Long Days, Scans, and Shopping For Fun

 Lot's of little things going on around here.

Beth and I went shopping a couple weeks ago and she bought quite a few things. I had been to JC Penney earlier and saw a lot of clothes I knew she'd like. We're planning a trip this summer and I realized she doesn't have any shorts, plus she wanted to get a dress for Easter... she didn't find a dress but she did try on a bunch of things. She bought some shorts and t shirts, plus a yellow sweater that she hasn't worn yet. I think she's saving it for Easter.

The birds are making a nest in the wreath again. It's been fun listening to them chirp right outside the door.

We had a big conference at work last week. Lots of preparation, then three back-to-back 14-hour days. It took hundreds of us to make it happen and it was a huge success - pastors from all over the country were encouraged and pampered - and afterward I spent two full days in my recliner! This was my desk the week before the conference...

I put up a few Easter decorations... and so far this is all I've done! I got the wreath years ago at Michaels. It's one of those unfinished wreaths that you're supposed to fill with flowers or ribbon... But it looked so much like the Crown of Thorns, that's what I've been using it for. 

Chuck had his yearly scans last week, an MRI and CT scan to check for cancer. He's had panic attacks the last couple of MRI's so this time they gave him some anxiety meds to take at home. They worked! 

When he got in there he found it was a much bigger machine, with mirrors on the 'mask' that allowed him to see waterfalls and lakes, it was so much better for him! And, the report on My Chart was normal all around! 

I have a meeting with some of the people from the Chinese Fellowship on Sunday. Just to find out ways I can help with their event planning. Beth has a dentist appointment on Monday... just keeping busy. 

I pray you are healthy, and that spring is in full swing at your house!

This and That

 I have such a long list of things to tell you about so I'll just get right to it.

 

A month or so ago Chuck saw his dermatologist for his regular 6 month check up and on the top of his head they found what they called, 'a rough spot.' Did I already tell you this? Well anyway, they said it was basil cell carcinoma. They did a scrape biopsy and found it to be benign, thank goodness! They got it all, it's no longer an issue so we just keep watching his scalp... and praying.

 

Sharaya started back to work today, finishing up at her old position before beginning her new job.  She worked at a middle school and found out in May I think, that due to budget cuts her job was being eliminated. She was able to secure a different job in the same district (so Ally can continue at the same school she was at last year) in their transportation department. She thrived at her old position, she was so good at her job and everyone loved her! I know she's going to excel at this new one too. Her solid work ethic, creative ideas and willingness to go above and beyond what's expected of her, it won't be long before people are loving her at the new job!

 

Diana, Peter and Adelaide are coming out here the end of this month and we are so excited! Adelaide is crawling already, she's just growing so fast! I don't think I ever shared pictures of our trip to Seaside Heights at the Jersey Shore back in June. We did a little shopping, got something to eat - we actually tried fried oreos, have you ever had one? Really good, but oooh, so sweet. One was plenty! It was warm out, but it was so pretty there.

 

 

There's more to tell you but it's time to go fix dinner. I hope you're all having a great summer. Even though it seems to be flying by!

 

Off to a Good Start

There doesn't seem to be a lot happening around here right now. That's what I was feeling when I sat down to write this. But then I got to thinking about it...

Sharaya's roommate recently got married and moved out of the house they had rented. Then the owner decided to sell it. I don't know how it is where you live but here in the Seattle area rents are expensive! They're so high that renting a one-bedroom apartment costs more than the mortgage payment on our house! So Sharaya and Ally moved in here so she can continue to save up for a house. Sharaya and I were watching TV last night and it just felt so good having them here. You guys know, your kids grow up, move out and start their own lives (as it should be, that's what you hope for!) but it's hard! You miss them and wonder about them - a lot - and so I'm glad they're here for a while. They made us pancakes for dinner the other night. And, I'm a cat person so I've loved having Moxie and Maya around. 

 

Chuck developed a new spot on the top of his head (I never noticed it actually) and at his appointment with the dermatologist last week he decided to do a biopsy on it. They said it was precancerous. But it's been removed and all is well. (I'm having a hard time being convinced.) This means his body is still making cancer, right? Deep breath. I've been told that once you have cancer it never really goes away. There's always a possibility it can come back, so I just have to trust that the Lord will take care of him. For today though, this was caught and removed. I am thankful for that!

In fact, Chuck is in Denver this weekend helping his sister. She's the one who had the stroke 20+ years ago and is paralyzed on her right side so he's gone to help change light bulbs, clean out a bedroom, and sort through part of the garage. He said they spent the first day just talking. His siblings have never been very close so I'm glad they're getting to spend some time together.  

