Debbie's Girls

Eleven Thousand New Breast Friends

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Tue, 11 May 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Debbie and Reenie...Our Inspiration

As we understand the history of the Beverly Breast Cancer walk, it all started nine or ten years ago with a small group of 25 or so breast cancer survivors, their family, and friends, walking through the streets of Chicago's Beverly neighborhood to celebrate Mothers Day. Fast-forward to Mothers Day 2010. On Sunday, we joined over eleven thousand breast cancer fighters at this years Mother's day walk with...survivors, fighters, families, and friends...for what turned out to be a beautiful, emotional and inspirational experience for Debbie, Ron, Kris, Ellie, Kyle and the over 50 members of the Debbie's Girls team, for the three mile walk through that same beautiful Beverly neighborhood starting at 97th and Longwood.

The Debbie's Girls Team

It's hard to believe that it's been nearly one year since Debbie's diagnosis, and here she is, pink boxing gloves and all, surrounded by those she loves plus 11,000 new best friends, celebrating her fight, her victory, all that she has to live for, and all the lives she will touch in the days, months, and years to come.

As we were waiting for the walk to start, who should emerge from the sea of 11,000 people but two young sisters running up to Kyle, all excited, pointing to the Debbie Girls sign he and his friend Brian made the night before. These two little angels were named Lucy and Rosie, and they couldn't figure out why their names were on Kyle's sign. How cool is that?

Brian and Kyle and their Debbie's Girls Sign

Debbie was concerned that she wouldn't be able to finish the full three mile walk. Shortly after she completed her radiation treatments her oncologist started her on the drug, Femara.

Femara is what's called an aromatase inhibitor and it is used to treat post-menopausal women diagnosed with hormone-receptor-positive, early-stage breast cancer right after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back. But as with most drugs, Femara has many side effects. For Debbie, the most serious side effect was joint and bone pain, so bad that the pain woke her up every night. Doctor Sherman took her off the Femara and will start her on a new drug probably this week.

In any case, Debbie wasn't sure if she could finish the full three miles of the walk, and for most of the time she was always falling further and further behind the rest of the Debbie's Girls team. Everyone else would need to periodically stop or slow down so she could catch up. But being the determined fighter she is, she crossed the finish line. Turns out she was always falling behind because she kept stopping to talk to a new friend she met along the way, or because she was compelled to stop and wish another member of the sisterhood good luck or give a little pep talk to a fellow fighter or survivor.

Debbie Crossing the Finish Line

An Emotional Finish

Candi (our official photographer) and Debbie

The Debbie's Girls team raised over $2,300. A big Thank You to the 54 members of the Debbie's Girls team for your love, support, and for giving up part of your Mother's Day and spending it with Debbie, Ron, their family, and their 11,000 new best friends. And a big Thank You to those of you who contributed on behalf of the Debbie's Girls team. We hope to see you all again at next years Beverly Breast Cancer Walk.

Love,

Rosie

THANK YOU!

Walk with the Breast of Us on Mothers Day -->>

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:23:00 +0000

Mothers day this year will be very special for Ron, Debbie, Kris, Ellie, and Kyle, and they plan to be with as many family, friends, and hopefully thousands of other supporters at the Beverly Breast Cancer Walk on May 9th.

Ron (with the help of Candi Johnson) has put together the "Debbie's Girls" team and their very own web page. Just click on the link in the upper right section of this page and you'll go right to it. If you can't join the team or walk with us but you want to help, just click on the "General Team Donation" tab when you get to our website and you'll be able to make a donation on behalf of our team.

The Debbie's Girl's team is shooting to raise $1000, of which, 100% will be used toward breast cancer research, education, and outreach.

Rumor has it that Debbie will perform the Happy Dance...live...at the walk, so you wouldn't want to miss that.

Hope to see you there.

Love,

Rosie

The Bittersweet Victory

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:59:00 +0000

When it comes to this stage of breast cancer treatment, "bittersweet" is probably the word Debbie would use to describe her taste of victory now that the last leg of her journey -- twenty-eight grueling radiation treatments -- is over. On one hand...a high-five for winning the battle, while on the other hand...fear, trepidation, and those nagging questions, "what if" and "how do we know." Don't get me wrong; Ron, the kids, and Debbie are all thrilled that the worst of her treatments are over, and they have already started celebrating. It's a new day, Debbie is cancer-free, and she continues to inspire family, friends, and everyone she comes in contact with. But a cancer survivor's reality is full of second guessing and what ifs.

How do we know the chemo worked? How do we know the radiation worked? What if it comes back, now that months of treatment are over? What if it comes back and we don't find out until it's too late? Medical professionals insist that these mixed emotions are normal. Debbie is no different than any other cancer patient to whom the doctors says, "your cancer-free," after living nine months of pure hell, and no guarantees that the treatment was 100% effective.

The truth is, the journey isn't over. Now the healing begins, both emotionally and physically. This is where the power of prayer, a positive attitude, a healthy life-style, and an even deeper connection with family and friends all take over as the full-time replacement for the wonderful doctors, nurses, technicians, and caregivers who have cared for and watched over Debbie so thoughtfully and compassionately throughout her nine month journey.

So next time you see Debbie, give her a high-five, congratulate her, hug her, but don't be surprised by the tears. Most are tears of joy, but some still come from being in that scary place she now shares with the sisterhood of breast cancer survivors, and that will take some time to overcome.

We are all proud of Debbie for her courage and determination in beating Mr. C, but we're more proud of who she's become for having completed this journey, as well as for her commitment and determination to be there for others who will embark on a similar journey. She has already made a difference in the lives of so many others.

Debbie sends her love.

Now let's all take Debbie's lead and do the happy dance!

Love,

Rosie

Radiant Beauty

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:09:00 +0000

We’re almost to the finish line. Twenty-four radiation treatments down and only four more to go. Debbie’s last treatment is scheduled for March 24^th, a full nine months since her breast cancer diagnosis. Yes…side effects from radiation treatments haven’t been as bad as those associated with the chemotherapy, but the daily zaps of radiation have been no picnic either. And couple the daily radiation with weeks of daily physical therapy to combat the effects of lymphedema in her left arm …well…to say that Debbie has been nothing less than one courageous trooper along this journey would be an understatement. She’s been a true inspiration to everyone around her.

