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