Broken Bones and More

What a busy past two weeks we have had.  The kids finished up their basketball seasons last Saturday.  Kaila's team came so CLOSE to finally winning a game but still came up short by one basket.  It was so sad.  They were easily the most improved team that we played against so that was great to see.  She decided to stick with it and not play volleyball this next season so it will be exciting to see how much growth she will make now that she knows what she's doing to start the season!  

Addie tried out for the team at gymnastics and MADE it!!!  I'm so proud of her.  The big thing now is figuring out if we can afford it.  Kevin's been working so much this year that if he kept up the pace it would be fine.  The problem is that it can stop at any moment which if has.  He lost two jobs this month because they went with different companies and so he hasn't had any work this month.  It's been rough!  It was really hard on him to see $15,000 walk away.  Me too though it has been nice to have him home for a bit and to see the kids more.

Rowan fell off the couch last Saturday evening.  He acted like he hurt himself.  Kevin checked him out when he got home but he seemed okay. We were keeping out eye on him.  It was so weird.  It would act like he was fine, using his arm to play with and picking up things, but at other times acted like he was hurt, when changing his shirt or helping to open the microwave door.  He was crying a lot when Kevin took him Monday over to his parents house on a walk and we was going to take him to the doctor but I had taken the car to my book club. Then the rest of that day he seemed fine.  He had his Speech appointment that next morning (Tuesday) and seemed fine too.  Kevin and I were talking about it after his therapist left and I said to him, "He wouldn't keep using his arm if it were broken would he?"  To which Kevin responded, "I ran on a broken foot for 3 months." I then told him about him acting like his arm was hurt the night before when I was changing him and we both agreed to pay the money and have him looked at.  

Sure enough it was broken.  I was so glad Kevin took him in so I didn't have deal with the X-rays.  They are so tough to do with kids in pain.  They then made a splint for him and it took three people holding him down to do it and him wrapped up in a blanket.  The poor boy was miserable and wanted it off!!  They had to wrap it in tape so he couldn't take it off.  I was up reading at the school in Glenn's classroom and when I got home after picking up Addie he came running up to me asking "in his own babble" if I would take of the splint.  When I told him he had to keep it on I could tell he was not happy to hear that!  Thankfully he left it alone and stopped trying to take it off.  We were going to hear back from the orthopedic doctor about a full arm cast that day or the next.  Thankfully they got us in the next morning and we were blessed to find out he only needed to have a splint on his arm that was removable so he could still bathe!!!  YEAH for God's mercies. 

Glenn has exploded in reading now.  He is reading chapter books at school and just finished his first one that was 65 pages.  His class earned a "compliment party" and they choose to wear their pj's to school and read!  His teacher loved that the kids in 1st grade wanted to have a reading party!!!  Glenn was really excited about it too.  He's also gotten super good at drawing!  I'll have to take some pics and send them to you soon so you can see.  He created a book, "Why the pigeon needs a check-up."  The illustrations in his book look so professional I was in shock.  Yeah for Glenn!!!  He's doing so much better and is loving life.  He's obsessed with playing basketball none stop!!!  He got a little indoor hoop and ball for his birthday and he plays with it subconsciously all the time.  He never stops.  We have to put the ball up to get him to listen to us half the time. 

Both Kaila and Glenn start a Timber's Soccer Camp this week for Spring Break.  They are so excited.  I'm excited for them.  they get to be down on the field where the Timber's play and they even get a picture with the National Trophy that the Timbers WON!!!  I'm jealous.  I haven't even seen the cup and they get pictures with it.  I'm so happy for them.  I'm not happy about the early morning start time though since we have to be in Portland for them to start everyday at 8:30 which is earlier than their school start time.  There's no sleeping in this Spring Break...it will be worth it though for them to have this neat experience.