Diana and Peter got a puppy! Her name is Poppy and she's a Great Pyrenees / German Shepherd / Bernese mix. She's SO cute! Can't wait to meet her!

So, I guess there was more than I thought. The good news is I've been at peace about so many things that I don't feel stressed. The Lord has been impressing upon me lately that He is my Rock. My sure and solid foundation in this ever-changing, crazy world. And that's made all the difference.

I pray you are well and that 2022 is off to a good start for you! 

Six Month Scan

It's been 6 months since Chuck's last scan, when he was declared cancer free. He feels great and all the side effects from the immunotherapy have disappeared.

He'll be getting these scans every six months for a while so we headed downtown early this morning.

 

We had a few hours between the scan and when we would get the results so he made a different appointment for work since we were already down there. We did a lot of sitting! But we got back to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and met with his doctor. Bottom line... 

He's still cancer free!!!! 

All of his organs look good, his blood counts are all normal... what a huge relief! The Lord has been so good to us!

Waiting For Info

This is my first full day off in 10 days. We had a big 3 day event at work this week and we've all put in a ton of hours! Needless to say, it's 1:30 on Saturday afternoon and I'm still in my pajamas. 😊

To continue on where my last post ended, we got home from Denver on Monday the 1st and on Wednesday Chuck had surgery to remove the cancer from a lymph node behind his left ear. We were there the entire day, the surgeon had an emergency come up so they had to bump Chuck's surgery from 10am to 5pm. Which I really didn't care about, those things happen. The thing that bothered me was that they didn't tell us.

When we checked in at 10am the lady in admitting was surprised we were there and told us, "But your surgery isn't until 5:00?" We told her we were told it was at 12:00 and we were to come at 10:00. After people who came after us kept getting called, Chuck went back to the desk and after a few minutes a nurse came out and explained the situation. It would have been nice to have gotten a call before we came to the hospital. Oh well, we settled in for the day. (I'm SO glad Chuck talked me into bringing a bag with some books and snacks, I brought some hot tea in my travel mug...)

After a while they took Chuck back to a private room with a TV and bathroom so he didn't have to wait in the waiting room all day. That was really nice. A few minutes before 7:00pm I got a call that surgery had started and they'd call again when it ended. All day long people in the waiting room were getting calls and visits from doctors and nurses but I never heard a thing about Chuck. Sigh. 

I kept watching the Patient Board and when it said surgery was ending I waited for a call.

Nothing.

When the board changed to Out of Surgery I thought for sure someone would call but no one did. I imagined the team was sitting for a minute (did the doctor have to go from the emergency situation right into Chuck's surgery?) I could definitely wait while they took a short break and maybe got a sip of coffee.

No one else was in the waiting room by this time and even the employees who were going home told me that this area was closing down for the night. I told them this is where I was told to wait. (I didn't know where else TO go.) Then a security guard posted himself at a desk outside the doors. I'm thinking okay, where is everyone?!

The Patient Board finally read, 'In Main Recovery' so that's when I called the number they leave on the desk if you're waiting for info about your loved one and the recovery nurse told me, "Oh yeah, I'm Chuck's nurse! He did really well. He's a trouper! Did anyone call you after surgery?"

"No." 

She literally gasped. "What? Are you serious?"

Well, to make a long story short, since his surgery was so late in the day they decided to keep him overnight. But I couldn't see him. So after sitting there for more than 12 hours I went home. 

I felt so abandoned and was crying by the time I got to my car. The doctor called me while I was still in the parking garage so I didn't have good reception and I didn't hear everything she said. Plus I was still crying.

She ended up calling again right after I got home and she did apologize for bumping the surgery to a later time and deciding to keep him overnight... She also said she found 8-9 more nodules than the original so she had to take out a lot more than planned. Everything went well but now they were going to do biopsies on those other nodules (we knew the original was cancerous) and we'd get the results at our post-op visit next week. 

That visit was on the 10th and I did get an opportunity to tell her why I was crying that night. That it was the silence after surgery that bothered me, the feeling of abandonment. She understood and apologized again. THEN... 

She said the cancer hadn't spread anymore and was contained in that one lymph node. They were able to take out everything in the cancerous nodule, and the other nodules came back negative!!

As of today, CHUCK IS CANCER FREE!!! 

Such a gracious, merciful answer to prayer! The Lord is so, so good to us!

