Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Serious blog

I want to apologize to my mom for thinking she was lazy and didn't want to take me to the bark park. I am going to let mom tell you about the serious turn in her health cause I don't know those med-co terms..

Charlie's Mom here-

For the last month I have been either home with a severe pain in my back or in the hospital. It started out in the middle of March. I just thought it was a strained back along with arthritis. After a week home and in bed, I was no better off so I went to an urgent care facility not too far from my house. The doctor gave me some muscle relaxants and pain killers, took an x-ray and sent me home with the advise to see my primary care physician. I had yet another xray on while at my primary care that showed a hairline fracture of L5 (lower back). Still no letup from pain. Saturday, March 24th I couldn't even sit up on my own. Charlie's dad was out running errands so I called him to come home right away. After a series of calls, the long and short of it was, it would be faster to call an ambulence. They admitted me thru the emergency department. They took some more xrays of my back and this time it showed that the hairline fracture became a full blow-out and included L3 and L4. Whilst in hospital, I first had needle biopsy performed on me (By this darling physician who didn't look old enough to be driving a car!). I also had two MRIs (had to be fully sedated to do this because of my claustrophobia), full body scan, 4-6 head shots and a CTscan. The spinal guy (who I didn't like at all) told me that it might be cancerous. I asked to bring in my cancer doctor and the surgeon just ignored me so I simply called her myself. She was in the next morning, had looked at all the xrays, reports, etc. It appears that my breast cancer of 4 years ago had popped up in a different place (metastisized in my vertebra bones). The arimidex that I had been taking to prevent this was'nt doing its job. The cancer had become immune to that medication. The new stuff is injected into my bum once a month. Treatment for the bad vertebra is simple (well sort-of). The cartilage is scraped out between the two vertebrate, the vertibrate held open and "cement" put between the vertebrate to take the place of the missing cartelage.
In addition, when they did the cement job on my back, they stuck a needle round and heated it to kill cancer cells. They also removed the vertebra fragment that was resting against my spinal nerve. I had an appointment with the doctor today about radiation therapy. I will be taking radiation therapy 5 times a week (M-F) for at 2 weeks. This is to kill any cancer cells that are still around . Chemotherapy is not sceduled at this time so I won't loose all of my hair (thank doggness though I still have my wig). So things are not all good nor all bad. In the meantime, if you see a little old lady pushing a grey walker run down her . Well- enought for this sicky stuff. Back to Charlie!

C-K-C's mom Kathleen

See, See! I just knew you couldn't be faking it that long mom! Well'll

23 comments:

Opy - the Original GruffPuppy said...

Take care Kathleen - we are all thinking of you and wishing you well. You are very special to us here at DWB's and we all are sending lots of positive vibes, and big hugs, your way.

C-K-C, make sure you look after your momma, okay ? She needs lots of love right about now.

Mr C-K-C, big hugs to you as well.

Love
Brooke, Greg, Opy & Charlie

Oscar's mummy and daddy said...

Kathleen, sorry to hear you have been having such a bad time of things. It sounds like you are getting good care so just take it easy & concentrate on getting healthy. I'm sure having C-K-C & your kitties around is good stress relief.

Love to you & all your family.

Katy (Oscar's mum) x

Anonymous said...

Hey C-K-C and hoomans,
We are all hoping the very best of treatment for your Mum. It sucks to be sick so I am sending lots of licks (which have great healing power) your way. And don't worry about your fans (us dogs and hoomans), we will be right here waiting for you when you get back.

We love you lots,
Super healing licks,
Texas (and his humans).

Roxie, Sammy, Andy and Shermie said...

We are also sorry to hear the problems you have been having. Thankfully, it sounds like you have received great care and are starting the slow climb back to good health. C-K-C will be right there to take care of you too. Texas is right, your fans will wait patiently for you to be back in full blogging mode.

Roxie, Sammy & Andy

The Brat Pack said...

We're sorry to hear this news, but it sounds like you're getting the best of care. We hope things start going better for you and if you ever need anything please don't hesitate to ask.

You sound like a much braver woman than our Mom.

Take care,
Maryann & The Brats

e said...

Oh no Kathleen
I'm so worried about you. All of us at DWB are waiting here for you to get well and be 100% again.

We are with you.

Love
Fei and Eve

Murphey said...

Kathleen, sory to hear about the return of the cancer. I am one and a half years breast cancer free and know how stressful it can be. Glad no chemo, being bald isn't fun....

Murph and I are rooting for you!

Kathleen (the other one, otherwise known as Murph's lady)

Peanut said...

We are all sorry to hear this news and will be thinking of you in the battle ahead. Charlie take good care of your mommy

Charlie Kelley-Church said...

Thank you to all my blogging pals. Mom is starting to feel better already!

C-K-C

Lillie Valentine said...

Sending lots of wet sloppy "healing" kisses your way, Kathleen! Know that we are thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers. Take care of your momma, Charlie. She needs you! She is a very special lady.
Love, Lillie V and her mom Amy and the hooman pups Kendra and jordan

Sunshade said...

Hello Kathleen,

I'm so happy to hear you are back home and starting treatments. We are all thinking of you, and we will be here for you!! Take care and keep us updated.

Elaine


Heya C-K-C,

You must be so happy to have your mommy back, you were such a good girl being patient and all!!

Love nibbles,
Miss Sunshade

Tansy said...

Very Best Thoughts to you all! We know your flock of Charlie, Worf, Simon, and Nerise will do their best for you. I understand Charlie is part Healer, is that not so?

Sincerely,
Tansy

Urban Smoothie Read said...

sending my best regard frm me to u~

The Army of Four said...

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love from all of us and our bipeds,
The Ao4

Billy (YES Casanova!!!) said...

Please be well Kathleen. We are thinking of you and sending special prayers to you from here. I am sure CKC will be good medicine for you:)

Big hugs from Billy Boo and mom:)

Tin Tin Blogdog said...

Kathleen,

we're thinking about you over here and willing you the best recovery ever.

Jen (Tin Tin's ma)

Hey there C-K-C,

snuggle up to your mom at every opportunity.

And don't forget the lovin' looks and licks.

Chow for now,

Tin Tin xo

wally said...

Kathleen,

We will all be hoping for a speedy recovery for you. I am glad you are back at home where CKC can take great care of you.

wally & family.

Nat said...

I'm sorry to hear of your trials. Pappy and I are thinking about you.

FleasGang said...

Just wanted you to know that we too will be sending prayers your way kathleen.

Jason & The FleasGang

Hana said...

Oh my, I just read this and I hope things start looking up really fast and that you make a speedy recovery!

Deanna said...

I am sending boxer healing vibes to your mom. We'll be thinking about your family. Take care of your mom!

Marvin -The Hollow Hound said...

Kathleen - my thoughts are with you - so sorry to hear your news.

Just you concentrate on getting better.

We will be here for you!

Take care, you are one brave lady!

lots of love and light beaming to you from Bonnie Scotland.

Jeannie and Marvin xxxxxxxxx

Freda said...

Hey Kathleens. Hope things are lookin' ups for you. It's been a long time.

We've got lots of licks and crossed paws and thoughts for you.

Wuufs!

Freda