Moving Forward

6 months after diagnosis, 9 weeks of chemo, 7 weeks after RPLND surgery and 4 total surgeries behind us we are finally able to say the procedures are over and we are beginning to move forward.

Jarod had is port removed yesterday morning, this was the last of the 4 surgeries he had to endure during the past 6 months, and it was the most minor. Marking the end to a long battle the removal of this finally seals the end to months filled with daunting tasks and painful treatment.

The deep muscular and organ pain with slowing healing scares remind us that we won our battle in the war against cancer. The recovery process is slow going and less noticeable than the experiences of the last 6 months and is hard to explain that this circumstance is not yet fully behind us.

In the past 7 weeks, life has eased it's way into a more calm state of healing and less painful movements of the day for both of us. Jarod continues to be on some painkillers from the RPLND surgery and still tired and weak but is doing dramatically better than just a few weeks ago.

6 weeks after surgery Jarod and I were able to take " rest and relaxation" trip to St. Thomas VI with some of our best friends Chad McKinney and Lauren Shaffer. Chad and Lauren had planned this trip for all of us shortly after Jarod was diagnosed to give us something to look forward to. When we found out about RPLND we weren't sure if we would be able to go, but we did! 5 days in paradise resting and watching the water really helped us relax, laugh and get away from it all. It was the best vacation we have ever taken and now we are making plans to eventually retire there! To make the trip even better Chad proposed to Lauren at her family house on Water Island (where we stayed in St.Thomas) and were able to celebrate that special time in their life with them! We can't wait to stand beside them at their wedding in 2011.

Now we are back in Atlanta and slowing moving forward. We went out to an early dinner Saturday with friends (and then slept the rest of the weekend) and I am working for the Smith's and on my real estate.

Jarod continues to improve in his physical condition daily and is really looking forward to returning to work after Labor Day part time and full time in October. We are blessed to have the support of friends and family and so grateful to have each other here as we continue to build our life together and work toward the end of the year where we will put 2010 behind us!

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers!

Lindsey & Jarod

Pieces of our life...

I know my last post was 10 days ago and I sure everyone is wondering what has been happening because for a while there something happened every single day, sometimes every hour but honestly there hasn't been much to say until today.

We flew home on the 8th - the travel day was terrible, Jarod was sick at the airport and in a lot of pain on the fight and the car rides but we made it home around 3:30 pm.

From the time we arrived home Jarod has been sleeping, taking pain medication and eating just enough to keep the nausea away from the meds. He is in a lot of pain and they increased the mg of the percoset he is on. He is just trying to focus on resting, the soreness is deep into his mussels and organs and talking even hurts. It takes all his energy to focus on healing and the pain medication makes him out of it and very tired.

Sleeping, eating, pain meds has been the routine for 8 days until this morning. Today was day 15 out of surgery and was his 1st scheduled post opp appointment here in Atlanta. Dr. Mims said he looked great, no infection and the staples were ready to come out. Jarod said it gave him some relief to get them out but still feels very weak, tired, and in deep tissue pain. The doctor said for the next 4-6 weeks Jarod will not feel like doing anything, all the food he is taking in is going toward healing the incision and will make him feel weak and tired and take all his energy for at least another month.

Now we are in the recovery process. Since all of this began in March there has been so many logistics, appointments, things to do, transportation, etc and so much that needed to be done we were in action mode, always moving forward and fighting and we would not have been able to do it without the help of friends and family. We are so grateful for the support, cards, calls, emails, help and things that were done on our behalf through out the last 5 months.

But now the action steps are behind us. We have fought the battle as best we could and now we must wait out the next two years to see if we did it. There isn't any cancer in Jarod right now and they will closely monitor him over the next 2 years to make sure that it doesn't come back. The chances are very much in our favor that this over but we just have to be patient and wait for that time to come and hopefully at the end of the next 2 years truly put all of this behind us.

What Jarod and I need to focus on now is piecing our lives back together. He needs to heal, and have the pain subside. Then we need to take a look at ourselves and figure out where we go from here. It's not about going back to the way things were, its about how this has changed us and our direction and what we want out of life as individuals and with one another. The past 6 months we have required the help of those around us and we won't ever forget the generosity that has been shown to us, and make no mistake we are truly grateful, but the next 6 months is a journey Jarod and I have to do ourselves.

Right now both of us are having a hard time talking and sharing, him because it physically hurts and most likely a little emotionally too and me because I need peace and time to reflect on what has just happened and each day we get up, we get out of bed and thank the lord we are at home with each other and day by day we begin to pick the pieces up and lay the road for rest of our journey.

When there are improvements or changes, I will share them here but things will be far more gradual from the point forward.

We thank you for everything and now ask your patience and understanding with as we focus on our health and moving forward with our lives.

Lindsey & Jarod

Road to Recovery

After Jarod's hiccups in the hospital he improved over the night of the 4th and the doctors said he was strong enough to be released yesterday.

We arrived at the hotel around 12:00pm and got him up to the room. He thought he was up for eating a little bit so he a little chicken noodle soup and then laid down for a nap.

Later in the afternoon he wanted some mashed potatoes so I went to get him some, he had about 2 bites and they had too much flavor for him just introducing food back into his system.

He took his pain meds at 5:00pm and then another nap, around 7:30 he woke up hungry and wanted some more chicken noodle soup. I heated up about 1/2 cup of soup and Marcy and I sat with him as he ate. His body wasn't ready for food apparently because he vomited right after finishing it. With an incision extending from the top to the bottom of your torso this REALLY hurt and moved his pain up several degrees and also set back his healing by about 24 hours.

He didn't sleep much at all and we were up about every hour trying to make him more comfortable.

I was planning on calling Dr. Beck this morning to go over what had happened and after I took Jarod down to have a yogurt for breakfast he and Marcy sat while I came back to the room trying to get the doctors on the phone, as I was writing an email and calling - Dr. Beck reached me first.

He had promised to call when the pathology came in and he did. Jarod's full pathology on all the nodes and masses that were removed came back as necrotic tissue which means no more chemo!

Why I had him on the phone I asked him about Jarod's pain, and vomiting he told us to just do liquids and let him rest it will set him back about 24 hours and we don't want to push him into food as long as he is drinking to stay hydrated he should be Ok.

So Mom and I walked to get him more pain meds why Marcy spent a few hours with Jarod alone before leaving.

When we got back with the medication Marcy told Jarod she would see him on Thursday when she picks us up at the airport and I walked with her to get some food and get on the Indy bus to go to the airport. She got on a little after 2 without a problem and should be home this evening around 7.

I am so thankful for everything that Marcy and my Mom have done over the last week to help Jarod and I and we are all so so so tired, so so so ready to be home and move forward from this.

Jarod took a good nap and at 4:30 felt well enough to walk around the hotel floor before taking his meds again at 5:00pm.

He is still uncomfortable and in pain but I see a huge improvement from his pain level last night.

Hopefully tonight he will be able to get more sleep and tomorrow rest before our flight on Thursday.

Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers, thank you to all of you who have helped with Georgia and traveling and work related items, now with a good path report hopefully we can began the road to recovery both physically and mentally.

July 4th

During this entire process from the beginning of March we have been in a day by situation doing what needs to be done to get through the day. It is a very hard thing to understand that each day is so different from the next and there are good days and not so good days. Its a yo-yo of emotion and is totally exhausting and also frustrating because as soon as you get one situation out of your mouth - it's already changed.

Well here in the hospital after a MAJOR surgery - its not day by day, it HOUR BY HOUR and that is even more intense and a much more dramatic roller coaster.

Yesterday when I updated the blog, facebook in the morning things were advancing rapidly and extremly well and later in the afternoon I had a chance to return a few calls outside while Marcy and Jarod were taking a nap by the time I got back to the room at 3:45 - things were different.

Jarod went from being sore but comfortable to being in EXCRUCIATING pain due to the fact the IV drugs wore off and he was not ready to be on just oral medication. His heart rate increased, he began wheezing his oxygen dropped and he couldn't even move he was in so much pain. They put him back on oxygen which helped stabilize his heart rate, and breath easier.

We then had the nurse come in who gave him a shot of dalaudid for pain, he needed heartburn medication and something to calm him down. It took until 6:00pm before he was OK enough to get some rest.

Marcy, Mom and I let him rest, left to shower and get food and came back later in the evening. They decided to keep him on the dauladid for pain control through the night, which helped but was not taking it away.

He also developed some redness around the lower part of the incision which we were a little concerned about and he left foot was cooler was the right.

Mom and I went to bed around 12 to rest, Marcy stayed with him again - and during the night they drew his blood at 3:00 am and gave him a breathing treatment around 5:30 am. He had a hard night getting up all the time and being in pain.

