Update and A great laugh...

Since Valentine's Day we have been pretty non-stop. Saturday after V-Day, I picked up Mom and picked up T.J. Ribs. She has been asking for them for weeks (maybe months). Monday through Thursday of last week, I was in a training class with three 'hot' LA State Troopers as my instructors. It made it very easy to attend the class; focusing - now that was a different story. Friday and today, I have been playing catch up.

On Saturday, Annalise and I picked up Mom and made our way searching for bunk beds, visiting Carl and Mrs. Mary, and meeting Christi and the girls at the mall. By the time Mom made it to our house she was exhausted and ready to go back to the rehab center. Chris and Lauren built a tire swing that Lauren had requested earlier in the week.

For those of you who need a laugh and know me well... tonight as we were eating 'steak' fajitas for supper... I was talking on the phone and obviously forgot to chew and once again CHOKED on steak. I am okay and not sure when I will learn how to eat steak without choking.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day was great!

The night before we went out to eat with some friends (Matt and Elaine) and their girls Lauren and April to The Chimes. That was the first time for everyone to go but me. The evening was enjoyed by all.

Valentine's morning the girls were little angels jumping and scurrying around anxiously awaiting their school parties. Waking up to everyone in great moods, eager to go to school and actually on time was amazing. Valentine's hugs and kisses were shared by all.

On my way to work, I surprised Mom with a Valentine's morning visit and her goodies. All she wanted was a couple of snacks and a new remote control. Easy enough... she was so happy over a remote control. I guess it is kind of hard being in a wheelchair and having to watch the same channel all day and night or actually have to get up and MANUALLY change it. Okay, I know we don't remember those days that would make us old or something. hehe.

While I drove home from working late, I contemplated the mood of the house and what surprises might be awaiting me. And I don't mean gifts... I mean another appliance breaking, school notes (Annalise), needs for bandaids, Dixie poo on the floor, kids on a sugar high, etc... To my surprise, Chris had everything (mostly) under control. I was greeted by the girls playing in a large washer and dryer box and Chris hooking up the hoses to the new washer. Ah, what a great husband... a week with no washer was stressful; but we lucked out with picture day and a spirit day in the same week. So the three uniforms we had worked out perfectly, except Lauren does not like all of them.

The girls gave me lots of hugs and kisses, exchanged gifts, took a nice bubble bath, ate and snuggled in for the night. We were asleep by 9pm; while Daddy (Chris) decided that he would help catch up on some of the laundry and try out the new appliances. It was so nice to wake up Friday morning and have my choice of clothes. You know being pregnant only gives you a limited selection of things to wear anyway.

All in all, early morning, on time, happy family (kids, husband and Mom), great day, lots of hugs, kisses, and smiles, a new book, candy, and a early night to bed snuggling with my two little angels. Definitely ranked as two thumbs up.

OB Check-Up

All is going well with our growing little baby boy and myself. The doctor and I began having the conversations about labor and delivery. The heartbeat is around 146 now. He is a little boxer. We laughed as everytime they got close to him he would begin turning and kicking. Watch out Lauren and especiall Annalise! I am feeling great.

Annalise's Allergies

Annalise went again today for more testing on her allergies. For those of you who don't know, she has had severe allergies since she was 7 months old. She is deathly allergic to apples. We carry an EpiPen just in case. Well due to some issues, we are switching allergist. The new allergist is doing the whole gammit of test. Annalise usually gets test every 6 months anyway. But this doctor wants to start over and make her own judgements. Wish I appreciate greatly the second opinion.

Lauren and I took Annalise to 3 different centers for testing. Annalise usually is held down by 3-5 people for the bloodwork. Today, she was a trooper and screamed, kicked, and hollared; but was controllable with a third person in the room on standby. She gets over it real quick with stickers, juice, and a coloring book or Dora movie. I on the otherhand, don't adjust quite so easily.

It is amusing because as parents we tell our children that we are here to protect them; BUT I am going to allow these strange ladies to stick you with needles repeatedly. Yes, I know it hurts, but it will make you feel better. her response, Mommy but I feel okay - nothing hurts now. What she has not realized is that I feel so bad for her that I just might consider buying her that horse that she always ask for if she would only ask at the right moment in time. Okay - maybe not:)

Results should be back in 10 to 12 days.

Scan Results are In!!

Today was the big day in which Mom and I were suppose to meet with the oncologist for the scan result. After an hour of confusion, I was able to meet with Dr. Hanson and Debbie (Nurse Practitioner) and get the news. How awesome to be greeted with two of the biggest smiles and a great big hug.

Debbie gave me the news that the scans were much improved and that we are going to continue with the same treatment (infusion once a month, daily pill, and lots of prayers). The pill she takes is a new treatment in which they are trying. It is not a guarantee, but well worth taking the chance. Mom's two cancer counts have continued to decline. According to Debbie, the numbers are remarkable and something that they did not anticipate seeing especially due to the severity of the cancer throughout Mom's body.

