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The journey of my family's struggle with a Brain Tumor. Cancer Sucks but the days continue so we must continue on as well... with a fight!

Friday, March 28, 2008

Weekly Update

I think this week has gone Great for Todd. I have noticed a difference in his energy level and attitude. On Tuesday, he cut back his dose of steroids. I was concerned that he would not feel too well and also have headaches but so far so good!!! Next week, he is going to come off them all the way so we will see-fingers crossed!

Nothing else new-which is good!!! We are still getting cards and we/he appreciates them a bunch! Keep the prayers coming, the waiting game of the test results will drive us crazy until we get them. I think I said before, Todd goes back at the end of May for check up #1 and then the end of June for the scan that should show a change. Fingers crossed.

I am way behind on updating pictures but when life settles down, I will update the blog with pictures. Thanks everyone!!!

Saturday, March 22, 2008

We are all home!!

It is official, we are all home together for good!!! Thanks to everyone who kept us on your prayer list. Please continue to do so, we still have a few months before any results.

According to Dr. Malyapa, Todd will have a scan after 2 months and then again at 4 months. He told Todd that the first scan usually yields little results but the second scan is where they will see the results. So...4 more months to go!!!

Todd will be off work until April 21st. I think he needs that extra time to get feeling better. He ear is still clogged-being told because of inflamation, his energy level is so low, he is bloated from the steroid, and lastly, he is missing a few patches of hair. With all that going on, I think a month will be good for him.

I will update every few days now as not as much is going on. Thanks to everyone who is keeping us in thoughts and prayers.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Gantry is Fixed

Todd got his treatment today. YEAH!!! So as long as tomorrow goes as planned, we will be on the road to HOME hopefully by 10 am or so.

The Gantry/Machine is Broken!

2 treatments left and the Gantry is BROKEN!!! Todd just called and he is waiting for it to be fixed. Apparently, it has been broken all weekend and they have been working on it. I need everyone to say a quick prayer that it gets up and running because tomorrow is his last treatment and we go home! If it does not get fixed today, then we go to Wednesday! I will keep you updated.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Long Overdue Update

For my daily followers, I am sorry for not a recent update. :) Sit tight, I have alot to say!

Todd woke up on Wednesday with a clogged ear, not any pain, just clogged. He saw Dr. Malyapa who prescribed him an antibiotic but said it was not an infection. HUM? He was hoping it was not permanent hearing loss but thankfully it does not seem to be the case. As of today, Friday, he said he ear is feeling a smidge better. We/He sure does not need another ailment.

On the past Sunday, we talked about what we were going to do our last weekend in Jacksonville-Tyler and are are arriving Friday and bringing Todd home on Tuesday. I really wanted to do either SeaWorld or use the rest of our Disney passes. I priced SeaWorld and it was going to be $194 just for the 3 of us for TICKETS!!! WOW! I spoke with my mall friend, Apple Todd, and he said he had a good friend that worked at a high end resort in Orlando. A few emails and we had FREE tickets for Sunday. I rented Todd a scooter so he should be in good shape and be able to conserve his energy. NEXT, a last thought was to look into the Nick Hotel. Ok, so the price for 1 night was $339. Granted, it is supposed to be great fun for the kids but YIKES!!! We knew that we could not spend that much money for a 1 night stay. Todd's friend Steve-Orlando friend- reminded him that Nick Hotel was a Holiday Inn property and he had "points." We called and used our "points" so the night was FREE!!! This should be a GREAT last weekend. Todd will be beat when this is all said and done.

Lastly, Tyler and I were going to *try* and catch flight out of Knoxville going thru Atlanta to Jacksonville. Well.....we got to the Delta counter and the lady told me because of the bad weather in Atlanta, apparently they had tornadoes that there was almost NO chance of flying on Standby today. UGGH. We hopped in a rental car and made the 8 hr drive. We just got here about 2 hours ago but we are here. It is so nice to all be together again and we are now on the last days of this chapter.

Thats it....hope you got all the info :) Keep praying for us. We appreciate everyone's support.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Who is Silver Point, TN Person?

