Viola (Backstrom) Reardon: 12/28/2006; 11:00 PM E.S.T.

Deb's brother Jimmy has posted this note on the passing of their grandmother, Viola on December 27th, 2006.

Amy and Brian were honored to have Viola attend their wedding in September 2005, where she thoroughly enjoyed herself and danced with everyone especially Deb and her family. We send them all our deepest sympathies on the passing of this remarkable and wonderful woman.

Requiescat in Pace.

Hi Folks, This is Debbie's brother, Jimmy. I just wanted to add some detail to the passing of our grandmother. I've included her obituary, below, so that those who knew her can have the opportunity to pay their respects. Thanks again for all the support!

Viola (Backstrom) Reardon
Visitation: Tuesday, January 2, 2007, 5-8 PM Service: Wednesday, January 3, 2007, 10:00 AM At: Dahlborg-MacNevin Funeral Home, Brockton, MA.

Viola (Backstrom) Reardon aged 94 years of Mattapoisett, MA died Wednesday, December 27, 2006 at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, MA after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Stuart F. Reardon. Born Thursday, August 15, 1912 in Brockton, MA. She was the daughter of the late Charles Backstrom and the late Anna (Johansen) Backstrom. Viola was educated in Brockton Schools and had lived in Brockton until moving to Mattapoisett 25 years ago. She was an active member and volunteer at the Mattapoisett COA and is a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brockton. She is survived by two sons Robert S. Reardon and his wife Elizabeth of Marion, MA and Bruce M. Reardon of Mattapoisett; four grandchildren Daniel R. Reardon, Amy R. Doherty, Deborah L. Reardon and James S. Reardon; 6 great-grandchildren; a sister Lynnea Worral of FL; a niece and a nephew. She was also the sister of the late Hilma Nieminem, Olympia Dodd, Lillian Smith , Elizabeth Littlefield and Axel Backstrom. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 at 10:00 AM in the Dahlborg-MacNevin Funeral Home, 647 Main St. Brockton, MA. Interment will follow in Melrose Cemetery in Brockton. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, January 2, 2007 from 5-8 PM in the Dahlborg-MacNevin Funeral Home, 647 Main St. Brockton, MA. Arrangements are by the Dahlborg-MacNevin Funeral Home, 647 Main St. Brockton, MA

Deb Update: 12/28/2006; 2:00 PM E.S.T.

I hope everyone had a great holiday and has some nice plans for New Years Eve! My dad and I spent Christmas Eve at my CA parents' house (the Gilfillans). It was a really nice time, great food and of course we played Uno (I'm hooked since I was playing that often while I was in the hospital!). On Christmas day my stepbrother Cliff and his wife Christina came over and we had a nice time... good conversations and food!

Last week was tough for nausea (and sometimes vomiting) but I finally decided that I would stop taking the Kytril (the anti-nausea pill) since it didn't seem to stop the throwing up or nausea! So, since each day was different I have tried to come up with the possible reason that I had nausea... interestingly enough I came up with a reason that my radiation oncologist agreed with: eating too much food for dinner the night before, I can have major nausea in the next day after chemo and breakfast! So, as you can imagine, since I had been eating holiday food/major meals, that probably made me have my morning nausea! So, I basically have started grazing all day and have not had any nausea for the past 3 days... YEAH!!!

I just took Day 15 of my chemotherapy so I'm now on week 3... I basically don't have any major side effects (now that I am eating correctly) which is good. I guess each week may be different as I get more into the treatment but my hope is that nausea doesn't come back! Basically it may be my fatigue and energy that may get decreased...but maybe I will look normal to the doctors since they don't know that my energy is 3 times the normal person!

I am also on week 3 of radiation therapy as well. I meet with Dr. Ahn (radiation oncologist) once per week to talk about how I'm doing as we are deeper into the treatment. Interestingly enough we met yesterday and I learned that I could still eat major sized meals for dinner! Here's the way to do it in his opinion: Have the Kytril one hour before the night meal and also take it before the chemo in the morning. So, on New Years Eve, I may just try that since it's a good night to eat!!! Stay tuned... Another interesting topic that we talked about was hair loss due to the radiation. He asked if I had that, I said "NO" and he was happy... his concern is that it may happen because my dose of radiation is very intense (most likely because I'm young and can handle it). I was thrilled that I am doing that right too..... until last night! I was starting to feel some soreness on my scalp in a few areas (behind and below both ears near my neck and also just above my left ear near the scar). It basically feels like it used to feel when I had my hair/head french braided! BUT........ I started to touch is and rub it and I had quite a few pieces of hair come out into my hand! Ugghhh.... I'm hoping that the hair loss stays in that area only. Stay tuned...

