Hello, Sorry it has been a few days since we have updated. As you know Lonna had her 3rd Chemo treatment Friday. She has been quite sick from it. They added a new regimen that is suppose to enhance the current treatment. It enhanced her side effects.
Anyway, Lonna feels extremely week and very nauseated. Lonna is a trooper and is hanging in there. She is eating in between her bouts of nausea. We all went to church yesterday for a little while. We left early because it wears Lonna out and she is very susceptible to infections so she must be very careful.
Some of you have asked about Halle. She is dong fine, she has weathered her bumps and bruises from her scooter accident and is currently playing with her cousin Sarah. They are 1 year apart. They have lots of fun and occasionally fight like sisters. I wonder where they get that from. Funny just like there mothers.
Anyway, I will write you all tomorrow and update you on my sister. Hopefully she will be better, as the days after Chemo tend to get better.
Love to All
Vicky
Mother and Daughter
Monday, June 30, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
From Lonna
Hi everyone.
I have really had some trouble getting the the blog. This past round of Chemo has left me feeling nauseous so much of the time. I am trying to figure it out. It takes some tweaking by the Doc's for them to be able to get some form of anti nausea drugs that work. I really hate it because it takes such a toll in so many ways.
As you can see I (hope the pictures make it) I was able to get out one day and enjoy Chris Strang's wonderful saltwater pool with some friends.
I am floating with Laureen Kelly and just loving feeling weightless and normal for a while. Oh how I wish that feeling could last forever.
It's such an emotional roller coaster. I am faced with decisions that I don't want to even think about but must. I am trying to stay positive all around but what a battle. Tomorrow is Chemo day. Please pray that I get a break from the nausea for good. Now is not the time for casual prayers as my Pastor would say.
I love you all sooooooo much. Please know that. I appreciate everyone of you calling and writing and I am so sorry that I can not tell you each individually what you mean to me.
I will write as soon as I can
Love, Lonna
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Wednesday June 25
It's amazing how many people love this girl! Yesterday I spent some time with Lonna and I just want to let everyone know that Lonna has indeed received your love, your thoughts and your prayers and has been touched in a deeply spiritual way by each and every one of you.
On a personal note I thought I might also comment that while I was there I could not help but notice that the phones must have rang at least every 30 minutes. Lonna will check each message just in case it's Halle or a doc or something urgent. Usually it's friends and well wishers checking in on her...and you know Lonna, she then feels obligated to reply in some way (and even a little guilty if she doesn't). This is every day! Consequently Lonna is not getting the rest she really needs. As Vicky said the other day, what Lonna needs most right now is restful time for her healing and our continued love and support through bold prayer.
Patrick Devers
On a personal note I thought I might also comment that while I was there I could not help but notice that the phones must have rang at least every 30 minutes. Lonna will check each message just in case it's Halle or a doc or something urgent. Usually it's friends and well wishers checking in on her...and you know Lonna, she then feels obligated to reply in some way (and even a little guilty if she doesn't). This is every day! Consequently Lonna is not getting the rest she really needs. As Vicky said the other day, what Lonna needs most right now is restful time for her healing and our continued love and support through bold prayer.
Patrick Devers
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Tuesday June 24
Lonna is doing as well as can be expected. She was able to go to church on Sunday. She also told me that she got a little sun by her friends pool.
I know she tires easily, so she needs her naps. She feels a little week and she has physical therapy 3 times a week. They come to the house.
I spoke with her today, and she was a little short on her breathing. Anyway, it means she needs more rest and more oxygen.
I will be taking care of my sister on Friday, the next chemo day so I will report more then. Thanks for checking in on Lonna. I know everyone uses this site to have updates and we appreciate all you support and love.
God Bless
Vicky
I know she tires easily, so she needs her naps. She feels a little week and she has physical therapy 3 times a week. They come to the house.
I spoke with her today, and she was a little short on her breathing. Anyway, it means she needs more rest and more oxygen.
I will be taking care of my sister on Friday, the next chemo day so I will report more then. Thanks for checking in on Lonna. I know everyone uses this site to have updates and we appreciate all you support and love.
God Bless
Vicky
Friday, June 20, 2008
Saturday June 21
Hello to all our wonderful friends and family.
Yesterday Lonna had an Echocardiogram with good report.
No fluid build up.
She had a very good day and we even went out to breakfast.
She does pretty well until about 1or 2 pm then she needs some rest.
She is looking absolutly beautiful.
Gaining some weight.( Plumpimg up)
She is already starting to worry about gaining back too much.
Such a girl thing!! Ha Ha
Halle is looking good and ready to roll again, Helmet on head!!
