Cancer Update!

Last week I had a CT and MRI scan done to look and see if the cancer had spread to other sites of my body.  I was a little nervous about getting the scans done, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be and went quite smoothly.  I got news the next day that the scans looked disease free!  No words can quite adequately describe the flood of emotions that came from hearing that news.  Although  I can't technically say I'm cancer free for 5 more years, I really feel that its over.

Today I went to MD Anderson to go to rehab and to meet my new oncologist.

I went to rehab because of slight swelling in my arm and they taught me some message techniques to do to help reduce swelling as well as teaching me some strengthening exercises to help with my mobility.  I will be going to rehab twice a week (here in Katy so I don't have to drive all the way downtown) for a couple weeks.  I was also fitted for a compression sleeve that I will wear on my arm when I fly, long car rides, ect. to help limit swelling.

Previously I have been seeing a surgical oncologist and now that I'm in the clear and no longer need any more surgeries, I will be going to a medical oncologist for my future care.  While meeting with my new oncologist I got some really unexpected news.  I went in thinking that since my scans were clean and they've removed all the cancer that they'll just tell me they'll be monitoring me through my regular scans and that was it.  So it came as quite a surprise when the physicians assistant started talking about preventative measures to make sure the cancer does not back.

"The FDA has two approved preventative measures.  The first: Interferon (which side effects are just as horrible and nasty as chemo) and you would take that for an entire year.  The other would be chemo."  I think I turned as white as a ghost and didn't hear what she said as she was talking about the chemo.  My heart about dropped and my mind was going a thousand miles an hour thinking about what these medications mean and how its going to affect my quality of life and I started panicking a little. Ok to be honest I started panicking on the inside a lot!  "BUT" she added, "there is a new clinical study that isn't approved yet, but is getting the same if not a little better results then the interferon."  With this clinical study I will need to get a shot (they said its similar to getting a flu shot/vaccine) once a week for 3 months, and the only side effects people have said they've had is a slight fever and chills.  I also need to have certain genetic markers to be able to take this trial, which I did.  She also said I had to pretty much make my decision right then because there were only a couple slots left for this trial.

I know it was the physicians assistants job to give me all the facts and treatments available to me, but I really didn't like her after her delivery!  She about gave me a heart attack!  My actual doctor on the other hand was wonderful.  She came in and told me that last week when she saw that I was coming in on Monday she hurried and reserved a spot for me for the trial.  I got the 21st spot out of 22.  Ultimately the choice was mine on which treatment to take, but it was a no brainer.  I will start the clinical trial the end of September.

I feel incredibly blessed!  Blessed that there is a new and better treatment with very little side effects so I can keep being a mom and wife to my family.  Blessed that I have the right genetic markers to take this treatment (the doctor said she also tried to get a male patient into the trial but he didn't have the right markers).  Blessed that my amazing doctor thought about me a week before I even met her to get me one of the last spots in the trial.  I'm forever thankful.

the drain is gone!

Last Wednesday after Tanner got his tubes in his ears, Brad and I went downtown to my doctors office to get my drain removed!  I didn't feel anything when she removed my tube, but goodness it hurt when she cut my stitches.  The physician's assistant said the doctor must not have really wanted my stitches to come out because she did a very thorough job!  The doctor knew I have three boys one of those a baby and in both of my surgeries has given me extra stitches.  It did end up being a good thing because Logan did pull on my tube to help pull himself up to stand and I saw stars it hurt so bad!

It feels so good to have that drain out!  The first few days wasn't too noticeable, but day by day my mobility in my arm is coming back and I'm getting stronger.  Still need to take a power nap everyday, but hopefully even that won't last much longer.  Love that I'm feeling more and more like my self!

Tanner gets Tubes

 When Tanner went in for his 2 year check up the doctor recommended that Tanner go to an ENT to have his ears looked at since he had a speech delay.  I thought his hearing was fine and never did anything about it.  When he had speech therapy, his therapist mentioned that just to be on the safe side I should take him to an ENT just as a precaution.  Then a month ago everything that Brad and I said was met with "what?" "say it louder" or turning the tv volume up louder then normal.  Tanner hates loud noises so this was unusual.  I've learned lots of life's lessons by having cancer and one of them is to not put off doctors appointments so I finally called the ENT.

They ran some hearing tests and concluded that both of Tanner's ears had fluid in them.  The doctor prescribed some medicine to take for two weeks to see if it would improve, but since this most likely has been going on for a year or so thought he would most likely end up needing tubes.  Two weeks later the medicine made a slight improvement in one ear, but not enough so they scheduled us for surgery.

I felt bad that it took me so long to take him to the doctor, but then we got his bill: $0.  Might as well do all our medical stuff this year since we've already met our out of pocket deductible!

On June 10th we woke up bright and early to get to the hospital.

Cutest little patient I've ever seen!

 Watching some cartoons while waiting 

 practicing being a fireman by breathing into the mask.  On the way to the OR they asked if he wanted  to ride in a little blue wagon.  It was so cute, but this little guy did not want to so they wheeled him in his bed instead.

 His surgery  went smoothly and only took 15 minutes.  They said he did a great job and when he woke up he didn't even cry, he just looked around for us, and when he finally did see us he fell right back to sleep.  He wouldn't even take the popsicle or juice they offered him.

 Heading home.  This cute little guy was tired on the car ride home, but as soon as we got home he bounced right back up and was his normal playful self the rest of the day.  You'd never know he'd just had surgery.

