tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4685823649067642602024-03-13T22:41:37.138-04:00The Pam Brew Fan ClubLindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07024708261634941193noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-61201856870644826672010-12-13T23:52:00.002-05:002010-12-14T00:07:31.166-05:00ArrangementsMom's visitation will be at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Home on Thursday, December 16th from 6-8pm. The funeral will be at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Leland Ward Building on Friday, December 17th at 2pm, with her burial immediately after the funeral in the cemetary behind the church. Please help us continue to celebrate her life. <br /><br />Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Home<br />3915 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403 <br />910-791-4444<br />coblewardsmithwilmington.com<br /><br />The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints<br />Leland Ward<br />1361 Old Fayetteville Rd NE, Leland, NC 28451<br />910-371-3254<br />lds.org<br />mormon.orgStaci Brewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00014683820220578550noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-55338273843127417492010-12-13T06:51:00.002-05:002010-12-13T07:04:30.854-05:00The Passing of an Elect LadyThis will be our final entry on Pam's Blog. She left us last night around 10:40 with her family and one very special doctor gathered around her. Oh, how she will be missed but what a legacy of friends and family she leaves behind. We love and appreciate the so very many who tended to her in her final days and who have lent their support and prayers in behalf of our family. The PamBrewFanClub became our friend and a source of great comfort. We will miss your words of encouragement and love but will monitor it for the next few days. Then, it too will be laid to rest. Thanks to all of you for what you've done for our beloved Pam and our family. - ReggieReggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17287851688499238349noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-46418595320560575782010-12-11T12:20:00.000-05:002010-12-11T12:20:42.630-05:00Petition for Prayers!Hey everybody. Please excuse the briefness of this post. Mom told Dad today that she wants to go home, and I don't mean Leland. She's tired, she misses Ryan, and she's needed elsewhere. Dad just told me he thinks she may have a couple of days. We need you all now more than we ever have before. Please continue to pray fervently and continuously for our family throughout the days and weeks to come.Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07024708261634941193noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-65926922723702416862010-12-10T13:27:00.002-05:002010-12-10T14:56:57.268-05:00Pam had a rough night last night. Cathy Child stayed overnight with her so I could go home to be with Taelor. Cathy said she had a lot of pain and discomfort and couldn't sleep. She is a little better today and has rested pretty well. Yesterday, more fluid was drained from her left lung. In the process her lung collapsed. It has "re-inflated" today and she is breathing comfortably. Everyday brings something new to challenge her and concern us. The anastomosis, the area where her intestines were sown together and a drain placed between, is not growing together as well as it should. It has a leak. <br /><br />As if you weren't already praying in in her behalf, please pray that this will heal or grow together. It is really important that the digestive juices flow to that part of the intestine. Right now, they have begun to drain the bile from the upper part of the intestines and inject it through her feeding tube. It will be much better if this naturally occurs.<br /><br />Pam has a hard fight on her hands. She needs the strength to get all these other issues she is dealing with behind her so she can start chemo-therapy. She must start that soon. It appears that we need to start praying to reach incremental goals in order to get her completely well. <br /><br />We appreciate so much the prayers and concern, not to mention the assistance of those that love Pam and our family. I won't attempt to name those that have been so heaven sent but suffice it to say that we love and appreciate you for your sacrifices in assisting us. We couldn't do this without you. Please continue to pray.Reggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17287851688499238349noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-39057625324653216662010-12-09T06:53:00.002-05:002010-12-09T06:59:57.248-05:00Pam finally got a good nights rest. I didn't do too badly myself. Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Griner</span> had her nurse remove the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">catheter</span> late last night and that brought more relief as well. She was experiencing a lot of discomfort from that. It's almost 7 a.m. and she is still resting and sleeping comfortably. Well, at least as comfortably as you can in a hospital bed. I don't know of anything new for her today. Infectious diseases doctors will be keeping a close eye on her bacterial infection. One thing she does have to look forward to today is that Devan's wife (Dr. Griner's wife) is coming to give her a pedicure this morning, a little later. She should love that.Reggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17287851688499238349noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-77827498073101788182010-12-08T21:57:00.002-05:002010-12-08T22:09:18.490-05:00Pam is back in a room tonight after being in ICU 2 1/2 days. She is on the "step-down care" floor (2). It's been a really busy day for her. Her day included:<br /><ul><li>Chest x-rays</li><li>Ultrasound exam<br /></li><li>CT scan</li><li>Insertion of a pic line for long term medication/nutrition<br /></li><li>Removal of over a liter of fluid from her right lung</li></ul>She has finally begun to get some rest and has slept off and on throughout the day, when she wasn't being transported somewhere for a test, and then she slept through some of them. Let's hope that she sleeps well tonight.<br /> We've been privileged to have two special doctors close watch over Pam. They have gone above and beyond the call of duty in her care. We have come to regard Dr. Devan Griner and Dr. Chad Burton as good friends.Reggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17287851688499238349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-58217747266512917052010-12-07T22:28:00.002-05:002010-12-07T22:44:53.783-05:00Pam is recovering well after surgery on Monday. She began waking up around 8 a.m. and her ventilator was removed about an hour later. She has steadily gotten better throughout the day and sat up in a chair a couple of times. About a litre of fluid was removed from around one of her lungs this afternoon and the same procedure will be done tomorrow on the other lung. This should help with the shortness of breath she has been experiencing. Her vitals are good and she should be in a room tomorrow.Reggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17287851688499238349noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-68799662537591965712010-12-06T22:58:00.002-05:002010-12-06T23:05:33.609-05:00Not Such Good NewsWhat started out looking like good news has turned bad. The surgery was performed this afternoon to bypass part of Pam's intestines to allow the backup of fluids to drain. That part went well and the draining has begun which hopefully will give her some relief from the tightness and discomfort in her abdomen, as well as shortness of breath. The bad news is that Pam has cancer coating her abdominal wall and organs. She in ICU tonight on a ventilator. Not much else to say. Hoping tomorrow brings even a hint of good news.Reggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17287851688499238349noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-78508478059065769702010-12-06T14:41:00.002-05:002010-12-06T14:45:19.699-05:00Yay!I just got a text from Dad, I'm guessing he sent to each of us kids... <br />"Good news, Pam is going in for surgery now. This may be our miracle. I will call each of you. This is a good thing."<br />I called him the second I got it, and there was a lot going on so I couldn't get a lot of info...the doctor was prepping Dad for what is going on and Mom was trying to get situated, so I told him to just call back as soon as he can with more details...<br />This is what I understood from our call - Mom is going into surgery - it should take about an hour and a half. They are going to reroute part of her intestines. It seems like the j-tube was clogging everything up in her intestines. Dad acutally got to see the scan pics and he said that her intestines looked really blown up. He said there are lots of lesions around the site and it was keeping the j-tube from doing it's job. I'm sure he'll explain later when he gets the chance. He can explain it first hand and it will probably make more sense...This could be our turning point! :)Staci Brewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00014683820220578550noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-55136212390500630982010-12-05T18:43:00.002-05:002010-12-05T18:51:42.363-05:00Not Much To ReportSorry but there is not much good to report. A medication adjustment has at least reduced her anxiety, although it is still there. She has gone for several "spins" in a wheelchair today and it wears her out. Still, it occupies her mind. She watched the playoff hole of the golf tournament today and reported to me when I walked back in that "Tiger lost." A chest x-ray was done today to check her lungs. There is most likely some fluid or pneumonia present. Starting last night, we noticed some swelling in her legs and feet. Her nurse said that as strange as it sounds, it is probably related to the fluid in her lungs. She has been awake most of the day so I'm hoping that means she will sleep better tonight. At this moment, she is resting well. We're hoping that tomorrow will bring better news when all the doctors get back on their rounds. Keep praying.Reggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17287851688499238349noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-47662760019326146322010-12-05T08:31:00.001-05:002010-12-05T08:32:39.263-05:00No change since Friday. Still not sleeping much. Pain, nausea, anxiety. She just wants to go home.Reggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17287851688499238349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-18555841391693058342010-12-03T16:47:00.002-05:002010-12-03T20:05:36.388-05:00Update: Friday eveningDr. McNulty pulled some strings today and got the results of the paracentesis. The good news is there are no cancer cells. The bad news is he saw something "suspicious." Not sure what that means. He wants to do another on Monday and is talking to some surgeons about the possibility of more surgery (laparoscopic). He is really compassionate about her suffering and is eager to relieve it and to start chemo.