Today was the 8th installment in the 12-part series know as "Toad's Chemo".
To begin with, Johnny was very tired this morning from staying up so late to watch the Yankees win. (SIDE NOTE: Many people don't know this, but Johnny is a big Yankees fan!) I head off to chemo with a sleepy Toad.
Our update with Dr. Ansari held no new information. Things look good from the physician perspective and Johnny and Dr. A spent more time talking about hunting than cancer. I think that is good! Johnny still doesn't like the fact that he is so cold intolerant these days. This, too, shall pass, we were told.
Accessing the port and lab draws were relatively uneventful. Hooking up the chemo made Johnny pretty "urpy" today from the smell of the alcohol wipes they use. We will try to remember to cover his nose with a nice smelling cloth next time. It was the closest he has been to getting sick during chemo.
Then, he slept the rest of the time.
OK, well he did wake up for lunch that Sonya brought us from Panera . . . YUM! Sonya, it was so nice to finally get to spend time with you! Lunch was great, but the time with you was even better. Love you.
Usually when we get home, Johnny is up until early evening - like 6-ish. Today he kept his eyes closed for the whole ride home (and I took the scenic route along Riverside Avenue to look at the pretty colors, too). When we got home he headed straight to bed with a little tummy ache and body aches. He attributes the body aches to moving tree stands yesterday, but was willling to take some medicine to help knock out the pain. He also took some additional nausea meds.
I really hope that this is just a fluke and he will continue with the normal trend he has established with chemo. Who knows. One thing we have figured out is that anything can happen, even when you think you have it figured out. Hopefully he will have a restful night and just sleep through the bad part.
On the bright side -- he smells baby-fresh again! You can't beat that!
There are some other side effects that he has been experiencing. I've talked about the cold intolerance before, and that continues like gang-busters. I even bought him this neoprene head cover with a little nose/beak cover thingy so that only his eyes are exposed. It looks like something a deep sea diver would wear. When he has been out in the cold recently, he feels little nerves in his face, especially his nose. His hands get cold easier, too.
Another thing that has happened is the skin on the palms of his hands has darkened considerably, along with the fortune-teller lines. They are really dark. I'll bet if he actually went to a fortune teller, she would freak out from the color of the lines! It might be fun to do, actually.
Nothing really earth shattering, but interesting nonetheless.
I'm just ready to be done with all of this chemo crap, get on with the surgery and start the final healing process. Hopefully by his birthday next summer we will have the "all clear". I can tell you when that happens, we are going to have one heck of a party! Seriously.
OK, now on a totally different subject matter altogether: Have you ever heard of FarmVille on Facebook? Jake needed a new "neighbor" so he asked me to start a farm on this little game on FB. Before you start making fun of me (I'm already a level 7 after only 2 days!) you need to know that there are a boatload of people playing this. I am talking grown, professional adults. Not just kids! I am completely addicted and was upset today because Hematology/Oncology's Wi-Fi didn't work so I couldn't harvest my soybeans. I know! I was telling Sonya about it and one of the hem/onc nurses came over and said, "Are you talking about FarmVille?" She is a level 26! All the really cool kids are playing it. So, if you get on FB and start a farm, please send me a gift. I promise I will send you something in return. Visit my farm, and you will notice I have a plan to surround it with fruit trees.
And I don't want any messages sent to me telling me that I have lost my mind. I won't answer you anyway because I will be busy farming! Have to go now, my strawberries need to be harvested and the cow milked.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Thursday at the Brawley's
My, how fast the "good" weeks fly by!
Soccer season and football season are both coming to a close and our schedule will finally calm down for a while. Johnny's last football game was tonight (a scrimmage and pizza party to follow) and I know it is bitter-sweet for him. He has really enjoyed being involved with the boys, even in his limited capacity. He has greatly enjoyed and appreciated working with Jim Craig. Jim is an amazing coach, and it is really reflected in the 7th grade record this year. I think the 7th graders are well-prepared and will go in to 8th grade football with a lot of newly acquired confidence because of Coach Craig. Thanks again, Jim.
Jake had a soccer game tonight in the rain. Where and when did I sign up for this? I actually missed most of the first half of the game because I fell asleep in my car! This is the second time that it has happened, too. See, what happens is: Jake has to be at the field 30 minutes prior to game time to warm up. I just sit in the car (when the weather is yucky) and wait til game time. Then I truck on out to the field with my chair, blanket, and umbrella to enjoy a rousing match-up. This evening I was cozy in my little Jetta with the seat warmers toasting my buns to golden brown perfection (Oh! Perfection? I wish!) when suddenly I awoke with a start to discover that it was 6:15! The game was supposed to start at 6:00, but due to the weather they started 10 minutes early. I missed 25 minutes of a 30 minute half. My dad was at the game and was just about to come back to my car to wake me up. He was at the game last Saturday when I fell asleep, but I actually woke up when the game started, not half way through. I better not do that again, or I'll end up missing the entire game. Geez.
We are keeping close tabs on the whole H1N1 flu. I am really paranoid about Johnny getting sick. He is actually not even considered immune compromised right now because his lab values are all in the "normal" range. But even with normal labs, I don't want him subjected to anything that could affect him in a bad way. Know what I mean?
I know several people that are down with all manner of the flu, including H1N1. Just take care of yourselves out there. If you are sick, stay home and rest, drink lots of fluids, and take two aspirin and call me in the morning. Well, maybe not me per se, but you get what I'm talking about. Grant and Bryanna report that it is sweeping through Central Michigan University now. That would be awful to be away from home and really sick.
Looking forward to a basically quiet weekend. I am on call (boo!) but there is only a soccer game and a birthday party on our to-do list.
Please continue your prayers. We certainly know they work and don't want anyone to quit on us just yet.
