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.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Friday, July 6, 2012
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.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
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!
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!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
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!
A Week Gone By...
Its been a week since Chris' first chemo treatment. He has struggled with dizziness and low blood pressure all week, keeping him at home and horizontal most of the time. The latter half of the week, he was able to push through a bit more and spend some quality time with me and the boys. He saw his oncologist, Dr. B on Thursday who said that his white blood cell count, which was already low, dropped just a bit from the chemo. But overall, he was pleased with how Chris was doing.
Chris does have some interesting restrictions due to the cancer and his low immunity levels. He is not only restricted from public places with lots of people (church excluded), but also from the local pool, ("dirty places" according to Dr. B), but also from going to and eating from restaurants. He's only allowed to eat food that I or friends have prepared, to protect him for poorly cooked food and random germs. No take out for the Sterziks for a while (don't tell Chris, but we went to Chik-fil-A on Friday).
We are taking the phrase "One day at a time" very seriously around here these days. Focusing on the fact that we have each other, friends and God to sustain us. Keep praying- we need it!
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7
Chris does have some interesting restrictions due to the cancer and his low immunity levels. He is not only restricted from public places with lots of people (church excluded), but also from the local pool, ("dirty places" according to Dr. B), but also from going to and eating from restaurants. He's only allowed to eat food that I or friends have prepared, to protect him for poorly cooked food and random germs. No take out for the Sterziks for a while (don't tell Chris, but we went to Chik-fil-A on Friday).
We are taking the phrase "One day at a time" very seriously around here these days. Focusing on the fact that we have each other, friends and God to sustain us. Keep praying- we need it!
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Post Chemo
Chris had his first chemo on Friday. His dad Terry went with him while I ferried the boys to a doctor appointment, ran some errands, and took a nap while my friend Anne watched the boys. They had a playmate that afternoon, so everyone was busy!
He felt ok Friday night, but is starting to feel worse as time passes, which we expected. He wasn't able to go to the boys basketball games today but was there in spirit.
We are trying to get him prepared for trying to go into work a little bit later next week, so if anyone wants to go shopping for chemo stuff at Target, give me a shout.
Yet another sweet family bought us a meal tonight- thank you J and P!
The updates will start to slow down probably as things slow down here to a more manageable state. Another sweet friend has set up a Care Calender where we list different needs we might have. If you are interested just let me know. If not for all your prayers and help, we would a much more exhausted Sterzik family!
Love, Chris and Andra
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Tests finished...for now
Quick Update: The oncologist told us yesterday that Chris' cancer is Stage II B (out of 4 stages) and that his bone marrow biopsy was "clean" indicating no cancer in his bones at this point. Both of these things are good signs, and Chris should see some improvement in his current symptoms after the first chemo treatment. Of course, chemo side effects will probably kick in- but hey, we like change right?
Today (Thursday): Im exhausted by the events of the day and I don't have cancer, so Im amazed at how well Chris is doing tonight. As you know, we had an extremely tight and probably impossible testing schedule today and yesterday. A number of wonderful things happened that I want to share.
Blessing number 1: The hospital called and asked us to come in early for Chris' port placement, getting us in 45 minutes ahead of schedule- we never would have made it to the next test if this hadn't happened. The placement went perfectly, but Chris' blood pressure was too low to leave the hospital. We had to wait almost an hour total for him to finish "recovery." We left the hospital at 2:15, the same time as his PET scan was scheduled 20 minutes away in Denton.
Blessing number 2: After calling the office, they agreed to give us 15 more minutes to arrive- we made it there in record time, rolling in at 2:30pm. The PET scan went well and we should have the results back in time for Chris' chemo tomorrow morning.
Blessing number 3: Chris seems less tired and anxious than in days past. Its like a weight has been lifted having all the tests done. He's sore from the port placement in his left chest wall, but moving around, eating, resting and generally doing well.
Blessing number 4: When the oncologist called yesterday and said he wanted us to come in right that minute, 4 hours earlier than our appointment to give us test results, our friend Kim was able to arrive in record time after I sent out a flurry of text messages. I don't know what we would do without all the babysitting, meals and prayers we have been given.
Blessing number 5: the boys are doing really well with all the crazy happening around here. Apart from Jacob's concern that we don't know why Chris has cancer, they are taking it all in stride. Last night we read Psalm 46 during our night-time devotional. It speaks of a time when King David was "in a scary place" and he trusted in God to be his safe place and his source of strength. God's timing of this Psalm reading is great- a wonderful reminder that he is to be trusted in times of desperation. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the emails, texts, calls and prayers- just hearing the offers of help and thoughts you give are one of the ways God is providing for our family.
Today (Thursday): Im exhausted by the events of the day and I don't have cancer, so Im amazed at how well Chris is doing tonight. As you know, we had an extremely tight and probably impossible testing schedule today and yesterday. A number of wonderful things happened that I want to share.
Blessing number 1: The hospital called and asked us to come in early for Chris' port placement, getting us in 45 minutes ahead of schedule- we never would have made it to the next test if this hadn't happened. The placement went perfectly, but Chris' blood pressure was too low to leave the hospital. We had to wait almost an hour total for him to finish "recovery." We left the hospital at 2:15, the same time as his PET scan was scheduled 20 minutes away in Denton.
Blessing number 2: After calling the office, they agreed to give us 15 more minutes to arrive- we made it there in record time, rolling in at 2:30pm. The PET scan went well and we should have the results back in time for Chris' chemo tomorrow morning.
Blessing number 3: Chris seems less tired and anxious than in days past. Its like a weight has been lifted having all the tests done. He's sore from the port placement in his left chest wall, but moving around, eating, resting and generally doing well.
Blessing number 4: When the oncologist called yesterday and said he wanted us to come in right that minute, 4 hours earlier than our appointment to give us test results, our friend Kim was able to arrive in record time after I sent out a flurry of text messages. I don't know what we would do without all the babysitting, meals and prayers we have been given.
Blessing number 5: the boys are doing really well with all the crazy happening around here. Apart from Jacob's concern that we don't know why Chris has cancer, they are taking it all in stride. Last night we read Psalm 46 during our night-time devotional. It speaks of a time when King David was "in a scary place" and he trusted in God to be his safe place and his source of strength. God's timing of this Psalm reading is great- a wonderful reminder that he is to be trusted in times of desperation. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the emails, texts, calls and prayers- just hearing the offers of help and thoughts you give are one of the ways God is providing for our family.
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth give way and the
mountains fall into the heart of the sea...
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Scratch that- A change in plans
All aboard the crazy train!
Due to Chris' health issues all tests have been moved up and rearranged.
Wednesday
Oncology appointment
1:30 pulmonary function test
Pre op at Presby for port placement
Thursday
10am arrival at Presby Hospital FLower Mound - port placement - noon surgery
2:15 PET SCAN in Denton
Friday
10:30 chemo - 4 hours
BIG PRAYER NEEDED: either for Chris' port placement to be moved up even a half hour OR that the procedure takes less time than anticipated in order to get him back to Denton in time for his PET scan on Thursday. It doesn't seem like its possible. If one of them doesn't happen he won't be able to start chemo on Friday.
I won't be able to take off work on Thursday so we are hoping Chris' mom or dad can come to drive him to his next appointment on Thursday after the port is placed.
Thanks again for all your prayers!
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