Hi Everyone,
I am updating based on our appointment yesterday with the doctor. It was a very hard appointment. This bleeding isn't seeming to slow down or stop yet, based on this problem the doctor said the following:
Options:
~Ask if more radiation is possible
~Ask GI (scope doctor) if another scope would help
~Go to Madison for Photo Dynamic Therapy
~Continue Transfusions
~Switch to comfort measures only
We have found that no more radiation can be given, we knew this back in April because we have exceeded our limit of getting safe radiation, we of course do not want to risk a radiation burn which is EXTREMELY painful. We have also found out that a scope would not help, the last scope that was done used a gas to try and stop the bleeding, it may have worked for a day or 2 but then the bleeding sped up even worse, so that has been ruled out as well. My dad truly doesn't want to go to Madison for the PDT. It is not guaranteed to work, it isn't just a short process, and he would be held in doors the rest of the year. The trip would be hard on him and Dr. Guenther, who we trust with everything, said that it wouldn't get my dad much quality of life and that the liver would soon act up even worse. My dad, along with my mom, brother, and I do not want to see the liver act up and have my dad is severe pain and suffering. My dad decided that he will continue transfusions for one more week (through next Monday) and then make a decision on how often to get transfusions and his next steps. We go for blood everyday these days which doesn't leave him any quality of life. He is tired often and in pain from the liver. He is definitely not a quitter and everyone should have nothing but utmost respect for him. No matter what my dad is always my Hero, he is such a special person and I am honored to be his daughter.
Keep praying that this bleeding stops. Keep praying for our miracle.
I love you so much Dad, If there was a way I could take all of this from you I would do it in a heart beat. I hate that you have to go through this. I can't tell you how much I admire your attitude, I cannot stress it enough. You are an inspiration, an amazing person, and my hero. I love you so, so much. Have I told you lately that I love you? You fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness, ease my troubles, that's what you do.
Love always and forever,
Your little princess
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Update on Dad July 28, 2011
Hi Everyone,
Well not to much updates from last time, the bleeding continues and we are now getting transfusions pretty much everyday. No chemo right now due to the bleeding. We will talk with Dr. Guenther Monday and see what he suggests we do next. I will update again next week to let you know what we discuss Monday. Keep my dad in your prayers.
God Bless Everyone,
Jill
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH DAD. You are so strong and are my hero, keep up the fight you are doing so, so amazing. I am so proud of you!
Well not to much updates from last time, the bleeding continues and we are now getting transfusions pretty much everyday. No chemo right now due to the bleeding. We will talk with Dr. Guenther Monday and see what he suggests we do next. I will update again next week to let you know what we discuss Monday. Keep my dad in your prayers.
God Bless Everyone,
Jill
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH DAD. You are so strong and are my hero, keep up the fight you are doing so, so amazing. I am so proud of you!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Blood Drive and Update
Drive for Morgan
View more documents from Jill Peterson
Hi Everyone,
That is the information for a blood drive that my mom's work is having in honor of my Dad. Please help reach their goal of 50, I want to see if we can reach my goal of 125 which is the amount of transfusions my dad has needed since the start of his cancer (this number may be up to 150-160ish at the time of the blood drive.) It would be great if all who could make it, would! If you can't make it, take the time to donate at your local blood center, all the blood donated does save lives. Like I have said in the past, until this point I didn't personally know anyone who got transfusions to save their life. Now, in the past 9 months, without blood transfusions I would have lost one of the people who means the most to me in my life. I wish there was a way for me to thank all of those people who donate blood all of the time, if you are one of them THANK YOU. I am going to donate on the clock every time I am eligible for the rest of my life. It's a big deal and that blood is like gold to our family these days. I know we aren't the only ones who are blessed to have it available either so help support all those loved ones who need it.
As for my dad's status, he is still having troubles with bleeding... The bleeding seems to be getting a little worse each week which is very, very hard. He is getting transfusions every other day of 2-3units each time. They did another CAT scan on Tuesday and found that the chemo he was on isn't working to fight the cancer much at all. Of course he is off of that chemo since it wasn't doing anything and because of the bleeding. He meets with the doctor in 2 weeks to see how the bleeding is going. They also found a blood clot in his left lung on the CAT scan. This was very, very scary to us because we had never had that problem before. They did ultrasounds of his legs, pelvis, chest, neck, arms, and abdomen but found no source of where the blood clot came from. They inserted a net that acts like an umbrella that will catch any blood clots that may start in the legs/abdomen area just as a precaution. They of course cannot treat the blood clot that is in the lung because the treatment is with blood thinners which my dad cannot have because of his bleeding. The doctor seemed to think that the blood clot in his left lung was small enough and that it wouldn't travel to the heart.
Please, Please pray that my dad doesn't get severe pain, that this bleeding stops, and that he doesn't have troubles with blood clots anymore. Your prayers mean everything, they really, really do.
God Bless,
Love always,
Jill
Dad, "If every word I said, could make you laugh, I'd talk forever... If the song I sing to you could fill your heart with joy, I'd sing forever..." You mean so much to me Dad, I would do anything for you. I love you so, so much and you are my hero, I look up to you so, so much.
I will never grow out of being your little princess!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Update on Dad July 15, 2011
Hi Everyone,
We are at the hospital waiting to get 3 units of blood. My dad got 2 units on Monday and needed 3 today. He has been losing more blood lately. It is coming from the same place, the esophagus/stomach. We continue to get checked every few days and pray that the bleeding slows down. We have no other plans or real options besides to keep getting transfusions. Pray that the bleeding slows down and that my dad doesn't get more severe pain.
He continues to keep such a positive attitude and everytime I see him I love him more and more (yes it is somehow possible!) He deserves a miracle more than anyone that I know. I would put his strength, attitude, and optimism up against ANYONE in this world. I Love you so, so much Dad and am so thankful to have you in my life. I would not trade you for anything in the world. I love you so, so much.
Dad, I wrote the following quote for you:
"A true hero is someone who keeps a truly amazing attitude, friendly, funny, and loving demeanor, and shows appreciation, commitment, and unconditional love no matter the circumstances."
