Last Chemo treatment - 7/5/2013

I had my last chemo on July 3rd...Hallelujah! Now I go through these next days of pain.  Dr. Meshad is pleased with how I have responded to the treatments.  My tumor count went from 279 in February to 9 by July 3rd.  I will go back to see him in three months and everything will be checked then.  As soon as I get back on my feet, mine and Clinton's ministry is plain and clear.  We will be encouragers for those who are dealing with what we have been through for the last 6 months.  Believe me when I say, you can never hug too much, pray too much, or visit people too much who are hurting, afraid, or just cannot believe what is happening to them.

I'm signing off now and will see you with an update in 3 months.

"To God be the Glory"

Sybil

June 5, 2013 UPDATE

Well today is chemo treatment #5.  All of Mom's bloodwork was good meaning she will not need the Neulasta shot.  YAY!!  She has one more chemo to go which will be on July 3rd.  Your prayers are working and she thanks you so much for them!  Continue to pray for strength and healing for my sweet momma.

Love,
Tracy

Chemo today May 15, 2013

Mom went today for her 4th chemo.  Dr. Meshad gave her a good report.  Her tumor counts are constantly dropping.  They were very elated at her progress.  The white blood count was low so she has to get the Neulasta shot in the morning to boost that.  This afternoon, she had an appointment with the surgeon, Dr. Roy.  He said healing was going well.  Their conversation was more in depth this time and he will see her again after the 6th chemo and schedule a pet scan with a light to check for tumor activity.  He will know at that time where we stand.  We thank you for your prayers, calls, visits, and emails.  Please continue to pray for her leg pain that always follows a treatment.  They usually last 4 or 5 days and are really painful.  We love you all!

Tracy

Good News today from Dr. Meeshad! April 24, 2013

Today as many of you know is chemo day.  Mom went in for her bloodwork and after Dr. Meeshad got the results he came into her room and told her that the bloodwork was excellent and that she didn't have to take the Neulasta shot tomorrow.  Matter of fact, he even went as far as to say that she could consider herself in remission after just 2 treatments.  Hallelujah thank you Lord!  She does however have to take all 6 treatments so after todays treatment she will only have 3 more to go.  Thanks to all of you that have lifted her up in your prayers, came by and visited, emailed her, sent sweet notes, and brought food.  She loves you all very much!  Please continue to pray for her strength and appetite.  God is Good....All the time!

Scarf Tying

I was using Dad's head teaching Mom how to tie her head scarf and I think he enjoyed it!  I couldn't resist sharing this photo with you guys.  They try to keep a smile even through the darkest days.  I love these two!  Tracy

Today is a good day! April 10, 2013

Today Mom actually got Clinton to drive her up to the Nail place for a pedicure and they stopped by my work to see me.  She sure looked pretty today!  Thank the Lord that the 4 or so days of excruciating pain after chemo are over.  Her next chemo treatment is scheduled for April 24th.  She really misses attending church and getting to chat with her friends at ESBC.  Please go by and visit her or just give her a call 586-8467.  She would love to hear from you since she's been isolated so long.  Remember.....she doesn't have leprosy....just cancer!  Thanks for all you have done for she and Clinton through food, cards, visits, and emails.  They really appreciate your friendship!

Update April 3, 2013

Sybil/Mom/MeMaw went this morning for her second chemo.  We've been praying for high white blood cell counts so that she could forego the Neulasta Shot tomorrow (which caused her much pain after the first chemo).  She did her bloodwork and before they started the chemo she was told that her bloodwork looked great and she would NOT have to take the Neulasta shot tomorrow.  Hallelujah!  Needless to say we are ecstatic.  Thanks for all of the prayers.  Please continue to pray for good bloodwork results and for an appetite!  Will keep you posted as news comes along.  We love you guys~

Update 3/21/2013

Well it's been a week since Mom had her first chemotherapy.  The day after her chemo she had to take a Neulasta shot to boost her white blood cells because if her count is low when it comes time for her next chemo treatment, she will have to wait, which will extend her treatment schedule.  The Neulasta shot causes her extreme pain in her bones from head to toe which usually keeps her in bed for 3 to 4 days.  Please know that she may not be accessible for several days after this shot due to the pain and trying to rest.  Thanks for your understanding .  She talks on the phone and emails as she has the energy.  Please know how much she appreciates your calls, notes of encouragement, and emails so please don't stop.  Also Dr. Roy said that if her white blood count was really high when she goes for her next chemo, that they might be able skip the Neulasta shot, so now that you guys know how to pray......Get to it!  Thanks and will post as we get more news.

