FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDOMMMMMMM!

Tuesday Nov 29th:

FREEEEEDOMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are outta here in a short coupla hours. :-D

She is back on bedrest- but with bathroom privileges this time, and has to wear her brace as much as humanly possible. Her Xrays did indeed show more fracture/collapse so they don't want her walking at all and as little standing as possible. But she's allowed to sit up to eat and stuff :-D

She continues to have a great attitude and a phenomenal sense of humor... here's a Rachaelism from last night:

RACHAELISM- so I get a text around midnight (I stayed at our temp apt) that reads "I just ate 2 whole Snickers. I needed them. Don't judge me."

BAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I love this kid. ;-)

Monday the 28th part 2.....

Rachael update Monday Nov 28th part 2.......

another minor setback unfortunately. Her X-rays showed enough changes that her neurologist wants to her to not only stay another night, but he's got her back on strict bedrest. They are going to review the X-ray further and let us know more tomorrow....

again, my daughter has taken this in such stride- she amazes me! We shed a few tears, but she has already turned that frown upside down and we're laughing and smiling at pictures from home of her crazy kitty Sophia. :)

and as always, we thank you for your continued prayers, love, and support. <3 <3 <3

movin on up?..............

Rachael update Monday Nov 28th:

We're workin' on gettin' outta this joint! WOO HOO! She has to have Xrays of her thoracic and lumbar spine to make sure she's stable enough to leave, especially with all the activity she's been up to all weekend.
And if it looks ok, and they're able to get all of her equipment into the apt, i.e. hospital bed, wheel chair, walker, etc.-then we're we're outta here!!!!!!!! :-D

no words will ever be good enough to describe how wonderful the staff here at 7 James East have been to us. Their skill, warmth, caring, and compassion have been such a blessing, and they will always hold a very special place in our hearts.

and the outpouring of love, financial help, encouragement from our wonderful friend's & family have made the world of difference. Much love right back atcha! and please continue to pray as we have a very long hard road to recovery....

but God is great! and He is already waiting for us on the other end of this road providing everything we need to fly through this next leg of our journey, and to help us stand victorious in the end. To God be the glory!!!!

Sick on Sunday the 27th...

update Sunday Nov 27th:

having a quiet day- one of the side effects of her meds is of course nausea... and we've had a coupla bouts with getting sick this afternoon. SO we're just gonna take it easy and try to rest for the rest of the day.
Kind of a sobering experience- makes reality of the disease and treatment really begin to sink in.
Please keep us in your prayers. ♥ ♥ ♥

outside!

Rachael update Saturday Nov 26th:

friends & family, it's been another beautifully fantastic day around here! :-D

Rachael not only has done another lap around the unit, but she was allowed to put her own clothes on, use the restroom, wash her hands and perform her own facial cleansing routine while standing at the sink!

AND she got a wheelchair set up for her to support her back well enough that I was able to wheel her around the hospital!

SO not only did she get to leave her room for the the first time in nearly 4 weeks (other than for tests & scans), but we got to go shopping in the gift shop, went to Espress oasis and got coffee, and we got to take a short stroll OUTSIDE!!!!!! That was her first breath of fresh air since October 31st!!!!!!!!!

The docs and nurses are all so encouraged at how well she is doing. It looks like we will be kicked right on outta here on Monday :-D

God has been so gracious, and He not only has showed up- I think He's showing off now ;-)

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday weekend, we're stocked up on blessing around here! :)

these socks are made for walkin'

Here's another of her in the hallway. She had an entire entourage of docs, physical therapists, nurses, and PCA helping but mostly crying along with me and cheering her on :)

This is a MUST SEE! PRAISE GOD, Rachael just took her first walking steps and walked an entire lap around the hallway!!!!!!!! We didn't think this was going to be possible for months! God is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!! :-D

Happy Thanksgiving

"I have never stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in prayer constantly" Ephesians 1:16 (NIV)
Happy Thanksgiving from Rachael and her Mama.
Much love to you and thank you for your prayers ♥

pics/Rachaelisms

here's my hero in her half-shell HAHAHAHA
She started sitting up on the side of the bed today and letting her legs dangle off the side of the bed....
We were texting after I got home this evening and I asked her if she was relaxing, and she answered, "I'm just danglin with Tom."

can you see all the beautiful turkeys hanging on her wall??? :)

Here's my pretty princess the first day she got to sit up in her brace :)