Think about the worst sunburn you’ve ever had and that’s what the radiation has done to Debbie’s skin on her chest, back, and under her left arm. What’s hard to believe about the burn on her back is that the radiologist treats her only from the front and side, through her chest. The burn on Debbie’s back is the result of the radiation exposure that makes its way through her chest, through her body, radiating the skin on her back. We can only hope that every last cancer cell that may be lurking in the line of fire is obliterated once and for all.

Recovery from radiation will take some time. Healing of the damage done to her body will not actually start for about three weeks after Debbie’s treatments are over because the effects are cumulative and lasting. The radiation stays in her body for a while continuing to do its work, but it also continues to wreak havoc on Debbie’s healthy cells, too. In the meantime, there will be risk of infection that we’ll have to look out for since her burned skin could blister and possibly progress into open wounds. We’re starting to see a little of that under her left arm so the doctors are watching her closely.

As bad as all this sounds, Debbie, Ron, the kids, and Debbie’s extended family and friends are counting their blessings. Everyone’s prayers have paved the way along this long and difficult journey for Debbie. The doctors consider her “cancer free” with every indication that she’ll recover fully from the breast cancer, from the surgery, from the chemotherapy, and from the radiation. The lymphedema is something she’ll have to live with for the rest of her life, as there is no cure. It can only be managed with ongoing massage therapy, compression sleeves, and proper diet and exercise. After everything else she’s been through, we’re confident that the lymphedema can be controlled.

Debbie sends her love and is looking forward to spending the spring and summer enjoying every single day of her blessed life with her family and friends – poolside -- loving, laughing, dancing, singing karaoke, and sharing her wonderful life with those she loves.

Love,

Rosie

Round Three

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 01:57:00 +0000

Round three--radiation--is now underway, and it appears that God has developed so much faith in Debbie's ability to fight Mr. "C" in this round, he's tied one arm behind her back. Literally. Well...almost.

Before Debbie and Ron made their way to HiTech Medical Park for Debbie's first radiation treatment at 4:00 today, they started their day with Debbie's new Lymphedema therapist, Barbara.

Barbara was awesome. She knows her stuff; spent almost an hour and a half with Debbie explaining what she'd be doing to her every day for the next three weeks to get her Lymphedema under control; spent about 20 minutes doing a "mini" massage (the full daily massage will last nearly an hour); and then wrapped her right hand and arm in four tight layers of gauze, cotton, more gauze, and about 5 Ace bandages...from her finger tips up to her shoulder.

Debbie will need to be wrapped and unwrapped everyday. When she's not getting therapy, she'll need to wear this torture device 24 hours a day. All she needs to do now is learn how to do the moon walk, don a black fedora, sequenced jacket, and white socks...because with the white gauze on her left hand, she looks like she's about to beak into a tribute to Michael Jackson. And knowing Debbie, you know she'd have no trouble bust'n out in her own special rendition of The King of Pop's, "Billie Jean" (Cue the music!).

So, one radiation blast down, twenty-seven to go. We're hoping that the only side effect of round-3 will be a significant enhancement to Debbie's already "glowing" personality...and maybe a little fatigue and some mild sunburn on her chest. Pray that nothing more will come of radiation except, of course, Debbie's being 100% cancer free.

Debbie sends her love.

Love,
Rosie

Debbie's Doing the Happy Dance...Again.

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:10:00 +0000

So here's where we are at almost a month since Debbie’s final chemo treatment. The doctors said that the affects of Taxotere would be cumulative, and boy, they weren’t kidding.

After a month, Debbie’s fatigue is just now starting to subside, but she’s far from ready to run the 100-yard dash. I’d say the 3-yard dash would be a perfectly acceptable goal for her at this point. And on top of the usual fatigue, Debbie is now carrying around about an extra 25 pounds of water, mostly in her arms and legs.

Over the past couple of weeks Debbie's arms, legs, and ankles have swollen to the point where the doctors became very concerned. Initially, the consensus was Lymphedema, which is a side effect of the surgery when Dr. Krueger removed a bunch of Debbie’s lymph nodes from her left armpit when Lucy was removed. The unfortunate side effect is a diminished capacity for her lymphatic “plumbing” in her left arm to channel water and other body waste back to her organs to be processed. Instead, fluid just starts to accumulate and before you know it, she’s looking like she’s wearing a sumo wrestler costume. While there seems to be some of that going on, it didn’t explain the water build-up in her right arm, hands, and legs. The biggest concern became Debbie’s heart, so off she went to have an echo cardiogram test performed.

Fortunately, the “Echo” came back normal, so that was a relief. At this point, the doctors are thinking Lymphedema in the left arm and they’re attributing the rest of the water retention to a condition known as de-conditioning, a.k.a., couch potato syndrome. Hey…you can’t blame her. Months of recovery from surgery and chemotherapy…all the nasty side affect…always a metallic taste in your mouth…when the only thing you can stomach, at best, is a milk shake or a plate full of Ron’s garlic mash potatoes….you’d start looking like the Michelin Tire man, too. So let’s cut her some slack, here.

So now Debbie’s on Lasix for a few days to try and reduce the water build-up. She’s also starting massage therapy with a Lymphedema therapist and she’ll need to start wearing a special sleeve on her left arm to help control the accumulation of fluid. Hopefully, once this is all under control, she won’t need to wear it all the time. As you can imagine, Debbie is very anxious to get all this behind her and start taking control of her lifestyle again…working out, going for long walks, eating more balanced meals, and the like.

So now the journey takes a new turn: Radiation Therapy. On top of all of the concern about water build-up and heart tests, Debbie has consulted with the Radiation Oncologist. Her chest is all mapped and marked, her body mold has been created, and in about a week or so, she’ll start her 28 radiation treatments…5 days a week for about six weeks. She’s actually starting a little sooner than originally anticipated. Radiation is also a cumulative process, so she’ll feel fine for about the first three weeks (she should be fine for Candi’s wedding) and then she’ll start to feel like crap again. Mostly fatigue. Maybe some skin irritation like nasty sunburn. Nothing as bad as what she went through with chemo. Please! …pray that it won’t be anything like chemotherapy.

