Gosh, we just returned from from a long weekend at Lake Whitney with the Berend Family Reunion, and I realized I hadn't updated since we started treatment #2. It started last Wednesday. On, Friday we removed his pump and headed to the lake. Thanks to all who made it possible for us to go and helped out so that Mark could just relax. The trip was challenging for him, mostly because he wanted to enjoy all that was going on, but didn't have a great deal of energy to do so. Fortunately, he was able to get lots of rest in the air conditioning and also to get out for meals and an occasional game of dominoes. As with last time he is very tired. We discussed this with the doctor last week and he said if it became to great a problem he could give him some steroids. He said it would help to give him more energy, but would result in a cratering effect when he took him off of it. Mark prefers to avoid any steroids if possible. He also filled all of Mark's prescriptions for his mouth sores (which he doesn't have so far this time - PLEASSE knock on wood), and for the increased nausea he has had. He looks really good and as usual, if you didn't know what was happening, you could never tell it on him.
We are hoping for a good second week prior to treatment #3. Thanks for all your prayers and support. Missy
Monday, July 5, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Finally
So, I have said before that no news is good news, and that is typically true. And, sometimes, no news is that the news reporter just doesn;t know what to write! I can do this because I am not getting paid you see. Good thing I don't work for the newspaper. I would be FIRED. Let's make it short and sweet. Cancer sucks! Okay, I have refrained for so long from saying that. Whew I feel better now. Sorry if anyone is offended. Oh yah, short and sweet. It has been a long trying, stressful and exhausting week. IT has been a roller coaster of up and down not only physically, but emotionally/mentally as well. Mark was incredibly tired after the first treatment and with a little relief from that followed with an ulcer in the back of his throat making it difficult to swallow, eat, sleep, etc. He broke out the old meds we had left from the last go around and has found some relief. The last couple of days have been a little better. I am going to copy a little bit of my Berend Family reunion submission to let you know our latest thoughts without retyping them.
" Mark said it last night that cancer is a thief. He is right. It robs you of lot of time, a lot of energy, a lot of health, a lot of money, a lot of pride, and it seems to consume your whole existence. But it is only temporary as are we. Only God is forever and that is where we keep our eyes set – on forever."
We are on day 1 1/2 of no kids. AAAGGGHHHH. I miss them so, but they are having a great time down south with my sisters and the kids. I just hated having them home alone while we are working, so this makes me feel a lot better. What we would do without all of the assistance?! Like I said, a lot of pride out the window. Only thankfulness for what God has given us in so many awesome friends and family.
To close, I don't keep too many forwards. Heck, truth is, sometimes I might not even open them. I sure did appreciate this one, short and to the point and right on!
Awesome!! We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize
it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we can't.
Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,
there will always be sunshine, after the rain....
Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;
But God's always ready, to answer your call....
He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
a word from His lips, can calm every fear...
Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish, dawn's early light...
The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,
to give you His grace, and send you His love...
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
Thanks Darrin
Love to all, Missy
" Mark said it last night that cancer is a thief. He is right. It robs you of lot of time, a lot of energy, a lot of health, a lot of money, a lot of pride, and it seems to consume your whole existence. But it is only temporary as are we. Only God is forever and that is where we keep our eyes set – on forever."
We are on day 1 1/2 of no kids. AAAGGGHHHH. I miss them so, but they are having a great time down south with my sisters and the kids. I just hated having them home alone while we are working, so this makes me feel a lot better. What we would do without all of the assistance?! Like I said, a lot of pride out the window. Only thankfulness for what God has given us in so many awesome friends and family.
To close, I don't keep too many forwards. Heck, truth is, sometimes I might not even open them. I sure did appreciate this one, short and to the point and right on!
Awesome!! We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize
it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we can't.
Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,
there will always be sunshine, after the rain....
Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;
But God's always ready, to answer your call....
He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
a word from His lips, can calm every fear...
Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish, dawn's early light...
The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,
to give you His grace, and send you His love...
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
Thanks Darrin
Love to all, Missy
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Happy Fathers Day
Almost didn't get that in before midnight! Sorry I am not so up to date. Crazy busy as usual here. Mark finished hi treatment on Friday afternoon and we took his pump off. The effects unfortunately don't go away when we turn it off. He is exhausted. I am hoping he can get plenty of rest and look forward to a better off week. He did make it to watch Abby's softball games this weekend. Congrats to the Stars for 1st place in the AC tourney! Lots of fun!
We had a bit of misfortune on our way to Munday. Bambi's mama didn't fair too well and unfortunately neither did our suburban! What are the chances?! What are we - deer magnets? That is the 3rd one in 2 years! Can you say UNLUCKY? On the bright side, the kids had fun playing in the rock piles where we all watched the sunset while waiting on Mark's dad to deliver us to Munday. Thanks Doug for getting the car back to town. And thanks to Tim for letting us hitch a ride home from Munday.
Congrats to newlyweds Ryan and Kim. We wish you many years of wedded bliss. Many healing prayers to Dusty during your recovery. And Happy Fathers Day again to all the great dads we know.
