happy birthday mom: Feb 17, 2013

we miss you everyday- happy birthday Mom 2-17-2013

Posted Feb 25, 2013 10:04am

The month of February is the month of my mother's birth February 17 1944.
I know that so many of you miss her and I would love to hear from you this month in memory of her. Do you have a memory you would like to share in memory of Reyna, please share your memories of her today.
My memory: my eyes swell when I miss you and my heart burns still at the pain of your physical presence missing. My soul was gone for a while after you left, but the time since you left has given me a chance to grow and find out who i really am. I've never understood what it meant to grieve, to really feel pain to the depth of my entire being. To cry rolled up in a ball by myself until nothing more could be expelled from my body. I learned that crying was good and necessary. I learned to love everything more and everyone while i had them in my midst. To not take things for granted and to let myself hurt for as long and as often as I need to. The pain of losing someone you love is inexplicable unless you have experienced it, it leaves a hole that cannot be filled, ever. But it also is an experience that is a learning not just for me, but also a learning i can share with my boys. I do not hide my pain, it's transluscent. The boys now know what it looks like to grieve and to be sad, they have also felt the pain at a different level. I want them to know and understand every step that i have gone through and to know that life is simply this way. We are not here forever, and that one day we all will take the path to a different place. My pain has allowed me to grow, to be so alone that I never thought alone-ness would leave me. She continues to teach me everyday even without physically being here. Moving through the phases of grieve of life, i continue to learn and grow. I know that my pain will always remain, because i want her here with me selfishly, but i also know that all she wants is happiness for us and to do what's good and right while we are here. I know that she would want the same for everyone she loved and cared for, her family, her friends. you. She was a beautiful woman and i'm glad she was my mother and i know each of you share a special feeling for her as well- today i miss her and this month i miss her and ever day until i'm with her, i will miss her but she still is the light of my life that shines the path to do good- and i will do that while i'm here and teach my children who she was and what she stood for.
Happy Birthday to a wonderful beautiful person,my mother.
You are missed, never forgotten. We know you are orchestrating wonderful things for us when our time comes. I miss you with my whole heart.
Love you with all of me-ginny

December 17, 2011: 1 Year

A year ago on December 18 2010...

Posted Dec 17, 2011 5:52pm

A year ago tomorrow on Dec 18, 2010 my mom was diagnosed with Acute Myloid Leukemia- there isn't one day that goes by that we don't think of her.
Today, i ask that you write one funny or joyful memory you have of my mother. It is amazing how much I have learned about her through you. Stories I never heard of before, things she did I never knew about- through your stories my mother continues to surprise me with how beautiful she was and what a caring and wonderful person she was. My dad just said to me today, she will make us all better people, to do good things and I already know that to be true.
Take a moment to share a story or two or three... in memory of her.
I love you all,
Ginny

Funeral: Our Lady of the Woods:May 2, 2011

Funeral: Our Lady of the Woods Catholic Church: 10:00 A.M

Posted May 2, 2011 1:25am

Our Lady of the Woods Catholic Church
21892 Gudith Rd
Trenton, Michigan 48183
(734) 671-5101
Please join us to celebrate my mother with a luncheon immediately following.
Anyone is welcome to bring anything to share if they would like- fruit and veggies are always welcome.
There will be a full luncheon and drinks for everyone.
There will be no processional following mass. My mother's wish was to be cremated. (she always said she didn't want have bugs crawling all over her :) Her wish is our command.
We appreciate any DONATIONS you are able to give be sent to the LEUKEMIA LYMPHOMA OF MICHIGAN

My mom passed away at 3:10 pm: Thursday April, 28,2011

Thursday April 28, 2011: 3:10PM

Posted Apr 30, 2011 9:07am

My mom passed away at 3:10PM on Thursday April 28, 2011.
She passed in peace and in no pain. She passed being conscious and with the ability to hear us all say goodbye. She left us all ok. We are sad and have pain, but she left us very peacefully.
I promise each of you, when I see you, I will tell you how beautiful it was. I promise because she would want everyone who could not be there to know. And she wants you all to know that she is fine now, and she wants you all to know that my dad will be ok. My mom asked my dad to promise this before she left, and he did.

Allot of beautiful things happened up until the very end. My mom fought hard to the last second of her last breath. She fought for me, my brothers, my dad, her grandchildren, her brothers and sisters, her friends, all of you, every single one of you, until the end.
She loved you all so so much and she wanted me to tell you this- so just know that your Reyna, my mom is at peace now and in no pain.
all my love to you, Ginny

P.S. I promised my mom, that because she has not been allowed to receive any of your flowers while she has been sick ;( BUT SHE CAN RECEIVE THEM NOW. I promised her, that her celebration would be perfect as she wanted it and already planned it. And I promised her it would be full of color with the most beautiful flowers. Please send them for her. Also remember that my mom died of a disease that is incurable. And we are also asking , if you are able, that donations can be made to the LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA FOUNDATION OF MICHIGAN.
If you are able- she would love to see you and celebrate with us.


I'm asking that you wear colors if possible. She loved colors. She would like that.

My mom is dying : April 28, 2011: 12:50pm

Thursday April 28, 2011: 12:45 PM

Posted Apr 28, 2011 12:50pm

My mom is dying.
Her organs are shutting down now and she is on her way to Heaven. She has e-coli rifling through her body and it cannot be killed. She has pnemonia.
She has had her last rights.
Pray now.

Anyone who is within a half hour away, is welcome to come say Goodbye, as you can imagine, we have a full room and its okay- so if you can, get in your cars now and come to say goodbye. She hears us, her eye movements tell us she hears us. So drive now.
pray for my mom, and we will be with her again, soon. In a better place.

Preparing to say good bye: April 28, 2011: 9:56am

Thursday April 28, 2011: 9:44 A.M

Posted Apr 28, 2011 9:56am

I've been up since Monday with my Mom- I'm trying to sleep, we all are trying, but its difficult to leave her side for an instant.

We are waiting to hear with the team of doctor's. The nurse was in on a meeting they had, and have told us that they want to have a family meeting to discuss my mom's condition. The nurse told us that things are not improving for my mom, they are worsening now.

They are worsening because the bacteria that has exploded within her body, her blood, is still growing, even after being on antibiotics. They continue to adjust them according to the type of bacteria they are finding, its just that it continues to grow regardless of the antibiotics. This is not a good indication that she can improve.

Now her kidneys are showing signs of failure and her cardiac output is getting worse, not better.
It kills me and pains me as I write this to even write it. BUT I KNOW you all are in desperation to know of a update and I know my mom would want me to tell you- so I'm writing this to you in the utmost pain and tears. However, what we now have to do and this is obvious, is to begin to prepare.

To prepare to release my mother in the manner in which she wants.

My mother has told us exactly what she wants - she wanted assistance breathing with a tube, she has told us that she even wants her heart to be shocked if that is necessary to bring her back. She has told us directly, that she won't go down without a fight.

She has told us that even she has even a partial chance and percentage, to do all that can be done for her to survive. This is my mom. Her love for us and life and will to live. We will grant every wish.
We have not talked to the doctor's but the nurse has told us they they will be telling us to begin to prepare to say goodbye and as much as it pains me to let her go or even think of it, we are going to hope and pray for a miracle and the decision of the family regardless of statistics and science, is to let the will of her body, mind soul and the Lord Jesus Christ to decide.

