Scans came back clear! he was so dehydrated from throwing up that they are giving him iv fluids. It, along with a new antibiotic, have helped to make him feel better. He is eating for the first time in 4 day. Thank you all for your quick response to prayer. More updates soon.
Meagan
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Please Pray!
Hey all! Please pray!
Today, Ethan will be getting a brain scan. He has been extremely dizzy and the antibiotics that he's on isn't even touching the sinus/ear infections. Hoping to get some answers. Will update when there's more information!
Thanks!
Meagan
Today, Ethan will be getting a brain scan. He has been extremely dizzy and the antibiotics that he's on isn't even touching the sinus/ear infections. Hoping to get some answers. Will update when there's more information!
Thanks!
Meagan
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Where we are...
We are two weeks into recovery and Ethan is doing well. He has taken several walks around the neighborhood and is taking fewer naps. His energy is making a slow, but steady comeback. Ethan also finished up another class for his freshman year. He took his test via face chat. This has been very helpful for him to be able to answer his question directly with the teacher. Drew and I will be helping Ethan with his summer classes to try to get him caught up as much as possible.
Ethan's eyes are about the same and we haven't seen any improvement as of yet. We are still waiting for his brain to heal. Ethan is in good spirits and has made goals on some days to try and motivate himself to keep busy. He made banana bread, walked 2 miles, and he clipped his finger nails and toenails all in one day. I called him from work to check in on him and he was excited to report he clipped his nails, with Ethan's eyes still seeing double, he has to really concentrate to clip his nails this then makes him tired. Needless to say the next day he was not as energetic and did take a long nap he is learning how to pace himself in his activities.
As the family is adjusting to the new recovery schedule we will finish up school with Chas, and Tabitha and I are both finishing up our finals. Also, Drew and I are working part time, while one is working the other helps Ethan with his classes online. He still needs us to type and read for him, so this will be our summer.
I am trying to stay positive about summer school!:)
It is going to be important for us to stay at this schedule for Ethan's recovery, throughout this cancer fight Ethan needed us next to him walking every moment with him, even though he is gaining some independence now it is still vital that we finish strong at Ethan's side during this recovery and summer school.
I am very thankful that Drew and I have been able to work our schedules to be able to put Ethan's needs as a priority. This brings me to you, our supporters. It is because of your giving hearts that we have been able to walk through this journey with Ethan like we have. Emotion takes over for me when my thoughts turn to the so many that have prayed, given, encouraged, and loved on us all through out an incredible journey of fighting cancer.
We thank you for making this possible!
Lakeshore church is continuing to help us with the donations and the donations that we have received thus far have helped with the monthly bills and extra expense it took to get treatment.
The last two weeks have been interesting. In fact, I am grateful that treatment is over and yet in awe a bit how we made it through such a journey. I have no doubt that God's strength carried me through.
As Ethan's Mom, I counted a privilege to be able to pray over Ethan and love him through every painful treatment to every milestone victory. I have had many heartbreaking moments of seeing suffering and pain in our son, but even though I saw this and we pushed through, I know that my Savior was present; for Jesus is near to the broken hearted, and as a mamma I have had many brokenhearted moments of surrendering the destiny of our son to God's will.
As Drew and I work out the details of our lives with school plans, jobs, we ask that God would give us the same strength and courage to carry out the recovery plans, and the exit strategy for Ethan as he turns from cancer fighter to cancer survivor.
Ethan's eyes are about the same and we haven't seen any improvement as of yet. We are still waiting for his brain to heal. Ethan is in good spirits and has made goals on some days to try and motivate himself to keep busy. He made banana bread, walked 2 miles, and he clipped his finger nails and toenails all in one day. I called him from work to check in on him and he was excited to report he clipped his nails, with Ethan's eyes still seeing double, he has to really concentrate to clip his nails this then makes him tired. Needless to say the next day he was not as energetic and did take a long nap he is learning how to pace himself in his activities.