<br /> Other good news is Pam's liver function is improving and her intestines are starting to wake up. Don't let up on the prayers. Thanks to all of you for your concern, prayers, and service to our family. It is overwhelming.Reggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17287851688499238349noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-23199057822631437382010-12-03T14:47:00.003-05:002010-12-03T15:14:04.342-05:00Pam had a pretty good night last night. No falls and a little more sleep. This morning she was scheduled for an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">MRCP</span> (MRI) but was unable to do it. I would probably have a problem with an MRI too. The most critical thing right now is the results of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">paracentesis</span> that was performed yesterday. Results most likely won't be in until Monday. So we play the waiting game. We will be in the hospital at least until then and most likely beyond.Reggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17287851688499238349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-85368581454375792812010-12-02T13:07:00.002-05:002010-12-02T13:59:38.203-05:00I got a call from the hospital this morning informing me that Pam had gotten up during the night to go the the bathroom and had fallen. Fortunately, she received no serious injuries from her fall. Plans for today was for her to have an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">MRCP</span> (MRI) to see what was causing the liver duct blockage but when I arrived, plans had changed. The team of doctors had decided to withdraw some of the fluid from her intestines and do a pathology report on it. If the report comes back in Pam's favor, they will then do the MRI. So, we probably won't get results until tomorrow. One other thing that has happened is that after further study of her CT scan yesterday they have determined that she has a blood clot in one of her lungs. What next?Reggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17287851688499238349noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-49878613407097019172010-12-01T23:20:00.002-05:002010-12-01T23:48:24.247-05:00I gave Lindsey a lot of information to post in a very brief phone call. It is very confusing to convey so let me try to clarify a few things. Here's how I understand the situation. Part of Pam's intestines are "paralyzed" or "lazy" at this point, causing an obstruction. Orders are to withhold the tube feeding and treat the lazy bowels with a medicine that's name I don't recall. Hopefully it will wake them up.<br /> She has another problem with her liver. Her enzyme levels have been high for a while but are coming down. Meanwhile, the ducts in her liver are dilated (open) and at least one is obstructed. An MRI on Thursday should give more detail as to what that obstruction is. It could be a stone or sludge from her gall bladder or simply an inflammation. The "C" word is definitely a possibility but unlikely. The size of the obstruction appears to be about 1 mm. All of these things are most likely the cause of her nausea and pain. Her nausea, however, has been less severe and less often.<br /> The leaking from her tube site is most likely caused by the "back pressure" in the intestines. Pam has been resting well today with a few periods of pain at the tube site, but mostly comfortable. The medications seem more effective and go to work much faster while administering them through an I/V versus the feeding tube, so her relief comes much quicker. Hope this info helps all to understand.Reggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17287851688499238349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-13067765326738745152010-12-01T18:06:00.000-05:002010-12-01T18:06:04.454-05:00Not much news...Dad called a little while ago, and there is some news, but it just leads to more questions. There is a blockage in her intestine where the feeding tube goes in and it seems to be paralyzed for the time being, so yes, this is a problem. There is also a blockage in her bladder, and the ducts of her liver are dilated. All of these factors can definitely be the cause for a lot of her nausea, but Dad told me her nausea has gotten a lot better (some good news!).For now, they're are removing the tube and she's just getting her meds intravenously. They are planning to do an MRI either tonight or tomorrow morning, so hopefully there will be getting some more definitive answers from that. We've all been a bundle of nerves all day, and I don't know that this new news is relieving that stress for any of us, but Dad said they didn't say the "C" word when they were talking about the blockages, so hopefully that's a good thing. She will probably be in the hospital a few more days and I hope more answers will be coming soon. We'll let you know as soon as we know. Thanks for hanging in there with us everybody!Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07024708261634941193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-65251192036181146372010-11-30T23:54:00.002-05:002010-12-01T00:03:24.476-05:00Pam didn't go home today. They are keeping her again tonight for observation and CT scans in the morning. She was quite lucid today and its the best I've seen her in a week. She still has a lot of pain, particularly at the feed tube site but the nausea and anxiety are not quite as bad. We took a short walk down the hallway this afternoon and a little later I took her on a wheel chair ride outside to get some air. It was a short one but it was a postive thing. I am cautiously optimistic that she may be coming around. Still, she is not a happy camper.Reggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17287851688499238349noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-35708126506832203982010-11-30T14:18:00.003-05:002010-11-30T14:23:40.872-05:00Pam still needs a fan club!Mom had a rough night last night - Dad went home to sleep and when he got to the hospital this morning he was told that she was very anxious throughout the night. Dad said that they just took a short walk and that she seems stronger today than she has been for a couple of weeks. She said that the site where her tube goes in is very painful. The concern over the fistula size still hasn't really been addressed, but it is draining okay (good) so it seems like the doctors and nurses aren't really concerned with it. Dad is thinking that they will probably go home today, but he still doesn't know because he hasn't seen the doctor yet.Staci Brewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00014683820220578550noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-3393489699135060842010-11-29T16:17:00.002-05:002010-11-29T16:21:54.908-05:00Happy Birthday Dad!Mom's still at the hospital in Wilmington (New Hanover). I'm like the rest of you guys reading, I hate to call and bother Dad with updates every so often and one night Lindsey found me reading the blog and said, "Are you reading the blog to keep up with what's going on with Mom?" :) I did just talk to Dad and there's not really a lot more to update. They did bloodwork last night and they put in a new tube a little while ago. They have also noticed that her fistula - the part of her esophogus that's outside of her body in the ostomy bag seems to be healing/closing up. Not good...Dad asked the doctors and nurses about this and they haven't really said anything about it. We'll keep you guys posted as we get more news. We do know that she'll be staying at the hospital at least through the night. And in other news...it's Dad's birthday today! Happy Birthday Dad!Staci Brewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00014683820220578550noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-66553322840044114902010-11-28T23:03:00.001-05:002010-11-28T23:04:43.533-05:00Another trip to the hospitalJust a quick note... Mom's J-tube clogged tonight. Dad called Dr. V and was hoping he would admit her at UNC and do a thorough check up, but after waiting 2 hours for him to call Dad back (he was in surgery), Dr. V said he could bring her up to Chapel Hill, but he couldn't promise she would be admitted, or he could just take her to New Hanover. Dad called Dr. Alatar and she helped him get her admitted at New Hanover. So far, they've given her pain meds, something for anxiety, and they're doing some blood work. They're going to keep her over night, but I don't really know anything more than that. We'll keep you posted...<br />
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Oh yeah, just a side note... Dad's birthday is tomorrow! :-)Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07024708261634941193noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-31457435186597882602010-11-26T09:22:00.002-05:002010-11-26T09:31:15.738-05:00Black FridayNo "Black Friday" shopping for us. As Lindsey said in the last entry, around 7 p.m. Thanksgiving night, Pam's feeding tube came out. We had had some problems with it slipping out about 5 inches a couple of times during the last couple of days. I was able to "shove it back in" and tape it down those times. When I called her surgeon in Chapel Hill last night, he said to go to New Hanover Hospital and have them put it or a replacement back in. After the usual wait in the emergency room, a kind doctor reinserted it and stitched it down. Maybe it will stay put for a while. This one leaks a little and he tried a couple types of catheters to replace it but couldn't get them to go in.<br /> Anyway, we arrived back home around 1:30 this morning. It's been pretty typical since then. Staci stayed up with her until around 5:30 when I went back on "duty." She's resting pretty good right now (9:00 a.m.). Thanks for your thoughts, prayers, and acts of kindness.Reggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17287851688499238349noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-30575423936629024652010-11-25T22:23:00.000-05:002010-11-25T22:23:10.951-05:00ThanksgivingWell, I'll be very honest. It hasn't been a good Thanksgiving. Every time I come home for the weekend, instead of Mom seeming slightly better, it seems like she's slightly worse. She's so weak, she's like an old woman right now. She hardly talks and when she does, it's pretty soft. She's not getting out of bed much at all, and she wants everything quiet. She's just deteriorating. It's pretty tough to see. I think all day we've been pretty discouraged and I just didn't even want to do Thanksgiving, but we couldn't not do it either. So Staci, Taelor and I started cooking and worked and worked and worked. Staci borrowed a turkey fryer from the Howingtons and she and Dad tried to get the turkey started around seven, and right after that, right when were kind of starting to get out of our miserable states of mind, Mom's J-tube (feeding tube) came out completely. Dad called the on-call doctor and he told him to take her to the hospital to get it put back in. It's so discouraging. It just seems like she's never going to get better. I'm sorry to unload, but we really need all the prayers we can get. Hopefully, someone can just put the J-tube back in and they'll be back tonight, but we'll let you know...<br />