We are not giving up hope for my mom. and we will do all that is possible for her if she's in no pain and if she is not suffering.
I'm here to support her, I'm strong to support my father and my brothers and I know that this is now in God's hands and He will decide, no one else.
Pray for a miracle of healing for my Mom. This is now between her and God. But she's fighting, she's has shown us this, and we know that if anyone in this world that can come out of this .. it's Reyna Cheslick.

please pray for my mom at 3pm today

please pray for my mom at 3pm today

Posted Apr 27, 2011 3:07pm

ask for her healing.
the devine mercy rosary

Critical Condition: April 27, 2011

Wednesday April 27, 2011: CRITICAL CONDITION

Posted Apr 27, 2011 8:50am

All, my mom has taken a sudden turn for the worse. Approximately 3pm yesterday my mom stopped breathing. What started out as what me and my dad thought were minor hiccups, turned into my mom gasping for air. The emergency response team came in and surrounded my mom with care.
Immediately she was rushed to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where they worked at stabilizing her most of the night. They wouldn't allow us back to see her. Finally they were able to stabilize her vitals, but she cannot breath on her own and is on a machine with a tube in her throat.
They ran many many tests and have determined that my mom is diagnosed with "Septic Shock". Sepsis is a blood infection of the blood. They have determined the source of the bacteria to have originated in her stomach and has moved into her blood stream. Septic Shock is her body reacting and going into shock because of the Sepsis blood infection. This is very serious and my mother is in very critical condition.
The doctors warned us that the occurances that happen with my mom over last night would determine the direction she will take and if she will be able to withstand what is happening inside her.
The problems she is facing are severe and only worsened because she is at a zero white blood count with the chemo effects , so she does not have her own immune system to even support her at this point.
BUT- regardless of all of this- we all know my mom. And we all know her tenacity and love of life. She is fighting. We are seeing some minor positive signs this morning since the overnight period. Her kidneys are working!! With Septic Shock if you google it. The organs are in severe danger of failing. And right now, her major organs are functioning and there are no signs of fluid around her heart. Two very positive things. They are pumping her with over 2 liters of fluids to help flush her system. She is very swolen. My mom does not look like Mom- but all this is necessary.
They have my mom on antibiotics, they started this almost instantly when this all began- so right away my mom had instant urgent care and the doctors here were covering all basis of any suspicion they had to be certain they were taking steps to help her.
My mom is literally minute by minute and we are not certain of the future. We are taking things literally one minute at a time.
What we have is our faith and love and hope and God can do great things and we are asking for Him to step in now. My mom is showing a few minor positive signs and we can only hope that she continues to show us these signs of her willingness to still want to be with us for a bit longer.
We are asking everyone to pray for her. and we are asking for those you can and know to pray the Devine Mercy Rosary for my mother. Across the world, to know that we are all saying this same prayer for my mom can be a powerful powerful prayer- I'm asking that you join me today, at some point during your day to pray with us, in unison, for the healing of my mother. We all, everyone who reads this now- is not ready to say goodbye just yet- we all still need her. We need her. Pray with us today for her, for my beautiful mother.

The most emotional days thus far: April 18, 2011

Monday April 18, 2012

Posted Apr 18, 2011 11:22pm

Sunday and Monday were probably the most emotional thus far. The fact that my mom is back in with this disease within her has us all feeling like we have been knocked back down to zero. We are challenged not only knowing of the disease inside her, but knowing how much pain she is enduring for this fight.
I sit and I watch needles going into my mothers stomach. Her stomach is bruised from one side to the other as the nurses try to find a spot that is not sore. My mom is so strong its amazing to watch her strength. The shots in her stomach are insulin. The chemo and ancillary drugs she is receiving is causing side effect of her blood sugar rising to high levels. She's also getting Nupigen, another drug, which is part of the strategy in her treatment. Nupigen increases white blood cells, the hope here, the doctors say, is to draw out any hidden leukemia cells. Draw them out so that the chemo will attack them when they show their nasty faces. This is the hope. Normally Nupigen is given after the leukemia is completely gone, to stimulate the increase of white blood cells. its seems contradictory that they would want to do chemo to kill out white cells, but at the same time increase them? doesn't it? But if you think about a war - many times during a war, we do many odd things to draw out the enemy. Even if it means the possibility of danger for the surroundings. This is true with the battle within my mother's body. We want to draw out any hidden or lurking leukemia cells, while she's receiving the chemo, that way they are destroyed before they can continue further growth. I never ever wanted to know this much about the deadly disease of Cancer. But now, I have no choice but to learn to help my mom fight.
My mom is in a very emotional state. Breaking down in tears, "telling us she wants to go home", we hold her and cry with her. But today i had a moment with my mother I will never ever forget for the rest of my life. ... before I start with the story, I will tell you how yesterday ended and how the day began today.
Last night my dad arrived back at the hospital at approximately 7pm. I stayed with my mom all day from 9am until my dad arrived. Me and my mom went for a short walk, we do 1 lap around the nurses station. That's about all I can push out of her. Getting that I'm happy with though. At least I get 1 lap , and it makes me feel good that she is trying so hard for us, for herself... She's so tired, I know that even getting up to get her slippers on is a feat in itself. But she does it, I think just to pacify me, but she does.. so we walk. I hold her IV pole and she walks , slowly ... passing the nurses and smiling. We look at all the art work on the walls and comment on the one's we like and the one's we don't. We passed a calendar with a monarch butterfly on a flower, she mentioned that she liked it... we kept walking. We got near her room and I said "one more lap", she looks at me with her beautiful brown eyes, and gently nods "no, i'm done for today". i said ok, one step at a time mom". We walk into her room, I help her into her bed, and she takes a nap.
When I'm sitting there watching her sleep, I pray for her. I pray for the Lord to give her strength and to take all that she needs from me, to give her strength to fight. Listening to her breath soothes me. The most difficult part of all of this is seeing her cry.. So I try to get her mind off things by putting a movie on . nothing much on cable so I thought ok we will watch a dvd movie. Well the room we are in doesn't have a cd player this time. So I round up the host nurse, and they give us a little portable dvd player. Then my mom picks out the movie of her choice: Breakfast at Tiffany's. My mom loves that movie. So we watched it together. Shortly my dad arrives with Culver shakes :) my mom loves Culvers shakes, strawberry is her favorite. She's was like a little girl in heaven eating her shake. and my dad loves getting them for her. its so cute.