As the family is adjusting to the new recovery schedule we will finish up school with Chas, and Tabitha and I are both finishing up our finals. Also, Drew and I are working part time, while one is working the other helps Ethan with his classes online. He still needs us to type and read for him, so this will be our summer.
I am trying to stay positive about summer school!:)
It is going to be important for us to stay at this schedule for Ethan's recovery, throughout this cancer fight Ethan needed us next to him walking every moment with him, even though he is gaining some independence now it is still vital that we finish strong at Ethan's side during this recovery and summer school.
I am very thankful that Drew and I have been able to work our schedules to be able to put Ethan's needs as a priority. This brings me to you, our supporters. It is because of your giving hearts that we have been able to walk through this journey with Ethan like we have. Emotion takes over for me when my thoughts turn to the so many that have prayed, given, encouraged, and loved on us all through out an incredible journey of fighting cancer.
We thank you for making this possible!
The last two weeks have been interesting. In fact, I am grateful that treatment is over and yet in awe a bit how we made it through such a journey. I have no doubt that God's strength carried me through.
As Ethan's Mom, I counted a privilege to be able to pray over Ethan and love him through every painful treatment to every milestone victory. I have had many heartbreaking moments of seeing suffering and pain in our son, but even though I saw this and we pushed through, I know that my Savior was present; for Jesus is near to the broken hearted, and as a mamma I have had many brokenhearted moments of surrendering the destiny of our son to God's will.
As Drew and I work out the details of our lives with school plans, jobs, we ask that God would give us the same strength and courage to carry out the recovery plans, and the exit strategy for Ethan as he turns from cancer fighter to cancer survivor.
Friday, April 25, 2014
The FINAL day!!
Today is the final day of radiation. This is a significant point as we continue on to the next part of this expedition. We will be celebrating by going out to The Olive Garden tonight. It will be mid June before we know whether the cancer is in remission (MRI and port removal) and have the joy of setting that as a major milestone.
Spirits are good and as I walked through the oncology clinic today. It is surreal to see others in different places in the journey. Mothers or fathers asleep while kids in masks watch TV or others where mom and dad are able to both be here. Kids from infants to teenagers, all different walks of life, beliefs, and financial status. It seems to be one of the few things that crosses all barriers and is not influenced by anything. The one constant trait that is seen everywhere is tiredness. As I told one of the nurses that today was our last radiation treatments she responded with, " oh that is the reasons for the smiles." They are not a common here. I now have true empathy for these folks and remember how we have been supported from all of you and from organizations for which we are extremely grateful. I am also grateful for a mind that is quick to look ahead and remind myself that we are only 2\3 done and we must remain vigilant.
Ethan's sight is the same which is actually good news. We were expecting a decline, but it appears that there was just a pause in improving. The sight is not an eye problem but an issue with neurons in the optical tract and the brain is trying to repair itself and this is why no glasses or other measures are being taken at this point. The eyes are good so if we adjust what he sees the brain will not think there is a need to repair and it won't. This begs the question of how long do wait to see if it will repair? Right now we wait till we know cancer is in remission and he has recovered from radiation which is approximately 2 months.
He now has hair that is 1\8 inch long on the top of his head (like a toupee), the back of his neck, (so he has a bald ring where most men don't go bald) face, and his eyebrows are back (started by the nose and worked their way out).
He is still napping everyday for 3 or 4 hours and walking 4 blocks wears him out. The say after 2 weeks he will see significant improvement with the fatigue. He still vacuums or does the dishes so it is not as if he is laying around.
The nausea..... This just won't go away! We take Zophran for this and it is on an “as needed” basis but to date we take it every 4 hours religiously. He can feel it wearing off and then takes 2 zantac and a benadryl every night to sleep.
Speaking of sleep his dream have been frequent and very vivid! As in every morning we hear of one or two in detail. Lol he even dreams of dreaming. For all those out there that like to interpret dreams he keeps losing his teeth. Lol should be fun to hear back on that from those that don't as well. Haha
Over the next 2 months we move from cancer patient to survivor. This will be interesting to see how we all have adjusted and what will be different going forward through the final leg. It is actually more overwhelming to me than the tumor.