Happy Thanksgiving

Rachael update Wednesday Nov 23rd:

nothing new medically to report, we're STILL waiting for that report from Johns Hopkins. BUT she may bust out of here Monday or Tuesday!!!!! And they've gotten us into a furnished apt at no cost to us- that I am going to pick up the keys for right now!!! :)
and I have to brag on my girl for a bit. She is still handling her situation with such grace and a positive attitude. I'm going to share with you some of the comments that have been made by the staff:

"Smiling spirit." "One of a kind." "I've never met anyone like her." "Inspiration." "Touched so many of us." "Generous." "Kind." "Patience." "Brave." "Courageous." "Sweetheart." "She's one in a million." "She's beautiful inside and out." "Her smile lights up the entire room." "So special." "What a blessing"

A mother loves to hear those things about her children. ♥ ♥ ♥

And the fact that she stays so encouraged, and already sees God at work in so many aspects of our situation- we see Him working so many things out along the way with her care, we see broken relationships healed... what a blessing!

Happy Thanksgiving and God bless everyone! :)

Tuesday Nov 22nd

Rachael update Tuesday Nov 22nd:

She got her Foley catheter removed this afternoon YAY!

main topic of the day is whether to get her up out of bed (with her brace on of course) or not.... here's the dilemma... of course there are complications to long-term complete bedrest, as well as the quality of life issue, being that she is going to be bedbound for an undetermined amount of time...
SO they're thinking-actually they began to push the issue today of getting her up and at least walking to the restroom. Now the problem with that is- her spinal cord is so compromised that even standing up could cause permanent damage (paralyzation)... SO... yeah. that's a hard place to be, a hard choice to make. She personally doesn't feel like it isn't worth the risk (and I whole-heartedly agree).... so, we're not sure yet what that's going to mean as far as the next step in treatment.
and we're STILL waiting on the reports from Johns Hopkins...

A preschool class, and a 2nd grade class made cards for Rach and really brightened our day yesterday... some really cute and funny stuff, it was fabulous. Most of them started off by greeting her "Hi my name is Johnny, and my favorite color is red." One of our favs was a 2nd grader who said "My name is Kennedi, and my favorite thing is food." HAHAHAHAHA.. Rachael loves that kind of stuff! :-)
Her fraternity also made hand turkeys and decorated them, and they're awesome. My personal fave had some great Scripture on it, for example "I can do all things through Him Who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13)
I'm gonna work on getting those all hung up around her room for Thanksgiving :)

that's all we have to report for today... hope you've had a great one! ♥ ♥ ♥

Monday Nov 21st

Rachael update Monday Nov 21st:

Nothing really new going on today. She had another MRI, so they can compare how she looks now as to how she looked for the last one 2 weeks ago- especially now that she's been more mobile in her brace.

Still waiting to hear the definitive diagnosis from Johns Hopkins.

Making Thanksgiving plans... hard to believe it's in a coupla days. Rach has been here in the hospital for 3 weeks today :-/

still praying and trusting the Great Physician for total healing :-)

visiting hours...

Rachael update Sunday Nov 20th:

Nothing really new medically to report... other than the fact that a couple of side effects are really starting to catch up with her. Mainly the fatigue and nausea... which brings me to my next point....

Because Rachael has now begun treatment, which officially marks the beginning of her battle with this cancer, she tires much more easily now. So we are setting up a "visitor schedule" so that she can keep up her strength and kick cancer's butt. It may sound strange to think that anyone could get worn out laying in bed talking to friends, but trust me it's exhausting for her.

We must also start setting time limits- not only on the length of the visits, but also to make sure she gets a break in between guests...

So starting now, family only days are Mondays and Thursdays.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays- visitors may only come between 3p-5p, and 7p-9p.
Saturdays & Sundays visiting hours will be from 1p-4p, and 6p-9p. And please be mindful to call or text first to make sure she feels up to having company. Thank you so much for understanding and helping do what's best for Rach. ♥ ♥ ♥

encouraging ....

Rachael update Saturday Nov 19th:

We had a bit of encouraging news from Doc this morning. Her blood tests show that her tumor markers show that they may already be responding to her med! :)

We were also told that her health insurance company has been very cooperative and may be covering more than we hoped- for instance her meds and her extended stay here at OSUMC.

Also, her side effects are being managed pretty well- other than she is really exhausted.

