Scan Results

Today we found out the scan results. I am not really in the mood to write much or get into detail, but the news was not good. I guess the cancer has not reacted to the drug. I am mad, sad, disappointed, frustrated, and feel like I could punch a hole through a wall. There is nothing good to write tonight. I am tired of being optimistic only to have it blow up in my face. I thought for sure this time, it was going to work. I would have bet money on it. I don't know how to be anything but optimistic and hopeful, but sometimes I wish I weren't so, because maybe then I would not be so shattered. Alec is hanging in there like always, he is being strong for Chase and me. He is incredible. And I am sorry that I don't have it in me to say that we are just dandy and things will be OK...I will pray and God will get us through this, but right now I am mad and tired. And, Jan said its OK to be mad, so I am going to be mad and maybe my anger will turn into something better and tomorrow is a new day and maybe a new clinical trial will come along. I know HOPE will somehow find its way back into our hearts and we have not by any means given up, in fact, my anger only makes me want to fight harder and beat this thing once and for all, but right now I just want to make it all go away.

Thank you for the prayers this week, I will update when we know more.

Love,

Heather

Ending Summer on Top of Mountains

We wrapped up our summer spending last week in spectacular Bar Harbor. Alec and I were so excited to bring little Chase for his first hike and to show him all that we love about it up there. We had the best time and I think Chase is going to love the great outdoors, just like his Dad and Mom.

Last year while in Bar Harbor, we were in the midst of the IVF cycle, just hoping and praying for a miracle...and this year we got to carry that miracle around with us and show him this beautiful place...

Tuesday, the day we arrived, it had poured buckets. As soon as we drove over the bridge, the sky started to clear up and there was an amazing sunset! Not a bad way to start our vacation.

Wednesday, we all met the Lombardo's and Heidi and John at my parents and headed out for the first hike.
We made it it the top of Gorham Mountain! It's a "moderate" climb and about a 3 mile loop. Oh yea, Chase slept the entire time.

Thursday we did three little hikes...Ship Harbor, The Tarn Trail and Compass Point. I often wonder what it would be like to go on vacation and just lay around for a week...I don't think we would like it too much. We also got to see our good friends , The Bakers, Thursday night. They are always praying for us, we are very grateful. And we are so happy they got to meet Chase!

Alec teaching Chase how to hike.

At Ship Harbor...

Friday we did Great Head, another favorite of mine because it over looks Sand Beach. We saw a bald eagle from right here, but I was too slow with the camera. What do you think Chase?
Saturday we met up with Alec's family, walked around Jordan Pond and met up with the rest of my family for some popovers and lobster stew.

Chase with Grandma and Papa at Jordan Pond.

This year my sisters were not able to come up (Jill and Brian just got back from their honeymoon and Tina and Bob have 2 babies and a new home) And since Alec and I were only able to make reservations last minute, (not knowing if we could make it because of the clinical trial) we had slim pickings for house rentals. We ended up in an older home, which was cute but had some seriously creepy clowns looking at us for a week...I am glad no one had any nightmares. Don't think we will be staying here again!

Millie got to ride "shotgun" the whole way home! Lucky dog.

But I got to hang out with my baby...


Alec has his first scan Thursday (we thought it was Tuesday, someone in scheduling made a mistake). Of course we are both nervous as usual, but we did hear some "good news" if you will. Alec's nurse told us a story that is so amazing, we just have to have hope. One of her patients, a 32 year old male (non-smoker) has lung cancer. It was bad, really bad, the cancer was every where. He has been on a targeted drug therapy similar to Alec's. 6 weeks into his treatment he has clean scans and the cancer is no where to be found. Now thats what I'm talking about! Pretty amazing.

I am back to work as of Monday and although I am bummed that my three months is up and I wont be spending all day with my boy, I feel lucky to have had such an incredible summer with my new little family.

I leave tomorrow night for Maryland until Thursday. As you can imagine, I am beside myself leaving Chase. I know he will be just fine, but will he remember me? Will he be mad I left? Will he still love me as much when I return? I am looking forward to one thing...sleeping through the night! Although I am sure I will wake up at 3:00am like I have for the past three months. Chase did sleep through the night 3 nights in Bar Harbor, must have been the mountain and sea air, but whatever it was it didnt last.

We are saying lots of prayers that we get some good news soon. By the way Alec was hiking up those trails, we have to believe the drug is working. Also keeping in our prayers is Judy, a women from church who goes in for surgery on Thursday for pancreatic cancer. Lots of thoughts and prayers to her.

We feel so blessed to have had such a wonderful summer. Life is good and we are grateful for each and every day we have.

Thank you God and thank you to all our family and friends!

God Bless!