-Jill Peterson
Dad you are a true hero, my hero. Everyday I strive to become more and more like you. Have I told you lately that I love you so much? Because I do ♥
Love always,
Your little princess
We are at the hospital waiting to get 3 units of blood. My dad got 2 units on Monday and needed 3 today. He has been losing more blood lately. It is coming from the same place, the esophagus/stomach. We continue to get checked every few days and pray that the bleeding slows down. We have no other plans or real options besides to keep getting transfusions. Pray that the bleeding slows down and that my dad doesn't get more severe pain.
He continues to keep such a positive attitude and everytime I see him I love him more and more (yes it is somehow possible!) He deserves a miracle more than anyone that I know. I would put his strength, attitude, and optimism up against ANYONE in this world. I Love you so, so much Dad and am so thankful to have you in my life. I would not trade you for anything in the world. I love you so, so much.
Dad, I wrote the following quote for you:
"A true hero is someone who keeps a truly amazing attitude, friendly, funny, and loving demeanor, and shows appreciation, commitment, and unconditional love no matter the circumstances."
-Jill Peterson
Dad you are a true hero, my hero. Everyday I strive to become more and more like you. Have I told you lately that I love you so much? Because I do ♥
Love always,
Your little princess
Friday, July 8, 2011
Chemo Tuesday July 5, 2011
Hi Everyone,
My dad had chemo this past Tuesday again. He started losing more blood lately again, he is needing about two transfusions a week. We had a scope done to see if the bleeding was coming from the same spot in the esophagus and it seems to be coming from that same spot. The doctor who did the scope used a gas to try and stop the bleeding at least temporarily, he said that it did slow it down but didn't stop it and that it won't work long term. We are getting blood transfusions again today, then checked again on Monday and most likely transfusions Monday. My dad's being a real trooper as usual. In extremely good spirits, has a great attitude, and is always such a pleasure to be around. I am thankful to be able to be home with him as much as I am this summer.
Keep praying that this bleeding stops or slows and that he doesn't have pain. He has been having some more severe pain in the stomach area that is horrible when it sets in. Pray that he doesn't get that and that we see the bleeding stop or slow down. Remember to thank God each and every day for your loved ones and all the blessings each of us have.
I will update again mid-next week unless something else changes.
Thanks for the prayers, thoughts, calls, cards, food, etc. We appreciate all of our loved ones so, so much.
Love always,
Jillybean
"Who loves you baby?"
"Daddy does."
My dad had chemo this past Tuesday again. He started losing more blood lately again, he is needing about two transfusions a week. We had a scope done to see if the bleeding was coming from the same spot in the esophagus and it seems to be coming from that same spot. The doctor who did the scope used a gas to try and stop the bleeding at least temporarily, he said that it did slow it down but didn't stop it and that it won't work long term. We are getting blood transfusions again today, then checked again on Monday and most likely transfusions Monday. My dad's being a real trooper as usual. In extremely good spirits, has a great attitude, and is always such a pleasure to be around. I am thankful to be able to be home with him as much as I am this summer.
Keep praying that this bleeding stops or slows and that he doesn't have pain. He has been having some more severe pain in the stomach area that is horrible when it sets in. Pray that he doesn't get that and that we see the bleeding stop or slow down. Remember to thank God each and every day for your loved ones and all the blessings each of us have.
I will update again mid-next week unless something else changes.
Thanks for the prayers, thoughts, calls, cards, food, etc. We appreciate all of our loved ones so, so much.
Love always,
Jillybean
"Who loves you baby?"
"Daddy does."
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Happy Birthday Dad!
Hi Everyone!
Well my dad is doing good, he is eating pretty well and feeling pretty good. He got two units of blood yesterday and is celebrating his birthday today. He is spending time with his brothers for the afternoon and my mom, Ben, and I for the evening.
Well Dad, I just wanted to say that you deserve the best birthday ever. You deserve a great day everyday. I hope you feel exceptionally special everyday, but especially today, June 28th because this is your day, the day you were born. I love celebrating you on this day. If you wouldn't have been born everyone who knows you would have been robbed of so much; we wouldn't have you in our lives to bring the positive, fun, energy that you always bring no matter what the circumstances. When you came and visited me for my birthday it made my dad. I hope I can help make yours:) I love you so, so much!
Happy Birthday To you!
I LOVE YOU DAD!!!
Well my dad is doing good, he is eating pretty well and feeling pretty good. He got two units of blood yesterday and is celebrating his birthday today. He is spending time with his brothers for the afternoon and my mom, Ben, and I for the evening.
Well Dad, I just wanted to say that you deserve the best birthday ever. You deserve a great day everyday. I hope you feel exceptionally special everyday, but especially today, June 28th because this is your day, the day you were born. I love celebrating you on this day. If you wouldn't have been born everyone who knows you would have been robbed of so much; we wouldn't have you in our lives to bring the positive, fun, energy that you always bring no matter what the circumstances. When you came and visited me for my birthday it made my dad. I hope I can help make yours:) I love you so, so much!
Happy Birthday To you!
I LOVE YOU DAD!!!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Week of June 20, 2011
Hi Everyone,
Sorry it has been so long since I have updated. I am happy to be able to say my dad is doing pretty good these days. He is back on chemo, he gets chemo every other week. He has been getting blood transfusions about once a week which is way better than it was so that is good. He's been able to work off and on. We had an amazing father's day, I am so happy and proud to be able to celebrate my dad on that day. His birthday is coming up next Tuesday so that will be another fun day!
Other than that I don't have any new updates. I continue to ask for your thoughts and prayers; pray that he continues to tolerate this chemo well and that this chemo fights the cancer very hard. I pray for a miracle several times everyday, we can always pray for one so I encourage you to pray for a miracle as well.
Well until next post, Dad I am very, very proud of you. I am proud to be your daughter and enjoy celebrating holidays with you, especially those that celebrate you like father's day and your birthday. Those days are very special to me because I am so thankful to have you as a Dad and be able to celebrate them with you. I love you so much.
