Divine Power, Rule and Authority

Chemo is scheduled to start on 12/12 2007. As I am teaching mom how to update her blog and for the title, I asked her to look up the biblical significance of the number twelve. It means "Divine Government, Apostolic Fullness, Divine Power Rule and Authority." It goes on to say it is the number of the New Jerusalem where God dwells with man and reigns. There were 12 gates, 12 angels at the gates, 12 crops of fruit on the tree of life, one for each of the 12 months, 12 tribes, 12 sons, 12 disciples but, only 6 chemo treatments! She will sit in chair 7, (the number of spiritual completion and perfection) I hope the chair works! Please pray that chemo will only do good, and no harm since there are many possible side effects. Especially include the lack of nausea, and while were at it, how about a miracle...no hair loss! I have some sexy pictures of mom in ethnic wigs (the only ones available to us the day we went) but she has threatened my life if I post them! We probably won't post again until after the first treatment.

The Plan

Hi, it is Noelle again with the update. I promise, I will get Mom updating her own blog asap, but in the interim, I know you all want news. We (Mom, Dad, Maddie, Kate and Aunt Rose) met with the oncologist for the first time today and surprisingly enough, we all did not fit in the examining room! That left Aunt Rose coloring with Maddie and Kate in the lobby (to the joy of all of the other paitents!) The Doctor seems very good and without going into too many details, the prognosis is good. He paitently answered our many questions and explained why he thought chemotherapy was a good option for Mom. Her type of breast cancer is very responsive to chemotherapy and will help clean up any stray cells in her body. She will be starting chemo in mid December and will have 6 treatments, one every three weeks. As you can expect, no one really wants to go through chemo, but as I read this post to her over the phone, Mom wanted to make sure I include how strong her faith in God is. She knows that God is in control and will take care of her (and us) through the tough time ahead. Honestly she is more peaceful than I am and infinitely more graceful as a paitent than I ever was.

Things to Be Thankful For

I'm updating the blog for mom. My goal is to have her start doing her own updates. I know with Thanksgiving rapidly approaching, there are many things to be thankful for, including the fact the tumor was smaller than we thought and that only one lymph node was involved. I also know that G and Mike are very thankful for four little spoiled cutie pies! So in honor of Thanksgiving, I have a photo to add of the kids together, even sitting down I might add! For those who haven't seen the kids in a while, they are from left to right, Kate (4), Kara (7), Maddie (6 almost) and Mikey (6). It goes without saying they are also thankful for G and Mike. Happy Thanksgiving. Noelle

Good News!

Hello Family, Friends and Well Wishers. This is a new blog created to keep you posted on the health and adventures of Laurie Chalifoux. I (Noelle) am setting this up so that you all can receive timely updates on Mom's treatment and prognosis. As we progress through this journey we also hope to enlighten and inform you. I told mom she could post daily devotionals when she is up to it and we even hope have wig voting contest, where you all can choose the newest hair style and color for grammy!

But, on a serious note, we would like to start out with good news. The surgeon, Dr. Jim Pellicane, called today inform us of good news. The tumor was smaller than the MRI originally showed. It was 1.8 cm. This is almost half a centimeter smaller that we thought. He also said that only one lymph node was effected. It was a big lymph node, but because it is only one this means she is a great canditate for localized radiation. We still must do chemotherapy (hence the wig makeover contest) but this is decidedly good news.

I am starting this site out for mom so she can really spread news. I know she is so grateful for all of the good friends the support and prayers. Check back often, and we will keep the site updated. Thanks. Noelle