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mercredi, avril 30, 2008 10:04

Mom Update - 4/30/2008

My mom's surgery is finally scheduled... it was taking too long because another doc was supposed to scrub in to do a seperate procedure and the 2 doc's schedules were conflicting.

The Mayo Clinic had suggested this be removed right away and that was in January... so I called the surgeon yesterday and said we want to proceed with the tumor removal without the second doctor. He can do his procedure another time; if at all.

So, we have a date and time... and now we wait. Please, keep praying.

My mom passed her stress test with flying colors, they got her heart rate up to an amazing 175bpm and that's a giant thing at the age of 64, so all is well there. Again, please keep her in your prayers.

(if any of you have been wondering where I have been, I have become completely addicted to facebook. It's so much fun and takes my mind off things. If you go there look me up... love 2 all of YOU!)

Thank you all,
Angels, love and light,
Synergy

3 Comm.

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mercredi, avril 16, 2008 3:46

Mom update 4/15/08

The GP has ordered my mom a Thallium stress test. Which is horrid, I know because I have had one.

The test in on the 18th. He wants to make sure my mom's heart is strong enough for surgery. The surgeon thinks she is but the GP is being a pain, but I guess better safe than sorry.

They will intravenously inject her with a chemical that will speed up her heart as much as it can take and then the give you another shot to stop it when they see you've reached your limit.

Last time my mom had this test was 3 years ago - same as me - she passed it wonderfully. I don't know or remember what I did, I just remember that was WAY NUTS. (We had the tests because we both took the diet pills phen/fen for over 3 years back when that was available... her heart had no damage from it. I wasn't that lucky, but it's okay, rather me than her.)

Anyway, so Friday she has this thallium test and we go from there. I am sure next is labs and then we should have a surgery date.

Keep praying my friends... love 2 all of you.

Angels, love and light,
Synergy

2 Comm.

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vendredi, avril 11, 2008 9:58

AP via Yahoo! News: Prince to headline Coachella festival

Prince to headline Coachella festival

AP via Yahoo! News

Prince will headline the ninth annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, festival promoters announced Wednesday.

The Purple One will be the featured act on day two of the giant summer music festival, a three-day affair that runs April 25-27 in Indio, Calif.

He joins a lineup that includes Jack Johnson and Roger Waters, the former Pink Floyd singer-songwriter who will close the festival.

Also slated to perform: the Raconteurs, Kraftwerk, Portishead, My Morning Jacket, M.I.A., Death Cab for Cutie and the Verve, among others.

___

On the Net:

http://www.coachella.com/

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mercredi, avril 02, 2008 10:58

Mom’s Health Update 4/2/08

We saw the surgeon on Monday, he seemed confident that it needs to come out. My Mom asked what if it is Cancer and he explained that he has done this surgery many times and that the good thing is that the cancer is gone when the tumor is removed. *Phew*

Now that was contrary to what I read online, but I AM going with the Doc on this one.

Anyway, he needed to review her films and consult with a neurosurgeon since the tumor is located so far back that he doesn’t want to risk injuring her spine and impairing her further.

He is going to decide whether to have the neurosurgeon on-hand in case the tumor is involved with the spine or the nerves that connect with the spine or whether he would do the surgery on his own once he sees the films and will call us this morning. And also there is the question of whether to go in from the front or try going in from the back which could still impair the spine. That freaked both me and my mom out a minute. But we know he is an excellent surgeon... So, now we wait on that phone call and go from there.

The surgery will be scheduled right away as soon as he calls today, so for that we are grateful both to him and to GOD.

Keep praying, loves... We need it. I am sorry that it has taken tis long to update, but quite honestly I wasn’t sleeping or eating this last weekend and was just a walking zombie which only served to make my mother worry about me.

Which I don’t want. I have slept a little bit since seeing the doctor. He is such a calming, caring person that you just feel safe. All doctors should be like him. He’s very confident that my mom is going to be okay.

He says her health, other than the tumor, is pretty stellar for her age - a trait I didn’t inherit, lol - but that is okay because I would surely take all the pain she is going through right now onto myself rather than see her this way.

She’s never been sick other than for bronchitis since she has been an adult, her only surgery was a hysterectomy - so all in all, she is strong enough to make it through a surgery this long. I am going to get on her to stop smoking from when we know the surgery date until after the surgery.

Because I can just see her puffing away on the way to the Hospital and that would not be good when going under anesthesia for the amount of time that she may be in surgery.