I was back in the room a little after 8 and Dr. Beck's team came in at 8:30 we told them since they had seen him 24 hours earlier we had some changes - we pointed out all the issues, breathing, leg, redness, pain, and going home. Dr. Cary one of Dr. Beck's chief team members looked at everything. The leg issue is a short term side effect from nerve damage and will go away, he drew a circle around the redness near the incision and put him on antibiotics to prevent a serious infection. They listened to his chest and said the fluid was not deep in his lungs and was OK. They had received the blood work back from 3:00am and everything looked fine giving us a lot of comfort.

They also increased his oral pain meds, and keep him on the IV pain med. Dr. Cary said he was going to call Dr. Beck to come by and see Jarod. Dr. Beck arrive about 45 mins later and confirmed everything that Dr. Cary said and overall told us Jarod was looking good. Although the ideal situation would to have surgery and go home 2 days later - every patient is different and this was such a dramatic surgery and only 72 hours out is really OK to be where he is. Dr. Beck also promised us that he will not be released until all of us are comfortable with Jarod leaving and his number one concern was controlling Jarod's pain and then once he is off of IV pain meds -at his own pace he will need to be on oral medication only for at least 18 hours before being released. This means it will be at least late tomorrow or Tuesday before we are leaving.

Overall Jarod is OK Dr. Beck has confirmed we just have to pace ourselves and make sure the pain management is under control. Jarod also has not had anything to speak of other than clear liquids and apple sauce to eat, we have ordered him some chicken noodle soup for lunch so hopefully that will go over well.

Even though we won't be able to do anything for the 4th - there is a place here in the hospital we will be able to see fireworks tonight. As I said in the beginning hour by hour then day by day and hopefully soon week by week, we just have to get through it.

RPLND at IU

Well some of you have been following facebook and have a general idea of where Jarod stands today but for those of you who don't have facebook or would like to know more about what has happened since Wednesday here it is.



Wednesday we met with Dr. Beck at his office he is very young and seemed very knowledgeable about Jarod's case. He drew a diagram of he was planning on doing during surgery for Jarod, Marcy and me. He explained that the 2 masses were located on the upper Venacava and the lower part of the vena cava. They would need to move his small intestine out and lay it on his chest and then very carefully cut out the 2 masses, fell through all the organs and remove all nodes on there retro peritoneal cavity.



Although this is still a huge surgery there was some good news to this - originally they told us that they might have to remove all the nodes on both sides which is harder recovery, more time, and more risky for long term side effects. He also told us that there was 90% chance that the masses would come back as something other than active cancer. There is a 45% chance it would be dead tissue and a 45% chance it is a local growing abnormality that is not spreading but still needs to be removed and only 10% chance that it is active cancer.



If any of the pathology shows active cancer then Jarod will need to under go 2 additional 3 week treatments of the same type of chemotherapy that he just finished.



So we finished up our appointment with all of questions answered and with that we went out for a light dinner before heading to bed early.



Thursday Marcy and I were both up well before dawn and all three of us arrived at the hospital at 6:45am. We had pre-checked in on Wednesday so there wasn't a lot of paper work. They took him back to prep him before we allowed to come sit with pre surgery. The doctors came back and went over all the procedures and everyone was really nice we were able to stay with up right up to the operating room door.



Marcy and I were shown where the surgical waiting room was and they gave us a pager so we could walk around or go get something to eat and every hour and half the nurses came to give us an update. My Mom arrived around 11:30am.



Jarod finished surgery around 12:45pm and Dr. Beck came out to tell us how it went, why he was still in the operating room being woken up before moving to recovery. He said that the lower mass on the vena cava was so tightly wrapped around the nerve endings going to testicle that there was no way he could save the nerves on the right side because he couldn't risk leaving any of the mass. When he cut the mass away, he damaged all the nerves on the right side and also made a small hole in the vena cava which he had sewn up. Dr. Beck said that the good news was the mass was dead tissue and that there is still a 70% chance he will not have permeate damage but they will just have to see how he does during recovery. Dr. Beck said he was able to move the left nerves out of the way and hopefully save those from any damage but will again have to wait and see as Jarod starts to recover. There was no bleeding during surgery and he felt around all the organs and everything else was fine so that's great.



The smaller mass at the top of the vena cava was easily clipped off but was too small to tell what it is so we will have to wait on the pathology report to come back on that one, which will take several days.



2 hours after that around 4:00 pm Marcy and I were able to go back to see him in recovery for just 5 mins he had good color and seemed comfortable, although he doesn't remember anything about us being there.



Finally around 6:00pm he was put into a room. We had requested a private room but they hospital was so full that none were available, it actually worked out well when we found out who the room mate was.



Jarod was a little upset when he came to and he realized he didn't have a private room and that there was some nerve damage but once he realized that it was a better situation he was OK.



Our room mate was a 24 year old man named Josh who had 2 days prior to Jarod under gone the same RPLND surgery and was up walking with no tubes, or anything other than oral pain meds. He and his wife Amy (who was an oncology nurse) were there with his Mom. They had been diagnosed 1 month prior to Jarod in early February but his was stage 3. His was also on his right side and had undergone the exact same course of treatment as Jarod - orchiectomy, 9 weeks chemo and RPLND. He had been seeing Dr. Einhorn the entire time and was talking about what a great guy he was. Both his wife and Mom nurses and know a lot about what Josh had underwent and all 3 were so positive about how we have the best of the best.



It was so nice to meet someone so young who had experienced the same thing at the same time. We got his contact info and plan on staying in touch with him.



Yesterday as you can imagine was an extremely emotional day for me. I think I am a good planner, and caregiver and for the emotional hardships I feel compassionate and strong, however hospitals and medical problems are things I lack experience and understanding and I have a lot of anxiety. More than anything I hate to see Jarod in pain, or upset or scared and he had been very scared prior to surgery. Marcy on the other hand has a lot of experience personally and professionally in hospitals and feels comfortable and capable in these environments. This was such a blessing for me because I was exhausted, drained, scared, overwhelmed and couldn't do what Jarod needed during the night. Marcy offered to stay with Jarod and let me go to the hotel with my Mom and get some rest.



We came back here and a really nice bellhop named Mike saw us walk in and could tell I was under stress, he asked what was wrong and if anything could help us and we said well if there is a larger room for when my husband's get out of the hospital it would be great. He immediately moved us the a handicap suite which is HUGE and has 3 beds, several chairs, a handicap shower, desk and small kitchenette which is amazing.



I went straight to sleep and then first thing this morning went back to the hospital to be with Jarod. Marcy had been up all night and Jarod had gotten sick which put him in a lot of pain. My Mom took Marcy to the hotel and I stayed with Jarod.



Jarod did really well in less than 24 hours after surgery he was in a chair sitting up, and then 24 hours after surgery walked the entire hallway and 2 more times got out of bed and sat in a chair again, which is great!



Josh his roommate was released from the hospital today around 1:00 pm which is really encouraging to us because he is 2 days away from Jarod so gives us a good guideline to go by. The doctor came by around 2 and said he was doing great. They moved us to a private room at 3 and then Jarod slept most of the rest of the afternoon.



My Mom has been transporting Marcy and I back and forth back and forth back and forth from the hotel to the hospital. She drove 12 hours to get here and it has been really helpful!! Marcy is again staying the night with Jarod so that I can get some sleep for when he is released. I am so grateful that Marcy is good with hospital and medical things and is so willing to stay with him during the nights.



I couldn't do this without either of my Mama's :) and as Jarod said earlier, "I really think it's going to be get better from here."



Thank you all for all the thoughts, prayers, calls, emails, facebooked and comments. We appreciate it! Also Jarod wants people to call him as well even if it is only so he can see who is calling.

IndyGO

Indianapolis... Until we were told Jarod would have to come Indy I never had new anything about the city other than the COLTS play football from here.

The last time I posted information we had just found out information on the fact Jarod needed additional treatment, that was a full 11 days ago so please allow me to explain how and why and we are here.

Jarod originally had multiple lymph nodes that were infected he underwent treatment (chemotherapy for 9 consecutive weeks) after out patient surgery.

2 of the original lymph nodes after chemo showed abnormalities that our doctors at Piedmont said need to be looked at. From the beginning of Jarod's diagnosis we have been consulting Dr. Einhorn (Lance Armstrong's oncologist). Dr. Einhorn said in his opinion they need to be removed and our doctors said who do you recommend? Dr. Einhorn's response was Dr. Stephen Beck who is a urologist who specializes in testicular cancer and more importantly is the "guru" in the particular surgery Jarod will be having called RPLND - located in Indy.