So, I am wondering if any of you think I may look good in a mohawk if I lose lots of side head hair!? I'm not thinking so, but I guess it'd be good out here since it's not as cold as Connecticut!

Another tough thing that has happened since I wrote the last list is that my Gram passed away yesterday. She was 94 years old and was an amazing grandma (my father's mother)! She had been having dialysis for about a year but was doing pretty well for her age. Unfortunately she had a major stroke on Dec 24th morning/afternoon and her left side was affected. She was put in the hospital and was not in any pain but was having a difficult time talking due to the stroke as well. Yesterday she passed away in her sleep which is what she always hoped would happen since it is a peaceful way to pass on.

On a positive note... my friend Al is here from Connecticut since my dad has gone home. Dad was done with his 6 week visit so it's nice for him to head home. So far Al has made the living room ottoman that I was going to make and now asks what else is on his list of things he can do for me! The worst part is I have put "paint my bedroom furniture" on the list.... that's a major list item!!! He has always helped me paint stuff in my CT house so I am confident that it's not that bad :-) I'm hoping that the Feng Shui lady will like the paint job that he does! She'll be back as soon as I finish the list of things she wanted me to change so that she can finish Feng Shui-ing the house...stay tuned.

Here's hoping that 2007 is a good year! I wish you all a wonderful New Years Eve.... my plan is to go to Disneyland here in CA (if I'm feeling good...) so I'll probably have some good stories after that if it happens. From the bottom of my heart, thank-you all for your continued support... it's truly amazing and helpful to me!

Debbie

Deb’s Update: December 20, 2006 8:15 AM P.S.T.

So far this week Monday has been awful! I was basically vomiting and wasn't able to eat or even drink anything. That sucked! So, I pretty much laid on the couch, slept and watched HGTV all day. You know me, I love to watch that channel with the house stuff in case I need to learn how to do something to MY house!!! I know, I need to relax and not try to come up with the next plan of what to do in the house, but you know me, I can't give up!

Tuesday was okay. I had an appointment with the surgeon at Cedar Sinai for a follow-up and hopefully a removal of the two stitches they put back on the top of my head for the scar. The scar wasn't that good looking when they took the staples off so they stitched it back up. Of course they say I am allowed to wash it so I'm okay with the two blue stitches! I actually wore a nice outfit (of course!) and put on just eye make-up before my trip to Beverly Hills/Hollywood so believe me, Dr. Yu thought I was very healthy looking! Funny... One bad thing.... I threw up twice in the car on the way there so I was pissed that I was going to be sick that day too! However, after vomiting #2, I felt better so I decided that after I took the chemo (at 8 AM) and waited the hour (per the instructions!) that I would try a bagel without cream cheese or anything else on it. I ate a third of it just to make sure it didn't make me sick.

Since I didn't get sick with the bagel, I decided I'd try to eat a small amount of stuff at a time so the next fabulous item: A bowl of Pfish food ice-cream from Ben and Jerrys. YUMMY!!! No nausea.... so, I was very happy about that! Next, I told my dad I wanted a taco from Taco Bell on our way home from my radiation... so, I just got one soft taco without anything major on it... another YUMMY! Plus, no nausea!!! So, I ate Chinese food that came the night before during dinner... success! No more vomiting yesterday. I am hopeful that today will be the same. So, as soon as I can eat (1 hour after chemo that I don't take until 8 AM) it's a Ray's Bagel time!!! I love those bagels... You should try them if you never have, you won't be sorry. Check them out in the freezer section of the grocery store. You cook them in the oven for 7 minutes and the outside is crunchy with the inside being soft and warm! YUM...

This past weekend was good too. I was feeling great actually. Maybe because I didn't have both chemo and radiation.... just chemo on the weekends. I actually did some stuff in the house to put things away and organize my closet in my bedroom. My dad helped of course so we were able to put together the shoe rack and organize all of the shoes. Much success since they were all over the floor in my closet! We also brought lots of stuff either out to the garage for storage or the trash for removal from me! Felt good, believe me. I feel good today so I think I'll figure out what we can do today. I really feel like the house needs to be organized since it was never happened officially because I only lived here for about 3 weeks before my hospitalization. Of course, since I wasn't feeling well, not much had been done during those 3 weeks.

I am also trying to figure out if I can actually have my dad clean the house! That may not be a possibility so I will probably order a cleaning lady to do that sometime soon. It's time, believe me!!!