So here’s where we are: Chemo is over; waters are receding; Debbie had the opportunity to visit with every one of her favorite doctors these past two weeks; we’re good to go to start radiation; and Mr. “C” is nowhere to be found.

Debbie is doing the happy-dance. Check'er out...

Love,
Rosie

After Round 2: Debbie - 2, Cancer - 0

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 01:44:00 +0000

That's one happy chemo patient you see sitting there in the chemo infusion chair...and one happy daughter of the chemo patient next to her holding up the CELEBRATE hangy thing. Today was the last dose of Taxotere for Debbie, and everyone is doing the happy dance. Yup...two weeks of hell starting around Saturday, but knowing it's the last time...Debbie says, "Bring it on!"

Today was a very emotional day and for a lot of different reasons. Debbie talks about this being her "journey" as if she were taking her first trip to Europe or some other distant land. But let's be real...between the surgery and then months of chemotherapy, this isn't about someone taking a vacation, this is someone fighting for her life. And then, to reach the the end of the fight, exhausted, beat-up, and emotionally drained from the fight itself, not to mention bald, boobless, and bloated. Who wouldn't be emotional?

And then she starts thinking, wait...what if the chemo didn't kill all the cancer cells? Maybe it's too early to stop the fight. Then the fear sets in and another layer of emotions on top of the months of anxiety and pain and fatigue and all the negative thoughts of "what if" and "why should I continue putting myself through this torture?" Yes, as positive and upbeat as she usually is, even Debbie is going through all of these fears and emotions.

Today, when that final drop of Taxotere ran through the IV tube and into Debbie's body, these are tears of happiness knowing that the worst of the treatments is over; tears of pride for victoriously fighting the fight and kicking cancer's ass; tears of fear and trepidation that come from never really knowing for sure; tears of gratitude for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from family and friends throughout the fight; and finally, tears of joy for being able to wake up today to live and love and be loved for another day with God, family, friends, and another chance to make a difference in this world.

So now Debbie's goal is to get through the next two weeks of hell, to start rebuilding her strength, and to get ready for a very special wedding in February. She'll start five weeks, five days a week, of radiation treatments late February or early March. If all goes as planned, Debbie will celebrate her birthday on April 5th able to look back and say, "I'm done! I did it!" ...while sipping a Pomegranate Martini.

That will be a beautiful thing.

Love,
Rosie

Arrivederci to 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 16:39:00 +0000

As much as Debbie and Ron would like to forget 2009 for all of the heartache it brought, it will be a year to remember. It'll be like always remembering where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, and how you felt when you learned about the assassination of President Kennedy, or watched Neil Armstrong step on the moon's surface, or watched the twin towers fall in New York City on CNN. Learning that you have breast cancer...or any type of cancer...is undoubtedly a life-defining moment as well.

Now that Debbie is near the end of her chemo treatments it becomes a little easier for her to look at her battle with breast cancer with a more balanced perspective. Make no mistake, Debbie has been through hell and back since June, first having dealt with her diagnosis, and then enduring the fear and anticipation of this medical test and that body-part scan, the mastectomy in July, recovering from surgery, and then the weeks and weeks of chemotherapy, blood draws, and all the side effects of the chemo. And then there is the constant fear associated with unanswerable questions like, Will it come back? When I stop taking the chemo will the cancer start growing again? Will the chemo side effects leave me with damage to my body that's no better than or worse than the cancer? When will I stop looking like this so people can stop staring? Will the next PET/CT scan or blood test show that it's back. These are very rational questions and fears that only other cancer fighters can truly relate to.

Yes...Debbie will carry all of these fears with her for the rest of her life, but if you've spent any time with her lately, you will hear and see in her a growing sense of hope, purpose and determination that is truly inspiring. She is determined to not let these fears get in the way of living her life to its fullest which, for Debbie, will be all about enjoying time with her family and friends, making the year 2010 her year of rebuilding her physical and emotional health, and dedicating a good part of herself to making a difference for others in the breast cancer community, whether its bringing hope to other patients, or supporting and offering words of encouragement to the doctors and caregivers who made a difference in her life.

After a little over a week since her chemo treatment on December 23rd, Debbie is now starting to bounce back from the debilitating bone pain and fatigue. Ron was able to leverage two weeks of stored up vacation time to be with her for the remainder of 2009. Ron and Debbie spent New Years Eve at home alone for the most part as the kids headed off in different directions to celebrate with friends...well, until about 11:00p when Ellie returned home with 20 of her closest friends to hang out in the basement until the calendar flipped to 2010 at midnight. Today (New Years Day) the family will be together with the McElligotts for dinner and, no doubt, a lot of laughs as we reflect on and tease Debbie about her interesting perspectives on history, geography, and world events including the much debated topic of how John F. Kennedy really died.

On Wednesday Debbie made the call to the oncologists office to schedule her last chemo treatment which is on January 13th. When she hung up the phone she sat at the kitchen table and wept. Tears of sadness? Tears of joy? Only someone else nearing the end of months of torturous chemotherapy treatments would understand, but probably a little of both.

Debbie, Ron and the kids would like to wish you all a healthy and prosperous 2010. Happy New Year!

Love,
Rosie

Merry Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 02:54:00 +0000

Debbie had her second to last chemo treatment on Wednesday (the day before Christmas Eve). Right on schedule following Wednesday's hit of Taxotere, the bone pain has begun to set in once again and Debbie is already wrapped in that blanket of overpowering fatigue. But, she grows stronger, more determined, and more positive everyday, even as the effects of the poison overtake her once again. We have so many gifts for which to be thankful during this holiday season, the most important of which is the progress Debbie has made over the past six months and all the positive signs that she will be able to call herself a breast cancer survivor in the furture.

We are thankful for all of the fantastic doctors, nurses, and caregivers affiliate with Advocate Christ Hospital and the Breast Care Center in Oak Lawn, that have so competently and compassionately provided Debbie with the best treatment and care anyone could hope for.