Always and forever,
Your little princess
Sorry it has been so long since I have updated. I am happy to be able to say my dad is doing pretty good these days. He is back on chemo, he gets chemo every other week. He has been getting blood transfusions about once a week which is way better than it was so that is good. He's been able to work off and on. We had an amazing father's day, I am so happy and proud to be able to celebrate my dad on that day. His birthday is coming up next Tuesday so that will be another fun day!
Other than that I don't have any new updates. I continue to ask for your thoughts and prayers; pray that he continues to tolerate this chemo well and that this chemo fights the cancer very hard. I pray for a miracle several times everyday, we can always pray for one so I encourage you to pray for a miracle as well.
Well until next post, Dad I am very, very proud of you. I am proud to be your daughter and enjoy celebrating holidays with you, especially those that celebrate you like father's day and your birthday. Those days are very special to me because I am so thankful to have you as a Dad and be able to celebrate them with you. I love you so much.
Always and forever,
Your little princess
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Chemo Monday June 6, 2011
Hi Everyone,
Well yesterday my dad was in for a new chemo regimen and blood. He is on a new regimen that he chose from a few different options that the doctor gave to him. He got blood transfusions as well.
He is still hanging in there and managing to work as much as he can.
Everyday he continues to amaze me. I grow prouder and prouder of him and also learn from his actions everyday. With Father's day and my dad's birthday right around the corner I feel myself being more and more thankful for the father I was given and all I have to be thankful for. I love each minute I get to spend with my dad. Thanks for all you do Dad, it doesn't go unappreciated. I realize that you are always there for me and I am so thankful and appreciative for that. I am always here for you too.
Love you with all my heart,
Jill
Have I told you lately that i love you?
Well yesterday my dad was in for a new chemo regimen and blood. He is on a new regimen that he chose from a few different options that the doctor gave to him. He got blood transfusions as well.
He is still hanging in there and managing to work as much as he can.
Everyday he continues to amaze me. I grow prouder and prouder of him and also learn from his actions everyday. With Father's day and my dad's birthday right around the corner I feel myself being more and more thankful for the father I was given and all I have to be thankful for. I love each minute I get to spend with my dad. Thanks for all you do Dad, it doesn't go unappreciated. I realize that you are always there for me and I am so thankful and appreciative for that. I am always here for you too.
Love you with all my heart,
Jill
Have I told you lately that i love you?
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
May 31, 2011
Hi Everyone,
Just a quick update to let everyone know that we have heard from Madison and this PDT that the surgeon we met with discussed isn't something that we plan on doing anymore. We got further information and found out that it is a more difficult procedure than we had once thought. It isn't a piece of cake that we thought it was in the beginning, it comes with many negative side effects that my dad and our family agree aren't worth it. It is always important to weigh out the positives with the negatives. This procedure would have kept my dad from being outside because of the sensitivity to the sun it causes. Of course we all know there is nothing my dad loves more than being outside in the hot, sunny weather. This made this procedure out of the question for us. It comes with multiple other side effects as well. The bleeding has slowed way down which is awesome, My dad hasn't needed blood since Friday which is great. He has been getting blood about once a week. He is hanging in there.
Keep up the prayers! We appreciate it!
I am more proud of you than ever dad! You are my hero and the strongest man I know. I look up to you every day! I LOVE YOU!!
Love your little princess :)
Just a quick update to let everyone know that we have heard from Madison and this PDT that the surgeon we met with discussed isn't something that we plan on doing anymore. We got further information and found out that it is a more difficult procedure than we had once thought. It isn't a piece of cake that we thought it was in the beginning, it comes with many negative side effects that my dad and our family agree aren't worth it. It is always important to weigh out the positives with the negatives. This procedure would have kept my dad from being outside because of the sensitivity to the sun it causes. Of course we all know there is nothing my dad loves more than being outside in the hot, sunny weather. This made this procedure out of the question for us. It comes with multiple other side effects as well. The bleeding has slowed way down which is awesome, My dad hasn't needed blood since Friday which is great. He has been getting blood about once a week. He is hanging in there.
Keep up the prayers! We appreciate it!
I am more proud of you than ever dad! You are my hero and the strongest man I know. I look up to you every day! I LOVE YOU!!
Love your little princess :)
Thursday, May 26, 2011
May 26, 2011
Hi Everyone,
Well we still haven't gotten any appointment set up in Madison at this time. We have been trying for the past several days and haven't had any luck making the connections yet. The bleeding, however, has slowed way down. My dad has only been needing blood once a week!! We are still going to go ahead with the procedure in Madison though because it will help with future bleeding and swallowing.
My dad saw Dr. Guenther on Monday. He noticed that my dad's liver is enlarged. We are getting a CAT scan today to check out the liver and see what's going on. Please pray that the cancer hasn't taken off in the liver since we haven't been on chemo.
I will keep everyone posted on the results, the results aren't read until a week from today though:( but we are going to work on hearing something sooner so I will keep the blog updated. At this point my dad does plan on going back on chemo to attack the cancer again after this treatment in Madison is over.
Boy he sure is a trooper and I am so proud of him!!
Love you Dad! You are my one and only hero!
Love always,
Jillybean
Well we still haven't gotten any appointment set up in Madison at this time. We have been trying for the past several days and haven't had any luck making the connections yet. The bleeding, however, has slowed way down. My dad has only been needing blood once a week!! We are still going to go ahead with the procedure in Madison though because it will help with future bleeding and swallowing.
My dad saw Dr. Guenther on Monday. He noticed that my dad's liver is enlarged. We are getting a CAT scan today to check out the liver and see what's going on. Please pray that the cancer hasn't taken off in the liver since we haven't been on chemo.
I will keep everyone posted on the results, the results aren't read until a week from today though:( but we are going to work on hearing something sooner so I will keep the blog updated. At this point my dad does plan on going back on chemo to attack the cancer again after this treatment in Madison is over.
Boy he sure is a trooper and I am so proud of him!!
Love you Dad! You are my one and only hero!
