bottle around. Christy knows there has to be a break in the path somewhere, she really needs there to be. I only wish we could all be attached to that bike, pulling her up and over the hill.
9/3/2000 Whew! It was a busy week filled with appointments and emotional moments. On Monday Christy started her Lymphadema therapy with Karen. The soothing, gentle strokes of Karen's hands are relaxing and seem to be working. Together they do a bit of meditating and focusing while Karen rubs her back and shoulder. The therapy lasts about 45 minutes and then Christy's arm is wrapped. As of Thursday, the swelling has gone down a bit. Also on Monday in the evening there was a get together of all the "captains" of the Christy Walk which by now you all have received a brochure. If you haven't visit the web site: www.christywalk.com. Christy and Mark were able to come and see all of the final pieces fall into place. Christy is still in a lot of pain but she is making great efforts to be involved in the walk that means so much to her.
On Wednesday was her appointment with Dr. Aaron Thomas, and Thursday was her appointment with Dr. Chottiner. Christy was apprehensive about the appointment because in the wee hours of the morning she awoke and felt a lump in her right breast. On her way to the Cancer Center she stayed focused about finding something positive yet to come out of the day. Dr. Chottiner as it turned out was not concerned that this new lump was a different cancer in itself. As she explained it, this lump was a continuation of the rest of the lumps that have been appearing on her left side. It is all connected. The doctor had also made an appointment for 2:00 p.m. that afternoon with a pain doctor at the Michigan Pain Institute which deals with all kinds of pain not just those from cancer. It was about time! Christy and Dr. Chottiner also discussed the drug trial at Karmanos and the details of how it is run. The earliest we will find out if the trial is a go is on the 8th or so. If the trial gets the go ahead from the review board then testing starts around the 12th or 15th of September. Christy also set up an appointment with the wound care clinic for her chest that is getting harder to clean around and dress it. It was then off to the Lymphadema Therapy session with Karen for her daily session. By the time Christy picked up her prescription and bought a granola bar it was almost 2:00 and time for her appointment at the Pain Institute.
There are many people in the waiting room, all with their own pain caused by many different things. Christy is called back into a room and she waits to meet the doctor. A tall, young, good-looking man walks in the room and introduces himself. Dr. Bojrab was a breath of fresh air that day. He was genuine, compassionate, and really cared about giving Christy hope of living pain free. He explained a very tricky procedure so that she could understand it, drew a picture for her and gave the highlights of it and the risks. They discussed doing a trial run that would take a couple of hours, and Christy agreed to have the procedure done on Friday. Dr. Bojrab was so nice and very concerned that Christy understood that this procedure was not a cure all, only a hope at permanently removing some of the pain in her chest. The "trial block" as it is called would bring temporary relief and allow Christy to see if the "permanent block" would work. Christy left the office hopeful. She had found her positive point to stay focused on. Relief from the chest pain may come soon.
On Friday, the "trial block" procedure took less than an hour. Christy could feel the difference however there was still pain and discomfort deep in her armpit. Dr. Bojrab doesn't dare go any higher up the spinal cord for fear of losing permanent loss to her upper arm muscle and thumb. The "permanent block" may travel up just that millimeter more to give a bit more relief, but he would rather do a little at a time. They scheduled the "permanent block" on Tuesday. It was then on home for a nap before going to a reception for her cousin from California whose wedding she had just been to.
The rest of the weekend Christy tried to take it easy and relax. She did some simple enjoyable things like going out to breakfast with the family, going to friends houses for dinner and a candle light service at the Lighthouse. Pray for the pain to go away on Tuesday, so that Christy can enjoy her days and sleep at night without having to rely on so many narcotics.