We are thankful that Kristopher and Kiersten made it back from Thailand safely. Kiersten stayed in California to celebrate Christmas with her family. Kris landed at O'hare on Monday morning in time to be with us to enjoy the holidays as a family.

We are thankful that Debbie felt strong enough to make the trip to her brother's house on Christmas Eve for the traditional Young/McElligott/Markham Christmas Eve celebration. Thank you, Mickey and Kathy, for all you do to make it a very special evening.

When we look back at the past six months, as difficult as it's been, we will never take for granted how blessed we are to have such caring and giving family and friends. The cards, the meals, the phone calls, the gifts, the prayers...it has truly been overwhelming and humbling for all of us. We are all so grateful and thankful for the outpouring of love and caring from everyone. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Debbie is near the end of her chemotherapy treatments with the last one scheduled for January 14th. She'll then have about five or six weeks to gain her strength back before starting her regimen of radiation treatments, which will last for five or six weeks, five days a week. But between her last chemo treatment and her first radiation treatment she'll have a very special event to get ready for...her niece (and godchild) Candi's wedding on February 20th.

So from our family to yours...enjoy the holidays with your loved ones and have a prosperous and healthy 2010.

Love,
Ron, Debbie, Kristopher, Ellie, Kyle....and Hunter.

The storm clouds are rolling in again...

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:07:00 +0000

As I write this, Debbie is at the oncologist's office with Terry getting her Taxotere treatment. Yes...it has already been three weeks since the last one. The good news is that so far, no allergic reaction after the first 25 minutes into the infusion. The bad new is, the storm clouds are rolling in and it is about to get very dark and very scary for Debbie.

There's no better way to describe it. After a week or so of "sunny and warm"...quality time as a family with not-so-much pain (as compared to the two weeks prior), a beautiful Thanksgiving (able to smell and taste the feast that Ron whipped up), some long overdue time with friends...all the time knowing that the forecast is 100% chance of violent and dangerous storms to come within the next week or so. Storms in the form of more unbearable pain, more fatigue, no appetite, and just being so totally overwhelmed with the downpour of discomfort and despair and feeling like the only way out of this hell is to have the world come to an end once and for all.

Thankfully, storms come and go. The only thing keeping Debbie going when the storm is at its worst is knowing that storms move from west to east and eventually the clear blue skies will once again emerge and that, in the end, storms bring new life to...well...life. We just need to keep praying that no permanent damage is left in the storm's wake once it moves on.

Debbie's courage and attitude are at an all-time high despite how deeply painful the side effects were with the last treatment. There is no doubt that she is terrified down to her core as she faces this and then two more infusion of this horrible poison, but she continues to rely on her faith in God for the strength to move forward each day. But it is her love and concern for what Reenie is going through that has only intensified her will and determination to win her own battle so she can carry-on to inspire and help Reenie and all of the other Debbies and Reenies out there fighting there own wars with Mr. "C".

Hey...Angel Lucy...tell Mickey (Debbie's dad) Happy Birthday! And let him know that Debbie and Terry send their love and thanks for giving Debbie the strength she needed on his birthday to get through today's treatment.

Love,
Rosie

On the Up-Swing

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:43:00 +0000

Just a quick update on how Debbie is doing following her horrible week last week. Night and day difference between last Monday night and where she is today. The bone pain had subsided to a tolerable level by last Thursday. Debbie's energy level is still up and down, but she was able to walk the full lap around Joliet Drive (about a half mile) by Sunday evening. This girl is one determined little fighter, not letting the drugs, or Mr. "C", get the best of her.

Now we're starting to see some of the expected latent side effects of the Taxotere, namely a tingling in the hands and feet and some discomfort in Debbie's finger and toe nails. One of the know side effects of Taxotere is the havoc it plays on finger and toe nails...anything from discoloring (turning black...yuck!) to just falling off completely. Not looking forward to that.

Debbie's eyebrows are thinning so they'll likely be gone by her next treatment on December 3rd.

Good news is her appetite has returned. She lost about five pounds last week, so hopefully Ron will be able to fatten'er up a bit over Thanksgiving. He's doing all the cooking on Thursday. Debbie, Ron and the kids are planning to have a quite low-key Thanksgiving...just the six of us.

The Markham family sends all of their love and best wishes to everyone for a blessed, warm, and safe Thanksgiving holiday.

Love,
Rosie

A Week to Forget

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:08:00 +0000

Looking back on this past week following the first Taxotere treatment and I can say unequivocally that, so far, it was one of the darkest weeks for Debbie on this long and unpredictable journey. There is no sugar coating it...this Taxotere stuff is just plain nasty.

The fatigue is already overwhelming and we haven't yet reached the point when it's suppose to be overwhelming. The bone pain got so bad early this week that the doctor prescribed some of the strongest painkillers known to man. At best, the pills took off some of the edge, falling way short of bringing Debbie anywhere close to comfortable. By Thursday the poison had run its course and the pain finally started to subside. Dry mouth, severely chapped lips, loss of appetite, feeling hot and flush all the time...yup...Debbie is having the time of her life with Taxotere.

The low point was Monday night when Debbie fainted in Ron's arms as he was helping her go to the bathroom. It got pretty close to being a 9-1-1 moment as Ron sat there on the bathroom floor in front of the toilet with Debbie in his arms trying to figure out how to get to the phone. Thankfully, she came back around after a few minutes and Ron was able to get her back on her feet and into bed. (Note to self: Install a telephone in the bathroom.)

If the toxic effects of this stuff on Debbie are any indication of what it's doing to any remaining cancer cells that may be lurking deep inside Debbie's body...well...Mr. "C" doesn't have a chance. Knowing that is the only reason Debbie can convince herself that going back to the oncologist in less than two weeks to get another dose, and knowing what follows, is the right thing to do, the only acceptable option she has.

This is the week when Debbie's blood counts are suppose to take a nose-dive. At that point she will be the most at-risk for infection or picking up some sort of viral or bacterial bug. If the counts drop too low she'll need to get an injection of some sort of drug that will help bring them back up. And whatever the drug, there will come yet more side effects on top of the party brought to you by Taxotere.

