It's All About Rhonda...

Hospice comes to mend the fears

2009-05-06T21:59:00.003-06:00

Rhonda has decided to not undergo anymore chemotherapy. With less than a 10% chance of slowing or shrinking the cancer she has met with the hospice caregivers and feels very cared for under their watchful eye.

The Birthday Gift

2009-05-06T21:42:00.003-06:00

Rhondas birthday gift in March was not only visits from friends but a pot of gold to take a trip to a happy place. Julie and LaRhonda flew Rhonda to Southern California on April 16 to go see Mickey and all his friends. On Friday they wheeled a chair through the spring break masses and had a ball on rides while they ate their way through the Magic Kingdom. On Saturday we all went to stroll along Santa Monica Blvd and the beach after I flew in from Seattle. We had a great visit at our cousin Carols house where Rhonda played on a 4 wheeler! Monday it was just the three of us in a California heat wave at Disney but without the spring breakers. We also enjoyed lunch with Lois McMillan and Ronny McMillan before heading back home. An unforgettable whirlwind of fun-memories of a lifetime. See photos below

2009-05-06T21:37:00.000-06:00

A Trip to Disneyland

2009-05-06T21:24:00.002-06:00

Rhonda visits Disneyland and plays hard for a few days

April 14, 2009

2009-04-14T17:40:00.003-06:00

Well, it is my turn to update the blog. I sure appreciated what Michelle has said in the last update.
I writing from the computer at the Huntsman Center, I have been here for almost a week so the doctors can control the severe pain I have been having of which they call cancer pain. They also know I have a date with Mickey Mouse and need to leave by Thursday. They mention Mickey everytime they come in to see me know which is kind of fun.
The day I went into the hospital Julie took me to the emergency room because of my back pain, chest pain and shortness of breath. They sent me for a chest xray and a ct scan and found some extra fluid in my left lung and thought it might be pneumonia, they also told me that my tumor was growing in the left lung. I turned to Julie, started crying and she just held me. I know this is all part of the cancer game but I just don't think I am ready to play yet. I find myself in denial with alot of it. I know the inevitable is going to happen so I am now do the best I can to start preparing myself which seems to bring me more peace.
For my birthday, Julie gave me a big surprise part and boy was it a surprise. I had no clue she was setting this up. It was alot of fun and and alot of people of which some I haven't seen for along time. My sister is so good to me and takes very good care of me. She has never once led me to believe that I am a burden to her, that is my own thinking and I have got to stop.
Over Conference weekend, my friend Mary K set up a reunion of all my friends from sunbeam, junior high, high school and mutual classes. WOW, what a great time. They came as far as Austin, TX, Colorado Springs, CO, Spokane, WA, and various places in California. We had a great time visiting, eating and catchin up. Picutres will be posted soon by Mary K.
I need to get back to my hospital room for some more test. Please send me emails in response to any postings because it is easier to answer back. rmcmillanlds@hotmail.com.
Take care and know that I love everyone of you and appreciate your love, prayers and support.

2009-04-09T11:53:00.002-06:00

I was just thinking about Rhonda as she sits in the hospital with an abscess in her lung. I know she worries about the pain and fear of her disease and what will happen next. The fear in her life has truly changed how she has 'lived' over the past few months. This is Michelle, her sister, writing to you all today. Julie and I discussed the idea of me adding to the blog and talking about the progress of Rhondas disease and personal struggles in our family. We agreed that it was important for us to say something versus nothing. I hope to speak thoughtfully on Rhondas behalf because I certainly don't want to offend or add any more stress to her situation.

Rhonda actually cam to see our family a few weeks ago and was very ill when she came. It was a week after her 4th chemo round and she didn't seem to be perking up like she had the first few times after a week or so. She ended up in the hospital for over a week to stop the consistant bleeding she had every day that she was here. It seemed that her nose would run and bleed only to barely clot until she blew her nose to start the process over again. The cancer doctor in our town treated her for a week noting that all white blood cells were gone and she was extremely weak from her chemo treatments. He was surprised that she was out of town and not being monitored more closely. Her doctors in Utah did not know of the problems before she left and wanted her to go and have 'a good time'. Well my mother and Rhonda stayed an extra week but the energy level was too far gone to show her past my family room and to hang out with the family and newest grandchild. It was at least nice to have someone new to look at in someplace different to sit for a little while. I do know it felt better to get back to her regular comfort spots and Julies care and watchful eye. Julie picked up the two at the airport on thursday and almost went straight to the ER with Rhonda after another bought of nose bleeds. they did make it home and then a quick preparation of Mom over the weekend to prepare for her new knee on Monday. Surgery went well-really well! Mom stayed in a recovery center and had excellent help during her PT and received the second knee just over a week ago. Unfortunately she can see that this knee is much more painful and so different than the first surgery-but thats done now too. Plenty of time to heal and get back on her feet to come.