If you don't mind me asking. . . a friend of mine from all the way back to elementary school (Marci) just found out that her sister has lung/brain cancer. I don't know any of the details, but I do know that this is a family who has just had their world rocked and could use all the prayers we can muster for them. When I found out, I got that really sick and sad feeling all over again remembering those first few days after diagnosis. It is more overwhelming than most can imagine.
Marci, please know that there are lots of people out there praying for you. People that might not even know you or Tracey; but prayers are strong and they work. Please call if there is anything I can help you with or if you have questions about doctors, etc. Praying for you all.
Soccer season and football season are both coming to a close and our schedule will finally calm down for a while. Johnny's last football game was tonight (a scrimmage and pizza party to follow) and I know it is bitter-sweet for him. He has really enjoyed being involved with the boys, even in his limited capacity. He has greatly enjoyed and appreciated working with Jim Craig. Jim is an amazing coach, and it is really reflected in the 7th grade record this year. I think the 7th graders are well-prepared and will go in to 8th grade football with a lot of newly acquired confidence because of Coach Craig. Thanks again, Jim.
Jake had a soccer game tonight in the rain. Where and when did I sign up for this? I actually missed most of the first half of the game because I fell asleep in my car! This is the second time that it has happened, too. See, what happens is: Jake has to be at the field 30 minutes prior to game time to warm up. I just sit in the car (when the weather is yucky) and wait til game time. Then I truck on out to the field with my chair, blanket, and umbrella to enjoy a rousing match-up. This evening I was cozy in my little Jetta with the seat warmers toasting my buns to golden brown perfection (Oh! Perfection? I wish!) when suddenly I awoke with a start to discover that it was 6:15! The game was supposed to start at 6:00, but due to the weather they started 10 minutes early. I missed 25 minutes of a 30 minute half. My dad was at the game and was just about to come back to my car to wake me up. He was at the game last Saturday when I fell asleep, but I actually woke up when the game started, not half way through. I better not do that again, or I'll end up missing the entire game. Geez.
We are keeping close tabs on the whole H1N1 flu. I am really paranoid about Johnny getting sick. He is actually not even considered immune compromised right now because his lab values are all in the "normal" range. But even with normal labs, I don't want him subjected to anything that could affect him in a bad way. Know what I mean?
I know several people that are down with all manner of the flu, including H1N1. Just take care of yourselves out there. If you are sick, stay home and rest, drink lots of fluids, and take two aspirin and call me in the morning. Well, maybe not me per se, but you get what I'm talking about. Grant and Bryanna report that it is sweeping through Central Michigan University now. That would be awful to be away from home and really sick.
Looking forward to a basically quiet weekend. I am on call (boo!) but there is only a soccer game and a birthday party on our to-do list.
Please continue your prayers. We certainly know they work and don't want anyone to quit on us just yet.
If you don't mind me asking. . . a friend of mine from all the way back to elementary school (Marci) just found out that her sister has lung/brain cancer. I don't know any of the details, but I do know that this is a family who has just had their world rocked and could use all the prayers we can muster for them. When I found out, I got that really sick and sad feeling all over again remembering those first few days after diagnosis. It is more overwhelming than most can imagine.
Marci, please know that there are lots of people out there praying for you. People that might not even know you or Tracey; but prayers are strong and they work. Please call if there is anything I can help you with or if you have questions about doctors, etc. Praying for you all.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
I really like Normal
This whole week was spent riding the wave of the good news we received from Johnny's scans. It is much easier to think about 5 more cycles ahead of us when we know the shiz is working!
I don't have to tell you that the fish fry was this past Friday, because practically every person I know was there! We set records for dinners served at a Brawley fish fry! According to MIL Ginger, 350 people is a good turn out for one of their frys. We had a whopping 860 dinners served! And yes, we ran out of fish. The fish held out until about 7:30, but not too many people had to be turned away.
I don't have the complete list of names for all of the raffle prize winners, but I will work on getting that so that I can post them here.
After the fish fry Johnny and I went to the Riverfront Cafe and met up with a very eclectic group of friends from high school. I think there were about 14 of us in all, and it was so much fun to catch up with these guys. We finally got home at about 11:30 after a VERY long day.
Saturday night was spent spooking a bunch of teenagers at a hayride/Halloween party at the Montgomery's. (Thanks for having us, Jeff and Kellie!!!) Johnny had a rough time with the cold again, and we only lasted about 2 1/2 hours. His face and hands get really numb, even if it isn't all that cold. Just part of the neurologic effects of the chemo.
So, we got home Saturday night at about 11:00. I couldn't even wait for up for Quinn to get home (thanks, Rudlaffs!) before I fell asleep. Can you even believe that I slept for 12 straight hours?!!? Crazy! I haven't done that in a very long time. You would think that I accomplished great things with all that sleep, but nope. Hardly did a thing all day!
Johnny and Quinn are out hunting. Quinn has a monster buck coming in to his stand every night at about 7:25, so he is still out in the woods. Johnny is attempting to hunt (he doesn't know if the cold will make him crazy or not) and is in Dowagiac at his least property.
Like most hunting nights, Jake and I are holding down the fort waiting for the great hunters to return. I have a pot of potato soup on the stove to warm them up when they come in. Hopefully, they will both have their bucks and we will start to fill the freezer.
Pretty darn normal around here tonight. Oh man, do I like normal.
I don't have to tell you that the fish fry was this past Friday, because practically every person I know was there! We set records for dinners served at a Brawley fish fry! According to MIL Ginger, 350 people is a good turn out for one of their frys. We had a whopping 860 dinners served! And yes, we ran out of fish. The fish held out until about 7:30, but not too many people had to be turned away.
I don't have the complete list of names for all of the raffle prize winners, but I will work on getting that so that I can post them here.
