Another update

Last week, our 11 year old, Kelsey, got sick and the doctors started treating her for an infection. Later that night I found a tick right where the doctors were looking. In their defense it was very small and skin colored.

On Monday our 16 year old, Andrew, had surgery to place a port a cath in his chest to prepare for starting chemo.

On Tuesday, Kelsey got really sick and by wednesday could barely get off the couch. So I took her to the dr again. Now she's on yet another antibiotic for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

Yesterday was Andrew's first chemo. It went well, and so far he's only gotten a little nauseated. He'll have it weekly for 26 weeks, then go biweekly for another 26.

The key now is to keep Kelsey eating and able to take the meds. Tonight her fever shot to 104, which is the highest it's been so far.

As you can see, it's been one exciting week. :) I haven't been able to call everyone, so wanted to update anyone that I might have missed.

Quick Update

Our 16 year old will be starting chemo right after he gets back from scout camp. He's doing well and he's trying to gain some weight needed before starting it. Just wanted to give a quick update to anyone I may have missed in my last mass emailing.

I hope your summer is starting off to be a good one. I am already wishing winter were here. Why am I one of the only people (besides said 16 year old) that hates summer? :)

This is Home

I have never really been a Switchfoot fan, but I love this song. It's from the movie Prince Caspian.

Happy Mother's Day.

Update on Andrew

About 2 weeks ago he ended up at the hospital with an IV for meds and fluids. The medicine was for nausea. THey sent us home with a prescription for more of that medicine and he's been doing great. He lost even more weight, which he didn't really have to lose. He's gained a couple of pounds since then and we had an appointment with a GI doctor this week who put him on a high calorie diet. The problem with that is that he gets full fast and then forgets to eat between meals.

He's still unable to speak above a whisper due to the paralyzed vocal cord, but as long as he takes the meds he can function fairly normally. The medicine is one they give chemotherapy patients for nausea.

Thanks for prayers.

Update on Andrew

They have finally found a small tumor on the nerve that leads to the vocal cord (also runs to the stomach and aids in digestion, which explains the nausea he's having). Finally we have an answer as to why his vocal cord is struggling to work. It is, of course, inoperable and we have to just wait and see if it will go away on it's own and everything return to normal function. He's still having issues eating, so we're having to learn what works and what doesn't.

Does Life Ever Change?

I guess the first question should be--what is "life"? Life is what gets in the way of what we feel we should be doing. I'm definitely no expert, but there have been times when "life" just slaps me up-side the head and makes me rethink what "life" is really supposed to be.

The last 12 months have been one slap right behind the other. About the time I think I'll survive, "whack!" The latest installment of events that have tried to derail me began in February when my 16 year old began having trouble swallowing, a bit of a sore throat, and nausea. We waited a bit to see if it as the flu or a virus that would go away, but then went to a doctor to see if he has strep. The strep test was inconclusive, but he was put on antibiotics anyway. A week later, still not better,so we went back to that doctor. Did the strep test again, still the same results.

Last week, I took him to the ER where they did a CT and found a tumor in his neck. So far my understanding is that it's between his spine and esophagus, pushing into his esophagus and making swallowing difficult. They did a Video Swallow Study on yesterday and could see where the blockage is. Right now plans are vague, at least until we see the ENT on Tuesday, but looks like he might have surgery next week.

Life comes at you fast. It's up to you to dodge it or get run over. :)