Medical and Electrical Updates

Chuck's doctors have all met together and they decided to just remove the lymph node instead of using the T-vec injections. They're hoping they can get all the cancer in that one surgery instead of months of injections, which we're totally okay with. The surgeon is booked up a few weeks out so the surgery will probably take place the end of February. We're just waiting for the nurse to call and set the date.

The electrician came out and was able to change the socket with no problems. He said the wire was overheated but the heat didn't travel anywhere. The damage was only in the one socket, thank goodness! I threw away the power strip and bought a surge protector - a real one! and we're making sure Beth doesn't plug her cpap machine and her portable heater in the same outlet. So everything has it's own place now and all is well again.

I can't believe it's Saturday night and January's about over. This month has gone fast for me. I'm so glad the days are getting longer though! It's still light out when I get off work at 5:00!

Results of the Scan

I had one of those days today. Let me just say my day ended with me dropping my water bottle into the toilet at work. Thankfully, THANKFULLY! I had not used said toilet yet!! Now I'm home and relaxing. Whew!

Now on to the good stuff!

Chuck's scan showed absolutely no cancer from the neck down!! I was so concerned that it had spread but it hasn't! He examined the spots on top of Chuck's head and they don't look suspicious, just like left-over pigment. He's not concerned about them at all. 

The scan and blood work show the cancer is only in the lymph node behind his left ear. That's it! 

Since the cancer seems to be isolated he decided not to give Chuck the infusion this time so that his immune system would begin to calm down and allow the psoriasis to heal. 

He's looking at changing the treatment from a full-body immunotherapy to a localized injection that will only target the cancer.

It's like we've got it cornered and will hit it with a knock out punch! This is such great news! I'm so relieved and excited and at peace...!!

SCCA Visit

 We just got back from Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

Chuck had a CT scan today to see what the cancer is doing. He drinks a bunch of 'contrast' that highlights the areas being scanned. I'm not allowed to go back with him for this procedure so I just hang out in the waiting room.

Lake Union - My view for today

We go back tomorrow to get the results. Thankfully I'll be able to go to the back room with him, meet with the doctor and sit with him while he gets his infusion. I'm anxious... well, not anxious like nervous just... I can't wait to get the results. I want to know what that mean ol' cancer is doing!!

Update on Chuck

About the time I think this is all behind us, I follow a rabbit trail on line (I've got to stop doing that!) or something comes up that reminds me we're still in the fight of our lives.

They did a biopsy a couple months ago on one of the spots on his scalp and it came back negative for cancer. That spot is just that, a spot of leftover pigment that will disappear in time. Not sure about the others.

The biopsy on his lymph node however was positive. Which is what we've always suspected but I was hoping that it was nothing. Just a swollen gland or whatever. But nope. It's cancerous.

The second treatment they were going to do wasn't approved by our insurance. They'd pay for it, just not in conjunction with the first treatment. So the doctors are discussing our options.

I didn't realize how long a battle this would be. I thought after the initial surgery, they would have gotten it all and we'd be done. Boy was I wrong!

In the meantime he continues to work and feels pretty good. He's dealing with severe psoriasis right now, a side effect from the infusions. We met with the dermatologist yesterday and he said given the cancer still in the lymph node and now the psoriasis, Chuck's team of doctors are talking about changing his immunotherapy treatment to try and knock out the cancer. At this point we don't know what that will be.

His next scan and infusion is scheduled for the 19th.

We're coming up on the one-year mark of his diagnosis and it seems it's been one thing after another: two different cancers, two surgeries, several biopsies, so many doctors appointments, various treatments... and we still have a long way to go. It's starting to take it's toll. 

I want to thank you for your prayers. Even though we've never met, your friendship and the caring words you've written over the last 10 months mean so much to me. Thank you... 

 1981 - After we got engaged

Chuck Update - Adding a Second Medication

Did you know there are a lot of different doctors when dealing with cancer? There's the Skin Oncologist and the Surgical Oncologist and the Medical Oncologist... I had no idea we'd be seeing so many different people on this journey. They all talk to each other and share information and updates, and sometimes it's hard to keep them all straight.

We met with the Skin Oncologist last week and have decided to add a second medication to Chuck's treatment. The original medication has stopped the growth of the cancer but it's not shrinking it.  

The Medical Oncologist said Chuck could live with this (continuing with the original treatment) for many years but also said he was a good candidate for this new treatment. Chuck said he didn't want to live with cancer for many years, he wants it gone.

So now Chuck will go in every 6 weeks for the infusion and every 2 weeks for an injection that will go directly into the tumor. So far with just the infusions he hasn't had any side affects and he feels really good. I'm concerned that adding the second medication will cause side affects and change his quality of life. Right now the doctor is checking to make sure our insurance will pay for it and once he finds out, then Chuck will start getting the injections.