Oh, loves, let’s hope that this surgery goes well and that if it is cancer, it’s taken out and that my mom can return to being the strong "broad" (lol) that she is and that as a family we can start cherishing every day we have together from that point onward.

Please, please keep praying... may she come through this surgery strong and better than she was before. She’s been in pain for so many years, back and hip, who knows this may have been what was causing it as it is a slow growing tumor...

Anyway, all my love to you beautiful people that keep my family in your prayers, unselfishly. You are angels!

Angels, love and light,
Synergy

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mercredi, avril 02, 2008 10:33

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter: "Moonlight" fans give blood to save vampire show

"Moonlight" fans give blood to save vampire show

Tue Apr 1, 2008 11:04pm EDT
By James Hibberd

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Fans of CBS’ "Moonlight" are so passionate about the vampire drama that they’re willing to sacrifice their own blood to keep the rookie series on the air.

Teaming with the Red Cross and online protest rally point YouChoose.net (http://www.youchoose.net), "Moonlight" viewers are organizing a nationwide blood drive to garner network support for a second season. They claim that more than 3,000 fans have pledged to donate a pint each.

"Moonlight" star Alex O’Loughlin has been so moved by fans’ efforts that sources close to the series said he is becoming a spokesman for the Red Cross. The spokesmanship position will be announced this week.

For all the dramatic effort fans are expending to rescue the show, here’s the kicker: "Moonlight" isn’t in any imminent danger of cancellation. Although modestly rated (7.5 million viewers to date), the show is considered very likely to receive a pickup for the fall. Additionally, "Moonlight" still has four original episodes set to air when it returns April 25, so there’s plenty of time for CBS to mull its fate.

Still, "Moonlight" fans aren’t taking any chances.

"We wanted to celebrate the return of episodes and really focus attention on the show," said Barbara Arnold, who helped promote the blood drive. "They say one pint of blood saves three lives. So if we can collect 3,000, wouldn’t that be nice?"

The fan intensity could be wearying for CBS.

The network just finished extinguishing a yearlong fan uprising about its other ratings-challenged cult drama, "Jericho" (which the network canceled last month). At least executives can take heart that, unlike in the infamous "Jericho" peanut-mailing campaign, "Moonlight" fans are using their blood to help a good cause rather than sending it to the network.

I dare say that I am infinitely more in *love* with Alex O’Loughlin now than I was before. I love "Moonlight", if you haven’t seen it - you’re missing out.

Angels, love and light,
Synergy

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vendredi, mars 28, 2008 11:00

Michigan and Florida Voters... LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD!

Michigan and Florida Voters...
LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD!

LET’S MAKE SURE ALL OF OUR DELEGATES OUR SEATED AT THE NATIONAL CONVENTION IN NOVEMBER 2008!!!

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mercredi, mars 26, 2008 11:01

Thoughts and Mom...

Well, my mind is troubled. I tried to pray all night, but fell asleep amidst asking the LORD to make sure my mom is okay.

She’s starting to have pain, which is scaring me because this type of tumor is painless until it’s cancer... which if you read in my last post, we are unsure of until it comes out.

I made the appointment for my mom to see the surgeon, that will be the 31st of this month - next Monday - which is quick I guess. He’s not in the office until that day and conveniently that’s my mom’s day off.

My mom’s birthday is Friday - the 28th - she’ll be 64 (Shhh......) and I want to do something special for her, but she hates that stuff. I was thinking of inviting all my friends over, since she has been like their second mom all our lives, for cake and conversation, but people get busy and they wouldn’t dig the last minute notice.

I just wasn’t thinking about it before, because well, I have had more pressing things to think about my mother. This is the first year she has her birthday off from work in a great many years. Hopefully, she’ll just relax and enjoy the day.

She’s not nervous about seeing the doctor on Monday, she says she has no bad vibes. My vibes are off cause I am scared, if it was anyone else’s parent or friend - I could tell them what I felt and it wouldn’t be tainted with my own fears.

I know in my heart that GOD is going to make this all okay and that my mom will be fine.

I keep talking to her about things for us to do this summer before I go back to school... like walking the dogs (I have a new puppy whose a bundle of energy) and hanging out more with her friends and me with mine, just enjoying the summer.

I hope that you guys are still praying out there, still reading my whining... I am sorry for that, but you’re putting up with it is appreciated. I send you all my love...

Angels, love and light,
Synergy

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vendredi, mars 21, 2008 10:10

Mayo Clinic Pathology Report... Mom's Biopsy Update (3/21)
Humeur actuelle :

accablé

You know how you get really happy over something and then, boom, it’s like you got a freezing cold barrel of water thrown on you? That’s the way I’m feeling today, I dare say that’s the way my mom and dad are feeling too.