Sadly this week my dear friend, the mother of Kaila's friend Betsy, and our kids primary chorister past away this week (March 16th) after a tough year battling Cancer. It's the first funeral that the kids have ever attended that they really knew who had died.  It was really sad.  Addie kept saying that she wish Sister Hanset could come back.  I do too.  She was such a wonderful lady that was always smiling and truly LOVED those children.  She loved her calling and I'm glad that God took my voice away from me so that she would be able to do what she loves one more time on this earth before passing away.  My heart truly aches for her dear husband and sweet 7 children.  The three youngest are still at home and I hope they will still feel of her presence on this earth. It's not so hard right now for them with so many family members in town but this next week as they all return home and the house quiets down it will be so hard for them.  Especially as mother's day and their mother's birthday approach in May.  She was just 51.  So so sad!

Please pray for the Hanset family, Kevin to get more work, and for Rowan's arm to heal properly so it won't need a full cast at the end of his 3 weeks if you can remember. Thanks!!

New Chemo

Hi, Family and Friends.  It has been some time since I provided a status report on Suzi's struggles with Cancer.  And, they are struggles.  The struggles are not just with the disease itself but the side affects of both the disease and the treatment.  She is a great lady and I appreciate all of your prayers, thoughts, letters, phone calls, etc.  The treatments that they give her, as they try to find ways of controlling the cancer can have positive affects on her physical health.  But the prayers and conversations that she has with family and friends have such a healing affect on her attitude and emotions.  Thank you everyone.

We went in during the first week of January after a doctor-suggested "chemo vacation" of about two months.  Suzi had had her blood tests taken but not all of them were in.  Based on the blood tests that she had, her doctor said that she could extend her "chemo vacation" another month as all of the results that she had looked very good.  That sounded good.  She did say,however, that if things looked different when she got the rest of the test results, she would call.

In just a day or so she called, having received the test results.  These were the results of the tests for the actual cancer indicators (light chains and light chain ratios).  She seems to think that the light chain ratios are more important than the actual light chain levels.  Anyway, she said that the ratios had increased more rapidly than she had anticipated and that she would like to get her back on chemo and get things back under control.  She also said that she wants her to start on a new chemo.  It is actually in the same family as what she has been taking but is the latest version of it.  Also, previously, she got her chemo by a simple injection in the abdomen but the new chemo would require an infusion using an i.v. and would take about an hour.  It would also be given two days in a row each week for three weeks.  The cycle would be repeated each 28 days, so she would have one week per cycle without an infusion.

She starts the process this next Wednesday (January 20th).  Suzi is nervous about getting on a new medication as she does not know what the side-affects will be.  They will monitor her closely, particularly during the first several treatments to see how she responds and to identify any troublesome effects.

She would like to ask for your continued, perhaps intensified, prayers on her behalf.  She is grateful for the blessings that she has received, with minimal pain and very infrequent nausea, and she hopes that will remain the case.

Thank you again for being such a great family and true friends.  That means more to her than you can possibly know.

I will keep you posted as to her progress and how well she accommodates the new treatment.

Love, Vaughn

Hot off the Press

Got the best email from my momma today about Dad's Prostate Cancer results we have been anxiously waiting for since he ended treatment.

Hot off the press:  Wow!!  Look at this GREAT NEWS!!

Praise to God on high.  Amen.

Comments from the Doctor's Office

Your labwork showed that your prostate specific antigen (PSA) has decreased significantly. That is great news. If you have any questions please contact my office or send me an email through kp.org. I will answer you as quickly as possible but your health is important to me and please let me know if there is anything that I can help you with. I look forward to working with you in the future.

Sincerely,
Eric S. Reid, M.D.
Kaiser Permanente
Department of Urology

Component Results

Component	Your Value	Standard Range	Flag
PSA, Total	0.19 ng/mL	<=6.50 ng/mL

Suzi Update

Hi, Everyone. 

Haven't sent out one of these for quite a while.  Everything has been unchanged for quite a while.  She has her injection; has several days of feeling rough; and, then she has several days of feeling pretty good, except for the the feeling of extreme fatigue.  Then, its time to go back for another injection and the cycle repeats.

