As you can see in the picture (and ultrasound in the corner), we have a little surprise on the way. Yes, our son and his new wife, Joe and Katie Casey, are expecting their first child, and Mike & I are going to be Grandparents!!!!! Even more reason to fight for life. They surprised us over Webcam while we were having dinner at Katie's parents home. I’m handling the news quite well. But Mike is going to need encouragement. He would love to hear that he "looks like the youngest grandfather ever" and he’s just "way too young to be changing diapers again!" God has so truly blessed all our families with this coming event.
The other good news is that the new chemo cocktail is working. My CA125 count is down to 65 (normal is below 35, and remember I started at 1600). My weight is up to 99lbs, and I’m forgetting to take my painkillers, which means my pain is diminishing. Because of the lighter chemo doses, my hair is coming in, resembling the Sinead O’Connor style. I’ve courageously abandoned my headcovers hoping people might mistake me for a rock star. All of these improvements are quite a contrast from early January.
My sister Catherine is back in the valley for a visit. Her husband is attending a medical seminar, so it worked out perfectly for her to accompany him. She was with me in the chemo room yesterday to witness another graduation as well as two first-timers. A recent graduate came in to share her battle stories, words of encouragement and coaching to the newbies. What an awesome group of people!
Although my blood counts were pretty good yesterday they gave me a lighter dose again (this was treatment “a” of cycle “2”), but tentatively moved my next treatment (“b” of cycle “2”) up a week to be on next Wednesday, April 2nd. I’ll be very pleased if we can continue on an accelerated schedule; the sooner this is over with, the better!
Jesus Christ is Risen! Happy Easter!
God is so good!
Maureen
| You are both definately to young to be GRANDPARENTS!!!! Cynthia Neuman | |
| Congrats, Joe looks more and more like Mike all the time. What a handsome, wonderful family you are. I miss seeing and singing with you all on Saturdays. So many wonderful blessing are being sent your way with many, many more to come. Love to you all Cynthia | |
 Congratulatons Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lisa Lavely | |
| What wonderful news - a grandbaby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations to Joe & Katie and to the entire Casey clan!! Yes Maureen, you & Mike will be the funnest, youngest looking, most with-it grandparents EVER! Wonderful news about the progress as well. I agree with you, if you can speed up those treatments and finish up, the sooner the better! Thank you for the update, as always. You have such a way of brightening the day!! Much Love - Lisa, Tom, Cameron & Madison | |
| You need to buy tiny golf clubs Grandma and Grandpa! Debbie Klimes | |
| Wow! What wonderful news! Congratulations to Katie, Joe and the rest of the family. You now have to find some tiny clubs to show your new grandchild how to golf. What better teachers than Grandma and Grandpa. Keep up the good work with all that you are doing to get better. Congrats on the good numbers. Wishing you continued blessings and healing. All our love and best wishes to the whole gang! love, The Klimes Family | |
 Grandma Maureen and Grandpa Mike Charlie Herf | |
| Maureen Congratulations to the expectant grandparents and especially to Katie and Joe. How exciting and you will win the fight and be the best babysitter they could have-ever ! Patti can give you information but generally you get things for them, spoil, them return them to parents spoiled and tired and do not have to worry about college tuition. Patti loves her "grandma" role and you will too. Anything your kids did to you, you describe to the grandchildren so they can implement and you can get even and be appreciated ! Wonderful news and hope you continue to do well. Patti and Charlie | |
| Double Good News!! Elizabeth Crow | |
| What a great day! I'm so happy for you and your family with your good news! As always, you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers | |
| What a great day it is! Nancy Gordon | |
| That is the BEST news! You made my day! There is so much to look forward to. Oh my gosh- what a nice looking family, Joe and Katie and even the little spark of energy that will be your grandchild is already adorable. I think the baby already looks like grandpa... be sure and tell Mike that. Life is such an adventure.... and think of the stories you can tell that baby, about life and living and your experience of fighting for it. Thank you God! What a great day it is! | |
| Grandma Maureen!!! Jan Larson | |
| Hi Maureen!! Congratulations on your great news!! I am so happy to hear your chemo treatments are working in the right direction!! You are truly an inspiration to us all. My thoughts and prayers are with you every day. I hope you continue to update the website every day with great news!!! | |
| Great News Maureen!!! Joan Lentner | |
| First congratulations on such absolutely great news.I have tears in my eyes and have just thanked God for this great news. What a great shot in the arm of excitement, enthusiasm, encouragement and tons of hope. The signs are looking so good. God "is" taking care of you. Congratulations to both you and Mike on the news of being grandparents. New life is always so very exciting. You just tell Mike that "old" is a frame of mind and his great spirit will keep him young forever. And with that good news, here's wishing you a super great weekend. Yes, my prayers never stop for you. Joan LH-Mpls | |