After the fish fry Johnny and I went to the Riverfront Cafe and met up with a very eclectic group of friends from high school. I think there were about 14 of us in all, and it was so much fun to catch up with these guys. We finally got home at about 11:30 after a VERY long day.
Saturday night was spent spooking a bunch of teenagers at a hayride/Halloween party at the Montgomery's. (Thanks for having us, Jeff and Kellie!!!) Johnny had a rough time with the cold again, and we only lasted about 2 1/2 hours. His face and hands get really numb, even if it isn't all that cold. Just part of the neurologic effects of the chemo.
So, we got home Saturday night at about 11:00. I couldn't even wait for up for Quinn to get home (thanks, Rudlaffs!) before I fell asleep. Can you even believe that I slept for 12 straight hours?!!? Crazy! I haven't done that in a very long time. You would think that I accomplished great things with all that sleep, but nope. Hardly did a thing all day!
Johnny and Quinn are out hunting. Quinn has a monster buck coming in to his stand every night at about 7:25, so he is still out in the woods. Johnny is attempting to hunt (he doesn't know if the cold will make him crazy or not) and is in Dowagiac at his least property.
Like most hunting nights, Jake and I are holding down the fort waiting for the great hunters to return. I have a pot of potato soup on the stove to warm them up when they come in. Hopefully, they will both have their bucks and we will start to fill the freezer.
Pretty darn normal around here tonight. Oh man, do I like normal.
Monday, October 12, 2009
It Is All Good
For those of you who participated in the golf outing and didn't look inside your bag of goodies, I still wanted to express my gratitude. It was an amazing event and we were just beside ourselves with the turnout. I hope everyone had as much fun as Johnny and I did!
This is the "thank you" note that was included in the bag and it pertains to everyone involved:
Dear Friends,
To begin by only saying thank you just doesn’t seem like enough.
Our world came to a screeching halt on July 8, 2009. We had never experienced anything so devastating in our 21 years of marriage. We felt scared, hopeless, and lost. We had no idea what the future would hold. One thing we knew for certain from the minute we received Johnny’s diagnosis: We were not alone.
Immediately after the dreaded diagnosis, our friends were there to provide for us. Food, comfort, Kleenex, wine, friends to laugh with, and shoulders to cry on have yet to be in short supply.
Johnny’s philosophy has always been, “Surround Yourself with Good People.” This summer and fall have driven home the power of his philosophy. Good people have provided for us in so many ways. To be on the receiving end of a fundraiser is a humbling and overwhelming experience. One of our dearest friends told us, “Allow people the blessing of helping.” The blessings have been all ours, to be sure.
The magnitude of this fundraiser and others that are planned have provided us with comfort in the knowledge that no matter what, we are cared for. I will be able to stay with Johnny whenever necessary without worrying about how everything will be taken care of financially. The comfort this provides cannot be described.
To Larry Larson, Brian Tumbleson, Jeff Altergott: Heartfelt thanks in abundance. You guys are amazing. You will forever be held close to our hearts. Huge thanks also to Dave Schiele, Jeff and Maria Brawley for rounding up so many sponsors and raffle prizes. To our Express-1 family, your support has allowed Johnny to keep his “good” weeks normal and has made the “bad” weeks tolerable. To Stevie and Lori Wells, thanks for everything you have done to make this day possible. To all the volunteers, prize donors, hole sponsors, golfers, friends, family and Toad fans, I wish I could create a word that means, “The Biggest Thanks Ever,” but since it is really all we have -- Thank You.
This journey could have been lonely and long without you. Thanks for sticking by us.
From the heart of our bottoms (where this all got started) and the bottom of our hearts, we thank you.
Most sincerely,
Johnny “Toad” and Pam
Quinn and Jake
And now for today's news:
Today was Cycle #7. We started like every other treatment with a visit to Dr. Ansari's office. He gave us the results of the PET/CT scans that were performed last Thursday. Are you ready for this?
Drum roll, please . . . . .
LIVER:
First scan - Multiple lesions in the liver, largest lesion straddles both lobes and is 3.5 X 3.0 cm in diameter. Consistent with metastatic disease.
This scan - Only TWO lesions remain in the liver, all others have RESOLVED! The largest lesion measures 1.8 x 1.5 cm in diameter. Markedly improved.
LYMPH NODES:
First scan - Multiple lymph nodes involved in the para-aortic area. Consistent with metastatic lymphadenopathy.
This scan - Metastatic disease to the left para-aortic lymph nodes has RESOLVED!
COLON:
First scan - Primary adenocarcinoma of the rectosigmoid junction identified. This tumor measured approximately 15 cm. with considerable circumferential wall thickening.
This scan - Marked improvement in the size of the primary tumor. Abnormal wall thickening shows marked improvement.
For those of you who are still scratching your head and going, "Huh?" What that all means is Johnny's cancer is running away with it's tail tucked between its legs. EVERYTHING is better. No, it isn't completely gone, but we didn't expect it to be. He still has 5 more cycles after today, and with what has happened already I don't think it is crazy to think that we will see additional improvement before surgery.
Surgery is still on. As of right now we don't know where or with whom, but for the very first time he actually mentioned that it could be possible to have surgery right here in South Bend. I voiced my concern that we are still dealing with the liver and we still don't have a liver specialist in South Bend. I want it done right, not for convenience. Dr. Ansari said that he agreed and that once we are finished with round 12 of chemo, he will order an additional set of scans to include an MRI. When he has the results of those scans we will sit down and figure out our best options. He said that he will choose for us what he would choose for himself. He also assured me that whatever we decide, we will all be happy with the decision. I liked that, and left his office content.
