That's Shane's latest favorite expression - "No see, Mama, no see" (Translation - "I can't find it" - whether he can or not)
Example 1:
"Shane, where's the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVD?"
"No see, Mama, no see"
Example 2:
"Shane, where's the sippy cup you're holding?"
"No see, Mama, no see"
He's a little smarty pants this one! He's figuring out just which buttons he can push and get away with.
I swear, sometimes, you can almost see the devil in his eye!
He's our comic relief these days. We'd be lost without our little guy!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Best Laid Plans
We're home this morning. Chris's embolization procedure got canceled yesterday at, literally, the last minute. He was "suited" up, he had his IV and all the necessary infusions and he was sitting outside the procedure room when the doctor realized that his blood pressure was still too high. It would've been dangerous to do the procedure yesterday, so they sent us home. To say we're disappointed is an understatement, but we also don't want to do anything that would put Chris at risk.
Right now, we're hoping to re-schedule the procedure in a few weeks. We also have an appointment with a Dr. at Sloan-Kettering on March 4 to talk about how to get his BP down for good this time so that this doesn't happen again.
We thank all of you for your prayers and good wishes yesterday and all we can do is hope you'll offer them again when we re-schedule. We'll keep you all posted.
Right now, we're hoping to re-schedule the procedure in a few weeks. We also have an appointment with a Dr. at Sloan-Kettering on March 4 to talk about how to get his BP down for good this time so that this doesn't happen again.
We thank all of you for your prayers and good wishes yesterday and all we can do is hope you'll offer them again when we re-schedule. We'll keep you all posted.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The First Day Of Forever
It's 5:25 in the morning and I'm (finally) sitting at the desk in our hotel room in New York City. Actually, I'm sitting at the desk in the living room of our suite (yeah for free upgrades!!). Today is the day that Chris regains control of his life. Today is the day of his first embolization procedure to kill off the tumors on the right side of his liver. Today is the day that the pain starts to go away. The day where he can begin to function again without having to take the pain pills. The day where he can pick up and play with Shane the way he wants to. Today is our new first day of forever.
His embolization is scheduled for 11am. We have to be at Memorial Hospital (the main "campus"of Sloan-Kettering) at 9am. Doctors are anticipating the procedure to take about 2 hours, and then Chris will be in ICU for 4 hours afterwards. After that, they'll move him to his room and keep an eye on him for a few days. We hope to be back home sometime on Saturday, but we'll take that as it comes.
I won't get a chance to update the blog again until I get back to the hotel tonight, but I promise to update as soon as I can and let you all know how Chris is doing.
Your prayers today would be welcomed. Thank you for continuing to be our strength, our support. We love you all.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Getting Through The Road Blocks
I know it's been a few days since our last post - sorry about that! It's been a hectic week for us (again!)
Chris went into NY on Tuesday for his pre-op appointment and to meet with the interventional radiologist that will be doing his embolization on Wednesday. Chris felt very comfortable with the Dr. and liked him a great deal. He's pretty pumped to be able to do this procedure on Chris, being that he's so young. He said he'll really be able to help him out and, as a doctor, that's what he strives for.
On Wednesday, they'll do the right side of his liver and he'll then go back in about 3 months to have the left side done.
We have, however, hit a little bit of a bump (surprise, surprise - I know!). Since our Feb. 2 appointment with Dr D. Chris's blood pressure has been up (150/100 - 170/100) and Sloan won't do the embolization procedure on him with his BP that high. They wanted to get him in to see a cardiologist on Tuesday, but couldn't fit him into anyone's schedule. In the interest of saving ourselves another trip to NY, I called Dr. D's office and they recommended a local cardiologist for us to see. So, I gave them a call and we saw the cardio on Wednesday afternoon. They ran a few baseline tests, gave us a prescription for BP medication and then had us schedule a follow up on Monday (2/23) for an echocardiogram (ultrasound) and BP re-check. If the meds have done their job (which they doctors seem to think will happen) then Chris will be all set for Wed, but, if his BP is still high and can't be regulated in 2 days, then we may have to reschedule - but we'll cross that bridge if we come to it. Right now, we're all optimistic that Wednesday will be a "go"!
