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!!

DAY 5... FREE AT LAST..THANK GOD ALMIGHTY HIS ARM IS FREE AT LAST!!!!

LOL!   1/13/12

Word of the day: Emotional.

He is, I am, the kids are.  Its a group effort.

He is because he doesn't want to be there.  

He doesn't want to go through this anymore.  

He is worried about his career, his future, & his health.

I am, because my day started off with someone telling me that "life is life" ... I would like to really tell that person off but because I respect her husband too much I wont.  I will shut my mouth (I know, some of you are totally shocked) and I will walk away.

The kids are emotional because they can feed off us.  

They are doing well though. 

He is free.  His poor arm is free of IV's for a whole 3 days!  YAHOO!  

8am appointment, started with a CBC count (which looked awesome)  Weighted in at 173.1 (down more), blood pressure was at 131/63 (not to shabby) and his temp 97.4.  All around a great start to an emotional day.

I know a bunch of you are following this blog to keep watch on how things are, and we totally appricate it.  The support we have is, well I am speechless.
It makes me keep on going, which helps me keep Jason going.

Day 4... seems okay today.

1/12/12  We had an 8:15am appointment.  Jason weighted in at 175.9 (less then yesterday) his blood pressure 140/68, you want to know why... he had to get a new IV... he gets so nervous.  His temp was perfect 98.3.  Jason did really well today.  The meds he gets 1st make him really sick to his stomach, but after that he tolerates to them all the rest.  The nurse (Luis) and Jason joke all day.  I texted him that he had 1hr left and he sent me this:

Apparently it is called a "cheese sandwich" Jason called it a cold Mac & Cheese sandwich aka NASTY! 

We are home, rested, now fed and working on getting kids done with chores, bathed, and in bed.  

Sorry for the short and sweet....but momma is tired today.  

Off to tend to the kids and of course the patient. 

Day #3

1/11/12  I think we are both are realizing that this is real, we are both emotionally & physically over done and sadly it just began.  Good night sleeping last night.  He slept later then I thought.

We arrived for our 8:15 appointment. He seemed better with his blood pressure (130/63)  today then yesterday.  I thought he was going to have a temp but he didn't (98.4) Weighted in at 176.5 (he secretly had a nervous breakdown) I waited till he was all set up and had his IV running before heading to work for a few hours.

Today was a little more emotional.  Really for no reason but the fact that, he is getting Chemo, it spread, he hates having someone wait on him, he hates sitting still ...  this sucks.  But we will get through it.

Chemo lasted from 8:15-1:30.  We are home,  he took a nap and I got the kids situated from school and we all played a game of UNO and Go Fish (no I did not let him win!)  We ate dinner, thanks to our friends The Martin's,  we ate a delicious Spanish chicken, rice & veggie casserole!  Thanks Erin, you rock!!

Everyone at work has now offered to make us dinner a couple times... seriously can I work with a better group of people?  I don't think so.  The love and support we have from them (and all of you) keep us going and help us look forward, instead of giving up.  THANK YOU!

I had a fellow Coastie wife ask me for our address to send a card.
The Bitler's
206 Oak Ridge Drive
Havelock, NC 28532

Day 2... I can see this is going to get harder and harder.

1/10/12  He woke up in good spirits.  Had a good night.  Came home took his Zofran (nausea medication) he ate dinner, and we relaxed on the couch till bed.  He slept well expect for he woke up at 2am and had a hard time falling back to sleep.

We arrived at the Raab Clinic for our 9am appointment.  He was called back, weight was taken (174 3+lbs from yesterday) blood pressure when we arrived was elevated (156/64) but once in the chair and comfortable it lowered (123/54) He had a hard time with a medication that was pushed threw the IV, he said it hurt, we later found out this was Benadryl.  He quickly became tired, so I left for work.  He kicked me out today.  Told me I would be better off busy at work, then sitting there staring at him.  (I think he knew Dr.V was in the office and I stress over not being there when he is.)   I checked on him at 1pm and he was super tired and antsy.  He doesn't do well sitting still for so long.  Luis hung the last bag of flush and I went back to work to finish up.  Right now as I type... he is fast asleep on the couch.  I hate seeing him like this.