It was never an option for Jarod and I to come to anyone but Dr. Beck. RPLND stands for retropertinaial lymph node dissection. This surgery is very invasive requires procedure that opens Jarod's abdominal cavity from the sternum to the 2-3 inches below the belly button. They set aside his intestines and then examine the lymph nodes that are "abnormal" and then see where those abnormalities might travel. Once identified they removed the nodes that may or pose a threat, remove them run pathology which takes 48 hours to get back, and then put him back together. Based on the pathology Jarod may or may not required additonal chemo.

From the time they take him back to the time he is out of recovery is 8 hours. Jarod's surgery is scheduled for Thursday July 1 at 9:00 am and he will not be out of recovery until 5:00 pm.


Right now the doctors estimate his recovery to be 4 days in the hospital, 3 days out of the hospital. This puts us as being released on Monday July 5 and flying home on Thursday July 8.

The people I have been a personal assistant for Sue and Mike have purchased Jarod's and my round trip flight to Indy back to Atlanta. Both Jarod and I are on a full leave from work and are so grateful to have wonderful places to go back to.

Tomorrow we meet with Dr. Stephen Beck and will go over all of our pre and post surgical procedures. Jarod's Mom Marcy flew out with us today and will be with us until Tuesday July 6. My Mom will be arriving Thursday for the surgery and staying so she can take us to the airport on the 8th.

The past 10 days preparing for this 10 day trip has been more than overwhelming. Both Jarod and I truly thought the worst was behind us and when he finished chemo we really did think we were over the hump. After 2 abscesses that needed to be drained and Jarod's severe joint pain we really thought each day would be better.

Well we aren't going to sugar coat it when we got the news that the lymph nodes were not normal it was SHOCKING. We both had a very hard time dealing with it. The chemo we just spent the last 3 months going through was to prevent the surgery we are getting ready to under go. Everything we have been so grateful for, our doctors in Altanta, being in our own bed, no over night hospital stays and being so close to family and friends all the sudden feels like a problem.

Just the fact our doctors have put us in the hands of doctors outside of our state took it to another level, but at the exact same time I feel so blessed that our doctors have enough compassion and awareness that the best option for Jarod is outside of their capabilities - to where we are today.

Today we are Indianapolis. We arrived around 4:30 on a plane with Marcy. We checked into our room and it is so nice! We are in walking distance to everything! This city is gorgeous!! All the buildings are historic and we just walked to and from one of the best steak dinners ever St. Elmo. Marcy (and Cleo even though he isn't here) gave us an amazing meal in a beautiful setting. We are in downtown and feel super safe, better yet the hotel is only 1.2 miles to Jarod's hospital and will allow us to walk to and from in this beautiful city daily.

We are here enjoying each moment of each day as we have done since we found out Jarod required this surgery. We just spent 2 wonderfully relaxing days with my mom and then 2 more days with many many of our friends. We are so grateful of the support from friends and family and know it will continue.

This surgery we are tired, we are exhausted and challenged to talk on the phone, but we do appreciate the support, thoughts and prayers of all of you. I will try to update when possible this is the best way to keep everyone informed without having to repeat.

I will let you know how Jarod's comes and again thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It does not go unnoticed or unappreciated regardless of how long it takes us to get back to you!!! It really is appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best wishes and greatest thanks to each one of you!!

Love,

Lindsey & Jarod.

Cancer Sucks!

Well I guess I'm back on the blog train!

Jarod had a CT done on Tuesday and we got the results last night, his CT showed 2 nodes in his abdomen that are still large. Our oncologist has been working with Dr. Einhorn in Indiana from the beginning (Lance Armstrong's doctor). He has seen Jarod's scans and has recommended that Jarod meet with Dr. Stephen Beck the number one urologist in the country for this type of surgery.

The nodes are most likely benine but a benine tumor can became cancerous and so the recommendation is to remove them. This is a rare surgery that requires expertise in the area so we will be going to Dr. Beck's office in Indianapolis to have the procedure done.

His office will be getting the entire file on Jarod Monday of next week. They will review it over about 3 days and then call us to discuss the procedure.

The following week we will be traveling to Indiana on Tuesday June 29, meeting with the doctors Wednesday June 30, having surgery July 1 and hopefully if all goes well we will be headed home Tuesday July 6.

This is very upsetting news but we have the best of best behind us and so we know we will be OK. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

I will try to update this as things develop.

Monumental May Day

He did it!! Jarod officially finished his last treatment of chemo today May 24 at 12:00 pm! Marcy came up and drove both Jarod and I to our last day day of treatment. Dr. Filip had the path report back from all the tests from Friday and everything was fine! He scheduled an appointment for us on Thursday June 10 for his follow up. That day we will then schedule the CT scan and his port removal. He told us we will get the entire post treatment schedule on June 10 but that the first three months he will be monitored monthly, then it will go to every 3 months for the first two years. After the 2 year mark he will only need to see him every six months and after after the 5 year mark it will be a yearly checkup!

Although we will still have a lot of appointments and check ups over the next two years, it is a huge relief to have this part of it, the chemotherapy treatment behind us. 12 weeks from the time he was diagnosed we have under gone 2 surgeries, 9 weeks of chemotherapy which consisted of 4 chemo drugs, 6+ anti nausea meds, and at least 3 other medications to help with sleep, and anxiety and in just the last 72 hours have over come an infected abscess and true excruciating joint pain. Going on less than 4 hours of sleep almost nightly for almost 3 full months Jarod and I are able to look back on this journey and say we did it!

It's almost surreal when you think about the obstacles we faced, and the amount of time, and every second of every day balancing work, home, bills, family, friends, and battling for Jarod's life; we just did it. We took it day by day and there wasn't any other option. You get up, you show up and you do what you need to do to get through the day, and then the night, and then the week, then the weekend, and then you start it over and you just keep going.

Friday when we were at the hospital, just a few days before I had written about how we were so blessed with only one treatment left and there was such a positive feeling and then 48 hours later I found myself sitting in the exact waiting room in the hospital I had been in when Jarod had gone for his very first CT. Before he was even diagnosed I sat in that waiting room outside of radiology worried, stressed, scared, and knew without yet being told what was going on. After that CT we walked over to Dr. Filip's office on a Thursday after all the other patients were gone and nurses were finishing up and he sat us down and told us that Jarod had cancer, that was 12 weeks ago.

12 weeks to most goes by in the blink of an eye, life moves so fast with work, school, friends and family, holidays, vacation, obligations and relaxation to most 12 weeks is a moment, but for us it's been a year. Sitting in that same waiting room, in the same chair I thought about what we had done, how far we had come and much it took out of us and I'm not sure how we've done it but we are SO close to the end I'm not going to look back.

We made it and 72 hours later here I am, at home with Jarod and chemo is behind us. We aren't looking back and we aren't hoping to go back to who we were or where our lives used to be, we are focused on moving forward and redefining ourselves and our lives post cancer.

Each experience we have prepares us for the next, the problem is we never know what the next is going to be. There is a quote that says, "You cannot control the wind, but you can adjust your sails" I think that's exactly what we did with the help of all of you who have supported us. Thank you.

The finish Line...

After that long day on Friday, Jarod and I crashed at 9:00 pm and I woke up every 4 hours to make sure he was taking his antibiotics, pain meds and other medication he needed. We slept until 11:00 am Saturday morning. When we got up Jarod started complaining of really not feeling well, he said it was a different feeling than he had been having and that it felt like one of the medications was making him feel strange.

He was extremely sick, dizzy and we knew something was wrong, we called Dr. Filip and explained the systems. Jarod was having an allergic reaction to one of the antibiotics and he told us to stop taking them. He asked how we was doing as far as fever, pain, new symptoms. I told him that he didn't have a fever the pain was less severe and the cut from his abscess was sore but the pain was different. He felt that because these symptoms were improving and because he was going to see Jarod in less than 48 hour he wouldn't put him on any more antibiotics. He told us that if Jarod starting running a fever we would have to take him to the ER right away.

After the drugs got out of his system he started feeling better, we even drove over to Erika and Jason's to see their new renovations on their home. We didn't stay long but it was nice for him to get out. Why we were there Dr. Filip called back and and said, I have some good news!

He said, "I have spoken with Dr, Einhorn and we agree Jarod needs to finish up his Bleomycin treatment on Monday May 24, but that would conclude his chemotherapy. There is no need for his 4th cycle."

He said he wanted us to know right away because he knew Jarod was having a very difficult few days. He asked again on his progress and I told him he continued to do much better and that the joint pain seem to be getting under control. He said well because he seems to be improving I think I know what has caused him to have that kind of agony.