I will post more often on Rhondas progress so that you may all see and know of her condition. I will ask that you be patient as you have been because we are not sure how to help Rhonda through this difficult time as well. We spent time talking about her fears while she was here in WA. She doesn't feel like she can talk to people about what is going on. Letters, phone calls and good wishes can't seem to fade away the anxiety or depression. We are finding it hard to motivate in any way so we ask her if she wants us to leave her alone and stop bugging her to get up to do things-she says 'No, don't stop'. So Larhonda and Julie are planning a trip to disneyland next week for a last hurrah. Many friends came from near and far over conference weekend to share good memories and friendships and an overnight stay at a cousins house was a nice getaway as well this month. I think she is in the hospital for the next few days to get her spark plugs(pain patch) changed and an oil job(new blood). We try to bring a smile wherever we can:)

Her doctors continue to say she is doin 'fine' and 'go out and do what you feel you can'. I will pass on messages of hope and concern as I check the blog each day and report back to her. Thank you for all of your love, concern and support. Friends and Family--It really is what matters in the end

4th Treatment 2 ti Go

2009-02-05T15:25:00.003-07:00

I know it has been awhile since my last update and again I apologize. I am sittting in the inffusion chair receiving my 4th treatment out of six and this one is taking me 8 hours because they are having to give 2 units of blood because my hematocrit is very low which causes me to be very week and tired which gives me no energy to want to do anything including typing on a computer and reading. Hopefully that will al change now. I had my appointment with my oncologist today and he said everything is looking great and that I even have some cancer cells that are shrinking after my catscan 3 days ago. So all and all I am doing pretty good.

Mom and I are going to Washington State to visit Michelle on the 12th. I am so excited to get out and away, cabin fever has hit me strong. Mom and I are staying for about 8 days. When we get back mom is facing 2 knee replacements. She will have one done and then 2-3 weeks later she will have the other done. My hat goes off to Julie, she has been and still is a wonderfule caretaker and has not complained one bit about the care for me, her family and now she will be taking care of mom. Lukilly we have some ward members that are begging to help out with service to our famuly. We have been very blessed and prayers have been answered. I want to thank all of you for your prayers and comments. Please continue to be patient with as I continue to get better with responding to you. I love all of you very much. Rhonda

A Holiday for Memories

2008-12-19T14:20:00.003-07:00

On the 18th of December I had my second chemo appointment with new drugs. The study drugs have been cancelled and the traditional chemo is the next course of action because the cancer had advanced with the study drugs. All in all I am feeling good . The doctor says I am doing well and generally I can agree. next chemo will be in 3 weeks around Jan 8th.

Christmas is coming and everyone left me home alone for the day to go shopping. I wish it were as fun as the movie! I have been catching up on my movie list and Flag of Our Fathers was the feature film last night-thumbs up from me. LaRhonda and I went to the movies and saw Twilight and Blot-the animated dog. Twilight was pretty good but I didn't read the book maybe it would have been better if I had. Blot was very fun and heartwarming-I like dogs! Two paws up for Blot.

I did my Christmas shopping early with Julie for my nephews and neices. I wanted to give them something special from me to remember me always.

I am having a hard time with this Christmas with the reality that it may be my last. I try to stay motivated and optimistic. How is this for optimism? I have lost 47 pounds over the last five months and my eye lashes have grown long and curly and I still have eyebrows that have been tweezed and waxed for optimal good looks. My newest clothes are adorable hats and comfy sweats to match. I also have a couple new wigs to change my look and copy the alias profile when needed. You never know when you will need o be incognito.

Thank you for helping me each day with your thoughts and prayers and messages of love and support. It is so nice to hear from you. I look forward each day to checking my email (rmcmillanlds@hotmail.com) and blog to see who has dropped by for a visit. Be patient with me as I try to get back to you in a timely fashion. Have yourself a Merry Lil' Christmas !

UPS AND DOWNS

2008-12-11T12:40:00.002-07:00

It has been quite a long time since any of you have heard from me and of course I apologize. I have had some reall good days where Julie and I have been out Christmas shopping. I have a wound on my leg that is not healing very well and that is what is keeping me down most of the time. It is attached to a wound vac which is not healing as fast as it should because I am chemo patient.If it wasn't fr the wound I wound have some much better days. My family is being so great to me, I couldn't have asked for a better family. I now live with Julie and Wayne (no longer with LaRohnda). I am not going into the details of how that happened but it all turned out for the best and I am right where I should be. Julie and I have alot of fun together and are growing closer all the time. Mom moved into a nice little apartment and of course is fixing it up the Karen way. It is amazing what she can do to find room when we think she has no room left.