Ron, Debbie and the kids are looking forward to Thanksgiving 2010 when they can all look back and give thanks that Thanksgiving 2009 is nothing but a distant memory. This year we are thankful that Debbie's long-term prognosis is excellent and that there is no medical reason known to the doctors why she won't beat this once and for all.

Three more treatments until we're down the home stretch.

Keep Debbie, Reenie, and every other cancer fighter out there in your prayers over this Thanksgiving season.

Love,
Rosie

Taxotere Plus Two Days

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:38:00 +0000

Up until Saturday evening Debbie has been a fireball of energy following Thursdays first infusion of Taxotere. But now the fatigue is starting to settle in gradually; some bone pain in the hips and legs, presumably from the Neulasta shot on Friday. No loss of appetite yet, and no nausea. Debbie is pushing herself to stay as active as possible whether enjoying long walks with Ron and Hunter, or just walking laps around the dining room table. And she continues to insist on doing just about everything for herself. She's not taking this lying down...literally.

Friday was a tough day for Debbie when she heard the news that her dear friend Reenie learned from her doctor that her breast cancer has returned after three years. A survivor's worst nightmare. Reenie and Tom and their family have been an inspiration to Debbie, Ron and the kids over the past five months. Reenie always went out of her way to call or visit Debbie almost everyday to offer words of encouragement, to share tips and tricks on how get through daily life with the side effects of chemo, to drop off a small gift, or just to see how Debbie was doing.

Reenie must start her new chemotherapy regimen on Monday...again. Please keep both Debbie and Reenie in your prayers as they lock arms to fight their battles together. They will not only be an inspiration to one another over the coming months, you can bet that they will inspire everyone around them as they fight one day at a time to becoming cancer-free once and for all.

Debbie sends her love.

Love,
Rosie

Moving Forward...Again

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:07:00 +0000

Today was a good day.

The Taxotere was making its way through Debbie's IV at 10:00a this morning and Debbie's fear gradually turned to smiles after 5 minutes...10 minutes...20 minutes...no allergic reaction. Three hours later she was finished with the first of four Taxotere treatments she'll be receiving over the next 12 weeks. There is now light at the end of this long, dark tunnel and it's getting brighter everyday.

But we're not out of the woods yet. The next big unknown are the side effects Debbie will potentially experience with Taxotere, the most prevalent of which will be severe fatigue; that is a certainty. What else might she see? Her finger and toe nails will likely discolor, or they might fall out all together. Neuropathy, to some degree, will be likely. This means her hands, arms, and feet will become numb. If this happens, the doctor will lower the dosage to minimize the risk of any permanent nerve damage. We'll be watching for that very closely.

Any remaining hair will be gone including eye lashes, eyebrows, and that lovely, thinning porcupine look she sprouted on the top of her head...a lasting reminder of the first round of A/C chemotherapy.

So the next leg of the journey is underway. Debbie is feeling great at the moment. Keep the prayers coming as the Taxotere does its work...obliterating Mr. "C" without making things too uncomfortable for Debbie over the coming days. She's being a real trooper.

Debbie send her love.

Love,
Rosie

Bumps, Bumps, and More Bumps

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:22:00 +0000

Debbie bounced back nicely from last week's allergic reaction to the Taxol. On the plus side, it gave her another full week to rebuild her strength and gear up mentally for a whole new list of unknowns that will come with a necessary change to her chemo regimen. Today she was scheduled to start her first treatment of Taxotere, the drug the doctors will put her on for the next 12 weeks instead of Taxol, but that did not come to pass today as planned. The reasons for which start with Ellie.

Ellie was preliminarily diagnosed yesterday to have the H1N1 virus in addition to strep throat and a double ear infection. She's pretty miserable and hopefully the drugs will kick in quickly and she'll be on the mend. For now Ellie's doctor wants Ron and Debbie to assume that Ellie does have H1N1, and to also assume that she is very contagious. Obviously this is not good for Debbie given her suppressed immune system and the chemo side-effects she continues to deal with. Ellie has been quarantined in her room and she's staying away from the rest of the family as much as possible and there's a lot of hand-washing going on. A confirmation of Ellie's diagnosis won't be known until Friday. In the meantime, Debbie was able to get a prescription for Tamiflu which she will start to use immediately if she begins to develop symptoms of H1N1.

Debbie arrived at the oncology office today at 10:00a, as planned, for her first Taxotere treatment. She was very positive and upbeat and "in her element" as she confidently consoled a fellow patient she met in the infusion room...a new breast cancer fighter there for her first treatment. It was a far cry from the Debbie we saw last week, scared out of her wits as the nurses rushed to stop the Taxol as her throat was closing up from the allergic reaction. She came back this week stronger, more confident, and reaching out to help others.

Debbie was all hooked up starting her first IV when Amanda came back into the infusion room to let her know that the Doctor wanted to have a talk with her and Ron. Amanda stopped the IV, disconnected her from the IV machine, and escorted her and Ron to a private office to meet with the doctor. There, the doctor informed them that Debbie would not be receiving her first Taxotere treatment today for two reasons.

First, because we have to assume that Ellie does have H1N1, the doctor wants to wait a week to ensure that Debbie is not going to contract the H1N1 virus. He did not want to take the risk of having Debbie at her weakest point following this treatment and possibly have the effects of H1N1 to deal with as well. That would be devastating to Debbie's already weakened system.

Second, because of Debbie's reaction to the Taxol last week, there is a higher probability that she could have a similar allergic reaction to the Taxotere. Because of that possibility, the doctor would like Debbie to receive her first Taxotere treatment in the oncologists' Oak Lawn office which is better equipped to handle a medical emergency...and it's right next door to Christ hospital should a worst-case situation arise. Just in case.

So another bump in the road on Debbie's journey. Was she disappointed today? Very much so. But, her belief is, "it is what it is." We adapt, regroup, and move forward because we don't really have a choice. And there is an upside to today's decision. Now Debbie can look forward to attending Candi's (her niece and god daughter) wedding shower on Sunday feeling good. And most important, when she does receive her first does of Taxotere, she will be in the best situation possible to deal with any adverse reaction she might experience. You can't argue with that.

