Halloween

Hello all--Halloween was fun but bitter sweet. Mom used to always come over for chili and to help hand out candy. My kids loved to see what she would dress up like. We had a good time with Dad this year but I missed Mom. It's been good helping Dad close down the lake cottage. I should have paid more attention to what Mom did. We have a busy November planned and then we are going to see Janet for Thanksgiving. Should be fun!!

school is underway

I know it is October but it is finally feeling like we are in the swing of things. Trying to juggle them both and get stuff done around here has been challenging. I know others do it with lots more kids but we are still adjusting. Kade is used to having me to himself and has taken a while to get into the groove. Now, if I can just get the housework done, too. We are enjoying our Monday COOP and Thursday gym class. We also really like our once a month field trip group and all the activities at the library. Sometimes I feel like I car school not home school! Here a few pictures from our recent activities.

A little change

Hello to all! It has been quite a month. I have to say--not an entirely good month but eventful. It is hard to express the gratefulness I have to all the love and support that has been shown me and my family. We were overwhelmed with not only the number of people at the viewing and funeral but the acts of kindness and support the last three weeks. Thank you!!

I am going to keep this blog but it will be changing to updates about my family and life in the Sondag house. If you are not interested in that--I understand.

Again, thank you for all the prayers and love!!

Joy

The end or the beginning

Hi all. I need to let you all know first of all that Mom died peacefully in her sleep this morning. I was surprised that it happened so soon. My dad took her to the hospital this morning because of weakness, dizziness and nausea. Dad called me and I took the kids to see her at about 8:30 and planned to go back around lunch time. Robbie called at 11:00 and said that she passed at about 10:30. We have had a wonderful 9 months since her diagnosis. We were blessed with her having little pain and her being able to enjoy life up until the end. Thank you for your prayers--keep them up as we go through this tough time.

God is good and I know she is rejoicing being with her savior!

last chemo

Hi all! Today is Mom's last chemo then we just wait. I haven't heard anything but am assuming it went well. Keep praying for her and Dad. We are hoping some of the unsteadyness and tiredness are just side effects of the chemo and will improve but who knows. Here is a picture of her at the lake a few weeks ago. She does well some days and then others are really tough. I will try to update more often!

Feeling a bit Dizzy

I went to see my mom today and she was a little frustrated with the dizziness and not feeling great. She has one more chemo and then we just wait and see what happens. Please pray she starts feeling a little better! The Dr. thinks some of the problems are chemo related not cancer so we will see when the chemo is over. Thanks!!

From Mom

This week has not been such a good week for me. After Chemo on wed. 7/7 I had a couple of good days then felt not so good. On Mon I was having some problems focusing my R eye and noticed droopiness in my eyelid. Yesterday I had an MRI of my head and lumbar spine where I have been having increased pain. Today we went in for the report and were pleasantly surprised. While nothing is normal, there is no very overt activity anywhere. They didn't feel like there was any reason to change the currant plan. Just increase the steroids to make me feel better. So as of now I have my next chemo on 7/28 and continue as planned. Thanks for all you prayers.
Nancy

update

Hi! Well, Dad took mom to the doctor this morning because her eye was droopy and her back hurt. I haven't got the whole story but I do know she is getting an MRI and should find out the results tomorrow. That is all I really know except she has been getting weaker and more dizzy lately. I will try to stay more informed. Keep praying!

Round 2

Mom started her second round of chemo last week and has been doing pretty well. She has been tired but remembered that the first dose of the last round did that to her, too. This round will be every three weeks again but only 4 times. We pray this will stop growth and put the cancer "on hold". We had a wonderful trip to Florida. The kids loved th ocean, pool, dolphins and fun. Robbie's favorite was the Cardinals playing in Miami--very hot at noon in Miami!! Mom and Dad seemed to enjoy relaxing and getting some sun! My cousins wedding was very nice and it was good to see family. Keep praying for energy for Mom and Dad!!

Here we go again

Hello to all. Mom finished chemo and we thought all looked good but things change. I just got an e-mail from Mom that I will copy below.