One of the main symptoms of infection is join pain, like fever and Jarod developed an infection in the tissue around the colon, in the lower part of his body. The chemo drug cystplatin that I have had him on during the long weeks causes your body to make blood 7-10 days later which would be the exact amount of time since his treatment last Friday. In addition to that, there is range of CC's of chemo you can administer given the patients situation and strength. Jarod has been so strong since the beginning of this I have continued through out each dose and each week to give him the maximum dosage in hopes of getting his levels down fast enough to save him a month of chemo. It worked! Jarod now only has 1 treatment left and the high quantity of chemo killing his blood causing lower body pain, his body trying to keep up and make blood in his bones also causing joint pain was sent to the level of agony in his joints due to his infection. It basically was the perfect storm but he has gotten through the worst of it and we are headed down the hill to the finish line.

Tomorrow will be our last chemo treatment. We will leave at 9:00 am we will get all the results from his blood work and schedule all of his post treatment appointments as well as get the protocol for monitoring Jarod as he enters remission!

Turning Point

Well since my last post we have had some turns in our path. On Wednesday Jarod's pain worsened and he had a hard time getting down the steps at his parent's house. Thursday afternoon when I went down to go to dinner with Marcy and Cleo and Jarod, he said his tailbone was hurting in addition to his knee and leg pain, he was even having a hard time moving around.

After dinner we came home and tried to go to sleep, around 3:00 am the pain was bad enough that he was wide awake and at 3:30 am we both were wide awake he was in agany. The pain was so severe he was having shortness of breath and trouble moving and it took until 5:30 for him to calm down enough to sleep. I got up at 7:30 and then at 8:00 am I called the doctor. He called back around 8:45 and he was at the hospital by 10:00 am

They wanted me to bring him in Dr. Filip wanted to look at him and see whats going on. They found a cist that looked infected near his tailbone. This was due to a depressed immune system and had caused a localized infection. He eneded up having to be taken back by a specialty doctor and have it drained and then they put him on anitbiotics. They gave him a demeral for the pain and proceeded to do several sets of blood cultures and a contrast CT to look at his port to see whats going on. The port is OK it just has a portion of skin that is beginning to heal over it and so it's unable to draw blood from it, but they can infuse fluids and chemo into it.

The cultures won't be back until Monday and we won't know anything else really until then. He had no significate issues that were cause for admission to the hospital and it doesn't appear as of now the joint pain is caused by an infection, which is good. Dr. Filip sent him home for now and told us to call him if anything worsens he is on call over the weekend. They were conserned that Jarod could have an infection from his point which jo

The antibitoics should help with the cist he had, and Dr. Filip will let us know if anything comes back over the weekend we need to know about. Right now Jarod is a little less pain, very sore from being stuck 12 times and being cut, and very very tired. We are hoping that the joint pain will be reduced with pain killers and rest and that there are no other issues.

He has had a very tough week, when we saw Dr. Filip we wanted to see what his thoughts were about Monday being his last treatment and he wouldn't discuss that with us until Monday and he also wanted to make sure nothing comes back from these tests today.

We will let you know if anything else happens, hopefully his pain will decrease we will have a calm and restful weekend and good news Monday.

The beginning of the end of the battle...

Last week was Jarod's seventh total week of chemo and his 3rd long week consisting of 5, 6 hour days. He did well on Monday and Tuesday.. but as I mentioned in my last post Wednesday was a bad day... he felt horrible pretty much the rest of the week. Cleo his Dad came up to sit with him on Friday and our great friends Chad, James and Jon Newman came into town from Asheville to help me out.

James got to our house just before Jarod got home from the hospital he took care of him and the dogs (Georgia and Sampson) until I got home from work it was really nice for Cleo to get home before traffic hit and for me to know there was someone there. He went to bed early Friday and I also went to sleep fairly early sleeping very well knowing there was someone else in the house. Saturday Jarod even made it out to the pool for 3 hours!!We had lunch he spent some time in the shade but he did REALLY well. After dinner he started feeling bad and got back in to bed.

Saturday evening on he's been pretty sick. Monday we went back for his 8th week - just the bleo he felt good enough to eat some real food so we had a nice lunch and dinner but he was extremely achy both Monday, Tuesday and Today. His body hurts and the chemo that is in his veins makes him feel like he is on fire at times. He is very exhausted and trying really hard to fight the side effects that's he's experiencing. They drew his levels for the tumor markers and we got them back the AFP is at 4.7 and the HCG is less than 2.

This mean technically he is in the normal range and the tumors are gone. Our doctor needs to consult with Lance Armstrong's doctor who developed the treatment plan before he gives us the green light on everything but... it looks like next Monday will be Jarod's last day of chemo! We are EXTREMELY excited. Yesterday was a big day to get those levels into the normal range.

We won't know until late this week or early next what this exactly means, as far as being in remission, protocol for moving forward, all we know is that from what we have been told thus far these levels indicate that more than likely next week is week 9 and it appears 9 weeks will do it! No need for 12!

We will keep you posted as we find out more but we believe this is the beginning of the end of this battle!

Thanks to all of you who have called, sent gifts, cards, notes and emails it is very much appriciated. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we continue to finish up the treatment, under go surgery to remove the portocath, and begin the slow process of recovering and redisgning our lives to move forward.

Love,
Lindsey & Jarod

The harder the battle.. the greater the victory

We started round 3 of chemo on Monday. We knew going into it this was going to be a tough go at it, most likely the worst so far. We were very blessed to have had such a great last week! Jarod felt wonderful ALL week he worked on his outdoor kitchen and put in 2 drawers. We have my mom in town Thursday followed by a wonderful weekend with Friends on Friday and Mother's Day weekend in Newnan Saturday and Sunday.

Jarod got to spend some quality time with Cleo on Saturday and Marcy, and her sister Pam and I went shopping. Cleo fried turkey bites - which were from the last turkey Jarod killed for dinner and we went to bed decently early having a great night of sleep! Sunday Jarod grilled stuffed pork chops on Marcy and Cleo's new grill and they were fabulous! We came home around 4 to get ready for our long week.

Both of us were nervous about this week because the last long week had been rough. Monday he did OK and Tuesday he was even a bit wired from the steroids but then Wednesday it really started to head down hill. Marcy and Pam were with him and our nurse Kimberly who we all love is on vacation so another nurse was trying to get Jarod's port accessed, they were having a TON of trouble and finally stuck him in his wrist vein which blew out and then they used the other wrist to get a vein. Jarod was very upset because having chemo administered through your vein directly as opposed to the port in his chest is much harder, it hurts and burns and is awkward to be hooked up to through your wrist for 6+ hours. He was pleading with Dr. Filip if there was anything they could do and he went to get another nurse who tried the port one more time and finally they got it.

They day went on each hour he was getting more and more drained, Marcy and Pam took him home where he got into to bed for nap. After a bit a sleep he was up and the vomiting started right before I got home from work. We got it under control and he ate a small amount of food for dinner, and headed straight back to the bed. He was nauseous all night and we were up taking medication and trying to keep it at bay until about 4:00 am, finally at 4:30 we feel asleep and 7:30 I got up to get us ready for chemo.

Today hasn't been much better for him. Both of us are exhausted and we had trouble getting out the door this morning, but they were able to access the port much better today only took a few tries. He is sleeping and has been off and on since we arrived at 9:30 which is great. Although this is the worst he has felt he isn't vomiting all that much considering and he is able to sleep some which helps.

We got the levels back yesterday and the HCG is still normal and the AFP is down to 6.1, Dr. Filip will consult with doctor in Indiana next week to confirm we only need 3 rounds we are praying it is only 3 and this is his last long week. One of my friends had colon cancer at 26 and just celebrated 5 years cancer free, she called and left me a message reminding me the sicker he gets the better it works and when you are able to put it behind you, it feels like you conquered the world!

It's working, we are blessed to have the markers that remind us that this fight and these drugs are going to be worth it because once we get through the treatment he will be in remission and we we WILL be OK.

Thanks for all cards, thoughts, prayers, visits, gifts and calls we couldn't be more overwhelmed with all of the support.

good week

This week has a been such a great week for Jarod, he worked on his outdoor kitchen even put in 2 new drawers and tiled the front of the drawers with slate! He has been able to be outside a lot and really enjoyed it. Wednesday and Thursday he went into work and got a lot done there, he really felt great! Yesterday mom was was in town and Jarod cooked dinner on the egg, I went out with our neighbor Meredith for a celebration dinner for her with her girl friends before she leaves for Charleston to get married.
Jarod cooked the entire meal and it was my Mom's first meal off the Egg and she was VERY impressed with both Jarod's skill and the grill.

We got his levels back on Wednesday and his AFP was down to 12 which is good, lower than last week of 16 but after a 15 point drop the week before we both a little disappointed that it wasn't lower BUT at least it is going down and only 3 rounds of chemo total - 3 more weeks!!