Unfortunately, the last two blood tests have shown a gradual increase in the cancer signs levels (light chains).  Her oncologists are waiting for the next reading, which they should have in the next few days.  If the signs are still rising, they will have to decide whether the dosage will have to be changed or the type of drugs.

Suzi has really appreciated all of your prayers in the past and would really appreciate them now on her behalf.  She is really hoping not to have to go on any kind of more rigorous regimen.

Thanks again for all of your support and we know that the prayers and thoughts of so many of you continue on her behalf.

Love,

Vaughn

Prayers Answered

Kevin got a phone call earlier today from his Mom with the great news that the previous blood test was an error.  She's still in the normal range.  Kevin got off the phone and yelped for joy.  We explained to Addie and Glenn that Grandma is fine and they cheered too.  We are all so very happy and grateful that we will have Suzi with us for longer.  We all adore her and I can't image life without her.

Here's the email that Vaughn sent out tonight:

Dear, All.

This is a follow-up to the message sent a week ago.  We went in for the follow-up appointment with the Oncologist this morning, sort of prepared for bad news but hoping and praying for the news that a mistake had indeed been made.  We are happy to report that indeed the lab had made a mistake...apparently a small typo...a small typo that indicated a 100 times growth in the light chains.  Instead, it turns out that they are staying at the remission level and all is well.  We are so grateful for your prayers and sweet thoughts...and, so grateful that we can report this positive result.

Love, Vaughn and Suzi

Prayers for Suzi

Got this email yesterday.  All I could do while reading it and after was cry...for a couple of hours.  I'm tearing up now as I write this again.  I know some of the emotion is from pregnancy but also fear.  I pray the next test eases my mind.

Here's what Vaughn (Grandpa) wrote:

We went in for Mom's regular chemo shot today.  They aren't always clear when we are going to see an oncologist or someone in her department, so Mom also had blood drawn for her light chains (primary indicator of how the cancer is reacting, if you have forgotten).

When we got to the appointment this morning, the technician said that they wanted to do a draw for the light chains test.  We told her that she had done it at the first of the week.  She said that is why Dr. Sendowski wants another draw.  The results had shown a significant increase.  She thinks that it is probably a mistake but wants another test to be done to be sure.

So, if you have some extra prayers laying around unused, would appreciate them being activated at this time.  We won't hear anything until probably Monday but want to enlist your prayers now rather than waiting.

Love, Dad

Update On Suzi

Hi, Everyone,

We had a very pleasant appointment with Suzi's Oncologist today.  She brought us up to date on the progress of the results to the regimen of medications that she is on.

When Suzi was first diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma last August, the primary indicators of the disease that they shared with us were the Kappa and Lambda light chains.  As I understand it, these are components of the blood cells that go wild when Multiple Myeloma is present.  The ordinary range of the Kappa light chains is 3.3 - 19.4 mg/L.  Suzi's Kappa light chain lever was 7,000.  The normal range of the Lambda light chain level is 5.7 -26.3 mg/L.  Suzi's level (I can't remember this number since it was not so outstanding) but, I believe it was something over 100.  They also measure the ratio of the Kappa/Lambda light chains.  The normal level is 0.26-1.65.  Suzi's was around 700.

With the previous chemo (oral medication), she had shown improved results to where the Kappa light chains were down to around 1300 - 2300 + and seemed to have plateaued there.  One test would show them improved and the next slightly higher again.

The doctor decided that it was time to change to a different chemo.  This time, it would require and injection twice a week for two weeks and then a week off and then back again.  The cycle would proceed and tests continue.

Today, after starting into the third (I think) cycle, we got the latest results from the Oncologist. She was smiling.  Kappa light chains = 16; Lambda light chains = 4.4, and Kappa/Lambda ratio = 3.64.  All in the normal pre-cancer range.  Actually, the ratio is a little high because the Lambda light chains were a little below the normal range.

Needless to say, we were more than excited to get the good news.  They have now reduced to chemo to one injection per week for two weeks and then a week off.  They will also be looking at reducing the steroids.  The steroids are given to help with the immunity factor and also help in fighting the cancer.