Update

Mom/MeMaw/Sybil is receiving her first chemotherapy treatment as we speak.  Just talked to Clinton and things are going well.  Please continue to remember her in your prayers~

Update February 28th

Hello everyone,
Sybil went for a doctor's visit today with Doctor Meshad and it went very well. She is scheduled to start Chemotherapy on March 11th. Please keep praying!

Update as of February 20th

Hello everyone!
Sybil/ Memaw/ Mom got her staples taken out today February 20th. Her port for Chemo will be put in on Monday February 25th, and the tentative start day for Chemo is March 5th. Please continue to pray and keep her in your minds and hearts.

Much appreciation,
Family

Sybil Is Home!

And she is excited to be there.  Following the outstanding news of the successful surgery more good news followed about the tissue samples taken during the procedure.  All came back clean including the lymphatic material so we couldn't have hoped for any better news from her trip to Providence Hospital.

She is in the care of one very fine nurse (Lindsey) and one whip cracking supervisor (Julie) currently and will be until Sunday evening (2/17/2013).  Sybil is reading her cards, eating a bit, and on the mend for stage two of her treatment.  Tracy has put together an online meal scheduling tool  if you are interested - and we hope there is some interest!  The information is below.  Thanks on behalf of the matriarch and the rest of the family.

A meal schedule has been created using TakeThemAMeal.com, and you've been invited to participate! Meals are needed for: Sybil Wilson If you would like to sign up, you can access the meal schedule by clicking here, or by visiting TakeThemAMeal.com and locating the schedule by recipient last name (Wilson) and password (sybil). I have included additional notes about this meal schedule below. If you have any questions, please let me know! Thanks, Tracy Bishop 251-210-5695 tracybish1@gmail.com Additional Notes:  Please deliver meals to the front porch and place in container provided. Please include a card or note so she knows who the meal is from. The doctor said " no visitors at this time " please. They eat around 5:30pm. Please only bring enough food for two. They like anything and have no allergies! Thanks so much for your prayers and for the meals! This e-mail was automatically generated by TakeThemAMeal.com. If you enjoy using TakeThemAMeal.com, be sure to check out PerfectPotluck.com, for scheduling group meals.

February 12, 2013 AM Update

Sybil is still in ICU at Providence Hospital and has been up, in a chair, and walked some since the surgery yesterday.  She is mostly coherent and has a decent understanding of the good news received yesterday.  She may be moved to a regular room later today.  So far so good and waiting on the test results of the samples taken from various places during the procedure yesterday.  Hoping to be home by the weekend if she can tough it out and prove herself which so far she appears to be doing.

She appreciates all the well wishes.

February 11, 2013 Update

By nearly any measure Mom/Sybil/Memaw's surgery went extremely well. Dr. Roy believes that the cancer was removed. To the human eye he said she was "clean as a whistle". Some chemo will follow after she has recovered a bit. She will remain in Providence Hospital for 3 or 4 days. Happy to be able to share good news.

February 8, 2013 Update

Sybil's surgery is scheduled for 9:30 AM Monday 2/11/2103 at Providence Hospital in Mobile, AL.  It is supposed to last from 2 to 3 hours and she will be staying at Providence for several days post-surgery.  Her new home phone number is 251-586-8467 and she is back at home in Daphne, AL.

February 7, 2013 Update

Sybil/Mom/MeMaw met with the Drs. yesterday and was sent for a stress test and more blood work today as the final hurdle before the scheduled surgery. The surgery will be at Providence on Monday or Wednesday of next week and she will be there for a few days we are told. So hopefully the tests today come out OK and she can move forward. Will post updates here as always.

 

 

 

January 31, 2013 Update

Heart and Lung physicians cleared Sybil/MeMaw/Mom to go forward with the surgery yesterday.  So next Wednesday she will meet again with Drs. Meshad & Roy one last time before the scheduled surgery in early February.  Only big issue remaining is that Dr. Roy earned his undergraduate degree at Birmingham Southern.  So let's hope he is one of the good ones who escaped that institution ;-)!

If you would like any pictures of you and Sybil put into the slideshow feel free to email them to fansofsybil@gmail.com and we'll get them into the big show.  Mom says to thank everybody for the nice comments and notes and to let everyone know that they should be back at their house in Daphne after next Wednesday's appointments which are also in Daphne, AL.

