Tests

Today, June 3, 2014, we start the testing to see if Ethan’s cancer is in remission.

The testing will last two days. Day one we meet with Dr. Velez,  then MRI, hearing exam, eye exam and then back to Dr. Velez before we come home for the night. Day two we have a Spinal tap for a sample of spinal fluid to check for alpha fata protein levels (germ cell cancer indicators).

We expect things to be clear especially after having had the CT Scan last Thursday. It was during this visit that we learned the added symptoms he had been experiencing over the last week or two we related to taking to much Zofran (meds used to control nausea).

 We also learned that the area the tumor was located in also controls the nausea feelings we all have, and the Meds we have been taking are actually aimed at this part of the brain not the stomach. The new meds Ethan was put on this Thursday are also aimed at this same area (the brain) and have been making him feel much better but the main side effect has been drowsiness and thus he has been sleeping 16 hours a day again. At least he is eating well when he is awake.

There will be more discussions on this issue during the next two days because the ER Doctor has suggested the fact that both theses to meds are helping points to the possibility that there is damage to this area of the brain (nausea control). The problem (nausea) is similar to the eyes in that the stomach is fine as are his eyes, but the brain is telling him he is feeling nausea and struggling to interpret with signals form the eyes.

Open Opportunity

Hi All!

I’m really excited about an opportunity that I would love for you all to pray about being a part of.

Words can’t even give enough justice to what you all have already done and given to the Adams Family.  Seeing the support that all of you have been for them through this journey, I know that the Lord will meet this need as He always keeps on doing.

The Adams family has been able to sit down and come up with a four month plan.  This four months is the hopeful last leg of Ethan’s cancer journey. 

We’ve labeled is to three parts.

Month 1 & 2.  Primary care for Ethan.  The slow recovery for Ethan has made it very hard to leave him alone.  This is a process.  He is recovering but needs hands on attention.  Drew and Beth have found that if they both work part time, one or the other can be with Ethan. As seen in the latest update, Ethan needs help doing his school- a parent to read/ write for him.

Month 3. Transition. This month is pushing Ethan to gain more of his independence.  The goal is that by month 3, Ethan will be able to do more of what Drew and Beth were doing for him on his own.  We’re calling it transition.  Really wanting to create a safety net incase recovery is just that much slower.  Giving Drew and Beth the freedom to still be home with E if the need is there.

Month 4 Launch.  Goal would be to by month 4 to have everything close to being able to launch the Adams family back to life. We’ll re examine during this month where they are and what their needs are.

After mapping out what the next four months look like. The Adams’ Family are at a $2,000/ month deficit. If we can rally around them from now until October, I believe we can help offset this deficit. 

Will you pray about pledging to donate each month? All we would need is 20 people promising to do four $100 donations to accomplish our goal.  If this, or any donation is something that you would be willing to do, simply follow the donating directions on the blog.  Then, would you please email me at ethanadamsblog@gmail.com with your pledge so I can keep track of our giving and to send you a reminder each of the next four months.

Thank you for continuing to walk this journey with Ethan and his family.  This wouldn’t be possible without each and every member of Team Adams.


-Meagan

update

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

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

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.

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.

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 !!!