Jordan and Mike are in town passing through for his sister's graduation and they are stopping at our home tonight to cook us dinner which is basically like having a personal chef cook for you because Mike is SO talented (he's talking about opening a restaurant...seriously) so I am very excited about my meal. Jarod told him about my tooth and so it will be something on the soft side :)

Tomorrow morning we are going to Newnan for Mother's day we will be down there all weekend. Jarod's Aunt is in town as well so we will get to visit with her.

Next week is the last long week, although we are nervous at the end of every day we will be able to say that's the last long Monday, that's the last long Tuesday... and that's a great feeling! I'll let you know when we get the levels back and how he does through the week.

It's finally May!

May is here!! April honestly felt like the longest month for Jarod and I, between most of the sleepless night during the week, the long days at work and the doctor offices by the time we would reach the end of the week we felt like 2 months had passed. April was very trying and right at the very end, last Wednesday the 28th I ended up with oral surgery.

Things went from bad to worse quickly and I was told it needed to come our right away, the infection had spread into my jaw and was advancing with the chance of getting into my blood stream which could be very dangerous. Due to the level of infection the periodontist warned me that most I would be very difficult to numb completely and then needed to actually cut a portion of my jaw out and put in a bone graph to replace it. So I went straight back and we bagan the 1 hour procedure while I was awake. They did a pretty good job of getting me numb though I really wasn't it that bad of pain until the numbness wore off later Wednesday afternoon.

I went to work Thursday and Friday and because I needed to drive I was unable to take any pain killers other than Advil. I still can't eat much but at least have upgraded to pasta and potatoes from soup :)

Jarod's felt very poor all last week as well the long week of round 2 was so difficult for his body to over come it was Friday before we was doing any better the nausea. Marcy came up on Wednesday to help us with all this which was a blessing, as Cleo said it's a good thing Marcy is coming up there you guys are like the blind leading the blind!

The weekend was really nice for both of us! My Mom came into town and we watched the Kentucky Derby Saturday and she left on Sunday and our neighbor's had a BBQ that we were able to attend. It was a beautiful warm day Sunday so it was a great day to be out.

Yesterday was Jarod's third week in round 2 so it was a short day. His levels from last week were down to 15 for AFP and 2 for HCG, Dr. Filip the oncologist thinks that this week the levels with both be normal so we only need 1 more round of chemo!!!!

That means that Jarod has 1 more long week starting next week then 2 Mondays and we are done with treatment! As soon as the levels go to normal he is considered in remission! We will have 2 years from the last treatment that we will be on pins and needles making sure it doesn't come back with follow up appointments but after two years if it hasn't returned most likely it won't the chances are less than 5%!

So.. May is HERE! May 24 is the last scheduled day for chemo and with today being May 4 that is only 20 more days! Although our lives will never be the same and the thought of them going back to "normal" is strange it will be so nice to at least have the treatment behind us so we can begin focusing on the blessing and moving forward.

April Showers.. When it Rains it Pours!

April 19 began the second long week of Jarod's chemo. Monday - Friday 6 hours a day. By Tuesday mid day he was already totally worn down, extremely exhausted and achy. His body had so much built up in his system that he this time around he couldn't fight it off as well as the first time and we knew it was going to be a long hard week.

Tuesday morning before Chemo I had a dentist appointment for tooth that has been bothering me. This is the same tooth I have had problems with in the past. Apparently due to stress I have been grinding my teeth and cracked one of my lower right molars straight through all the way down. This crack going deep into my gums and jaw has become infected and the infection has spread to my entire right jaw line and lymph nodes in the right side of my neck. Having been through this before which turned into a septic infection they put me on strong antibiotics and pain relievers (which I can't take a drive) and scheduled my appointment 1 month out for surgery.

Wednesday Jarod began to feel nauseous and by Thursday he didn't want to talk or eat much and by Friday all he could do was concentrate on not throwing up which took all his energy and concentration. This went on through the weekend. He never did throw up but only because he spent four days focusing on mind over matter.

As sick as he was last week the good news is that his levels are way down and that it is working, it also looks like there will only be 3 full rounds instead of four which is great news.

Yesterday we went in to the doctor they did the full exam and due to how sick he was they called in more anti nausea drugs and put him on a new regiment for the week. They also gave him 2 anti nausea drugs in his veins before the Belomycin Chemo yesterday. He slept he rest of the day and then was up all night unable to sleep as a side effect of the decadrone they gave him earlier. He finally feel asleep around 5:00 am this morning and just woke up.

The new drugs seem to be working because he is weak tired and totally out of it but not nauseous today which is great.

Yesterday my tooth got worse and I called the dentist, they moved my appointment for my surgery consultation up to tomorrow morning. They said the drugs are stopping it from spreading to my blood stream but are not clearing up the infection. The only way to really get it under control is to remove the source so I'll know more tomorrow when we get back from the doctor.

These health issues are effecting every aspect of our life, this disease is not an event or day it is a several month life altering process that effects every conversation, every situation, perspective, goal and outlook, these changes will with out a doubt lead to multiple changes in our lives which we have to have faith will be for the better and lead us down the road we were meant to travel. There's been multiple changes thus far, it will be interesting to see where will be on the other side of this rain storm. As the saying goes when it rains it pours.. and April Showers bring may flowers :) or so we hope!

Chemo Cancer Cuts

Cancer is a disease we cannot see, and most of the time cannot even feel until after the diagnosis which is why the "C" word has the ability to drop any human to their knees out of paralyzing fear. It sneaks up on you whether it is happening to you or someone close to you its hard to believe what you are told by the doctors when everything looks and appears on the outside to be just like it was the day before.

Never the less we believe the doctors, we trust them and we begin the journey and the fight through treatment for the purpose that one day we will find a cure!

31 days after most any hardship would be the beginning stages of emotional healing, the bottom would have hit and with time strength would begin to appear. With cancer each day is progressively different than the day before, its a roller coaster of ups and downs. From the time of diagnosis you face different challenges, and then suddenly when you feel like it," I have accepted it, we should be able to begin to move on" a drastic shift happens, the belief you have been living with the past month based on something you cannot see or feel sudden appears, you become weak, tired, and for the patient their skin changes every so slightly and then they loose their hair. Cancer all the sudden now has an appearance.

Although we knew from the beginning that the aggressive chemotherapy treatment Jarod would under go would almost certainly cause him to loose his hair along with some other side effects. And we understood what would happen, we were not expecting the shift it would cause in our perception.

Monday the doctors told us that any hair he looses will be before the end of next week, so accepting that as fact we go back to our lives, home, work and of course Georgia. We made a routine appointment for Georgia to go to the Spa Tuesday morning to get a bath, hair and nails done, and a teeth cleaning. While GA was getting pampered, Jarod called and said "well, looks like I'm shedding more than Georgia" and he told me how his hair was falling out in clumps and asked me if I would shave it when I got home.

So Jarod picks GA up and after I got home from work we ate a nice meal and then using our DOG CLIPPERS (that we bought for our precious pooch who won't let us use them which is why her haircuts cost more than mine) Jarod and I went into the master bath and we shaved his head. When we were done he said "Well I am officially a cancer patient" At that moment the disease became real it had taken on its own identity and altered his.

I think Jarod looks great with his new due but the not having a choice behind it and knowing why it was done is what made it so hard. So that night I couldn't sleep. This week had already been VERY difficult for me, I just felt SO different and lost.

The next morning when we woke up we talked about how he felt, we were both so so so sad and we knew it was JUST HAIR and we knew it was going to happen but it changed our perspective - it wasn't our choice, not to get sick, not to have your life put on hold, it wasn't your choice to loose your hair. And that's when I thought about kids who get sick how it made us feel as "young" as we are, I cannot imagine being a child of any age victim to a burn, or illness where your choice on how you look and how others see you is taken away. I told Jarod I was going that evening to cut off all my hair and give it to Wigs for Kids.

Our friend Burke had come into town just a few days earlier and had donated his hair to Wigs for Kids, he told me about the organization and I did some research and decided this would be the who I would give my hair to because there is no charge or application for any child with a medical reason to get a wig. So I went to a local, small hair cutting place who was on the website for Wigs for Kids. I called and then had a 6:15 apt, so I went and sat down and one and half hours and 2 ponytails later walked out with the shortest hair I've ever had!

I told the stylist my story and how when my Mom had gotten cancer a few years ago I started growing my hair for this purpose but ended up really liking it long so I hadn't done it yet, but after Tuesday's events I knew it was it right time.

It takes 10 pony tails to make a wig, and they must be 8 -12 inches to cut. My hair is so thick that they did 2 pony tails with the largest size rubber bands and the stylist said it would be close to the amount of 3 and 1/2 normal pony tails. One ponytail was 13" and the other was 14 and 1/2".