Also, we did get the results back from the stomach biopsy that the GI doc did during Chris's endoscopy last week, and it did come back as a carcinoid (tumor). There is a chance that this could be the primary tumor, but more likely it's probably spread. Still, we're looking good and we'll address that tumor after the embolization procedure next week.
Keep those prayers coming - prayers for strength and prayers for healing. They're the fuel that's keeping us going!!
Chris went into NY on Tuesday for his pre-op appointment and to meet with the interventional radiologist that will be doing his embolization on Wednesday. Chris felt very comfortable with the Dr. and liked him a great deal. He's pretty pumped to be able to do this procedure on Chris, being that he's so young. He said he'll really be able to help him out and, as a doctor, that's what he strives for.
On Wednesday, they'll do the right side of his liver and he'll then go back in about 3 months to have the left side done.
We have, however, hit a little bit of a bump (surprise, surprise - I know!). Since our Feb. 2 appointment with Dr D. Chris's blood pressure has been up (150/100 - 170/100) and Sloan won't do the embolization procedure on him with his BP that high. They wanted to get him in to see a cardiologist on Tuesday, but couldn't fit him into anyone's schedule. In the interest of saving ourselves another trip to NY, I called Dr. D's office and they recommended a local cardiologist for us to see. So, I gave them a call and we saw the cardio on Wednesday afternoon. They ran a few baseline tests, gave us a prescription for BP medication and then had us schedule a follow up on Monday (2/23) for an echocardiogram (ultrasound) and BP re-check. If the meds have done their job (which they doctors seem to think will happen) then Chris will be all set for Wed, but, if his BP is still high and can't be regulated in 2 days, then we may have to reschedule - but we'll cross that bridge if we come to it. Right now, we're all optimistic that Wednesday will be a "go"!
Also, we did get the results back from the stomach biopsy that the GI doc did during Chris's endoscopy last week, and it did come back as a carcinoid (tumor). There is a chance that this could be the primary tumor, but more likely it's probably spread. Still, we're looking good and we'll address that tumor after the embolization procedure next week.
Keep those prayers coming - prayers for strength and prayers for healing. They're the fuel that's keeping us going!!
Monday, February 16, 2009
From Shane's Mouth To God's Ears
Last night. like every night, I told Shane to climb into bed so that we could say our prayers. And last night, like every night, we would pray for Daddy to get well, to be healthy and happy again. We would pray for a cure.
But last night, unlike every night, Shane beat me to it. I turned away from the bed for a moment to get something off his dresser and as I turned back around, Shane was lying on his belly, on his bed, with his little 2 year old hands folded in front of him. And then I heard the most beautiful words he's ever said:
"Dada, pease, no more boo-boos"
I'm hoping that prayer took an express ride on an Angel's wing, right on up to God.
But last night, unlike every night, Shane beat me to it. I turned away from the bed for a moment to get something off his dresser and as I turned back around, Shane was lying on his belly, on his bed, with his little 2 year old hands folded in front of him. And then I heard the most beautiful words he's ever said:
"Dada, pease, no more boo-boos"
I'm hoping that prayer took an express ride on an Angel's wing, right on up to God.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Embolization Is A Go!
We got word yesterday that Chris is in fact a candidate for the hepatic embolization procedure - this is fantastic news!
The procedure is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25 at Sloan. He'll spend a few days in the hospital and will hopefully be coming home sometime that weekend.
Fingers crossed that things continue to go well and that the good news keeps on coming!
Dr. Meng also gave Chris a prescription for anti-nasuea medication when we were there on Wednesday, which seems to be helping a bit with all of his stomach discomfort! More good news, but we're going to continue holding out until he's completely pain free before we start throwing our hats up in the air!!
What a difference a week can make . . .