We went in to get the report of my PET scan this morning and the news is not as good as we hoped
the cancer in the liver and lungs has increased in size since the scan in March. At that time they thought it had decreased. So basically the chemo has failed. Instead of having the summer off, I will start a new chemo as soon as we return from Fl. On the 16th of June. The new one is called Alimta. My Dr. just got back from a cancer seminar last week and this medicine has been the second line Rx. for awhile but because of the good responses they have decided to make it the first line Rx. I believe it has been the choice for mesothelioma. Anyway, keep praying . We know Who is really in charge of this and I plan to be thankful regardless.
Love you all
Nancy

It's been a while!

hello to all! It has been a while since I wrote but things are going so well I lose track of time. Mom is feeling great--she has a little cold but.... Dad and her are out and about and going out with friends and they seem to be having fun. I am busy finishing up school with Kade and preparing to have both kids home next year so I don't get over there as much as I would like. I hope summer is more relaxing! Have a great May!!

From Mom

Just a quick update here. I finally got the report comparing the old CAT scan to the recent PET scan. I seems the cancer is responding to the current chemo, so no changes. I had #4 today. 2 more to go. I feel more awake this eve than I usually do after chemo.
Also I did some checking on my oxygen levels. They were pretty good most of the time without oxygen on, but with activity I was still huffing and puffing some. I don't think I'm ready to go without yet, but maybe it's a possibility. I'll wait awhile before I ask for an official check.
God continues to give me peace about all this. That He is caring for me and knows His plans for me and that they are good plans.I did have to commit it to Him more than once during the week that I was in the dark about the report. I really hate not knowing things.
Nancy

no chemo today

Hi all--here is an e-mail mom sent out about her chemo today. Just got back from the hospital. No Chemo today. The radiologist has not read the PET scan yet, so don't really know where we stand. This is my 1st PET and he needs to compare it to a CAT from before. They delated the Chemo mostly because of my mouth sores. They must be more of a problem than I thought. They don't bother me so much but they don't like to heal. Scheduled for next Wed. instead.

More chemo

Hello to all. The last two weeks have been very good for Mom. She has felt good, been out doing things and had her appetite back. She had her third chemo on Wednesday and woke up Thursday feeling dizzy and unsteady. They went to the cancer center to get blood work done, which came out fine. They gave her fluids, thinking she might be a little dehydrated, and that helped a lot. She is still feeling unsteady on her feet and has been having a slight headache for the last week or so. They are doing an MRI on her head today to see if there is something else going on. We are not sure when we will get the results from that. Mom is still using oxygen, probably permanently, and so they have a sign in the window of the house that says "No Smoking--Oxygen in use". When I drove up to the house the other day Sadie blurts out from the back seat--"No smoking--why can't we smoke?" I didn't even know she could read that!! It was very cute and I explained that oxygen mixed with fire is not good. I am sorry it has been a while since I posted anything but please know that when I don't write--everything is going pretty good!

Oh--we had a good time for Mom's birthday last week. She had been out "partying" with friends on her actual birthday so we came over the next night for pizza and ice cream.

Going well

Hi all! When things are going pretty well, I tend to let time slip and not get on here as I should. It was tough to say good bye to Julie, it was really nice to have her here. Mom has felt really good since her last chemo and has been out and about. It is nice to see her getting around and enjoying doing things. I enjoyed spending time over there scrapbooking on Monday while Mom quilted. I will try to write a little more often but always remember, no news is good news!

all together

Hi! Sorry it has been a while since I have posted anything. Mom is doing really well and it has been nice having Julie here. I have gotten a chance to catch up on things at home. Janet flew down and was here today,too so we were all together. Playing cards to night we commented on how long it had been since the 5 of us were together without spouses or kids--a long time. Mom had another round of chemo today. Tonight she was doing great--even eating. Let's pray this round is a little less complicated than the last. Janet goes back tomorrow and Julie on Friday.

A little side note--Robbie, Kade and Sadie got to meet someone fun tonight--Tony Dungy. Colts coach, if anyone doesn't know!

A different perspective

Good Afternoon.The sun is shining brightly in the window here at my parent's house, and much higher in the sky at 3 PM than it would be in St. Petersburg! Its COLD, and people are surprised that its warmer in Russia this year.

I am thankful for many things about the trip, just small blessings God used to cheer me along the way:

*Boarding the airplane in Paris, I spotted my piano professor from Wheaton! Wow, 24 years since I saw him. Later in the plane, I identified myself to him and he came back and sat in the empty seat beside mine and we talked for a couple of hours. Very special.
*I got my tickets with no problem, except the last leg from Chicago to FW. I decided to pretend I wasn't in the USA and use public transport...and it worked great! I got the city train from O'Hare to Union Station, and got an Amtrak train that stopped just 30-45 minutes from home.
*My sister, Joy picked me up, and we had a great time talking in the car. I felt a huge sense of relief from her, that I will be here for two weeks.