Love always,
Jillybean
Friday, May 20, 2011
Our Trip to Madison on May 18, 2011
Hi Everyone!
Well we went to Madison on Wednesday and we were hoping for good news and we got the best news we could have possibly heard!! We first talked to a nurse and a medical student who were both extremely friendly and knowledgeable. We were extremely impressed with the professionalism and concern we received from everyone in Madison. When the surgeon we were meeting with came in, she was very knowledgeable and friendly. She said we definitely did not want surgery because there was only a 50/50 chance of survival with my dad's condition and stage of cancer. She did however tell us about PDT which is Photo dynamic Therapy. She said that this is what she recommended for the bleeding. This is a procedure where they go down the throat (of course my dad would be put under) and they shoot a laser beam which is susceptible to this medicine that they would first give my dad in the vein. The medicine is only soaked up by tumors or cancer cells which makes the laser beam not able to harm any other area. This procedure can be done as many times as needed and the doctor had no doubt in it working. It is a 3-4 day procedure and we will go to Madison to get it done. We don't have any appointments set up yet but working on it. If that for some reason doesn't work we do have some options with inserting a stent as well, so the PDT isn't our only option either!
The PDT can be done with chemotherapy which is also a positive. My dad is planning on getting back on chemo as soon as possible. And we've had some other good news, the bleeding hasn't been as bad lately! We haven't needed a transfusion since Saturday which is great! We are going to go ahead with this PDT procedure no matter what though because it will hopefully prevent future bleeding and will shrink the tumor back making it easier to swallow and set the cancer back.
We would like to thank our doctors, nurses, and other medical staff at AMC. We were told by the doctors in Madison that we were getting EXCEPTIONAL care at AMC. They talked very highly of the treatment plans Dr. Guenther has set my dad up with and was very, very impressed with the chemo regimens, etc. We were very glad to hear that! We wouldn't want any other oncologist!
Also, a few very cool things, I really believe that my uncle getting chosen to take the statue home from his church, my mom and dad's visit with Father John, their visit to the St. Perigrine Statue, Cory and my trip to Holy Hill, and my grandma and dad's sisters trip to the shrine in Green Bay, has helped us tremendously. Also the prayers from everyone else too!! KEEP THEM COMING, THEY ARE WORKING!! WE THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Also, my Aunt Honey told me a story yesterday that really meant a lot to me. My dad's dad took a very bad fall years ago when he was building a house. All of the doctors said he wasn't going to make it, but my dad's family refused to give up. They visited him, talked to him while he was in his coma, and prayed like crazy. My grandpa beat all of the odds and made it 17 years. He lived to be 87 years old. My Aunt Honey told me that she prayed for a miracle when my grandpa was in the coma. She said how she wasn't afraid to pray for a miracle, and why shouldn't you believe that you can get one. I was really touched by her saying this. My dad's sister's and my Grandma Pete went to a shrine in Green Bay yesterday and prayed for our miracle. We are praying for a miracle for my dad. I prayed for that same miracle last night and I ask everyone else to do the same. Pray for it with confidence, with the understanding that we may get one and we may not, but it is worth asking for.
I am going to stress again that my dad is such a fighter. He is so happy everyday, no matter the circumstances. He is really a model for life and how you should enjoy everyday no matter what. I think so many people could learn so much from his example. I am so proud of him and will stand behind him throughout his fight. He has taught me so much throughout life but has proved it through example in the last 9 months. I have such a respect for him and cannot even express how proud I am of him. Keep going Dad! I Believe in you and Love you so much!
"A daughter needs a dad to teach her that a man's strength is not the force of his hand or his voice, but the kindness of his heart. A daughter needs a dad to set a moral standard for her."
Dad, you have done both of these for me. I love you and am so proud of you. You are my hero, if my heart could talk about the meaning of that one word to me, it would talk forever. It would have the longest, most positive, loving definition ever. I love you so much Dad. Never give up! You will get that miracle, I believe in it!
Love you!!
Your little princess
Well we went to Madison on Wednesday and we were hoping for good news and we got the best news we could have possibly heard!! We first talked to a nurse and a medical student who were both extremely friendly and knowledgeable. We were extremely impressed with the professionalism and concern we received from everyone in Madison. When the surgeon we were meeting with came in, she was very knowledgeable and friendly. She said we definitely did not want surgery because there was only a 50/50 chance of survival with my dad's condition and stage of cancer. She did however tell us about PDT which is Photo dynamic Therapy. She said that this is what she recommended for the bleeding. This is a procedure where they go down the throat (of course my dad would be put under) and they shoot a laser beam which is susceptible to this medicine that they would first give my dad in the vein. The medicine is only soaked up by tumors or cancer cells which makes the laser beam not able to harm any other area. This procedure can be done as many times as needed and the doctor had no doubt in it working. It is a 3-4 day procedure and we will go to Madison to get it done. We don't have any appointments set up yet but working on it. If that for some reason doesn't work we do have some options with inserting a stent as well, so the PDT isn't our only option either!
The PDT can be done with chemotherapy which is also a positive. My dad is planning on getting back on chemo as soon as possible. And we've had some other good news, the bleeding hasn't been as bad lately! We haven't needed a transfusion since Saturday which is great! We are going to go ahead with this PDT procedure no matter what though because it will hopefully prevent future bleeding and will shrink the tumor back making it easier to swallow and set the cancer back.
We would like to thank our doctors, nurses, and other medical staff at AMC. We were told by the doctors in Madison that we were getting EXCEPTIONAL care at AMC. They talked very highly of the treatment plans Dr. Guenther has set my dad up with and was very, very impressed with the chemo regimens, etc. We were very glad to hear that! We wouldn't want any other oncologist!