After today's radiation at 2:45 I will be meeting with the Radiation Oncologist to talk about how it is going. I will also make him finally give me the name of the Oncologist that I will see here weekly as well. Of course it'll be that person that'll be sure to make me get a weekly lab and will review the lab results to make sure they're okay. I will need to go all the way back to Cedar Sinai next week as well so that Dr. Yu can take the stitches out and see me again. I think they are interested in staying in touch with me so I can join their study (after the 6.5 weeks of radiation) which has to do with new Glioblastoma subjects. The basic purpose of that study is to determine whether vaccination with my own immune cells (called dendritic cells) can activate my immune system to fight my glioblastoma area. They will be adding proteins to my dendritic cells and giving them back to me by re-injecting them in my body. I am hopeful to participate in this trial since it is interesting.

Since the next update won't be until after Christmas, I want to wish everyone a great Christmas! My dad will still be here so I can spend that holiday with a family member. I will be heading to Kimmy's parents (who I call my California Mom and Dad since they are great!) on Christmas Eve to enjoy a dinner and good company. On Christmas day, Dad and I are finally going to cook dinner for Cliff and Christina (my stepbrother and his wife who live out here about 25 minutes from me). Hopefully it'll turn out okay. I plan on using my Crock Pot... those of you who know me big time knows that I can really use that Crock Pot successfully!!! Of course Cliff said he will bring lasagna as well... He's probably worried!

Anyway, Merry Christmas!! Thank-you all again for your support, it's keeping me going with a positive attitude.

Debbie

Message from Deb: 12/14/2006, 10:30 AM, E.S.T.

Well, today is day 3 on the chemo.... in fact, I just took it 5 minutes ago but have to wait and hour to eat breakfast so I figured I'd use this time to send email! I have also had 3 days so far of radiation...that appointment is always going to be at 2:45 PM which is why the radiation oncologist wants me to take the chemo in the morning. So far, I have no issues with the chemo.... probably because I take an anti-nausea pill at the same time. I will be trying no anti-nausea Kytril one day to see if the chemo actually would give me nausea... not that excited about that day but I will do that next Monday.

As far as the radiation goes.... it's not bad at all (YET!). It's basically just a 10-12 minute thing so that always feels good! The mask is a bit annoying since it's so tight and they basically tie your head to the laying down thingy (can't think of that word!). Usually I have dots on my whole forehead and face for an hour since it's tight! That's a bit embarassing especially since I like to do errands after the radiation appt... Apparently I was told that the first few weeks there aren't that bad but that the area on my head where the beam is hitting may get a loss of hair... I guess the left side of my head will just look thinner... the top stuff will obviously grow so it can cover the missing side area (if it happens to me!).

My older brother has been here since Sunday and has done lots of stuff in the house for me. He moved both bedrooms (mine and the front guest room) based on what the Feng Shui lady told me to move.... He's also done several things that I would have done myself since I'm usually a major house person! I've thanked him WAY MORE than I can imagine since he's making me happy!

I have to tell you all about the Feng Shui lady that came here on Sunday... I didn't know what to expect but I figured I'd just wing it and do whatever she wants me to do in this house. Interestingly enough, the minute she came in the house she said the house's issue was 'sickness'... hhhhhm? Interesting, huh? She said, "we'll fix that, dont' worry". So, five hours later, she and her other Feng Shui woman (also Margaret and my real estate agent helped thankfully) moved living room, kitchen and dining room furniture around. It looks awesome which I never would have guessed. It feels good but I could never have figured out what to move where. I obviously do have some things that still need to be done (or bought) but that may take time. Here's an interesting one: I have to paint the dresser, bedside tables and armoire in my bedroom ivory instead of the wood color they are! I also have to buy a wooden headboard that is rounded (NO POINTY STUFF)... so, that's a big thing but my friend Al said he'll paint all the furniture and I'll look on-line to try to find an ivory king sized headboard...

Thank-you to everyone that has prayed for me and has a positive attitude about how I'll do in this tough situation.... you guys are the best! My attitude is still positive and I'm convinced that of all people, I think I'll beat the odds and will do well for YEARS to come!!!! I will continue to put details about how things are going onto this blog site (Thank you to the Mannings who I send my details... they post it for me on the blog site!).

Love,
Deb

Direct from Deb! The Top 10 Issues at Home Sweet Home: 12/8/2006, 9:00 AM E.S.T.

10. Thank God I finally don't have to take the verbal/psychological tests in the rehab area at Cedar Sinai (come on, I have a psych degree and I know exactly how annoying those tests are!

