I apologize for not updating last night. It was late when I got home and I had some domestic chores to tend to. Maureen is the primary focus now, but some things just don't take care of themselves (like JP's dirty clothes!).
So, we're still in the hospital, which is ok. As much as I want to get Maureen home, I recognize the need for the excellent care she's getting here at Scottsdale Healthcare. My last report anticipated our first chemo treatment. This went fine, in fact a non-event really. We were both so anxious, that once they plugged her in, I said a rosary with her. After about an hour (it was a 4 hour treatment), Maureen was able to get comfortable and watch some TV and eventually ate some food. By the final hour, Judy and Mike Rex (Katie's parents) showed up and we all sat around and talked, laughed and told great stories.
Maureen's sister Carolyn showed up late Tuesday night. This was a welcome guest for Maureen. Carolyn has such a kind, loving demeanor (if you know the Greens, you understand) that was welcome here. She's been great relief to Connor and me.
Wednesday the doctors told Maureen they were going to "unhook" her from IV painkillers, catheter (sp)and anything else she was connected to. This gave her new freedom to use the bathroom on her own and she showered also. Maureen has been walking around more each day. That's the good stuff. The not-so-good stuff is she now is taking medications orally, which come w/ a variety of side effects, including minor anxiety attacks. We now seem to have that stablized. The fluid build-up continued after her periocentices on Sunday. So today (Wednesday), they performed another. This has given her great relief in her breathing ability and her appetite. The fluids cramp up everthing inside and make it difficult for normal functions to operate. She has a little fluid on her lungs for which she's receiving treatment and we're watching closely.
Now we're focused on more walks in anticipation of possible side effects from Chemo 1.
As you can tell, this has been a difficult process for Maureen. I can tell you I've not heard her complain even once. In fact, last night as I was getting ready to leave she whispered to ME that I need to be more patient, that we'll have good and bad days. This is why I love this girl so much. A lesson for us all.
Keep your prayers and positive thoughts coming. We're fighting! Mike
- Sara Hess
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Hi Maureen and Casey clan.
We wanted you to know we are thinking about you and are praying for you every day. My mom wanted to get on and post a message, but she couldn't figure this out. So she says, "We are writing petitions in all of the churches, we are thinking about you and wish we could take some of your pain".
We love you all so much and hope to see Maureen up and playing guitar and singing to us soon.
Love,
Sara and the kids
(and rest of the Gapp family)
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- Pat Hennesy
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Hi Maureen and Mike - we just got back from Ireland. Jim and Pam Ryan were on the trip also so I can assure you, many prayers were coming your way. We caught up on the care page today and everything sounds like you are on track.
Both of you let us know if you or the kids need anything, anytime. Tellie, too.
We'll see what we can do about sneaking in a beer...
Love,
Pat and Kathy
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- Molly Casey
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Just a little note to let you know I'm thinking of you.
“Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.”
We know you can do it!!! We love you!
Love,
Molly
- Meredith Wilcke
| We love to read the updates and that everything is going alright... keep the sense of humor going.
We love you, and think of you every day.
Meredith and family
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| - Susan Arzt
| . . . the grace that we are granted when we need it the most? Stay the course and be strong as you can be.
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| - Barb Glanville
| Thanks for the latest update...we've been checking throughout each day as you are in our hearts and prayers. How wonderful to have your sister arrive, Maureen! Loved the picture . You have a prayerful, humorous crew behind you. Lots of love, Peter and Barb
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| - Nancy Gordon
| Hi Maureen! My computer has been down and just now got the email and website to check in on you. I can't believe all you and your family have been going through. I had no idea-I am so sorry to hear of all your struggle and pain. While wiping tears and reading of your ordeal, the memory popped in my mind of the time Mike and I were sitting in the ladies bathroom at the rest area in Chamberlain twenty some years ago..... (Mike... what were we doing talking in the ladies room- silly kids) He said he had just met this girl, Maureen, and then told me all about you...It makes me smile because i had never seen him so happy and silly.