Oh, but wait. . . there is still more good news! After our visit with Dr. Ansari we went back to the infusion center where they had to draw labs and access his port. (Port access has gone very well the last 3 times, thankyouverymuch!) They always bring us a copy of the labs, because, yeah I am "one of those" wives! Anywho, when Mary brought us the the last page of labs, she was all smiles and wanted to play a guessing game for his CEA level. (Reminder: here are his previous CEA levels starting on July 10th -- 60.4, 34.1, 13.8,and 7.9) Can YOU guess? Here is a hint: Cut it in half again! Today's CEA level was 3.7. THREE POINT FRICKIN' SEVEN!!! According to the lab sheet, normal is 3.1. (I know, Ansari kept telling us FIVE, but evidently he didn't think it would drop so low!!)
Dr. Ansari used the term Partial Remission today. Partial is good; total is better. Total is our goal.
We are OVERJOYED to think that all the crap Johnny has had to deal with since July 8th has been worth it. It is a much different feeling to have them running in the toxic chemicals when you know they are working! He is very upbeat and you can see the relief written all over his face. I feel like I am breathing again for the first time in a very long time.
Please don't forget to pray for him just because things are going well. We know better than to assume everything is going to be just fine with no possibility of bumps in the road. There is still a long way to go, but we are confident that slow and steady will win this race.
I've posted late tonight, and now I am super tired. I need to go give Johnny a good sniffing and then fall off to sleep myself. Thanks for your continued support and interest in the blog. It is my therapy and a good stress outlet for me; and as most of you know I am quite open in sharing personal details of our daily life. I'm just so thankful that I have a captive audience! What will we talk about when Johnny is all better? Hmmmmm. . .
Praying tonight for Megan McKeel. Sheryl and Rick, if you need anything you know where we are!
Oh, and Check This Out! Thanks again, Jessica!
Oh, one more thing: Read Mitch Albom's newest book, Have a Little Faith. It is amazing.
Wait, wait, one more thing: Fish Fry this Friday, October 16th from noon until 8 pm at the Eagles Lodge by the Riverfront Cafe and Ampitheatre. Seriously, I have never seen so much fish and cole slaw in my life. Come eat it or the Brawley's are going to have to eat fish for a month of Sundays!
This is the "thank you" note that was included in the bag and it pertains to everyone involved:
Dear Friends,
To begin by only saying thank you just doesn’t seem like enough.
Our world came to a screeching halt on July 8, 2009. We had never experienced anything so devastating in our 21 years of marriage. We felt scared, hopeless, and lost. We had no idea what the future would hold. One thing we knew for certain from the minute we received Johnny’s diagnosis: We were not alone.
Immediately after the dreaded diagnosis, our friends were there to provide for us. Food, comfort, Kleenex, wine, friends to laugh with, and shoulders to cry on have yet to be in short supply.
Johnny’s philosophy has always been, “Surround Yourself with Good People.” This summer and fall have driven home the power of his philosophy. Good people have provided for us in so many ways. To be on the receiving end of a fundraiser is a humbling and overwhelming experience. One of our dearest friends told us, “Allow people the blessing of helping.” The blessings have been all ours, to be sure.
The magnitude of this fundraiser and others that are planned have provided us with comfort in the knowledge that no matter what, we are cared for. I will be able to stay with Johnny whenever necessary without worrying about how everything will be taken care of financially. The comfort this provides cannot be described.
To Larry Larson, Brian Tumbleson, Jeff Altergott: Heartfelt thanks in abundance. You guys are amazing. You will forever be held close to our hearts. Huge thanks also to Dave Schiele, Jeff and Maria Brawley for rounding up so many sponsors and raffle prizes. To our Express-1 family, your support has allowed Johnny to keep his “good” weeks normal and has made the “bad” weeks tolerable. To Stevie and Lori Wells, thanks for everything you have done to make this day possible. To all the volunteers, prize donors, hole sponsors, golfers, friends, family and Toad fans, I wish I could create a word that means, “The Biggest Thanks Ever,” but since it is really all we have -- Thank You.
This journey could have been lonely and long without you. Thanks for sticking by us.
From the heart of our bottoms (where this all got started) and the bottom of our hearts, we thank you.
Most sincerely,
Johnny “Toad” and Pam
Quinn and Jake
And now for today's news:
Today was Cycle #7. We started like every other treatment with a visit to Dr. Ansari's office. He gave us the results of the PET/CT scans that were performed last Thursday. Are you ready for this?
Drum roll, please . . . . .
LIVER:
First scan - Multiple lesions in the liver, largest lesion straddles both lobes and is 3.5 X 3.0 cm in diameter. Consistent with metastatic disease.
This scan - Only TWO lesions remain in the liver, all others have RESOLVED! The largest lesion measures 1.8 x 1.5 cm in diameter. Markedly improved.
LYMPH NODES:
First scan - Multiple lymph nodes involved in the para-aortic area. Consistent with metastatic lymphadenopathy.
This scan - Metastatic disease to the left para-aortic lymph nodes has RESOLVED!
COLON:
First scan - Primary adenocarcinoma of the rectosigmoid junction identified. This tumor measured approximately 15 cm. with considerable circumferential wall thickening.
This scan - Marked improvement in the size of the primary tumor. Abnormal wall thickening shows marked improvement.
For those of you who are still scratching your head and going, "Huh?" What that all means is Johnny's cancer is running away with it's tail tucked between its legs. EVERYTHING is better. No, it isn't completely gone, but we didn't expect it to be. He still has 5 more cycles after today, and with what has happened already I don't think it is crazy to think that we will see additional improvement before surgery.