Suzi's main complaint has been extreme fatigue.  The doctor thinks that may improve with the reduced chemo injections.  We are not sure where things will go from here but are certainly grateful for the blessings of modern-day medical treatments in combination with the blessings resulting from prayers from all of you and the blessings that she has received.

Of course, we will continue to keep you posted and are not suggesting that the level of prayers should be decreased.  Certainly ours will not decrease.  But, they will be flavored with an even greater level of gratitude for the blessings that Suzi has received to this point..

Thank you for all of your prayers, well wishes, letters and phone calls.  They have been such a strength and comfort to Suzi as she has been going through this experience.  Of course, we don't really know where it will go from here but pray that the news will continue to be good.

Thank you to all of you,

Love, Suzi and Vaughn

Cancer Update (Suzi)

Recieved another email from Vaughn about Suzi's stats.  Great news!!!
 

Friday was our monthly visit to the Oncologist.  Our last visit was a little disappointing...not because of any bad news but because some of the blood tests had not been done and, therefore, there was no new news about the light chain and m protein status.  It seems that there was a minimum time period of treatment that was a day short and so it wasn't done.

We worked with their appointment scheduling and made sure that we were covered this time and looked forward to some kind of status.  One of the things that is very frustrating to Suzi is not knowing where she stands on the treatment and status of the disease.  She seems to be feeling somewhat better but has not had anything to really go on during the last couple of months.

We were happy to receive the test results this time.  The light chains were down significantly...almost to the low level that was experienced with the first chemo cycle...before they jumped back up again.  They have been gradually working their way down with some ups and downs and it was good to see the continued downward trend of all of the indicators that they are looking at.

She has not been having to have the weekly Procrit shots for a couple of weeks now.  That is because the blood health makeup shows that the anemia is no longer a problem.  She will continue taking the blood tests for that condition every two weeks to make sure she doesn't have to start the injections again.

Suzi is feeling somewhat better all the time with gradually increased levels of energy.  She continues to be grateful for the normally low level of pain compared to what the doctors indicate would be normal for her condition.  She periodically has to take a prescription pain medications but those days are infrequent.

Thank you for your prayers, your phone calls, letters and cards.  They are so much appreciated.  We know that the support from family and friends is therapeutic and that the prayers are effective in asking for the blessings that she is receiving.

Thank you, all of you.

Love, Suzi and Vaughn

Happy News and Sad Ending

Suzi (Grandma/Kevin's mom) sent us this latest email about seeing the doctor:

 

I went o the pulmomary dept. at Kaiser (lungs)  He was a fabulous doctor.  He said I have slightly reduced lungs (small) and most likely related to my prior fractures. Also the myeloma in my sternum may contribute.  He is confident that nothing else in going on.  For example there is no evidence that I have pulmonary fibrosis or involvement of the myeloma within the lung itself.  Good news.  I was able to see the video of my biopsy...very interesting.  I wish I had been smart enough to be a doctor.  I love all that stuff. 

In about 6 months, I will repeat the tests. to make sure there is no significant changes.

I have told most of you about my fall when I was standing up putting on my pants and got my foot caught in the pant leg.  I did a flip and landed on my tail bone and the back of my head.  My hard head is fine, but my tail bone is bruised and my whole body is not happy!  I guess I just love attention!

All of you take care. I love you. MOM

Ups and Downs

 Vaughn's Update on Suzi:

Suzi has been doing somewhat better at having the energy to do a little more during the last several days. She still has very little energy and tires very quickly but is grateful that she can do a little more.  She managed to get the house decorations changed from Autumn and Halloween to Christmas...and made it look very nice.  She does a great job of making home a nice place to be, including with her decorations that change with the seasons.

We got our tree up and our outside decorations and lights up and energized and it is nice to have that done.