Well, he was right on about all your wonderful qualities. It is your strength, faith and your smile that will get you through this. And for the times you don't think you have those.... you have the power of so many prayers from family and friends. I have faith you will be healthy soon. I so wish I could do more, but I will send lots of prayers! ... and i'll drink a beer for you too. Love ya!!!!
nancy gordon
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| - Craig Miller
| Hi Maureen,
From a big beer drinker myself, I think the fact that you wanted the beer makes it official you are ready to join our trivia team for fun some knowlege (boo hiss) and of course a nice cold beer straight from the tap. So the next step is to get the swelling down and join us at the Skeptical Chymist Irish bar any Tuesday night. We won last night's heated competition (hence the need for cold beer), but we always have room for more Rotary friends. Mike has told us about what you are going through and obviously we wish you the best. Luckily you have a great guy on your side to help, and we are lucky to have him in the club as well. So take care, do good and remember us on Tuesday nights, you are always welcome. See you soon!
Your friend,
Craig Miller |
- GERALD MURPHY
| Peggy and I are so glad to hear the news. We know from our summer yur news is wonderful. Peggy's first chemo went for about 17-18 hours. Thankfully after that it was nowhere near so bad. You are off to a wonderful start. We pray that all the rest will be the same
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| - Colleen Gillespie
| Hi Maureen!
Glad to hear you are getting around. We are thinking about you, praying for you, and sending all kinds of good energy your way. Wish I could be closer to help in some way...I could do JP's laundry or something! Anyway, we love you so much. Jack and Zoe sing "Sunny Day" (Sesame Street) for you every night before bed along with many prayers.
Love,
Colleen
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| - Laurel Costello
| Was good to get Mike's update on Maureen. God bless your family for standing together in this fight. My mother (Terry's Auntie Kay), always said "the Irish fight, but when the chips are down, we all stand together". That is what we are doing now with prayers and positive thoughts. Stay strong and keep fighting, Mike and Maureen.
Laurel Costello
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| - Katie and Joe Casey
| `To die nobly is an honor. To live nobly, and to do Gods work on Earth, is a great honor. That is why you are here`
-Apostle Paul
Sorry for waking you up this morning, mom! We were just too anxious to see how you were doing! Look out in the mail for a package from the Kosakas, and then one from Katie and myself in the near future! We went to town in the 100 yen store on your behalf!
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| - Kevin Miller
| Maureen,
Looks like there'll be a little wave tomorrow, so I'm heading over for a surf with Dickie (that would be Richie). This may sound completely corny, but i'm gonna ride a few you, girlfriend. I hope to see you out here when you're feeling better. in the meantime, take 'er easy, and I'm thinking of you. Big hug.
Kevin Miller |
- Virginia Casey
| Maureen, sounds like you are feeling better (as long as you can keep that ol' fluid build-up at a minimum). Keep it going, Babes. We all know that you can fight this ba-----, as well as anyone, physically and spiritually. In the meantime, we are all praying for you and sending our deepest love to you and "your boys." - - - OH!!!! AND your new daughter!!! (What fun for you to have a GIRL in the family!)
Mike, please continue your notes re: your/our darling Maureen. Isn't Carepage wonderful!!!
Love and prayers to all. My love to the boys.
Auntie Gin
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| - Joan Buckley
| Hi Caseys,
I was so glad to read the update today. Laundry is something that I would love to do for your family, Mike. Please put me on the laundry list. I even iron!
I would like to share a spiritual mantra that was given to me by a kindergartener's parent. In their school commute each day, they would recite and reflect on 5 scripture verses or sayings. The first one is above.
This next one is #3, which is the easiest one for me to remember because it is so repetitive: "God is with me, God is helping me, God is guiding me." I find this to be very centering when I get anxious or impatient about the unknown of what is next.
You all continue to be in our prayers!
The Buckleys
but Joan is writing this! |
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