The procedure is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25 at Sloan. He'll spend a few days in the hospital and will hopefully be coming home sometime that weekend.
Fingers crossed that things continue to go well and that the good news keeps on coming!
Dr. Meng also gave Chris a prescription for anti-nasuea medication when we were there on Wednesday, which seems to be helping a bit with all of his stomach discomfort! More good news, but we're going to continue holding out until he's completely pain free before we start throwing our hats up in the air!!
What a difference a week can make . . .
Thursday, February 12, 2009
It's Been A Good Week
Our trip to Sloan-Kettering yesterday was a good one. We didn't get any unexpected, or surprising, news - which is always a good thing when you're dealing with cancer!
Dr. Meng did send Chris for a "detailed" liver CT scan up at the main hospital. This scan will let the interventional radiologists at Sloan know if Chris a candidate for a procedure call a hepatic embolization. Essentially, it's a procedure that stops the blood flow to the tumors in the liver. The idea is that without blood, the tumor's can't continue to grow. The hope is that the tumors will begin to shrink and will also prevent new tumors from growing for a good period of time.
They also gave Chris a prescription for an anti-nausea medication, which we're hoping will help with his stomach pain/discomfort, which is still his biggest complaint.
Both Dr. Meng and Dr. D. feel that the stomach issues could be a side effect from the monthly injections he's been receiving. Dr. Meng suggested lowering the dosage of that monthly shot to see if that helps to alleviate some of Chris's symptoms.
So, all in all, this has been a good week for us! The biggest reason for that is due to the amazing support system we have in all of you and due to all of the prayers you've been sending up for Chris. We can't thank you enough for them and hope that you'll keep them coming!
Our next steps are waiting on the stomach biopsy results from the Endoscopy on Tuesday and waiting to hear if Chris is an embolization candidate. From there, we'll figure out our next steps to getting Chris feeling A LOT better, and back on track to that long, happy, normal life that we plan on living together!!
***And on a side note, if you've been wondering where all the pictures have been lately, my adorable toddler dropped my camera and shattered my 50mm lens last week. Having to go back to using the kit lens makes my heart weep. I suppose I'll eventually suck it up and throw that bad boy back on my camera, but until that 50mm has been replaced, photos might be a bit scarce for a little while!
Dr. Meng did send Chris for a "detailed" liver CT scan up at the main hospital. This scan will let the interventional radiologists at Sloan know if Chris a candidate for a procedure call a hepatic embolization. Essentially, it's a procedure that stops the blood flow to the tumors in the liver. The idea is that without blood, the tumor's can't continue to grow. The hope is that the tumors will begin to shrink and will also prevent new tumors from growing for a good period of time.
They also gave Chris a prescription for an anti-nausea medication, which we're hoping will help with his stomach pain/discomfort, which is still his biggest complaint.
Both Dr. Meng and Dr. D. feel that the stomach issues could be a side effect from the monthly injections he's been receiving. Dr. Meng suggested lowering the dosage of that monthly shot to see if that helps to alleviate some of Chris's symptoms.
So, all in all, this has been a good week for us! The biggest reason for that is due to the amazing support system we have in all of you and due to all of the prayers you've been sending up for Chris. We can't thank you enough for them and hope that you'll keep them coming!
Our next steps are waiting on the stomach biopsy results from the Endoscopy on Tuesday and waiting to hear if Chris is an embolization candidate. From there, we'll figure out our next steps to getting Chris feeling A LOT better, and back on track to that long, happy, normal life that we plan on living together!!
***And on a side note, if you've been wondering where all the pictures have been lately, my adorable toddler dropped my camera and shattered my 50mm lens last week. Having to go back to using the kit lens makes my heart weep. I suppose I'll eventually suck it up and throw that bad boy back on my camera, but until that 50mm has been replaced, photos might be a bit scarce for a little while!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Endoscopy
Chris is home sleeping off the sedatives from his endoscopy this afternoon.
The good news is that the small intestines were clear!