Also, a few very cool things, I really believe that my uncle getting chosen to take the statue home from his church, my mom and dad's visit with Father John, their visit to the St. Perigrine Statue, Cory and my trip to Holy Hill, and my grandma and dad's sisters trip to the shrine in Green Bay, has helped us tremendously. Also the prayers from everyone else too!! KEEP THEM COMING, THEY ARE WORKING!! WE THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Also, my Aunt Honey told me a story yesterday that really meant a lot to me. My dad's dad took a very bad fall years ago when he was building a house. All of the doctors said he wasn't going to make it, but my dad's family refused to give up. They visited him, talked to him while he was in his coma, and prayed like crazy. My grandpa beat all of the odds and made it 17 years. He lived to be 87 years old. My Aunt Honey told me that she prayed for a miracle when my grandpa was in the coma. She said how she wasn't afraid to pray for a miracle, and why shouldn't you believe that you can get one. I was really touched by her saying this. My dad's sister's and my Grandma Pete went to a shrine in Green Bay yesterday and prayed for our miracle. We are praying for a miracle for my dad. I prayed for that same miracle last night and I ask everyone else to do the same. Pray for it with confidence, with the understanding that we may get one and we may not, but it is worth asking for.
I am going to stress again that my dad is such a fighter. He is so happy everyday, no matter the circumstances. He is really a model for life and how you should enjoy everyday no matter what. I think so many people could learn so much from his example. I am so proud of him and will stand behind him throughout his fight. He has taught me so much throughout life but has proved it through example in the last 9 months. I have such a respect for him and cannot even express how proud I am of him. Keep going Dad! I Believe in you and Love you so much!
"A daughter needs a dad to teach her that a man's strength is not the force of his hand or his voice, but the kindness of his heart. A daughter needs a dad to set a moral standard for her."
Dad, you have done both of these for me. I love you and am so proud of you. You are my hero, if my heart could talk about the meaning of that one word to me, it would talk forever. It would have the longest, most positive, loving definition ever. I love you so much Dad. Never give up! You will get that miracle, I believe in it!
Love you!!
Your little princess
Thursday, May 12, 2011
May 12, 2011
Hi Everyone,
Just a quick note to let you know that my dad didn't need blood yesterday! He did end up needing blood on Tuesday, but did not yesterday so that is a sign it is slowing down. Keep us in your prayers!!
We've had a lot of amazing things take place this week. My uncle Roy got a call from his church saying that he was chosen to take a statue home of a particular powerful saint. He can have it for two weeks and can pray to it for my dad. He said there are tons of parishoners in his church who applied for it so he is very, very lucky he got chosen! Thank you Uncle Roy! We appreciate you taking the time to apply for it and all the praying I know you will be doing! We love you so much!
Also, Father John, who is actually my mom's cousin and the priest who married my mom and dad, stopped over Tuesday night to visit. He gave my dad the sacrament of the sick and told him how powerful that prayer was. He also told them about a church in Chilton that has a statue of St. Peregrine. My mom and dad actually went there yesterday and prayed to the saint as well! We know all of these positive things will help in our trip to Madison on Wednesday along with helping my dad feel better.
Thanks to everyone who is praying for us! We love you!!
Love always,
Jill
DAD I LOVE YOU!!
Just a quick note to let you know that my dad didn't need blood yesterday! He did end up needing blood on Tuesday, but did not yesterday so that is a sign it is slowing down. Keep us in your prayers!!
We've had a lot of amazing things take place this week. My uncle Roy got a call from his church saying that he was chosen to take a statue home of a particular powerful saint. He can have it for two weeks and can pray to it for my dad. He said there are tons of parishoners in his church who applied for it so he is very, very lucky he got chosen! Thank you Uncle Roy! We appreciate you taking the time to apply for it and all the praying I know you will be doing! We love you so much!
Also, Father John, who is actually my mom's cousin and the priest who married my mom and dad, stopped over Tuesday night to visit. He gave my dad the sacrament of the sick and told him how powerful that prayer was. He also told them about a church in Chilton that has a statue of St. Peregrine. My mom and dad actually went there yesterday and prayed to the saint as well! We know all of these positive things will help in our trip to Madison on Wednesday along with helping my dad feel better.
Thanks to everyone who is praying for us! We love you!!
Love always,
Jill
DAD I LOVE YOU!!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
The Sole Burner, Appleton, WI May 7, 2011
I am providing a link to an article that quote's myself from the Post Crescent on Saturday at the Sole Burner, it talks about our team "I Believe in Morgan" in the second page of the article. To View the article, Click on this post's title "The Sole Burner, Appleton, WI May 7, 2011" at the top of the page!
Well as many of you know we had a team for the Sole Burner called "I Believe in Morgan"
For the first time in my life I put together this team and definitely didn't know what to expect. My goal was to get 50 people to sign up. Well we got way more than 50, we ended up with nearly 180 team members. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO JOINED OUR TEAM!! It was a great success and it made my dad's day to see everyone who supports him in the extremely difficult fight. I am so glad that my dad was able to make it and see everyone!
Thank you to my mom, Cory, and Benny who helped me out with getting everything ready! Also SPECIAL, SPECIAL thank you to Ben Cropsey for making me a beautiful, big banner to hang on our team tent! It looked awesome Ben! And also a big thank you for letting us use your shade tent! Kathy and Marv, huge thank you to you too for letting us use your tables and bringing them over to our house for us! We appreciate you all so much!
I know this one doesn't have to do with the Sole Burner, but... Aunt Karen, thank you for washing our windows inside/outside of our house. My mom appreciates it so much! We love you very, very much and appreciate all you do!
Well as many of you know we had a team for the Sole Burner called "I Believe in Morgan"
For the first time in my life I put together this team and definitely didn't know what to expect. My goal was to get 50 people to sign up. Well we got way more than 50, we ended up with nearly 180 team members. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO JOINED OUR TEAM!! It was a great success and it made my dad's day to see everyone who supports him in the extremely difficult fight. I am so glad that my dad was able to make it and see everyone!
Thank you to my mom, Cory, and Benny who helped me out with getting everything ready! Also SPECIAL, SPECIAL thank you to Ben Cropsey for making me a beautiful, big banner to hang on our team tent! It looked awesome Ben! And also a big thank you for letting us use your shade tent! Kathy and Marv, huge thank you to you too for letting us use your tables and bringing them over to our house for us! We appreciate you all so much!
