Path Reports, Chemo Schedule, Etc.

This week started off with a visit to Jarods' oncologist for the path reports and to set up his chemo schedule. Although it hasn't been confirmed yet from Indiana University the path report from Piedmont showed it to be Embryonal Carcinoma and this is a pretty rare form of testicular cancer. Of the men who get Testicular CA, only 10% get this with only 3-4% being a pure embryonal carcinoma which is what Jarods' turned out to be. It doesn't change the treatment plan other than he will definately have to do 4 cycles of chemo rather than 3. The prognosis is still just as positive with a cure rate of 85-95% with surgery and chemo. This was caught so early and although it showed in some lymph nodes, this chemo is so effetive in treating this cancer that Dr. Filip expects the tumor markers to drop drastically within the first wk of chemo...Yay!!!

Jarod, Lindsey, Janice (Lindseys' mother) and I all met with Dr. Filip and his nurse Kimberly and we all just felt such relief to hear this news. We were very concerned after reading on the internet, etc. and thinking because this was such a rare, aggressive cancer that this would change things...but very glad to hear it didn't. They are still waiting confirmation from Indiana Univ to confirm this diagnosis, but they don't feel their will be any conflict with Piedmonts' path report. Our daughter in law Lindsey has updated their blog as well (jarodandlindsey.blogspot.com) and she has put many other details into her blog so please feel free to read that for more details. She is great and Cleo and I are so greatful for her and her strength. Jarod is still in for a long and sometimes grueling 12 weeks of chemo starting the 29th, but he is young & strong and has a very positive attitude. Jarod also saw his surgeon for a post op appt. after the oncology appt. and he said everything looked good and that Jarod could start driving again. Jarod and Lindsey have lots and lots of friends as well as many family members praying for them and that has meant the world to us all.

Jarod and Lindsey are coming down here on Friday night for dinner and then Cleo and Jarod are going turkey hunting Sat. morning. I was concerned this might be too much for Jarod after surgery and all, but Cleo told me last night that basically all you do is sit in a spot, use your various turkey calls to try and "call one in" and that's pretty much it. Imagine that...I always thought it was kind of a strenuous thing to hunt, no matter what you were hunting! Guess the truth is out now and Cleo can no longer tell me how tired he is after a day of hunting...LOL!!! I am glad the kids will be able to come down and enjoy some "normal" activities before Jarod starts his chemo on Monday.

Once again, we are so blessed to have so many friends and family pulling for Jarod. Your prayers, phone calls, emails, cards and FB messages have not gone unnoticed and if I haven't had the chance to personally thank each of you that sent them to Cleo and I in particular, I'm sorry. It's been a crazy 2 weeks but we do appreciate you all very much!!!

Kenleigh Comes to Georgia

Sara and Kenleigh were able to fly out to Georgia on Sat the 20th to spend a few days with us. Sara really wanted to spend a little time with Jarod before he starts chemo and she also wanted Kenleigh to meet her Grandpa and Uncle Jarod. Lets just say...she was a big hit!! Both Grandpa and Uncle Jarod absolutely loved hanging out with her. She is at such a fun age and would just smile and laugh all the time. She was a little fussy a couple nights but as it turns out, she got 2 teeth buds coming through...such a big girl!!!

We were so happy they could come spend a little time with us but fear they will never fly out again due to the fact they spent the night in the Denver airport last night after what should've been just a short layover. Guess they had a typical spring blizzard there that pretty much shut down the airport. I felt so bad that Sara was stuck there all night with a baby, but sounds like she made the best of it and they did arrive safely in SLC yesterday afternoon.

Here are just a few pics of their visit...don't know why I didn't get any of Aunt Lindsey with Kenleigh...maybe Sara has some on her camera and if so, I will get them and post later.

Thanks for coming Sara...we sure do love you both so much. And a BIG thanks to Zach for giving up a weekend with y'all. He's the BEST!!!
Sara and Kenleigh Mae at Jarods' house

Mama, Jarod and Kenleigh with Georgia looking on...Kenleigh LOVED the dog!!!

Sara, Jarod and Kenleigh Mae

Uncle Jarod and Kenleigh...she is hanging on his shirt for dear life!

Grandpa, Nana and Kenleigh...looks like she was waving for the camera

Kenleigh knew the only way to get Grandpas'attention at night was to sit with him and play on his computer!

Bath time...looks like Nana needs to buy some bath toys for the poor little girl :-)

Kenleigh and Grandpa after he went turkey hunting. He was sad Sara didn't bring her camo outfit that he bought for her...LOL!!

LiveStrong...