There was some inflammation in the stomach, that, really, could be any number of things (including cancer), so they biopsied it and we should know more by the end of the week.
Tomorrow we're off to Sloan Kettering in NYC to see Dr. Meng again. We'll figure out what our next steps are in regards to treatment to keep those liver tumors from growing any more and we'll see what they can make (if anything) from the pictures/reports from today.
Continued prayers are welcomed always!
We'll be sure to update you all and let you know how tomorrow goes.
The good news is that the small intestines were clear!
There was some inflammation in the stomach, that, really, could be any number of things (including cancer), so they biopsied it and we should know more by the end of the week.
Tomorrow we're off to Sloan Kettering in NYC to see Dr. Meng again. We'll figure out what our next steps are in regards to treatment to keep those liver tumors from growing any more and we'll see what they can make (if anything) from the pictures/reports from today.
Continued prayers are welcomed always!
We'll be sure to update you all and let you know how tomorrow goes.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Our Visit With The GI Doc
We met with the GI doctor this morning and won't really have any additional information until Chris has an endoscopy on Tuesday.
Dr. Levine said it may be tumor growth, but it may also be an ulcer or a number of other things.
We'll let you know what happens on Tuesday.
Please keep keeping Chris in your prayers!!
Dr. Levine said it may be tumor growth, but it may also be an ulcer or a number of other things.
We'll let you know what happens on Tuesday.
Please keep keeping Chris in your prayers!!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Results
Dr. D. called this afternoon with the results from Chris's CT scan on Monday.
While it wasn't the best news, it could certainly be much worse.
There is some progression within the liver. In addition to that, the scan also showed some thickening of the small intestine. This may or may not be related to the cancer, but it is what's been causing Chris all the pain and it's also what has been making eating difficult for him.
So, the plan now is to see the GI doctor on Friday to address the thickening in the intestine. See if he can tell us what it is and how to fix it. Then, Dr. D. suggested we follow up with Sloan Kettering again so that we can find a way to stop the tumor growth in his liver. We are tentatively scheduled to go back to Sloan next Wednesday. We'll take it from there.
Continued prayers and good thoughts would be welcomed.
Thank you all for being our continued support system.
While it wasn't the best news, it could certainly be much worse.
There is some progression within the liver. In addition to that, the scan also showed some thickening of the small intestine. This may or may not be related to the cancer, but it is what's been causing Chris all the pain and it's also what has been making eating difficult for him.
So, the plan now is to see the GI doctor on Friday to address the thickening in the intestine. See if he can tell us what it is and how to fix it. Then, Dr. D. suggested we follow up with Sloan Kettering again so that we can find a way to stop the tumor growth in his liver. We are tentatively scheduled to go back to Sloan next Wednesday. We'll take it from there.
Continued prayers and good thoughts would be welcomed.
Thank you all for being our continued support system.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Our Visit With Dr. D.
We saw Dr. D. this morning for our monthly appointment. Chris got his injection and left with a sore right cheek!
While we were there, Chris also told Dr. D about the stomach problems he's been having. Pain when he eats, feeling bloated afterwards, etc. Dr. D. said it sounds like something is blocking his stomach, and while it could be a number of things, the two most likely would be a bowel obstruction or disease progression.
Chris is going for a CT scan this afternoon and we're meeting with the GI doctor on Friday morning. I imagine we'll have the results of the CT scan before then, however.
Please keep Chris in your prayers this afternoon, and throughout the week. We'll be sure to keep you all updated.
Many thanks and much love.
While we were there, Chris also told Dr. D about the stomach problems he's been having. Pain when he eats, feeling bloated afterwards, etc. Dr. D. said it sounds like something is blocking his stomach, and while it could be a number of things, the two most likely would be a bowel obstruction or disease progression.
Chris is going for a CT scan this afternoon and we're meeting with the GI doctor on Friday morning. I imagine we'll have the results of the CT scan before then, however.
Please keep Chris in your prayers this afternoon, and throughout the week. We'll be sure to keep you all updated.
Many thanks and much love.
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