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Now since I've whined and griped, let me just say I know I have a lot to be grateful for. I had to give a talk in sacrament meeting last week, and the topic was "Men are that they might have joy." I keep going back to some of the quotes I used in that talk and tell myself to cheer up. One of the quotes was by Richard G. Scott and it said, "<span lang="EN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Some people are like rocks thrown into a sea of problems. They are drowned by them. Be a cork. When submerged in a problem, fight to be free to bob up to serve again with happiness.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I keep trying to bob, but right now I feel like I'm half rock, half cork. However, I know that I am a daughter of Heavenly Father and he knows what me and my family are going through and he loves us. I have an amazing family, who have mostly been blessed with good health, good jobs, comfortable homes, and lots of people who love us (just to name a few things). And I know at some point, I don't know when, but sometime, things are going to get better. We just have to keep looking ahead and counting on all of our friends, who give us so much support. </span></span>Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07024708261634941193noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-89708345335482132312010-11-23T05:39:00.006-05:002010-11-23T05:50:43.394-05:00Latest doctor visitTook Pam to her oncologist, Dr. McNulty, in Wilmington yesterday. Chemo is still delayed until her general health improves. Next chance will be Dec. 20th. Nausea is still a major problem which leads to dry heaves and abdominal pain. She rested well yesterday after the visit. He decreased the interval between doses of pain medication and is treating her for motion sickness to see if that will help with the nausea. She wears a patch behind her ear that is worn by people going on a cruise. How I wish for those days again! The jury is still out on that strategy but we're hopeful.<br /> Had a minor scare this morning around 4 a.m. Pam had asked for some pain medication and when I went to insert it in her feed tube I noticed the stitch had come out and the tube had come out of her abdomen about 5 inches. I called the "on call" number at Chapel Hill and to make a long story short, Dr. "V" said to just shove it back in. Hmmm. Just shove it back in. And so I did and we are back to the status quo hoping for improvements today. As of 5:45 a.m., she is resting well.Reggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17287851688499238349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-17266258370532369622010-11-21T23:20:00.002-05:002010-11-21T23:37:21.049-05:00More of the SameOctober and November just melted together and seem like one long day. It's hard to believe that we've been dealing with this since October 5th (and before). Every day seems the same until you look back maybe a month ago. From that perspective you may see a little progress but it is miniscule. But, progress is progress. Last week after some bloodwork, it was determined that Pam's liver counts are very high, between 400-500. A prescription change should take care of that. It was also found that she has "sludge" in her gall bladder, most likely causing the nausea. On Friday, we were sent to get an ultrasound scan of her abdomen. Results are forthcoming on that. Tomorrow, Monday, we return to her oncologist, Dr. McNulty. I'm sure that chemo treatments will once again be postponed due to her current condition. We are still very hopeful for a positive resolution but for now, Pam just doesn't feel well at all.Reggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17287851688499238349noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468582364906764260.post-33218246006312403952010-11-19T18:24:00.000-05:002010-11-19T18:24:45.239-05:00Ch-ch-ch-changes...Hello! Alright, I know I've been pretty slack with keeping up the posts, mostly it's because there's not a lot going on right now and with me not being at home with Mom most of the time, I don't know the ins and outs of her day. Sooooo...Dad is going to start doing a lot of the blogging. He's with her all the time, he obviously knows what's been going on each day, and he'll be much more efficient at updating everyone. I'll still be doing some of the posting too, and maybe Dave & Amber, Staci, and Taelor will contribute from time to time, but for now, Dad will probably be doing the majority of it. Just wanted everyone to know what they have to look forward to!Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07024708261634941193noreply@blogger.com2