Hello World!
I am happy that nothing major has happened that required any updates! Chad is doing pretty okay! Aside from back pain and his usual stomach issues - he is trucking along nicely. He has been working hard at home on some pop-up camper updates and cooking up a storm. I swear this man needs to have his own Food Truck. He's an incredible cook!
Anyways, you're not here to hear about his cooking skills!
This is what our schedule looks like now.
May 25 - Small Bowel Series
Basically, this is the last test the GI Specialist can think of to check and see how Chad's Small Bowel is operating. He will consume this thick dye-like beverage. They then proceed to take X-Rays of his abdomen at various stages to see how the liquid passes through his system
June 1 - CT Scan and Follow-up Appointment with his Oncologist.
Obviously, this is the big scary one. The one that we really want your prayers on. God willing, the scans are clear and we can continue living for another 6 months. Pray for NO CANCER! Also known as NED! (No Evidence of Disease)
Unknown Date - MRI
We are still waiting to hear when the MRI will be repeated as per the Neurosurgeons request.
June 29 - EMG Test
This is related to his neck/spinal issues and will test how much/if any nerve damage has been done and if his muscles/grip strength has been affected.
July 6 - Neuro Surgeon Follow-Up
Hopefully he will have the MRI Results but then and compare them to the EMG results. From there, he will give his reccomendation as to whether Chad requires surgery for his neck/spine.
Phew. Thank you all for your continued love and support!
This is the story of Chad's fight against Appendix Cancer. On January 7, 2015 Chad found out just how special he was when he was told that not only did he have Cancer but it was extremely rare and very aggressive. Chad has always taken life by storm - so why stop now? Some may have crumpled and fell but the soldier in him took over and he decided then and there he had an infinite number of reasons to kick Cancer's ass. The road will never be easy but he will fight - and he will win.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Neurology Consult Results
Yesterday was the much awaited consult with the Neurosurgeon. Dr. Hall was his name and while on the young side, he was informative and listened to all of Chad's explanations and such. He reviewed the MRI and told us that the disc between a couple of Chad's vertebrae are basically non-existent. He thinks they're completely gone but before making any definitive plans on how to proceed, he needs another MRI with cross-section images, as the VA didn't supply them/do the original MRI correctly.
He also wants to perform an electromyography (EMG) on both of Chad's hands to assess how much/if any nerve damage has been done and if his muscles/grip strength has been affected.
Once he has the results of both of these tests, he will make his recommendation on treatment. Chad also discussed his lower back pain and the surgeon was very honest in saying that there was very little surgery he could do to improve the pain from that but he has also ordered an X-Ray of his lower spine.
At this point there is a 50% chance he could require surgery on his neck. If that route is taken, they would put placing a spacer in between the discs to avoid them fusing together. If that route isn't taken, then he will be doing physical therapy and pain management.
So now we await the VA to approve these other procedures :) O Joy!
Generally speaking, Chad is doing okay. He has a fair amount of pain from the spinal stuff but he doesn't let that affect him much. He was really not well the other evening. Stomach cramping, super naseous, dizzy, sweating... but was doing better today.
His CT Scan to check for cancer is now less than a month away. *sigh* That makes me feel a little ill, I can't lie. I will continue to pray every night, for the rest of my life, that his cancer never comes back.
When you think of us, I appreciate if you could do the same.
Unrelated:
I mentioned a few blogs ago about a friend who was in her final days of her pancreatic cancer battle. I am saddened to report that heaven has gained another angel. A remarkable one at that. Jane, you have left an undeniable mark on every person you have ever met and you will so very greatly be missed :(
Much love to everyone out there, we appreciate your support and prayers more than you know xo
He also wants to perform an electromyography (EMG) on both of Chad's hands to assess how much/if any nerve damage has been done and if his muscles/grip strength has been affected.
Once he has the results of both of these tests, he will make his recommendation on treatment. Chad also discussed his lower back pain and the surgeon was very honest in saying that there was very little surgery he could do to improve the pain from that but he has also ordered an X-Ray of his lower spine.
At this point there is a 50% chance he could require surgery on his neck. If that route is taken, they would put placing a spacer in between the discs to avoid them fusing together. If that route isn't taken, then he will be doing physical therapy and pain management.
So now we await the VA to approve these other procedures :) O Joy!
Generally speaking, Chad is doing okay. He has a fair amount of pain from the spinal stuff but he doesn't let that affect him much. He was really not well the other evening. Stomach cramping, super naseous, dizzy, sweating... but was doing better today.
His CT Scan to check for cancer is now less than a month away. *sigh* That makes me feel a little ill, I can't lie. I will continue to pray every night, for the rest of my life, that his cancer never comes back.
When you think of us, I appreciate if you could do the same.
Unrelated:
I mentioned a few blogs ago about a friend who was in her final days of her pancreatic cancer battle. I am saddened to report that heaven has gained another angel. A remarkable one at that. Jane, you have left an undeniable mark on every person you have ever met and you will so very greatly be missed :(
Much love to everyone out there, we appreciate your support and prayers more than you know xo
Monday, May 2, 2016
Slight Change
Sorry Folks! Slight change of plans.
Chad spoke with the doctors office tomorrow and the appointment has been rescheduled until tomorrow. The surgeon was already running behind an hour due to surgery, so since there was an opening tomorrow - we opted to go for that.
Will update again once the appointment is complete!
Chad spoke with the doctors office tomorrow and the appointment has been rescheduled until tomorrow. The surgeon was already running behind an hour due to surgery, so since there was an opening tomorrow - we opted to go for that.
Will update again once the appointment is complete!
Big Day
We have been waiting for this appointment for approximately three months! (And people say Canadian health care is bad for wait times) Today is the big consult with the neurosurgeon. He will review Chad's MRI and medical history and make a recommendation as to how to proceed.To be honest, I am not entirely sure what I am hoping for. Obviously, for this to NOT be cancer related. But I don't think it is. Since he's stopped painting, he's only really had one incident where the spasms were really bad. His neck gets stiff and sore but absolutely nothing like we were dealing with when this all started in January. That was excruciating. His side is still very sore from when he sneezed. He still isn't convinced it was just a pulled muscle because his back has been giving him a lot of problems.
So I just hope for a plan and guidance. I pray this doctor is knowledgeable and is able to steer us on the path that is right for Chad.
If you're reading this and in the prayer and good vibe mood, send one up. Since I don't know what to ask for, just ask for healing - in whatever form that may be!
We love you!
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