CT scan results are in

Chris got his test results back Tuesday on his CT scan last week. The doctor said that the tumors had decreased in size. One of the tumors was reduced almost 50% in size.  His chest was clear and there were no new cancer tumors. He will be on the same regimen of chemo and for now radiation is not needed. He was able to complete his chemo treatment yesterday, so that makes two treatments in a row since his blood counts are holding steady. His next treatment will be the halfway point in the entire process. Good, good, good news!
He says he is feeling good, and waiting for his white blood cell creating shot to kick in- the side effects usually last 1-2 days and after a week or so, he starts to feel pretty good.  He still has his hair, but the doctor expressed some surprise that he hadn't started losing it yet.  At the beginning they said he may not lose it- so I guess its a 50-50 shot at keeping it.
School starts next Monday and we have Meet the Teacher this Thursday night, but Chris probably wont be able to attend due to fatigue and lots of potential germs! Please be praying for us as school starts and we begin yet another routine of class, homework, Cub Scouts and work.  We have been loved on so much this summer with all of the meals and helping around our house and the phone calls/emails. Thank you for your prayers and support.  Andra and Chris

No News

Lots of people have been asking about the results of Chris' CT scan this past Tuesday. We haven't heard anything yet and probably won't until his next chemo treatment next Tuesday. In my eyes, no news is good news- if it was bad news I think they would call us, so I am choosing to be hopeful that the results are good! I will definitely let you know when I know! Andra

Upcoming CT Scan

Friends-
  Chris is going in tomorrow (Tuesday) for his first follow-up CT scan since chemotherapy began in June.  Basically, its to see if the cancer has gotten any smaller or if its changed locations. We are hopeful that things are going in the right direction. Chris has been able to have his last two chemo treatments in a row- no missed treatments due to low white or red blood cell counts!
  He's starting to feel a bit better this week after having chemo last week. It takes a full week for him to recover at this point. We are trying to enjoy the last two weeks of summer before the boys head back to school. Summer has passed so quickly with all our family drama these days!

Quiet and Chemo

Friends- it is very quiet at our home right now. My in-laws have graciously taken the boys to their home until Friday. Chemo and cleaning and exercise and movies are on the agenda.  Chris is scheduled for chemo on Tuesday and we are hopeful that he will be able to complete this round. He hasn't missed a round since the last time I told you about it, thankfully.
The boys and I went to a Rangers game against the Chicago White Sox a week or so ago. After sweltering in the 100 plus degree sun for an hour, we got some shade on the third base line and watched the Rangers score a victory. The boys got free Elvis Andrus jerseys, bought Rangers hats and consumed illegal amounts of sugary drinks and ice cream. Fun was had by all.
Thanks again to all the people who have helped us out with meals, and childcare and prayer. Each and every one a blessing.

Good news and Sad news

Last Friday, I heard something that I never wanted to hear. My cousin Alan, 39 years old this year, passed away at a hospital in Chicago.  He had been fighting cancer for several years now.  He had come back from so many scary situations that I was convinced that he always would.  Not this time.  He and I were very close as children and I have some hilarious stories I could share.  Unfortunately after our grandmother passed away in our teen years we didnt get as many opportunities to spend time together anymore. He always had a smile on his face and I never once heard him complain.  He had his bad days, weeks even, but he suffered well.  His best friend unexpectedly passed away 2 months ago, and our family is convinced that they had this all planned out in advance.  He leaves a big hole in our families life. He has given our family a wonderful example of how to battle cancer. Please pray for my aunt and uncle, his brother and sister and his beautiful wife and children.  They have an Alan sized hole  that only God can fill for them. So thankful that he is no longer in any of the chronic pain he has experienced the last few years.
Chris had chemo last Friday and had a shot on Monday that increased his WBC count to normal levels. ( To our children's delight this meant we were able to go out in public and eat fast food together!) The shot's side effects were painful and long lasting.  Its unclear if he will need these each chemo round  or just as needed. Chris' brother Jeremy and his wife Lanette came to visit for several days and did everything from babysit the boys to making meals to cleaning our air vents. Pretty sure this elevates them to sainthood status- they endured Going Bonkers... 'nuff said.

Friday the 6th

Chris WAS able to have his chemo treatment today. His WBC count was up to 4 from 2-ish earlier this week. I have two possible theories as to why they are up so high. #1: the insane amount of orange fruits and vegetables he consumed this week in either whole or juiced form (a whole bag of carrots in only a few hours is one example). He's going to be tanner looking in a week or so from all the beta- carotene he's eaten. #2: all of your prayers going out on his behalf- thank you. If you remember, please pray for my cousin Alan who has been fighting cancer for several years now- he was hospitalized while on a family trip to Chicago, due to blood clots, and may need some additional surgeries soon. His wife Melissa and their two kids would really appreciate your prayers. Chris has been a bit loopy today due to the steroid shot they give him on chemo day. It makes him feel pretty good for abour 24 hours. Let's just say he gets giggly- its fun to watch! No "roid rage" happening here. On the schedule for the weekend: lots of rest.

1.1 is not enough

Chris was scheduled to have his next chemo treatment today. But, when he arrived and they checked his white blood cell count it had gone from very low to extremely low. Normal WBC range is 4-8, and last week Chris' count was "low" at 2.8. This week he hit an all time low of 1.1 (sigh).  Apparently the chemo kills off the new baby blood cells that his blood marrow makes and it takes time for them to "grow." Dr. B is confident that his counts will be back up to "low" by Monday, and chemo can continue.
I think this may be the way things go for a while during these first few months of treatment as his body tries to recuperate. Chris isn't allowed to go anywhere AT ALL this weekend to avoid all you "germy" people, so basketball games and church will be solo affairs for me and the boys. Please pray for lots of new baby white blood cells between now and Monday!

Shout Outs!

I wanted to give thanks to many of the people who have made such a difference in our sanity levels the last few weeks.

• The Humphries and Johnsons for keeping us fed- can you say homemade chocolate mint ice cream and lasagna?  (The Leavells, Francis', Pierces, Johnsons, Escobars and Smiths fattened us up a bit too).
• My FIL Terry for coming to take care of some things around the house last week and MIL Karen for 3 plates of cookies.
• Maggie for checking on me all the time and Ryan for taking Chris to his doctor's appointment while I was at work. 
• My coworkers who check on me when Im there and give me hugs when I need them (you know who you are).  
• Beverly for driving the boys to basketball practice and Evelyn for keeping us supplied with fruit, nuts and caramel apples.  
• Mindy for the yummy treat basket she made for all the doctors appointments.
• Jon and Andrea for lots of new dvds to watch and Anne for watching the boys so I could run errands and take a nap. 
• Rebekah for having the boys over for a play date and our neighbors Shane and Rhonda and Delaine who have volunteered to take care of our grass all summer.  
• Mary Beth and Brian for unexpectedly bringing us dinner last Friday after the chemo treatment, saving us from cooking dinner.  
• The Brices for inviting our homegroup over to their house for game night, the Johnsons who organized prayer for us the weekend Chris was diagnosed, and Tiffany for buying me and the boys lunch yesterday.  
• My co-workers who filled in for me while I was out and my patients for the sweet card they gave to me.
• EVERYONE who has sent an email, letter, text or phone call. Its obvious we are truly blessed!

"Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."  1 Thess. 5:17-19