I am not sure what I would do without my work gang.  They definitely help me get through the day.

** I want to say thank you for all of you who are sending us letters and messages and quick posts on FB and here.  They have made both of us smile!  Keep them coming.  I will try to get back to everyone.  I will also be printing them out for our Cancer Journey Scrapbook.

Day 1

1/9/12 Today was day 1 of chemo treatment for Jason.
We arrived on time and got called back.
Weighted in (171.6),  blood pressure was good and we sat and waited for the dr.
When he came in, he had that "not happy look" on his face.
 He told us that Jason's scans that he had done the last weekend in December came back with spots in his lungs.  They looked at the scans done in October and compared them to Decembers and they are certain that the cancer has now spread.  What that means for Jason is a longer treatment rounds.
 We originally were set up to have 2 cycles of 28 days and now we are having 4 cycles.
 UGH!  Not the news we wanted.

                       Jason completed day one with a smile on his face.

  We played Uno and Gin Rummy. Watched TV & played on the iPad.

       Tomorrow we go back for his long day.

Life is good...

when you don't look forward. 


I am looking at just today.  Taking each day as they come.  Today, life is good.  Okay, so maybe I am looking a little ahead.  Cooking & Preparing for the week ahead.  Cooking meals ahead, something I never do.  I love to cook, it is known in our house as mommy and daddy time.  I come home from work, start dinner, Jay sits at the bar, we have great conversation about the day or whatever seems to be the subject, most time enjoy a cold glass of wine/beer.  It is our time.  I look forward to it.  So cooking ahead is weird for me.  Ethan & Jocelyn are confused as what is for dinner tonight.... haha...I didn't even think of what we are eating tonight.  

I am looking forward to my sister Veronica and her beautiful little family to come down this weekend... I love any chance I get to catch up with them and of course snuggle with my lil ladybug Aubrey Ann.  Also having the Ace's down on Saturday.  Might as well get all our peeps to visit now before "surgery" week arrives.  That is what I am NOT looking forward too.  We go this Thursday to Chapel Hill to meet with the cancer board....  we find out the next steps in the game.  We both hope surgery can be soon, that means more healing time before the "surprise" trip for the kids.  


On the menu:

• Stuffed Peppers
• Home-made Chicken Noodle Soup (sandwiches will be made that night)
• Chicken enchiladas
• Lasagna 

How the cookie crumbles in our world....

It's weird to think I always thought it would be me that would get sick or injured. It's like I feel better when it's me, I don't like someone I love hurting.

Sept: It all started right before Jason's birthday. He felt a heaviness and tenderness in his testicle. He put it off thinking it was nothing and had an epic birthday week and went to a conference for work. When he got back he finally listened to me and went to the doctors. (9/23) He has to see a military doctor, who didn't like what he saw and set him up for ultrasound. The soonest they could see him was the end of October! After talking with his senior chief he called back and asked for the ultrasound to be scheduled sooner due to the fact it was to rule out cancer, Jason called back and asked to have it sooner. They graciously fit him in on Oct. 4th.

Oct.4th We arrived early, because we were nervous. Jason was called back and I sat forever for him to come out into the waiting room. When he finally did, he said he had to go see the “sick call” doctor to be referred out. The radiologist could rule out everything (hydrocele, cystocele, hernia) Over to sick call we went, they made us an appointment for later in the afternoon. That was fun waiting to see what was going on. Our appointment was @2:30. When we arrived back there, Jason was getting his vitals and I saw the doctor come out and ask if “Bitler” checked in yet. The guy at the desk said oh so nicely “Yes but you have people ahead of him” and she quickly answered “I don’t care, he is 1st” We were then quickly escorted back to her office. We were told that Jason was being referred out to a local Urology Surgeon (Dr. Klose) and they had been working on getting him the soonest appointment. She told us that they thought it was testicular cancer and the best place for him to be was with Dr. Klose. Our appointment was Oct. 5 @2:30.