Spirits are good and as I walked through the oncology clinic today. It is surreal to see others in different places in the journey. Mothers or fathers asleep while kids in masks watch TV or others where mom and dad are able to both be here. Kids from infants to teenagers, all different walks of life, beliefs, and financial status. It seems to be one of the few things that crosses all barriers and is not influenced by anything. The one constant trait that is seen everywhere is tiredness. As I told one of the nurses that today was our last radiation treatments she responded with, " oh that is the reasons for the smiles." They are not a common here. I now have true empathy for these folks and remember how we have been supported from all of you and from organizations for which we are extremely grateful. I am also grateful for a mind that is quick to look ahead and remind myself that we are only 2\3 done and we must remain vigilant.
Ethan's sight is the same which is actually good news. We were expecting a decline, but it appears that there was just a pause in improving. The sight is not an eye problem but an issue with neurons in the optical tract and the brain is trying to repair itself and this is why no glasses or other measures are being taken at this point. The eyes are good so if we adjust what he sees the brain will not think there is a need to repair and it won't. This begs the question of how long do wait to see if it will repair? Right now we wait till we know cancer is in remission and he has recovered from radiation which is approximately 2 months.
He now has hair that is 1\8 inch long on the top of his head (like a toupee), the back of his neck, (so he has a bald ring where most men don't go bald) face, and his eyebrows are back (started by the nose and worked their way out).
He is still napping everyday for 3 or 4 hours and walking 4 blocks wears him out. The say after 2 weeks he will see significant improvement with the fatigue. He still vacuums or does the dishes so it is not as if he is laying around.
The nausea..... This just won't go away! We take Zophran for this and it is on an “as needed” basis but to date we take it every 4 hours religiously. He can feel it wearing off and then takes 2 zantac and a benadryl every night to sleep.
Speaking of sleep his dream have been frequent and very vivid! As in every morning we hear of one or two in detail. Lol he even dreams of dreaming. For all those out there that like to interpret dreams he keeps losing his teeth. Lol should be fun to hear back on that from those that don't as well. Haha
Over the next 2 months we move from cancer patient to survivor. This will be interesting to see how we all have adjusted and what will be different going forward through the final leg. It is actually more overwhelming to me than the tumor.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
2 weeks left!!
Four weeks down and two weeks to go!
We are encouraged that we only have two more weeks of radiation to go. Ethan has had his nausea and fatigue like normal, but we are now getting a smaller dose of radiation.The Doctor told Ethan this week that hopefully in one week he should start to feel a bit better. We welcome news of feeling better! :)
Ethan had another full day of doctor visits and lab work on Friday, the 11th. It seems to get harder to get through these long days of getting poked with needles and having all those eye tests done, but Ethan took it like a champ.
Ethan and I listened to some of our favorite comedians on our way over to the city to see the doctor, this gives us good material for joking and laughing to get through the day!! One of our favorites this week was Brian Regan and the pirates. If you need a good laugh look it up, nothing better then laughing. The Joy of the Lord is our strength!!
Ethan's eye tests were 3 hours long this week.The Doctor still sees improvement and no swelling, but had a little eye muscle slowing down which he said can be from radiation. We continue to wait for complete healing of Ethan's eyes.
We all seem to be treatment weary, but are taking life one day at a time. We will continue to help Ethan with his classes. Chas will be having an open house for his Jr. High school for next year. Tabitha will finish her sophomore year in college in just a few weeks. Spring has arrived and along with warm weather we have 5 new kitties that we have enjoyed watching. They are 4 weeks old and a delight to have for awhile.
Thank you for all the prayers and support through out this long journey. We had several meals delivered to us this last few weeks and I was very grateful for our neighbor helping me with our lawn these small acts of kindness bring me to tears of gratefulness. Thank you !!!