9. I can finally wash my hair and put my curly hair stuff on it (had to keep my hair dirty for two weeks due to my surgery scar!)

8. I can finally eat ANYTHING that I want at home instead of the hospital food

7. I have lots of CA friends trying to find the fake hair dying products that I am allowed to use... I'm hating seeing this gray hair!!! (not allowed to dye at the hair dresser per the doc until mid January!)

6. I can finally put lotion on my entire body at home so that my crazy itching from the medication allergy on my body can go away... you'd be shocked if you saw all the dry skin on me!

5. I allowed myself to paint my nails finally.... time to get back to my beauty products including make-up I hope!

4. My energy is finally getting back as I keep walking around the house getting my strength back... I may even take Nala on a little walk down the street today since it'll be warm (in the 70s!).

3. I can't wait to start getting my muscles back.... I asked the surgeon Dr. Lu if I could do my Pilates DVDs and of course he said "yes".... I think he's always surprised about my energy!

2. I am finally getting to understand how wonderful that all my friends and family are which nearly makes me get tears in my eyes ( you know that hardly ever happens to someone like me!!!)

1. I am finally thrilled that I can talk to and email anyone and get my word problem issues solved (you know that I'm hating that since I am a major talker!!!)

Thanks for putting this on the Blog!!!
Debbie

Deb Home! 12/05/2006, 11:00 AM, E.S.T.
Great news! Deb was discharged from Cedars Sinai yesterday Monday and is now resting at home in Thousand Oaks. Thanks to Kimmie for the updates and tales from Cedars! More details soon.

Fund for Deb/Lotsahelpinghands - Important Notes: 12/3/2006, 11:00 AM E.S.T.
Amy Doherty (Deb's sister) and Jimmy Reardon (Deb's brother) have asked us to post the following messages.

______________________________________________________

From Amy Doherty

Re: Fund for Deb

I have been getting several emails from people about sending checks again. Please add something to the blog to let people know that we couldn't do the tax exempt corporation, so they can either contribute by:

• (1) picking a task from the lotsahelpinghands.com website.
• (2) writing a check payable to Debbie and sent to Debbie Reardon, 657 Paige Lane, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
• (3) writing a check payable to Amy R. Doherty and sent to 53 Westview Terrace, Westwood, MA 02090 and Amy will deposit the money into Debbie's account.

If you've already sent a check payable to the "Fund for Deb" please email Amy.

Thank you all so much for your love and support for Deb.

Amy

_______________________________________________________

From Jimmy Reardon.

Re: Lotsahelpinghands website

Hello All,

This website is designed to help us help Debbie. My sister Amy and I have put it together in the hope of making Debbie's life a little easier upon her return home!

Included in the volunteering and support options:

1. Ordering meals to be delivered to Debbie's home
2. Taking her out or visiting her for a day
3. Cleaning her house (either yourself or by hiring a cleaning company).

There are plenty of options to help for both those who are local and those who are not. Of course, we're always happy to hear any suggestions as to what else you think might be beneficial to add to the site...keeping in mind that we shouldn't feel restricted or limited to those tasks on this site.

It was our hope to provide some structure for folks to contribute in an organized way. Thanks again for all your thoughts and wishes. Debbie has been overwhelmed with the level of support and friendship that you have all shown! Lets keep it going, as the next few months will be challenging for her. We know that she'll be strong through the chemo and radiation, but it can't hurt to take some of the daily grind way!

Thanks again!

Debbie's brother Jimmy

Welcome to "Do it for Debbie!"! This community web site helps organize local volunteers.

If you haven't signed in yet, use this link to get started:

http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/12076/login/reset/0eb80c7da269a4766ddf682eadcd7558/

This will let you choose a new password for your first sign-in. If that link doesn't work, try this one:

http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/12076/login/reset/

and when it asks for the code number, enter this: 0eb80c7da269a4766ddf682eadcd7558

If you have any difficulties, contact a web site coordinator at:http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/12076/contact/

Regards,

Jimmy Reardon

Important Note:The sign-in link provided in this email will only work *once* for the original member to whom it is sent. If this email was forwarded to you by another member (rather than your receiving it directly from Lotsa Helping Hands), you will not be able to sign in.

In that case, go to: http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/12076/ then click on "Contact a Coordinator" and request to be added to the community. After a coordinator adds you as a member, the system will send you an email with your *own* sign-in link.Finally, please DO NOT FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO ANYONE ELSE - they will only be confused and frustrated when they encounter an error message trying to sign-in.