Soccer Support

The procedures went well this last time.  No collapsed lung and the recovery from the TACE wasn't as bad as last time.  It causes some serious pain in the liver area.  Last time it lasted almost 2 weeks, this time it was only about a week.  Really won't know if it did anything for a couple of months.  These treatments are not curitive, rather they try to get rid of existing tumors.  I have read that the tumors usually come back within the year.  This will buy some time as we work through changing doctors and  hopefully coming up with a plan that is more centered around curing it rather than not.  Dr. Voorhies, my current oncologist, has taken a job in St. George.  I will now be meeting with Dr. Grossman.  I feel this is a blessing because Dr. Grossman has been dealing with this disease for over 15 years and is well respected in the field.  I am also optimistic that Dr. Grossman has dealt with the TIL (tumor infiltrating lymphocytes).  That way maybe he can help with some of the clinical trial stuff rather than me having to shift through it all.

This past week I was humbled to have my daughters soccer team celebrate my fight.  They all got sorts and wrist bands and wore them all week in support.  I am not a huge fan of attention as done if you know but it is great to know how many people are it there rooting for me.

You know, as I think on the past year and a half and the fight we have been dealing with I can't help but be greatful for the blessing that this hasn't affected our lives more than it has.  There have only been a few weeks where I haven't felt normal for the most part.  I don't know of many cancer patients that are that lucky or blessed.  I know this is the blessing I have been given for this trial and continue to receive. I have had some great blessings from great people, prayers from sooo many and fasting as well.  All of these have played a part in helping me feel and be as normal as I have been.  Thank you to all who have been a part of that.

I have had some pretty sacred experiences that make me feel this isn't my time and maybe at some point I will share those.  They have happened in the temple and at home and are pretty specific to me.  This battle will be won in some form or another.  Just know how thankful I am for your faith and prayers on my behalf.

#cancersucks #fightlikehell

TACE Treatment

Is seems to have been a while since I have given an update.  Life has been hectic with spring sports schedules and other things going on.  Last time I posted I was about to go in for a TACE treatment.  That procedure seemed to go well.  What they did was went in with a catheter to one of my veins that led to the liver.  Once at the liver they followed a being to several of the tumors in one section of my liver.  They injected some medicine into the tumors and then blocked the blood supply to those tumors.  It took about a week or so to recover and was in the hospital overnight.  This coming Wednesday I am having another procedure done.  This time they are going to do something called ablasion.  They are going to do this in my lung.  Basically they are going to burn the tumors that are currently in my lungs.  Kind of like what you would do with a wart.  The side effect is a possible collapsed lung which they have a simple remedy for I guess.  Then on Thursday they are going to do another TACE treatment on the other section of my liver.  I will be up at Huntsman from Wednesday to Friday.  That's a quick update on me.

Madi had her ACL reconstructed a couple of weeks ago.  She is recovering well and has been in good spirits for the most part.  We go back to see her Dr. on Tuesday to discuss the next steps.

The rest are doing great, busy with spring sports activities, mainly soccer and baseball.  Jen is busy taking care of all of us.  Being the strong person in our family that holds us all together and makes us tickets.  We'd be lost without her.  Until next time.

#cancersucks #fightlikehell