Oct.5th We got to Dr. Klose’s office and filled out the paperwork, and of course being silly and making the receptionist laugh at us. Jason wanted to check the box that said he had erectile disfunction so he could get meds... I was totally embarrassed. When we went into the exam room, Dr. Klose showed us the ultrasound pictures and explained what he saw, then he did an exam (where I politely asked to step out to give Jason some privacy) Dr. Klose came out and got me when he was done, and told us that he would guarantee that it was cancer, from the finding of the ultrasound and the exam. With testicular cancer there is 2 groups. Seminoma or All the others. You want it to be Seminoma. With that it is cut and dry surgery and scans and poof. They scheduled his surgery for Oct. 10th. (Oh.My.God. is this shit really happening….)

Oct.10th Surgery day. We got up bright and early in anticipation of this not so fun event that awaited us. We had to be at the hospital at 6:45am. Jason was called back and I had to stay in the waiting room, quiet, cold, and alone.

The door opened and out popped a face I knew. One of the drs that I work for came out to sit with me while he was being prepped. Thank you Dr. Mac. You distracted me!! We talked and joked about things. Next I was called in to sit with him before he was taken back. I hated seeing him laying there scared and nervous! The nurses came by and checked him in, and then Dr. Klose came in and checked on him as well. He told me that he would see me after the surgery and tell me what they found in the lab. The idea was for him to walk it down to the lab and cut it open to tell if it was cancer or not. We wouldn’t know the final pathology for at least 10 days.

They wheeled him away… this was the moment I dreaded.

I sat in the waiting room, again. Every time the door opened, or someone came out of the elevator I looked over like it was going to be Jason walking thru. The surgery door opened and out walked another dr that I work for. Dr. D! I said “what are you doing here” she said “I came to keep you company” We talked and talked and laughed. I really can’t say thank you enough to her. She waited around with me to almost the end but had to leave because she had a patient waiting for her at the office. So sweet, little Dr. D, got me a drink and told me to text her after Dr. Klose came and told me the finding. She left. There I sat alone again. (I know boo hoo, right.) All of a sudden the door flew open and in came Dr. D and at the same time the surgery door open and Dr. Klose was standing there…. She saw him and ran back up to sit with me.

Dr. Klose said the patient was doing well, and that it was indeed cancer. That they were thinking it was Seminoma. We talked about some things and I got all the directions for his post op. We had to see him for his follow up on the 19th.

Oct. 19 Well this visit didn’t go as planned. Dr. Klose told us that it wasn’t Seminoma and that it was called Embryonal Carcinoma. Which means he now has to be referred out to UNC Chapel Hill. He will undergo another surgery to remove all lymph nodes in his pelvic area. Why you ask, because the type of cancer it is doesn’t start in the testicle, it starts to grow in the lymph nodes. He did have a cat scan of his chest and abdomen done and they came out clear but because this grows microscopic, they want to remove them so it doesn’t have a chance of growing again and somewhere else. As of right now Jason is 70% clear of cancer. The remaining 30% that he isn’t and all the finding of the pathology from the mass they raised the stakes. He also had what he called an antenna which ended up being a nodule that was getting ready to spread and grow.

Yup.. that was long. Sorry. We go to UNC Chapel Hill on the 10th to meet with Cancer Board to find out our next steps in the game…

Happy Mother's Day

Went to a mothers day party at peanuts school.

Okay...so I have been slacking....

but its been a busy year or a busy couple of years! We moved from the land of the lost, aka Nantucket, to Atlantic Beach, NC ... and we truely love it. It has been a little getting use too but it suits us well. The kids love it here and havetons of friends and so do we... so the next step in the Bitler process was to buy our 1st and only house (hopefully)

We went out and looked and found a handful of houses and settled on 2 that we LOVED. We went back and forth and back and forth. Do we buy the bigger but older house with smaller yard in the cookie cutter neighbor hood or do we buy the new build, big yard in the neighborhood of the ..... elder. Well we finally decided and choose the NEW!

We love love love it.

Life is busy, but we are trying to keep it all together. Work (for both) school (for all 4) life in general is hard to keep up with.

Today is Peanuts 5th birthday. Can you believe it, because I can't!

Hello from the land of cardboard....

Well shoot, after 4 months of not blogging and thinking about all the things I wanted to blog about...here I sit with a brain fart.