December 18th is my next chemo treatment so hopefully I will be feeling good for Christmas. I know longer can use my work email anymore so please use my hotmail account: rmcmillanlds@hotmail.com.

I will post some more pictures when I can find my flash card. I still am trying to up pack this and that. I want to thank all of you for your continued thoughts and prayers. Now that I have better access to a computer I will try to be better at keeping up with weekly activities. RHONDA

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-06T14:06:00.002-07:00

This was the picture I took when we were all together for Thanksgiving (Rhondas sister Michelle). It was a few good days and then a few bad days when the chemo started to weigh Rhonda down. Now its back to some good days and just in time to prepare for more holiday fun. I just talked to Rhonda and she was out shopping for Christmas eith Julie and Mom. I think things are a little more settled after all the turmoil of moving.

Rhonda also got a nice treat from friends Caroline Burton and family. Sending a Pollyanna movie with nice thoughts and ideas on dealing with the stress of this illness was a great way to pick up Rhonda for the holidays! thank you to ALL of Rhondas friends and family!

The Days before and 2nd Infusion

2008-09-24T20:25:00.004-06:00

I am really sorry it has taken me awhile to update this blog but I do have to tell you that a lot as been going on with our family. I won't go into any details because it is not my place but I will say when it rain it pours.

The first weekend in September we all went to Swiss Days in Midway, Utah. It was fun and crowded. I had never gone before and I don't know I will again. It's like once you go to one Art and Wine Festival (California) you have seen them all. But the best part was being together and having fun. Altogether there was Janine Patton, mom, me, LaRhonda, Markaye and Julie. By the time we got done I was beat and sunburned (oh, oh, not supposed to do that), Julie and Mom were limping, Markaye's back hurt and Janine and LaRohnda were just doing great.

On 9/16/08 I had my second infusion. I thought the day would be a little shorter because we had the routine down but we were wrong. My mom has a great saying "Nothing is ever easy". A few days after the infusion I felt great then I started to crash. I get very tired very easily to the point I can't even keep my head from hitting my plate on the dinner table sometimes, that is when it is time to go home and go to bed. For some reason I can't find the picture for my next infusion. I seem to be having some technical difficulties with my camera and the way to save picutures. I will end this for now and see if I can clear it up for tomorrow. Sorry Gang. Please don't give up on me, I will get better at this. Rhonda

I AM SORRY

2008-09-14T17:41:00.003-06:00

9/14/08 - I apologize for not updating this recently but I have not been feeling good for the last several days. Tuesday will be my second infusion and so I will be able to take the time while I am there to do my next big update. So much has happened in such a short amount of time that it is overwhelming to sit down and try to inform all of you unless I have time to just sit with getting sick. As I promised I will always add a picuture when I do anytime of update so here is one to hold you over until Tuesday or Wednesday after 2nd infusion.

Infusion Day

2008-08-28T14:52:00.006-06:00

August 25, 2008 - What a long day!! This procedure was to take only 90 minutes and we were at the Huntsman Center for 6.5 hours. Since it was my first infusion we didn't know the ropes and it was very crowded. The lab had to draw more blood after they got the I.V. in and then the blood had to be tested for specific values before they could mix up the Chemo (this is a form of Chemo, not the traditional Chemo and has less side affects). Once the mix was done then they called me back and put me in a nice reclyning chair with a TV attached to with cable. Mom and Julie sat in chairs next to me and kept me company which I really appreciated because this was one day I didn't want to be alone.

My nurse Laurel came around giving us instructions on the medicines and to make sure we were comfortable. She was fantastic and very funny. She gave us so many ideas for car hiking since I cannot hike anymore. So, our next family adventures locally will be car hiking to places like Mirror Lake and Alpine Loop.

A volunteer person came around every 1/2 hr with snacks and drinks so we were not in need of anything except for the day to end, it was very exhausting. I also started the other drug on Monday of which I take every night. The daily pill will have a few more side affects but nothing we can't handle. My next infusion is 9/16/08 and they swear that one should only take 60 miniutes since we have the routine down.

8/28/08 All in all I feel pretty good. This morning I went for an injection in my right shoulder for severe pain that has been lasting for about 2 weeks. I won't be able to have any surgury on it because the medicine lowers my immune system and healing process for any cuts, surgeries (which are out of the question) or anything that breaks the skin or gums.

I am so thankful I have my family and friends while going through this. My heart goes out to those who have to do it alone. Thank you and I love you all very much....

Silly Michelle in my go cart at Target

2008-08-23T18:01:00.002-06:00

Looking Good Mom (Zion, ILL)

2008-08-23T16:38:00.005-06:00

UPDATE: BACK HOME IN UTAH...