Missy
We had a bit of misfortune on our way to Munday. Bambi's mama didn't fair too well and unfortunately neither did our suburban! What are the chances?! What are we - deer magnets? That is the 3rd one in 2 years! Can you say UNLUCKY? On the bright side, the kids had fun playing in the rock piles where we all watched the sunset while waiting on Mark's dad to deliver us to Munday. Thanks Doug for getting the car back to town. And thanks to Tim for letting us hitch a ride home from Munday.
Congrats to newlyweds Ryan and Kim. We wish you many years of wedded bliss. Many healing prayers to Dusty during your recovery. And Happy Fathers Day again to all the great dads we know.
Missy
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Dear God....
Thank you for my faith in you, for the power of prayer, for my wonderful family and for all of my wonderful friends. Please God, help me to never ever take them for granted. It is my prayer that I can someday, somehow, give back what has been given to me. Amen. Mark
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Fight 2, round 1.
Well, we made it here in just under three hours this morning. We were so lucky on the traffic. It slowed, bit never actually stopped. We saw Dr. McCullom first. (Have I mentioned how much we like him.?) He has been so good to us and he just met us a week ago. Everything looked good to him, so we came downstairs to the chemo lobby. Oh my. We were there for about 1 hour and 15 minutes before getting back to the infusion room. (one of the three that they have) We made lots of observations while waiting...
1. I believe we were the youngest in the room! There might have been one or two close, but the other 30 had us by 20 to 40 years!
2. There were no Indian or Asian people in that room(leads me to agree with the whole diet theory. Makes you wonder about all of our processed food??
3. It's a small world. Who would have thought we would come to an oncology office in Dallas, tx and Mark would see someone he knows?! A Past coach and teacher, coach David Milson, is being seen in the same office as Mark. We learned not too long back of his illness. We wish him the best and many prayers go out to him.
So right now we are sitting in our little cubby. Mark is receiving the "poison" with no apparent effects as of yet. They premedicated for some of the side effects and are just waiting patiently for it all to infuse. We just popped a movie in the VHS. That's right. I just searched through two drawers of VHS tapes looking for the requested western. (not that he is picky or anything!)
The best news is that we will only have to make one trip every 2 weeks. He is going to let me discontinue his pump at home and return it by mail. We are so happy about this. It beats driving, waiting and pAying for a 5-10 minute visit.
He plans to do 4-6 treatments before re-evaluating. He says that is when there will be big decisions to make regarding treatment.
I knew it wouldn't matter what movie we put in. He is kicked back in the easy chair-sleeping!!!!!!!
All is well. Love, Missy
1. I believe we were the youngest in the room! There might have been one or two close, but the other 30 had us by 20 to 40 years!
2. There were no Indian or Asian people in that room(leads me to agree with the whole diet theory. Makes you wonder about all of our processed food??
3. It's a small world. Who would have thought we would come to an oncology office in Dallas, tx and Mark would see someone he knows?! A Past coach and teacher, coach David Milson, is being seen in the same office as Mark. We learned not too long back of his illness. We wish him the best and many prayers go out to him.
So right now we are sitting in our little cubby. Mark is receiving the "poison" with no apparent effects as of yet. They premedicated for some of the side effects and are just waiting patiently for it all to infuse. We just popped a movie in the VHS. That's right. I just searched through two drawers of VHS tapes looking for the requested western. (not that he is picky or anything!)
The best news is that we will only have to make one trip every 2 weeks. He is going to let me discontinue his pump at home and return it by mail. We are so happy about this. It beats driving, waiting and pAying for a 5-10 minute visit.
He plans to do 4-6 treatments before re-evaluating. He says that is when there will be big decisions to make regarding treatment.
I knew it wouldn't matter what movie we put in. He is kicked back in the easy chair-sleeping!!!!!!!
All is well. Love, Missy
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
It's a go.
Everything is set for tomorrow's visit to Baylor Medical Center in Dallas. Mark is doing fairly well today. He was very tired and just a little bit sore, but overall seems to be recovering quite well.
We received biopsy reports today. The reports confirmed that the cancer has spread from the primary colorectal cancer. This means that all of the cells came from the rectal tumor, into the lymph nodes and lymphatic system and were circulated to these other areas and began to grow there. And finally, it means that you treat for the primary cancer, not where the cancer is now located.
Okay, I know I have told you before what awesome friends and family we have, but it is really just over the top. We are blown away by how our friends and family have gathered to help us. Not only carting kids, sending cards, flowers and supportive notes, arranging activities for kids, visiting, cooking, baking, and entertaining, but even doing yard work, fixing tires, and planting flowers! Whew. I am certain I have left something out. We don't even have enough kind words to let you know what it means to us. Neither of us are real good with not being able to do it all ourselves, but you guys are making it so much easier. I kid you not, the Scotland fairies made over my poor barren, flower beds and then sent the male fairies over later to finish the yard work and odd jobs. (I call them fairies because they convenmiently showed when no one was home so they couldn't be identified easily!) You can't imagine the relief when Mark got home and realized it wasn't waiting on him anymore. And how beautiful it was, after the rain last night, to sit on the front porch and take it all in. God is good and has blessed us abundantly with so many wonderful people in our lives.
