Hello everyone. 

So Friday and Saturday Jason started experiencing some numbness and paralysis.  He contacted the doc on the boat and together they contacted Jason's oncologist.  He suggested Jason get a CAT scan done.  They were planning on driving back to NC (he is currently working in Baltimore, MD)  but as they were getting ready he had another episode and they all decided to go to the local hospital, Walter Reed in Bethesda, MD.  Jason had a CAT scan done and they saw something they didn't like, which resulted into having an MRI .  Jason has a 2.5cm mass located on the right side of his brain.  As it swells it presses on his sensory gland which is causing him to have left sided seizures.  We have 4 teams of doctors, who come in these packs.  Oncology, Radiation, Neurology & the Neurosurgeons.  They are pretty sure that this is the Embrynal Carcinoma (testicular cancer) that originally spread to his lung.  It could have been hiding there the whole time.     

We are currently still here, while the kids are in NJ.  Jason is having a long list of test done, a prolong EEG, MRI, CT & a bunch of other sensory tests.  He is scheduled for surgery on Thursday.  He will have a couple of days recovery followed by radiation. 

We have the best support system.  With all the texts, emails, phone calls (which end up in voicemail) we are overwhelmed with love and support.  We have so many people saying prayers and we can't thank you enough. 

We everyone who rearranged their lives to accommodate our kids, I can't thank you enough!  Everyone that kept me company on my mid-night trip up to MD thank you.  To everyone that wanted to help and I couldn't figure out where to have you help (Veronica, Melissa & more) THANK YOU.

PLEASE KEEP OUR FAMILY IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.  Keep the kind words coming, it has brought smiles to our faces. 

Hug your love ones tight tonight, things change in a blink of an eye. 
 

Round 2 all tucked away

2/13/12  Round 2 started off okay.  We met with the nurse practitioner and she was just as nice as we heard.  She answered all our questions, really that means she answered all my questions.  We then got our new schedule, and was sent back to the chairs.  Jason was hooked up and ready to get this week over and done with.  I think we had a harder time this time around... then last.  It seemed to last longer & effect him more.   Day 2 was a little harder to get him to go back, I know he would go but he totally didn't want too.  

We got threw that week okay, then got all the way to the following Tuesday when has suppose to go get his labs and cycle day 16.  Once again he didn't get it.. his counts were too low so we had to reschedule the whole month of appointments.  We knew this could and would happen but when it does.. it comes as a low blow.  

The next day after being awake all night due to Jason coughing and coughing and coughing all night long. I called and asked them for help.  They quickly ordered him some antibiotics and the Nuepogen shot for 3 days.  

Today was suppose to be his "Medical Board" for the USCG.  We didn't have to go because they said they had enough evidence and proof of documentation to continue on... We will not know the final results of that until its in writing.   All we are asking is to stay in NC for a year to get all the medical stuff squared away.  Then we will gladly compete with the rest of the MK crew for positions and locations.  

On a side note: soccer season for the kids is in full swing.  E has practice Monday & Wednesday and peanut has practice Tuesday & Thursday... both have games on Saturdays and E has games on Sunday also... O.M.G!  I am a total soccer mom!  =0) 

Really 11 days....

I can't believe its been 11 days since I have updated the blog.  Sorry.  

Let me back track... 

on 1/17 Jason had a quick trip to the Raab Clinic.  He was tired but slept it off.  He was scheduled to go back on 24th.  He starts the visit with lab work to make sure his counts are not too low. 

Low counts can indicate serious side effects, including fatigue, bruising, and vulnerability to infection -- and can also mean that treatment must be postponed while his body heals.  Complete blood counts, or CBCs, are routinely performed during chemotherapy and other cancer treatments to check the number of each type of blood cell circulating in the body.

White blood cells, or neutrophils, fight infection; red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes, pick up oxygen in the lungs and carry it to the tissues. CBCs note any shortage of red blood cells, which is the definition of anemia and leads to low oxygen levels in the blood. In addition, CBCs count platelets, which are components of red blood cells that enable blood to clot.

• Low red blood count = fatigue, low energy
• Low platelets = bruising and bleeding
• Low white blood count = susceptibility to infection

Well with that said, his counts were low.  He was borderline neutropenic.  I freaked as normal.  I had a wicked cold and was afraid it was my fault.  He had to postpone treatment a week, which brings us to today. 

We arrived for the labs and sat there for an hour!  We knew something was not right.  The charge nurse came out and told us that Jay was still low and they were waiting for the doctor to make his decision but she thought it meant he would have to postpone again.  

Bummed. 

She called us back, finally.  She told us that the doctor said he could have the chemo today but he had to follow it by a shot of Neupogen.  This is used to decrease the chance of infection and it works by helping the body make more neutrophils.  He will receive this everyday till the 6th.  I hope it helps.  He is home, fed and now crashed out on the couch next to me.

We did have to shave Jason's head this weekend.  He started out with just bald patches so we shaved it down a little but then it just started having really bad bald spots so we bic'd it.

I know some of you asked what kind of chemo he was on, well he is one 3 different types.

*Cisplatin, etoposide & bleomycin (yup say those 3x each)

His schedule goes like this 

Days 1,2,3,4,5 Cisplatin & Etoposide

Day 2, 9 & 16 Bleomycin 

I just wanted to thank everyone for the cards, gift cards, dinner, offers to come help.  I have thank you cards for everyone... I promise to send out this year! 

XOXOX ~Elizabeth 

    

Getting ready for the weekend....

1/20/12  Life is okay right now.  We are all doing well.  Jason has felt pretty good.  Taking it easy, of course.  He is stir crazy.  Not one to sit on the couch all day.  So I can see him heading back to work soon. He had a chemo treatment on Tuesday and it wore him out but he slept it off.  The nurses gave him a cute band-aid   

We celebrated Peanuts 6th birthday on Wednesday!  I can't believe she is 6!  We will be celebrating this weekend with a few of her friends.  It will be a "Smurfy" good time.  Jason made her a pinata`

We have received so many cards from our friends and family!  It makes us smile!  This is just some of them.  We got a special little box from our best friends the Acevedo's!  Everyone attacked it so fast this is all the pics I could get. 

& a special shout out thank you to Leah.  Thank you for all the inspirational text messages you send me. Its like you are in my head.  Right when I need one... BOOM a message from you.  <3

Day 6 ...

1/14/12  I was told that when he feels good, get him out of the house.  Go do something with him, so that he doesn't get depressed sitting in the house all the time.  

So I did.

  We went to the book store to see if they had any Testicular Cancer books.  We came home with Lance Armstrong's Its not about the bike.  I am also thinking about ordering.  One Lump or Two by Darren Couchman.  We are both going to read the book.  

We then tackled Walmart...(ugh)  

Poor Jason has been battling a massive migraine and can't take anything but Tylenol.  I think I will be calling the doctor on Monday and asking for something... I hate seeing him like this and I have a feeling this is only the beginning.  

We came home and took up residence on the couch for the rest of the day. 

 This is how I could spend everyday.  

We got a sweet card with a gift card to dunkin donuts from our distant friend Melissa

& Jason & Samantha sent a iTunes gift card.... They totally rock!!