After 2.5 weeks of radiation, Lur's hair began to drastically fall out. The first time around during her breast cancer chemotherapy, it was a different experience. She was accepting of it and looked forward to her journey ahead with confidence and optimism. This time around, during her brain cancer radiation, it's been different. She was told radiation might cause more permanent hair loss. She didn't want to see those curly grey locks go. She's also feeling much more run-down at this stage. All of this has made losing her hair again so much harder.
Allie and I took her to our "hair girl" JaNae. Lur wanted to give her the opportunity of buzzing it. Lur has loved the relationship and conversations she's had with JaNae over the years. It was as if she was telling her "thank you" and "goodbye." Bitter sweet indeed.
We're all use to her bald head though, so it wasn't as drastic of a change this time. Plus I feel like it makes her look younger and her smile brighter! Bald and beautiful for sure.
Way to live strong mom. Keep fighting! -Katie
See the video of the first time we shaved her head...
The gracious and talented Lauren Taylor photographed our family while we were all together over the 4th of July. It was emotional at times, knowing it could be our last family photos with mom in them. Hopefully there will be many more in the future, but these ones will hold a special place in our hearts.
My dear friend Jentrie Williams offered to do my mom's makeup for this photo shoot (and she kindly did mine too). My mother looked stunning! Thank you for your kindness Jen! She felt beautiful.
The dust has settled quite a bit since the initial news that cancer spread to Lur's brain. We had a wonderful 4th of July weekend! Ryan's family came into town and we enjoyed every minute all together (dinners, drive-in movie, Kaysville parade, swimming, fireworks, and family pictures). Everyone was worn out (especially Lur), but it was a good worn out. The weekend was exactly what we all needed and it renewed our strength and determination to fight and support her through this next battle.
So on Monday July 6th, Lur had a positron emission tomography (PET) scan performed on her entire body. Since her breast cancer had traveled to her brain, her oncologist was concerned the cancer may have spread other places.
As a family, we were anxious all week to hear the results of the scan. We kept calling and texting throughout the week to see if she had heard anything. Lur's mood and mindset had shifted since the holiday weekend and she was in great spirits about everything. So, she delayed calling the radiologist because, quite frankly, who wants to hear more bad news? So finally, on Friday the 10th, she received the news that cancer had spread to her liver and there are some suspicious lymph nodes in her stomach area.
She took the time to call all of us kids with the news. She was calm, upbeat, and refreshingly optimistic. I didn't even cry hearing it. The thought, "Come what may and love it," entered my mind over and over again. She made hearing the news not seem like such a tragedy. Maybe we've all cried ourselves dry, but it wasn't devastating hearing the news this time around.
So, she will finish her brain radiation treatments next week. They will do a follow-up MRI scan 7-8 weeks after her final treatment to see how she responded. Fingers crossed radiation puts it into remission and stops growth.
After radiation is finished, she will begin an oral chemotherapy drug for her liver. According to her oncologist, the drug is a lot easier on the body and there shouldn't be as many side effects as her previous IV-administered chemotherapy.
So for now we take it week by week. Last week she was doing great and we all felt peace with the new news. This week has been harder. Radiation side effects are starting to manifest themselves (extreme exhaustion, loss of appetite, inability to complete tasks, etc.). Pair this with a bad fall in her bathroom the other day, she's been "knocked down" most of the week.
But we feel strengthened by so many people's prayers and concern. God truly is aware of Lorraine and our family at this time. It's this knowledge that strengthens us to move forward. He's sent so many tender mercies and "angels" our way throughout this journey. Although it's not always easy, we trust in the Lord and His timing. We take each day, each week, and each challenge with a "come what may and love it" attitude. We'll celebrate the good days and pray for strength on the hard days.