Until later, Missy
We received biopsy reports today. The reports confirmed that the cancer has spread from the primary colorectal cancer. This means that all of the cells came from the rectal tumor, into the lymph nodes and lymphatic system and were circulated to these other areas and began to grow there. And finally, it means that you treat for the primary cancer, not where the cancer is now located.
Okay, I know I have told you before what awesome friends and family we have, but it is really just over the top. We are blown away by how our friends and family have gathered to help us. Not only carting kids, sending cards, flowers and supportive notes, arranging activities for kids, visiting, cooking, baking, and entertaining, but even doing yard work, fixing tires, and planting flowers! Whew. I am certain I have left something out. We don't even have enough kind words to let you know what it means to us. Neither of us are real good with not being able to do it all ourselves, but you guys are making it so much easier. I kid you not, the Scotland fairies made over my poor barren, flower beds and then sent the male fairies over later to finish the yard work and odd jobs. (I call them fairies because they convenmiently showed when no one was home so they couldn't be identified easily!) You can't imagine the relief when Mark got home and realized it wasn't waiting on him anymore. And how beautiful it was, after the rain last night, to sit on the front porch and take it all in. God is good and has blessed us abundantly with so many wonderful people in our lives.
Until later, Missy
Monday, June 14, 2010
Message from the hospital.
We are at the hospital waiting for discharge. The day has gone very smoothly. I so appreciate all of the people who worked to make everything fall into place so nicely. Mark got his belly full and is now snoozing. Shhh. Listen. You might can hear him! Hehe. Good drugs should make for a nice nap. We are looking at being able to leave about 2:00.
Nelda and Janet, you guys are both good medicine. I am sure that everyone who frequents the blog will agree. I have people tell me all the time that they enjoy the comments almost as much as the posts. (secretly I enjoy them more!). We love you all much
Oh yah, a little q and a.
Q. What are they doing the biopsy for?
A. It is assumed that these new spots are a recurrence of colon cancer. However, there is a very small chance it could be a new cancer. Treatment for all cancers is individual. For example, breast cancer patients don't get the same mess as colon cancer patients. That is why the doctor wants to be 100%.
Q. What kind of biopsy was it?
A. He had a needle biopsy done with CT guidance. This is the least invasive way to get pieces of the tissue to be examined .
Q. How long before you have results?
A. We are hoping to have them by tomorrow afternoon to take Dallas on Wednesday.
Q. Didn't he already have a port?
A. He had a port for his last treatment regimen, but was anxious to be done with it after the whole ordeal was over. That port was removed in January when he had his bowel surgery. He says he is still glad he did it because he has enjoyed not having it.
Q. What next?
A. He plans to work tomorrow??????? Sure am glad Danny didn't take the comfy chair from the shop! Wednesday is a doctor visit in Dallas and the chemotherapy start date.
I am very open to questions if you want to leave them in a comment or e-mail. I may not always know, but I have great resources to find out!
Oh yah, Several people have asked about MD Anderson. We are both very comfortable with where we are at Baylor. I know that md Anderson is great and we think that at one time it was the only place to be. We even feel like there are circumstances where it is the absolute only place to be. But, we both feel like we were led to Baylor for a reason. (Quite possibly the same reason we are doing any of this to begin with!) we just have to trust that God is giving us the tools to make the best decisions.
Nelda and Janet, you guys are both good medicine. I am sure that everyone who frequents the blog will agree. I have people tell me all the time that they enjoy the comments almost as much as the posts. (secretly I enjoy them more!). We love you all much
Oh yah, a little q and a.
Q. What are they doing the biopsy for?
A. It is assumed that these new spots are a recurrence of colon cancer. However, there is a very small chance it could be a new cancer. Treatment for all cancers is individual. For example, breast cancer patients don't get the same mess as colon cancer patients. That is why the doctor wants to be 100%.
Q. What kind of biopsy was it?
A. He had a needle biopsy done with CT guidance. This is the least invasive way to get pieces of the tissue to be examined .
Q. How long before you have results?
A. We are hoping to have them by tomorrow afternoon to take Dallas on Wednesday.
Q. Didn't he already have a port?
A. He had a port for his last treatment regimen, but was anxious to be done with it after the whole ordeal was over. That port was removed in January when he had his bowel surgery. He says he is still glad he did it because he has enjoyed not having it.
Q. What next?
A. He plans to work tomorrow??????? Sure am glad Danny didn't take the comfy chair from the shop! Wednesday is a doctor visit in Dallas and the chemotherapy start date.
I am very open to questions if you want to leave them in a comment or e-mail. I may not always know, but I have great resources to find out!
Oh yah, Several people have asked about MD Anderson. We are both very comfortable with where we are at Baylor. I know that md Anderson is great and we think that at one time it was the only place to be. We even feel like there are circumstances where it is the absolute only place to be. But, we both feel like we were led to Baylor for a reason. (Quite possibly the same reason we are doing any of this to begin with!) we just have to trust that God is giving us the tools to make the best decisions.
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