Our 4 months have been .... busy. We left Ack on June 12th, with such sad goodbyes to all our friends. We headed down to New Jersey for my brothers (both Dillon & Alex) graduation from high school! We had a great visit. I saw so many people that I haven't seen in years. We left NJ and headed to VA to go camping with the kids. That was .... and adventure. LOL! It wasn't as bad as I thought. Then off to Elizabeth City (aka Hertford, NC) to the Ace's!! That was TOO SHORT! Then we landed in Newport, NC, Our new home. We found out that our stuff couldn't be delivered until July 1st instead of the June 23rd date we requested. So more camping (in the house) it was.

School is in session for Ethan, Jason & myself. BUSY BUSY here. I hang with Jocelyn everyday and go to school a couple nights a week and do an online class also. Still wishing and praying that I get a job. Resume doesn't look so good when you leave your field of specialty for 3 years due to lack of jobs. I have a really good job tomorrow that I am interviewing for. I NEED THIS!!

Also started selling Storybooks... they are so awesome. You can customize canvas, decks of cards, greeting cards, all different size storybooks, posters and so much more. Interested...or want to look.... www.storybookwithelizabeth.com

Wish us luck.

Long time no blog... yeah I know. 

It seem to be the same thing every time I blogged so I “paused” for a while.  

Well orders are in and the Bitler’s are off to Atlantic Beach, NC!!!

SO excited.  We are 8 hrs from Cape May, 13 from Venice & 14 from Hyannis....lets see who visits first!  

Jason leaves about 3 weeks before we do, thanks to New England school system that seriously goes to school longer then most!  Thankfully he is flying up and driving down with us.  We are stopping off in NJ to see my family (almost 2 yrs since I saw them) then we are taking the kids camping at Heresy Park.  Then 2.5 quick days at the Acevedo’s but as Jason says “we will only live 2 hrs away!”  SO that doesn’t bother me that much.

We already signed the lease for our house.  Its wicked cute.  3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, dining room, living room, kitchen, attached garage, and a frog, which I had to google what a frog room was (finished room over garage)  Big backyard and a swing set!! 

OHHH and we have  new car, a SCION XD!  ITs super cute, Jason will say its my fault but he should have never shown it to me....LOL!!! 

Nantucket:

What I will miss most is a topic of our conversations now. With orders on the rise, we start thinking about everything we have taken for granted in the last 3 yrs.

What i will miss most is

the summers on the beach....you might be sitting there thinking that its just a beach and another summer...but until you spent the summer on the beach on Nantucket with the friends we did...you will have no idea, but let me try to explain. We have these beaches that are just beautiful, just like any other beach but this one comes w/ friends that you can't walk away from. On Saturdays you know...you need to pack the cooler w/ lunch, snacks for all types of kids, drinks for the adults, grab the IPod, towels, sunscreen, chairs and the dog. Head on out...if you’re the 1st ones there then clear an area. Most times it was us out 1st w/ Shannon in tow..... blocking off an area bigger then most...Preparing for a block party. Spending the day w/ friends like we have Saturday’s and Sunday’s is the best. I will miss calling everyone last minute for a BBQ at our house. Everyone knows bring a side and byob and we always knew there was going to be a TON of food and TONS of laughter and good times. I will miss sitting around the fire after the kids go to bed. I will always miss my girls night out the craziest bunch of bitches there could be.


The list can go on…and I am sure w/ the next 4 months coming up you will hear more and more about why we will miss Nantucket and our Ack family!

2009

Its a new year.

What is the new year going to bring....

well for us the New Year will bring

The Cottrells annual visit (seriously can't wait)

Jocelyn turns 3, I turn 30 (we will NOT be celebrating that)

May is the service wide for Jason,

June Ethan will be finished a great third grade year

(which he had one of the BEST teachers to date)

and by July we will be onto our next adventure!

I just want to be clear that I don't want to be at work today.

LOL!

I want to be in my pj's on the couch w/ the kids & Jason.

Instead I am sitting at work, with all my stuff done, the phone isn't ringing, and I am here by myself.

tap tap tap tap tap....tap.

Jr Miss was this weekend. We had a blast. My girl was Brittany and I love that girl. She rocked the show. Her talent was killer, she sang Fever by Peggy Lee. Her fitness was one of the best up there! Her poise, beautiful.

The after party was one of the best times I had.