I know this one doesn't have to do with the Sole Burner, but... Aunt Karen, thank you for washing our windows inside/outside of our house. My mom appreciates it so much! We love you very, very much and appreciate all you do!
Monday's news May 9, 2011
Hi Everyone,
I am going to do a quite a bit of updating today. I will first get to the health news about my dad.
As I believe most people were aware, my dad was in the hospital the whole last week of April due to internal bleeding. We were having basically the same situation take place that took place in late January of this year. The doctors had my dad getting radiation and small doses of chemo each day to make the radiation as effective as possible. He could receive 10 treatments of radiation before he reached his max. There is a max on radiation because it gets to a point where it may be causing more harm than good.
My dad was released from the hospital a week ago from yesterday or the 2nd of May. He was still having to go back in each day and get radiation and blood drawn. He was getting at least 2 units of blood each day. He had his last radiation treatment yesterday or the 9th and the bleeding hasn't stopped yet. The bleeding showed a sign of slowing down in the hospital but then the next day we were back in trouble again. Yesterday it was up a little bit again so maybe we are at our turning point. Let's pray for that. I will update a little later with blood counts from today.
We talked to our oncologist yesterday about next steps because of course we can't keep going on the way we are. Our oncologist gave us a few referrals to Madison. We are going to see a surgical oncologist. We are hoping they have some options for us to help stop the bleeding. If it wasn't for this bleeding we would be in very good shape because the cancer has been knocked back quite a bit from the chemo. Let's pray we can get this bleeding stopped and get my dad back on the road to remission. Like I've said before, I will never, ever, ever give up on my dad. He seizes to amaze my mom, brother, and I everyday.
I will keep everyone updated!
Keep us in your thoughts and prayers! Pray for this bleeding to stop and for us to get many, safe options at Madison next week.
Love you all,
Jill
Dad, I am so proud of you and love you more than ever. Keep it up, better days are ahead! I LOVE YOU and your my King !!
I am going to do a quite a bit of updating today. I will first get to the health news about my dad.
As I believe most people were aware, my dad was in the hospital the whole last week of April due to internal bleeding. We were having basically the same situation take place that took place in late January of this year. The doctors had my dad getting radiation and small doses of chemo each day to make the radiation as effective as possible. He could receive 10 treatments of radiation before he reached his max. There is a max on radiation because it gets to a point where it may be causing more harm than good.
My dad was released from the hospital a week ago from yesterday or the 2nd of May. He was still having to go back in each day and get radiation and blood drawn. He was getting at least 2 units of blood each day. He had his last radiation treatment yesterday or the 9th and the bleeding hasn't stopped yet. The bleeding showed a sign of slowing down in the hospital but then the next day we were back in trouble again. Yesterday it was up a little bit again so maybe we are at our turning point. Let's pray for that. I will update a little later with blood counts from today.
We talked to our oncologist yesterday about next steps because of course we can't keep going on the way we are. Our oncologist gave us a few referrals to Madison. We are going to see a surgical oncologist. We are hoping they have some options for us to help stop the bleeding. If it wasn't for this bleeding we would be in very good shape because the cancer has been knocked back quite a bit from the chemo. Let's pray we can get this bleeding stopped and get my dad back on the road to remission. Like I've said before, I will never, ever, ever give up on my dad. He seizes to amaze my mom, brother, and I everyday.
I will keep everyone updated!
Keep us in your thoughts and prayers! Pray for this bleeding to stop and for us to get many, safe options at Madison next week.
Love you all,
Jill
Dad, I am so proud of you and love you more than ever. Keep it up, better days are ahead! I LOVE YOU and your my King !!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
May 5, 2011
Hi Everyone,
I am updating to let you know that my dad did get to come home from the hospital late Monday. The bleeding hasn't slowed down much but it is considered stable enough for him to be at home and just go back and get blood (if needed), radiation, chemo each day. He has gotten blood each day so far, Tuesday and Wednesday... We are hoping that this radiation kicks in SOON!! We have today's radiation, tomorrow's, and Monday's before we have met our maximum amount of safe radiation. If things don't turn around we are going to continue searching for other treatment options and procedures that may be available to get this problem taken care of.
I have said this from the start and I hope everyone agrees and follows me with this: I will never, ever give up on my dad. He is the strongest, most positive, upbeat person I know. If I am having a hard time he is the single person who can make me have a smile on my face. I know he can get over this tough time and that many, many happier, healthier, times are ahead. We need to keep our faith and prayers!
We appreciate all that everyone is doing/ has done for us. This weekend is the Sole Burner and I hope we will see a lot of our friends and family there to walk and support my Dad because he deserves it more than anyone.
Love you all,
Jill
Dad, You are my hero, I believe in you, stand by you, and love you more than ever! I am soooo proud of you!!!
I am updating to let you know that my dad did get to come home from the hospital late Monday. The bleeding hasn't slowed down much but it is considered stable enough for him to be at home and just go back and get blood (if needed), radiation, chemo each day. He has gotten blood each day so far, Tuesday and Wednesday... We are hoping that this radiation kicks in SOON!! We have today's radiation, tomorrow's, and Monday's before we have met our maximum amount of safe radiation. If things don't turn around we are going to continue searching for other treatment options and procedures that may be available to get this problem taken care of.
I have said this from the start and I hope everyone agrees and follows me with this: I will never, ever give up on my dad. He is the strongest, most positive, upbeat person I know. If I am having a hard time he is the single person who can make me have a smile on my face. I know he can get over this tough time and that many, many happier, healthier, times are ahead. We need to keep our faith and prayers!
We appreciate all that everyone is doing/ has done for us. This weekend is the Sole Burner and I hope we will see a lot of our friends and family there to walk and support my Dad because he deserves it more than anyone.
