While everyone in Berlin, CT was enjoying the March 31st snow event that every news channel missed, including Mama Simeone's beloved Scot Haney, Ceil and I got out right as the flakes started to fly for Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital. We arrived on time and she was checked right in. The only delay was the hospital not being able to find her small, deep veins. She told them upfront, but it took an hour of probing to finally give up on the challenge of finding a vein.
She went into surgery and at about 1:33 the doctor came to see me to let me know that all went according to plan. The rest of the areas of the shunt that were not replaced were working properly which made for the best possible results.
Ceil is in recovery and will be released tomorrow. She'll be home recovering. Please, lets give her a few days before the phone starts ringing off the hook. Reminder, the Sarge is back in Berlin (Karen Lee Tomlinson)!
We'll be back up here next Monday for the pre-screening for the clinical trial and then the treatments will start the following Monday, Patriot's Day. Red Sox game at 10:30. Who's got some tix that won't be used?
Thanks for the prayers and the support.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
And so Dana Farber begins
Just got a call that we will start up in Boston on Monday. Ceil's scheduled for surgery at high noon and we are still waiting to hear how long we'll be up there as the first few days she's got to be monitored. How long will be based on how long the shunt can be turned off.
We also will take the ride up tomorrow for her pre-opp appointments. This is all good news and we're looking forward to taking part of this clinical trial. With anything like this you can imagine that there is nervousness about the unknown, but we're doing what needs to be done to get Ceil better.
She had her blood transfusion yesterday and seems to have gotten a little more energy from this.
Couple of items -
If you would like to take part in a Warrior Ride to raise money for the Relay for Life, Powerhouse Gym, the official gym of Ceil Biscoglio, they are holding one on Saturday, April 5th from 9 - 12. They are looking for riders and teams to cover an hour or the full three hours. $50/hr. If we fill them up, the event will raise $3300 for the Ava'sMom team and you'll get a heck of a workout! Please contact Deb Carson at Powerhouse to register 860 836-4613.
Thanks Powerhouse and Deb!!!!
Berlin Lion's Pasta Supper is Saturday, April 12th from 4:30 - 7:30. HUGE TURNOUT EXPECTED. Make sure to get your tickets from a Lion, Simeone's Mobil, Roger's Market, Kensington Auto or on the Berlin Little League website www.berlin-littleleague.com under the association tab. If you can't make it and would like to donate some swag for the raffle, please let me know - vbiscoglio@gmail.com or on Facebook - go ahead friend me!
We'll keep you all updated next week. Thanks to everyone that has helped out and thanks for the wonderful support. I have said it before, but you really learn what community is all about when you face adversity. While the weather still sucks, I wouldn't trade living here in Berlin, CT all because of each and every one of you. A sincere, thank you.
We also will take the ride up tomorrow for her pre-opp appointments. This is all good news and we're looking forward to taking part of this clinical trial. With anything like this you can imagine that there is nervousness about the unknown, but we're doing what needs to be done to get Ceil better.
She had her blood transfusion yesterday and seems to have gotten a little more energy from this.
Couple of items -
If you would like to take part in a Warrior Ride to raise money for the Relay for Life, Powerhouse Gym, the official gym of Ceil Biscoglio, they are holding one on Saturday, April 5th from 9 - 12. They are looking for riders and teams to cover an hour or the full three hours. $50/hr. If we fill them up, the event will raise $3300 for the Ava'sMom team and you'll get a heck of a workout! Please contact Deb Carson at Powerhouse to register 860 836-4613.
Thanks Powerhouse and Deb!!!!
Berlin Lion's Pasta Supper is Saturday, April 12th from 4:30 - 7:30. HUGE TURNOUT EXPECTED. Make sure to get your tickets from a Lion, Simeone's Mobil, Roger's Market, Kensington Auto or on the Berlin Little League website www.berlin-littleleague.com under the association tab. If you can't make it and would like to donate some swag for the raffle, please let me know - vbiscoglio@gmail.com or on Facebook - go ahead friend me!
We'll keep you all updated next week. Thanks to everyone that has helped out and thanks for the wonderful support. I have said it before, but you really learn what community is all about when you face adversity. While the weather still sucks, I wouldn't trade living here in Berlin, CT all because of each and every one of you. A sincere, thank you.
Monday, March 24, 2014
March 24 2014
First off, thanks to everyone for sending birthday cards to Ava! It made the little girls birthday to get a lot of birthday wishes like her older sister.
Ceil and I went in for her normal treatment today. She has been feeling weak again, having trouble getting up the stairs at home and developed a cough and had some nausea which continues. We let the Doc know in the appointment about the symptoms and she ordered a blood test which we needed regardless after being off of the radiation.
The good news is her white blood count is back up. The bad news is her red blood count is down which requires a blood transfusion tomorrow. It's an all day affair at Hartford Hospital. We'll be there first thing in the AM and out by quitting time.