We are encouraged that we only have two more weeks of radiation to go. Ethan has had his nausea and fatigue like normal, but we are now getting a smaller dose of radiation.The Doctor told Ethan this week that hopefully in one week he should start to feel a bit better. We welcome news of feeling better! :)
Ethan had another full day of doctor visits and lab work on Friday, the 11th. It seems to get harder to get through these long days of getting poked with needles and having all those eye tests done, but Ethan took it like a champ.
Ethan and I listened to some of our favorite comedians on our way over to the city to see the doctor, this gives us good material for joking and laughing to get through the day!! One of our favorites this week was Brian Regan and the pirates. If you need a good laugh look it up, nothing better then laughing. The Joy of the Lord is our strength!!
Ethan's eye tests were 3 hours long this week.The Doctor still sees improvement and no swelling, but had a little eye muscle slowing down which he said can be from radiation. We continue to wait for complete healing of Ethan's eyes.
We all seem to be treatment weary, but are taking life one day at a time. We will continue to help Ethan with his classes. Chas will be having an open house for his Jr. High school for next year. Tabitha will finish her sophomore year in college in just a few weeks. Spring has arrived and along with warm weather we have 5 new kitties that we have enjoyed watching. They are 4 weeks old and a delight to have for awhile.
Thank you for all the prayers and support through out this long journey. We had several meals delivered to us this last few weeks and I was very grateful for our neighbor helping me with our lawn these small acts of kindness bring me to tears of gratefulness. Thank you !!!
Sunday, March 30, 2014
The start of week 3
Our day begins with the journey into the city for radiation. 10:30 every morning, Monday-Friday.
This week when Friday rolled around we felt the tired feeling that we know well these days. Ethan has finished two weeks of radiation and this week the side effect that has been felt is fatigue. He gets tired quickly and needs to sleep.
Ethan is also experiencing his eyebrows and eyelashes falling out which is another side effect. Between weeks 3 and 4 Ethan will be experience a sunburn around his head and all this can last for 4 to 6 weeks after he is finished with his radiation treatment.
Some other side effects will be his hair will not grow back very quickly where the radiation is being pointed at on his head, so Dr. Velez gave Ethan some advice on growing his hair long on top so that it will cover the other spots. We had a good laugh!
Every Thursday and Friday, we check in with both doctors and on Fridays we get labs done. This week Ethan's numbers were good. We still need to be prepared if his hemoglobin drops below 10 we will need another blood transfusion, but again very grateful that this was not needed this week.
We were visiting with Dr. Velez and she started to talk to Ethan about the next few months 4 more weeks of radiation, then 4 to 6 weeks recovery then we will do an MRI and if all looks good than Ethan will be scheduled to get his port out. Time frame for this looks like the end of June.
I found myself holding my breath as it was a surreal moment that we were talking about the end or should I say the end of this part of Ethan's journey.
Drew and I have been talking about what the end could look like for Ethan and that it will be an adjustment for all of us yet again to find another new normal because this cancer journey has changed us all we will never be the same. I echo Tabi's statements of not wanting a ticket out, but oh how I long for no more suffering and no more pain and yet these two human feelings make me run into my Savior's arms every day. I am grateful to be carried by my Savior at the same time having the strength when I have needed it to care, encourage, and love each other throughout these past few months.
The love and encouragement from so many of you has been humbling and honestly hard to take sometimes. We are thankful for you all and thank you for all the love and support!
This week when Friday rolled around we felt the tired feeling that we know well these days. Ethan has finished two weeks of radiation and this week the side effect that has been felt is fatigue. He gets tired quickly and needs to sleep.
Ethan is also experiencing his eyebrows and eyelashes falling out which is another side effect. Between weeks 3 and 4 Ethan will be experience a sunburn around his head and all this can last for 4 to 6 weeks after he is finished with his radiation treatment.
Some other side effects will be his hair will not grow back very quickly where the radiation is being pointed at on his head, so Dr. Velez gave Ethan some advice on growing his hair long on top so that it will cover the other spots. We had a good laugh!
Every Thursday and Friday, we check in with both doctors and on Fridays we get labs done. This week Ethan's numbers were good. We still need to be prepared if his hemoglobin drops below 10 we will need another blood transfusion, but again very grateful that this was not needed this week.