Surgery is still on. As of right now we don't know where or with whom, but for the very first time he actually mentioned that it could be possible to have surgery right here in South Bend. I voiced my concern that we are still dealing with the liver and we still don't have a liver specialist in South Bend. I want it done right, not for convenience. Dr. Ansari said that he agreed and that once we are finished with round 12 of chemo, he will order an additional set of scans to include an MRI. When he has the results of those scans we will sit down and figure out our best options. He said that he will choose for us what he would choose for himself. He also assured me that whatever we decide, we will all be happy with the decision. I liked that, and left his office content.
Oh, but wait. . . there is still more good news! After our visit with Dr. Ansari we went back to the infusion center where they had to draw labs and access his port. (Port access has gone very well the last 3 times, thankyouverymuch!) They always bring us a copy of the labs, because, yeah I am "one of those" wives! Anywho, when Mary brought us the the last page of labs, she was all smiles and wanted to play a guessing game for his CEA level. (Reminder: here are his previous CEA levels starting on July 10th -- 60.4, 34.1, 13.8,and 7.9) Can YOU guess? Here is a hint: Cut it in half again! Today's CEA level was 3.7. THREE POINT FRICKIN' SEVEN!!! According to the lab sheet, normal is 3.1. (I know, Ansari kept telling us FIVE, but evidently he didn't think it would drop so low!!)
Dr. Ansari used the term Partial Remission today. Partial is good; total is better. Total is our goal.
We are OVERJOYED to think that all the crap Johnny has had to deal with since July 8th has been worth it. It is a much different feeling to have them running in the toxic chemicals when you know they are working! He is very upbeat and you can see the relief written all over his face. I feel like I am breathing again for the first time in a very long time.
Please don't forget to pray for him just because things are going well. We know better than to assume everything is going to be just fine with no possibility of bumps in the road. There is still a long way to go, but we are confident that slow and steady will win this race.
I've posted late tonight, and now I am super tired. I need to go give Johnny a good sniffing and then fall off to sleep myself. Thanks for your continued support and interest in the blog. It is my therapy and a good stress outlet for me; and as most of you know I am quite open in sharing personal details of our daily life. I'm just so thankful that I have a captive audience! What will we talk about when Johnny is all better? Hmmmmm. . .
Praying tonight for Megan McKeel. Sheryl and Rick, if you need anything you know where we are!
Oh, and Check This Out! Thanks again, Jessica!
Oh, one more thing: Read Mitch Albom's newest book, Have a Little Faith. It is amazing.
Wait, wait, one more thing: Fish Fry this Friday, October 16th from noon until 8 pm at the Eagles Lodge by the Riverfront Cafe and Ampitheatre. Seriously, I have never seen so much fish and cole slaw in my life. Come eat it or the Brawley's are going to have to eat fish for a month of Sundays!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Mesenteric Adenitis and Wicked Good Slippers
When you come to the end of your rope, you simply tie a knot and hang on, right?
This morning, Quinn woke with an excruciating stomach ache right in the middle of his belly. His cheeks were red, but he didn't feel feverish (thermometer is broke, currently on Wal-Mart list). He said, "Mom, my stomach is killing me." I asked him if he was going to make it to school, to which he replied tearfully, "I can't."
Let me say that Quinn isn't a faker. He never tries to get out of going to school and if he tells me that he is in too much pain or too sick to go, then he really is. (Jake is a completely different story!!!) He said that he wanted to go to Grandma Gerry's house, so Johnny took him there on his way to work. I took Jake to school and headed to work myself.
After a couple hours at work, I called my mom's to check on Quinn. He said that his stomach still hurt bad, but the pain had moved from his belly button to three inches to the right. Alarm bells rang out . . . classic symptoms of appendicitis. I asked him if he felt the pain was bad enough to go to the doctor's office, to which he replied, "Yes." Crap-o-la.
Johnny picked him up and brought him to the doctor's office. I was swamped at work and didn't want to leave since I have had so much time off for Johnny, and this week with my own sinus infection. I left it in Johnny's hands, since he is definitely the more sane of the two of us these days. When I didn't hear back from him after 45 minutes, I thought it was the whole, "No news is good news" scenario.
I called his cell phone.
"Everything OK?" I asked.
Pause. "Well, the doctor thinks it is his appendix. Pam? Pam? Are you OK?"
I basically imploded right there in the control room at work. (Thanks, Boobie, for holding me up!) I could only think of them cutting open my baby and all the terrible things that people in the medical field can come up with when the shit hits their own fan.
Not. One. More. Thing. I. Can't. Handle. One. More. Thing.
So I caught up with them as Quinn was getting ready for his CT. He drank the yucky stuff and we waited. After an hour and a half (!!) they took him back and did his scan. Quinn even managed to make it without passing out from the IV and blood draw, which is HUGE for him. He has had several bad, bad, bad experiences with IVs and labs. Poor baby. So we were finished and waited while they called in the report to the doctor.
They sent us out only with the knowledge that it wasn't his appendix, THANK GOD. Dr. Sisk (not our normal pediatrician -- we are Dan Brier fans!) finally did call us around 8:30 this evening and told us that the lymph nodes in his abdomen are very inflamed, probably from a virus. She called it Mesenteric Adenitis. She said that he will probably have a pretty bad tummy ache for a couple days, and it should resolve by the weekend. My sister, Angie, actually had this a couple times and said that it is terribly painful. He just needs to "lay low". He is very relieved, too, I can tell.
So, it is now almost 10 p.m. and I am finally able to think (relatively) straight.
Earlier I took Jake to soccer practice and had to run a couple errands, one of which included a stop at Wal-Mart. (No, I didn't get a thermometer. I left the list at home!) I am afraid to admit that in my fragile mental state, I went to Wal-Mart in my slippers. I just know I am going to end up as one of those pictures in the "People of Wal-Mart" emails that circulate around. I hope they blur out my face.
OK, but in my slipper's defense, they are really practically shoes. They are the Wicked Good Scuffs from L.L. Bean. Seriously good slippers.
