The morning was tough, but the late afternoon and evening were pretty good, after changing the medications a bit. The chemo pill, Gleevec, definitely causes her nausea and cramping, but the new anti-nausea drug worked today. Maura ate almost normal amounts of food.
She refuses all pain medication right now, saying that "there is no point if it doesn't work." Two pain meds gave her more pain plus anxiety and depression. A third one gave her nightmares. A fourth did nothing for the pain, but made her depressed and anxious. Aspirin and Advil are off limits because of potential problems with the Gleevec. We were down to plain Tylenol, but today she refused even that. She still experiences quite a bit of pain, but she just sucks it up.
All the necessary reports and pathology slides have been delivered to M D Anderson. Now, we are back to waiting.
About Me
- Erin
- This is a picture of my daughter, Maura. She died from metastatic high-grade unclassified sarcoma* on May 19, 2009 at the age of 22. For one year I wrote about her journey with cancer. I don't know if I'll keep writing now or if I'm done. We'll just take it a day at a time. *Sarcoma is a little-known, under-researched, under-funded cancer. To contribute directly to research please consider giving a gift directly to: MD Anderson Cancer Center- Donations, PO Box 4486, Houston TX 77210-4486 ****(Please write "In memory of Maura de Souza " in the memo portion of the check to make sure it goes directly for sarcoma research.)
4 comments:
She is a strong girl.
Maura!
Estamos todos aqui no Brasil lutando ao teu lado nesta batalha contra o Tumor...
Que o Grande Arquiteto do Universo de abençoe e te proteja...
Fabrício Sanfins
Itatiba-SP
Brasil
Hi Erin,
I just wanted to let you know that I have always been proud of Maura. Look at all she has accomplished and she's so young!! She is such an amazing woman and I know that she will come out of this an even stronger person.
I will pray to God to relieve her pain and give her internal peace. I have a stomach condition resulting from a complicated ulcer myself, and although it doesn't amount to anything near what Maura is going through, I understand her depression, pain, and frustration with the meds and the waiting process. They tried to give me pain meds but they only made things worse for me too, and when you are dealing with stomach issues, it's hard enough just to get the meds down and attempt to eat some food. I will look up the things that helped me, foods, supplements, etc. and send it your way. I'll do anything I can to support and help in this process. If she is loosing a lot of weight, maybe you could try something like Ensure to get her some nutrients (the chocolate ones taste best!!).
I hope she will always remember that the Lord is by her side, and if ever she feels depression or pain, may the joy of the life she has led and the friends and family who love her take away any negative thoughts. It will be a long hard process, but I have faith that she will fight it and come out winning! Positive thinking can do wonders!!!
My thoughts are with you all always, and I hope that as she gets stronger and better adapted perhaps I can come visit her and bring her some California sunshine and cheer.
I love you all!!! You were all always a family to me, and I will always think of Maura as a part of my family.
Love,
Amanda Lipham
I hope this might bring some encouragement to you, as it has to me.
Ps. 119:25-32
25 I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word.
26 I recounted my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees.
27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts;then I will meditate on your wonders.
28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;be gracious to me through your law.
30 I have chosen the way of truth;I have set my heart on your laws.
31 I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD;do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commands,for you have set my heart free.
Ps. 119:89-96
89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.
91 Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.
92 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.
94 Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out your precepts.
95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes.
96 To all perfection I see a limit; but your commands are boundless.
I praise you, God, for Maura and her family. I trust in your word that you will heal her and bring new life to her body and spirit. Thank you, God, for being the same yesterday, today, and forever, and bringing miracles into our lives. I pray that your will for Maura's life, and her family's and friends' lives, be made to shine through in this time so that we may see what you have in store for us all, and that we may praise you through this storm.
Erin, I am one of Maura's friends at school. We miss her so much around here, and are fervently praying for her health and wholeness. We all love her so much and praise God for the blessing she is in our lives. Your whole family is constantly in our prayers.
Beth Buchanan
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