Well, my mom was getting tired and it was time for me to head back to get some rest too, so I go back to my parents that night. I find myself thinking about my mom non-stop. When i'm lying in bed, the thing I can think about is "what am I going to do tomorrow to give her more strength". What will get her mind strong to fight this horrible disease. I pray to God to help me, to guide me, and to fill me with what I need to pull my mom through. I know He is working within us all, within my family. I fell asleep in my mom's and dad's bed. I slept well. I woke up this morning again in thought about what I'm going to do to help my mom. and the one connection me and my mother have that is a huge bond, is our love and passion for art. I begin to gather some basic art supplies to take to the hospital in hopes my mom would find some inspiration to draw during this difficult time. I wanted to give her some sort of outlet to get her mind off the struggle she is enduring. Basic supplies turned into her complete art collection.
I valet parked because I had so much stuff to take to her room, i was excited and anxious to show my mom. I was hoping she would be happy. I pile all the supplies onto a wheel chair provided by the valet staff. I load her pastel box, which is an oversized tackle box that measures about 2 feet x 1 foot long. on top of that, five different sized sketch pads. Her easel. you name it. It was as if I was moving in... I travel down the long long long hallways of the hospital, finally to the east elevators, into the elevator with this big pile of stuff. To the 8th floor. I push the door of her room open with the front of the wheel chair, and I find my mom sitting in bed eating breakfast. She looks up and ...... i think she was a bit in shock to see the overwhelming amount of crap I managed to drag from home into the hospital room. it wasn't the reaction I was hoping for. In fact, she did not seem happy at all for what I had done. She was overwhelmed and what came out of her mouth was what hurt the most " she's says "ginny I cannot do that right now, why did you bring all that, why did you bring so much. please ginny just take it all back". at that moment, I felt her words slice through my heart - instead of being glad or happy or appreciative, she was the opposite. She began to cry... I just looked at her and I said "you need to try. You cannot tell me you CAN'T unless you try. You would never let me give up mom. Would you? She nods her head no, " I said, well then, I'm not going to let you give up either ! ".... that was the end of that little fight. She went back to eating her breakfast and I starred out the window at the snow falling, just in tears... I didn't want her to hear me. We are all trying to be so strong around her, and when she cries, strength flies out the window.
I needed to get going for the drive back to Grand Rapids today so I started packing up the wheel chair loading all the art supplies back up. In doing so, turned to my mom one more time and I said, I'm leaving "some" art supplies. So what do you want me to leave? YOu pick it out mom. So I put her tackle box full of pastels in front of the seat she was sitting in. Put it on a plastic bucket so it was high enough she didn't have to bend down to the floor. I opened the box for her and drew it near to her feet between her knees. and then I left it there for her, and i began packing up the rest of my things. I peek back over at my mom and I see her slowly digging into her pastel box. i was so glad to see that, even if she cannot do it long, even sketching colors onto a pad would be helpful for her right now in so many ways. She loves drawing and loves her pastels- I know that once she starts something.... she will feel good. She slowly went through the entire box of pastels, picking out the colors she uses the most. Her raw umber and burnt sienna, and of course cobalt blue and ultramarine blues. Those are her favorites. I organize all of them for her, and put them near the window with her sketch pads. I turn to her and say "they are there when you are ready mom"... she just turned and looked at me with this great love. I know she didn't mean to hurt my feelings by rejecting the art at first. What she was telling me is " I feel weak". "I feel helpless" When she was looking at me I said to her "mom, don't give up" please. I was at the bottom of her bed, and I grasped her two legs, please just don't give up. If I was laying in that bed, you would tell me the same. You would push me, wouldn't you?" She said without hesitation, "yES". I continued to say to her, when I lost my job, you drove to grand rapids, and you drug me out of bed and told me "ginny you have to shake this off, wipe your hands off, and get moving again! You told me not to give up- you told me that I need to brush off and keep going. "Now mom I'm here to push you and tell you the same. that you CANNOT give up". We need you here. This is not your time. Not now. She looked into my eyes, my soul and said "i won't give up on you". I said "Ok" then let's do what we have to do here. And I'm going to be here with you every step of the way no matter how mad you get or how annoyed you get with me. I 'm not stopping mom. I'm not stopping. We both began to weep this long weep and I dropped down lying at her feet as she touched my hair like she did when I was a baby... after a few minutes.. i looked back up at her and said "mom as long as you fight with all your might... you fight for us, your grand children, your husband, all your family and friends...you fight with all your might, and after you do... and truly cannot fight anymore it is then that you can stop, but you cannot go without a fight. you wouldn't let us stop without at least trying. She stared at me and with this soft cracking, beautiful voice, she said again, " I wont' give up on you"........ and you know what... I know she won't.

Mom is in a relapse: April 15, 2011

Friday April 15, 2011

Posted Apr 17, 2011 12:43pm

All,
We found out on Friday that my mom is in a relapse, chemo started friday and will be the hardest treatment she has rec'd thus far. This was a surprise for everyone that the leukemia is back since she has only been 50 days out since her bone marrow transplant.
This time around there are more risks with the chemo. the next two weeks will be difficult for her. Please continue to pray for her.
Today the priest brought my mother holy communion for palm Sunday. We all received communion together and prayed as a family. I felt a great sense of peace and emotion, i know the Lord is with us right now, watching over her and keeping her strong. Keeping us all strong. He is here now. I feel Him.
Today, it sunk in and has been an emotional day for my mom, many tears and emotions today, but me and my dad are with her taking shifts. I plan to work from the hospital as much as I can in the next two weeks to be with my mom, and to be with my dad. I want to be here to see my mom through the most difficult week of her life. My dad has been so strong. I'm so proud of him. His love for my mother is just immense and and certainly pure. His love for her alone is helping my mom each minute of each day. I love you dad so much, and stay strong with me. Stay strong .

She's in room 8424, phone number is: 734-936-8424. she cannot accept food or flowers, but any words and thoughts and cards are welcome.
Address:
Reyna cheslick
UMMC/8B rom 8424
1500 E. Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor, Mi 48109-5112

please send her your wishes, words of wisdom, love , prayers and encouragement. Right now she needs the power of prayer, and love to give her strength to fight this fight. This will be the toughest leg of the race. But my mom is the strongest women I know and any odds against her, she will defeat. I'm certain of it. Its not her time... its just not her time.

thank you all for your love and prayers, my mom needs you now more than ever.
thank you ,
all my love,
Ginny
see recent photos here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.1940913891972.111353.1516194098&saved#!/GinnyKeegan.WebGirl

Bone Marrow Transplant Day: 2, 24, 2011

Thursday: 2-24-2011

Posted Feb 24, 2011 11:35am

I apologize for the long delay between posts. My mom has been home recovering and getting stronger for the event that will happen today. Today my mom will receive the bone marrow of her sister Patricia.
The weeks leading up today have been focused primarily on getting my mom healthy and strong for today's events. The second bone marrow biopsy confirmed that my mom was in REMISSION!!!! That is fantastic and wonderful news, however since she has the FLT 3 mutation gene ( a rare cancerous leukemia gene). With this rare gene, it is very likely that her Cancer can return. Because of this, her doctors felt that the bone marrow transplant is the only way she could cure the cancer and be able to live without the likeliness of the leukemia returning. Again, lots of risks are involved with the transplant, and the decision to move forward was hard, but one that was the right choice for us. There are risks, such as my mom's tissues rejecting the new blood, however since her sister was an exact match, she has a really good chance that her body accepts it well.
So the calendar that lead up to today:
Feb 18- 2011: my mom's is re-admitted into Ann Arbor to meet with cancer team.
Feb 19- 2011: Saturday: Chemo day 1 ( chemo is given to ensure all leukemia cells are gone gone gone).
Feb 20- 2011: Chemo Day 2
Feb 21- 2011: Chemo Day 3
Feb 22- 2011: Final Chemo Day 4
Feb 23 -2011: no chemo - Rest day for Mom
Feb 23 -2011: My aunt give her blood for my mom
Feb 24 -2011: My aunt give more blood for my mom
Feb 24 -2011: Sometime today! my mom will get her bone marrow transplant
I will keep everyone informed as I know more. My mom and aunt are doing well, just scared and nervous.
My mom is expected to stay in the hospital for the next 6-8 weeks for recovery.
My mom's brother Luis is here to support his sisters, my dad is of course by everyone's side for support and my brothers will be here as well. I'm here and fortunate that my work is allowing me to work remotely for the next couple of days during this process. We are so grateful for my aunt and my uncle. My aunt is a hero, so strong.
During recovery my mom will be the "mom in the bubble". She will be very susceptible to all infections, bacteria, illness. She will be monitored carefully and visitors will be limited. No children are allowed near her for a while. As soon as she can have visitors I will let everyone know.
She is not allowed any food or flowers from the outside. but your prayers and continued support is always appreciated :)
Love you all !
Ginny

