Happy New Year!

CHRIS
Chris just had another MRI last week. His oncologist called and said it was good! He did not want us thinking about the results over the weekend. So thoughtful of him! Chris meets with him this week. We Praise God for His continued graciousness to Chris.

JEN
Jen had clear CT scan! She finished 17 rounds of radiation just before Christmas and is feeling its affects (mainly being really tired). We are hopeful for a full recovery. Her port was removed last week and she is to rest and take it easy for a bit. Her oncologist doesn't need to see her till March.

We thank you for your continued prayers for Chris, Jen and our family. We have seen God's incredible care, His concern, His grace and felt His ever precense. Your prayers matter and we can't begin to tell you what that has means to us. Thank you. I will continue to update.

Wow, the time has sure gone by. Thank you for continuing your prayers for Chris and Jen. This is the latest:

CHRIS

Saw neurologists in October. They said they could not be sure if he had a seizure or stroke or ? back in July. They said he is doing so good!

Had another MRI in October. When we went to see the oncologist, I stated, "He's living miracle, wouldn't you say?" The Dr. stammered and quickly asked if Chris had a specialized test which gives a pretty good indicator of prognosis. He looked it up and Chris did not do well on that test, further giving God the glory. When people do well on the test they usually have something called pseudo progression, which Chris seems to have though he did not do well on the test.

He is in school now, taking 3 classes. One is photo shop and he really is enjoying it.

JEN

Jen finished 6 rounds of chemo. Her bone marrow was being affected and since she was at least two chemos past having a clear CT scan, she was able to be done! Her hair has already started to come back. Her Dr. recommended radiation, so Jen went for a second opinion. That Dr. said Jen had a weird shaped tumor. He also thought that she had Primary Mediastinal B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (bulky) instead of Bulky diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. What this means is that she may have a better prognosis than having the latter. They re-tested her biopsy (from May) and were not conclusive on which diagnosis it is. The Primary Mediastinal (which fit Jen's symptoms) is a sub-type of the original diagnosis.

She gets ready for radiation treatments tomorrow. We are hoping it is the tomotherapy type of radiation, as it will target the tumor area more specifically and hopefully spare her organs & bone marrow. The heart is of special concern with radiation. She will have 17 treatments.

We thank you again for the many prayers and ask that you continue on behalf of Jen and Chris.

Jen

Jen had her 4th chemo (after day two of being home from the hospital). After a hot sticky week and being lovingly cared for by her sister, she had to go back in the hospital (fever/blood showing bacteria). She is now back home, recovering. Time to get strong enough for the next chemo hit. Trusting God.

Jen's Miracle

Jen had to be hospitalized for pneumonia (treated for it, as they never did find out what was in her lung). She had to wait a few days for the scope/biopsy of her lung to be done because her blood was too thin (coumadin doing its job). Had a CT scan....NO BLOOD CLOTS! HEART VEIN OPEN! NO TUMOR SEEN!!!!!! This after only 3 chemos ( with 5 more to go!!!!) Dr.s are saying she is an "early responder," but we know that God has been more than gracious and THANK HIM! Your prayers matter! Thank you!

She finally was able to go home with some residual white stuff in her lung. Her big sister is there with her now. They decided to stay on track with the chemo. We are praying that when her white counts drop, that she is able to stay free from infections and that the lung issue is really resolved. Also she is on trial for staying off coumadin if her test tomorrow and then next week show that there are no more blood clots. She has a PET CT scan next week also.

Your caring makes such a difference....we truly can't thank you enough.

Chris & Jen Updates

Thank you for your continued support and many prayers for Chris, Jen and our family. We feel we just witnessed another miracle this weekend.

CHRIS:
Chris was just released from the hospital this afternoon. It all started on Friday evening, when Chris said, "My hand feels numb." While he was trying to explain, he started to slur his speech. We called his Dr.'s number and the resident on call agreed that we should go to the local hospital first with the symptoms Chris was having (he also had a headache that got worse and had very high blood pressure.)

Upon arrival and assessment the Dr. said the CT scan was not conclusive and off to the main hospital (an hour away). Once at the other hospital (they had been notified) Chris was taken in to be assessed ( speech much worse then) and things started to MOVE! They did two more CT scans on Chris. Still not conclusive, they started to treat Chris for seizure and stroke. The staff was amazing, taking care, being diligent in trying to find out what to do for Chris. If it was a stroke, there was only a window of time to use clot busting drugs, which they chose not to use for Chris, because of his previous surgery.

Chris shared that he felt comfort/peace about the situation, as he fluctuated between being able to say something, then not. God was there. He was admitted to the hospital and had another MRI. Dr.s told us that this MRI was even better than the one in June! They felt it was not a stroke, but a seizure and were hopeful that Chris would regain all speech within 72 hours.

