Dear Friends and Family,
It is with regret that I inform you that our beloved Carol is no longer with us in the physical universe (at least in the form we are familiar with).
Although she was continually weakening, she told me as early as last week that she wanted to keep fighting the cancer. And she was winning that battle. Her tumor marker numbers were still falling. But the Cachexia (wasting away) was getting worse much faster that her tumors were decreasing. She was frail and emaciated.
On Thursday, she had a seizure that last lasted multiple hours and surely caused neurological damage. There was no fun left for her at that point, and Hospice kept her as comfortable as possible. George, Mike, Tanya, her caregiver Ruth and myself never left her side.
Her niece Darcy and her family came up to say goodbye, and our family friend Bethany and her family came up to say good bye. All people my Mother would have wanted to see.
She died peacefully on Friday, August 13th. The mood in the room was purely that of gratitude. She had suffered so much the last few days, that we all wanted her to cross to the other side and be with her Mom and Dad and other close family and friends who had made the journey before her. Surely there is more for her to look forward to there than staying in a body that no longer served her needs.
We are deeply saddened when we think of our personal loss, but deeply thankful when we think about how much better it is for her.
She did not want to have a memorial service or a funeral. Instead, she wished to have a celebration of her life! In her honor, we will be having a party just the way she would have wanted it: POT LUCK!
The date is Saturday, Oct 2, and we hope you will let us know if you can make it!
My Mom was so grateful to you for reading her blogs. When she had the strength, she cherished logging on and seeing the comments you left.
Mexico was a miracle in all of our lives. She outlived Kaisers prediction for her life by an entire year, and the treatment in Mexico kept her feeling healthy for a good 8 months, which was plenty of time for her to enjoy her family and friends and think about all of the things that were important to her life. And it turned out, she had all of them.
Blessing to you from Carol, I am sure!
-Seth Coltan
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The Mission
Well, a few weeks ago, Carol decided it was also her mission to return to San Rafael. Mike and her cousin Barbara packed up her belongings after a long 6 month journey in Mexico and drove her home.
Her test results continue to be very encouraging. Her CA-125 marker is now at 316 and continually drops. But her energy level decreases constantly as well. She is not able to walk at the present time, and still sleeps most of the day.
She has a new doctor in the area (an MD) who agrees with everything we are doing. We hired the most wonderful woman, Ruth, to be a live in care-giver. Boy, is she an amazing addition to the family!
We know that many of you would like to see her, but we ask you to understand that she is very weak and not in shape to have conversations or remain awake when her body requires rest.
There will be time made each week for visitors, but it's really only a 15 minute block of time in the afternoon when she has to be up to take medicine. She is still not complaining, though she lets us know when she has pain. And if she tells us she is in pain, we really believe her, since she normally says nothing about it.
Tanya, George and Kimberly really fixed up the house and Mike's work got her a hospital bed that we keep in the living room so we can all be around her and help care for her.
Her spirits and hopes are still high that she will recovery, and we certainly know that her stay in Mexico has kept her with us far longer than was expected with traditional medicine alone. We ask for your continued prayers and understanding. She has some fantastic friends and family and she is so proud of us all.
I will update this blog with the number of the person you can reach to see if you can schedule a visit. It might take a little time to get back to you, as we will first ask Carol what she would like and then try to work it in.
All our best.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
update from Seth
Hi Everyone, I am down here in Mexico with my Mom, and thought I would give you an update while I had the time. I know Carol hasn't been answering her phone or looking at her email and I know (from first hand experience) that it can be frightening not to hear anything or be able to reach her.
The move to Dali Suites in Playas de Tijuana was a brilliant one. The city is so different from downtown Tijuana. It's much more of a walking city. Just blocks from the beach, a walk to Starbucks, and even a movie theater that shows movies in English. It will be great when my Mom has the energy and strength to go walking! The grounds here at the Dali Suites are peaceful and serene.
This is the view from just outside her door:
For the last few weeks, it appeared her health was declining rapidly. Her energy all but disappeared, and her mind just could not gather the information required to communicate. But recently, her doctor took her off the pharmaceutical med she was on (or at least the homeopathic version of it) and slowly her mind is coming back to her. It is so nice to be able to hold a short conversation with her, and to have her express what she is going through and what she needs.