We got the pathology report yesterday, so my mom asks me to open it and read it. So, I did and it wasn’t quite the rosy picture that our GP painted the night before on the phone to my mom.

I mean, WHAT THE HELL?

Yes, it’s a tumor.

It is histologically benign (as seen through the study of the microscopic structure of the biopsied tissue).

BUT...

When looking at the structural characteristics of the tumor, Mayo stated that there is a high clinical potential toward malignancy.

Why?

Because The Tumor shows signs of necrosis (localized death of living tissue/cells) and an Infiltrative growth pattern which is indicative of a malignant tumor.

Mayo recommended that the tumor be removed asap, as it is of unknown malignancy. That was it - it’s of unknown Malignancy and should be treated as such.

They mentioned that they have seen tumors like these that appear malignant and in fact are not, where the perceived necrosis was in fact cystic changes. But that won’t be known until the tumor is removed and pathology is done on it.

They recommend that the tumor be removed with a large resection and cauterization of the surrounding area since it has grown quite a bit in a mere month and a half. Thus, the infiltrative growth pattern visible.

So, my stomach fell through the Earth’s Crust right at that moment.

I mean, our GP made it seems like peaches and cream, but everything I have read is NOT good.

I was so happy, we were all so happy - and then, poof, we’re driving to my brother’s house to see the baby after reading this report and no one could talk, except for my father who was incessantly asking me over and over again how the report could say one thing and our GP say another.

Maybe I should have NEVER opened the pathology report... I don’t know.

The tumor type is a hemangiopericytoma.

If any one of you care to look it up, you’ll see why I feel like throwing up all over the place this morning.

I am going to try and think positive and leave this in GODs hands and maybe, just maybe, our GP was right. I really am gonna try.

But, please, can you all pray for my mom again?

Please.....

Angels, love and light,
Filippa (Synergy)

7 Comm.

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jeudi, mars 20, 2008 12:59

UPDATE ON MOM’S BIOPSY - 3/20/08 (Update - read and see new blog on Mayo Clinic Report - 3/21)
Humeur actuelle :

extatique

Yesterday afternoon, I called my mom’s doctor hoping for some news (and feeling there was news) and of course we waitied for them to call us back until I passed out and fell asleep (finally).

The doctor finally called around 6:15 pm EST.

The results from Mayo had indeed come back, they got to the office on the 18th - the very day that Mathew was born... so it was ironic that I felt we had to call since we were told it would be a while.

The News:

The mass IS a tumor, about the size of an orange, and has to be removed surgically ASAP.

BUT.....

IT’S BENIGN...

SO..................

NO CANCER!

NO CANCER!!!

I am so over the moon right now. The minute my mom told me I grabbed her and hugged her and busted out into my "NO CANCER" dance and then walked around like a stoned person. I was running for the phone, texting people, hugging my mom, dancing with my puppy. lol! I think I am certifiable, seriously.

I want to thank ALL OF YOU WONDERFUL LOVING PEOPLE because it’s your prayers that did it, I know it. I can feel it in my bones. It was you, who prayed for us and sent words of encouragement and caring. I love all of you and I will never forget this.

We have to call the surgeon today to schedule the surgery to remove the tumor, as Mayo said - it’s large and while it’s cancer free now, it’s best to get it now because with tumors things can change. So, we’re on to that now... with renewed hope and strength and soul, because it’s not cancer.

I haven’t been this happy in so long it’s pathetic... but I don’t care, because it’s so good.

Again, I thank all of you SOOOO Much. And, I think now I will take a little rest, like this minute since I have slept ’nada’ all these past months and weeks.

It looks like our little Mathew brought some good news with him from Heaven... and GOD made sure we got it on the feast day of St. Joseph... what a miracle.

OH THANK GOD, thank you thank you thank you, My sweet LORD for hearing our prayers. THANK YOU, my friends, for lending your voices and hearts to my family. It is appreciated more than you will ever know.

GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU.

Angels, love and light,
Synergy

---------------------------------------------------

Please read my newest blog, 3/21/2008, on my mom’s biopsy - regarding the report from the Mayo Clinic. It’s not as simple and joyous as I thought yesterday morning when I wrote this post.

Please, keep praying for my mom.

Angels, love and light,
Synergy

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mercredi, mars 19, 2008 10:45

Birth... IT’S A BOY!!!!
Humeur actuelle :

conquis

Yesterday, my brother and his second wife welcomed their first son, Mathew Gaspare, into the world at 5:10 pm weighing 7 pounds and 1 ounce and measuring a whopping 20 inches tall.