It just another obstacle that life has thrown at us. My hope is that after the transfusion, Ceil gets some needed energy back and loses the low-grade nausea feeling I'll let you know when she's out and that everything is better.
Prayers please - Thanks!
Ceil and I went in for her normal treatment today. She has been feeling weak again, having trouble getting up the stairs at home and developed a cough and had some nausea which continues. We let the Doc know in the appointment about the symptoms and she ordered a blood test which we needed regardless after being off of the radiation.
The good news is her white blood count is back up. The bad news is her red blood count is down which requires a blood transfusion tomorrow. It's an all day affair at Hartford Hospital. We'll be there first thing in the AM and out by quitting time.
It just another obstacle that life has thrown at us. My hope is that after the transfusion, Ceil gets some needed energy back and loses the low-grade nausea feeling I'll let you know when she's out and that everything is better.
Prayers please - Thanks!
Friday, March 14, 2014
Consults at Dana Farber
Happy Friday!
Ceil and I spent Tuesday and Wednesday making the trek to Dana Farber and Brigham & Women's Hospitals for consults this week. It gave me an idea that I think would work out well for consults with Doctors, mortgage people and others.
This would be in cases where it's a somewhat intermediate drive or over state lines. Imagine if you could sit in front of your camera equipped computer monitor or IPad or smart phone and have the person you are consulting with on the same type of device and talk through a video type service. It would be like you are meeting in person, yet you are at your home or office. I even thought of a name, we could call it a web meeting or dare I say...facetime! Think of the good it would do the environment from the gas and CO2 not burned by big Yukon Denali's, think of the traffic it could cut down on the roads, etc... I need to seriously look into creating something like this. I kid around, but it would make a heck of a lot of sense!
Regardless, we met with the Docs that gave us the head's up. It looks like next week we will be back up to Boston for pre-screening followed by the start of the clinical trial the following week. The schedule hasn't been set in stone but this is the estimated timeline. Also next week is Ava's 8th birthday. To think that half of Ava's life has been watching her Mom deal with the effects of cancer is heartbreaking. But she and the rest of the kids seem to be handling everything in stride. It shows the resiliency and the strength they get from Ceil from within. She is the toughest fighter I know. She's still tired from the radiation but this past Wednesday seemed to get some energy back. If you do stop by for a visit, please make sure to keep it quick. Ceil is the master of the Italian Goodbye and will not kick you out no matter how tired she's feeling. Please be aware of this.
Auntie Carla wrote a request and wanted me to post it on here -
Ceil and I spent Tuesday and Wednesday making the trek to Dana Farber and Brigham & Women's Hospitals for consults this week. It gave me an idea that I think would work out well for consults with Doctors, mortgage people and others.
This would be in cases where it's a somewhat intermediate drive or over state lines. Imagine if you could sit in front of your camera equipped computer monitor or IPad or smart phone and have the person you are consulting with on the same type of device and talk through a video type service. It would be like you are meeting in person, yet you are at your home or office. I even thought of a name, we could call it a web meeting or dare I say...facetime! Think of the good it would do the environment from the gas and CO2 not burned by big Yukon Denali's, think of the traffic it could cut down on the roads, etc... I need to seriously look into creating something like this. I kid around, but it would make a heck of a lot of sense!
Regardless, we met with the Docs that gave us the head's up. It looks like next week we will be back up to Boston for pre-screening followed by the start of the clinical trial the following week. The schedule hasn't been set in stone but this is the estimated timeline. Also next week is Ava's 8th birthday. To think that half of Ava's life has been watching her Mom deal with the effects of cancer is heartbreaking. But she and the rest of the kids seem to be handling everything in stride. It shows the resiliency and the strength they get from Ceil from within. She is the toughest fighter I know. She's still tired from the radiation but this past Wednesday seemed to get some energy back. If you do stop by for a visit, please make sure to keep it quick. Ceil is the master of the Italian Goodbye and will not kick you out no matter how tired she's feeling. Please be aware of this.
Auntie Carla wrote a request and wanted me to post it on here -
Hi Family and Friends;
As promised another birthday request for the very sweet Ava Biscolgio. Her 8th birthday is coming up on March 20th. Ava is a sweet and sparkly and looking forward to her own special day! Please help me fill her mailbox with birthday wishes and let's spread the word! Let's let Ava know she is in our thoughts, especially on her big birthday!
PLEASE NO GIFTS; only a sweet wish for a sweet girl for a Happy Birthday!
Feel free to make the card from scratch, as big or as special as you want.
You can mail her card to 102 Devonshire way, Kensington, CT 06037
I have also set up an email address for virtual birthday wishes at avasbirthdaywish@gmail.com
There will be a "mailbox" at Simeone's Mobil, 21 Chamberlain Hwy, Berlin to drop cards off as well
Please take a few minutes to send a birthday wish to Ava, don't forget to forward to others that may want to send birthday wishes too!
P.S. As you're sending your birthday wish to Ava, also send an extra stay-strong thought for Ceil.
THANK YOU!