She had a growth on her shoulder blade that has been growing over the last 3 months. Three different doctors looked at it: her alternative doctor, her consulting doctor who combines traditional and non traditional medicine, and her regular oncologist. They all came to the same conclusion: it was just a lipoma (clumping of fat cells) and since it did not bother her, there was no reason to do anything about it.
Well, thank G-d for her ability to communicate again. As soon as she was able to, she told us it was hurting her and the pain extended to her ribs. So we scheduled a time to go into the hospital the next day with her oncologist (who is a fantastic surgeon) and have the lipoma removed.
Of course, nothing is ever that simple, and it was not a lipoma, but a tumor that extended from her rib cage into the shoulder where it was growing very large. The pain in her ribs was from the pressure of the growing tumor. They got out as much as the could without putting her through major surgery. I must say, she is the bravest person I know. I fold myself into a tiny ball when I think it's time for a tetanus shot. But she faces everything with an even keel and an air of determination.
Her primary doctor, Dr. Humiston, feels that this is one of the main reason she is still here and will beat this thing. Most people go into panic mode and their body reacts to everything without processing it. And there is only so much you can do with your survival instincts when you are constantly controlling your whole system with them.
Anyway, we were obviously not happy to hear about this tumor. So far, all of the tumors she has had have been hidden to us visibly. Inside her lungs, inside her ovaries, and so on. We were worried that it meant the tide was turning and the cancer was getting worse. Which is so strange, because her weekly blood tests show the tumor marker numbers significantly decreasing!
Including today, by the way! Last week's tumor marker was at 441. Today is was at 409!! In just a month and a half, her tumor markers have declined by over 150 points...no small feat at all!!
We are still working hard to get her weight up so she has some energy reserves. Dr. Humiston is looking into a product called PROTOCEL which he is just now learning about (and Mike has been learning about for a few months as well). Call it a coincidence, or call it divine intervention, but the same day Dr. Humiston told me he was looking into PROTOCEL for my Mom, was the same day Mike told me he ordered it for her.
So he just overnighted it to us and on Tuesday when we see the doctor again, we'll see if we are about to start that leg of the journey. But there is hope, and there is plenty of love. My Mom is sorry she has been unable to talk and communicate with everyone. She loves you and is so grateful for your love and support. She also looks forward to having you over to dinner when she is happy, healthy and back home in San Rafael.
The whole family would also very much like you to send some positive energy to her brother Norton, who is courageously fighting his own battle with cancer. We have no doubt whatsoever that he will win the war and return to happy,a healthy life with his wife and kids. Your prayers and thoughts are so very welcomed in an effort to see this cancer scare for both Carol and Norton pass quickly and easily.
The move to Dali Suites in Playas de Tijuana was a brilliant one. The city is so different from downtown Tijuana. It's much more of a walking city. Just blocks from the beach, a walk to Starbucks, and even a movie theater that shows movies in English. It will be great when my Mom has the energy and strength to go walking! The grounds here at the Dali Suites are peaceful and serene.
This is the view from just outside her door:
We have hired Veronica, the Assistant Manager at the hotel, to help Carol with the food prep and the day to day chores (like her large assortment of meds). Veronica is fantasic! So friendly and reliable. She checks in on my Mom 3 times a day and cooks her really yummy, healthy meals.
For the last few weeks, it appeared her health was declining rapidly. Her energy all but disappeared, and her mind just could not gather the information required to communicate. But recently, her doctor took her off the pharmaceutical med she was on (or at least the homeopathic version of it) and slowly her mind is coming back to her. It is so nice to be able to hold a short conversation with her, and to have her express what she is going through and what she needs.
She had a growth on her shoulder blade that has been growing over the last 3 months. Three different doctors looked at it: her alternative doctor, her consulting doctor who combines traditional and non traditional medicine, and her regular oncologist. They all came to the same conclusion: it was just a lipoma (clumping of fat cells) and since it did not bother her, there was no reason to do anything about it.
Well, thank G-d for her ability to communicate again. As soon as she was able to, she told us it was hurting her and the pain extended to her ribs. So we scheduled a time to go into the hospital the next day with her oncologist (who is a fantastic surgeon) and have the lipoma removed.
Of course, nothing is ever that simple, and it was not a lipoma, but a tumor that extended from her rib cage into the shoulder where it was growing very large. The pain in her ribs was from the pressure of the growing tumor. They got out as much as the could without putting her through major surgery. I must say, she is the bravest person I know. I fold myself into a tiny ball when I think it's time for a tetanus shot. But she faces everything with an even keel and an air of determination.