We were told that she isn't allowed to walk around just yet, but is still grinning from ear to ear as she's sitting up in bed :-D

She got a pretty nifty gift yesterday too, from the OSU football team- an autographed poster. We're having it framed :)

that's all we have.... please have a blessed day, as we already are :)

update Friday Nov 18th

Rachael update Friday Nov 18th:

Proud Mama moment: RACH IS SITTING UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
it's been a great day. She's sitting for the first time in 17 days with the help of her clamshell brace. So many little things we all take for granted- for example she fed herself dinner and washed her own hands....Rachael is beside herself. And we are all so excited!!!!

they also let her take a few steps down in Xray, and I had tears flowing- it was like watching her take her first steps all over again. We're waiting for her neurosurgeon to come up and confirm her new abilities with her brace- she may even be able to get out of bed to walk to a chair!!!!!!!! :)

one of the medical school students on her attending oncology team came by to say goodbye to Rach because it was the last day on her rotation here at OSUMC, and she wanted to wish her well. She made a statement that will stick with me... "Rachael, you have a smiling spirit."

smiling spirit. That perfectly describes my girl.

P.S. her pain/palliative team signed themselves off today due to the fact that they have her pain so well under control :)

Thurs Nov 17th

well, I'm home in Dayton today- just for today. Rachael made me come home to go to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert I have been dreaming about for years. She is always thinking of others before herself. She's also mentioned that it's a comfort to her to think that because her cancer is rare, they can study it and help someone else in the future.

but anyway it's good to be with my hubby for a day, and of course my baby girls Sheena and Missy were ecstatic to lay eyes on me. Sheena didn't stop following me and hugging me every time I turned around for at least an hour. Hopefully I'll see Cheyenne sooner than later.

It's killing me to be away from Rachael and to not be her caregiver for today, but I know that with the OSUMC staff she is in great hands- they all adore her, fight over who gets to take care of her, visit her even when they're not assigned to her, and one even came on her day off! Plus the grandparents are going in my stead.

the love and support of our family and friends has been a true blessing, please don't stop and most of all please remember us daily in your prayers ♥

update Wed Nov 16th

Rachael update Wednesday November 16th:

More overwhelming news today. Rachael's cancer is Stage 4, and has spread not only to through her abdomen but to her bones as well. Her tumors are also chemo-resistant, and so she will continue with the non-traditional "chemo" treatment she started yesterday. Doctors around the country have been reviewing her case, and all agree that this is her best treatment option. We're still waiting on the confirmation from Johns-Hopkins before we move forward with other non-medicinal options in her treatment plan.

We also found out that we are looking at a minimum of 6 months before we can even consider surgery to stabilize her spine.

on a more positive note, she may get out of the hospital within the next week or so. If she does, she will go to a nursing facility or perhaps an assisted living type place offered here through the hospital where home health staff and family can take care of her.

her road will most definitely be long, and it will be hard, but I've said it before, and it bears repeating- if ANYONE can do this- my baby girl can. She is one tough cookie! ♥

diagnosis!

Rachael update Tuesday Nov 15th:

Kidney cancer. bring it!
we start treatment today, YAY! :)
we'll have more details after we learn more. keep praying please she has a long hard road, but if anybody can beat this it's my girl! :)
She starts her "chemo" (it isn't traditional chemo) today. It's a drug tat will take blood supply away from the tumors starving them death and thereby shrinking them. Radiation isn't an option, too many tumors all through her abdomen. They'll be re-evaluating her spine in 4 weeks to see if they have shrunk enough to surgically stabilize her spine.

She (we) are extremely encouraged to finally be starting treatment and start beating this thing!!!

frustrated.

Rachael update Monday Nov 14th:

frustrated. angry. anxious. these are ginormous understatements to describe how our family is feeling at this point. we were told today that we may not even have biopsy results until thursday!!! :/
and her pain/palliative team wants to take away her pain pump!..... WHAT?!?!?!?!? their reasoning is that she needs to think long-term, and that she can't take the pump home........HELLO!?!? She's not going home any time soon! We are still in crisis mode and not ready to even begin thinking long term yet! Her oncologist was mad when we told him, he said, "I'll talk to her. Rachael is MY patient, her back is fractured in multiple places, and the only thing I can do for her right now is help control her pain, why would I take that away?"

Rach and I finally got angry today, had a good cry (really our first one so far) and had a good venting/gripe session. It was overdue.

and even in the midst of all of her stress today, she still managed to crack me up with some Rachaelisms...
There was a Snickers on her table and she said, "Let's break out that bad boy!"
then the PCA came in to check on us and she says, "don't mind us, we're just eating our feelings."

that's my girl!

what cancer cannot do...

What cancer cannot do.......