We were visiting with Dr. Velez and she started to talk to Ethan about the next few months 4 more weeks of radiation, then 4 to 6 weeks recovery then we will do an MRI and if all looks good than Ethan will be scheduled to get his port out. Time frame for this looks like the end of June.
I found myself holding my breath as it was a surreal moment that we were talking about the end or should I say the end of this part of Ethan's journey.
Drew and I have been talking about what the end could look like for Ethan and that it will be an adjustment for all of us yet again to find another new normal because this cancer journey has changed us all we will never be the same. I echo Tabi's statements of not wanting a ticket out, but oh how I long for no more suffering and no more pain and yet these two human feelings make me run into my Savior's arms every day. I am grateful to be carried by my Savior at the same time having the strength when I have needed it to care, encourage, and love each other throughout these past few months.
The love and encouragement from so many of you has been humbling and honestly hard to take sometimes. We are thankful for you all and thank you for all the love and support!
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Radiation
The radiation has begun! We had our first apt yesterday. Ethan and I headed off to Tuoro Hospital for the treatment. They partner with Children’s Hospital seeing as the radiation machine is approx. $4 million.
Ethan has been doing well over the last couple of weeks- just knowing the Chemo is done has been a huge morale booster. I have watched and seen his strength return these weeks and I can no longer take it easy when we rough house and when he punches me in the arm it hurts again. We have had a couple of days where he has not even napped. One day he ran around with me, which included getting plats for the garden and materials at Lowes for a job. Later that night his ankles hurt just from walking so much. There will definitely be a considerable time of recovery and rebuilding when this is over. This past week he has commented a number of times that his eyes seem better as well, so I drug him out to the ball field to make him try and hit a golf ball. With one eye closed he nailed it with the second swing.
Ethan has been doing well over the last couple of weeks- just knowing the Chemo is done has been a huge morale booster. I have watched and seen his strength return these weeks and I can no longer take it easy when we rough house and when he punches me in the arm it hurts again. We have had a couple of days where he has not even napped. One day he ran around with me, which included getting plats for the garden and materials at Lowes for a job. Later that night his ankles hurt just from walking so much. There will definitely be a considerable time of recovery and rebuilding when this is over. This past week he has commented a number of times that his eyes seem better as well, so I drug him out to the ball field to make him try and hit a golf ball. With one eye closed he nailed it with the second swing.
The family spirits are better for the moment, he spent a 2 evenings/ nights with his friends and this was a huge boost and even played some video games for a few hours. Beth is done with Mid-terms, Chas has had more direct attention, and Tabi and I went backpacking for 2 nights.
Last Friday, Ethan and I went in for a number of tests to check over things now that Chemo is done and they all looked good. The only thing to note was lower thyroid function. (.03 lower to .76) This is not a surprise but it is directly related to hormones which have their control center located in the third ventricle close to where the tumor was located, and will be the focus of the radiation It will be watched as we continue. With this information we got the ok to start Radiation. The treatment actually only takes about 7 minutes but Thursday’s and Friday’s will be the longer days due to Doctor visits. Ethan lays down on the bed (see Picture) and the machine moves around his head shooting the radiation form many directions but it all ends up in the middle ventricle. The many angles of radiation keep the radiation in surrounding areas low and high in the middle where they all meet. Ethan asked me, “what happens if the aim at the wrong spot?” that should give you a bit of where his head is.
The night before we went in he asked me to stay in his room for a bit longer just to be present he said “ I don’t want the day to end.” It is very hard starting this knowing the side effects that are coming especially after feeling so well for a few weeks. But we have started and we laughed a good bit all the way through day one. And day 2 Beth and Ethan had a flat after radiation but they got it taken care of. They say it will be about 2 weeks before he feels the fatigue, so we are going to make the best of it. This week the schedule is different times but after that it will be every day at 1030 AM
Want to say a special thanks to those that have given both in moral support and finical support. After the time spent in missions I did not expect the response we got. Thanks so much it is greatly appreciated and slightly over whelming.
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