Jan 30, 2011 Update

1-30-2011: Sunday

Posted Jan 30, 2011 6:12pm

Hi everyone, my mom has been enjoying recovering from the comfort of her home. My dad and Gizmo, and of course all of us and i'm sure you as well, are glad she is home.
She is feeling pretty good- she's very sore still all over her body with aches, but we think that's the chemo coming out of her. I need your help to encourage her in SUBTLE ways the need for deep breathing, stretching and some level of exercise. She really needs it. She did manage to do some Yoga with me for about 5 minutes, but I think she needs others to motivate her and maybe she will listen to you :) If anyone has any dvd's or breathing cd's she can borrow :) that would be great too- the power of breath for your soul is so important and it helps to cleanse the bottom at a completely different level. I will be sending her some from amazon, but thought if anyone has them and live nearby they can share them.
Tia Maria Luisa- por favor, manda le por e-mail the breathing segments you and tio have on your Itunes.... I think she would listen to you.
If any of you have any ideas on how to motivate my mom OR possible if you have exercises she can do while sitting, just as a starting point, that would be great. Its hard for her to sit on the floor or do any big bending right now... but little by little my hope is that she can regain her strength and flexibility where she will want to do activities to make her feel better ;)
This past week she had another bone marrow biopsy, this time around it was really painful for my mother. The results have not come in yet from that- I will let you know when we find out.
The first round of chemo really has caused issues with her hearing, she has to go back to Ann Arbor for additional tests and ear scans to see what might be the issue with her ears.
If the biopsy results come back with no traces of Leukemia, the doctors still highly recommend she proceed with the bone marrow transplant. Her sister Patricia is a match! So my tia patty is waiting to get the word on when she has to travel to the USA. The ironic things of it all is that of all my mom's sisters, my tia has a phobia of needles, she hates them! she fears them. So this will be challenging for her, and my mom as a whole. pray for them to give them strength to jump this hurdle. It will be a tough mountain when the time comes. We should know more about the possibility of the bone marrow transplant next week.
My dad is scared (we are all scared) about the decision of the bone marrow transplant, because as we learn more about the process we are understanding the high risks to my mother. With this procedure there is a risk of the body rejecting the marrow. If this happens many horrible things can occur, a big concern is the shut down of major organs. Every decision ahead of us will be a tough one, all with risks. This is due to the FLT-3 mutation gene (rare leukemia gene) that my mother has been diagnosed with. This means that even though the first round of chemo killed all the leukemia cells, the chance of them returning is high. That is why if she gets clean tests results from this weeks biopsy, more than likely the doctor will recommend the transplant. This is the only way that the doctor's have indicated, will be my mom's chance at beat this type of cancer into remission.
So our next decisions will be hard, critical, and risky- but my mom is so tough- she said to the doctor when he told her, her options " Ive gone this far, I'm going all the way if that means I have to get a transplant, I'm doing it " , " I have to, and I will beat this". I'm so proud of her- She amazes me every day ....
I want to thank everyone who has sent cards, I think she is up to 1 million :) all from you. So sweet. and thank you for the calls and the visits and all the food. we are all very grateful for you.
love you all,
Ginny

from Diana Suarez: Jan 25, 2011

from Diana Suarez

daughter of my mom's youngest brother, Jaime

Posted Jan 25, 2011 7:57pm

On Jan 13, 2011, at 12:50 PM, jaime suarez wrote:
Estimada y muy querida familia,

Les envio fotos y videos de la mas vieja de los Suarez, su tia Reyna, llegue el domingo 9 y estaba gravisima punto muerte, estas fotos son del dia 13, esta mucho mejor y muy super mega bien tratada, en un super hospitalazo con super enferemeros y doctores llenos de amor.
Sus amigos mexicanos, pochos y gringos estan con ella 24 horas, no la dejan sola.
Ya vencio la leucemia, la mas dificil de todas ya le ganamos, solo que su cancer es el mas dificil y una vez que llega se queda en la medula oseâ se queda para regresar tarde que temprano.

La idea es que le quiten su medula osea y uno de sus hermanos le donemos nuestra medula, cosa que ya empezamos a tramitar hoy en dia en Detroit hay sangre de Patricia, Luisa, Lupa, Luis y mia en estudios de compatibilidad y la de Toño llega el lunes, Luis por desgracia el primero en llegar ya fue rechazado, estamos esperando los resultados de las 3 hermanas y mios.

Estoy seguro que de nosotros va a salir el donador, ya que estamos menos fregados que Toño, Dios quiera que seamos alguno de nosotros 4, los mas jovenes.

La Reyna va ser dada de alta ???? quiza la semana que entra, para irse a casa a recuperase mientras llegan los resultados de los donadores y en febrero hacer el trasplante, sin este trasplante la calidad de vida de Reyna va a ser mala, pero con el trasplante es como darle vida nueva, ya que le dariamos una calidad de vida como de recien nacido, tendria una esperanza de vida como la de cualquier ser humano medianamente saludable, como cualquiera de nosotros sus hermanos. La leucemia dicen los doctores vino por el cigarro.

Yo la veo muy recuperada y con muchas ganas de vivir, dicen los doctores que el habe venido de Mexico y que Diana estuviera aqui la levanto mucho, ya que se siente muy querida, como lo es. A Walter y Tony les cayo de pelos la ayuda ya que Walter se pasaba 24horas en el hospital, Tony saliendo de trabajara se iba todas las tardes y se hace responsable`por toda la logistica, Ginny y Steven viajan los viernes en la tarde y se reresan a trabajar el domingo en la noche, en fin la ayuda y apoyo de Mexico les ha sido de mucha utilidad.
Cualquiera que tenga tiempo y dinero para venir a donar na semana a atender a su tia Reyna sera recompensado con mucho amor y gratitud.

Es un honor venir a atender a la Reyna ya regersarle todo lo que hizo por mi mientras yo era bebe y ahora de rucos se voltean los papeles y yo soy la nana y ella el bebe. Ayudarla a comer, a ir al baño, darle masaje atenderle sus peticiones, quejas, llantos ha sido un regalo y todos sabemos que sabe pedir, ordenar y exigir.

Olivia, Gladys, Alvin, Joe Prado y las viejitas de la Iglesia han hecho nuestro trabajo.


Les mando besos y bendiciones, recuerden aquello de estuve en enfermo y me visitaste, todos aquellos que visitemos a Reyna en el corazon, la mente, la pagina de internet de www.carepeges.com/reynasfigth, estamos visitando a Reyna en su animo, sigan orando por Reyna que si Dios quiere y con la donacion de medula y la intercesion de Charlie su ahijado, alcanza a la tia Pinta.
Aquí están algunas de las fotos que hemos tomado.
POR FAVOR PASEN ESTE CORREO A GENTE QUE QUIERE Y SE PREOCUPA POR LA REYNA, COMO A JUANGABRIEL Y CARMEN, TU SABES A QUIEN ME REFIERO BERNARDO.
Diana Suárez

my MOM is COMING HOME TODAY! :Jan 16, 2011

1-16-2011: mY MOM is COMING HOME TODAY!

Posted Jan 16, 2011 11:25am

Hello, we have some GOOD NEWS FOR YOU TODAY!
This note was composed by : Tia, Maria Luisa (my mom's baby sister) and Tio Roberto, Tio Jaime, Tony (my big bro), Stephen (baby bro) and of course Me :)
WE WANTED YOU ALL TO KNOW: we have prelim DNA results regarding a bone marrow transplant for my Mom.
The good news is that there is 1 potential match out of the 6 brother sisters.
We will not know who that match is until late Monday or Tuesday this week. Once we have the results we will inform everyone, and inform the fortunate one of my aunts and uncles that will be able to give my Mother extended life.
My Tia Maria Luisa and her husband Tio Roberto, are here with her this week, as well as our cousin Diana (Jaime's Daughter) , and Tia hopes she is the chosen one.
Tio Jaime is leaving today and hopes is back soon bec he is willing and wants to be the donor. Jamie and diana his daughter arrived last week. The Family from Mexico are coming in shifts :) we are so grateful and love them. Diana my cousin has been on guard and helping and has been great with my mom and with us. She helped clean the entire house , along with my mom's great friends Julie, and Lupita. And Tony, Kristy, Stephen, my boys and I, everyone have been working hard to get the house ready for my Mom. cleaning and sanitizing, organizing, preparing, making calls, etc.
OH AND GUESS WHAT EVERYONE, ON ANOTHER GREAT NOTE..... MY MOM IS COMING HOME TODAY! She has miraculously improved each day with her blood levels that the doctors are comfortable with allowing her to recovering and rehabilitate herself in the comfort of her own home. My dad is so happy and of course all of her children, grandchildren, family and friends are thrilled!!!!!!
She will come home today and tomorrow to rest and recoop- as soon as she is able to receive visitors, we will definitely let you know!! I'm sure it will be very soon, you know how she loves you all.
YOU - and THIS FAMILY as a whole with your love, support and on-going prayers are what is making my mom's healing a REALITY. YOUR PRAYERS ARE WORKING. I ASK FOR YOU TO CONTINUE to bring them our way- to give my mom the continued and on-going strength she will need to kick this disease into remission. We are all hopeful and confident- and you have given my mom the hope she needs to continue REYNA's FIGHT :)
We love you all very much and WE ARE ALL SO HAPPY THAT OUR MOM IS COMING HOME

