Today is round 14 of chemo for Christopher and on Chemo days he packs up his backpack with lunch, a few snacks, his computer and a movie to help pass the time. One of his past times is reading our blog; it's like a mini peep talk. So today, is for you my Christopher.
About a month ago I watched "As Good As It Gets". If you remember that's the movie with the famous line, "you make me want to be a better man." And it got me thinking - what compliment could I give you. So I started to make a list of what it would need to say, it would need to be sencere, heart felt and most of all I would want you to remember how much it meant to me. Well while several things came to mind; nothing could be summed up by in one phrase or sentance.
So here is what I got:
Christopher you're an inspiration to me and those around you. In the face of something scary and unknowing of what lies ahead you look at the situation with hope, life and a sense of humor. In the worst of times you have always made me laugh, because you know that laughter is the heart of joy and good endorphins.
I love how every night you come home after Ethan has gone to sleep and you "check on him". No matter how tired you might be, you climb the stairs and check on our baby boy.
Most of all, I love how you look at the good in life. No matter what the odds you always find a way to make "lemonade". It warms my heart when a day has gone all wrong - you are there to see the not only the good in things, but remind me that all things happen for a reason and some how turn it into a peep talk for hope for our future.
I guess what I am trying to say is, you inspire people to be stronger in their lives. You show them there is a different way to look at things - other than doom and gloom and I watch people in "aww" of this and all I can say to them is, "Yes, he's great man and I'm proud he's my husband."
Monday, December 31, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Ethan and the Fat Man
Last night Christopher and I took Ethan to see Santa. We waited in line for about 2 hours and Ethan discovered all the neat and interesting things that the mall has to hold. The most interesting part of the evening was when it was Ethan's turn to sit on Santa's lap.
If our lives were a movie, this would be the voice over for what Ethan was thinking last night.
"So, I'm suppose to sit here in this stroller in these clothes and try to look nice till I see what Mom calls Santa. Who is this mythical man anyway... (little girl walks by) hey cutie, what's up. You here to see the Santa Man too?"
Then there comes some wanting of out of the stroller and Ethan and I take a little walk while Christopher holds our spot in line. After some walking around, we wait for Santa again, but this time we are by the TV's that are playing snips of the movie "Fred Claus".
"Cool, who's that guy dancing on the TV? What is that - it has bright shiny colors, looks like presents? Wait where are we going, why are we moving - I was watching that!"
Then, we turn the corner and Ethan gets his first peek at Santa.
"WOW! Mom. Dada. There is a fat man over there with a red suite on. Could it be, the mythical man - Santa? Does he really bring me gifts? He seems so friendly, maybe I should walk over to him? Mom, do you see him too, I'm pointing right at.. uh..hold on..wait fat man why are you picking me up?"
Ethan squirms around in Santa's lap.
"Ok old man, one photo - that's all you get and then I want my Mommy!"
Photog snaps the photo.
"Alright, I'm done Mom. I want down."
As we start to walk away Ethan waves bye bye to Santa and the only think I can think of is what he might be thinking of.
"Hey that wasn't so bad, I was a pro at that. (another little girl walks by) What's up, I just saw the fat man - it was cool."
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
CT Scan Results
On Monday Christopher went for another CT Scan; and again, prayers were being sent out and fingers were crossed for more shrinkage. And I am happy to say that there was even more shrinkage this time and there are no new growths! His doctors are so happy with the progress Christopher is having with his treatments.
I was hoping that they had his CEA markers measured for us again, but they didn't. So we'll have to wait a few more months for that one. So, as we roll into this holiday season, we are blessed to have our Christmas wish already come true - shrinkage baby!
PS - Next CT Scan should be around the end of February or early March! And the next round of chemo is next Monday.
I was hoping that they had his CEA markers measured for us again, but they didn't. So we'll have to wait a few more months for that one. So, as we roll into this holiday season, we are blessed to have our Christmas wish already come true - shrinkage baby!
PS - Next CT Scan should be around the end of February or early March! And the next round of chemo is next Monday.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Chemo: Round XII
Today is round 12, Christopher has been on chemo for the past 5 months and as his doctors say, "as long as chemo is doing its job; we're keeping you on it." That is the not-so-new news we got today.
Again, Christopher is doing AMAZING; some how, some way he managed to raise his platelet levels (when the odds should be after this long on treatments they should go down). His platelets are up and his red and white blood cell counts are staying at the same levels. Christopher does get a little tired more often than normal now if he doesn't get at least 8 to 9 hours of sleep; he's exhausted the next day. So we try to combat this with making sure we are all tucked into bed at a good hour.
Next Monday (December 10th), Christopher will have another CT scan and they will check his CEA markers again. The last time they took his markers he was at 633 - Christopher is hoping for the numbers to come back around 600 and I am hoping for 575 or less (what can I say - I'm an over achiever!).
Please still keep us in your thoughts and prayers. It is through your good thoughts and hopes that miracles are made.
Again, Christopher is doing AMAZING; some how, some way he managed to raise his platelet levels (when the odds should be after this long on treatments they should go down). His platelets are up and his red and white blood cell counts are staying at the same levels. Christopher does get a little tired more often than normal now if he doesn't get at least 8 to 9 hours of sleep; he's exhausted the next day. So we try to combat this with making sure we are all tucked into bed at a good hour.