Now for the ups and downs:

Up:

• She is mostly over the bronchitis that she had for a couple of weeks.  It really knocked her for a loop.  She said it was the sickest she could remember being.  The coughing kept her awake all night for a solid week.  She was finally able to get back into urgent care and get a narcotic cough syrup that stopped the coughing during the night and let her get some sleep.  Most of the cough is gone and she is happy to have that out of the way.

Down:

• No sooner had she pretty much gotten over the bronchitis when she noticed that her left foot, ankle and lower leg appeared to be swollen.  We had an appointment already made with her oncologist in a couple of days so she waited until then instead of making another appointment.  They did an ultrasound and determined that she had a deep vein blood clot in her left leg.  They didn't seem too concerned about it and just gave her a prescription for Lovenox (a blood thinner).  The downside is that she has to give it to herself as an injection each morning for the next 30 days.  So, she is learning a new skill  ;-);
• Her Oncologist said that she was a little concerned with the lack of progress in getting her light chains reduced and was considering changing the chemo prescription to one that required going in for an injection twice a week.  She was waiting for the results of the latest blood tests to make that decision;
• Her red blood vessel count (hemocrit) has been going gradually down, which is not a good thing.  So, they decided to put her on Procrit, which is a drug that increases the red blood cells, hence, the hemocrit level.  She goes in for a weekly injection for this drug.  They monitor this very closely so that the hemocrit level doesn't go to high.  In order to monitor it, she goes in for a blood test every two weeks;

Up:

• Received a phone call from her Oncologist's office...light chains showed a significant drop in this last blood test and they will be leaving her on the same chemo...no additional injections.

Suzi maintains a positive attitude and is very grateful for doctors, medications, prayers and support of friends and loved ones, and the fact that she does feel somewhat better and more capable of getting around and doing some things by herself (a short shopping trip, other exciting things like that).  In order to help keep her able to do things inspite of her very limited endurance (including shortness of breath), she now has a disabled parking permit so that she can use her energy inside of the store (or other destination) instead of using it all up getting across the parking lot.

Last night we went to a Christmas concert that two of our grandchildren in Dallas, Oregon were in. (Emma and Dalton from Kristi and Kurt's family).  It was excellent.  They did a great job and we really enjoyed it.  Grandma Sharon rode down with us to be there, as well.

Tonight we went to dinner with Marshall and Sharon Woolner and then went to the Nativity presentation at the Milwaukie Stake Center.  We had an excellent dinner and really enjoyed our time with Marshall and Sharon...as always.  Saw some friends there that we don't often see.

We are looking forward to enjoying the Christmas Season with all of its music, color, and family get togethers.  We are especially grateful to have the opportunity at this time of year to celebrate the birth of our Savior and to be grateful for our wonderful families and friends.

Thank you again for all of your support, letters, cards, phone calls and personal well wishes for Suzi.  She loves all of you so much.

Love, Vaughn, Dad, Grandpa, Brother, etc., etc.

Suzi Update

Hi, Everyone:

No great break-throughs or great changes to report.  We just wanted to keep you posted on what is happening with my sweetheart..

Suzi's major frustration is with her low energy and endurance.  She doesn't like the change from go-go-girl to no-go-girl.  Actually, she is fighting that no-go-girl status somewhat.  She still tries to take her daily walks.  They are just shorter and slower which; which means she doesn't enjoy them as much.  She has gotten a little more used to the fact that she needs to take a nap every day whether she really wants to or not.

Medically, it is a little bit of a follow the bouncing ball act.  Her last blood test results showed a slight improvement in her anemia.  We hope that trend continues.  Unfortunately, her last blood test also showed an increase in the Free Light Chain count to about double what the last result was, but still half of where she started out.  The doctor is taking a wait and see attitude at this point to see if it is a trend which may mean a change in her medication or whether it was a one time thing resulting from the timing of the blood test.

I guess one reason that I want to keep these status reports going is to make sure that as many people as possible are still actively involved in praying for her and that you don't think that all is well and forget to include her in your prayers.  We are so grateful for your prayers and thoughts and kind expressions of kindness and support.  She is still trying to figure out what she has done to merit such an outpouring of love but appreciates it so much.  She also knows that prayers are effective as they have been so often in her life.