Debbie sends her love. Oh...and add Ellie to your prayer list for a speedy recovery.

Love,
Rosie

No-Go on the Taxol

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:40:00 +0000

Debbie's chemotherapy regimen needed to be altered dramatically today when she experienced an immediate allergic reaction to what was to be her first of twelve weekly infusions of Taxol. The reaction started just minutes after the nurses started administering the drug. Debbie turned to her sister, Terry--who brought her to today's appointment, complaining that she was feeling flush. Seconds later, Debbie's throat started closing up, breathing became difficult, her hearing started to shut down, and her face was as red as could be. With that, the nurses ran back into the infusion room and immediately stopped her treatment and quickly switched her IV to a saline-flush to begin diluting the Taxol that entered her body.

Needless to day, Debbie was scared out of her mind when all of this happened so quickly, and thankfully the nurses knew exactly what to do. In many cases like this, patients need to be rushed to the emergency room. Thankfully, Debbie recovered fully within about 45 minutes while resting at the oncology office. She was home by 1:00p and resting comfortably.

Debbie now falls into the 1% of chemo patients who have an allergic reaction to Taxol.

So where do we go from here? Taxol is out and a different drug called Taxotere will be used instead. The doctor assured Debbie that a last minute change in her regimen...from Taxol to Taxotere...will not adversely affect the outcome (i.e., the survival rate) of her treatment plan. That's the good news.

The bad news is that the side-effects will be different with severe fatigue being the most pronounced difference compared to what was anticipated with Taxol. Debbie will likely experience longer and more intense episodes of fatigue following each treatment, even more so than what she experienced with the A/C over the past eight weeks. We are not looking forward to that.

The other big difference is that Taxotere will likely have a more adverse impact on Debbie's blood counts making her more susceptible to infection or catching something. Now more than ever she'll need to avoid crowds and any close contact with others.

The Taxotere treatments will start next week on Thursday. The protocol will be one treatment every three weeks for a total of four treatments over a twelve week period. As you would expect, Debbie is not in the best frame of mind after today's little surprise. And she was so brave and so positive going into today's treatment. Keep those prayers coming this week as she starts the process all over again...digging down to find the strength to move forward with yet another set of unknowns.

It's a scary place for anyone to be, for sure, but if anyone can do it, it's our girl. Her faith gives her strength. I have the unique advantage of eavesdropping on her little talks with God. For every request she makes of God to give her the strength to carry-on she is thanking him for the blessings in her life. And without fail, I hear her asking him to help others who are in a more difficult situation than hers. She never loses sight of those who are worse off than her. Even when she's down at her lowest point, she's thinking about others...but that, too, gives her strength and more reasons to seize each day.

Love,
Rosie

Four Down and Twelve To Go

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:51:00 +0000

Believe it or not it's been just over seven weeks since chemotherapy started and Debbie continues to fight the battle of her life. She has experienced just about every side effect the doctors anticipated, but if it's any consolation, they never seemed to hit Debbie all at once, with perhaps one exception: the fatigue is constant. Debbie is very very tired...drained...worn out...wiped out...just about most of the time. Her hair is gone; the inside of her mouth feels like you would expect after gargling with acid; sense of taste is pretty much gone; appetite comes and goes; stomach pain and acid reflux is there but for the most part in-check thanks to the Prilosec; bone pain after the first and second Neulasta shots; dry eyes; dry lips; and more. But you know what? Debbie is now so thankful and happy that she's finished with the first round of drugs...Andriamyacin & Cytoxin...and there does now seem to be light at the end of the tunnel. She's now thinking, hey I can beat this...I can get through this. And that is a very good thing.

Debbie almost made the past seven weeks look easy. Usually no matter how awful she feels, she gets herself up, puts on her coat, and goes out for a walk with a friend, with Ron and the dog, or one of the kids. Yesterday she went to the health club for the first time in quite a while, and walked nearly two miles on the indoor track. She is amazing. But trust me, it's been no picnic and I can tell you first-hand that she struggles every day to gather the strength and motivation to get through the day with the anticipation that tomorrow might only bring even more pain and discomfort, while at the same time thinking about the many more months of treatments to come.

Now that the A/C treaments are over, she still has twelve weeks of Taxol (once a week) and then 5-to-6 weeks of radiation treatments (5 per week) to look forward to. But she is staying in control of her illness, her treatments, the side effects, and her long-term get well plan. Staying in control, staying active, and staying positive...as difficult as it is on some days... is clearly the best way to fight this battle.

As wonderful as the oncology doctors and nurses have been at anticipating and controlling her side effects, it is Debbie's faith, spirit, and the love and support of her unbelievable circle of family and friends that get her through each day. And while the support from family and friends has been no less then overwhelming, Debbie, Ron, and the kids have been blown away by the support and generosity of so many others in the Tinley Park community and St. Stephens parish, many of whom, up until now, were total strangers. The outreach, the meals, the flowers, the get-well cards, the phone calls, the kind words...have been both overwhelming and humbling for Debbie and her family. That, more than any drugs the medical community can come up with, has been the best medicine for Debbie.

Those closest to Debbie know about her strong faith and her love for her mom, Elenore, and her dad, Ed. Family and close friends called Ed, "Mickey," and her mom "Tilly." Debbie and Ron named their daughter, Ellie Elizabeth, after their mothers, albeit with the modern versions...Ellie for Elenore, Elizabeth for Betty.

A big part of Debbie's strength continues to come from her spiritaul connection with Mickey and Tilly, and she is always looking for signs that her mom and dad are watching over her and her family. That connection helped Debbie through her 3rd treatment when she arrived at the oncology office and sat down in the treatment chair next to an 85 year-old cancer fighter who was already hooked up to her IV with drugs flowing. And as she always does, Debbie introduced herself and started a friendly conversation with her fellow chemo patient...and new friend...as she waited for Amanda to come in to hook'er up.