Love to all.
Mom
Yesterday Lonna had an Echocardiogram with good report.
No fluid build up.
She had a very good day and we even went out to breakfast.
She does pretty well until about 1or 2 pm then she needs some rest.
She is looking absolutly beautiful.
Gaining some weight.( Plumpimg up)
She is already starting to worry about gaining back too much.
Such a girl thing!! Ha Ha
Halle is looking good and ready to roll again, Helmet on head!!
Love to all.
Mom
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Tuesday June 17th
Hello everyone,
Today was an emotional and exhausting day for Lonna.
We started with a mammogram, made more difficult by the stitches she still had in from the chest tubes.
This afternoon came our meeting with the Oncologist.
The results of the Pet scan revealed that the cancer has not metastasized further than the lymph nodes and pericardium.
No new surprises there.
What was most distressing is the fact that there is very rarely a remission this kind of cancer and Lonna will be undergoing Chemo treatments every three weeks, indefinitely.
That is the medical side of things.
We believe there is only one in control and that one is God.
He has brought her from the brink of death and we believe she is and will continue to be his miracle.
He listens to our prayers.
Please continue to, Pray for Lonna, we are in battle.
Our love and thanks go out to all of you for your love and support.
In God's Hands.
Sandy
Today was an emotional and exhausting day for Lonna.
We started with a mammogram, made more difficult by the stitches she still had in from the chest tubes.
This afternoon came our meeting with the Oncologist.
The results of the Pet scan revealed that the cancer has not metastasized further than the lymph nodes and pericardium.
No new surprises there.
What was most distressing is the fact that there is very rarely a remission this kind of cancer and Lonna will be undergoing Chemo treatments every three weeks, indefinitely.
That is the medical side of things.
We believe there is only one in control and that one is God.
He has brought her from the brink of death and we believe she is and will continue to be his miracle.
He listens to our prayers.
Please continue to, Pray for Lonna, we are in battle.
Our love and thanks go out to all of you for your love and support.
In God's Hands.
Sandy
Monday, June 16, 2008
Monday June 16th
Hi everybody.
I'm am emerging from some brutal days. All seven since Chemo have been different whether it be nausea or horrible taste in my mouth,metal usually. My heart rate has been really high at rest and we have to keep an eye on that all the time. It is crazy.
Today I had a Pet Scan which essentially lights up cancer anywhere in your body so the doctor's know exactly where to hit the cancer cells. It was 2 hours long. Not unpleasant. After 1hr of prep time I was taken to the chamber(all very white and sterile looking, very much like where the oompa loompa's lived in Charlie Wonka's Chocolate Factory Chocolate factory. Anyway I was given warm blankets and had to raise my hands over my head for 30 minutes. They played great music and I never during the whole process and I just was lost in my thoughts for a while.
I was not alone because I always have someone driving me or watching over me but that is not the case for so many I see. They are alone and have no one and they drive themselves. That makes me so sad. I am so fortunate. I am a full time job right now. My friends and family have stepped in at every turn but there are no words how to describe a Mother's love for her child. My Mother has shown such grace and endurance it makes me weep with love for her.
That all for now my dear friends. I will write soon. Halle is on the mend by the way with the scooter incident. She is currently taking a little sewing class at school in the mornings and my friend Maggie just signed her up at the ymca for a junior swim membership. My friend Rick just left. What a joy to see him again after so many years. He really engaged Halle the whole visit and she came to adore him like so many who had a chance to meet him while he was here.
Love to you all. Lonna
I'm am emerging from some brutal days. All seven since Chemo have been different whether it be nausea or horrible taste in my mouth,metal usually. My heart rate has been really high at rest and we have to keep an eye on that all the time. It is crazy.
Today I had a Pet Scan which essentially lights up cancer anywhere in your body so the doctor's know exactly where to hit the cancer cells. It was 2 hours long. Not unpleasant. After 1hr of prep time I was taken to the chamber(all very white and sterile looking, very much like where the oompa loompa's lived in Charlie Wonka's Chocolate Factory Chocolate factory. Anyway I was given warm blankets and had to raise my hands over my head for 30 minutes. They played great music and I never during the whole process and I just was lost in my thoughts for a while.
I was not alone because I always have someone driving me or watching over me but that is not the case for so many I see. They are alone and have no one and they drive themselves. That makes me so sad. I am so fortunate. I am a full time job right now. My friends and family have stepped in at every turn but there are no words how to describe a Mother's love for her child. My Mother has shown such grace and endurance it makes me weep with love for her.