I love that the locks are gone and so does Jarod, but the reason I do is that I had the choice to alter my appearance and how others looked at me and by choosing to change my looks on my own a child will be able to change the face of their cancer. In a situation where most days I can't do anything, for a moment I did something and I hope it helps my husband and I hope it helps kids fighting cancer.

If you want to learn more about the cause visit www.wigsforkids.org

2 surgeries, 3 weeks of chemo in 31 days

Today was Jarod's last day of the first cycle of chemo. Over the last 3 weeks he has completed 1 long week (5, 6 hour days) and then 2 bleomycin treatments 1 last Monday and 1 today. With today's treatment behind us, we have successfully made it through the first round and start back over next Monday with the 2nd long week. He was diagnosed 1 month ago yesterday - 2 surgeries, 3 weeks of chemo in the last 31 days we are so grateful and thankful for his strength.

Over all the side effects have been manageable. The doctors are very impressed with how well he is doing. I would say the most severe and noticeable side effects are fatigue and achyness as well as "Chemo Brain" where he feels out of control of his thoughts, and his short term memory is virtually non existent. Over the weekend his head began to get tender and itchy which are signs of upcoming hair loss and today when we were at the doctors appointment Dr. Filip told us that any hair Jarod will loose will happen between now and the end of next week.

Other wise he is holding off the nausea and vomiting so that's been really wonderful! Only a few days of that during the long week not too bad at all!

Matt his cousin came into town and Jarod spent the entire day Friday with him and stayed the night at Marcy and Cleos. Saturday I came down and spent time with everyone. Kaitlin Matt's little girl is so cute and sweet and Jarod had a really nice visit with everyone. After dinner we came home and Sunday we spent the day at our friend Drew's pool which was nice it was a beautiful day.

Dr. Filip has said that as he gets weaker there is a chance his symptoms could worsen but they still think that the first round helps set a standard for how it will be the rest of the time, so although we're not out of the woods the path to recovery physically so far as been smooth. His blood work is showing signs that the markers are going down, if they get down to normal at the end of round 3 then we will not have to do the 4th round. They will continue to monitor them and it will still be several weeks before we know for sure if Jarod will have 3 total rounds or 4. His immune system is a little weak but nothing to be too alarmed over, Dr. Filip put him on an antibiotic because of his dentist appointment today and due to the swollen lymph nodes in his neck over the weekend they did a throat culture today to make sure there isn't a virus or infection going on but it's all very precautionary and preventive to keep him feeling as well as he does now.

Emotionally spirits are good, we are tired and our perspective changes more and more daily about anything and everything but we are blessed and grateful for all the things we have in this life, including the support, thoughts and prayers of friends and family - thank you again.

Lindsey & Jarod

76 days and counting

The first week of chemo is finally behind us! Thursday after Jarod got sick he went in and the doctors gave him a new anti-nausea drug called Emend. It kicked in right away and kept him feeling better through out the evening and early morning Friday. He took another one on Friday and Saturday which held the nausea off and the vomiting which was a huge relief.

Bo and Kristin came into town late Thursday night and spent Good Friday with him at chemo. I had the day off from work so it allowed me to run some errands that I needed to do and then we all meet back at the house around 4. I have been enjoying the weather and power walking a lot so Kristin and I went on a 2.5 mile walk before I started cooking dinner. We ate home and watched a movie. Jarod really enjoyed his time with Bo and surprisingly felt well enough to.

Saturday and Sunday he felt pretty bad - it really is a day by day situation. He has been having the hardest time sleeping since this all began and coming down off the medication made him feel like he had been hit by a mac truck. Although he never threw up over the weekend - he felt similar to being car sick, dizzy, very weak, tired, confused and achy. Saturday we were able to enjoy the sun on our back porch for a few hours before hitting the hay at 8:30!

Easter Sunday was a beautiful day! Although Jarod was too weak and tired to make it to Church (which they expected based on his levels) we still had a nice day. Marcy and Cleo came up for lunch we enjoyed a wonderful ham Tim had given us and I made scalloped potatoes, green beans and rolls and Marcy brought Apple Pie & ice cream. Jarod was able to eat with us and then needed to lie down, he got a nap in which was good and then finally got in the bed at 6 just feeling bad. He didn't fall asleep until around midnight but just felt sick all evening.

Marcy and Cleo brought us the most beautiful red flowering vine for our trellis that they gave us last year. The trellis is outside on the back porch and will make a living wall between us and the neighbors it's going to be beautiful! Marcy had one like it last year in white and they said it grows so fast so in just a few months it should be to the very top of this 8 foot trellis we have! Cleo planted it for me and moved another plant around to the edge of the deck and both look great!

Yesterday was day 8 of chemo and our 2nd doctor appointment they drew Jarod's blood which we got back today and his HCL level is down to 50 and his AFP level is down to 300. That is good and hopefully they will continue. These are the tumor indicators they watch as he goes through the treatment to make sure they are declining, they both have come down from being in the 400's.

He only had 1 chemo drug yesterday Bleomycin and the treatment was about 1 hour - they pushed it a little fast and it made him really dizzy so next time we are going to ask them to slow it down more. Our friend Burke stayed the night with us on his way back to New Orleans from Asheville and it was nice to catch up!

After all of last week and then another round yesterday Jarod is really tired and he says he feels strange so he's at home resting today which is good but he hoping to do some work later in the week.

Both of us have good spirits over all. It's nice that we have a break with 2 short weeks before another long week. The doctors said he is doing really well and most people are far worse than he is so we hope it keeps up like this. I think it's beginning it sink in for us - this weekend it will be 1 month since we were diagnosed.

We're on Day 9 with 76 days to go to the end... not much else we can do but wake up, get up and show up and pray that it'll work and at the end of these spring weeks our lives will begin to go back to normal.

Thanks again to everyone for all the prayers, love, support, visits, calls, cards, and messages it really does help.

Lindsey & Jarod

Crummy Chemo

The first week of Chemo thus far has a been a mix of a lot of different things, the first day Jarod was normal except he was a little yellow and he couldn't get to sleep until 2:00 am. Day 2 he woke upflushed but still felt pretty good but got 2 different rounds of hic-cups the first lasted an hour the and over 8 hours the 2nd time. He was also so wired when he got home on Tuesday that Jarod cleaned our the entire garage, re-routed the outlet for our freezer in the garage, took Georgia on a 1 mile walk and still couldn't fall asleep until after 2:00 am.

Wednesday day 3 he woke up with some nausea but the doctor and nurses were able to get it under control while he was at chemo but by the time we came home he felt like he had been hit by a truck, his whole body was uncomfortable and he just didn't feel well. He couldn't sleep at all Wednesday night because he was so nauseous and early Thursday morning the vomiting started.

We made it the oncologist this morning with out any problems and they hooked him up to his fluids. Dr. Filip has given him 2 additional anti-nausea meds today that will hopefully help but everyone keeps saying the end of the week you just feel crummy from all this chemo and they can help it but not stop it entirely.

Over all I think Jarod is handling the first round pretty well, physically and emotionally. We were able to go to dinner Monday night with some of our friends Jon and Erin, Tuesday Marcy came up to be with him, Wednesday night Adam from our Church came by for a little over an hour to visit and today Marcy came back up to spend the day with him.

We are trying to walk Georgia together 1 mile every night or as long as he is feeling OK. The weather has just changed into spring and the days are beautiful! I really think that for both us being outside in the sun and walking does help both of us for emotional and physical reasons.

Hopefully the drugs will help him get some sleep tonight the first week of chemo is almost over, day 4...80 days to go!

Manic Monday

Here we are at Atlanta Hematology and Oncology in the 105 building of Piedmont Hospital. The morning was kind of frantic getting out the door but we got here without any problems. We checked in at 9:00 am our pastor Rev Gardner came and had a chemo prayer with us and stayed to chat for a bit while they were getting Jarod settled which was nice. They had him in his chair and hooked up by 9:30 am and we started the process. We have our own private room which is really nice. Jarod says it's his Penthouse Suite. Haha

The treatment is actually going to be 6 hours today so we should be finished up by 3:30 pm. He is getting lots of fluids, 3 nausea medications and 3 chemo medications today. All the nursing staff is really nice and we have our schedule printed out for when what drug is given and what each day this week and the rest of the cycle will be like.

So far it is making him use the bathroom a lot but no other problems.

Jarod is healing fine from surgery we had noticed the incision was still really swollen and so we had the doctor look at it but it's fine just scar tissue and normal healing.

