home sweet home Thank You

Wow! My life has completely changed. From bicycling Labor Day weekend to having a major surgery and a stage 3 cancer diagnosis within a month, now that can bring you to your knees. I have been so blessed through all of this with a devoted husband,family and friends. From the moment I was diagnosed, I was supported and guided. My family dr and gyno helped with referrals. The best tip I got was from my nephew, Dr. Ed Meier. He said to go to UK Hospital, The Markey Cancer Center and see a Dr. De Priest. He said, they are the best. My sister Rose Ann researched it and UK and Ohio State are in the top three hospitals for treating Ovarian Cancer. My brother in law Kurt was able to get me into the clinic. It will be hard for you to get me to stop singing the praises of the Markey Cancer Center and Dr. De Priest.

Right now though, I would like to thank everyone who has cared for me. My sister Rose Ann and Ray have been tireless in my care. They slept at the hospital and have supported my every step, literally. My sisters Caroline and Mary Frances also came to my aid. We had such a neat sister day at the hospital. Caroline was fresh from her own knee sugery and Mary F flew all the way from San Jose. Kurt and brother Bob, thank you for supporting and helping to guide my care. My daughter Michelle came from Portland and did home care. I was completely overwhelmed with flowers and cards,and still am overwhelmed. Thank you friends. The education community has been especially kind in their prayers and cards. You know what, it really helps to hear from you. Knowing that you care and are praying for me, gives me the courage to fight this wretched disease.

Thank you to all of the wonderful cooks, who have so kindly fed me and kept me company (Ken, Cindy, Rosie, Caroline, Rose Ann and Marianne).

I love you all and am very grateful to you. I will beat this disease!!!

great news

Someone in my family has had a life changing event in her life too! Today is a most excellent day. I will walk with a little extra pep in my step. My darling neice, Ashley Meier, passed the bar exam. Yeah ASHLEY! You are awesome!

ruthie and rice

Isn't it nice
Just to eat rice
Eat it in a booth
Eat it with Ruth

We like rice
So we'll eat it twice
Eat it with a tooth
Eat it with Ruth

We want to boast
That we love toast
Eat it in a booth
Eat it with Ruth

We want to boast
That we love toast
Eat it with a tooth
Eat it with a Ruth.

we have poop

Today was an exciting day. Youngest daughter is in town for the weekend. We've been watching movies, eating, and taking lots of naps. Yesterday, we even went for a few walks outside to enjoy the nice weather.

This morning and afternoon we had visitors. But, our most exciting visitor came around 3:00. Poop! After 11 days of waiting, we had action!

The next chemo is November 9th.

Stitches and tubes are out - by Rose Ann

October 20

This is a banner day. Ruthie and Hubbie went to the Cancer Center and the Doctor removed her staples and the drain tubes. Her balls are gone, but the doctor said "She is as tough as nails". We already knew that. All is healing well.

The trip to Lexington was tiring so a nap was in order. Hubbie and his best buddy (besides Ruthie) went to see the Elk at a state park (a picture hunt for those of you who are concerned). Big Sister spent the night and it was a great night.

The medicines that she is taking for nausea are really helping. We had chicken, mashed potatoes and corn for dinner.


October 21

Portland daughter arrived at 2 am and Ruthie was happy to see her. She went back to sleep and didn't get up until 7 am. Her first full night's sleep. We are on the road to recovery.

Niece Dentist gave us some hints about handling the dry mouth from the chemo and some ways to clean teeth without irritating the gums. We are going to try that today.

Cheerios were the big hit at breakfast today.

Home At Last - (written by Rose Ann)

The Princess had her blood test this morning. She was able to go to a hospital not far from home for the draw. We tease that she is going to have to have a transfusion to replace all the blood they take.

So far the Kytril is staving off any bad side effects of the chemo. Ruthie had a nice lunch and visited with Hubbie's sister who brought the really great vegetable soup and bread fresh from the oven. She also snuck an oatmeal and raisan cookie while Big Sister unpacked groceries and Hubbie put them away. It is great to see her eat and walk around her own kitchen.

The Fight is On - by Rose Ann

October 18

Ruthie slept well last night, ate breakfast, walked, showered and shampooed by 10 am. After the pharmacist went through all the warnings about the drugs she would be getting and their side effects, the Taxol drip was started. Ruthie is doing great with it and has declared that "the fight is on - knock 'em dead" It takes several hours for the Taxol and then she will have her dose of Carboplatinum. After that she gets to go home. Even it is evening or late, we will head back up north.

We really appreciate the staff's help in providing a cocktail of meds beforehand to manage the side effects. We expect to leave with a handful of prescriptions and information on her treatment. They have already given us a number of pamphlets and booklets on eating healthy, dealing with cancer and taking chemotherapy.