She continues to receive cards and flowers and phone calls and appreciates them so much.

This last month, a Jewelry Party was held by Sarah (Kevin's wife) and, without Suzi being aware, all of the proceeds went toward a Suzi's medical expenses.  Suzi was flabbergasted to tears when she was told about it.  Many of you who did not even buy jewelry donated to the event and some very generously.  Thank you so much.  It is such a demonstration of the kind of love that is going out to her and supporting her emotionally and spiritually...along with the financial benefit.  Thank you all again.  And, a special thanks to Sarah and her sponsor for their planning and generosity in putting it together.

One of the side benefits of Suzi's illness is the reopening of lines of communication with friends that she has not heard from for a long time.  That has helped her somewhat realized the long-term impact that she has had one some people's lives.

Thank you again for all of your prayers, thoughts, phone call, flowers, fresh vegetables, donations, etc....the list goes on and on.  We hope you have some idea of how much it is appreciated.

Please keep your prayers coming.  We are specifically asking for a blessing in the areas of the Free Light Chains and the anemia, since we understand that the Lord expects us to be specific in our requests and not so general.

Our love to all of you,

Suzi and Vaughn

Last night was one of the worst nights ever! DD was up every hour it seemed and she was screaming for no particular reason at all. DH was still feeling so sick from the evening before so he was sleeping on the floor most of the night and then the couch trying to feel better. He even left in the middle of the night to go to the store to pick up some Pepto Bismal and some prune baby food for DD. We realized that she hadn't pooped in over 5 days since her diarrhea blow out so we thought that might be the reason she wasn't feeling well. During the middle of the night I also thought that she might be teething too so we gave her Tylenol and Orajel. That seemed to help a little but the only thing that would stop the screaming every time was nursing. We finally got some sleep but not much.

When we got up at 8:30am I was still so exhausted. DH was feeling a little better with his medicine. DD luckily woke up very happy. I really don't know why since I didn't feel like I got any sleep. DH tried feeding her prunes but she wouldn't have any of it. I took over determined to get even a few drops in her mouth to get her to poo so we wouldn't have a repeat of last night. I had to stick my finger in her mouth with some of the food on it a couple of times and then she would take a few bites off the spoon. I got half a small container in her. I was so pleased with her. I was just hoping that she would poo. She has been so gassy the last couple of days, they smelled awful too. I knew she was backed up.

Since we gave DD her prunes in the morning, this afternoon we found goobs of "PB" in her diaper. It was so gross. I barely kept from throwing up. It was so bad that Kevin gaged three times and his eyes watered too. Ewe. She is feeling much better though! We had to open all the window to the house and spray Febreeze to get rid of the smell!Around noon we headed out to visit DH's cousin whom we found out on Saturday got the news that he had terminal cancer and only had 3-4 months to live. I have never met him before but I know his wife and kids from the family reunions. He was always working and wasn't able to come. This is the same cousin who a year ago or so was told he was going to die soon but conquered all odds and survived. This news is just detrimental. His youngest little boys birthday is today and he's turning 7. I can't imagine what that poor family is going through.

We found out on Sunday about the latest prognosis, so I'm glad we lengthened our trip so we would be able to see him. It was great to see him but sad too. He wasn't able to stand by himself (which he was yesterday) and his speech was off. He would keep saying, "yes and no and boom, boom, boom." I guess that's what he says when he can't think of the right words he wants to say. It was so sad. This was the first time I have met him too. I know his wife and daughter pretty well. It was sad to see them watching their husband and father dying. I can't even imagine. He couldn't remember how long he has been married or how old he is. He thought he was 45 but he's 47. So sad. Cancer is such a terrible disease. I hope they will be able to find a cure soon.

DH went to another Dodgers game with his friend. They were sitting in the great season ticket seats that his family has. The girls were left behind again but we went out shopping and enjoyed our girl time.