Mike Keyser came to visit Thursday night and Friday which was really nice for Jarod he felt good and it was great for all 3 of us to catch up. This weekend Jarod felt pretty good and so he went to down to his parents Friday night for dinner and went hunting Saturday morning. I guess because Jarod was doing so well on his own and we were in kind of a lull with just completing surgery and getting ready for chemo to start it all hit me at once and Friday and Saturday were very very hard emotional days for me and that turned my cold into fully blown laryngitis and sinus junk. So just as soon as Jarod is doing well and having a pretty normal weekend I get down. I was couch bound all day yesterday, but remarkably doing better (with a very horse voice) today. Jim Rhodes and Chelsea came down on Saturday evening and we visited. While we were on our way back from Marcy and Cleo's Saturday afternoon our friends Crystal Ben Susan and Nick stopped by and dropped off home made lasagna, salad, rolls and cheesecake!!! It was so nice of them and we enjoyed a very nice quite dinner at home with Jim and Chelsea which we didn't have to cook!

Other than that we are trucking along. We have a long list of side effects that could happen as early as the end of the week to Jarod from chemo but everyone processes this different so we will just see what happens. The path report came back from Indiana University where Lance Armstrongs Dr. Einhorn is conducting his 2nd opinion and it is what our docs thought it was. His markers taken last week came back elevated since the surgery. They said they can fluctuate but the chemo should make them go down quickly. If they do there is a chance we will only need 3 cycles but won't know for sure for at least 1-2 weeks.

Tomorrow Marcy is coming up to be with him, should be around 3:30 or 4:00 when he finishes up all week. I'll keep you posted as things move and develop. Thank you again to everyone for all the emails, calls, facebook messages, text messages, cards and visits we greatly appreciate it. We are making an effort to respond to as many people as quickly as possible but please know if you haven't heard from us directly we are very grateful and you will hear from us soon.

Thank you!

Lindsey & Jarod

Prep Week

So here we are in what we are calling Chemo prep week - we are done with surgerys and going through lots of appointments to get set up for next week treatments.

Surgery number 2 was last Friday - the procedure to put in Jarod's port so that he can have chemo administered without having to be stuck each time in his veins. They will also be able to drawl blood, in port contrast for CT scans all without having to stick him.

We arrived at 5:30 am and they took him straight back to prep. The nurse came in to explain that it would be 2 cuts one 2 fingers below the color bone and the second in the lower part of his neck, they insert it under the skin and then run this small tube up through the vein in the neck down toward his heart. The port is located on the right side and looks like a small bump. Everything went really well and we were released at 10:30 am. Marcy went with us as I needed to go straight to work once he was released. She took him back home and stayed with him until I got off work on Friday. Jarod slept most of the day.

The weekend was nice Sarah and Kenleigh (Jarod's sister and new niece) came into town and we had a nice dinner and visit Saturday night, Sunday they came back over and Aisha brought all of us lunch we visited until late afternoon when my Mom arrived. Janice took Jarod and I out to the Blue Ridge Grill none of us had ever been and it was a great dinner.

Monday Janice, Marcy, Jarod and I went to meet with Dr. Filip our oncologist and Dr. Scaljon the surgon. Nothing changed based on the fact that Jarod's cancer is slightly more rare than originally thought. He will have 4 treatments of chemo each 3 weeks long for a total of 12 weeks. Its sounds like they will be giving him great drugs to help with immune problems and nausea problems which means if he feels bad most likely it will be limited times and most likely at the end of the long Chemo weeks. The weeks where he has 5 days for 8 hours he will be pretty tired and somewhat sick from Thursday - Sunday but other than that they expect him to lead a pretty normal life being able to socialize with friends and family and even do some work on the lighter chemo weeks. It also sounds like the 12 week schedule will not be prolonged due to sickness. They said he is strong and feel that they will be able to stay on target for Jarod to finish up about mid June. All of felt much better after this meeting and know that even though it won't be a walk in the park it is only a bump in the road!

From 3-6 after the last chemo treatment(so around the end of July) he may still feel sluggish and tired and not 100% but by about August he should be feeling much better.

This particular type of tumor responds very well to Chemo and they fell confident that this will take care of the problems. There is also only a 5% or less chance of the cancer recurring and most likely if it doesn't come back in 2 years from the last date of chemo it won't but they say 5 is the golden number.

The surgeon said he is healing well and everything looks great! We go back in a month! Dr. Scaljon is a hoot and Jarod just laughs so hard every time he is with him - he is a dose of comic relief!

Jarod's spirits are very high this week and he is actually driving himself to doctor appointments. He has to go to Emory and the pulmonologist for testing to get lung functions and base lines for that done so even though there are no surgeries or treatments this week there are still a lot of doc apts to keep everything on track. But he is enjoying having somewhat of a normal week and even working some this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon.

He really loves visitors and wants to continue to have visitors through out the process so please don't hesitate to call him, email him or visit him.

Thank you so much to everyone who has come by, sent cards, emailed and called it means a lot to him!

Thank you to all for all your love and support! I'll let you know how our first day of Chemo goes! We will get our full schedule next Monday but what we know so far is:
March 29-April 2 Chemo
April 5 Chemo
April 12 Chemo
April 19 - 23 Chemo
April 26 Chemo

Hope you all are doing well!
Love,
Lindsey & Jarod

Pathology and Doc updates

We did hear from the Urologist today and the tumor is Embryonal Carcinoma. This is what the urologist thought it was which is good because it's no real surprise but kind of makes more sense as to why the doctors have been so forward and prompt with our treatment. It's very aggreesive and very rare.

Out of the men who develop testicular cancer less than 10% get this particular type and it is usually a mixed cell cancer, if it is a pure embryonal carcinoma that is found is roughly 3-4% of men with testicular cancer. Due to its rarity they they have decided to use the University of Indiana as the second opinion because they are the head of testicular cancer.

By the time it is diagnosed it usually has metastasized which is why it's not surprising it is in Jarod's lymph nodes.

These results are from the Atlanta lab and we will get the full report from Indiana next week. Our oncologist is being faxed the report and we will go over in more depth Monday.

We thought we were getting the of the line treatments for our charming personalities and good looks but it appears to be because this little carcinoma is a rarity and peaks the interest of the best of the best in their field, which isn't a bad thing a least we are being treated like royalty!

More when we know more...

First mile of the marathon

Well it's Thursday and we just completed what I would would call the first mile of the marathon. One week ago today we were told that Jarod had a tumor in his right testicle that had spread to the lymph nodes in his abs. We had several doctor appointments Friday and lots and lots to do Saturday and Sunday to prepare for the first major day - Monday: Surgery day.

The surgery went well. Jarod did great!! Chad McKinney came down on Sunday afternoon and we spent the evening hanging out. Jarod wanted to grill since he most likely wouldn't feel up to that for a while so they had steaks for his night before meal!

Monday morning our minister who married us Don Harp who he himself is fighting cancer and had retired last year call to speak us before we left for the hospital and tell us that he and everyone at the church is thinking about us and that because he couldn't be there himself he has asked another minister Rev. Charles Gardner (also from our Church) to come to the hospital this was very nice and made Jarod feel even better.

We met Marcy, Cleo and my mom Janice at the hospital around 12:00pm we got him checked in and shortly after Rev. Charles Gardner arrived. He was also an engineer major at GA Tech so him and Jarod proceeded to talk about NC States game vs. GA Techs game for bit that had happened this past weekend and when he was smiling and making everyone feel good is about the time it was getting close for them to call Jarod back to pre-op. So Rev. Gardner lead us all in prayer before heading out and about that time the nurse came to get Jarod to prep him.

Shortly after well all met him in the downstairs pre-op and then Marcy and I escorted him to upstairs pre-op where we were able to speak with the surgeon and nurses before hand. Jarod got a little nervous there but they gave him some drugs and he calmed down a bit and they took him back.

About 1.5 - 2 hours later Jarod was out of surgery and awake. Ruthie Morse a good family friend of ours had also come by. We all took turns seeing Jarod and then spoke with the doctor who said it went well and they took the tumor our to send up to Indiana to get the full path report. The University of Indiana is where Lance Armstrong's doctors are and it's the head of testicular cancer. They told us we should be getting that path report back today Thursday.

Jarod was released at 5:30 pm and rode home with Marcy and Cleo to our house and I road with Chad. Mom and Ruthie left to go home as we were all leaving. Jarod had a pizza request so I ordered some pizza for everyone and he ate 1 piece when we go to the house and then Chad and Cleo put him in the bed and he was out.

Cleo and Marcy went home after a long day and Chad headed back to Asheville after a very long weekend away.

Hugh our neighbor came over to bring a chicken casserole dish that his fiance Meredith also our neighbor had made. Hugh has been through similar situations and hung out with us for awhile.