My previous pair lasted for 15 years, I had them longer than both of my kids! I got them for Christmas one year and dubbed them the best darn slippers EVER! But like all good things, their time came to an end and I finally had to toss them. They were completely ripped out and had holes through the bottom sole; they could no longer stand repairs. I told Johnny that it was the only thing I wanted for my birthday . . . Wicked Good Scuffs from L.L. Bean. And that is exactly what I got.
I wonder, though. Will these last for 15 years? They are certainly well built and comfy. If I have these for 15 years, I may actually have GRAND KIDS by the time they give out. My boys will both be done with college. Johnny and I will be retired and living part time in the Bahamas. Griffin will be driving a car and in high school. Grant and Bryanna, Andrew, Josh and Zack will be contributing to 401Ks, and will probably be parents themselves. The rest of the nieces and nephews will be well into their secondary educations. John and Ginger and my Mom and Dad will be older, and enjoying their growing families immensely. Hopefully, all of us will be happy and healthy.
I had no idea that these slippers came with so many hopes and dreams built into them. Maybe that is why I love them so much!
AND! To Jim Craig and the 7th grade football team that annihilated Penn's Discovery Middle School team: YOU GUYS ROCK! The future of Niles Football is looking really good! Congratulations, and thanks again, Jim. You know for what.
This morning, Quinn woke with an excruciating stomach ache right in the middle of his belly. His cheeks were red, but he didn't feel feverish (thermometer is broke, currently on Wal-Mart list). He said, "Mom, my stomach is killing me." I asked him if he was going to make it to school, to which he replied tearfully, "I can't."
Let me say that Quinn isn't a faker. He never tries to get out of going to school and if he tells me that he is in too much pain or too sick to go, then he really is. (Jake is a completely different story!!!) He said that he wanted to go to Grandma Gerry's house, so Johnny took him there on his way to work. I took Jake to school and headed to work myself.
After a couple hours at work, I called my mom's to check on Quinn. He said that his stomach still hurt bad, but the pain had moved from his belly button to three inches to the right. Alarm bells rang out . . . classic symptoms of appendicitis. I asked him if he felt the pain was bad enough to go to the doctor's office, to which he replied, "Yes." Crap-o-la.
Johnny picked him up and brought him to the doctor's office. I was swamped at work and didn't want to leave since I have had so much time off for Johnny, and this week with my own sinus infection. I left it in Johnny's hands, since he is definitely the more sane of the two of us these days. When I didn't hear back from him after 45 minutes, I thought it was the whole, "No news is good news" scenario.
I called his cell phone.
"Everything OK?" I asked.
Pause. "Well, the doctor thinks it is his appendix. Pam? Pam? Are you OK?"
I basically imploded right there in the control room at work. (Thanks, Boobie, for holding me up!) I could only think of them cutting open my baby and all the terrible things that people in the medical field can come up with when the shit hits their own fan.
Not. One. More. Thing. I. Can't. Handle. One. More. Thing.
So I caught up with them as Quinn was getting ready for his CT. He drank the yucky stuff and we waited. After an hour and a half (!!) they took him back and did his scan. Quinn even managed to make it without passing out from the IV and blood draw, which is HUGE for him. He has had several bad, bad, bad experiences with IVs and labs. Poor baby. So we were finished and waited while they called in the report to the doctor.
They sent us out only with the knowledge that it wasn't his appendix, THANK GOD. Dr. Sisk (not our normal pediatrician -- we are Dan Brier fans!) finally did call us around 8:30 this evening and told us that the lymph nodes in his abdomen are very inflamed, probably from a virus. She called it Mesenteric Adenitis. She said that he will probably have a pretty bad tummy ache for a couple days, and it should resolve by the weekend. My sister, Angie, actually had this a couple times and said that it is terribly painful. He just needs to "lay low". He is very relieved, too, I can tell.
So, it is now almost 10 p.m. and I am finally able to think (relatively) straight.
Earlier I took Jake to soccer practice and had to run a couple errands, one of which included a stop at Wal-Mart. (No, I didn't get a thermometer. I left the list at home!) I am afraid to admit that in my fragile mental state, I went to Wal-Mart in my slippers. I just know I am going to end up as one of those pictures in the "People of Wal-Mart" emails that circulate around. I hope they blur out my face.
OK, but in my slipper's defense, they are really practically shoes. They are the Wicked Good Scuffs from L.L. Bean. Seriously good slippers.
My previous pair lasted for 15 years, I had them longer than both of my kids! I got them for Christmas one year and dubbed them the best darn slippers EVER! But like all good things, their time came to an end and I finally had to toss them. They were completely ripped out and had holes through the bottom sole; they could no longer stand repairs. I told Johnny that it was the only thing I wanted for my birthday . . . Wicked Good Scuffs from L.L. Bean. And that is exactly what I got.
I wonder, though. Will these last for 15 years? They are certainly well built and comfy. If I have these for 15 years, I may actually have GRAND KIDS by the time they give out. My boys will both be done with college. Johnny and I will be retired and living part time in the Bahamas. Griffin will be driving a car and in high school. Grant and Bryanna, Andrew, Josh and Zack will be contributing to 401Ks, and will probably be parents themselves. The rest of the nieces and nephews will be well into their secondary educations. John and Ginger and my Mom and Dad will be older, and enjoying their growing families immensely. Hopefully, all of us will be happy and healthy.
I had no idea that these slippers came with so many hopes and dreams built into them. Maybe that is why I love them so much!