Love you all,
Jill
Dad, You are my hero, I believe in you, stand by you, and love you more than ever! I am soooo proud of you!!!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
4-28-11
Hi Everyone,
I am sorry that I haven't updated at all this week. I am actually sitting at the hospital with my dad as I type. He got admitted into the hospital on Monday because he is losing blood again. Just like back in January, we are getting radiation again due to the tumor in the esophagus/stomach bleeding. We can receive 10 treatments of radiation before we hit the max amount of radiation that we can receive safely. He got his third treatment of radiation today. He gets transfusions and other nutrients daily to maintain his counts. He is staying in good spirits as usual and we just ask for prayers that this radiation works soon and that we can go home and not have this problem with bleeding again.
I will try to keep updating with any new news.
Thanks for the prayers,
God Bless,
Jill
Love you dad, your my hero!
I am sorry that I haven't updated at all this week. I am actually sitting at the hospital with my dad as I type. He got admitted into the hospital on Monday because he is losing blood again. Just like back in January, we are getting radiation again due to the tumor in the esophagus/stomach bleeding. We can receive 10 treatments of radiation before we hit the max amount of radiation that we can receive safely. He got his third treatment of radiation today. He gets transfusions and other nutrients daily to maintain his counts. He is staying in good spirits as usual and we just ask for prayers that this radiation works soon and that we can go home and not have this problem with bleeding again.
I will try to keep updating with any new news.
Thanks for the prayers,
God Bless,
Jill
Love you dad, your my hero!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Chemo 4-18-11
Hi Everyone,
We had chemo yesterday. My dad took the chemo pills all last week so this week he has a week off of those. He got a dose of the other drug yesterday as well as a dose of potassium. He had a good week, still going strong and fighting hard. Since he last so much weight in the hospital he is really working hard to eat well and a lot. He got his appetite back which is truly a blessing. Him and I got to enjoy Mary's Place salads on Sunday which was a treat for both of us (we just love their salads!) My dad's blood counts were a little low, this is the main side effect of the new intra-vein chemo drug. He didn't need transfusions but goes in on Thursday just to see where they are at and to see if he needs transfusions then. They took a CEA which is the number we always want to be down. The doctor said not to be alarmed if it was to go up but I am so excited to say that it went down from 26 to 16!! This was such great news. We all continue to thank God everyday for giving my dad the rewards for his hard work that he so much deserves.
Thanks so much for the prayers, keep them up, they are working!! Pray that we can keep on this chemo regimen, that it works, and that we encounter minimal side effects. We love all of our family and friends so much. We cannot stress that enough.
As the upcoming weeks approach I look so forward to Easter with the best family in the entire world, a wedding for a cousin that I love so much (Congrats Amy and Pete), and to the Sole Burner where so many of us are going to show our support for my dad and many others battling this horrible disease.
Dad, Have I told you lately that I love you?
I DOOOOOO!!
I will never, ever stop believing in you and doing all I can to help you fight this battle, you are doing a great job. Never give up.
Love always,
Jill
We had chemo yesterday. My dad took the chemo pills all last week so this week he has a week off of those. He got a dose of the other drug yesterday as well as a dose of potassium. He had a good week, still going strong and fighting hard. Since he last so much weight in the hospital he is really working hard to eat well and a lot. He got his appetite back which is truly a blessing. Him and I got to enjoy Mary's Place salads on Sunday which was a treat for both of us (we just love their salads!) My dad's blood counts were a little low, this is the main side effect of the new intra-vein chemo drug. He didn't need transfusions but goes in on Thursday just to see where they are at and to see if he needs transfusions then. They took a CEA which is the number we always want to be down. The doctor said not to be alarmed if it was to go up but I am so excited to say that it went down from 26 to 16!! This was such great news. We all continue to thank God everyday for giving my dad the rewards for his hard work that he so much deserves.
Thanks so much for the prayers, keep them up, they are working!! Pray that we can keep on this chemo regimen, that it works, and that we encounter minimal side effects. We love all of our family and friends so much. We cannot stress that enough.
As the upcoming weeks approach I look so forward to Easter with the best family in the entire world, a wedding for a cousin that I love so much (Congrats Amy and Pete), and to the Sole Burner where so many of us are going to show our support for my dad and many others battling this horrible disease.
Dad, Have I told you lately that I love you?
I DOOOOOO!!
I will never, ever stop believing in you and doing all I can to help you fight this battle, you are doing a great job. Never give up.
Love always,
Jill
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Wednesday April 13, 2011
Hi Everyone,
I am very sorry that it has been so long since I have updated the blog. I have been crazy busy with everything and apologize. The truth is, it has been a really tough time in the past few weeks since my last post. If you remember back to January, my dad received radiation because of internal bleeding. While he was on the radiation he was switched to a different chemo regimen because the first regimen wasn't working to fight the cancer anymore. This second regimen was something called 5-FU or Xeloda. This was the most effective chemo to do with radiation. After radiation was over, he was put on Xeloda and Oxaloplatin. The Xeloda is a pill that is taken 2pills 2 times a day for one week then off for a week. The Oxaloplatin is a intravenous chemo drug that is given once every other week. After each dose of this chemo, my dad would have sever side effects of fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. After checking for every infection under the sun and ruling out that it was a virus, we came to the conclusion that it was the chemo.
I have to share a story with you all to show you how strong my dad is. A week after he got so sick, we went in for chemo. The doctor told my dad that he could take the week off because of all the side effects that he had been having or he could go on and have the chemo. My dad, being the fighter he is, said he wanted the chemo. Think for a minute how hard it must to choose to get chemicals pumped into you when you are sick... My dad is a true fighter for that reason and many others.
After receiving chemo that day, during that following week he got very sick and ended up being admitted to the hospital. He lost a lot of weight and was extremely sick. It was super hard for all of us to see. He was actually doing landscape drawings and bidding in the hospital which shows you how dedicated and how much he loves his work. After being dismissed from the hospital, he steadily got better and was once again able to eat solid foods. He still isn't back to complete strength but he is working so, so hard.
When he was in the hospital he got a CAT scan done to see if he had anything going on in the colon or intestine. This CAT scan also checked on how the cancer was doing etc. We got terrific news that the stomach and esophagus area are SIGNIFICANTLY improved. We also got not so good news that the liver and lymph nodes that had spots that were the same and some that were bigger. There were no new spreading or new lymph nodes infected though so that was good too.