Tuesday I stayed home from work. The McKinney's sent a wonderful edible arrangement which is very tasty! I went out to get some medication and drinks for him and we have a few visitors. Jon and Jay Malone came over during their lunch hour which was so nice! Then Erika stopped by after work with TONS of DVDs for Jarod. He had a good day a we went to bed early.

Wednesday I had to go back to work so Marcy drove up and arrived before I left. Jarod did get up and toke a shower which made him feel lots better and stayed at home with his mom. She really helped out in many ways and did some laundry for us and cooked dinner which was wonderful! The Moran's and Mosley's dropped of food from Tthe Dinner Affair which was so thoughtful while I was at work! We will be eating that over the weekend for sure!

Justin came by around lunchtime on Wednesday with his famous and requested chicken noodle soup for Jarod and they got to visit for a while. Georgia accidentaly jumped on Jarod which was a bit painful to say the least!! From what I heard she felt bad and after about 20 minutes he was ok but it didn't open the wound or anything just painful.

When I got home Kyle Poss was there visiting which was nice and catching Jarod up on work and then after her left Aisha and Marcellus stopped by for a while.

We have had a lot of support and emails and Jarod seems to be doing better and better with each passing day.

Today he even go up to let Georgia out before I left for work and got dressed! He seems to be doing much better! Hopefully we will hear on the pathology today and tomorrow we will be in the hospital at 5:30 for them to put the port in. It shouldn't be too much of an ordeal but we will be there until around noon.

Thanks for everyone who has called, email, sent gifts, stopped by and just been thinking of us we really appreciate it!

Tomorrows appointment is at 5:30 am -12:00 pm
Saturday Jarod's sister gets into town in the evening
Sunday during the day we are spending time with his family.
Sunday night my mom gets into town and if Jarod feels up to it we are going to dinner.
Monday is our big schedule day and follow up appointments with all the docs.

I'll let everyone know how it goes but for now we've gotten through the first mile of the marathon!

Lots of Love,

Lindsey & Jarod

Rollercoaster Week

Last weekend we went to Chad McKinneys lake house for my birthday! Kit and James and Chad and Lauren joined us. The McKinneys were so nice to host us and the girls went hiking while the guys played golf. It was a great weekend with great friends!

So Monday March 8 was my birthday and was the most gorgeous day in Atlanta we have had in months!! 75 degrees and sunny! It was wonderful! Jarod and I went to dinner at one of our favorite little places Tin Lizzys they have the best cheese dip. Our Friends Drew and Erika joined us as well it was a great to sit outside on the porch.

The next day Tuesday the 9th Jarod had a follow up appointment with his doctor Dr. Major Reid from a visit in January in which he thought he had appendicitis. The test showed that his appendix was fine but that he did some some swollen lymph nodes which is what led to Tuesday's follow up appointment. They wanted to make sure they went down. Tuesday he had some blood drawn and his doctor said everything came back as it was supposed to except for 2 levels which he had some concern about.

He then got Jarod in Tuesday to see Dr. Filip an oncologist to discuss somethings, he decided it would be a good idea to do some more tests so he ordered a chest x-ray and an ultrasound for the following day and CT for Thursday.

Wednesday March 10 Jarod had a chest x-ray and ultrasound done in the late afternoon. Then next morning Thursday March 11 Jarod got a call from Dr. Filip and said it looks like you are scheduled for a CT this afternoon, he said when you get done with that I'd like you to come by my office.

Thursday March 11 in the afternoon Jarod had his CT done and we went together to meet with Dr. Filip around 5:00pm that afternoon. He explained to us that the results of the blood work had shown 2 levels known as HCG and Alpha Feta Protein which is are strong tumor indicators. They couldn't see a tumor on the original CT done in January and that's why they had ordered the Chest x-ray to see if it was in there and the Ultrasound to see if it was in his testis. The ultrasound did show a very small tumor that had spread to the lymph nodes which is what had caused the swollen lymph nodes to show up. He said this means that you have stage 2 of testicular cancer. Later we learned that the type of tumor Jarod has even though it is small is very aggressive and can spread rapidly to multiple organs if not properly treated.

Thursday night we went home and it talked it was the longest night and remained me of the service our Church has each year at Christmas for those that are lonely, sick, or morning. Its a night time service called the longest night and this gave it a whole new meaning to me. We didn't sleep much but we had each other to get through it.

About 4:00 am Friday Morning I called Cleo and told him what was going on and that we were scheduled to go to 2 appointments later in the day. He told March right away and they had some time to process before coming up to Atlanta around 1:00 pm.

Jarod's appointments yesterday afternoon were with the surgeon first Dr. Saljon he explained to all of us that this has to come out as soon as possible and he scheduled surgery for Monday March 15 at 2:30 pm he will be removing the right testicle only and leave the lymph nodes. At first this was curious to us as to why they would not take out everything infected but it is actually a good thing because it is less invasive and the chemo drugs have much more effective outcome at clearing them up and curing him. So we made the appointment went to pre-registration for the surgery which will be outpatient so most likely will be coming home Monday night.

After that appointment we went over the Oncologist Dr. Filip who works closing with both Dr. Reid our regular doctor and Dr. Saljon the surgeon. They had already spoken and he was on board with the surgery and we then discussed a brief outline of the steps after surgery.

Monday March 15 2:30 pm will be surgery then next Friday March 19 we will put in his port so that he doesn't have to be stuck with needles every time they put his Chemo IV in or take is blood. Monday March 22 is when we will be meeting with the oncologist to get the more accurate schedule of types of drugs and length of time. But the tentative plan now is to begin Chemo on Monday March 29 which will be four 3 week cycles. Week 1 will be five 8 hour days Monday - Friday, followed by Week two which will be Monday for 1 hour followed by week 3 which will be Monday for 1 hour this completes cycle one. There are not breaks between cycles so week 4 will be five 8 hour days again and that will be the first week in cycle two. This is all subject to change and we will know more on March 22.

Cleo and Marcy were able to hear all the same information as we did we feel that this prognosis is a good one and there is a 85% cure rate for this stage and type of cancer. We all love all of the doctors. They doctors are all board certified and they work through Piedmont hospital. We are a huge fan of Piedmont and it is VERY close to our home and it also has an ER which is good. Our oncologist has treated family members of our surgeon they trust each other with everything and we feel we are getting the same treatment they would administer to their own flesh and blood.

All the doctors has said if you are going to a cancer this is the one you want! We will beat this! For those of you who are far away I really think it is harder for you not being able to see and hear for yourself but I promise I am sharing the entire story with you and I promise Jarod and I have great spirits and a great attitude. I am very organized and have a notebook with all the dates of appointment, procedure names, times, and notes from the doctor. I will be here every step of the way. Also Cleo and Marcy are only 45 minutes away and will be a huge part of the process. My mom Janice is also going to be here for several of the appointments as well.

There are many blessings in this ugly disease, several of which are the fact 1) We live in Atlanta and have access to top of the line health care - a doctor who discovered a tumor so small they can barely see it on the ultrasound and even after they know its they still can feel it and that was on an a hunch!
2) Family and friends who are very close location wise and personally through all the support
3) Great jobs and great insurance - Jarod is able to take the time he needs to recover without having to worry about loosing his job or insurance.
4) Positive attitudes and each other - we will get through this because we will have each other to share the burden and the joys.
5) We are young and still have the rest of our lives ahead of us once we get past this!

I also a firm believer that you are never given more than you can handle and everything happens for a reason. We will meet people who will be in our lives forever our relationship together and with our loved ones will be stronger and the future children we have will be even that much more special to us whenever that may be.

I know this is not the most personal way to keep in touch with all of you who care so deeply for both Jarod and I but as you can imagine it can be hard to be on the phone repeating everything. We have tried to contact as many people as possible by phone up to this point, it you haven't heard yet and this is breaking the news to you for that I am sorry but know this is how we have chosen to communicate with friends and family through out the process.

Ways to reach us:
1)Facebook!! - Love me some facebook haha please send messages or post on walls or whatever you choose and I'll try to respond asap.
2)Email - lindseymcheney@gmail.com feel free to shoot me an email
3) text to 404-824-4403 or call (please be patient as it may take me some time to respond)
4) Jarod cell 919-539-6982 feel free to call him as well and check in we don't have a home phone so its just our cells.
5) Marcy and Cleo phones and emails facebook and Blogs

I will be posting the updated blogs on facebook and I will try to send out an email as well letting people know that I have updated the blog. I will be taking pics too and uploading them so you can see how well he is doing.

Thanks to everyone for all the love and support it is greatly needed along with prayers. It will be challenging spring and summer but home to be over this hill by July-ish.

I'll keep everyone posted!

Love,
Lindsey&Jarod

Thanks to everyone for all the support