AND! To Jim Craig and the 7th grade football team that annihilated Penn's Discovery Middle School team: YOU GUYS ROCK! The future of Niles Football is looking really good! Congratulations, and thanks again, Jim. You know for what.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Brush with Greatness
OK, Seriously . . . did you see the Vikings/Packers game? Holy Wah! Jared Allen and Brett Favre were ON FIRE!Do you remember when Muhammad and Lonnie Ali gifted us with tickets to see Elton John and Billy Joel at Wrigley Field? If not, go here.
Well, there was this Man Mountain in front of us with his friends, just singing and dancing along with Elton and Billy and completely enjoying himself. The friends were having fun, too. Anyway, Johnny, Molly, Jim and I were talking about this guy on the way home saying, "OK, who was that guy? We knew he had to be a professional athlete, but unfortunately we couldn't think of who is was immediately.
About a day later, Jimmy calls and tells me to look up "Jared Allen" on Google. Oh, my gosh! That was the Man Mountain that was in front of us at the concert!!! No wonder he looked familiar. Molly took the picture above at the concert, because we just knew we knew him.
I just wish that we would have had him sign our ticket stubs, or my boobs, or something tangible while he was right there in front of us! Dang, that was a missed opportunity . . .
I just thought I would deviate from the world of cancer for a few minutes and tell you of this brush with greatness. :O)
And, Jared, if you are reading this: You are invited to hunt and/or fish with us at our cabin in the Upper Penninsula anytime you want. Oh, and keep the mullet . . . it's hot.
GOLF OUTING IS FULL!
Remember when I told you all to get your golf registrations in early? Well, I wasn't just whistling Dixie! As of 12:30 today we have confirmed 60 teams for The Fighting Toad Golf Outing!
If by some chance you thought you should wait to sign up, please give Larry Larson a call (and ONLY Larry Larson, he is the only person with the Master List -- 269-695-4966). We are trying to come up with arrangements that will allow as many extra teams as possible to play. If all else fails, we will start a waiting list.
Can I just say -- WOW!
If you'd like to stop out for a great party and not golf, we will be at Hampshire Country Club, 29592 Pokagon Hwy, Dowagiac from early until late afternoon. Plenty of raffle prizes and good food and beer. We'd love to see you there!
If by some chance you thought you should wait to sign up, please give Larry Larson a call (and ONLY Larry Larson, he is the only person with the Master List -- 269-695-4966). We are trying to come up with arrangements that will allow as many extra teams as possible to play. If all else fails, we will start a waiting list.
Can I just say -- WOW!
If you'd like to stop out for a great party and not golf, we will be at Hampshire Country Club, 29592 Pokagon Hwy, Dowagiac from early until late afternoon. Plenty of raffle prizes and good food and beer. We'd love to see you there!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Let the Good Week Begin
Again, we start the new week -- the “good” week. We have to get a lot accomplished during the good week, to make up for the lost hours/days of the “bad” week.
This week is no exception. There is definitely a lot to get done. We are in the final stages of planning the golf outing, and it is coming together very nicely. At this writing, there are 58 teams signed up. If you are still interested, please give Larry Larson a call. We want you all to be there, if not just for the golf, then for the raffle prizes! Because -- and I am not kidding you folks -- there are some flippin’ amazing prizes! I can’t even begin to list them all, so I won’t even try. Just come out to Hampshire Country Club on Saturday and check them all out, buy your raffle tickets and WIN!
Thursday morning at 8:30 Johnny will have his PET/CT scans. We are looking forward to this, and hopefully the good news that it will provide. I have to say, there is a little part of me that is nervous that there is something else lurking around inside that cute Toad body.
We will see Dr. Ansari again next Monday and he will give us the results and the game plan. We assume that the game plan is to continue chemo for another 6 cycles and then plan surgery. Believe me, if there are any changes to the plan we will let you know.
Not much else to report for now, so I will leave you all with happy thoughts of normal PET scans and CTs. Wouldn’t that be nice? I know it is what I am praying for tonight.
This week is no exception. There is definitely a lot to get done. We are in the final stages of planning the golf outing, and it is coming together very nicely. At this writing, there are 58 teams signed up. If you are still interested, please give Larry Larson a call. We want you all to be there, if not just for the golf, then for the raffle prizes! Because -- and I am not kidding you folks -- there are some flippin’ amazing prizes! I can’t even begin to list them all, so I won’t even try. Just come out to Hampshire Country Club on Saturday and check them all out, buy your raffle tickets and WIN!
Thursday morning at 8:30 Johnny will have his PET/CT scans. We are looking forward to this, and hopefully the good news that it will provide. I have to say, there is a little part of me that is nervous that there is something else lurking around inside that cute Toad body.
We will see Dr. Ansari again next Monday and he will give us the results and the game plan. We assume that the game plan is to continue chemo for another 6 cycles and then plan surgery. Believe me, if there are any changes to the plan we will let you know.
Not much else to report for now, so I will leave you all with happy thoughts of normal PET scans and CTs. Wouldn’t that be nice? I know it is what I am praying for tonight.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Awake and Cold
Evidently it takes until Thursday to wake up when they give you the 5-FU Mega Dose. Johnny slept like a log from Monday night, all the way through Tuesday and well into Wednesday. He did wake up momentarily to ride with me to take Jake to soccer practice, and then had to come home and take a nap. Exhausting! Seriously, he was awake maybe 45 minutes before he had to head back to bed.
But, the good news is it is now Thursday, and he has been up for the majority of the day. He did take about a 2-hour nap during the mid part of the day, but has been (relatively) productive!