They also did a biopsy on one of the areas to see if the cancer is still there or if it's just leftover pigment. We're hoping for pigment!

Would you pray with me that adding this second medication doesn't cause any side affects? It needs to kill the cancer while allowing Chuck to go on living like he has been. Thank you!

Took The Pressure Off

Diana sent me a text today reminding me how long it's been since I've posted. I know it's been a while. I keep thinking about it. But honestly I took the pressure to post off my plate and it was so nice! I thought about the blog - and all of you - a lot but realizing it was okay not to write was so freeing. Many of you are posting about your quarantined lives and how you've slowed way down... but that's not how it is here.

I've been at work 6 out of the last 7 days. We have so many events coming up.

We have to get the Mason out here to fix our chimney. The weather is already getting cold and wet! And the gutters too! I've got to get up there and clean the gutters.

I'm trying to plan a time to go to San Diego to help my sister sort through our dads things.

Chuck has another scan this week to see how the cancer is doing. Personally I don't see good progress... but, I guess I'll wait until we get the results on Thursday.

Denver! I forgot that we were in Denver. We didn't get as much 'work' done as I thought we would. First because the girls and Chuck did so much before we went. But also we found Rose just wanted to sit and talk. I think she really misses the companionship. She lived with her mom her whole life and now mom has been in a convalescent home for many years.

But! We were able to schedule an outdoor visit! At first mom didn't want to get out of bed (she's been bedridden for a year!) but the doctor's and nurses insisted. It was only 15 minutes but it was good to hear her voice and spend time with her. That's Rose in the wheelchair.

 

At Rose's we cleared out part of the back bedroom, finished up the living room, we bought lights and hung them in the laundry room, we put a clock in her bedroom, we gathered all the receipts we could from around the house and she spent days shredding them. We'd empty the shredder and she'd start again. But mostly we sat on the couch and talked about game shows, what she likes to eat, we went through old family photos and she and Chuck relived some of their childhood. One night we were headed back to the hotel and as I was going out the back door she was still talking... I think she really enjoyed the company.

There's a lot more to tell you but I'll close for now. It's good to be back and to read about what you've been up to! Take care! 

Saturday Snippets - Non-Stop, Finished and "What IS that?"

 Chuck and I went for a walk earlier this week and we was telling me how he rode Sharaya's bike for a couple miles. He hasn't been on a bike in years! We came home after our walk and he went out to blow the pine cones off the driveway. His energy level is astounding!

I finally finished my puzzle! I tried to work on it a little every day and it took me almost a month! It was hard but I feel good now that it's done.

 Work has really picked up a lot this week. We have two schools operating now, plus our maintenance guy is on vacation (Did I already tell you this?) Anyway, I've noticed our sprinklers aren't working quite like they should... I've done a lot of work for the schools... lowered the flags for 9/11 - Patriots Day... I've worked a lot of hours this week so it's been great to just be home today.

 And speaking of 9/11, I recently found out that Edmonds has a small memorial so Beth and I went down there after work on Friday. There is a beam that was at Ground Zero, the two panels represent the Twin Towers, there are tiny glass panels that represent each person who died... blue and red for the police officers and fire fighters... it was actually very emotional being there.

And... fire fighters! The west coast is on fire! Literally. Up and down California, Oregon, and Eastern Washington there are so many wildfires burning. Beth woke me up this morning, I could hear her talking kinda loud down stairs so I went down and she pointed to her window, "What IS that?"

"What is what?"

"The color." 

The winds have carried smoke up the coast to Seattle and we've been socked in lately. 

It's creating an orange hue on everything. I told her I was just thankful we only had smoke, no fire. We're wearing our masks now even to just check the mail.

We've been praying for everyone involved in battling the hundreds of fires that are burning right now. 2020 just keeps going...

I hope you are all healthy and safe.

Thankful Thursday - Thankful For You

 

Head on over to Rebecca Jo's blog and get some good news!

 

This week I'm so grateful for ~

 Medical bills are being paid in full

Chuck continues to feel well

Microwave popcorn

My job

Sunflowers

Home

For all of you. I read your comments and it humbles me. Your kind words mean more to me than you will ever know.

A Different Thankful Thursday - Cancer Update

 

 

Join us over at Rebecca Jo's blog!

 

 We check in on the 1st floor, get screened for covid then Chuck goes in for a blood draw and to have the IV port put it. 

 

 

They wrap his wrist in a bandage and we head to the 3rd floor. We wait for a while until they get the results of the blood draw and we meet with the oncologist to talk about the results.