I also learned once I got here that we did nearly lose Mom this week. Her blood clot was the talk of the oncology floor; nurses and her doctors were amazed that she survived because that clot was one of the largest they had ever seen.
So glad she is still with us, and regained enough strength to return home yesterday. However, the episode weakened her considerably and she will now be permanently on oxygen. She is also taking a blood-thinning med, Coumidin that has some potentially very serious side effects.
We are enjoying time together. I'm trying to help with cooking, etc... and pray I can make some things that taste good enough to her to want to eat! She is adjusting her expectations, since now she really does feel like she has cancer...we had a good time of prayer together this morning and she is getting there. Not that we don't pray for miracles--but God's grace is a miracle however its poured out on us, isn't it? Whether in healing or in our ability to trust Him if He doesn't heal.
As we prayed this morning, it seemed we couldn't get to the end of what we had to be thankful for. I am so thankful to be here. Being at church this morning was a surprise blessing--to be with people who know and love Mom, too and to worship together ministered deeply to my spirit.

God bless you for your prayers.
Love, Julie

P.S. Its also special to see others ministering to my parents. My mom has lost quite a bit of weight, and last night a friend brought over 3 pairs of new pants and two lovely jacket-tops she bought on sale just for Mom. What a wonderful, welcome gesture of encouragement.

Feeling better

Hi! Mom seems to be feeling better today. If her blood work is ok she may be coming home tomorrow. She will have oxygen but be able to move around and be home. Julie will be in tonight so she will be a big help. This is Mom at our house last Halloween! Keep praying!!

Not home yet

Hi! Well, another day at the hospital. Mom is still struggling to breath and is pretty weak. We are just waiting to see if the meds work or not. Mom has asked Julie to come home to see her, so she will be home soon. I think she could get better from this and go on but I also could see this taking her. We know where she is going and that we will see her again but it is still tough. Update--Julie will be here tomorrow. I spent today at the hospital so Dad could get some stuff done. I think it was good for him to be off doing something for a while. She slept a lot today but looks a lot better and seems to be breathing pretty well. She is tired of people telling her to eat--nothing tastes good at all. She is trying and is in pretty good spirits. Keep praying.

A Long Day

Well, it started at about 5:00 am today. Mom woke up and couldn't catch her breath. They called 911 and she was taken to the emergency room. She was given an oxygen mask and fluids. The oncology Dr. came in at about 10:30 and thought she had a blood clot in her lung. A CT scan confirmed that and now she is being treated and watched at the hospital. When I got there at about 8:45, Dad was there with a good friend. It is so nice to see the friends that are here to support and help Mom and Dad through all this. I have to say today was scary and stressful. Mom is now comfortable but it is still dangerous for her for the next couple of days. They know what to watch and how to treat it so we are hopeful she will be fine soon. I thank God that He is in control and He is taking care of us.

As Philippians 4:6-7 says in the Message "Celebrate God all day, every day...Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." This is what I found so true today, praying instead of worrying is the only way to get through!

Chemo is not so bad

Hi all! Mom had her first round of chemo on Wed. and she is doing great. She slept a lot on Thursday but today stayed up all day. She hasn't had much nausea and is feeling well enough for some company tomorrow. We were going to go see her but Sadie has a little soar throat and Mom isn't supposed to be around sick people if she can help it. We were glad to be back into a regular routine but this weather has interrupted that. This cold is awful--I prefer snow! Have a great week-end everyone!

Another Day Another Dr.

Hi all. We went to the doctor on Tuesday and Mom got her chest tube out. Dad commented that that was the 1st Doctor's appointment with good news. I said that maybe I should go to more! Today we went to the chemotherapy doctor. He was very straight forward and upbeat. Mom is going in tomorrow to get a catheter in her lung because more fluid seems to building up. She is getting a CT scan 1st to make sure. She will start chemo next Wednesday and have one dose every three weeks. The doctor reminded us that this is not a cure but a help. I appreciated what he had to say and was glad I was there. Hopefully her body will react well to the chemo and she won't get too sick. Thank you for all the well-wishes and prayers!

Christmas fun

We had a wonderful Christmas and Mom is doing great. She tires out a little but has done great keeping up with all of us. Her hair started to fall out earlier this week and so Janet and her shaved the rest. She looks good with her scarf. Sadie told her she looks like a pirate--kids!! Janet, Thomas and Emma go back to MN today so the house will be quieter for them and she goes to the doctor a couple of times this week. I am hoping to make it to an appointment soon. Thanks for your prayers over the holidays.