Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Spare A Prayer?

They often say God doesn't give you more than you can handle. Like most, I wish his confidence level in my ability to preserver was a little lower :)

Life is tough at the moment. I won't get into my own personal demons because this is about Chad and his journey through these crazy web of health issues but man - I miss the easy days.

If you have a prayer to spare, please send them in Chad's direction. He started back to work and it's been tough. The neck and shoulder pain has flared up and it's to the point where he loses sensation in both hands and is dropping things 4-5 times a day. On top of that, his whole body seems to hurt and he's experiencing a lot of the same stomach burns and pains he had before they discovered he had cancer.

It's frustrating because all the Scans and tests show everything is 'as it should be' but he feels anything but 'normal'. There was one blood test that I noticed was high. His oncologist didn't seem concerned about it but it made me wonder what was going on. 

Chad finally called the VA to set up on appointment to see a doctor and the nurse reviewed his charts and thought it was concerning as well. Unfortunately, the beautiful VA is very, very short on doctors so Chad no long even has a primary physician. The nurse, (April) is going to call someone and have them review the tests and we'll go from there.

For the curious, the blood tests are SGOT/SGPT (AST/ALT) and are linked to liver disease. Chad hasn't had any problems with his liver, aside from, I believe, it being slightly fatty. His levels previously, were not this high. (They're almost double the normal range) He has started drinking wine so I am hoping if he cuts that from his diet, it goes back to normal and is nothing too serious is going on.

In  my heart, I think it was just a one-off. He drinks a few glasses a week. Hardly enough to amount to anything. He shows no other signs and all the tests/scans came back clear. My hope, deep down in my heart, is they run the tests again and everything is back to normal and it was just an off day.

So - if you have a prayer to spare. Please send it his way. Just to find some sort of tolerable level so he can enjoy his life again. (Which means I can enjoy mine too) Many, many thanks everyone. 

The love and appreciation I have is immeasurable.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Preliminary Results For CT Scan

This morning, (very early this morning) we made the trip to the VA hospital in Marion, Illinois for Chad's 6-Month CT Scan. He had blood work as well but it will take a week or so for the result of that to come in. The CT Scan was followed by a meeting with his oncologist who had a preliminary look at the scan. It Looks Good!

Once the doctor gets the results, he will phone if anything changes - but the preliminary looks positive! So, God willing, we'll continue living for another six months :) The only unfortunate thing about the trip up to Marion was that Chad's oncologist Dr V is leaving the VA and Chad will be re-assigned to a new doctor. 

I have mixed feelings about this. When we first met this doctor it was rough sailing because we were fighting to see a specialist and he wasn't interested in helping us achieve that goal. As you know, we did it anyways but Dr V was still to be Chad's 'local' oncologist. I remember when we were set to see him for the first time again after Chad's surgery, I was concerned but it went very well and we've championed him ever since. He would call Chad on the weekends, just to check in and was always very receptive in getting him help for his post surgery pains. Now, we'll probably never see him again. 

Hopefully the new VA Oncologist will be as helpful and caring! Only time will tell.

Chad starts a new job at the local University next month. I have mixed emotions but mostly excited and relieved for him as I know he was going stir crazy. As it stands now, he is doing pretty good. He has the EMG at the end of the month, followed by an appointment with a neurosurgeon in July but hopefully between now and then - things are manageable!

As always. thank you for your support, your friendship and your prayers and positive thoughts!