Mathew is so, so beautiful... His hair is black and thick with beautiful curls and waves. His skin so soft and unblemished.

He was so alert right from go, looking in the direction of whomever was talking and at the lights and shadows that are his visual world right now.

And GOD, he’s so strong, lifting his head already... just like my eldest nephew - Gabriel Francesco - did when he was born.

Mathew has our family coloring and complexion, olive toned and darker than my sister in law’s side... he’s going to have dark skin like my father for sure, as I did as a child.

Actually, Mathew looks a lot like my second nephew, Benjamin Martin, who is now, along with his big brother Gabe, an official "older brother". I can’t wait to see their faces when they meet their new half brother.

All in all, It was a pretty emotional day. This is the first Grandchild for my sister-in-law’s side... and well, a new life is such a precious thing anyway. So, there were tears of joy all over. When I finally got to hold Mathew, I just gave him a kiss and whispered "welcome to the world, sweetheart" and kissed him again.

My brother, Gaspare, looked so proud and so happy. He was the first person I hugged as everyone else went for Mom and Baby.

And... Oh crap, now I am getting teary again.

All Thanks and Praise to GOD for bringing this new little one into our family, healthy and happy, and with no complications in labor.

And please, LORD, bless our Mathew, along with his 2 big brothers, Gabriel and Benny... they are true gifts from the most high. May their futures be filled with every happiness and overflowing with love. Thank you.

Angels, love and light,
Synergy

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mardi, mars 11, 2008 2:30

Mom’s Biopsy Update... 03/11/2007
Humeur actuelle :

cafardeux

Well, we went to the Doctor and he had no results for us. The pathology department at the hospital wanted a second opinion so the slides and preliminaries were sent over to The Mayo Clinic.

Our GP said that it could take a few weeks to a month or more for the results to come back from there.

So..... the worry continues as do the prayers.

I know this is in GODs hands, but we were all so looking forward to just knowing once and for all. I don’t know what their sending it off to Mayo means, nor do I want to guess, so I will leave that to what’s what when we finally get the results.

I don’t know. The doctor mentioned something about there being some cells, but he didn’t elaborate other than the name of these cells and that pathology wanted to be sure what it had, so our appointment with the surgeon is to be rescheduled until we get the results back from Mayo and we’ll go on from there, I guess.

All I ask is that you all keep praying, as I am and my family are, that this is not cancer.

Thank you all, again.

Angels, love and light,
Synergy

15 Comm.

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dimanche, mars 09, 2008 7:07

Mom...

Okay, so we find out tomorrow afternoon the preliminary results from the GP, the best thing being we'll have a copy of the results in our hands so I can research what they mean as our GP is a little non-chalant about everything.

I am scared to death. I am really praying it's not cancer. I couldn't take it, seriously. My mom seems in such good spirits. I don't know if that is how she is really feeling or a front for us, but whatever it is it's nice to see her laugh or smile after these months of worry.

I think she's happy too because Mathew (Her and Dad's newest Grandson and my newest nephew) will be born soon. New life always seems to put a new clearer light on things. They're naming him Mathew, after her father, who is also really ill. Yes, my father is peeved that they are not naming him after him, seriously - peeved, but I can understand in this instance. Her father is sick, she wants to give her father's name to her first son. It's understandable. But Hey, you cannot tell an old Sicilian that, no - uh huh.

Anyway, I am writing this to relieve some nerves. Mom's at work today so she can be off for my brother and sister-in-law's baby shower next weekend, so I have time. I should be taking a nap or something, it's not like I have been sleeping at all since they found my mother's mass. I am so exhausted it's sickening. But, I am too nervous to shut off the brain.

Tomorrow cannot come fast enough. Please, keep praying... NO CANCER, NO CANCER...

My mom is such a great person. With the biggest heart in the world, she'd give anyone the shirt off her back to help them. She's such a good soul, you know... it's so hard to find that in anyone now a days. But my mom is the real thing. Beautiful inside - and although she doesn't believe it - outside. I love her so much. I would gladly give my life for hers, that's the truth. She's always worked so hard for us, 3-4 jobs - odd hours - no days off.

I want her to have some time to herself now, time for herself finally - time to take care of herself, put herself first - like she hasn't all these years. I don't know how I will make it possible for her to do that monetarily with how things are here in Michigan, but I know I WILL DO IT someday. I WILL... and she'll have that time and everything she could ever need. Because I love her and she deserves it.

