Written by Cathy Blood
Thanksgiving Week 2016 – As you may have heard by now, I recently received some bad news. Here’s the past week in a nutshell.
Last week I went to the doctor and was told I had acute bronchitis. Two days later I drove myself to Urgent Care and several hours later, was transported by Ambulance to Lack’s Cancer Center. At that point, I knew my back was broken and that they had found a large mass on my lungs.
Thanksgiving Day was light staffed and basically spent getting my pain under control. Friday was a nightmare day, 6-7 hours of MRI’s, CT scans, biopsies and procedures. I was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer which has already spread to my bones. I have a baseball sized tumor in my lungs, several on my spine and in my skull.
The cancer that invaded my spine caused parts of it to literally crumble. My back is fractured at T11, T12 & L2. As you can imagine, these fractures are causing intense pain and putting me at risk of becoming paralyzed.
There’s a procedure they are hoping I can do which will reduce the pain, build that space back up and remove the fear of paralyzation. I go in for an MRI early Sunday morning to see if I’m a candidate for doing the procedure called Vertebroplasty. They have to be careful that there are no shards of bone that could be forced through my spinal cord which could again cause paralysis.
Vertebroplasty is an outpatient procedure for stabilizing compression fractures in the spine. Bone cement is injected into back bones (vertebrae) that have cracked or broken, often because of osteoporosis. The cement hardens, stabilizing the fractures and supporting your spine. – mayo clinic
PLEASE PRAY specifically that I am able to have Vertebroplasty, that the procedure is successful so that I don’t become paralyzed.
After that, we move onto radiation followed by chemo. PLEASE PRAY that the chemo / radiation shrink away the 8.6 cm tumor in my lungs and that I can defy the odds by kicking cancer’s butt!
Thanks so much for all your support and prayers! I’ve got an incredible team of doctors, nurses and caregivers taking care of me and appreciate each and every one of you.
#keepfaith ~ Cathy Blood
Cathy, we are in deep prayer for you at Landrys. We feel that GOD is in your corner and he will heal you, As Christians we look out for each other and that is what we are commanded. We pray our for wisdom,strenght and healing for you everyday,,Love ,your Landry family
Thanks Russ! We love you too! Thanks so much for all your help, support and prayers!
I was shocked to read this! I am praying for you guys this Christmas morning. You are such wonderful gals always so sharing and generous with your knowledge. Stay strong and God bless your team of doctors with the skills to guide you back to health again
thank you!
“Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone’s soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd.”
I pray that God takes his healing paint brush and paints you healed. You still have much work to do here, in raising your girls and in teaching us. Courage on…..
La Verne @ hopeandsalvage
Thanks
Having cancer two times I know what you are going thru, I will keep you in my prayers hoping you have a peaceful holiday. Claudette
Thank you!
Shelly I am so shocked and saddened to hear this. You are a strong, loving, gifted, incredible gift from God! Please try to take a moment throughout your day and visualize the Lord reaching down healing and strengthening your body. You are deeply cared for by many people and we are praying for you, your daughters, mom and sister! I dont understand why we must experience such pain and suffering during our time here on earth. But please know you are being prayed for and loved every minute of every day! We are in Washington state and if we can help or provide you anything please let me know!
Keeping you in my prayers,
Catherine
How is your mom and Cathy doing?