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Olivia Wins March Madness Essay for Donation
Update on Ceil - we are done with radiation and expect to start up at Dana Farber in two weeks for the clinical trial. Where we thought we needed to get an MRI showing that there was still disease, they drug company did not require this and we are doing the trial. We will be in Boston on Wednesday for a consult with the neuro surgeon who will place the port and change out the shunt. Ceil is very tired from the amount of radiation they gave her over the past month. Please understand that she needs her rest, so if you call and she doesn't pick up or call back, she's resting.
At the middle school, they have their own March Madness each year and it's for the kids to raise money and have some fun playing basketball. I received a call from the teacher who handles March Madness Friday morning to let me know that they had picked Olivia's essay as the winner! Each student that wants to, writes an essay as to why they want the donation to be made to a specific charity. I'm going to share it here for you all to read.
Also, it's Olivia's 12th birthday today. A huge thanks to all that sent birthday cards to her. Especially the aunt that put it together - Carla RN. She has been walking around the house with a smile from ear to ear. Through our three plus years of dealing with Ceil being sick, the amount of love and support that the community that surrounds us has provided is staggering. I always complain that I want to move away from the cold winters, but I know the reason we all stick around in this miserable part of the country - it's because of the community we all belong and it's because we know spring is right around the corner.
Here's Olivia's essay that will be donated to Ava'sMom for the Relay for Life. If you would like to donate to the cause after reading Olivia's essay - click here
There is also a big pasta dinner being put on by the Lion's Club of Berlin on Saturday, April 12th from 4:30 - 7:30 at McGee School. The event is to raise money in Ceil's name to donate. Ceil and I would love to see you all there. For more information or to buy tickets with a debit or credit card through the Berlin Little League website by clicking here.
At the middle school, they have their own March Madness each year and it's for the kids to raise money and have some fun playing basketball. I received a call from the teacher who handles March Madness Friday morning to let me know that they had picked Olivia's essay as the winner! Each student that wants to, writes an essay as to why they want the donation to be made to a specific charity. I'm going to share it here for you all to read.
Also, it's Olivia's 12th birthday today. A huge thanks to all that sent birthday cards to her. Especially the aunt that put it together - Carla RN. She has been walking around the house with a smile from ear to ear. Through our three plus years of dealing with Ceil being sick, the amount of love and support that the community that surrounds us has provided is staggering. I always complain that I want to move away from the cold winters, but I know the reason we all stick around in this miserable part of the country - it's because of the community we all belong and it's because we know spring is right around the corner.
Here's Olivia's essay that will be donated to Ava'sMom for the Relay for Life. If you would like to donate to the cause after reading Olivia's essay - click here
There is also a big pasta dinner being put on by the Lion's Club of Berlin on Saturday, April 12th from 4:30 - 7:30 at McGee School. The event is to raise money in Ceil's name to donate. Ceil and I would love to see you all there. For more information or to buy tickets with a debit or credit card through the Berlin Little League website by clicking here.
2/10/14
Dear March Madness Committee,
I really would love if you could donate some money to Ava's Mom Army. It’s a Relay for Life team that’s run by me and my father. All the money that the team and any other teams collect is all donated to the American Cancer Society.
I participate in the Relay for Life, because when I was about nine my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was in the hospital for a long time having surgery done and recovering. I missed her so, so much and cried a lot at night. I missed having her with me and her sweet voice always asking me if I had done my homework or cleaned my room, even to tell me to stop asking her questions. I only had my dad for a long time. About a year after she fully recovered I thought it was over. I thought that I would still have her with me all the time, in August in 2013, we went on a vacation to Myrtle Beach. My mom was starting to feel sick and had terrible headaches. At night I would be able to hear her throwing up in the bathroom. So we decided to go home. My dad had dropped me off at my cousins house, along with my brothers and sister. He had said that he was taking my mom to the doctor to get checked out. That night I didn’t sleep a wink. I knew it was happening again. I was scared. The next morning my dad picked us up and said we were going to see mom. She was in the hospital. When I saw her I cried. It wasn’t fair that my mom had to do this twice. I felt so bad. My mom had a tumor in her head and needed brain surgery. She could have died at anytime during the surgery and I wasn’t there to say I loved her, I was really scared. She was in the hospital for three months and had to go to rehab for physical therapy for another month or two. My Nana had to fly down from florida to take care of my family. I still felt awful for her and this is how I can help her.
If you guys pick the Ava’s mom army it would mean the world to me and especially to my mom. She would be so proud of me if I could win money to donate to the relay for life! I really want to win this because the more money that the American Cancer Society gets, the more scientist can research and find a cure. I just don’t want someone else to go through what my mom had to go through, or anyone not having a relative or a friend at home with them. It really hurts to see people in pain so pick the ava’s mom team so no one will go through this again. We could have a healthier, happier world. Let’s celebrate more birthdays and a longer life.
Sincerely,
Olivia Biscoglio
Ava’s Mom Army
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