 The doctor shows us all the scans and we actually talk for a while. It's really nice to get all your questions answered, I always leave there feeling good. Then it's up to the 4th floor where he has his infusion. Today we had another great view from our room.

 Floor to ceiling windows!

Right after surgery in April the cancer really began to spread fast. The spots on his face and head showed up quickly and a nodule appeared behind his ear.

I took this on June 5 and I've drawn black arrows that point to the cancer that appeared after surgery and before treatment.

(The two largest black areas are from a biopsy)

The scan he had yesterday showed the cancer hasn't shrunk but it also hasn't spread. The treatment seems to have just stopped it dead in it's tracks. It's not gone, but it doesn't seem to be actively moving. His blood work looks really good: blood counts, liver, spleen, heart, lungs... all look normal! He feels great and hasn't had any side affects!

 We're taking this as a good report and will continue treatment as normal. Even though we wish the cancer was shrinking, we're so, so thankful it hasn't continued to spread! 

Saturday Snippets - Add More Things to the List

Beth and I had eye appointments yesterday and we found out she has Keratoconus in her right eye. It causes the cornea to become misshapen and thin. Plus she has Amblyopia, or Lazy Eye in her right eye. With Lazy Eye the brain and the eye don't work well together and after a while the brain just ignores the visual input of that eye. Her previous doctors have never mentioned any of this or tried to correct it! I can't imagine what her vision is like! So now we're going to see a specialist in a couple of weeks. 

Keratoconus

Amblyopia

 

 A friend called to tell me her son has melanoma and is going to have the same treatment as Chuck. We talked for about a half hour and thankfully I was able to give her some positive information. Things really have been going well for Chuck and when we hung up she wasn't as nervous as she was before.

 Chuck's sister R had back surgery a month or so ago and was released from rehab this week. The doctors say she can't live alone anymore so she asked if Diana could fly out and help her clean her house a little and help with PT. She basically wants to prove to the doctors that she can live alone. Diana rearranged work and was on a plane the next day. What Diana didn't realize was R has become a hoarder. Have you seen those shows on TV? Yep, just like that. Diana has discretely sent us some photos and oh my word. Poor Diana is trying her best to clean areas of this house in preparation for the nurse and PT on Monday. R is very strong willed and is refusing to let Diana toss anything out. There's no place for Diana to sit let alone sleep there. Thankfully she talked R into going to a hotel for a couple nights. I was up during the night last night, praying (and worrying, I'll admit it) about Diana's health and what she might come across. When I got up I texted her:

Do not go back into that house!

You need to book the hotel for quite a few days

When the nurse sees the house, she won't go in. 

 PT definitely won't happen. 

When they come to the door, explain the situation

After a lot of back and forth, Chuck got time off work, booked a flight and I was driving him to the airport at noon today. He's going there to help Diana stand up to R. (R doesn't know he's coming.) They've got to get R into assisted living even though she puts up a fight whenever Diana has brought it up. It's her doctor's orders! I don't know what our options are but I told Chuck they may have to give R an ultimatum and just say goodbye if she refuses. It breaks my heart to think she'd stay there when she can't walk (she had a severe stroke many years ago) and is recovering from surgery. It's really a sad situation. And if R does go to assisted living, we'll then have to try to get her house cleaned (Diana called a company and they told her it would be between $5000-$7000) and then try to sell it. It's going to be difficult no matter what happens there this weekend.

 2020 just keeps throwing us curve balls! 

I'm so glad the Lord is in control! He still has a plan for each one of us and is working even when we can't see it.

Thankful Thursday - Success, Sunrises, Seeing

Need some good news?

Go to Knit by God's Hand to read more posts for Thankful Thursday!

This week:

Four infusions and Chuck still feels great!

Sitting outside to watch the sunrise

Time with family

Days and days of sunshine

A friend graduating after 18 months of rehab

Finding new trails to walk

Seeing old, familiar faces

No more political robocalls for a while!

Playing games with Allie

A new Cinnamon Roll Casserole recipe!

(Thanks to Libby at Beauty Without Within!)

What are you thankful for this week?

A Quick Update

My sister and great niece with their truck, travel trailer, 2 tortoises and a german shepherd all pulled out around noon today. We had so much fun while they were here and I'll write more about their visit in another post.

 

Chuck had his third infusion on Tuesday and we've been told this is usually when the side affects begin, so they'll be keeping a close eye on him. He's doing really well though, he's working about 55 hours a week and feels good.

I've got a full day of work tomorrow so I'll close. 

I can't wait to get back to reading your posts!