(Minus that whole chemo thing)
Alec finished up his 2nd treatment last week. I tried to say something encouraging, like "wow, one month down, only 5 to go!". Don't think that was the type of encouragement he was looking for. I decided I should have just stuck with "one month down" and skipped the 5 more part. Oh well, I cant always say the right things.
So far so good. Alec is feeling OK, just trying to manage the nausea and other side effects. Dr. Allen said she could put him on different meds, but he would rather deal with a little nausea than go on even more pills, which would include steroids. (NOOOO!!!)
It has not stopped him from doing what he loves...fishing of course. His college friend Steve and his girlfriend were here visiting from San Diego and we spent the day out on the boat enjoying the sun and some 5-6 foot seas...yikes. I am not going to lie, I was a little nervous and a few of our passengers were feeling a little sea sick. Saturday night Alec and I went out for sushi in Portland. We both love sushi and ever since he was diagnosed he has not touched it, fearful that he may get sick. To say we over indulged would be an understatement. But it was so yummy and so worth it.
Amy and Keith came up on Sunday for some sun, more fishing and even bigger waves, so fun to hang out with them.
Summer is going by way too fast. I can not believe it is mid-July already. We are very much looking forward to our vacation up to Bar Harbor in August. My sisters and I rented a house in Southwest Harbor for a week, my parents and the Lombardos will also be there. We thought a house would be ideal since Alec may not be up for all the hikes, at least we have a house where we can sit outside by the ocean on lazy days.
This is an off week, no chemo. He is going to have to get the liver biopsy soon, I don't think he is too anxious to put that on the schedule. We are still rejoicing that his spine came back negative...thank you GOD!
A Feehan graduate and classmate of my sister Jill, Kristin Ettensohn, only 27 years old, passed away this week. Please keep her and her family in your prayers. She was in medical school and 2 years ago diagnosed herself with tongue cancer. So devastating to lose such an amazing young woman.
http://www.jjduffyfuneralhome.com/sitemaker/memsol.cgi?page=profile§ion=info&user_id=229028
When I hear of news like this I get so angry and just ask why? I will add her to my list of beautiful people taken too early...along with Shirley Roome, Kyle Van De Giesen and now Kristin. I guess no one will know "why" until we get there.
Thank you for your prayers and support. Every day is truly a gift...
Love,
Heather, Alec and Millie
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
If you are lucky enough to live by the sea, you are lucky enough.
Hope everyone had a fantastic 4th!
We had a weekend full of fun, sun, fish, family and friends, I do not even know where to begin!
First of all, we are so lucky to live in Maine. It is such a beautiful place all year round, but especially summer. We are so spoiled (and we know it). To have a sandy beach within walking distance from our home and then to be able to hop on the boat and fish for hours, we just don't have enough time in the day!
Alec and I were out fishing with my dad and we were talking about how living in Maine near the coast keeps us so in tune with nature. We plan our days according to the tide and a clear sky at night means a great tomorrow. We have to know the weather, water, waves and wind to make for a good day at sea and it sure was the perfect mix this weekend. If it means getting up at 5:00 in the morning to catch the tide just right, then bring on the coffee and the stripers! We eat, sleep and breath according to the ocean and I wouldn't want it any other way.
We had guests in and out all weekend and there was never a dull moment. I took lots of pictures...
Alec's Fish, look how he holds it to make it look bigger!
My fish...I think I caught the most last weekend...not that I am counting or anything.
Alec and Millie cuddling.
Josh hamming up for the camera.
Millie on the prowl.
Alec and his Fam.
Me and Auntie Beth...she ran her first 5K!!! Congrats! She did great!
Mom finishing up the 5K! Nice job! (the ambulance was for someone else)
4th of July Parade!
Josh on his bike he decorated
Even Finn got into the red white and blue!
Dez and Charlie stopped in on their way back from Georgetown, ME! And Liz and Bri came over for some beach time!
We had a wonderful long weekend and now its back to the grind. Alec has his second round of chemo today, now that we know what to expect, it makes it a little easier. We met with Dr. Allen again today. At MGH they are studying mutations and different, more personalized treatment options. They took the pathology from Alec's tumor and found all the types of mutations he has. Unfortunately, only 10% of patients have the right mutation for the type of treatment that seems to work, and Alec is not one of them. However, the treatments are changing and advancing so quickly, that he could be eligible at any time. We will keep our fingers crossed!
Dr. Allen also decided to go ahead and biopsy Alec's tumor on his liver. The team of doctors met last week and as a group came to the conclusion that even though there is only a 1% chance that the cancer that has spread could be from the lymphoma, they would rather be 100% sure. The liver surgeon would want to confirm it either way, so to do the biopsy now would be easier than to wait 6 months from now after Alec has been through all of his chemo. The biopsy will be an easy, painless procedure probably next week.
An acupuncture specialist came by today while Alec was getting chemo and taught us a few tricks to help with his neuropothy (which is numbness of his finger tips and toes caused from chemo) stress, insomnia and nausea. Looks like I am going to be the one to rub his hands and feet every night now! She told me to bribe him, like, if you make dinner, I will massage your feet. I guess that will work.
