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Our young family battling stage IV breast cancer one day at a time
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Happy Monday

posted by:
Lindy

Today was my sixth full brain radiation treatment (FBRT) and I’m feeling the effects.  I’m tired, a little foggy, nauseous and have a terrible taste in my mouth.  I have about 11 more treatments to go.  When I’m finished with my 11th treatments, it will be another two months before they know exactly how the tumors responded to the radiation.  The daily radiation I receive doesn’t mean it’s immediately killing the bad cells.  It takes time to show the response.  It’s such a scary thing. 

Last night was hard for me because I realized I could lose brain function from the radiation.  I know I’m not a genius, but I would like to think I’m fairly intelligent and the thought is scary.  I’m also not ready to lose my hair again.  Dr. Edlund said it will come out by the end of my second treatment week (the end of this week).  I thought the days of headscarves, wigs and hats were behind me.  Never say never, right?  Brooklyn prays every night that “mommy doesn’t loose her beautiful hair”.  I just tell her I’m the same person with a whole new look.  I think that’s the toughest part for her.  What six-year-old wants to see their mom without hair….again?! 

Everything is taken care of at home.  Max and Samantha are based out of my parent’s house during the week while Dusty’s working.  Brooklyn stays home with me if she doesn’t have anything on her social calendar for the day. 

Last Saturday I had to talk to Brooklyn about dialing 911.  Since I have six tumors I have a risk for a seizure.  It’s possible that she’ll be home alone with me if I happen to have one.  So I explained that if I start to shake and don’t respond to her that she needs to pick up with the phone and dial 911.  She had typical 6-year-old questions:

1.  Who is going to answer?  Will it be Anna and Riley’s daddy because he’s a police officer, you said?

2.  What do you I need to say?

3.  What if I can’t remember my address?

4.  What will they do to me?

5.  Will I go to jail? 

6.  What are they going to do to you?

Poor kid.  It seems like too much for her to have to know right now.  She’s a great kid, though and the odds are that she will not have to dial 911.  I just want her prepared. 

Thank you to everyone who signed up for the group For the Love of Lindy on Facebook.  http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=141964462500093&ref=ts

Thank you to everyone who is signed up to participate in the Susan G Komen Race For The Cure on the Laps for Lindy team (see top right)

Please pray for:

My brain function to be protected from the effects of the radiation.

Radiation miraculously takes away all tumors. 

Dusty has been an amazing care taker for me and the kids.  The phone rang at 10:00 a.m. and when I said “hello?”  All I heard was (in a low voice) “take your pill”.  Too funny.  I totally would’ve forgot.  So thanks for those little reminders honey!  Please pray that he doesn’t grow tired of trying to “do it all”. 

Our kids.  They mean the world to us and I want to stay alive and raise them.  Please pray that the little ones will have little or no memory of this and Brooklyn will be able to roll with it.

THANK GOD for all the awesome people he has in our lives.  People who are fundraising for our family, supporting,  praying, visiting, messaging, sending cards, everything.  It means more than you know. 

Thank you Christy Pacanowski for taking our family pictures before my hair fell out again.  You go girl! 

31 Responses to “Happy Monday”

  1. Kathy says:

    Dear Lindy, Call me if you think a “Tommy Turtle” from Cap’t Sundae will take away the bad taste.

  2. Susan Weisenfeld says:

    Hi Lindy, Although this is only my 2nd time leaving you a note here…you’re all on my mind a lot lately. I’ve been spending a lot of time getting caught up on your blog. I told Dustin I wished I lived in Michigan (HA! I think that is the only time I’ve ever said that). But I do so wish I could help out in some way other than just ‘think good thoughts’. Glad to have found the Facebook group! Luckily there was another way to help you guys! LOVE your spirit! Hugs to all of you! Susan

  3. Holly says:

    Dear Lord, I ask you in the healing name of Jesus to use this radiation to COMPLETELY remove these tumors. You can use any means possible to heal her Lord and we know you will. You can heal her right now……Help her to reach out and touch your robe as the woman in the bible did Lord and was immediately healed because of her FAITH. Help Lindy right now Lord to be healed in Jesus name. We ask Lord that you would protect her from any negative affects of this radiation and we ask for peace and calm as she looses her hair…..help her to remember that you created each hair and that you will restore her with a new full head of hair that will grow long and beautiful again. Lord I pray peace for Brooklyn and protection against any seizure Lord. Lord be present, be near, give strength, bring laughter, bring health and peace to every fiber of each member of this sweet family. and Lord we also ask that many, many would hear about this and that someone, many people, would come to know You. We give you glory, we know you hear us, we know you answer and we wait expectantly for GREAT results! In Jesus name, Amen.

  4. Barb Dannenberg says:

    We are thinking of you and your family and praying for you! You are a woman of great strength – I have faith you’ll get through this because you really need to write a book – your writing is so awesome – humor, reality, honesty & faith all rolled into one!

  5. Chad says:

    Please take this as a compliment…even if you lost most of your brain function, you would still be a better writer than 90% of the people in my office.

    You’re amazing.
    (or, as my coworkers would say, “Your amazing”)

    God Bless you and your family,

    Chad
    Herman Miller, Inc.

  6. Lisa F says:

    Praying for complete healing for you Lindy.

  7. Bev says:

    You ARE amazing, Lindy, and I can only imagine the immeasureable and unseen work being done for so many people by your blog…physically, emotionally, spiritually. I know my faith increases, my love for God, family, friends and life increases and I come away a better person for having read it. Thank you! for sharing your heart and your thoughts. God bless you, and keep you, cause His face to shine upon you, be gracious to you and give you peace…in the midst of the storm, in the heat of the battle…and may He bring your healing with the almighty power of His gentle healing touch.
    Much love; many prayers.
    Bev

  8. Jana Ver Beek says:

    Good Morning Lindy…praying for you to have a comfortable day. Your attitude is amazing and your faith is strong. Think LIFE today! Hugs.

  9. Aunt Carole says:

    Good Morning, Lindy – Hope you were able to get some sleep last night, and that things are going O.K. with Dusty back at work. Good thing nurse Brooklyn is there for you! Lindy, every time I read one of your postings, I am speechless as what your family has to go through. I can’t imagine what it must be like. All I can say is that we must trust God and have faith that He has a plan, He is sovereign, He never lets go-through the calm and through the storm, and His sacrifice on the cross was made out of His love for you and to give you LIFE! We leave you with all our love, thoughts, and prayers, and this verse: “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.” Ps. 27:13-14

  10. Jana Z says:

    Bill and the Ruthven’s attended a baptist church in Louisa, KY where they prayed for you during the Adult Sunday School hour. You are being thought of and prayed for in many states by people who have never met you and also by who care about you deeply.

  11. Deb Van Heck says:

    HI Lindy…if a Tommy Turtle doesn’t help, then I’m stopping over with Cafe 58 Cookies…maybe I’ll do it no matter what. You are amazing and we pray for strength for you and your entire family. Keep the faith! We love you all!

    Love and prayers,

    Deb

  12. barb baumann says:

    praying for you…for Dusty and the children.
    May you all experience a very present God.
    In His grip, barb

  13. Betty Morren says:

    Lindy, you don’t know me but my husband and your father-in-law were cousins. Since I found out about your cancer I have been prayer for you and your family. Hoping you have a good day. Just remember that God is by your side.

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