The princess has been spoiled with good care, and seems a bit concerned that she will be in the hands of amateurs. Hubbie and Big Sister are up to it. A daughter will be here over the weekend to add her help and ideas for care.

Getting home was interesting. It took more time than we thought to check out, so armed with prescriptions, her bear, flowers and stuff, we headed home in the VW Bug. It has a lot of leg room in the front and we added a pillow under the seat belt for comfort. Of course, we weren't going to get home before her pharmacy closed. Middle Sister looked up pharmacies near by, gave directions (Google is great!) over the cell phone and the pharmacist filled her pills without a hitch. Princess sat out in the parking lot on the phone, while Big Sister got the pills.

We arrived safely home at 10:30 pm. Hubbie was waiting with open arms. Ruthie downed a pain pill, got tucked in bed and slept for 6 hours uninterupted. She got up for a pill, and went back to sleep until 9 am. It was great to be in her own bed and worth the night drive to see her so comfortable at home.

From Markey Cancer Center - written by Rose Ann continued

Day 6 - October 15

Brother-in-law was here when Ruthie opened her eyes this morning. We are so grateful to him - he had the conncetions that got her into this wonderful hosptial After a short visit, Ruthie greeted the day. The doctor came by and said that she could start chemo, if she could eat and keep it down. What an incentive! However, her bowels are being lazy and still haven't awakened fully. We never thought we would wait with baited breath to hear her break wind.

She is walking every two hours - one of the staff said "that she as tough as woodpecker's lips."

California sister stayed with Ruthie all day, and Big Sister stayed home and rested. California sister even supervised a shower and shampoo. Color this day good!

Day 7 - October 16

Again, a bad day. It is so frustrating for her to move forward and then fall back. "It is normal" just doesn't cut it. The gas is causing problems with her eating and she had an upset stomach Back on IV and ice chips. She walked even though she hurt.

Middle sister who had knee surgery the day Ruth came to Lexington decided she was well enough to take a road trip to Lexington. All four sisters were together for the day. Big Sister went shopping while she was off, and we all got matching fuzzy socks. She got a "cancer bear, too". We are so lucky to be sisters who are also friends. Middle sister helped her walk down the hall. Ruthie and she were each trying to show off about who could walk the best, and they finally laughed and cut the pace.

It wasn't a train, it wasn't a steam boat whistle on the way home from Tall Stacks - it was Ruthie tooting at 11 pm. The cheers were heard all the way in Cincinnati. Now that everything is awake, things will get better.

Day 8 - October 17

The day has started great. Ruthie ate a bit of yogurt and soda crackers for breakfast. Her Rock helped her put on jammie bottoms. Now there is no danger that she will moon the floor on her walks. The walk has extended to the "bridge to the hospital". She even got a new "ball" - it is larger now she has Big Balls.

Hubbie got to go home and Big Sister is the day and night duty nurse. It is a sign that Ruthie is getting stronger. Hubbie needs a full night's sleep in a proper bed. We can't have him getting sick.

Ruthie ate some lunch and had her lemon sherbert and 7 up. She had been dreaming of that since day 1. Little Brother dropped by on his way home from Louisviile. She was sure glad to see him. They are the two youngest siblings.

For supper she had some rice and turkey. We are on track for removing stitches and staples, drains (she will miss those balls) and then chemo and then home.

At this rate she could be in her own bed tomorrow night.

Her favorite nurse will not be here tomorrow, nor will her Rock. She said a sad goodbye to both, but we will visit them when we come for chemo.

We were told that the Rock gives stickers sometimes, and Ruthie got three: a "star", "fantastic" and "good job" She also got a Sponge Bob to remind her to hang in there.

Day 1 after surgery.

My Rock takes me for a walk.







Day 1 after surgery.




I have balls, my drain tubes.

From Markey Cancer Center - posted and drafted by Rose Ann

Day 1 - October 10

We met with one of the world' s best gyneclogical oncologists today at his office with part of his team, headed by an red headed irishman, a senior resident fellow. This doctor is very competent, very kind and caring and said he would operate the next day. Two hours later, Ruth had a room at the Cancer Center in Lexington. This is the best place anyone could be if they are sick with ovarian cancer. Ruthie has such good care and they are so responsive. Residents from the team visit often, and the head surgeon comes twice a day, nurses come within a minute of a call, a nurse technician comes every hour and checks on Ruthie. What a great crew she has to take care of her!