Steal eternal life, conquer the spirit, suppress memories, kill friendship, cripple love, corrode faith, shatter hope, destroy peace, silence courage, invade the soul. <3 <3 <3

update Sunday Nov 13th 2011

we don't have any new news this weekend. Doc just said maybe tomorrow but probably Tuesday...

she's still on great spirits, but is very tired. Miss Popularity has visitors non stop all day long! LOL

We're expecting a very busy week and ask that only immediate family visit on Monday and Tuesday please. Again, we are expecting her diagnosis, and we need time to absorb & process the information we receive. We thank you again for your sensitivity and understanding during this time.

Love to all and please continue to pray. ♥

it's a great day

Rachael update for Friday Nov 11:

We got some very encouraging news today. Her docs say they are leaning toward lymphoma and that is one of the easier cancers to treat with chemo. They drew blood today and are looking for lymphoma markers. This is outstanding. Pathologsts are coming in over the weekend to review her case, giving us hope that we will finally have a diagnosis early next week.

She also got a call from her other professor (grad school) and they are very willing to work with her to help her finish out this semester from the hospital. :)

it's a great day! :)

update/Rachaelisms Nov 10, 2011

Rachael update Thursday Nov 10:

biopsies went very well, they took 13 different samples this time from 2 different tumors. Things should move along quicker now - except that there's a 3 day weekend with tomorrow being Veteran's Day. GRRRRRRR .
she's asleep again now holding her stuffed monkey. toooooo cute!

in the meantime here are some Rachaelisms for your entertainment for today:

late last night after some meds she got really loopy and was giggling and slurring her words and making no sense. here's part of what she said. "We make an MOM anagram- Mommy, Rachael, Mommy" I said what anagram is that baby she said "It's not MOM it's MRRRRRRRRRRM" hysterical.

she returned from her biopsy this afternoon and first thing out of her mouth, "I'm hunnnnnnnngry." that's my girl! ;-)

then she was asking me something about when she returned from her autopsy (instead of biopsy) so she giggled and said "I guess I wouldn't be comin' back from that, huh?"

she's such a hoot!

some Rachaelisms

Rachaelisms I've journaled thus far:

(to her attending oncologist after hearing that they still don't know what type of cancer she has) "So if I end up having a type of cancer you've never seen, will you name it after me???"

(calling her tanning salon to cancel her monthly membership) "Hi I'd like to cancel my membership because I am actually in the hospital and I've been diagnosed with cancer, so I won't be in again anytime.... EVER" she further explains that she is immobilized with a fractured spine, and the lady says, "so there's no way you can come in to sign this paperwork?" GEEZUM! lol

We were speculating on the different ways they may treat her broken spine and of course we discussed the very real possibility of metal being used so she says "better not get me around a microwave, I'll p**s my pants and forget who I am for a week!" (Cousin Eddie-Christmas vacation) HAHAHAHAHA!

I helped her brush her teeth and she says, "I hope I don't have to tip ya"

there are tons more, I can't keep up with most of them ;-)

Rachael's Journey

This is Rachael- family & friend oriented. She has tons of  photos with her friends and family on facebook, being young and acting silly. 

She just graduated from OSU in June with her Bachelor's degree in Biology and is now in grad school working on her Master's in Public Health. She has the world at her fingertips.

Now Rachael's new Journey begins...

Rachael has been having back pain since July, but being young and active we all assumed it was a pulled muscle or something of the sort- as did her family doctor. We came to the ER last Monday October 31st when the pain became too excruciating. Little did we know our world was about to turn upside down. They've discovered that Rachael has multiple tumors in her abdomen and in and through her spine- causing the bones to be so brittle that all of her lumbar vertebrae have been either broken, collapsed or disintegrated. Her spinal cord has been compromised and she in fact has numbness down her left leg. She is completely immobilized in bed for what looks to be several months. Our general game plan is to shrink the tumors with chemo & radiation, then stabilize her spine surgically with rods, then finish her chemo treatments.

But first we must come to a definitive diagnosis. We are scheduled for round two of biopsies tomorrow morning to try to determine exactly what type of cancer she has, so we better know how to treat it.

Through all of this Rachael has maintained her playful sense of humor and positive outlook, and she has won the heart of every nurse and caregiver here at the James Cancer Hospital.
Please pray for Rachael along her journey...

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:30-31

Our God is greater, our God is stronger God You are higher than any other, our God is Healer, awesome in power, our God, our God!~ Chris Tomlin


I am Rachael's Mom, and I will be updating this blog daily.

Here are two events currently happening to rally finances for Rachael so that she can fight this without having to worry about her monthly expenses while being in the hospital for an extended period. There is also a button at the top of the blog where you can donate directly to Rachael via her PayPal account.

Mary Kay Fundraiser 

Just Jewelry