Beth and Cancer

When I get behind on my blogging, I tend to go to Facebook and use those posts as a guideline on what is important to post.  There was happenings that I hadn’t written about there, but are extremely important so I will add it now.

Last year at the end of summer, Beth Gardner was diagnosed with Rectal Cancer.  To make things worse, she broke out in Shingles basically at the same time.  She was blistered, but unbelievably didn’t have a lot of pain along with it.  The cancer was very scary to me, as I have never been personally around someone watching them battle this disease.  Beth had such a good attitude, as she usually s. in life.  It was amazing watching her go through this.

 

Beth had chemo sessions for a few months.  Luckily, they were able to do many of these in Roosevelt so she didn’t have to always travel to SLC.  She is such a strong, independent lady and she even drove herself alone most of the time.  She was able to keep working through most of this as well.  I truly am amazed at her strength though all of this.

Beth started radiation treatments the middle of December. These were daily (week days) held at the Farmington, Utah University of Utah Huntsman's Facility. It is only about 20 minutes from Cassy's house, so Beth stayed there.  Radiation went from December 15 - January 28th.   Meg and Mandy were home with Mary.  They took such good care of her to make this separation easier for Mary.  Mandy was the one there more often.  It was so cute to watch.

 

Cassy wrote on her blog about this time:  “She did really well. From 's house my perspective, her energy levels didn't change too much. She did tire easily, but it didn't seem anymore than what it was before. Most days, she (and the days I was with her) went shopping. Her bottom is sore from the radiation and soaking in the tub has become one of her best friends. This week, she is just taking it easy and letting her body rest before getting back to "normal" life.

We are at a waiting a game of knowing what will happen next. In 3-4 weeks she will have scans. Based on what those scans say will depend on if she has surgery and when that will be or if it will be maintenance treatment and how long that will be. We shall see what the future holds on this cancer journey.”

Beth has met with the surgeon and is scheduled for surgery on March 31^st.  This will take place at the Huntsman Cancer Center in SLC.  They told her that she will be in the hospital there for a week.  Recover will take 6-8 weeks.  I will substitute and finish out the school year for her.

Cassy posted some pictures of the radiation machine - I took one from her blog.