Ok, So this is driving me crazy because this person checks the blog almost daily? Who are you? I have A LOT of people from all sorts of places checking/reading the blog but anyone can access it, it is no longer considered "private," so I know that this Silver Point, TN is someone who knows us. I googled "Silver Point" and I have no clue to where this town in located. Please let me know :)

Tuesday's Update

Todd saw Dr. Malyapa today and he told him that we were officially almost done! YEAH!!! Of course, we knew that! He told him that we would more than likely not have to travel back to Jacksonville for follow-ups and that Dr. Wiseman-Neurologist here-could do them and then conference him in. The first scan would be done about 4-6 weeks after treatment and then a final scan at 8 weeks. Dr. Malyapa said that usually on the first scan there is no sign of change but the second scan is where most results are seen. Can't we just fast forward to the last scan? LOL.

Then he talked about Todd returning to work, which was originally scheduled for the 24th of March-less than a week after treatment ends. He told Todd that he would need more time to get himself back to normal. Apparently the protons still function for up to 6 weeks after treatment. Meaning that fatigue would still be very present. We are going to talk about this and look over a calendar this weekend. I definitely don't want him to rush. He needs to be feeling 100%-or close-before heading back to work.

All in all, things are on the downward slope. I am looking so forward to closing this chapter. Thanks to everyone who is saying a prayer. Keep it up!!!

Todd in Jacksonville

Todd made it back to Jacksonville late last night. He told me the drive was long from Orlando-close to 2hrs. I think with him being tired, it made his vision a little shaky and therefore making the drive more challenging.

His appointment is bright and early this morning-6:40. He told me that once he talked to Dr. Malyapa, he would call me and give me an update. We are on the last full week!!! His last treatment is on next Tuesday. I am sure Dr. Malyapa will start talking about the "end" very soon.

Tyler and I are flying this weekend to go get him. We are leaving *hopefully* on Friday-using buddy passes again. Since this will be our last weekend in Florida, I think we are going to try and make it a fun one!

On that note, I don't think we will be doing any partying. Todd still does not have the stamina or any extra energy. I offered to get him hooked up on some golf for Saturday and he turned me down saying he still didn't feel like he could golf 18 holes. You know that if Todd turns down golf, then he still isn't 100%. I am hoping that once he is home and well rested that he will be able to go back to work the first week of April. Thanks for care and concern.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Home together

We are all together this weekend. Today is snowing so we are going to have a very LAZY day. I do have to work this evening so I think Todd is going to hang out with his brother. Tomorrow is another Lazy day for us. He has been home for less than 15 hours and we have already watched 3 full movies...LOL. Will update on Monday or Tuesday when he sees the doctor. Have a great weekend.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

All is well!!!

Since Todd was put back on the steroids, all is well. Today, Tuesday, he was up and about and said he was tired of sitting in the condo so he ventured out for lunch and a haircut. He needed to get a haircut because he noticed a patch of hair missing where the treatment is administered. Since he wears it so short, I don't think the hair loss will be much of an issue.

Other than that, he comes home for the weekend. It will be a very short trip but at least he will be home. If anything changes, I will update immediately.

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Today-Saturday was a better day

1 full day of the steroids and Todd is feeling much better. He managed to eat today and get out of bed. He said that he still felt tired and was planning on doing nothing the rest of the weekend-like he does anything anyways....LOL. Thanks for everyone's concern but he is feeling almost back to his old self.

A shout out to the Powell Baseball Moms

I just wanted to say THANKS to these ladies for their care and concern-I haven't had a chance to individually email them. Tyler used to play baseball with their sons and it has been just about a year since I have seen them. Even though a bunch of time has passed, each one of them has reached out to say Hello and and offer support. Todd has even received cards from them!!! Glad to know that they are still around. Thanks guys! Give me a call when you all have a mom's night out.

Not a good day for Todd

Well, he has been off the steroids for a 1 1/2 days and today was not a good day. When I spoke with him yesterday, he said he wasn't feeling all that great. Today though after treatment, he came home and went straight to bed. I called him several times and each time he sounded worse and worse. I started to get concerned this evening when he told me he really hasn't eaten and he hasn't gotten out of bed. I called later, around 8pm and he told me he was throwing up several times-poor guy! He did tell me that he called the center and spoke with the on call dr and he told Todd to get back on the steroids. Apparently that steroid is used in a lot of chemo patients to help with nausea. So, here we go again. I would rather him be grouchy then sick and miserable.

I called Todd and told him that I could be there tomorrow, Saturday, but he told me to stay home with Tyler this weekend. I feel bad that we are so far away and can not help him in any way. Although the girls at work reminded me that sometimes when you are sick, you would rather be alone. I just feel bad for him-it sucks to be sick and not at home!!!

Say a extra prayer tonight for him and that he feels better this weekend. Take care.