It feels like we are living two separate lives. We have cancer life and normal life. I suppose that is a good thing, that cancer is not all consuming and taking over everything. I guess that's what you call coping.
Enjoy the sunshine, it sure is plentiful! Thank you all for your prayers and support. We are so blessed!
Love,
Heather, Alec and Millie
We had a weekend full of fun, sun, fish, family and friends, I do not even know where to begin!
First of all, we are so lucky to live in Maine. It is such a beautiful place all year round, but especially summer. We are so spoiled (and we know it). To have a sandy beach within walking distance from our home and then to be able to hop on the boat and fish for hours, we just don't have enough time in the day!
Alec and I were out fishing with my dad and we were talking about how living in Maine near the coast keeps us so in tune with nature. We plan our days according to the tide and a clear sky at night means a great tomorrow. We have to know the weather, water, waves and wind to make for a good day at sea and it sure was the perfect mix this weekend. If it means getting up at 5:00 in the morning to catch the tide just right, then bring on the coffee and the stripers! We eat, sleep and breath according to the ocean and I wouldn't want it any other way.
We had guests in and out all weekend and there was never a dull moment. I took lots of pictures...
Alec's Fish, look how he holds it to make it look bigger!
My fish...I think I caught the most last weekend...not that I am counting or anything.
Alec and Millie cuddling.
Josh hamming up for the camera.
Millie on the prowl.
Alec and his Fam.
Me and Auntie Beth...she ran her first 5K!!! Congrats! She did great!
Mom finishing up the 5K! Nice job! (the ambulance was for someone else)
4th of July Parade!
Josh on his bike he decorated
Even Finn got into the red white and blue!
Dez and Charlie stopped in on their way back from Georgetown, ME! And Liz and Bri came over for some beach time!
We had a wonderful long weekend and now its back to the grind. Alec has his second round of chemo today, now that we know what to expect, it makes it a little easier. We met with Dr. Allen again today. At MGH they are studying mutations and different, more personalized treatment options. They took the pathology from Alec's tumor and found all the types of mutations he has. Unfortunately, only 10% of patients have the right mutation for the type of treatment that seems to work, and Alec is not one of them. However, the treatments are changing and advancing so quickly, that he could be eligible at any time. We will keep our fingers crossed!
Dr. Allen also decided to go ahead and biopsy Alec's tumor on his liver. The team of doctors met last week and as a group came to the conclusion that even though there is only a 1% chance that the cancer that has spread could be from the lymphoma, they would rather be 100% sure. The liver surgeon would want to confirm it either way, so to do the biopsy now would be easier than to wait 6 months from now after Alec has been through all of his chemo. The biopsy will be an easy, painless procedure probably next week.
An acupuncture specialist came by today while Alec was getting chemo and taught us a few tricks to help with his neuropothy (which is numbness of his finger tips and toes caused from chemo) stress, insomnia and nausea. Looks like I am going to be the one to rub his hands and feet every night now! She told me to bribe him, like, if you make dinner, I will massage your feet. I guess that will work.
It feels like we are living two separate lives. We have cancer life and normal life. I suppose that is a good thing, that cancer is not all consuming and taking over everything. I guess that's what you call coping.
Enjoy the sunshine, it sure is plentiful! Thank you all for your prayers and support. We are so blessed!
Love,
Heather, Alec and Millie
Friday, July 2, 2010
Great way to start the long weekend!
Happy 4th of July!
Before we start the weekend, I thought I would give a quick update since we got some encouraging news today. Remember how Alec had the thoracic MRI this week? (It was supposed to be last week, but was postponed because his chemo bag would have interfered with the scan)
Anyways, Dr. Allen just called and there are NO spots on his spine! Everything looks clear and clean. This means that the cancer has spread to his liver and lungs but NOT his spine or bone. Hallelujah!
I know everyone has been praying for us and it is certainly working! Every night I scratch Alec's back in bed, I whine about it sometimes, because I just want to read, but for the past few weeks as I scratch, I also pray that whatever spot had shown up on the last scan will disappear. Now, I am not saying I am magical or anything, but you never know! With all the people out there praying, we were bound to get some good news!
On that note, thank you ALL for prayers and support these past few weeks. And have a wonderful, safe, 4th of July weekend!!!!
God Bless America!
Love,
Heather, Alec and Millie
Before we start the weekend, I thought I would give a quick update since we got some encouraging news today. Remember how Alec had the thoracic MRI this week? (It was supposed to be last week, but was postponed because his chemo bag would have interfered with the scan)
Anyways, Dr. Allen just called and there are NO spots on his spine! Everything looks clear and clean. This means that the cancer has spread to his liver and lungs but NOT his spine or bone. Hallelujah!
I know everyone has been praying for us and it is certainly working! Every night I scratch Alec's back in bed, I whine about it sometimes, because I just want to read, but for the past few weeks as I scratch, I also pray that whatever spot had shown up on the last scan will disappear. Now, I am not saying I am magical or anything, but you never know! With all the people out there praying, we were bound to get some good news!
On that note, thank you ALL for prayers and support these past few weeks. And have a wonderful, safe, 4th of July weekend!!!!
God Bless America!
Love,
Heather, Alec and Millie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)