Para mi Madre, love gin: Jan 13, 2011

Posted Jan 13, 2011 12:38pm

Para mi Madre:
I’ve been thinking about you every second of every day. I wanted to tell you how PROUD, I am of you for fighting so hard these last 27 days. I’m proud to be your daughter, and your only daughter. I know where much of who I am comes from. And it makes me smile and happy and so proud.
I see so much of you in the person that I am. In all my talents and absolutely my strong personality. This strong personality is what is allowing you to fight so hard.
There is so much this tragedy has made me think about so much about life, love, faith and priorities, that I can only believe that God will reveal Good out of all this Bad. That Good will indeed come out of your situation and the entire Cheslick family will change for the better as a result of your sickness. We will all change for the better Mom, and we will be stronger and than ever before. Our family will help and impact and improve the lives of others too- all because of you…. You will see.
What is happening to you now, I couldn’t even imagine to begin to feel your pain, your feelings, your struggles, your frustrations- BUT I DO know, that if I could be replaced instead of you sitting there , I would, in a heartbeat. I also know that your strong willpower and fight is something you and I share, and that you won’t give up. You will FIGHT hard and I know that. We see this each day. I also know that this huge bump in the road Mom, is only temporary- because this is not your time. Its NOT.
Too many people are praying for you and love you. The entire church is behind you. They tell me this when they find out who I am. In fact, they almost tackle me, knowing I’m your baby girl. It makes me so happy and proud.
Your children and grandchildren adore you and love you.
I have been so proud of my brothers and father and family during this time:
Tony is valiant and strong. He is our guardian and watch dog, whatever needs to get done, will get done, with accuracy and precision. With his diligence and endurance and such great dedication and care. His love is so strong and powerful, we all know it’s there. This situation has proven that to us, each second of each day. He’s a big teddy bear, and under all that- is a beautiful man that loves his family with every inch of his being. He will walk to China and back with no shoes for us if he had to. I know he would. He’s the best big brother in the land. What he has done during this hard time, has been what is keeping us going and holding us strong. He combined with Kristy- are wow… the glue of this family.
Stephen is our baby, and his heart is bigger than this universe. His love for ALL of US will pull you out of this mess. His smile will make your days, he always makes my days… He will make OUR days bright and sunny and his warmth will protect you whenever you need to be blanketed. Stephen will continue to teach this family how to love … even if his life is going through ups and downs, he never stops loving us and he would do anything for any one of us. I’m confident. I love that boy, he puts things in perspective for me almost daily. Not sure how he got so smart … but he is smart and extremely talented and has the best personality and warmth … he’s my baby bro.
Everyone / anyone that has any connection to this family is there for you mom, at the drop of a hat. Just say the word. Just know that.
And last but certainly not least, Your husband is in utter love with you and you know this- he won’t leave your side for a second. He holds back tears so that you keep strong. He hurts for you, but will bust through walls to protect you. He is your knight in shining armor, and he will be the one to ride you out of this mess on your white horse. He is the strength and cornerstone of this family. He is the voice of reason. And I know, that is why you married him. I watch his love for you and it fills me with warmth. I know he cannot wait to have you home again so you can fill the house with your love. Dad’s actions make me stronger, your strength makes me stronger.

We all have had our moments of weakness during this time, but the nice thing is, when one of us is down, the other is THERE to pick us up, brush us off… to help stay strong for you. Dad’s love for this family and the family you two created is magnificent. Something I cherish and adore. Others adore our family in fact, when they step foot into your home. They feel the love, the strength and bond of the family you two created.

Mom, you're too strong and too hard willed to let this bring you down. You prove that to us each day we are there. And how your internal instincts go into effect, to protect yourself from any further damage- like viruses or other sicknesses from others and i know its hard for you to ask us not to hug and love you. Although pains ALL OF US that we cannot HUG you and hold you and kiss you- We know that it’s all because you are protecting yourself, so you can GET THE HELL out of there and come home and be our full-time Mamma and Abuela again. Your 9 grandchildren miss you.
One last little thing...
I HAVE TO TELL YOU MOM, yesterday … to hug you for a MILI- second… while I was helping you out of the chair to your bed, FILLED me with such warmth- that I cannot even explain it to you. I felt your heartbeat. And I felt your strength radiating through you …. to me. - - Thank you for giving me that second to love you and hold you. It gave me the energy I needed to KNOW that you were going to be leaving Ann Arbor and very soon  I miss my Mommy and I need you.

So keep FIGHTING….. so you can come home. We will all be there waiting for you with open arms, LOVE and big smiles and I’m sure lots of tears… Us Cheslick’s are big emotional babies but that’s because you and dad, and we have so much cooped up LOVE Mom and we cannot wait to show you.
I love you , you are my hero and when they call me “reynita” I smile- and I’m proud. I CAN’T THINK OF ANY OTHER PERSON I would rather be like.
All my love, I’ll see you this weekend mamma bear. STAY STRONG AND KEEP FIGHTING.
Love, Gin

Today was a good ...good day!!! Jan 7, 2011

1-7-2011: Today was a good ...good day!!!

Posted Jan 7, 2011 8:26pm

Today was a good, good, day. My Mom is doing o.k. she had her best day today- then ever! As you heard... We got the bone marrow biopsy back and there are no traces of Leukemia! which means the first rounds of chemo WORKED! we were so happy to hear the news- she is not out of the woods, they are still going to do the bone marrow transplant if we can find a match because they found that my mom has the FLT-3 gene. Its a mutation receptor gene, which is not good in her case with AML leukemia. It means that there is a very good possibility of the leukemia cells to return, but the fact she beat the first round is very promising and the doctors are happy with that. 1 day at a time. The chemo wiped her out BAD, so hard on her and all of us- sores in her mouth and down her throat, she couldn't eat a thing :( its been a hard week. but the doctors say that this week is the hardest, so now they are giving her shots to boost white blood cells, so we should see an improvement in her energy- :) but today was a great day for her, she did great and she's eating allot more today than ever.... so that's good, we are happy with each day- we see an improvement everyday and we are hopeful.
Today Gladys (her close friend) and I were with her all day today- My mom was in great spirits, she even walked around the bed almost by herself, and we were so happy- she even joked with us and did a little dance, and shook her bootie :) we all laughed it was good to see my mom back!!!!!! I gave her a back rub, a foot rub and head massage today- she likes it when I do that. She ate really good today too.
My mom loves hearing from all of you- I read her all your messages each day.
My mom sends this to you all:
She says to you all "thank you for all the prayers..... they ARE WORKING! xoxoxox"