That all for now my dear friends. I will write soon. Halle is on the mend by the way with the scooter incident. She is currently taking a little sewing class at school in the mornings and my friend Maggie just signed her up at the ymca for a junior swim membership. My friend Rick just left. What a joy to see him again after so many years. He really engaged Halle the whole visit and she came to adore him like so many who had a chance to meet him while he was here.
Love to you all. Lonna
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Saturday June 14
Today June 14th
Lonna was feeling better today. She had a rough day yesterday. For those who don't know alot about Chemo, it will hit hard around the 5th thru the 7th day.Then you start to feel a little better each day after. Lonna gets Chemo every three weeks. So her last chemo was June 6th. Her worst symptoms are usually severe nausea and weakness and Fatigue. That was her day yesterday. Today, feeling much better. She had a visit with the Pulmonologist on Friday. He told her he was very happy with her Chest xrays. Her pulse is a little fast. It should be in the 60-70"s and her's is about last checked 120. which is called Tachycardia meaning Tachy = fast and Cardia =heart ( fast heart rate. ) This can be do to medications stress and other things. She has her next big day on Tuesday when she will get more test results to determine how the chemo is working and how ofter she will need to have it.
Hopefully she will feel up to writing you all soon.
Love sister
Vicky
Lonna was feeling better today. She had a rough day yesterday. For those who don't know alot about Chemo, it will hit hard around the 5th thru the 7th day.Then you start to feel a little better each day after. Lonna gets Chemo every three weeks. So her last chemo was June 6th. Her worst symptoms are usually severe nausea and weakness and Fatigue. That was her day yesterday. Today, feeling much better. She had a visit with the Pulmonologist on Friday. He told her he was very happy with her Chest xrays. Her pulse is a little fast. It should be in the 60-70"s and her's is about last checked 120. which is called Tachycardia meaning Tachy = fast and Cardia =heart ( fast heart rate. ) This can be do to medications stress and other things. She has her next big day on Tuesday when she will get more test results to determine how the chemo is working and how ofter she will need to have it.
Hopefully she will feel up to writing you all soon.
Love sister
Vicky
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Pics frm ER incident yesterday
When it rains it pours!!
Halle is feeling better today. She slept with me last night and that made us both feel better. Lotte May (our dog) is beside herself. She is trying to be a comfort and has not ldet my side.Now that her duties have expanded to include Halle it is a full time job for her. She just makes me laugh all the time.
Trying to get my strength back. Wow I feel like my body weighs 400 lbs. Had physical therapy yesterday. That was humbling to say the least.
I will be back soon.
Love you all
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Wednesday June 11 - Update
Today June 11th Wednesday.
Lonna. is feeling better today. She was talking much better this morning and seem to be in better spirits. Later in the afternoon the Physical Therapist came over and worked her out for a good 25 minutes. Nothing better then getting those endorphins working. Actually studies show that exercise is great for Cancer patients.
Later on in the day Lonna's energy diminished as Hallie had a scooter accident and fell and had to go to the E.R. for a slight concussion. She is fine, but Lonna being the mother she is had to go with my mom and shelby to the hospital to be with her while she was getting checked out.Anyway, as expected she came home exhausted.
Tomorrow and old boyfriend is flying in to see Lonna , Rick Hagadorn. We love Rick and look forward to seeing him after a good 29 years. This should be a good distraction for my little sister. So nice to have so many friends care about you. Lonna is just truly blessed . Thanks Everyone for praying and checking in on her site.
Big Sister
Vicky
Lonna. is feeling better today. She was talking much better this morning and seem to be in better spirits. Later in the afternoon the Physical Therapist came over and worked her out for a good 25 minutes. Nothing better then getting those endorphins working. Actually studies show that exercise is great for Cancer patients.
Later on in the day Lonna's energy diminished as Hallie had a scooter accident and fell and had to go to the E.R. for a slight concussion. She is fine, but Lonna being the mother she is had to go with my mom and shelby to the hospital to be with her while she was getting checked out.Anyway, as expected she came home exhausted.
Tomorrow and old boyfriend is flying in to see Lonna , Rick Hagadorn. We love Rick and look forward to seeing him after a good 29 years. This should be a good distraction for my little sister. So nice to have so many friends care about you. Lonna is just truly blessed . Thanks Everyone for praying and checking in on her site.
Big Sister
Vicky
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Monday June 10 - Update
Hello to all of Lonna's friends from High School. What a blessing it is to read some of your emails.To see the love and support after all these years is so wonderful. It brightens by day as I know it does Lonna.
