Maureen’s Illness
October 10, 2008
From: Mike Casey
Maureen has not been feeling well for a couple of months. After extensive testing, we’ve come to the conclusion (99% certainty) that she has Stage IIIc Ovarian Cancer. I refer you to a wonderful website: www.plwc.org right click on “cancer” then “ovarian”. This will tell you most of what we know at this point.
Maureen is scheduled for surgery on Monday, October 15th. It’s called open exploratory surgery, where a full hysterectomy is done, along with the removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes. They will also look for other signs of cancer and “debulk” where possible. Recovery will be in ICU for 2 days and another 3-5 in hospital. From there we recover 2-3 weeks at which point we’ll begin chemotherapy. This will run about 14 weeks and involve 6 treatments. Testing for CA125 levels will be done during this process.
We have a very competent doctor by the name of Michael Janicek. I know he has his own website. If you Google him, you’ll find it there. He is a Gynecologic Oncologist. Harvard educated and Johns Hopkins trained. He’s very good. Trust me, I have good friends in the field here and have had the opportunity to check him out very well. Most importantly, we felt very comfortable when we met Dr. Janicek. I was touched when he hugged Maureen and promised to make her better.
Maureen is OK. She has discomfort and is given pain killers for this. She needs rest and she’s getting that now. Maureen is very strong of mind, body and soul. She’s in a good place for this and she will persevere. We know what special family and friends we are blessed with. We love you all and know you’ll pray for the healing of Maureen. I’ll try my best to keep you updated. Please forward these updates as you see fit.
Mike
greetings from #11 to #11, MAryellen Gleason
Dear Maureen, Since hearing about your diagnosis I was have been thinking postive thoughts for you and I know you are a major league fighter!
Mike told me today that you are the 11th of 13 children and I can only imagine the other names of your siblings. My parents were also very pro Irish names and their choices for me were Maura, Maurade and Maureen. The reason I am Maryellen is first this captures TWO saints at once and then, also, one of my aunts is a Sister of Charity and they decided that it would be "romantic" to name me after a nun. There is another Maryellen Gleason in this world but she is Sister Maryellen Gleason of Convent Station, New Jersey.
I am the eldest of 8 children and I have 40 first YES 40 first cousins. In my family the first three of us were only 10 months apart and so when I was 8 and in the thrid grade I was the oldest of seven children. The 8th child was born 9 months after my father's 40th birthday.
And since you are fighting the fight with your surgery next week, I thought you might need a smile or two so I thought I would share with you my father's numbering scheme for the eight of us Gleason kids. It became too complicated to yell out Maryellen Richard Molly Andrew Peter Carol Sarah Michael so my father designated me as #11 which means first child first girl and then Richard is #21 all the way down to Michael who is #84. We had tee shirts with these numbers and photos in pyramid formations in numbered sweatshirts - just because my dad got a kick out of this. I wonder what your number would be in your family but in the meanwhile I wanted to let you know I am thinking about you and big prayer action for you on Monday. All the best from #11 to #11.
Get Well from Rick and Denise, Rick Rentschler
You are in our thoughts and prayers. If we can help out in any way just let us know.
Rick and Denise
Sending you love. Katie and Joe Casey
Mom- We are praying for you daily. Although we are far away, we are with you in spirit. We know that the relationship you have fostered with God, and your beautiful faith, will carry you through Monday's surgery and beyond. We're holding nothing but positive, healing thoughts for you, visualizing you healthy and whole again. We love you very much, Katie and Joe
A virtual hug to go with this virtual visit! Joan Buckley
You know how much I love to talk, so I am limiting myself to virtual visits until you are home and "receiving callers."
My prayers are for you, your family, and your medical team.
Holy is your name through all generations;
Everlasting is your mercy to the people you have chosen.
And holy is your name.
You are a chosen person, Maureen, loved by God and a zillion other people.
In Christ,
joan b.
hugs. Suzanne Rex
Hello Maureen! Please know that I am thinking of you and know, as well, that I believe this time for you is one of healing, not of hurting. I have no doubt that your strong, yet peaceful, heart, and head and soul will overcome anything malicious that grows within your body. Your love of life and the love it has for you will help you heal completely. This, truly, I do believe.
If there is anything with which I can help, please know that I am here, with much love - Suzanne Rex.
Love from the Rex Family, Judy Rex
Maureen - there was no virtual bottle of wine to send you, so we opted for the wine colored hearts instead. We're looking forward to sharing a bottle of wine with you to celebrate your recovery. There is no doubt in our minds that your strong faith combined with the outpouring of love, positive thoughts and prayers coming your way from here to Japan and back will bring you safely through this difficult time.
You are ever in our hearts - Mike, Judy and family
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