When Debbie introduced herself, the elderly chemo patient looked up and introduced herself, "Hi, my name is Elenore...my friends call me Ellie for short." That was the sign Debbie needed to help her through her third treatment. Tilly was there.

Thursday of next week Debbie starts her Taxol regiment each week for the next 12 weeks. Yes...Debbie is scared because she doesn't know what to expect. But we all have confidence that her strength and positive thinking will continue to prevail and before she knows it, she will be looking back at her 12 weeks of Taxol and 8 weeks of A/C and helping another breast cancer fighter and member of the sisterhood on how to keep the faith, how to manage the fear, and how to keep fighting the battle. And, of course, Tilly will be there watching over her.

Debbie sends her gratitude and love to everyone who has and continues to pray for her.

Love,
Rosie

Magoo's Girls?

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:45:00 +0000

When it comes to the physical transformations that come with chemo side effects, you're either laughing or crying. There is no in-between emotional response, at least not for anyone who has a high-octane spirit like Debbie. While taking a shower yesterday just about all of Debbie's hair waved bu-bye as it made its way down the drain. The mohawk is gone. The buzz is gone. All we have now is a tiny bit of peach fuzz covering what looks and feels like the bare bottom of a newborn baby's bum.

Both Ron and Debbie then had a good laugh when Debbie called Ron at worked and proclaimed, "Oh my God, I look like Mr. Magoo! I'm calling to warn you so you're prepared for what I look like when you get home." And of course, when Ron did get home, they laughed some more, the kids laughed, and Debbie's journey continues on past yet another emotional hurdle.

Terry and Debbie went back to Naturally Yours on Tuesday to pick up the new wig...just in time. The unanimous vote from all of Debbie's Girls followers was for style #2, so that's the one Debbie selected. And she looks awesome with it. Perfect style; perfect color; comfortable fit; and...yes...sassy.

Today is chemo treatment #3. Terry will be escorting our girl to the oncologist's office today because Ron needs to be downtown for work. Oh yes, and this treatment is for Ellie. The first treatment was for Ron. The second treatment was for Kris. The fourth treatment will be for Kyle. Debbie goes into each treatment with the motivation that comes from dedicating each round to a special someone she loves very much, and commits to that person that she will get through the next round. So Ellie...this one's for you.

So next time you see Debbie, feel free to call her Magoo. Her reaction will make you smile.

Love,

Rosie

Sister, Sister

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:11:00 +0000

Having a sister who also happens to be your best friend is a precious gift that so few of us get to experience. I should know...Lucy and I were inseparable; she was my soul sister. True...it wasn't like we ever had the option of going our separate ways whenever we got into a fight or had a disagreement, but that didn't matter. Now that Lucy is gone, I am as grateful for the gift we had as I am sad for what is no more.

I am so grateful that Debbie has Terry...as sister and as best friend. I see Terry as one of the highlights of Debbie's day. When the pain and discomfort of her last treatment is at its worst, or when her will to move forward is at its lowest, a call or visit from Terry is more comforting than any medicine the doctors could ever prescribe.

And Terry is always there for Debbie no matter the time of day or night. At around 8:00 last night Debbie needed to make a trip to the emergency room at Palos Hospital when Ron was downtown attending a work function. Whenever Ron can't be there, the automatic response is to call Terry as plan B. And there was Terry, without hesitation, making sure Debbie got to the ER as quickly as possible and then staying by her side until she knew that Debbie would be okay. Thankfully, what was feared to be a blood clot in her right arm turned out to be a simple muscle strain causing Debbie some pretty intense pain.

Thank God for sisters and best friends. Debbie thanks God everyday for her sister Terry and her brother Ed. Their role in her life throughout this journey is as important to her spirit and healing as are Ron and the kids. There's nothing that can ever replace the healing qualities of the love and support from family.

Have you hugged your brother and sister lately?

Love,

Rosie

Chemo's Like a Box of Chocolates

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:22:00 +0000

Well, if the first two treatments are any indication, the aftermath of each round of chemo will be completely unpreditcable. Debbie was feeling great after her second treatment up until yesterday (day-5), and then, “Whack!”...it was like someone pulled the plug and let all the air out of her. She was flat on her back the entire day on Tuesday overcome with fatigue and struggling through some serious plumbing problems down below (I’ll spare the details as it was not pretty). And her appetite completely shut down.

Today she’s doing better, able to get around, felt like eating some chicken soup and drinking more water, and then she forced herself to get out for a while to watch Kyle play soccer (Andrew vs. Sandburg). So I guess that’s how this is going to be...that whole box of chocolate analogy from Forest Gump...you know how it goes.

Love,

Rosie

P.S. Andrew lost, 1-0

Chemo Treatment-2, Day-2

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 01:45:00 +0000

So I guess we can now say that Debbie is officially halfway through her first set of chemo treatments. Two down and two to go, and there is light at the end of this dark and scary tunnel. Our girl is showing everyone how it's done, how to fight, how to stand-up and take control of her destiny instead of letting the cancer, the chemo, or the chemo side effects take control of HER.

Today is day-two following her second treatment and I can already see a big difference compared to this time following her first treatment. Debbie went into that oncology office for her second treatment on Thursday not as the scared, nervous, anxious cancer patient we saw just before the first treatment, but instead we saw a confident, strong, in-control fighter saying, "bring it on."

We're not seeing the heart palpitations this time, or the tight chest or stomach aches. The fatigue doesn't seem so bad yet either. The doctor is thinking that many of these side effects following the first treatment were more from anxiety than from the chemicals. This time, less anxiety and more "fight" seems to be making a big difference. Today was the Homecoming dance at Andrew High School and Debbie didn't make any plans to participate in Ellie and Kyle's pre-dance picture taking events at the houses of various friends. She assumed she would be just too tired and weak, but that was not the case.

At the last minute Debbie got in the car with Ron and they headed out to take pictures...buzz and all. Here is the clan just before Ellie and Kyle headed out to take pictures at their friends' houses.