Her primary doctor, Dr. Humiston, feels that this is one of the main reason she is still here and will beat this thing. Most people go into panic mode and their body reacts to everything without processing it. And there is only so much you can do with your survival instincts when you are constantly controlling your whole system with them.
Anyway, we were obviously not happy to hear about this tumor. So far, all of the tumors she has had have been hidden to us visibly. Inside her lungs, inside her ovaries, and so on. We were worried that it meant the tide was turning and the cancer was getting worse. Which is so strange, because her weekly blood tests show the tumor marker numbers significantly decreasing!
Including today, by the way! Last week's tumor marker was at 441. Today is was at 409!! In just a month and a half, her tumor markers have declined by over 150 points...no small feat at all!!
We are still working hard to get her weight up so she has some energy reserves. Dr. Humiston is looking into a product called PROTOCEL which he is just now learning about (and Mike has been learning about for a few months as well). Call it a coincidence, or call it divine intervention, but the same day Dr. Humiston told me he was looking into PROTOCEL for my Mom, was the same day Mike told me he ordered it for her.
So he just overnighted it to us and on Tuesday when we see the doctor again, we'll see if we are about to start that leg of the journey. But there is hope, and there is plenty of love. My Mom is sorry she has been unable to talk and communicate with everyone. She loves you and is so grateful for your love and support. She also looks forward to having you over to dinner when she is happy, healthy and back home in San Rafael.
The whole family would also very much like you to send some positive energy to her brother Norton, who is courageously fighting his own battle with cancer. We have no doubt whatsoever that he will win the war and return to happy,a healthy life with his wife and kids. Your prayers and thoughts are so very welcomed in an effort to see this cancer scare for both Carol and Norton pass quickly and easily.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
the healing continues.......
Dear family and friends,
Here I am at the Dali Suites in Playas de Tijuana. I like it here, it is light and airy, and close to the ocean. Most of the people that are staying here are patients of Dr. Munoz (who is not my primary doctor, but he consults with Dr. Humiston in my case). Michael is down here with me at the moment, and is feeding me very well to try to increase my weight. I am trying to eat multiple times throughout the day. I am getting protein shakes and smoothies in between meals. My energy level is getting better, although I am still very tired and weak. I Had a transfusion on Tuesday, and my blood count was the best that it has ever been according to my blood test on Thursday. My CA125 blood marker continues to lower....this is great news! Thank you all for the support and healing energy that you have been sending my way.
Love, Carol
Here I am at the Dali Suites in Playas de Tijuana. I like it here, it is light and airy, and close to the ocean. Most of the people that are staying here are patients of Dr. Munoz (who is not my primary doctor, but he consults with Dr. Humiston in my case). Michael is down here with me at the moment, and is feeding me very well to try to increase my weight. I am trying to eat multiple times throughout the day. I am getting protein shakes and smoothies in between meals. My energy level is getting better, although I am still very tired and weak. I Had a transfusion on Tuesday, and my blood count was the best that it has ever been according to my blood test on Thursday. My CA125 blood marker continues to lower....this is great news! Thank you all for the support and healing energy that you have been sending my way.
Love, Carol
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Time for a change
Much as I love Sonia and Caroline, we've moved to Dali Suites in Playas Tijuana. It should be a nice change. Tanya is here doing all the work.
Love,
Carol
Love,
Carol
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Good news!
Dear Family and Friends,
Started the New Castle Virus (nose drops) and then went back on 1/4 Thalidomide. Also taking SOD Super Oxide Dismutase (also on the Greek test)
Seth asked the doctor to do fasting blood tests Thursday so we can track the CA 125 cancer marker. Last week it was 535. This week it went down to 475! This is good!
I'm still weak but each day is different.
Love,
Carol
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Nice Mothers Day Weekend
Hi Family ad Friends,
The beach at Rosarita was glorious! The beach house was amazing!
But I spent the time on the couch, sleeping. Too much Thalidamide. Possibly too much liquid zeolites too.
So I stopped all meds, and Monday I talked with Dr. Humaston about it. We'll hold off on the Thalidamide for a while, and I started the New Castle virus on Tuesday.
Bernie is here with me, through Monday. She is very supportive. She says I'm looking great. I'm still feeling tired and weak, but my blood count is holding up.
Thanks for following,
Love, Carol
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