Round One is OVER: JAN 5, 2011

Round One is OVER

Posted Jan 5, 2011 9:59pm

First of all, my mom is out of intensive care and back in room 8129!!! And by the way, they never had to intubate her. :)
Next let me share 2 great stories of prayers...our dear Cousin Agnes is in critical condition and my beautiful wife stopped in to see her. There at her bedside was Sharon and a minister. The three held hands and said a prayer for Ag and my mom. The minister turned to my wife and said you will receive a miracle with respect to your mom's blood today.
Almost at the exact time I received a prayer letter from my TIO JAIME. It was one of those ones that say if you send this letter to 20 friends within 5 minutes you will have great news within 5 minutes of sending it. Well I totally do not believe in those types of chain letters and I did not forward it. I did however SAY THE PRAYER and said even though I did not forward it PLEASE LORD make it WORK....
Within minutes of both of these events we received news that my mom's biopsy was leukemia FREE. This is the exact result that doctors were hoping for from the chemo! We are still not out of the woods. The hope now is that they begin to give my mom meds to help increase her own white blood cell count and she can begin to regain her strength.
The next ROUND of the fight is going to be a tough one. We need to hope and pray that one of her siblings are matches for a blood marrow transplant. Once a solid match is donor is found, my mom faces another round of chemo once she is healthy enough to start the bone marrow transplant process. PRAY that one of her siblings are a good match for the transplant.
My aunts, uncles and cousins are going to start to travel to come and help my mom in her battle. TIOS Y TIAS esta tan emocionada mi mama de saber que vienen. Aqui los estamos esperando.
We still have a long road to travel on her road to recovery but we remain hopeful.
Thanks for ALL THE PRAYERS!
Love,
Tony
THE WINNER OF ROUND ONE....REYNA CHESLICK

Back to Intensive Care Unit: Jan 4, 2011

Back to Intensive Care Unit

Posted Jan 4, 2011 10:32pm

Just wanted to let everyone know what is going on. I was with my mom today and her temperature spiked to 103.7 F or about 39.7 C. With this high fever my mom's breathing became very rapid and uncontrolled. The fever is being caused by what the doctor’s think is some sort of bacterial infection in her blood.
So they have moved her to the ICU as a precaution. They are evaluating her right now and they think that they may have to intubate her to ensure that her breathing is more controlled. We hope this is just temporary.
We have also started to test the brothers for bone marrow matches. We sent my tio Luis a kit to San Diego and he has sent it back to U of M for testing. We pray to GOD that the first test is the compatible one for my mom. Her receiving a transplant is KEY to winning this battle with Leukemia.
In the past few days it seems that my mom's spirit is a little lower than it has been. And because of this I have asked if some of my aunts and uncles would be willing to come in. Not so much for fear of the worse but perhaps to give my mom a little boost of morale.
TIOS AND TIAS WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!!! Los queremos mucho y aqui los esperamos para darle un empujon a su "Reyna". Aqui tienen sus casas. Me avisan de sus planes. 743-516-4584
I also want to comment on the outstanding care my mom has been getting here at U of M. I know that if I am ever in need of serious care the University of Michigan is where I want to be taken. The doctors and nurses and staff in 8B have been tremendous with my mom. Words cannot express how great they have been.
Thank you all for your continued prayers,
Love, TONY

Hard few days: Jan 3, 2011

Hard few days

Posted Jan 3, 2011 11:05am

She has been getting little sleep due to mucus in throat. Her mouth sores are increasing, making it very difficult to swallow. The docs said that this coming week would be the hardest, as the chemo continues to work. The bone marrow team will be in today to tell us the steps that will be required to begin testing possible donors. We will post the process in case anyone is interested. Her siblings have the highest chance to be matches. She is very weak and has difficulty talking. She appreciates everyones calls, notes and prayers. Here is a prayer in Spanish from my tio Jaime.
THANK YOU EVERYONE!
Soy médico católico y quiero unirme a Uds., con ésta ORACIÓN DE SANACIÓN: (Hacerla junto al enfermo y si es posible con su participación) Señor Jesús, Creo que estás vivo y resucitado. Creo que estás realmente presente en el Santísimo Sacramento del altar. Te alabo y te adoro. Te doy gracias, Señor, por venir hasta mí, como pan vivo bajado del cielo. Tú eres la plenitud de la vida. Tú eres la resurrección y la vida. Tú eres, Señor, la salud de los enfermos. Hoy quiero presentarte todas mis enfermedades, tu me conoces y conoces mis enfermedades, mis dolores, mis angustias, mis miedos, y también mis pecados, mis ingratitudes y mi nada !. Tú eres el mismo, ayer, hoy y siempre y Tú estás aquí y ahora, porque no hay distancias, ni tiempo que te separen de mí, hoy Tú puedes sanarme como curaste a tantos enfermos hace 2000 años en Galilea Samaría o Judea… Tú eres el Eterno Presente y me conoces aún mejor que yo a mi mismo. Tú estás vivo en tu Iglesia hoy, has que renueve mi fe y mi confianza en Ti. Te lo suplico Jesús porque Tú eres Jesús, eres mi creador, mi salvador, mi redentor. Ten compasión de mis sufrimientos físicos, de mis heridas emocionales y de cualquier enfermedad de mi alma. Ten compasión de mí, Señor. Bendíceme y haz que vuelva a encontrar la salud. Que mi fe crezca y me abra a las maravillas de Tu Amor, para que también sea testigo de tu poder y de tu compasión. Te lo pido, Jesús, por el poder de tus Santas Llagas, por tu Santa Cruz y tu preciosa Sangre, por los dolores que sufriste por mí en la cruz…. Sáname Señor, sana mi cuerpo, sana mi corazón, sana mi alma. Dame vida y vida en abundancia. Te lo pido por intercesión de María Santísima, tu madre, la Virgen de los Dolores, la que estaba presente, de pie, al pie de la cruz y que en ese momento nos diste por Madre. Tú nos has revelado que ya has tomado sobre Ti todas nuestras dolencias, y por tus santas llagas hemos sido curados. Hoy Señor, te presento en fe todas mis enfermedades y te pido que me sanes completamente. Mi pasado está en tu misericordia, mi presente en tu amor y mi futuro en tu providencia, Te pido por la gloria del Padre del cielo, que también sanes a los enfermos de mi familia y a mis amigos, a mis pacientes y a todos los enfermitos de la “cadena de oración” Estoy tan seguro de tu amor, que aún antes de conocer el resultado de mi oración en fe, te digo: Gracias Jesús, por lo que Tú vas a hacer en mí y en cada uno de ellos. Gracias por las enfermedades que Tú estás sanando ahora, gracias por que Tú estás visitando a tu pueblo con tu misericordia. Me abandono totalmente en tus manos santas, te abandono mi pasado, mi presente y mi futuro, te abandono mi alma con sus potencias, mi cuerpo con sus sentidos y mi corazón con sus sentimientos. Y acepto tu Divina Voluntad, porque solo TÚ conoces lo que es mejor para mí, talvez Tú no quieras lo que yo quiero, pero SEÑOR JESÚS, TU PUEDES LO QUE YO NO PUEDO!. Ten misericordia de mi, SAGRADO CORAZÓN DE JESÚS traspasado por nosotros en la cruz, EN VOS CONFÍO. Amén.

