Nicknames

Update:  Several days combined into a few thoughts of the overview:
Been battling for several days with fevers - between 102 and 104.5
Fluid buildup in sac around lungs.  Surgery for drainage tube - In for several days.  Hard, hard hard to have that tube in her!  Breathing so much more labored when getting up to go to the bathroom.  One more surgery site to have adhesive on - couldn't lay on that side to giver her back a break.  She can't lay on her right for drainage tube and port or left for G-tube.  Adhesive removal for dressing changes extremely challenging!
Back hurts so much.
Breathing much better.  :)  We will take every improvement.  It can get so hard in ways that were never before even contemplated.
Removed the tube!!
Breathing then became significantly harder and Oxygen levels would drop quickly when oxygen not in her nose.  Had to go up to 2-3 liters of O2 to keep Oxygen levels good.
Started shaking really bad each bathroom trip.
Doctors decided another CT scan was needed to determine why breathing took such a sharp turn.
CT scan shows everything (organs) shifted upwards.  The already crammed space with tumor is now significantly more squished.  As I understand it the diaphragm muscles function to expand and pull things down with every breath to open up lungs and take good breaths.  The muscle/nerves there aren't currently working so everything is no longer pulled downward.  Pushing on lungs and heart :(
But we know that there is no sign of Pneumonia, no sign of virus or bacteria :)

AMAZING NEWS!  CT scan was able to show doctors significant breakdown of pockets of the tumor.  Cancer has been dying off and had such a great response to chemo in only 2 weeks!  Progress is usually checked after 2 cycles of chemo (3 weeks each cycle) so at least 6 weeks.  It's very nice to know that it has had such a great effect and that doctors can have a better idea of how her body is responding!

Another Karin :)

We love to nickname our nurses and people that help us in so many little ways that mean so much. 

I ran into this scripture Matt 10:42  And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Christ spent his life serving others.  I am grateful to all those who touch our life through service. 

Interesting cup references:

Matthew Chapter 26:  vs 26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

On the same page vs 39  And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Cleaning Lady extraordinaire!!

Rain's Spelling of Courage

Nickname Curly.  Also Croatian connection through seeing a jar of nutella :)

Sharing Talent:  Listening, Kindness



Dr Baby and Dr Hope


Primary Children's moms.  What a Zion community where we cry together.  Laugh together.  Share one another's burdens and share in each other's journey.  We say hi to each other and take time to sit and chat and really listen to the answer to the question: How are you?

1st week in hospital before Chemo and before surgeries.  Painting suncatchers. 
Has not been up to more than movies and listening as I read books.  I mentioned when she starts feeling up to crafts again we have many options.  She says "Yeah!  If we are bored that is our own fault!"


Boston
Laughing with River.

Sharing talents:  Harp!  So many people come to the common areas to play piano, harp, violin, guitar, harmonica, etc.  They have puppet shows that are put on outside the door to individual rooms.  A tv channel for the patients in the hospital.  Bingo is held for all kids that want to go in person.  If in your room you can watch it on tv and call in on the phone for a bingo!

Other nicknames:  Moon, Ears, Stickers, Red, Smiley, Ray (of sunshine), Staci (sometimes they look like people we know), Boston, Mr Mess, Manny, Cheetah, Dr. Cloud (perfect name for her, named by Silver who still asks how Cloud is doing), Dr Hope, Dr Baby.  To name just a few.