Just GOD, let her be okay... no cancer, no cancer. Please pray, friends... please. All my love 2 U all.

Angels, love and light,
Synergy

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jeudi, mars 06, 2008 4:39

Mom’s Biopsy

Well, my mom went in Tuesday Morning (3/4/08)... the Doctor was late so things got started late.

She was put under anestesia for the procedure, thank GOD, cause I know it hurt when they biopsied my thyroid.

Anyway, The actual biopsy didn't take very long. The majority of time was putting her under and getting the precise area visible and marked off through CT.

The Doctor came out to my father after a little while and said the procedure had gone well and my mom was resting in recovery. He later explained the preliminaries and what happens now to my mom.

The News, so far... is that the results should be back in 3-5 days, which should mean tomorrow or Monday at the latest. I am praying for tomorrow.

The good news is that to the Doctor doing the procedure said it appears that the mass has shrunk down from the size of an orange to 1 inch in diameter, which is totally amazing. We are all so relieved, and will be more so when we get the final results... and of course, hear what the surgeon says it looks like when he sees what he sees on the films.

My family and I attribute the shrinkage to all the prayers that everyone has been sending up to GOD for us... and that means that I thank all you lovely people that have prayed for my mother and our family.

Now, please, keep praying until we know if it's cancer or not... the Doctor said to him it doesn't seem to look like cancer, but he cannot be 100% positive and we'll have to wait for the results. So, we see our GP on Monday, hopefully the results will be there... and we see the surgeon on March 12, 2008 to know more. But hopefully, with GOD in the helm, all will be well - it's all in his hands.

My mom will be 64 years old on the 28th of March 2008... and my brother has a new son due to enter this world around that time, so you see my mom has a lot to see and be here for in the future. Another Grandson to add to the two my brother already had with his first wife... 3 Grandsons, there should be joy in that so with GODs blessing, perhaps this will be resolved by then and my mom can enjoy her newest Grandchild without worrying about this.

To all of you, I send my thanks - again - for sending your prayers to GOD, for sending me words of encouragement and support in this time. I know I have been a mess... but please, keep praying. No Cancer, No Cancer... please.

And know that when the need arises, I will be there for you all too... I love you all for your selflessness and kindness, my friends. You are precious souls. Keep praying... We need it.

Thanks for reading this. I will update as I know more. Pray it's all good.

Wishing you all peace, positivity, laughter and joy,
Angels, love and light,
Synergy

7 Comm.

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jeudi, mars 06, 2008 4:36

Somewhere Here On Earth: Prince

Wow.

I just finally got to see this newest Prince video, "Somewhere Here on Earth", Mille Grazie to those that made it possible. I can't seem to catch it on BET to save my life.

Oh.... Man.

This video is amazing. I had seen an interview on it on Italian Television several months ago, it seemed beautiful by the actress' description... but it's really beyond beautiful.

The metaphor of one's other half being there shadowing the other and yet not being physically there yet... being more something that is felt before revealed thus the revelation - when it happens - feels like your coming home into the arms to which you belong to be made love to as you were destined... finally. It's breathtaking.

Breathtaking...

Literally, You stop breathing while watching this video... and I watched the video several times, because honestly, I kept closing my eyes and singing along lost in the dream Prince creates with this song and elaborates with the video.

It's romantic, seductive and grown up. Different than "Somebody's Somebody" where you can truly feel the loneliness. S.H.O.E. is optimistic, believing with all faith that love - the right love - is out there... I think that is precisely what makes it so breathtakingly beautiful to me, so beautiful - in this world of 2 second hookups and 5 minute marriages - to believe it's out there. Somewhere.

Love.

I have loved this song since I got the CD... the music in itself is stunning, Prince's vocals soul-stirring and intoxicating... the whole composition touched me deeply. I guess because I want to believe that that kind of love - unconditional and intoxicating, unrivaled and so powerful - is out there waiting, somewhere, somewhere here on earth.

Here... and real.

Just as sure as there is beauty in each and every note of this song... just as sure and real as the beauty that comes in spring... Yeah, I want to believe.

It's here... Somewhere Here On Earth.

Make sure to check out this video. I don't care if you have to camp out in front of the TV tuned to BET for a year, see this video.

As for Prince? Well, The Man is delicious. And Mmm Mmm Mmm... uh... the tie as a blindfold? Good GOD! I wanted to reach through my screen... It's breathtaking, literally AND seriously! I love him.

See it for yourself, loves.

I have to go see it for a thousand more times, at the very least... lol!

Angels, love and light,
Synergy

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