12-31-2010: New Year's Eve: Dec 31, 2010

12-31-2010: New Year's Eve

Posted Dec 31, 2010 12:26pm

The past few days have been getting increasingly better for my mom. The impact of chemo has been rough, but slowly she is regaining her strength. Her throat is still in pain, so she still isn't eating much.
She has been getting up now to use the bathroom and walking a little bit at a time.
She continuous on different antibiotics to rid all of her infections.
NOW- the next step is to ARM herself and build her immune system, to prepare for the next steps once we hear from the doctor's. Another bone marrow biopsy will be done in a few days- we should know more by then and will keep you all informed.
Stephen and I will be driving New Year's day to spend the day w/ Mom, Tony and My Dad. A New Year's to remember - to hope - to get closer to family, to love, to grow, to learn and to conquer. All with God's guidance.
Happy New Year w/ Much Love,
The Cheslick's

Please in lieu of Food or Flowers ... Dec 29, 2010 Update

Posted Dec 29, 2010 11:37am

The doctors have asked that no outside food or flowers be sent to the hospital. However, my mother has asked that in lieu of sending food or flowers, she would like you to make a donation to OUR LADY OF THE WOODS ST. VINCENT DE-PAUL. To do so, please contact OUR LADY OF THE WOODS CHURCH AT: Phone: (734) 671-5101
Thank you so much.

Dec 29- Last does of Chemo: Dec 29,2010

Dec 29- Last dose of Chemo

Posted Dec 29, 2010 11:33am

Dec 28 in the evening was the last dose of Chemo for this round for my Mom. Chemo has been very hard and the side effects have been difficult for her to manage.
The chemo is making her very tired and she sleeps almost continuously throughout the day. She has almost no energy and cannot even get up to walk at this point. The doctors are now concerned with her kidneys as she is expelling more liquids that she is taking in. They will be keeping a close eye on this and determine next steps for this problem.
The chemo also lowers her immune system. This has resulted in a throat infection that my mom is now fighting. Her throat is in quite a bit a pain which prevents her from being able to eat much. Because her eating has slowed, they are giving her the drink Ensure. This helps and seems that my mom can manage drinking this and does not cause that much pain.
My Dad, Tony, Kristy and my mom's good friends Gladys and Alvin have been taking turns at the Hospital, to be sure she has someone by her side during this difficult time with Chemo.
After today- we should see a slow increase in her energy since the chemo will be done for now. The doctors say that the effects of chemo will reside in her system for up to another 7 days, so this will be a slow recovery of energy for her. In 7 days from today- the doctors will conduct another Bone Marrow biopsy- which will tell us the results of the first round of chemo- how well it attacked the bad cells, etc. WE will be sure to update you when we know more.
THANK YOU for your continued prayers and support during this difficult time.
Love Always,
Ginny

Phone Number: Dec 26, 2010

Phone Number

Posted Dec 26, 2010 8:26pm

My mom has been sleeping almost constantly for the past 2 days so if she does not answer it means she is sleeping.
Her phone number is 734-936-8129. She likes hearing from you ALL but she has been very tired.
Thanks,

Very tired... Dec 26, 2010

Very tired...

Posted Dec 26, 2010 8:07pm

Christmas day was nice in the fact that we were all together. We had Christmas dinner at our house in New Boston.
It has been a tough couple of days for my mom. She has been very tired and running fever. She has also been experiencing some nausea and that is being off-set with medicine. She appears to be resting comfortably. Thanks for ALL the calls and notes of encouragement. If she does not answer it means she is sleeping.
My sweet wife just brought her a cashmire hat and 3 pairs of slippers. I LOVE YOU BABYDUCK very much.
Today my mom's visitors included:
Hector and Trini Hernandez (Hector brought her Communion) THANK YOU!
Ginny and her 3 boys
Stephen and Michele and their three kids
Me and my wife Kristy.
To my tia and PRIMAS Rodriguez in MEXICO, I still think about you every day. My primo Charlie will be in my heart FOREVER. I love you ALL very much. I am so glad the my mom, my sister and I were able to be down there to celebrate Charlie's life with you.

Christmas Day, Message from my Mom: Dec 25, 2010

Christmas Day

Posted Dec 25, 2010 2:46pm

My mom says MERRY CHRISTMAS to ALL!

Today she was visited by Alvin and Gladys Berger and her sister
Pia, all family today is: Ginny, and her 3 boys, Kristy and I and
my 2 kids. Zack is at his dad's today.

We got my mom a Pandora bracelet with 9 charms all representing
different things. She LOVED it!

Merry Christtmas ALL!

Love,

Tony and Family.

Christmas Day : Dec 25, 2010

Christmas Day- Dec,25,2010

Posted Dec 25, 2010 2:36pm

The biopsy results came back and my mom was diagnosed with AML sub-type 4 called -Myelomonocytic Leukemia. (the proportion of immature monosites (pro monosites) AND monosites to all blood cells with nuclei is grater than 20%. Approx 20% of adult AML patients are diagnosed with this type. Their prognosis is similar to the average prognosis for all AML cases. (we are researching what the "average" prognosis means). The prognosis will depend on how well she receives the first round of treatment. We will keep everyone informed.
My mom is on dose 3 of 7 of her Chemo. Last night and today she had to receive additional blood platelets because they are low. Her platelets were 16,000. Normal range is between 150,000 - 450,000k. But the platelets count is expected with leukemia. Last evening was the first night she had a rough time with her treatments. She is experiencing quite a bit of nausea. They are giving her meds for the nausea to make things a bit more manageable. However, the good news is that she is stable.
Today we are here at the hospital to spend Christmas with her. Definitely quite different experience than our usual Christmas traditions. But the family is together and we are just happy to be able to spend this holiday by her side.
We wish you all a safe and happy holiday. Take time to love those close to your heart.
Merry Christmas
Love,the Cheslick's

Visitors 12/23/10: Dec 25, 2010

Visitors 12/23/10

Posted Dec 25, 2010 2:24pm

A big thank you to the Antaran Family. Abuela loved seeing Ang, Jamie, Hannah and Ethan! Thank you guys for coming to us. Also Jeff and Janet Balazs....Jeff, my mom loved the songs on the guitar. Your rendition of Feliz Navidad lit her up like a Christmas tree. Thanks bro!
Also Mr. Jack Jackson was a very nice surprise.
Thank you EVERYONE for all the calls and wells wishes.
She was doing well all day of the 24th and had some issues with nausea last night. She is a bit tired. Ginny will update more in a few.
Love,
Tony

Thoughtful gifts-Thank you! Dec 23, 2010

Thoughtful gifts-Thank you!

Posted Dec 23, 2010 5:51pm

I am just sitting here with my mom reading some Care Pages posts
to her. She wanted me to thank everyone for all the well wishes.
She also wanted to tell everyone that she is under neutropenic
precautions and cannot receive flowers. She is asking that in lieu
of flowers please make a small donation to Our Lady of the Woods
St. Vincent DePaul in her name. She would like that very much!

Tony

And the REAL fight starts! Dec 23, 2010

And the REAL fight starts!

Posted Dec 23, 2010 10:07am

This is Tony...
We spent the evening with my mom and her spirit and will is SO strong. While I was there, her room was packed with visitors. Visitors last nite included: My son and her oldest grandson Zack (he has been amazing with her), Fire Chief Jan and her 2 sisters, Jose and Kathy Gomez, my other 2 kids (Payton and Ian) and my beautiful wife Kristy(THANK YOU and I love you completely). And last but not least my PAP who has been by her side 24/7 except for the few moments when we cover for him and he goes home to take a shower and rest for a few moments away from the hospital setting. Dad, we love you very much and you have shown amazing strength and courage. And my mom has been absolutely PERFECT through ALL of this. I am so proud of her! Her strength, her courage, her faith….ALL have been ROCK solid. I hope she fights even harder in the difficult days ahead. Her faith in god and the tremendous network of FRIENDS and FAMILY are incredibly important to my mom. I want to personally thank EVERYONE for their prayers, kind words, cards, flowers, notes, calls, visits etc. The support has been WONDERFUL.
“LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!!”
In this corner from Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, REYNA SUAREZ ROMERO de CHESLICK.
ding ding (ROUND 1)
And the fight begins….
Last night my mom started her first round of chemo treatments. She is undergoing what they call “3 and 7” treatment. It is a very aggressive form of treatment in hopes of getting the leukemia into remission. The nurse came in around 10:30 last night and gave my mom her first dose. The one thing my mom has been most fearful of is the nausea from the chemo. Well she went through the entire night without getting sick. I think this is a big step in her overcoming one of her biggest fears. She is the biggest fighter I know and I am confident she is going to beat this nasty disease.

I LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH! Please continue to pray for my mom. All your support has been fantastic.
Thank you ALL from the entire Cheslick/Suarez Family!
Tony Cheslick

New Room # & Ph#: Dec 22, 2010

New Room # & Ph #

Posted Dec 22, 2010 10:55pm

12/22/2010: New room info and phone number!
Reyna's Room Number: 734-936-8129
8th Floor- Room 8129 Unit B

The last few days: Dec 22, 2010

The last few days

Posted Dec 22, 2010 9:40pm

Yesterday my Mom was moved out of ICU :) !!! This is a good sign. She no longer needs critical care. Her blood pressure has been regulated and her respirations have improved. The last few days have been a significant improvement for my Mom. She went from almost no energy- to sitting up right and talking :) And even telling my dad what to do :) We know she's feeling more like herself... and we are HAPPY that the old reyna is bouncing back.
The last two nights, have been much better, she was able to rest. Last night not so much because my mom is concerned and worried about the "unknown" of Chemo. So last nights rest was not the best. She is due to start chemo either today or tomorrow. They did find some bacteria in her urine so they are treating that before Chemo begins. They want to make sure her body is fully ready for what the chemo will bring. She will also be receiving a platelet transfusion from what my dad tells me. Her white blood counts continue to go down, and this is exactly what we need to happen.
My Mom is strong !! so strong. And she is fully aware and ready to fight this- she will begin a 3 and 7 regimen of chemo. After 1 week, she will be checked and we hope at that time she continues to improve. By that time, we should also have the bone marrow biopsy results back, which will give us more information.
My mom asked me to cut her hair :( this was hard for me, but I know her and she would prefer to have most of it out of the way before she begins loosing it. So I did my best ( cutting hair is not my profession so it was interesting to say the least- but I had fun taking care of my mamma bear) but my Mom was there guiding me, and even cutting it herself at times. :) She's always wanted it shorter anyway... so as she put it "now I have an excuse to have short hair " [as she laughs ...] She's in good spirits and I know she can beat this thing!!!!! WE ALL KNOW SHE CAN BEAT THIS THING! My mom's upbeat spirits gives the rest of us assurance that she will win.
MOM, i love you and I'm with you ALWAYS in your heart, your soul- My strength will be your strength, my love for you will be your energy to pull you through- WE will be here every single step of the way. I promise you. And Dad, your love for mom, is so amazing- and her love for you- THIS LOVE, the love our family has, WILL CONQUER anything. I'm proud of you and admire you. Thank you for loving us all with such deep, deep, unconditional love. I love you both so much. Gin

Dec, 20, 2010

Posted Dec 20, 2010 8:50pm

oh and m mom says "Thank you for all your support and prayers,
and says to tell you all:

"I love em and if I did anything wrong ever with you, please
forgive me. But we can't help it Mexican's are not perfect" (saying
it with a laugh) ...

Dec 20, 2010

Posted Dec 20, 2010 8:46pm

Hospital phone number: 734-936-4752.
All, thank you for your kind words, prayers, energy and words of strength. Today my mom is more like herself. She is awake and alert. and being her funny self, which is great to see. She's more active, sits up and even wants her knitting soon :) all good signs. Her color is back and today is a much better day than the last few most definitley. She was able to eat today finally! after days with no food. Only 2-Jellos's and yogurt today :) but yeaay food! She is still in intensive care due to her blood pressure and respirations being very irregular. They hope once that is in control, they can move her to the general cancer floor and out of ICU. We are hopeful.
Yesterday we rec'd the test results for a CT scan of her brain, the results were clean. No AML cells were found. She also had several x-rays, a blood transfusion and an ultrasound. The ultrasound came out fine as well. Which is good news. The blood transfusion made a positive impact almost immediately. Today she was also finally able to get some rest which was needed. We are thankful.
Yesterday they also conducted what is called "Aphoresis" which is the filtering of the blood. Taking out the bad, cleaning it, and putting the blood back in. This will help her.
Today they conducted a bone marrow biopsy- which will allow us to learn more of the "type" of AML Leukemia she has. This will come back in 5-7 days. These resluts will give us a better picture of her prognosis and also provide a road map of next steps for her. Eventhough the biopsy results are not back, they will begin Chemo Tommorow or Wednesday.
She will begin IV Chemo. She will receive two different chemo types and one med will run for 3 days the other for 7 days. She is strong, she will be able to handle the adverse impact. She is fully aware and prepared, we are here with her to keep her strong during the treatments.
My dad is a valiant hero. Hasn't left her side. We finally had to make him go home today to sleep, while I cooked him dinner. Tony, Kristy and Stephen stayed with my mom. We are taking shifts. My dad is having a rough time, he is scared, but he strong. Its amazing how YOU, this family, everyone helps in bringing strength to us during this situation. Your encouragement and words are read to my mom each day- and she smiles .. she is hearing you, each and every one of you.
We were told that she will be in the hospital for at least 4-7 weeks during initial treatment. During the first stage of treatment there is high risk of infection, we are limiting visitors who have any type of cough, sniffle, runny nose, cold, eye infection anything at this time. However my mom said "she is ready for visitors :) ("unless you have boogers" she says :)
Please call before you come, in case she is in treatment or labs etc. The phone number to the hospital is: 734-936-4752. Ask for the room of Luz Maria Cheslick. Will update you again soon.
all my love, Ginny

Dec 19, 2010: Update

Posted Dec 19, 2010 1:36pm

New updates about my Mom will be posted here.

Written December 18, 2010
A week ago my mom travelled to Mexico to be with her sister Lupa and the entire family to grieve the death of Lupa's son Charlie(my mom's godchild, our awesome cousin). Charlie died suddenly in an accident. He was only 32. While there my mom struggled with traumatic emotions of his death. With all the emotions, my Mom began acting very sick, and tired and lethargic. Everyone thought, (even me and Tony who travelled with her to Mexico), her sickness was due to the impact of the death and that her immune system was just supressed and crashing and that after a few days of rest, she would feel better.
Well a few days came and she continued to mourn for Charlie and her family, and she continued to feel sick. My dad kept asking her over and over to go to emergency but like my mom, strong willed that she is, said "I just need to rest", "I will be ok". So a few more days passed and finally on Saturday Dec. 18th in the afternoon, she asked my dad to take her to emergency. From there they rushed her by ambulance to the University of Michigan Medical Hospital, in Ann Arbor Michigan.
After a blood draw, and tests, my mother has been diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. (AML). AML is a type of blood cancer. Another name for AML is acute myeloid leukemia.
AML is a type of cancer that starts in the marrow. The marrow is the spongy center inside your bones. To understand this fully please google it. But in a nutshell, the Leukemia is taking over her good blood cells and her white blood counts are so high, off the charts. Her red blood cells and platellets are critically low.
This has been very sudden and tests are being ran to determine the level and severity of her cancer.
The purpose of this page is to keep everyone informed of her status. My brothers and I will post here when new information is confirmed.
I know everyone loves her and we are asking for you to pray for her to beat this. We all know she is strong willed, and we know she is strong in her faith. Please keep her in your prayers.
If you would like to receive updates on my mom's status via e-mail, please subscribe to this care page and you will be notified via e-mail when any new posts are made.
Love,
Ginny