Welcome to the Update Blog on Judy (mom)

Hello all!

I wanted to start this blog for mom so that we could update you on her progress and her treatments. She was officially diagnosed yesterday with stage four diffuse large b-cell lymphoma. She started her chemo last night and did not get much rest. She will hopefully be able to go home on Friday. She had such beautiful flower arraignments and plants that she had to remove from her room because of the chemo. I have gorgeous flowers on my desk at work and at home now!

This past week has been quite the roller-coaster, but if you know my mom her spirits were still fantastic!!!!! My uncle and aunt from Kansas came to visit on Friday. Whenever we hang out with our Kansas relatives, Aunt Janet always throws some kind of party and we have party favors. So Aunt Kathy and Uncle Ron took care of the party favors and Sunday night we had a BIG family party in her hospital room. I think that the doctors and nurses had no idea what type of family had invaded the fifth floor. Mom was on steroids last week so she continuously made steroid jokes and how she was going to take over Manny Ramirez's job for the Dodgers. Uncle Ron bought her a "Big Show" steroid man. Everyone had glow in the dark necklaces and bracelets for the party. Mom got to wear a tiara beacuse she was princess. We have some cute pictures from our party that I will post when I get them.

The next day mom's oncologist visited her and he laughed at all of mom's party favors. It was pretty funny. Aunt Kathy came up with a great idea to have a board that people could sign when they came to visit her. That has been very nice and will be great to take home for mom to have some reminders of all of the individuals that love her. I gave mom a bear since I am her bear. Aunt Kathy gave her a fluffy bear and her friend Diane brought her a fluffy dog.

Uncle Pat came to visit on Monday and is leaving today. He and I both agree that hospital food really isn't that bad. It was great to have him around and he enjoyed watching mom boss Cyndi and Uncle Ron around yesterday.

Buffy (mom and dad's dog, formally my dog) is missing mom and is going to be so excited to see her on Friday.

This week has been surreal, crazy, insane, emotional, fun (I know, crazy), but the best part has been my wonderful mothers attitude. She is, as Jessben said, "Still Judy." She has kept her funny spirit and enjoyed her McDreamy Doctors and EMT drivers. She even had to cast on knitting for me and Cassie one day.

Thank you for all of your love, support and prayers!!!

Kerry