Well, mom survived the hospital and was released after 5 days just in time to go to the visit with Julie, shell and I to see the Oncologist Dr. Thompson. This visit was pretty informative but only confirmed what I already knew and that was to have my treatment at home with the Huntsman Cancer Institute. We make an appointment with Dr. Akerley (my Oncologist) with some questions we had after the visit in Zion, Illinois. We all felt better with the road we are going down. We are starting off with the study drugs and if I don't react to them or if I get worse during treatment then they will discontinue the drugs and start me on chemo right away which by the way has a 30% treatment rate.

So far this is what I know and I am going to be honest. My cancer has metastasize through parts of my body staying within the chest region which includes both lungs with several nodules. it has spread to several lymph nodes from supraclavicular region on both sides down along the abdominal was and near the liver but not in it. My cancer is pretty aggressive but we are praying and with faith hope that the study drugs can hold off the chemo for awhile. According to the Doctors I could live anywhere between 1 to 5 years, without any treatment they give me between 6 - 8 months.

My first infusion is tomorrow 8/25/2008 at 9:30 am. Mom and Julie are going with me. It will take about 90 minutes. I have this infusion every 2 1/2 - 3 weeks and then I take another medication (pill form) everyday. They say that the first 4 - 6 weeks I will go through my teen years with a breakout of zits and rash which can be very painful. They said that my body is reacting the way it should if I break out with the rashes (YUK).

One of my greatest blessings right now is that I am able to spend quality time with my family which has been a heart felt need of mine for quite sometime. My family means the world to me and I love them very much. What a great support system I have between family, friends and co-workers. LaRohnda my best friend and definitely part of the family is making sure all needs are being met one way or another. She has also been such a great support and digging up a lot of information for increasing our knowledge and comfort.

I have no fear about this and I have a strong sense of peace and comfort that I can't explain except Heavenly Father has His arms wrapped around me constantly. I have a strong testimony and know that I am loved and being taken care of. Julie has quit her job to be my caretaker which she continues to emulate selfless love.

I will continue to update with reports and pictures so be on the look out. I will not go through a day without expressing my love and gratitude so that I can go to bed without regrets. All my love, Rhonda

2008-08-19T23:20:00.000-06:00

2008-08-19T22:08:00.001-06:00

A Day in the Life Hi there, thanks for coming to Rhondas blog to see whats happening in yet another interesting day in the life of Rhonda. The author of the day is me, Michelle, her 'little' sister, visiting from Washington State and offering humor in any way I can find it during this stressful time...and I have no problem finding it. It may seem a bit irreverent to some but it's what we do when we are togetherLets start from the begining....no... how about April 2008. Rhonda thought she was suffering from a cold or cough or allergies that did not seem to heal or go away on its own. A bad coughing attack and concern by LaRohnda sent her to the ER just after our family reunion in July. Doctors and tests have ruled out the above mentioned as the cause and on July 31st declared lung cancer as the source. To be more specific Adenocarcinoma. You can imagine the shock and surprise that we all felt for Rhondas future. Without losing hope we all came together to go and search for a plan of attack. The first stop was The Huntsman Cancer Institute.Tuesday, August 12th was the first visit to an Oncologist. Dr Ackerly at the Huntsman was very helpful, kind and hopeful as he explained the stage 4 cancer that Rhonda would be dealing with. Although he could not offer a cure for the cancer a treatment plan sounded hopeful and encouraging for the immediate future. A new study that has been doing very well for this particular cancer is producing good signs and a longevity without going through chemotherapy. The study involves two medicines that are normally done after chemo and are FDA approved for treatment. The trick to the study is that these medicines are being used together/simultaneously before the chemo and not after the first two chemo treatments like usual. One mediction is infused every three weeks and the other is an oral medication taken daily. The side effects include a nasty rash (like acne) throughout the facial and neck area that will peak and then start to clear after 4-5 weeks into the treatment. Patients in this study have been able to work and play throughout the treatments and continue to plan a future as long as the treatment is succesful in keeping the cancer from growing.So, August 13th we all fly to Zion, IL (Chicago) to have another consultation with the American Cancer Treatment Center. Rhonda and Mom fly first, Julie and I fly in the afternoon and LaRohnda comes in late. The morning brings a new concern with Moms leg flaring up with a Phlebitis attack. We take an early morning trip to the ER and have her checked out and admitted for pain control and vascular concerns. Mom had surgery a few weeks prior to the trip and needed to slow down and rest and watched...a picture is forthcoming. We left Rhonda and LaRohnda to get to the clinic appointments and tomorrow will be another day in the life of Rhonda and her mother. Rhonda has been a pillar of strength and faith to us all. She is cheered and encouraged by all her friends and family and is enjoying life each and every precious day...may we all!
Labels: A Day in Her Life

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2008-08-12T15:18:00.000-06:00

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