Next Monday (December 10th), Christopher will have another CT scan and they will check his CEA markers again. The last time they took his markers he was at 633 - Christopher is hoping for the numbers to come back around 600 and I am hoping for 575 or less (what can I say - I'm an over achiever!).
Please still keep us in your thoughts and prayers. It is through your good thoughts and hopes that miracles are made.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
The Up-Side of Cancer?
Cancer, as we all know it, is a cell that goes hay-wire and continues to multiply until it weakens the body into submission. With all the bad things that cancer brings to the table, one might think how is there an upside to something so horrible. Well there is.
The same way a cell multiplies, our emotions multiply when you have or know someone with cancer. You see the world through a different set of eyes. When I look at Christopher playing with Ethan - I can see the joy in his eyes and the warmth in his heart grow. And that makes everything we go through day-by-day even more special to us and our family.
As we roll into this holiday season and partake in holiday cheer; take a moment. Look at your friends, family and life in a different way - look at them through the upside of cancer.
The same way a cell multiplies, our emotions multiply when you have or know someone with cancer. You see the world through a different set of eyes. When I look at Christopher playing with Ethan - I can see the joy in his eyes and the warmth in his heart grow. And that makes everything we go through day-by-day even more special to us and our family.
As we roll into this holiday season and partake in holiday cheer; take a moment. Look at your friends, family and life in a different way - look at them through the upside of cancer.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Chemo: Round XI
Wow! That's all I can really say, wow! Christopher has just finished his 11th round of chemo and besides the side effects he already had he's going stronger than ever. Even Dr. Kirby was amazed that Christopher has gone this long and not really had any side effects or that he's not begging for a break from the treatments.
We were worried about this round of chemo due to his platelets being low last time, but again Christopher has amazed the docs and some how, some way - his platelets went up inside of down! Figure that one out. Dr. Kirby was so amazed by this feat that he even ordered blood work to be done on Christopher's CEA numbers to see where they were at (he said he couldn't wait another month to find out)! However, the test weren't done in time before Christopher left after his chemo (but Steve the nurse said he would call us and let us know what they were).
So as we prepare for the holidays filled with laughs and good times, we also go into this holiday with some more possible good news - maybe the cancer shrunk even more.
UPDATE: We just got the CEA results back and the markers have dropped 50pts to 633!
We were worried about this round of chemo due to his platelets being low last time, but again Christopher has amazed the docs and some how, some way - his platelets went up inside of down! Figure that one out. Dr. Kirby was so amazed by this feat that he even ordered blood work to be done on Christopher's CEA numbers to see where they were at (he said he couldn't wait another month to find out)! However, the test weren't done in time before Christopher left after his chemo (but Steve the nurse said he would call us and let us know what they were).
So as we prepare for the holidays filled with laughs and good times, we also go into this holiday with some more possible good news - maybe the cancer shrunk even more.
UPDATE: We just got the CEA results back and the markers have dropped 50pts to 633!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
It's Not A Box
Recently I bought a book for Ethan entitled, "Not a box" by Antoinette Portis. It's a book about an imaginative little rabbit that doesn't have a cardboard box, but a race car, robot and space ship among other things. I love this book for several reasons; the main one being that it not only teaches children, but their parents that you don't need high dollar toys to entertain your self - all you need is a little creative thinking!
Ethan has such a box, um, I mean race car. Um, chair. No, wagon. No, shopping cart. Well maybe you could call it a fort? I think every child at some point has one; Ethan's is an old Pamper's box that he became attached to so we keep it in the living room for his playful delight! Christopher even went as far to draw wheels on it and put a big number "7" on the sides. Ethan pushes it around the house picking his toys and putting them into it; just to dump all the toys out and sit in it so he can watch his Baby Enstin movies. Or there are times where Ethan gets in and Christopher pushes up and down our main hall while all the while he makes, "veer-room" sounds. All in all, fun for the entire family!
I'm sure one day when Ethan is older he might shun the idea that he played in a box (or that his Mum took pictures of him in the box with just his daiper on!) But for now that little green "not a box" is endless entertainment for not only Ethan, but Christopher and I as we watch him grow and play.
Ethan has such a box, um, I mean race car. Um, chair. No, wagon. No, shopping cart. Well maybe you could call it a fort? I think every child at some point has one; Ethan's is an old Pamper's box that he became attached to so we keep it in the living room for his playful delight! Christopher even went as far to draw wheels on it and put a big number "7" on the sides. Ethan pushes it around the house picking his toys and putting them into it; just to dump all the toys out and sit in it so he can watch his Baby Enstin movies. Or there are times where Ethan gets in and Christopher pushes up and down our main hall while all the while he makes, "veer-room" sounds. All in all, fun for the entire family!
I'm sure one day when Ethan is older he might shun the idea that he played in a box (or that his Mum took pictures of him in the box with just his daiper on!) But for now that little green "not a box" is endless entertainment for not only Ethan, but Christopher and I as we watch him grow and play.
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