Lonna had a tough day today. Monday. The chemo kicked her butt. She is still a fighter.I called Lonna today and she even was able to have a conversation with our 96 year old grandma. She wanted to reassure her that she was going to get better and make it up to Idaho for her yearly trip to see her and go to the Lake with us. For those of you who don't know I live in Idaho now. Anyway, Lonna experience Nausea today and she is very weak. We all need to keep praying and bring Lonna good health and a strong mind to continue fighting this enormous fight. I can tell you all I am so happy she is out of the ICU and she is defying the odds. The lord is working a miracle and you can see it with my sister.
I know several of you asked for her personal address. Please feel free to email me at VickylKeeth@aol.com and I will be happy to send it to you.
God Bless and Thank you for your continued love and support for my sister
Love, Vicky
Monday, June 9, 2008
Weekend Update from Lonna (May 7-8)
Hello to you all. I had my second chemo treatment on Friday and am including some pictures from the transfusion center. The people there were at least twice my age and they smiled sweetly at me with looks that questioned why someone like me was there. Forget the bar scene...this is the place to meet nice people later in life. While the center was simply functional and without warmth itself, the staff was delightful and made the place very warm and full of love and healing. I took a goody bag filled with my CD player,my journal, and my lunch and was soon bobbing my head and grooving to the inspirational music I had brought along.
Today has been very emotional. I had a shot to keep my white cell count up this time and have been told it can have some painful side effects. So far, I'm not having the joint pain they say may come and pray with me that I can escape that unwanted effect. Halle's out of school and I am sad that I cannot be the mother and friend to her that I had envisioned for this summer. It is hard for her to be only 12 and facing her fears about a sick mother. With her permission, I am sharing a note she wrote to God while I was so sickin ICU. She had been in the hospital chapel and later passed this to my Mom.
"Lord please help my Mom get better. Please let her get a miracle. Send angels down and surround her and let her get better very soon. Let us all know your there. I love my Mom. Please send a miracle down. Let us know your there. I love you and I love my Mom. Please, Your daughter
"The other pictures I've sent are from a visit I had this week with good friends and coworkers, David Gibson and Kevin Moseley. The picture, while blurry,of David and myself, embodies the way I feel you are all loving me and watching over me through all this...the look in his eye, the tilt to his head... There are no words to say how I feel as I am filled with emotion. I love you all and promise updates as I can. In the meantime, I'm going to take a few days to allow the chemo to work its healing.
Love, Lonna
Today has been very emotional. I had a shot to keep my white cell count up this time and have been told it can have some painful side effects. So far, I'm not having the joint pain they say may come and pray with me that I can escape that unwanted effect. Halle's out of school and I am sad that I cannot be the mother and friend to her that I had envisioned for this summer. It is hard for her to be only 12 and facing her fears about a sick mother. With her permission, I am sharing a note she wrote to God while I was so sickin ICU. She had been in the hospital chapel and later passed this to my Mom.
"Lord please help my Mom get better. Please let her get a miracle. Send angels down and surround her and let her get better very soon. Let us all know your there. I love my Mom. Please send a miracle down. Let us know your there. I love you and I love my Mom. Please, Your daughter
"The other pictures I've sent are from a visit I had this week with good friends and coworkers, David Gibson and Kevin Moseley. The picture, while blurry,of David and myself, embodies the way I feel you are all loving me and watching over me through all this...the look in his eye, the tilt to his head... There are no words to say how I feel as I am filled with emotion. I love you all and promise updates as I can. In the meantime, I'm going to take a few days to allow the chemo to work its healing.
Love, Lonna
Sunday, June 8, 2008
For Lonna...
Lonna.
My friend.
My Forever Friend.
My Love.
My Forever Love.
Each and every one of the thousands and thousands of times I've thought of you these past 33 years, my heart could not help but flutter, nor my spirit kept from soaring.
Even as you lay there on the hospital bed two weeks ago, the challenge so clearly in front of you; with your hand in mine, my heart overflowed with gratefulness just to be by your side.
So many people love you, Lonna, I feel so small compared to your blessings. And with your and their collective strength, you are lifted for healing to Him, and His work has proven to be so truly, truly marvelous and wonderful!
God IS Love, and Love IS everlasting...so I wonder: what are 33 years against eternity and Eternal Love? A whisper....
But what a whisper it has been.
Here's to the many, many more whispers in front of you, my dear Lonnie.
Colin
My friend.
My Forever Friend.
My Love.
My Forever Love.
Each and every one of the thousands and thousands of times I've thought of you these past 33 years, my heart could not help but flutter, nor my spirit kept from soaring.
Even as you lay there on the hospital bed two weeks ago, the challenge so clearly in front of you; with your hand in mine, my heart overflowed with gratefulness just to be by your side.