So at this point, the hair is falling out like snow, the hot flashes are starting to creep up again, and a little pain in both arms, which the Extra-strength Tylenol took care of. Appetite is good, and not the debilitating fatigue we felt at this time two weeks ago. If we can get through days-3 & 4 with only this level of pain and discomfort, Debbie will consider herself blessed. We also think that all the prayers and positive energy coming from so many of Debbie's friends, family, and the nearly 600 people that are reading our blog are making a big difference.

Debbie sends her love and thanks to everyone.

Love,

Rosie

Chemo Treatment-2: Done

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:04:00 +0000

Debbie did great yesterday. Understandably a little nervous, but no tears this time...just a little over two hours from start to finish. She was very brave and in control.

We spent quite a bit of time with Dr. Sherman while Debbie was being infused, mostly talking about the side effects she experienced following the first treatment and how to better manage through the stomach pain, hot flashes, and the God-awful fatigue. Actually, there's nothing they can do about the extreme tiredness except just accept it and rest, which is exactly what she'll be doing starting today.

On another note, the mohawk is history. Just as the doctors and nurses said would happen by the 14th or 15th day following the first treatment, Debbie's hair started falling out yesterday so she had Ron do his thing and he buzzed her down to the scalp. And again, she looks just as beautiful in buzzed gray as she does in long red. Not quite as hot as the mohawk, but pretty darn close.

Love,

Rosie

Dear Mr. "C"

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:37:00 +0000

Today, Debbie is ready to kick your ass. But first you'll have to get past Ellie and Rosie.

You've been warned.

Angel Lucy

Those awesome pink boxing gloves were given to Debbie as a gift yesterday by another member of the sisterhood and a dear friend, Maureen, who beat breast cancer just a couple of short years ago.

Badge of Honor

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:30:00 +0000

For all the pain and fear and dread that comes with fighting breast cancer there comes an earned right to do something crazy every now and then. Even better, you can do it without the burden of having to apologize or explain your actions. If you came to realize one day that all of your hair was about to fall out from your chemo treatments, what crazy thing would you do?

Realizing that her hair is about to start falling out in a matter of days, Debbie decided she wanted to try a new and radical hairdo. The kids convinced her to try a "frohawk," so Ron got yet another opportunity to hone is hair cutting skills.

Kris and Mom

What surprised the family most about what Debbie did was not that she actually followed through and let Ron cut her hair in such a crazy style, but how absolutely fantastic she looks with her new do. And she was not at all shy about it. Debbie spent the day today showing it off...running errands, getting her blood drawn, going out for breakfast with a friend, shopping, going to the show with another friend, picking up the kids from school, and generally strutting her new look as if it were a badge of honor. And you know what? That's exactly what it is.

This is the look of a determined cancer fighter, one who has made the choice to deal with the side effects of chemotherapy on her own terms. How awesome is that?

You go girl. Lucy would be proud!

Love,

Rosie

Ten Thousand Reasons, From Angel Lucy

noreply@blogger.com (Ron M.) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:20:00 +0000

My Dearest Debbie,

I know this isn’t easy. I know that everyday you are fighting the urge to just give up. I can’t say that I blame you because those drugs they’re pumping into your body now are killing just as many good cells as bad cells, and that is what’s making you feel so tired and so sick. I wish I can tell you that your next treatment on Thursday won’t be as bad, but that wouldn’t be the truth.

You already know that the only way to beat this for sure is to let the chemicals do their job and kill the cancer. As difficult as it is to think about, you will need to endure every one of the treatments the doctors have planned for you. But instead of thinking about that next treatment, I want you to think about your dreams and the life God has waiting for you when the treatments are over. Visualize Debbie as the beautiful, healthy, vibrant, and fun-loving woman that everyone knows and loves. Think about the wonderful life you will enjoy with Ron, your family, and your friends when this is all behind you. I know that’s a lot to ask right now when just getting through the day is, at times, the most you can think about, so let me help you.

Think about the future. Think about, say, four years from now and what you and Ron will be doing when you celebrate your 30th wedding anniversary. That’s also the year when you’ll watch Kyle graduate from high school and enter college while Ellie becomes a college junior. And while I can’t divulge everything that will happen in 2013, that’s just about the time Kris will be tying the knot with the love of his life and your future daughter-in-law.

Look further out to the year 2015. Imagine how proud and happy you are as you watch Ellie walk across the stage to accept her college diploma. And if Kris follows in his dad’s footsteps, at the age of 30 he and your daughter-in-law will be giving you your first grandchild right around that time. Think about what it will be like to hold that little bundle for the first time, cuddling her, holding her tiny little hand and marveling at how she looks just like you or maybe Ron.

In the year 2016 you and Ron will be moving into your new home, a place with plenty of space for you to raise and love all the dogs and horses you’ve been dreaming about; the home where you’ll enjoy the rest of your life with Ron. It will be a home filled with love and family, the place where Kris, Ellie, and Kyle will bring they’re growing families to celebrate your grandchildren's birthdays, and where you and Ron will cook up and serve lavish meals for family and friends during the holidays; A home filled with warmth, laughter and love.

Four years later Ron will finally retire when he turns 65 and the two of you will travel the globe together to experience the food, wine, people, and cultures of Italy, France, Greece, Australia, and so many other exotic places you haven’t even heard of. Both of you are healthy and fit and you are enjoying life together to its fullest.

In 2023 you and Ron will be celebrating your marriage of 40 years; Kyle will be graduating from medical school; you’ll be spoiling the heck out of at least three, maybe four grandchildren; and you will be a nearly 15 year breast cancer survivor. And by my estimation, through your work within the brest cancer support network and your natural desire to reach out and help others in need, you will have made a significant difference in the lives of more than 10,000 other women fighting the disease you’re fighting right now.

I’m not at liberty to tell you exactly how it will play out, but this is God’s grand plan for you. As difficult and as unfair as this all seems to you right now, trust that you will get through it; trust that it will make you stronger. Believe that this is happening in order to prepare you for a bigger role, one that will not only enrich the lives of family and friends, but one in which you will also grace the lives of 10,000 or more women of the sisterhood, most of whom, right now, don’t even know they need you or that you’re coming.

Be strong. I know you will get through this. I am very proud of you. My best to Rosie.

Love,

Angel Lucy