Heather, Alec, Chase and Millie

Little Skipper

I can hardly believe Chase is going to be 11 weeks old tomorrow! He is getting so big, at his doctors appointment this past week he weighed 14 lbs and is now 25 inches long! A "keeper" according to Alec and his striper fishing regulations. He is in the 96% percentile for height and 75% for weight. It really amazes me how every day he becomes more of a little person...a person whom I am completely obsessed with and cant get enough of. Seriously, I will be sitting there, feeding him while looking at pictures or videos, I just cant look at anything else. He is so cute, and of course we think he is brilliant, playing already in his saucer and hitting the buttons (not sure if he does it by accident or on purpose) but we think he is going to be the smartest baby ever. He is also so strong, holding his head up, standing up, and trying so hard to sit up on his own. Those little legs can kick!



He was a little angel at church, sleeping soundly through some of it, only to wake up halfway through smiling and wanting to flirt with the ladies. I thank God every day for our little miracle!!!

Alec has been fishing the past few days, on Saturday he went with his best bud John and his son Jack who caught a 31" striper. Chase and I went one day and then spent a couple days at the beach with Auntie Charlotte. My beach days are never going to be the same, I have come to this conclusion, at least not for the next 18 years. I will probably never again read a book or sit for more than 15 minutes at a time, but hey, its all worth it. If he is sleeping, I am constantly checking on him, making sure no sun is seeping through and if he is awake, I am either playing with him under the umbrella or feeding him. And I may as well enjoy this stage because next year I will probably be chasing him around!

In the midst of Jill and Brian's wedding I had two of my best friends get married, Meg and Jesse in Oregon and Kate and Mak in San Diego. Because they were West coast weddings and little Chase cant fly yet, we weren't able to go, but we wish them the best and are so happy for the newlyweds! I wished we could have been there! I think I am going to go through some wedding withdrawals pretty soon.

Alec has been feeling well, and we are praying hard and anxious to get the scan in 2 weeks. I think we are about due for some good news!

We are enjoying the last few weeks of summer with our little family...every day is a gift!

Thank you all for the prayers and love! We are so blessed!

Love,

Heather, Alec, Chase and Millie (oh and Maker too, who we are doggysitting for the honeymooners)

We Now Pronouce...Mr. and Mrs. Brian Coppney!

Jill and Brian had the perfect wedding weekend in Portland Maine. The weather was fabulous, Jill was drop dead gorgeous, and Brian was the happiest groom I have ever seen.

Luckily, Tina took some great photos that I thought I would share some highlights of the weekend...

At the rehearsal, Brian and not one, but the three new ladies in his life...


The beautiful BRIDE!!!

No more "DeMarco" girls...but we do all have the same last initial "C"
Most adorable flower girl ever...

Beautiful bridesmaids...
My little sister is getting married!
And she is so pretty...
(Tina couldn't take any pictures at the church since she was in the wedding, so lets skip to Peaks Island)...Just Married!
Happy Bride and Groom...
Mrs. Coppney...

This is one large bridal party...

Bridesmaids...

The happy couple...
Time to eat some cake!
Father of the Bride...
Party time...(I would love to know what was so funny here)
Brian doing his Beyonce "Put a Ring On It" dance routine.
Papa and the guys teaching Julia how to boogie...
Gettin jiggy with it...
Their last dance...


Congrats Jill and Brian! We are so thrilled for them...they are a perfect match. We wish them a life time of love and happiness!!! And, no pressure, but when is Chase going to have another cousin? JK, JK.

Love you and thank you for letting us be part of your special day!

Heather, Alec, Chase and Millie

Going to the Chapel!

The countdown is on! Jill and Brian's wedding ( who are also known as "Brilly") is in 3 days!! I cant believe it is almost here. We are so excited to get this party started, look out Peaks Island!

We spent last weekend celebrating Julia's 2nd birthday and Kelsey Mea's christening at the Counihan's beautiful new home in Scituit. Chase got to see his cousins, which was so much fun...although I think next year they will be running around and really having a good time.

Alec was honored to be Kelseys Godfather, and is now the Godfather of Kelsey and Alex Martin. He likes to talk in his Vito Corleone voice when discussing his Godfatherly-ness.
The Grandparents.

Jill bought Tina and I this wine, called Mommy's time out...
I think Mommy needs some more of this!


Cousins born on the same day!!
Crabby Cousins.

Sunday we celebrated Kendalle's bridal shower, we cant wait for her wedding in September! (She is the tall, beautiful blond in yellow)
Tonight was a special night. Members from church came over and we had a prayer circle around Alec. It was one of the most emotional, powerful experiences we have ever been through. It is hard to even describe it, but we felt God's presence. It was amazing, and we can all feel it in our hearts, that he is going to beat this. We are so grateful for those who came and prayed. It could not have come at a better time. Although Alec and I always seem to have it together, and we seem optimistic, it can get daunting and we do get sad and mad and every other emotion you can think of. We need to direct our energy back towards God and healing and miracles. I think tonight, we are going to sleep a little better and it sort of feels as though a weight has been lifted off our shoulders. Thank you.

Alec is now on a daily dose of his cancer fighting meds. Things are going well, and we are praying so hard that it is kicking some cancer butt.

We thank you all for the prayers and support. We are all looking forward to the weekend and celebrating the marriage of Brilly. I love my sister and Brian and cant wait for the festivities to begin!!

Love,

Heather, Alec, Chase and Millie