Check-Up

Well, it is time to update the blog. We have started to hear rumors like "he is cancer free" etc. so it is important to keep everyone up to date. We just returned from Mayo clinic on Saturday morning after having to extend our stay at Mayo by a few unexpected days. Michael had more CT's and the liver looks "stable" at this point. No new areas have developed on the liver over the last three weeks but we have to be cautiously optimistic and only after a year of no new lesions would we even consider saying he is in remission or cancer free. We are uncertain at this time if the chemo is having any affect but with no new lesions found at this point we will continue chemo for a total of 6 doses. He got his 2nd dose last week at Mayo. They attempted to take the catheter out of his bladder on Wednesday and he did well for about 12 hours, then urine started coming out places it wasn't suppose to (like his rectum). That is when they decided to take him back to surgery and put a camera in the bladder on Thursday to see if they could visualize the hole. After several hours of looking they were unsuccessful and just assume the hole is there but very small. The catheter went back in the bladder and will stay for at least 2 more weeks. The hole in the rectum is slow at healing due to the chemo, so the butt drain stays in.

Although the CT findings were good, Michael still has more tubes then he would like. He is tolerating the chemo extremely well despite fatigue and exhaustion. He still has an appetite. He craves chocolate right now so chocolate chip cookies, and hot fudge sundaes are a hit.

With school starting in just over a week, a whole new routine will have to set in at home. I am not sure if it will be harder or easier.

Hanging Tough
Dawn & Kids

Home, Home, Home

Sorry about all the long awaited anticipation of announcing Michael's return home. He got home late last week and needed some time to adjust to the surroundings. He is very fatigued but tolerating his first round of chemo very well. Mild nausea, no vomiting and still has an appetite. The entire family has been working on getting into a daily routine that works for everyone including the kids. He still has daily antibiotics that need to be given and too many tubes and drains. He will be returning in two weeks back out to Mayo for more tests and more chemo. He promises he will be on the blog soon. I have been overwhelmed both a work and home and will try and get caught up on pictures for the blog soon. My family and patients come first. Incredible friends have been taking good care of us and treating us to great meals and companionship (although I must say most of the male company has been "without hair", so they fit right in).

Lots of Love to All,
Dawn & Kids