So many people love you, Lonna, I feel so small compared to your blessings. And with your and their collective strength, you are lifted for healing to Him, and His work has proven to be so truly, truly marvelous and wonderful!
God IS Love, and Love IS everlasting...so I wonder: what are 33 years against eternity and Eternal Love? A whisper....
But what a whisper it has been.
Here's to the many, many more whispers in front of you, my dear Lonnie.
Colin
Friday, June 6, 2008
Friday June 6, 2008 - Update
Good evening to everyone,
It was a very long day for Lonna today.
We arrived at the Dr's office at 10AM and left the infusion center about 5PM.
She had 5 hours of Chemo.
She had taken her CD player and her journal with her and took advantage of the time she had to sit there.
She has always had such a talent for writing and the gift of expressing
her feelings so well.
Although she was very tired, she tolerated the infusion well.
The next 7 days are the hard ones.
She will be extremely fatigued and of course her blood counts bottom out.
They are giving her an injection tomorrow that is suppose to keep her WBC
from dropping to the extreme level that it did last time.
There are side effects of course. Muscle and joint pain.
This whole experience has only strengthened her faith and her walk with GOD.
Till tomorrow,
Mom
It was a very long day for Lonna today.
We arrived at the Dr's office at 10AM and left the infusion center about 5PM.
She had 5 hours of Chemo.
She had taken her CD player and her journal with her and took advantage of the time she had to sit there.
She has always had such a talent for writing and the gift of expressing
her feelings so well.
Although she was very tired, she tolerated the infusion well.
The next 7 days are the hard ones.
She will be extremely fatigued and of course her blood counts bottom out.
They are giving her an injection tomorrow that is suppose to keep her WBC
from dropping to the extreme level that it did last time.
There are side effects of course. Muscle and joint pain.
This whole experience has only strengthened her faith and her walk with GOD.
Till tomorrow,
Mom
Thursday, June 5, 2008
For Lonna
Years ago I sat down and wrote a list of qualities I hoped to cultivate in myself. One was to “seek out the virtue in others and help them be more aware of the qualities they already process”. It’s an ongoing effort for me and I’m still working on that. But for Lonna it does not require any effort to see the virtue in others. She does not have to “work at” making people feel better about themselves. This is simply the way she is and who she is. She does it with a natural grace, and such effortlessness that you may not even realize what’s happening, you simply know you feel better after spending time with her. I suspect everyone reading this knows what I’m talking about. No wonder she’s so well loved by so many.
Patrick
Houston TX
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
and................REVEAL!!!
Hi Everyone.
Lovin life today! What do you think of my new look?
Miss you, thinkin' of all of you. I am gonna take a little nap right now and will try and write later. See you in a bit.
Lonna
Monday, June 2, 2008
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Update
My dear and loving friends. I am home!! I can't believe I am sitting at my desk actually writing this to you all. I simply wanted to share a rather significant day with you where yesterday I enlisted the loving help of my pastor to shave my head. I found it absolutely liberating and not the least bit sad. Odd I think?
I will start to write and update when the moments are right so please be patient with me as I am just starting to get my bearings. I am overwhelmed with love so very deep for each and everyone of you. Thank you for loving me and letting me love you. It is almost too much too absorb and I am trying to wrap my little pea brain around my miricle. To feel chosen or pointed out in any purpose the Lord has feels completely surreal to me..
Love you Lonna
Saturday May 31, 2008 - Update
Praise be to God!
There is no other reason that Lonna was able to have her chest tubes removed today and was released to go home.
She was smiling and in great spirits.
She had no idea how close she was to death until she was told by the Dr.'s today.
Medically she had no hope and they are all stunned at her turn around.
There is simply no explanation other than the grace of God.
After arriving home today Pastor Frankie came to the house and gave Lonna another hair cut.
They look somewhat alike now. Ha Ha
I have to say she looks absolutely adorable in her little hats or without them.
She will have her next round of Chemo next Friday.
Needless to say I am floating on a cloud.
Until tomorrow.
Love to All,
Sandy
There is no other reason that Lonna was able to have her chest tubes removed today and was released to go home.
She was smiling and in great spirits.
She had no idea how close she was to death until she was told by the Dr.'s today.
Medically she had no hope and they are all stunned at her turn around.
There is simply no explanation other than the grace of God.
After arriving home today Pastor Frankie came to the house and gave Lonna another hair cut.
They look somewhat alike now. Ha Ha
I have to say she looks absolutely adorable in her little hats or without them.
She will have her next round of Chemo next Friday.
Needless to say I am floating on a cloud.
Until tomorrow.
Love to All,
Sandy
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