Hello everyone,
I didn't get a Monday update out this week, but this is actually a good time to do it. Ian's had a bit more nausea than usual this week, but pain has been pretty low. We only have one more chemo treatment! Yeah! This Monday we hope to fit in the end of chemo Pulmonary Function Test and Echocardiogram. The following Tuesday, June 1, he will have the PET and CT scans and then Monday, June 7, we will see all the Drs. again for the results. Of course we are praying the cancer is gone and we will have no need for radiation, which will be the next course of treatment if there is still any sign of cancer.
My Dr.'s office went ahead and set up an appointment for me to see my surgeon on June 8, so we'll be traveling south 2 days in a row that week. It's earlier than planned, but my anxiety levels are such that it will be good to move forward.
I have had to face the reality that even though I am counting my blessings and am so grateful for the good news, I still have enough stress, anxiety and just extra stuff to do to feel overwhelmed! Fortunately next week we will have a break. I hope to have a couple of days away on my own next Tues. and Wed. and then the family will join me for a much needed vacation at David's parents' home on the Monterey coast. I am very much looking forward to it, even though the garden isn't finished, the yard is a mess, my frig. really needs to cleaned, etc., etc....!
I have a couple of neat things to share as well. Here are links to a couple of articles talking about Ian from one of our local papers this week:http://www.weeklycalistogan.com/articles/2010/05/20/news/local/doc4bf47843944a5228525024.txt
http://www.weeklycalistogan.com/articles/2010/05/20/news/local/doc4bf47b7678918045240806.txt
Here is a photo of Ian and his friends during a break in the Human Race walk they did Sat., May 8, where they raised over $700. for the Leukemian Lymphoma Society!
Thank you all so much for your love and support. Keep praying, please! You hold us up. Love, Natalie!
It's Monday everyone,
That must mean it's chemo day. Although we all seem a little low energy, Ian did fine today and has even gone to the play rehearsal that he doesn't usually get to on Monday evenings. It was nice to be home in time for dinner before the kids went off to rehearsal, which we had only thanks to a local "food fairy" who gave us a bunch of delicious soup yesterday. Wonderful!
This last week turned out to be much better than the first week of chemo when we had the same drug combo. We are very grateful for that! Ian did quite a bit of walking this week, including walking 10K (over 6 miles) with his friends who participate in a local even with a team in support of him and to raise money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. They raised over $500! It was a very special gesture on their part.
Although we have so much to be thankful for, the wear and tear of stress is showing a bit in our family. Helen is also heading into finals next week, so we very much appreciate your prayers for the whole family.
Thank you so much for your love and support, Natalie
Hi all,
Ian was able to have his chemo today and it has gone pretty well so far. This is the same combination of drugs we had the first week, so we are preparing to have to deal with some hard days, since that first week was pretty hard. Hopefully we know better how to deal with it this time. They did give Ian some extra preventive meds today. He's hoping to feel well enough to spend some time with friends tomorrow.
On a bit of a side note, I also had my annual MRI today. I have been tumor free for 9 years and things still look pretty good. However, the Dr. feels there is a small change that may indicate some tumor growth. Apparently this type of tumor often needs follow up treatment after a few years, but can be dealt with through surgery or chemo quite well. This was not the news I was expecting today. I am still symptom free and the Dr. says this is no emergency and we can take our time addressing it. I will see my surgeon in two months - planned so we can get through Ian's treatment first. I will also have another MRI in 6 months instead of my usual year. It is likely I will eventually have another surgery for a biopsy and to remove any growth that can be removed. Then there will be assessment on whether or not I need chemo. This was a pretty heavy blow today, but I know I will be okay and we will all get through this additional trial.
Although it is hard to count blessings at times like this, I am still grateful that the types of cancers Ian and I have are so treatable, that we have a community around us holding us up and that there are so many, many other blessings in our lives.
Thank you so much for ALL of your prayers for us, past present and future!
Hello everyone,
First, just another big thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. I failed to get an email update out last week, but we did get chemo treatment #3. Ian had a very good week, riding his bike and exercising Tues. through Fri. He started having more pain over the weekend, though, and his hair is nearly gone. :-(
Today we had treatment #4. It was a long day and Ian was in quite a bit of pain through the day. We started pretty early this morning so we could stop and purchase a cabinet for the bathroom that is one of those things we have yet to finish on our "long term" remodel. We have a wonderful friend helping us get at least a toilet and sink in that will be near Ian's room. Anyway, Ian had more pain than usual and was a trooper to keep moving and having a positive attitude through the day!
Of course, we are hoping for a good week this week. We never know how these drugs will effect him as they overlap and interact. We do know that the lump on his neck can barely be felt by the Dr. - and what she's feeling might even just be the biopsy scar healing!
Thank you again for your concern. We are grateful for the great community around us!
Love, Natalie
Good morning everyone,
Although we have had a very easy week, with very little pain medication, and Ian's lump is nearly gone, the blood #'s are down and the chemo will have to be delayed. It's actually just one #: the absolute neutrophil count, for those who know what that means. We will check his counts again on Wednesday and hope for a Thursday chemo treatment. This means everything will move back so we can get back to a Monday schedule, ultimately extending treatments another week. It feels like a setback, but I guess having those #'s drop is not unusual and we continue to learn to expect the unexpected. ;-P
We continue to be grateful for all the great thoughts and prayers coming our way.
Much love and blessings sent out to you all, Natalie
Hi again,
I guess I must have been pretty wiped out last night when I sent our update because I forgot two significant things!
First, the most fantastic news is that the tumor on the side of Ian's neck has already shrunk considerably. Again, it was obvious once I'd really stopped to look!
Second, David folks met us at Stanford yesterday and we went to lunch together after the chemo. That was so nice. Ian really perked up when his Papa and Nana walked in where he was on the IV line. ;-)
And, this morning he woke up hungry and feeling really good. He's looking forward to having some friends over today. It's wonderful to have a break from the pain and nausea and we feel like we have our boy back!
Love to all, Natalie
Hello to all of our faithful friends and family,
Today we took Ian for another chemo treatment. Although I would definitely not say "2 down 6 to go" like we said "1 down and 7" to go last week. Over this past week we had the eye-opening experience finding out what the side effects of chemo are like. Ian was pretty miserable quite a bit of the time with nausea and joint pain. He especially had pain in his jaw and teeth and had only liquids for 3 whole days, including Easter.
Needless to say, I (Natalie) had a rather emotional week as well. It's very hard to see your child suffer, as I'm sure most of you know.
After our visit with the Dr. today, and asking lots of questions, we feel better prepared to cope with the side effects we will face next week. So, we are hoping for a better week this week. Come next Sunday I will feel ready to say "2 down and 6 to go" or even: where a quarter of the way through!
Thank you again for your love and prayers. We appreciate you very much!
Love, Natalie and David