Remember he has that cold sensitivity thing, right? Tonight Jake had a soccer game in the rain which made it feel like 32 degrees, even though it was 52. Johnny arrived in shorts and a sweatshirt (even though I told him that he was going to freeze). He never even made it to the bleachers. "I have to go home and get more clothes." Hmmm. Go figure. When he made it back to the game, he was in full hunting gear, including stocking cap. I'm just glad he didn't wear anything that was hunter's orange! He made it through the game but was a frozen Popsicle by the time we got back to the car. It seems that it isn't only cold drinks and taking things from the freezer that affects the sensitivity. Just being in the cold air does the same thing . . . only to his entire body! He said that if he touched the tip of his nose, he could feel a nerve sensation that wrapped around his nose, through his cheek and up to his forehead. He traced the path with his finger. Hunting season doesn't seem too promising, does it?
Just before Jake's game we had a meeting with the dynamos that are putting together The Fighting Toad Golf Outing. Wow, these guys are good! It is very well planned and thought through right down to the volunteers for each specific event. I'm telling you, these guys could consider Golf Outing Organization as a new career path! Brian and Larry let us know that there are approximately 48 teams signed up (we can only accept 12 more teams! Hurry!). We have an amazing list of Hole Sponsors (can still accept more of these, too) and a list of prizes that is completely overwhelming.
There are two raffles in conjunction with the Golf Outing and the Brawley Family Fish Fry. The first is for a multitude of prizes that will be drawn at the Golf Outing itself. These tickets are $1 each/6 for $5 / or 25 for $20. The prizes for this raffle are quite varied and include things such as sporting events tickets, hunting and fishing gear, oil changes, restaurant certificates, hair and salon products and services, sports memorabilia, golf packages, and soooooo much more. These tickets are available in advance and will be by random drawing at the golf outing. Please contact me, Johnny, Larry Larson (contact info on golf registration form), or any member of the Brawley/DeCraene family.
The second raffle is for six specific prizes that you can specifically designate your ticket to go towards. These tickets are $5 each or 6 for $20. The prizes available for this raffle are:
But, the good news is it is now Thursday, and he has been up for the majority of the day. He did take about a 2-hour nap during the mid part of the day, but has been (relatively) productive!
Remember he has that cold sensitivity thing, right? Tonight Jake had a soccer game in the rain which made it feel like 32 degrees, even though it was 52. Johnny arrived in shorts and a sweatshirt (even though I told him that he was going to freeze). He never even made it to the bleachers. "I have to go home and get more clothes." Hmmm. Go figure. When he made it back to the game, he was in full hunting gear, including stocking cap. I'm just glad he didn't wear anything that was hunter's orange! He made it through the game but was a frozen Popsicle by the time we got back to the car. It seems that it isn't only cold drinks and taking things from the freezer that affects the sensitivity. Just being in the cold air does the same thing . . . only to his entire body! He said that if he touched the tip of his nose, he could feel a nerve sensation that wrapped around his nose, through his cheek and up to his forehead. He traced the path with his finger. Hunting season doesn't seem too promising, does it?
Just before Jake's game we had a meeting with the dynamos that are putting together The Fighting Toad Golf Outing. Wow, these guys are good! It is very well planned and thought through right down to the volunteers for each specific event. I'm telling you, these guys could consider Golf Outing Organization as a new career path! Brian and Larry let us know that there are approximately 48 teams signed up (we can only accept 12 more teams! Hurry!). We have an amazing list of Hole Sponsors (can still accept more of these, too) and a list of prizes that is completely overwhelming.
There are two raffles in conjunction with the Golf Outing and the Brawley Family Fish Fry. The first is for a multitude of prizes that will be drawn at the Golf Outing itself. These tickets are $1 each/6 for $5 / or 25 for $20. The prizes for this raffle are quite varied and include things such as sporting events tickets, hunting and fishing gear, oil changes, restaurant certificates, hair and salon products and services, sports memorabilia, golf packages, and soooooo much more. These tickets are available in advance and will be by random drawing at the golf outing. Please contact me, Johnny, Larry Larson (contact info on golf registration form), or any member of the Brawley/DeCraene family.
The second raffle is for six specific prizes that you can specifically designate your ticket to go towards. These tickets are $5 each or 6 for $20. The prizes available for this raffle are:
- Seven Day Ohio Bow Hunt
- Muhammad Ali Signed Memorabilia
- Seven Piece Pampered Chef Cooking Set
- Lake Michigan Fishing Charter for Four
- Lake Erie Fishing Charter for Four
- Three Day Spring Ohio Turkey Hunt
These tickets are also available in advance and will be by specified drawing. When purchasing a ticket, you fill out your name and phone number and circle the number that corresponds to the prize you would like to win. (Example: I want to win the Pampered Chef set, so I will circle the number 3 on the stub.) These prizes will be drawn at the Brawley Family Fish Fry. Tickets will be available for this raffle at the Golf Outing as well.
OK, so those are the raffles in a nutshell. In addition to that (I KNOW! It is crazy!!!) There will be a couple silent auctions at the fish fry. One is for a one week cabin rental in God's Country, aka John and Ginger's Up North Homestead. (Dates for this are negotiable and by availability) This would be great for snowmobilers, ice fishing, a quiet getaway without kids. The other silent auction is for a Remington 300 mag rifle. No explanations necessary with that one! These silent auction items (and possibly a couple more) will be auctioned off at the Brawley Family Fish Fry, so make sure to come early and bid often.
Side note: When you pronounce the word OFTEN, do you say OFFEN or OF-TEN. Is your "T" silent or enunciated? Just wondering . . . I say the "T".
Well, the Toad is already in bed and I need to head there myself. Today was a busy day, and there is a busy weekend heading this way. Not to mention all the preparations for the BIG GOLF OUTING on the 10th!
Lastly, if you are considering volunteering for the Brawley Family Fish Fry, please contact Crazy MIL (Ginger) at 269-683-9001. She will assign a time and a task for you.
Lets recap: Tired and cold Toad, Golf Outing approaching, raffle tickets available, Fish fry volunteers contact Ginger. Oh, and Never.Quit.Praying!!!
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