9/12/2000 Morphine cannot take away the suffering, it can only ease the pain. So off to the pain clinic Christy and Mark went on Tuesday the 5th. Dr. Bojrab was only able to insert the needle in one place on her spine. He was disappointed that he couldn't do more that day. Although Christy still has pain in her chest the burning and stabbing pain has gone away. She did receive some relief. Christy has decided to try again for another "stab" at it. This will take place on Wednesday the 13th. Christy has also continued to see her Lymphadema therapist in hopes of reducing the swelling in her left arm. The swelling has now moved down to her left leg as well. It is very uncomfortable and she needs to keep her limbs wrapped as much as she can.
At her appointment with Dr. Chottiner Christy discussed the trial study again. Unfortunately the doctor heading up the research at Karmanos has not been really good at calling Dr. Chottiner or Christy. Finally Mark was able to talk with him, however they again have hit a road block with the trial start and has told Mark and Christy to call at the end of the week. We will hopefully have word by Friday if the trial will start soon. If not, Christy will need to explore her other options to move the healing process along.
Speaking of healing, Christy also went to the Wound Care Center to have her chest sore looked at and taken care of. This was a step that should of been taken a while back instead Christy has had to suffer with this awful scabbing , open wound on her chest. From now on a nurse will come to Christy's house in the morning to change the dressing and apply ointment, then she will need to have it done again in the evening. Everyone at the clinic was so helpful and wonderful. This was a step in the right direction with a plan for care.
As you all know the Christy Yenkel Walk is this weekend on Saturday the 16th. We look forward to seeing everyone come and support this project that is so important. For those of you that will not be able to join us, check out the web site for all the pictures and reports of how much money was raised. It will be a wonderful opportunity to show our support for our friend Christy and raise money for a good cause. See you there!
9/20/2000 What an incredible week and a half it has been. Many things have happened since the last update, and I have waited to write this until Christy was more stable and comfortable. Wednesday afternoon and a couple of hours after her permanent block at the Pain Institute, Christy started to feel tightness in her chest and her breathing was labored. The committee of volunteers for the walk was gathered at Jim and Tula's when we learned that Mark had taken Christy into emergency, then was later transferred to St. Joe's. We were all very concerned and worried, however we also know Christy's will power. Christy was admitted and needed to have her pain managed and get comfortable. Her breathing was regulated with the help of oxygen, and she needed to have some tests done. It was obvious that Christy was exhausted from her doctor appointments and therapy regiments. She needed her quiet and rest.
It was Friday evening when we were all hoping for Christy to feel well enough to join us on Saturday, even if it was for a little while. It was not until Mark, Christy and the kids drove up at 8:40 a.m. that we could smile our true smiles for this day . Christy had brought us all together for this wonderful cause and we all needed to have her there to share in it. As she fed some Danish pastry to Maria (and morsel for herself) I knew the day would be great. Christy was standing and greeting everyone, talked to the crowd with heartfelt words and kept her sense of humor. She was meeting so many people she says she felt like it was a receiving line at her wedding, only where was the gown and the husband? Christy was so happy that everyone came out to walk and have a good time. She stayed until the last of the volunteers were in their cars. Christy needed to go back to the hospital, she was only on an escape pass you see. The doctors allowed her to come because there were going to be so many in the medical field in attendance, and Dr. Chottiner knew how much this walk meant to Christy.
It was Monday evening when Christy went home. Her children were so excited to see her and do some of the mommy things. Hugs to last the evening, until more can come in the morning, and kisses to dream on. They made birthday plans for Nathan, he's going to be 4, and talked about the coming weeks events. Please continue to pray for Christy, as her pain increases and her discomfort continues. We are looking for that break, a calm in the storm, steady waters to carry us home.
10/02/2000 The words are not coming easy, and my heart is overwhelming my head. Christy continues to rest at home, at least that is what she attempts to do. The propping of the pillows, the angle of the head rest, the raising of her feet, are indeed a feat to see! She is never really quite comfortable, but we all try our best to get her there and she keeps her sense of humor about it. Throughout the day there is the lymphadema therapy rub downs, wrapping her arm, wrapping her chest wound that is looking better every day, and getting her to eat something.