It is amazing that we have come so far. Just six months ago, we were in emergency room discovering cancer throughout her body. The doctors gave her little chance of survival (lucky to make it to the 2007 holidays). Each week when I pick Mom up for her weekly outting, I see her getting stronger and stronger. She is transferring herself with less assistance, she is getting braver at bringing herself to the bathroom and dressing herself, and her appetite has increased. I don't know if you realize, but faith, prayer and the will to live can be the odds. Like I have said before, MOM IS AMAZING... MOM IS A TROOPER... SHE IS A FIGHTER... THE FAITH - IT'S AMAZING.

My motto use to be "It Sucks!", but with all the people around me surviving, praying, and fighting so hard - "It's Amazing!" has to be my new motto.

It's all about ME!

I would like to take this time and thank everyone who has helped and continue to help us on our journey. I have learned a valuable lesson or two along the way of this cancer journey. First, I reminded I am not in control and must trust God to give me the strengthen to cope with whatever he sends my way. Second, is the value of family and friends. Thirdly is the value of time... you never know at what moment your life make change... with a phone call, accident, etc...

This past week has been great... we found out our baby is going to be a boy and the complications have been drastically reduced, Mom will not have to get additional radiation, Mom will not have to see the radiologist (Dr. Wood) for 6 months, and we have a great Christmas gathering on Saturday.

About the baby news: I am feeling and doing great. No morning sickness this go around, bleeding and blood pockets have become minimal, no longer a threat to the baby, and the baby has all his fingers and toes and appears to be healthy. Lauren is excited about having a brother and Annalise is well let's just say she will get use to it. To this note - I am filled with joy, happiness, and anticipation for our arrival.

On Saturday, we had our Christmas gathering. It was a little late, but never too late to get together with family and friends. It was very cold and wet outside and not everyone could come due to the weather and illnesses, but we had a very pleasant relaxing time. The girls were all excellent as always. We had a couple of surprise visitors that joined us. It was such a blessing. Ashley and Hanna were able to join us from Florida. Hanna got to play with some of her cousins. She is absolutely adorable and oh, so happy. She even told us "hi". It seemed like it was a gathering for the ladies; as Chris, Todd and Phillip were the only men. Therefore, Chris and Philip had to take a trip into the woods. To this - I know I have an amazing family.

Kennedy and Hanna (10 mths)

Todd, Mom and Maw-Maw

Radiologist Oncologist Update

I meet Mom at the Radiologist Oncolgoist (Dr. Wood) on Friday afternoon. He gave her the all clear for 6 months. This is the best news we have heard since this all began in August. Her condition appears stable from his perspective and no additional radiation is needed. YEAH MOM!

Baby News!

We had the sonogram done and it is going to be a boy!!!

My sweet girls...

I witnessed the sweetest and most compassionate love last night. Lauren and Annalise had been laying in Lauren's bed watching their new movie "Barbie Fairytopia - Mermaidia" . Chris and I never heard one peep or saw a movement out of them - eyes were glued to the television. We just knew that it was one of those great movies. Well as the time began to pass I began to hear Lauren softly sob. As I walked into the room, Annalise was giving Lauren her bear and trying to comfort Lauren by patting her and telling her that "it is fake". Unsure of what was going on, I questioned Lauren about her tears. She began to explain that she knows it is make believe, but it was the saddest thing ever. One of the mermaids undoubtably had a spell of some sort on her where she would become trapped under water if something did not happen and she would never get to see Bibble (her sidekick/pet) again. It was just horrible according to Lauren!! Soon after all was calm and the mermaid made it out of the water okay. Annalise insisted on watching Clifford who makes everyone laugh.

As they laid back in bed, Annalise and Lauren comforted each other with kind words and hugs and fell asleep. AHHH, to sweet.

Lauren is so sensitive and Annalise can be so compassionate!!!

From a dear friend...

"If you have ever had to deal with Cancer, you know that it is a word that just turns your world, your life and every emotion upside down.

Exactly 1 year ago today, 1/9/07, my dad was diagnosed with Cancer - Small Cell Carcinoma. It was in so many places that even though the doctor said they had an 80% success rate with curing this type of cancer, it just seemed impossible with how many tumors he had. He had a soup can sized tumor in the lung (the originator), several tumors in the liver, a large tumors by the pancreas, in the hip bone and just about his entire spine with tumors all over as well.

Dad of course heard nothing but the positives when he spoke to the doctors...my step mom was scared to death as well as the rest of us. He started radiation at the end of January and in mid February he began chemo. Dad said after the first chemo, he could take a deep breathe which is something he had not been able to do in over 8 months. He said that was also the night God came to him and told him he would be alright and everything would work out. It has been a long trying year and dad always stayed positive and knew in his heart the he would beat his cancer. He finished up with chemo in December and on January 4th, he went for his full body scan. After meeting with Dr. Billings today, his scan showed the he is CANCER FREE. Their is a dark spot on the spine, but there is no evidence of cancer (would have shown up pink on the body scan). Dr. Billings said it could be scar tissue from a tumor or it could be an underlying tumor that cancer has not yet developed. He told dad that he had two options - 1. do one more round (4 treatments) of chemo or 2. Wait 3 months and do another body scan to see if anything has developed. Of course like any other crossroad that dad has face, he always asks Billings what would he do if it were him. Billings said 1 more round...Dad didn't argue and said let start tomorrow. So even though his is going to continue with one more round of chemo - he's diagnosis is still CANCER FREE. After this last round of chemo which takes about 3 months, he will do another body scan and see if the tumor is completely gone (and know he made the right decision) and if it's still there but still shows no cancer, then he knows it is scar tissue and peace of mind that he has received two body scans that both came back CANCER FREE.