Saturday afternoon, Chris started to talk better and better. He really sounded great by the evening! Praise the LORD! He conversed with visitors and felt so much better. They kept him till Sunday to keep watch over him.

Jen:
Jen has had 3 chemo treatments so far. She has had a few hurdles. She found she is allergic to adhesives. That was a time of terrible unrelenting itching. Her "port"acath was placed into her leg instead of her chest because of the cancer pressing on the heart vein. This port works great! No more picc line!

She is having a hard time fighting off infections, as she becomes neutropenic (low white blood count- they fight off infection) after each treatment. She is fighting one at the moment. We are praying that the white blood cells will start roaring back and fight this off.

I came home a couple weeks ago and many have taken on caring for her. We are so thankful for her wonderful supporters! Your caring means so much!

She looks just as beautiful as ever and had some really neat photos taken of her new "bald" look. I Will try to put some on soon.

RELAY FOR LIFE INVITATION: When: Friday, July 16th
Where: PHS track
Time: 6:00pm (survivors walk)
Come cheer Chris on! Look for "Rockin' for the Cas"
Cookies, games, walk, make a luminere to light for or in memory of a loved one. (They are $10, proceeds going to the ACS)
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Jen Update

The portacath was not able to be put into Jen's chest. The tumor is still pressing on the superior vena cava vein (to the heart). The Dr.s' were able to put a portacath into her leg which then threads upwards to her inferior vena cava vein(to the heart). She still has her modified picc line in case there is a problem with the portacath. If the portacath works well on Monday, she should be able to have the picc line removed! She is having reactions to the adhesives, so getting the picc line out would be great!!!

There was a man who encouraged me while waiting, saying, "Be strong...stay strong." He had a glioblastoma 5 years ago and was given a two year prognosis. Thankful for God's thoughtful timing and that He would watch this person also.

Your continued prayers strengthen and encourage...never give up...trust God!

Jen's Surgery/chemo

Jen will have surgery to implant a port-a-cath on Friday, June 4th. This will enable medicine/blood draws from a catheter in her chest and is suppose to be less susceptible to infection. She has a picc line right now (in her arm) but she has a rash/reaction to either the medicine they clean it with or the adhesive. Chemo will be on Monday the 7th now. We ask for prayer for no infections, that the blood clots are gone so they can place the port-a-cath, healing of her rash, peace of mind as God so graciously gives. Also that the chemo will attack her cancer cells and not harm her good ones. We thank you!

Praise the LORD!

Wow, Chris had another good report from the radiologist today. Said that there is no change! Doesn't have to go back till Oct! Isn't that amazing! We are so grateful for the continued prayers and God's graciousness.

An update on Jen:
She is doing better each day. She was able to work the whole day today! Her next chemo is Friday. We ask for prayer for the R-CHOP (5 diff. drugs) to attatch and attack the cancer cells in her body and that God would protect her healthy cells. Also for her strength and mind set as the time draws near. Not been very easy but we try to focus on the good that God has given.

An update on Heather:
She hurt her knee and is on crutches. Her knee will be assessed mid June.
We are thankful for friends/family who've come along side us with each of these needs.

Fundraiser Praise!

Sorry I haven't had a chance to update the blog about the ACS Fundraiser that we just had. All donations were matched by Walgreen's! Isn't that wonderful!!! Thank you so much for giving your time, donating, or supporting the fundraiser. We have several businesses that also donated gift certificates. There are more that will be available at the ACS Relay for Life on July 16 & 17th at the Portage High School Track. We encourage you to check it out and cheer Chris on his "survivor walk." More details will follow. THANK YOU, your caring is touching not only our lives, but many others as well. You may check below for recent health updates.

Health Update

Finally able to do a bit of updating. First off, we would like to thank you for your continued prayers and support! Chris has been doing so well, we can't tell you how grateful we are that God has blessed him and us with this time. His next check up is June 1st. We are praying that it also will be good.

Chris was able to visit his sister, Jen, who has just been diagnosed with Bulky Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, stage 2. It is highly treatable with R-CHOP (5 diff. drugs for Chemo). We are between states at the moment, John just got back home and I am staying with Jen. She also has blood clots as the large mass is pressing on her superior vena cava vein by the heart. The mass starts at the base of her neck and goes down the center of her chest pressing on the right lung and is in front of the heart. She is now neutropenic (low infection fighter cells), so is to stay home, and not eat any fresh fruits, veggies, yogurts,.....no plants, careful of who can visit(that's the hard part, as she loves visitors!)Her treatment will be 8 cycles of chemo, each lasting 3 weeks for a total of 6 months. We are so hopeful!