It is 1:30 Tuesday morning and I just couldn't sleep so thought it a good time to sit and reflect on the past couple days in our life. As most of you know by now, our son Jarod was diagnosed with testicular cancer this past Thursday. On Friday Cleo and I were able to meet Jarod and Lindsey and go with them to meet with the surgeon and oncologist who will be treating him. They have found a small tumor in the right testicle that has spread to some of the surrounding lymph nodes. Although they feel it is in the early stages it is aggressive due to the fact it has spread already. They recommended surgery ASAP followed by 3-4 rounds of chemotherapy. We were all in agreement that this was a good plan.

Jarod and Lindsey have had so much to process in such a short time but they are both such strong individuals and they have such a positive outlook. Although this will be a hard battle, it is one that can and will be won with the love and support of their many friends and our wonderful family. We have all felt your prayers these last few days and know they will continue.

So Monday afternoon was the day...Cleo and I, Lindseys' mother Janice and Jarods good friend Chad were all able to be at the hospital with Jarod and Lindsey. Their minister came and led us in a prayer before Jarod was taken back which made us all feel very peaceful. Jarod did wonderful right up until they were ready to take him to the o.r. and he got pretty nervous, but he has never had a surgery before or gone under anesthesia so that was to be expected. The surgeon and anesthesiologist reassured him that all would be good and they promised to give him good drugs...which did make him smile :)

They removed his right testis and tube but did not touch the lymph nodes as they feel the chemo is a more aggressive way to treat them. They said the tumor was small but definately malignant and they have sent the pathology slides to Indiana University for a second opinion. This is the hospital which treated Lance Armstrong so we feel pretty confident they are top notch. Jarod was able to go home and although he is in quite a bit of pain, his spirits are good and we all know he will get more rest there than at the hospital. He will go back to the hospital Friday morning for insertion of a port-a-cath which is how his chemo will be administered. He had an appt. Monday (22nd) with the oncologist to go over the final path and get his chemo schedule...but he is tentatively scheduled to begin on the 29th. They will know for sure after they receive the final results which chemo drugs will be used, but it looks like he will have 3 kinds and be on a 3 week cycle...wk #1 will be Monday thru Friday 8 hrs a day of treatment...wks #2 & #3 will be only Mondays with a short 1 hour infusion and that will complete cyle 1. He will need 3 to 4 cycles depending on how he responds to treatment. This will be grueling for him but he knows this is what has to happen to cure him.

Jarods doctors are all really wonderful and we all feel very confident in their abilities. The support staff, i.e. nurses, office staff, etc. have all been really great to, not only Jarod, but to the whole family and this can only make this process easier for Jarod and Lindsey.

Once again, thank you to all for your prayers, phone calls and emails over the past couple days. It is so reassuring to know that we all have someone to lean on when we need it. Between Lindsey and I, we will try to keep our blogs updated as things progress so keep checking back.

Meeting Miss Ellie...

I recently spent a week in Salt Lake City meeting our newest granddaughter Ellie Quinn. Of course I'm prejudice, but she really is BEAUTIFUL!!! She seems to be a pretty good baby but Cori is nursing so I couldn't be of much help to her...she is a Mamas' girl. Her 2 big sisters LOVE her so much and are always wanting to hold her and play with her...sometimes a bit too much but it is so sweet to watch them interact with her. I thought Teiha might be bent out of shape a little with not being the "baby" anymore, but she's just so excited to be the Big Sister that nothing else seems to really matter.

My sister was able to come down from Rock Springs for 2 days and hang out with us which was really fun. I sure miss her a lot and wish we lived closer, but I will take what I can get when I can get it. She spoiled the girls rotten...as usual...and we all had a good time together. On Thursday Sara was able to take off work and we went to meet Brooke and Michelle (Cleos' nieces') and have lunch with them...it was so fun to see them again. Brookes' little guy Luke is about 8 1/2 months old and he was completely infatuated with Kenleigh who is 6 months old. He wanted to hug and "kiss" her and all she wanted to do was play with his zipper...it was so cute!! Thanks Brooke and Michelle for meeting us...it was good to see you.

All in all it was a great week except, once again, I caught the "CRUD" about half way thru the week. Went to the dr. when I got home and was put on steroids, an inhaler and cough syrup with codeine (amazing stuff!). I'm not really sure what it is about SLC...maybe the poor air quality...but everytime I go I get sick and not just the sniffles sick, but full blown, kick your butt sick...it really is annoying.

Anyhow, thanks to my girls for a great week. I love you both so much and wish we were closer and could do these things more often but...It is what it is....and makes me appreciate our times together so much more. Was fun to see Kyle and Mikell also on Friday night..just wish we could've spent a little more time together.
She is changing so much in just her few short weeks here!!

Sound asleep...their couch makes such a great backdrop for pictures!

Me and My Girls...Love them so much

Sara, Kenleigh and Nana

Luke and Kenleigh...kissing cousins

Launa and Teiha playing hairdresser...they really are close sisters and besides the occasional argument, get along great!!