In other news, Kristin, my 8 month pregnant little sister, was taken to the hospital this morning. She passed a large clot which the doctor feels it's a small piece of the placenta that has separated. She was having some contractions, but seems to be doing much better. Her doctor said that she wanted to keeper for observations for the next 48-72 hours. Little Bodie man is doing great. He is under no stress, his vitals are all fine and he is doing his normal football exercises. They have finally admitted her into Labor and Delivery and that is where she will remain, just in case an OR is needed just for precautionary measures. Kristin is fine and is much more at ease and is just hungry - cause they won't let her eat.

Keep the prayers coming...they truly are answered."

Shannon

Orthopedic Doctor Visit Update

Aunt Pat and I took Mom to the Ortho Clinic and to get her infusion. Amazing enough, we were out of there in 2 1/2 hours. The ortho doctor did not tell us anything new, but did give Mom the clearance to continue her physical therapy. She is still not allow to walk or put any weight on her lower extremities, but this was to no surprise. We will not go back to see the ortho doctor again unless her conditions changes and she wants to proceed with the surgery (putting the rods in); which they have said would not work and would lead to more surgeries. So there really is not an option of surgery. Mom does not want surgery anyway so all is good.

Infusion went well as usual.

Next week, Mom will get the re-scans done and a follow-up visit with the radiology oncologist. I will try to update as soon as we get the results.

Take care and thanks to all for the continued prayers and emails of support.

Geaux Tigers!!!

Tonight is the big night - where LSU proves that they are #1.

Done Deal!!!! LSU TIGERS ARE #1!

Bloodwork Results

The bloodwork came back late yesterday. The swelling is NOT caused from kidney failure; which is what we feared. The upcoming scans will help determine if the swelling is caused from the cancer spreading. The doctor did say that she needed to sit more in a recliner and thanks to Vic, Jr. who once again pulled through and delivered one to Mom yesterday at lunchtime. She said this morning that the chair has already started to reduce the pain in her back and the swelling is starting to go down around her knees. The pain in her areas that are swollen are no longer sensitive to the touch. These are all huge steps in making her comfortable again.

The bloodwork did show that her calcium and protein levels were low, but she is taking meds for her calcium. Protein levels were slightly low, but could be a cause for swelling of the legs along with not using them. Nothing she can really do about these - diet and physical therapy should help keep it consistently low. Mom's tumor marker count has decreased from 450 in November to less than 250. The Tumor Marker is a count performed during each blood test. "The tumor markers are substances, usually proteins, that are produced by the body in response to cancer growth or by the cancer tissue itself. Some tumor markers are specific, while others are seen in several cancer types. Many of the well-known markers are also seen in non-cancerous conditions. Consequently, these tumor markers are not diagnostic for cancer."

In the next couple of weeks, we will be going back and forth to the doctor for rescans and follow-ups with the oncologist and radiologist oncologist.

Appointment Updates

Maw-maw got an all clear from her doctor. The surgery seems to be a success. She is having some pain from artritis in her back. Otherwise, she is in excellent health.

Mom will have some bloodwork done in the morning and the results sent to the doctor. We will call for the results later tomorrow or Friday. She also is scheduled for all her re-scans/x-rays in the next two weeks. There is still no news until after the bloodwork and scans are complete to know what the swelling is caused from.

Happy New Year to all!!!!!!!!!!!

We have no complaints about our holidays. Holidays were great - filled with children laughing and lots of family time. Mom spent Christmas Eve at our house and the most amazing thing... Santa dropped off all of her goodies at our house including her old stocking. Amazing, Lauren was sure worried about Santa pulling that one off, but he managed to pull through. Go santa!!

Saturday prior to Christmas, we got together with Karen, Carl, Christi, Todd and their families (along with Mom and us). We had a wonderful time. Christmas Day was spent with visitors coming and going throughout the day. Special thanks to Aunt Linda and Uncle Paul for taking Mom home that night. The food and company were all great. The children played well together as always and all seemed to be happy with their gifts.

For New Years, everyone was on their own. Mom was having issues with her feet and lower legs swelling; therefore, she opted to stay at the rehab center. But she did attend the festives on new year's eve at the center. New Year's Day, she had lots of visitors from Mrs. Roma and Mr. Neil to Carl and Cheryl and Aunt Linda. Aunt Linda kept her busy cleaning her room and picking up all of the holiday goods.

As I am writing this both Maw-maw and Mom are at doctor appointments. Maw-maw for her follow-up from her ack surgery and Mom for her follow-up oncology appointment. Christi also has numerous questions that we had to get answers for. I will try to update you as soon as I can.

Hope everyone had a great holiday!