So many caring people have touched our lives. God knows just what we need and has given even more, with "day brightners!" I am keeping a Jen's Miracle Journal, as we see His hand in even the smallest of details! Praise be the Lord, He is good!

SALE for: American Cancer Society Relay for Life

Getting ready to give back and continue the fight against cancer.
If you are able to donate your time for set up or working this event, please contact us at rockinforthecas@yahoo.com

Rockin for the Cas is sponsoring a SALE for:
The American Cancer Society Relay for Life
Friday, April 23 – 9-5pm & Sat, April 24 – 10-3pm
At The Portage Public Library
All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society to help in the fight against cancer
*If you have any new or like-new items you would like to donate, please bring them to the Portage Public Library on Thursday, April 22, 2010 from 9-7:00pm
Contact info: rockinforthecas@yahoo.com

Praise the LORD!

The Dr. said that the MRI looked better than the last one back in October!!!!! He asked Chris if he was doing anything different or on any treatment. No, not on anything, but definitely have your many prayers. We are living a miracle at the moment (our assessment).

We thank the LORD for HIS care and you for the many prayers. Next MRI is in June!

MRI

Chris goes in for an MRI on Feb. 2nd. Please keep him in prayer. Thanks!

Happy New Year!

So much to celebrate! Chris has enjoyed December, as we have too. He goes for his next MRI on Feb. 2nd, then the surgeon a week later. We thank you for continued prayers and are in awe of what God has done.

We hope that each of you will be blessed with joys this 2010.

Surgeon Report

Talked to the surgeon today. He was not as encouraging. The report from his recent MRI shows more growth, which we knew of, but the MRI report said that they thought it was recurrent tumor. The Radiologist thinks it may be neucrosis (dying tissue from the radiation). The only way to know for sure is surgery, pathology report. No guarantees on outcome. Surgeon said that Chris is doing so good right now and that he felt he had a good chance at getting the two places of suspect out. One is very close to his movement (right side). If he lets it go longer, could be worse case scenario (rapid growth or not able to get it all....)but Chris' original pathology report was that he wouldn't even be good or here right now, so much to be thankful for!!! Chris has decided to still wait for 3 months and then have another MRI and see. The surgeon kept saying he was really worried about the spot by his movement and would like to get it out but knows that this may Chris' only "good" time. We know that God has graciously given Chris this "time." Thanks for the many prayers!

Praise to the LORD!

We just got home from Chris' MRI/Dr. visit. The Dr. said that there is very little change in the growth they are watching. It is changing, but not much. He would like to wait 3 months before another MRI! This is truly an answer to prayer!!! Oh how we thank you for the many prayers you have said for Chris (us too). Please continue to pray for Chris as he is truly in God's hands.


"Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done marvelous things..." Psalm 98:1

MIRACLE SUMMER

Chris has had a MIRACLE summer! We have much to be thankful for! Chris has been enjoying special time with his family and friends. He made Vegas and had another great time with siblings in New Mexico! He has some incredible photos of Balloon Fiesta and loved taking a balloon ride! He's been able to see his Grands, and is a great chef, (I'm enjoying that too!)

He goes in this coming Tuesday, October 20th for another MRI. The Dr.'s are watching two areas. We will update you as soon as we know what's up. We appreciate all the prayers and thoughtfulness. Thank you!

HOPE!

Hope! Wow, really feel this must be in answer to prayer, as Chris' MRI today showed only a very small amount of growth! The radiologist said that he can't be sure the tumor isn't growing, but that if it really was growing, they should've seen a much bigger progression with this spot. He did say that it could be dead tissue, but doesn't recommend doing another MRI till Oct. 20th! Thank you again for your many prayers and please continue to lift Chris before the LORD.

Surgery Cancelled!

We met with the radiologist, who was sceptical of Chris' MRI showing new tumor growth. He felt that it looked like pseudo-progression which to my understanding refers to blood leakage in surrounding brain tissue that shows up in the MRI dye. He was not concerned about this possible leakage, and wanted to re-schedule another MRI for Chris on Aug.12th. We are amazed, hopeful, and also checking on other possible treatments for Chris. So no surgery at the moment!

Thank you, thank you! The power of prayer is unfathomable!

Stereotactic Radiosurgery Scheduled

Wow, Chris' team is super! They have his "surgery" scheduled for Wed., July 29th. He will have to have 4 screws put into his head, a CAT scan, planning of radiosurgery, then the actual procedure. They are confident that they can annihilate this tumor recurrence. We again have much to be thankful for and trusting God for His ever present care.