Logan: 11 Months

I can't believe this little boy of mine will be 1 next month.  My baby will soon no longer be a baby.  He really is growing up so fast it breaks my heart.  I'm totally in denial.   

This cute kid is now standing!  He tries standing all the time and it usually lasts a minute or two.  He has even taken a step.  He'll only take one, but has done it quite a few times.  I have a feeling that he is going to be walking in no time.  He'll be my earliest one too.  Both Carson and Tanner were 13 1/2 months.  Love how his face shows how proud he is!

Logan is also eating a lot more table foods.  Really he'll try to eat anything we are eating, but some of his favorites are pineapple, hummus, drinkable yogurt, Tanners left over peanut butter sandwiches, and pizza.

He also learned a new word: "Hi" and it has replaced almost his entire vocabulary.  He loves to get right up in your face and say hi over and over again.  He still giggles over anything his brothers do and loves to jump on the trampoline with them and wrestle.  He still has no teeth, but since I'm still nursing I think thats been a blessing.  He loves giving hi fives and giving his momma kisses.  He's a total sweetheart.

Last Day of Kindergarten: Carson

Today my oldest had his last day of Kindergarten today, and although it was extremely exciting and we are so ready for summer, it was also so hard to believe that this kid will be in 1st grade in just a few months.  This year just flew by and I am in awe at how much he has learned.  At his kindergarten assessment before the school year started he only new one word:"I", and now he is reading 1st grade books.  He learned how to add and subtract and can write stories.

He's learned not only book smarts, but life skills.  He knows about self control and all sorts of manners. The other night as I was putting him to bed he told me that sometimes kids make fun of him at school, but he doesn't care.  I wish I had that attitude.

Kindergarten was such a fun year and we are so thankful he had such a wonderful teacher.  I hope he enjoys 1st grade as much as he did this year!

Last Day of School:

First Day:

Here's some pictures of him at school this year:

Carson's field trip to dewberry farm.  I wasn't able to chaperone, but my friend and neighbor sent me these pictures.  He had so much fun!

His cute class.  Every Friday a mom could sign up to read to the class.  I was able to do this quite a few times and loved it.  The kids treat you like a superstar and Carson was always very proud to show me off to his friends. (Carson is on the front row just to the left of his teacher)

Mother Spa Day.  Around Mothers Day the moms were able to come to school and the kids pampered us.  Carson painted my fingernails, put on my eyeshadow, blush and lipstick.  It was so cute and he did a pretty good job.

Carson's celebration of Learning Ceremony.  It was fun having my mom in town to come with me to this.  We never have family around to go to the kids celebrations or sports games and it was really nice having her there, especially since Brad was out of town.  We were able to see a slideshow of his class during the school year, get a certificate from his teacher, and listen to some of the songs the kids had learned that year.  It was darling. 

 His class made a treasure book about themselves and here is his teacher reading the page that Carson wrote about himself.

 So proud of this kid and all he's accomplished!

End of year bus stop picture!   (on average there are less than half this size at the stop each morning, I think the last day of school drew in the crowd)  I must admit we never missed the bus once this year!  Pretty proud of ourselves for that!

Carson with his bus driver Mr. Albert

and then this afternoon when the kids got off the bus the moms had water balloons and squirt guns ready for a water fight!  It was a perfect way to kick off summer.

I'm so excited to have him all to myself this summer!  Its going to be fun!

Brad's birthday

We were able to celebrate Brad's birthday on the 1st!  When he got home from work we went on our first real date since before Logan was born.  It was nice having my mom around as a free babysitter, and nice that we were able to get out alone together that didn't involve doctors appointments.  We went to a South African Steak house.  It was amazing.  I love living near a big city that has so many different options/ethnicities to try.  We then came home and had cake with the boys.  It was pretty low key, but still a good one.  Thankful everyday for this guy!  Couldn't ask for someone better by my side.  Happy Birthday Brad!

First lost tooth!

We had a big milestone recently at our house.  Carson lost his first tooth!  He has been asking almost all year when he will lose tooth.  He said everyone in his class has lost a tooth but him.  Then on Mothers day he came running into the bathroom while I was getting ready and told me his tooth was loose, and it made me cry thinking of how much he's growing up.

Here he is showing off his loose tooth

 Fast forward almost two weeks and this kiddo lost his tooth at school!  He was wiggling it during reading time and it just fell out!  He was so excited.  He really wanted to lose his tooth at school so he could put it in a little treasure box to take home, and probably to show off to his kindergarten class.  This was on Friday and when he got home he realized he had left his tooth at school. He said the tooth fairy wouldn't come without his tooth.  This was also Memorial Day weekend so he had to wait an extra long time before he could go back to school and bring it home.

Unfortunately by the time he got back to school the janitors must have thrown it away, because it was not there.  Poor kid was heartbroken.  However we told him we'd write a letter to the tooth fairy and she'll come with or without his tooth.

Here he is writing his letter:

 Dear Tooth Fairy
I lost my 1 tooth. Please put the $ under my pillow. I want it now! Carson.

Carson was so excited for the tooth fairy to come!  Although I think Tanner was a little nervous and did not want the tooth fairy to look under his pillow.  I told him it was only for Carson.  Hopefully Tanner will get excited in a couple years when its his turn.

Carson woke up at 2 a.m. to tell me that the tooth fairy had arrived and left him a gold coin.  I told him to go back to bed, but it was really fun to see how happy he was!