Day 2 - October 11

This is surgery day. I thought we were going to do it 6:30 am, but an emergency bumped us from the operating room. At 3 pm we went down and got the epidural and prepped for surgery. The anesthesiologist had the personality of Attila the Hun, and she scared Ruthie. I told me, her big sister before surgery that "she made me cry". {Dr. Great Guy said she was the best and he apologized later for her bad behavior toward Ruthie. He chastised her also. She may have no personality, but the drugs are working fine and Ruthie can get a jolt when she needs it.}

In the next two and half hours, 5 liters (11 pounds) of fluid was taken off her stomach (see, she wasn't really that fat), and all the tumors were taken out except two tiny spots, the size of a baby fingernail, were left because they were too close to the liver blood supply. Ruthie was lucky that she didn't have to have her colon cut or the bladder, liver or spleen. She is so grataeful that she was able to get the very best so very fast and that she got a free appendectomy too.

At 9 o'clock Ruthie was back in her room and ready to talk. She felt so much better already. The epidural was left in so she can have pain killer at will. Hubbie and Big Sister slept in the room with her. We all feel so much better. Hubbie got the lazy boy and Big Sister got the couch. Their snores harmonized and Ruthie watched penguins on the nature channel.


Day 3 - October 12.

Ruthie still feels so much better than when she came in. Her mantra today has been that "I feel great". She sat up in chair for 2 1/2 hours and then took a walk down the hall and back. See my pictures (aren't cell phones great?). The balls are her drain tubes. After a nap, she got to eat ice chips. It may not sound like much to you, but ice was the first thing she had to eat or drink in 36 hours. The clear liquids weren't too enticing, but she did enjoy part of a cherry popsicle.

The cancer center takes emails for patients and brings them to the room like mail. Ruthie loved the emails from friends and family. Lawyer Niece figured it out and got the troops to work on sending those emails. Hubbie was able to go home, take a nap, check the mail and bring Ruthie's house plants in. We were having a frost last night and we didn't want the house plants that were outside to freeze.

Baby brother and other sisters and their families have burned up the phone lines (thank god for so many minutes on our cell phone plans) and Hubbie's family has been equally helpful in calling with words of support and good cheer.

Day 4 - October 13

She had a great breakfast of bullion and a little apple juice. The bandages came off and Hubbie and Big Sister inspected the scar. They avoided the navel with the incision (didn't want her to look like an alien). Ruthie doesn't do scabs so she is taking our word for it. After a morning of talking on the phone, visitng with Hubbie and watching Ellen and reading the paper, she decided to sit in the chair and then walk. No nap was a bad idea.

Ruthie had been dreaming of lemon sherbert with 7up on it. She finally got orange sherbert for lunch, but it didn't seem so appetizing.

The staff told us that day 2 would be not as good as day 1. Darn, they were right. She felt a bit woosy today, but got up and sat in my chair anyway. No walking today and back to ice chips until the stomach settles down.

Day 5 - October 14

Great night! Ruthie slept well and so did poor Hubbie. She had three walks by 10:30. California Sister arrived and she got to see the great progress. The clear liquid diet is going better. She is starting on oral meds and the epidural willl go sometime today.

Hubbie and Big Sister went out for lunch and to visit a friend's horse farm. He needed a break. Big Sister has been staying with a friend in Lexington, but had gone back home to meet California Sister last night.

A nap seems to be in order this afternoon.

Surgery is Over!

Mom has come through the surgery. (Yes, it's Mary Ann again. I am my mom's new biographer, apparently.) They drained five liters of fluid from her abdomen and removed several internal organs.

It's Stage Three Ovarian Cancer. Which means BAD. But not as awful as it's possible for it to be.

They didn't have to cut through her intenstines, the tumors were on the outside. They didn't have the screw with her bladder or any of that. Hooray for maintaining tiny bits of dignity!

All of the tumors are gone except for two that are tiny and in a tricky spot. In the cost/benefit analysis, they were deemed too dangerous to cut at when chemo should take care of them. And she has two drains left in her.

So, it's not fantastic news, but it's the best news I thought we might get.

From Mary Ann, again

Mom used to remind us all the time that "We don't play Mine and Yours in this house." Which made me decide we don't play Mine and Yours on this blog. I figured a narrative should be started. Mom's too busy right now to do so. She'll be in the hospital for a few days.

The surgery is tomorrow. There will be two surgeons because one of the tumors on her liver is too close to blood vessels for the gynecological surgeon to feel confident cutting it out.

Mom sounded good, confident, when I talked to her on the phone. I, for one, am happy that action is being taken. She assured me that she has good company at the hospital and isn't wanting for anything that can be mailed to her.

Email me if you want what additional particulars I have.

From Mary Ann

This is the blog I set up for my mom.