Donation protected
FAM-ILY is what matters most to my Mom, or "Ma" as we all call her. It's definitely the thing deep down in her that keeps her going strong. Ma's journey began in April/May 2018 when she started to really notice her abdominal pain. The abdominal pain then started into her back. Sleepless nights started become her usual. As our family all knows, she is one stubborn New England woman, and she refused to see a Dr. As time passed the pains became unbearable. June 2018, she decided to see her physician. They ended up wanting a CT scan done. CT scan was done and a week later she went back in to hear about her results. As we all went on with our lives not expecting to soon hear the dreadful "C" word, the phone call came in from my mother's Husband, Danny, that it was highly probable it was Pancreatic Cancer. Talk about a hard hit of reality. Life moves forward in such a fast pace, no one expects the worst of the worst news and BAM out of all cancers... Pancreatic Cancer. How can this be? There were never any other signs that this is what my Mom could possibly have. There were just thoughts of, "AH! It's just acid reflux.", "stomach bug", "gas pains", "maybe a hernia", etc.
Now comes the next step... calling to find Oncologists. Ma was referred to an Oncologist near where we live. Her and I sat waiting, nervously, for them to call her name to walk into the room. As I walked behind her watching every step she made, knowing how scared she was, I was trying to stay strong and to make sure she knew I am here with her every step of the way. With a pen and notebook in my hand, making sure I write down every detail of the conversation we were to have. Dr. comes in. Very nice man but not much of personality and we all know Ma. We need someone with a personality. Even though, I know, she was scared and nervous, she needed him to laugh at her wit and give it back. As he spoke to us and did mention that of course there is no way of knowing if it pancreatic cancer or not until there was a biopsy done. After a long two hour appointment, Ma and I walk out of the Dr's office with so many questions and thoughts. During that time at the office as well. I was able to get a hold of another Oncologist office that specializes in Pancreatic Cancer and made an appointment. We also now have a name of a Physician to see about getting her biopsy done.
A week later, we are now arriving to the Dr's office to speak about scheduling her biopsy. Her biopsy is scheduled and about a week later or so it was complete. She gets a phone call later in the week explaining that the biopsy came back "precancerous cells" and a possibility of cancerous cells with it. Back to the Hospital to do a repeat biopsy to ensure they get enough samples this time. A few days later, the dreadful phone call with an absolute without a doubt, the "pancreatic tumor" IS Pancreatic Cancer! After many tears (AGAIN), emotions, sadness, and questions we had to move onto the next step.
We met with Dr. Zakari (the other oncologist) she loved him (even though we had to wait two hours before we saw him). She loved his personality, his ambition, his knowledge, and the way he explained everything step by step by step. She decided to go with him for her future treatments. Her first chemo treatment was to begin in July 2018. Her beautiful and LONG blonde hair could not have looked any more gorgeous than it did that very first day of treatment. Maybe because I knew she was going to lose it all or if it was truly the way the sun hit it while walking outside.
My Mom is the most beautiful woman in the world.
After a few treatments it started to become unbearable and the symptoms of chemo were really showing. Her BP started to drop real low. Extreme dizziness. Blood work started to show a fast decrease into the "low" numbers. REAL LOW! She had to get neupogen shots for a couple of days. Thankfully it was time for her one week break of chemo to hopefully pick her back up. In the meantime, Dr. Zak decided to drop her dosage of chemo by 20%. Every chemo treatment from then on was more bearable. She would be down a few days but then she would have her PICK ME UP days and start going across the street to clean up "the woods". YES! You heard that right.... the woods. This woman would go across the street where there is an empty lot full of tress and bushes and start trimming, cutting, hedging.. you name it! It does look nice though lol. It would be a way for her to take her mind off what she is going through. As more and more chemo treatments were completed, the more and more her hair had disappeared. Her eyebrows. Her eyelashes. The beautiful long lavish blonde goldilocks... GONE!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! This was her last cycle of chemo treatments. As you can see she was HAPPY, excited, and full of life considering. She is always up beat keeping all the nurses on their toes. Keeping them laughing and me shaking my head. She's known as the "crazy lady", the "GREAT WOLINSKI" as they call her. She brightens up the Infusion center every time she walks in. We have made friends with one of the patients there. He has just as much spunk as her. Them two go back and forth yelling at each other to make each other laugh. I am so thankful I can be there for her. To see and capture every part of her journey. Wish it was a better situation but nonetheless... I would not have it any other way. She makes me smile every time we are together.
Now we are into the month of November/December 2018. Getting her first CT scan after chemo treatments to see what that stupid tumor is doing to her. Hoping for positive news. News came back that the tumor has shrunk (YAY) but not enough to be a surgical candidate. :(
Dr. wants her to try radiation. Holding off on chemo treatments and starting a high dosage of radiation for only one week (just in time for Christmas). Radiation is complete and now back to the waiting game on what the next step for her will be.
January 2019!!!! The month that this pretty lady was born! We found out that she will resume her chemo treatments roughly a week after her birthday so before that happens... WE ARE CELEBRATING HER! My Aunt Michele and Uncle Gary (one of her brothers) flew in to surprise her for her birthday. It was EPIC! Her face of shock and happiness had most of us crying. (I recorded it) :)
Back to drawing board of chemo treatments we go. As time is passing, her pains in her abdomen are starting up again. We're not fully sure if it's due to the radiation or not. We are hoping and praying that the radiation has just caused inflammation causing her pains. We can only hope and pray. Since January to now (March 27th, 2019) her pains are all the time. Some days are more severe than others. She has also started with a new symptom of vomiting (sorry if it's too much info). She has become extremely weak. From the start of all this she would only be down a few days to now she does not have any day where it's a "good day". She is continuously resting/sleeping, which we know her body needs it to heal and get better but try telling that to the woman who can NEVER rest and take it easy.
Every day is challenging but I will say this. She IS the STRONGEST WOMAN I KNOW! I know this may came out a little longer than I was thinking it was going to be but I wanted to let every person we know how wonderful and strong she is. She is my best friend! She is my shopping partner! She means the world to all of us.
We were wanting to make this page to celebrate this her. This page is meant for anyone who is willing and able to kindly donate, even if it's $5, to help my Mom and her Husband, Danny, with any and all financial burden this has caused. Ma has not been able to work since June 2018. With only Danny's income coming in, it has become extremely hard to keep up with all the medical bills piling in. Even if you can't afford yourself to donate, please share her story. We appreciate ALL OF YOU!
and Ma.... WE LOVE YOU!!!
Love always and FOREVER,
your daughter Ta & family
xoxo
Organiser
Daniel Wolinski
Organiser
Deltona, FL