It is so hard to believe that this time last year, Beverly was just being diagnosed and seeking treatment options.
Fast forward one year - she had surgery, six weeks of daily radiation, six weeks of chemo, a zillion trips to Emory, who knows how many scans and blood tests, chemo once a month since then, a loss of appetite and some weight, a loss of driving privileges, and a loss of some of her hair...
On the rebound, though, her appetite is back, she's put on a little bit of weight, she can drive around locally (the day she got her privileges back, Kelly reported Beverly was just like a 16 year old getting her license!), and her hair has grown back and it is curly! Super cute! She's gardening, painting, doing Sudokos and playing some funny game on her phone. She's hanging out with Jill watching old movies and laughing, she's making travel plans to exotic places (Florida and the Dominican Republic - you decide which is more exotic!)...in other words, she's doing great all around!
It's been a terribly hard year in some ways, but truly remarkable in some ways too. The good has definitely outweighed the bad. Through it all, though, Beverly has been a shining example of the power of positive thinking, faith that things will be alright, and an abiding love of life. We could all learn a thing or two from that powerhouse of a brave lady!
Until the next update, enjoy every single moment - each one is precious. Hug the ones you love every chance you get!
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Happy New Year and a New Update too! - January 6
Well, it's been two months since the last update - which - falling into the "no news is good news camp" should give you an indication of how things have been going.
Beverly and her family spent a good week over Thanksgiving together in Edisto Island, South Carolina. They rented a house on the beach and just relaxed, ate, played in the sand, rode bikes, and generally enjoyed their time together. She enjoyed a good birthday at the end of the month, and then the whirlwind of Christmas and the New Year where she spent time with the girls and really enjoyed presents and princess movies with them!
On January 6, she had another return visit - and this was the first one where we'd get an indication of how treatment is going. Well, it's going VERY well!!!! The tumor is not growing - it is stable, which means the chemo is doing its job as the radiation did its job last fall!!!!!!! HOORAY!!!! So that means round three of chemo starts next week - only 5 days and only pills, so no fun rush hour drives to Emory. We're all pretty darned happy about this news!!
Bev has exercised her rights as an adult and has stayed by herself a night or two here and there, and has really, really loved that. Her independent streak is alive and well, if anyone was in doubt about that. She's definitely eating better too, so maybe even going to put some weight back on!
Next update when something interesting happens. Thanks for all the ongoing prayers, phone calls, and support!!
Beverly and her family spent a good week over Thanksgiving together in Edisto Island, South Carolina. They rented a house on the beach and just relaxed, ate, played in the sand, rode bikes, and generally enjoyed their time together. She enjoyed a good birthday at the end of the month, and then the whirlwind of Christmas and the New Year where she spent time with the girls and really enjoyed presents and princess movies with them!
On January 6, she had another return visit - and this was the first one where we'd get an indication of how treatment is going. Well, it's going VERY well!!!! The tumor is not growing - it is stable, which means the chemo is doing its job as the radiation did its job last fall!!!!!!! HOORAY!!!! So that means round three of chemo starts next week - only 5 days and only pills, so no fun rush hour drives to Emory. We're all pretty darned happy about this news!!
Bev has exercised her rights as an adult and has stayed by herself a night or two here and there, and has really, really loved that. Her independent streak is alive and well, if anyone was in doubt about that. She's definitely eating better too, so maybe even going to put some weight back on!
Next update when something interesting happens. Thanks for all the ongoing prayers, phone calls, and support!!
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