January 29, 2013 Update

Petscan showed that the cancer has not metastasized at this point. It showed it is located in the ovary and abdomen only. However, before she can have surgery she must be released by her cardiologist and her pulmonologist. Dr. Roy's office is in the process of getting her appointments with these two doctors as we speak. After the okay from these two, they can schedule her surgery to remove as much of the cancer as they can and then start chemo after that.

 Update to the Update: Cardiologist & Pulmonologist appointments are scheduled for January 30th, followed by appointment with Drs. Meshad & Roy on February 6th with the surgery scheduled for February 11th.

Petscan Scheduled

Hello everyone, we have another update to share with you all. Memaw/ Sybil/ Mom's Petscan has been scheduled for 11:00 a.m. tomorrow morning, January 25th at Providence Hospital in Mobile, AL. Please keep her and our family in your prayers tomorrow.

Below is a graphic representation of a recent Petscan of a bone.  We pray that Mom's will be just a thorough!

1/24/2013 Update

Sybil is at the hospital this morning for some more tests and pictures so she is getting close to everyone needing what they need to move forward with the latest information.

Additionally, we have added a gadget to the site where you can follow her progress updates via email.  Just put your email address in the box titled "Follow Sybil's News by Email"  type in a series of letters to verify that you are not a computer spammer then check your email inbox for the confirmation email.  Whenever anything new appears here you will get it via email.

Thanks for the comments, messages, and shows of support - they are having their intended effect on the Matriarch.

1/23/2013 Follow Up Post

Looks like the surgeon, who just happened to be in the building, is this cat.  Dr. Roy is sending Memaw/Mom/Sybil to get a Petscan and another scan which decorum prevents me from typing here.  He thinks that they may be able to do the surgery first then follow with 6 chemotherapy treatments and skip the pre-surgery treatments.  The new images will dictate the protocol.  The cancer is of the carcinoma variety.  That might be it as far as updates but stay tuned.

P.S.  The chemo will probably result in some baseball cap wearing but shouldn't make her sick.

1/23/2013 Initial Oncology Visit

Mom is currently being seen by a surgeon after her initial visit with the oncologist. 

The cancer has been identified as ovarian in nature.  The visual painted by Dr. Meshad was of a handful of sand thrown into one's abdomen with each grain being a small tumor.  He suggested chemotherapy followed by surgery, followed by chemotherapy.  His initial prognosis is that there is a 70% chance of controlling it as a chronic condition but perhaps not curing it.  After the surgeon finishes his examination Mom is to meet with the oncologist again so there may be additional news to be shared.  As of 6:06 PM Eastern that is the story.

Update on Memaw/ Mom/ Sybil

Hello everyone— the family has received word that Memaw/ Mom/ Sybil's appointment with Dr. Meshad has been moved to 3:00 p.m. tomorrow afternoon, Wednesday January 23rd. 

We encourage you to keep praying and thinking positive thoughts as we await the news from her appointment tomorrow. 

Welcome!

Last Wednesday, January 16, 2013, Memaw/ Mom/ Sybil received some unwanted news while at Thomas Hospital in Fairhope, Alabama. She apparently has some sort of cancer in her abdomen. She is to meet with her oncologist Dr. Meshad MD of Southern Cancer Center on Wednesday January 23rd.  

She is currently living in Gulf Shores with her husband Clinton for the next few weeks as they make preparations to move back into their house in Daphne, Alabama. They will not be building a new house in Stapleton at this time. Things have been a little crazy these last few days so our family decided to make this blog as a one-stop-shop for people to stay updated with Memaw/ Mom/ Sybil and how she is doing. If you would like to send her an encouraging note, take them a meal, or give them a call you can do so with the information below.

Gulf Shores:
19073 Pine Acres Rd. 
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
House phone: 251-943-5053

Daphne:
25836 Royalty Drive
Daphne, AL 36526
Home phone: 251-621-5072

You can make posts on this blog and Memaw/ Mom/ Sybil will see them. This blog can be used as an alternate form of communication to let her know you are thinking about her.

Tracy can be reached via email at tracybish1@gmail.com, Mark at mark.williams@sylvania.com, and David at david@thewilliamsgroup.ws. We will give our best efforts to respond in a timely manner. However, as you can imagine things are very busy and moving fast. We will keep this site updated with pertinent information. 

Thank you for your positive thoughts and prayers on behalf of Memaw/ Mom/ Sybil.