Chemo: Round IX

Yesterday was Christopher's 9th round of chemo and the Doctors all say the same thing - you're doing great, so lets keep trucking on. So it doesn't look like they are going to give him a break on the chemo front this December, but honestly, if chemo is working and Christopher can handle it, then we say "BRING IT ON"!

This weeks starts Christopher's 6th (the half way point) week of his training program and when I asked him last night what he would be learning this week, he turned and looked at me and grinned, "slicing meat". Wasn't sure why he was grinning - if was because he got to wield a sharp instrument or if it was more getting down and dirty with the food. Either way he did call me today to let me know that slicing meat was not as easy as it looked, but he was getting better at it (however there is some shredded chicken being served that should look more like a slice rather than a piece of meat that got caught up in a cock fight). :}

CT Scan Results

Last night was a hard night for both Christopher and I to fall a sleep. Our minds wandered back and forth with anticipation and expectation of what this next CT scan would bring us - would it be as great as last time or would we be shocked and dismayed? We talked about our feelings and both agreed than anything but growth of the cancer would make us happy.

At 4:20pm today Christopher called me and told me that he just got off the phone with the doctor's office; then there was a long pause. I think my exact words were, "Christopher spit it out. Just tell me." There was a another pause and then he said, "well...", another pause.

At that point I was ready to just jump through the phone and he said, "it shrank, not as much as the first time, but it did shrink again!" My first thought was - "oh thank you Lord," my next thought was, "Lord forgive me for the evil thoughts I am about to lay into my husband for making think the worst."

The last time Christopher had his CEA markers tested is was at 922 (down from the 3316 points he started at), today his markers were at 683! The doctor tells us that over all the cancer on his liver has shrunk 20% since he started chemo back in July and to our shock - we were told that in one nurses years of chemo and cancer work he has never seen a cancer shrink with this much vigor. And be honest I owe it all to you, for your prayers and good thoughts that fill our lives. Thank you all again!

So we keep moving on the chemo, healthy eating, prayer, support and the rainbow of herbal vitamins he takes daily. Every scan of shrinkage is a battle won - next scan in 2 months (right around the holidays). Keep us in your thoughts!

Chemo Round: VIII

Today is another day of chemo and it's hard to believe that this has become a part of our everyday lives. On chemo days we get up, I get ready for work and Christopher gets ready for chemo; he picks out a buttoned downed shirt to make getting the IV in easier, he packs a lunch made up of a sandwich, fruit and veggies, I leave for work and he leaves to take Ethan to the sitter, then on his way to chemo.

Where he goes to get his chemo is right down the street from where I work and the whole time I am at work I look up at the clock and think, 9:20 - he's giving blood right about now, 10:15 - he must be meeting with Dr. Kirby, 11:30 - right now I'm sure they are hooking him up to his IV and should be call me in a few, 12pm - I get my phone call and all is right with the world again. The first words out of my mouth are always, "what did Dr. Kirby say", and it's always depressing though to hear - "same thing as last time" or "nothing really new".

Right now everyone is on pins and needles waiting for the CT scan. I think since there was so much shrinkage the first time it has made everyone nervous, "can it shrink that much again?" So all we can do is wait and see. Only a week to go till the scan and a day or two after to get the results. Please keep us in your prayers.

Now for the new training Christopher will be doing this week at his job - he gets to learn pantry and the to go stations. Now one might ask what all this entails, well I have no clue! We'll just leave that one to the experts. :}

Welcome Baby Abney

Yesterday Christopher and I got the call we had been waiting for; baby Abney came into the world. Amber and Marcus had a bouncing baby girl, Addison Lane Abney was born around 6pm Alaska time and she weighed 8lbs 8oz and was 20.25 inches long. Both baby and Mom are doing well and Daddy is on the verge of cartwheels (or at least that's how he sounded on the phone).

Welcome Addison, you're mummy and daddy are so excited to have you in their arms.

Since You Asked...

I've been asked by several people how Christopher's new job is going and how he is liking it. So I thought that I might add how he is doing to the blog. Right now he is going through a 12 week training program (it was suppose to be nine, but they just changed how the program is set up and Christopher got on the 12 week program). He works from 9am-8pm everyday except for Saturdays when he has a class room out in Irving and he works from noon till close (10:30pm).

The first week he learned the Spring Creek BBQ way of busing a table (don't ask, Christopher explained it to me and I can't even remember it).

Week two he learned how to make the coveted Spring Creek BBQ bread. And the way people act towards that bread you would think they had crack in them, but they don't - Christopher made them all week and he says they're crack free; just really good! ;}

This week Christopher is learning the buttons on the POS system. (Don't ask me about that one either - there are some things better left to the experts).

Christopher took his first test and passed with flying colors (but I knew he would)!

This Tuesday is chemo day and we are two weeks away from his CT scan that we are all waiting for. So check back for those updates too!