| What great news!! Cindy Adams | |
| What great news all around!! It must be such a relief to have those counts continue to come down. That is just wonderful to hear. Your body must be working overtime to get that “bad stuff” out of your system. Good job!!!!!!!!! Maureen, you are truly a source of strength to us all. You keep fighting this battle and it will be over before you know it. Congratulations on becoming a Grandmother. That is one of the greatest experiences of a life time. Take care, Cindy | |
| So happy to hear the double wonderful blessed new! Nancy McFarland | |
| Maureen that news was what we continue to pray for. And the news that you will be a Grandma soon is a gift from heaven. God Bless you and keep getting stonger. Love, Nancy | |
| Congratulations!! Donna Dominiack | |
| What good good news. I am so happy for you, the counts continue to go down and you will be a Grandmother. You will hear over and over what an awesome experience it is. It is all so very true. We were Grandparents on March 1. You have sooo much to look forward to. God Bless you. Hang in there you are on the down hill pull. Take Care, Donna | |
| Congratulations, guys. Robert Milligan | |
| Wonderful news on both fronts. Best wishes, Bob and Kerry | |
| Wonderful news Laurel Costello | |
| Maureen and Mike, What wonderful and encouraging news. God does indeed answer prayers and there are lots and lots of people praying for you. And congratulations on the grandchild to be. Love, Laurel | |
| Congratulations Grandma and Grandpa! Pat Hennesy | |
| Hi Maureen and Mike - what great news! I've been watching the Care Page waiting for an update on your condition and am thrilled at the great results you're seeing. It's been a tough battle, but you are on the short side of it now. We have to say,never before in the history of mankind has there been a younger looking set of grandparents than you and Mike (do you think that will help him???)! Thanks again for the update. As always, the thoughts and prayers are ongoing. All our love, Pat and Kathy | |
| Congrats!!! Ryan Casey | |
| Maureen, Wow!!! Hard to believe that someone I personally remember as a baby is now going to be a father, but I guess I'm older now than I think! Congratulations to you all! And you're right--you've got a lot to live for...don't we all!? Wonderful news all around, so it looks like we're all getting a pretty good return on our investment when it comes to the prayers! We'll keep 'em coming! Lots of love! | |
| Congrats, Grandma and Grandpa!! Laura Gassen | |
| What wonderful news that is to have a little one on the way and feeling better! You'll have to party like a "rock star" now! :) Hopefully we'll get to meet Katie, and see Joe before their family gets too big!! Prayers are being sent, Maureen for you, to keep getting better, and also for Katie (and Joe), to stay healthy and take care of that belly. What amazing stories they will be able to tell their baby!! Congrats to all! Love, Laura and family) | |
| Thats Awesome! Congrats Grandma! Ben Behr | |
| Congratulations, that is an awesome feeling. | |
 Congratulations ! Elaine DuBois-Karr | |
| Although "grandma" sounds like music to the ears, you have these Irish options: Mamo / Morai / Maimeo Love you! Elaine & Bob | |
| G And G Casey Mary jo Christensen | |
| Dear Grandparents Casey, Congratulations on the good news--both the chemo and the baby to be. Thought for a minute I had the wrong page. You will love being "grands" even if it is an older step in life. Our oldest is 24, so we have been at it for a long time. Glad the chemo is doing its job. Such a year you have had. We care. Dave and Mary Jo | |
| AWESOME!! Charlene Rex | |
| WOW, Maureen - SO MUCH GOOD NEWS!! You've come SO FAR with those TERRIFIC low numbers, and now a grandchild on the way!!! Our heartiest, most heartfelt congratulations on both counts! We're picturing you and your family all with big smiles, happy hearts, and MAJOR good endorphins! (We can feel the light and love from here!) Summer's just around the corner, and Joe, Katie, and Baby Casey will be here before you know it! (We're pretty excited, ourselves, about being Great Aunt Bee and Great Uncle Bill, and are so looking forward to seeing everyone in October.) Much love and many hugs to Mike and the boys, and save a BIG chunk of love and hugs for you! Charlene and Bill. | |
| Grandparenting Linda & Max Selig | |
| I am just thrilled for both you AND Mike. Believe me there is nothing as special as a grandchild. They give you immortalilty and much joy. Mike will get ready the first time he holds the baby. And he will be lost if it is a little girl. God willing you will be restored to good health by then with the strength to chase that little person around. Congratulations. Lin and Max | |
 It's About Time! :) Kathy Miller | |
| Congratulations, Caseys! We're happy to hear the news of Joe and Katie expecting a little one! They are in our prayers, and so are you! I wish I'd sat still long enough for my mom to teach me how to crochet a baby blanket! I remember how she laughed when she saw Joe's red afghan so "well-worn." We send love and good wishes and prayers...daily prayers! Steve and Kathy | |
| Life! Jeanne Hassel | |
| You are blessed! We are so happy! What happy news all around! We love you! Jeanne, Greg, Claire, Anna & Maria love you. | |
Katie and Joe Casey | |
| "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living My Mommy you'll be." | |
No comments:
Post a Comment