When my dad went back in this past Monday to discuss possible switches of chemo, the doctor informed him that he really, really wanted to keep him on the Xeloda pill (the one that we had thought was making him sick) because this is a chemo drug that is highly effective at attacking cancer in the liver. The doctor changed the intravenous drug to Taxotere and is hoping this will minimize my dad's side effects. He will receive this Taxotere along with the Herceptin (that he has been getting all along) weekly. He will take the Xeloda pills one week on and one week off. That is where we stand as of now.
I just want to say again, how proud of my dad I am. It has been a bumpy road the last few months and no matter what, he is always optimistic. He is always showering me with compliments when I am home and can always put a smile on my face in the worst of times. When in the hospital, my dad is always all of the nurses favorites because he is so polite, funny, and optimistic. He is this way even though he is so sick and is told that death is staring him in the face. It should really be a lesson to everyone.. I know it sure is a lesson to me. I truly believe from the bottom of my heart that it is personalities like my dad's who can overcome the impossible and be that miracle. He has always told me to never give up and he is proving to me that he really, really believe that. If I could take this from him and fight this batter for him I would do it in a heartbeat and I know so many others would too. Unfortunately we can't do that but what we can do is continue to pray that this chemo will work miracles on my dad and that he won't be affected by side effects, and if he has to have side effects to lose his hair again because that is nothing. Also step back and learn from his attitude, be thankful for who you are and who you have surrounding you. Show optimism and respect to others and smile as often as possible. Give your loved ones compliments and be happy.
Also give blood and pray :)
We love all of our friends and family so much. Thanks for all of the support and prayers.
Dad,
"Have I told you lately that I love you? Have I told you there's no one else above you? You fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness, ease my troubles that's what YOU do."
A wise man once told me "Claim the road, touch the sun, no force on earth could stop you run, When your heart bursts like the sun, Never give up on your dreams."
I Love you so much and you are my hero.
Love your little princess,
Jill
I am very sorry that it has been so long since I have updated the blog. I have been crazy busy with everything and apologize. The truth is, it has been a really tough time in the past few weeks since my last post. If you remember back to January, my dad received radiation because of internal bleeding. While he was on the radiation he was switched to a different chemo regimen because the first regimen wasn't working to fight the cancer anymore. This second regimen was something called 5-FU or Xeloda. This was the most effective chemo to do with radiation. After radiation was over, he was put on Xeloda and Oxaloplatin. The Xeloda is a pill that is taken 2pills 2 times a day for one week then off for a week. The Oxaloplatin is a intravenous chemo drug that is given once every other week. After each dose of this chemo, my dad would have sever side effects of fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. After checking for every infection under the sun and ruling out that it was a virus, we came to the conclusion that it was the chemo.
I have to share a story with you all to show you how strong my dad is. A week after he got so sick, we went in for chemo. The doctor told my dad that he could take the week off because of all the side effects that he had been having or he could go on and have the chemo. My dad, being the fighter he is, said he wanted the chemo. Think for a minute how hard it must to choose to get chemicals pumped into you when you are sick... My dad is a true fighter for that reason and many others.
After receiving chemo that day, during that following week he got very sick and ended up being admitted to the hospital. He lost a lot of weight and was extremely sick. It was super hard for all of us to see. He was actually doing landscape drawings and bidding in the hospital which shows you how dedicated and how much he loves his work. After being dismissed from the hospital, he steadily got better and was once again able to eat solid foods. He still isn't back to complete strength but he is working so, so hard.
When he was in the hospital he got a CAT scan done to see if he had anything going on in the colon or intestine. This CAT scan also checked on how the cancer was doing etc. We got terrific news that the stomach and esophagus area are SIGNIFICANTLY improved. We also got not so good news that the liver and lymph nodes that had spots that were the same and some that were bigger. There were no new spreading or new lymph nodes infected though so that was good too.
When my dad went back in this past Monday to discuss possible switches of chemo, the doctor informed him that he really, really wanted to keep him on the Xeloda pill (the one that we had thought was making him sick) because this is a chemo drug that is highly effective at attacking cancer in the liver. The doctor changed the intravenous drug to Taxotere and is hoping this will minimize my dad's side effects. He will receive this Taxotere along with the Herceptin (that he has been getting all along) weekly. He will take the Xeloda pills one week on and one week off. That is where we stand as of now.
I just want to say again, how proud of my dad I am. It has been a bumpy road the last few months and no matter what, he is always optimistic. He is always showering me with compliments when I am home and can always put a smile on my face in the worst of times. When in the hospital, my dad is always all of the nurses favorites because he is so polite, funny, and optimistic. He is this way even though he is so sick and is told that death is staring him in the face. It should really be a lesson to everyone.. I know it sure is a lesson to me. I truly believe from the bottom of my heart that it is personalities like my dad's who can overcome the impossible and be that miracle. He has always told me to never give up and he is proving to me that he really, really believe that. If I could take this from him and fight this batter for him I would do it in a heartbeat and I know so many others would too. Unfortunately we can't do that but what we can do is continue to pray that this chemo will work miracles on my dad and that he won't be affected by side effects, and if he has to have side effects to lose his hair again because that is nothing. Also step back and learn from his attitude, be thankful for who you are and who you have surrounding you. Show optimism and respect to others and smile as often as possible. Give your loved ones compliments and be happy.
Also give blood and pray :)
We love all of our friends and family so much. Thanks for all of the support and prayers.
Dad,
"Have I told you lately that I love you? Have I told you there's no one else above you? You fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness, ease my troubles that's what YOU do."
A wise man once told me "Claim the road, touch the sun, no force on earth could stop you run, When your heart bursts like the sun, Never give up on your dreams."
I Love you so much and you are my hero.
Love your little princess,
Jill
Monday, March 21, 2011
Chemo 3-21-11
Hi Everyone,
Well chemo went good today. Blood counts were good, Hemoglobin at 9.6 and white blood count at 3,200. He is going to be on a pill for potassium because that was low, but that is a minor problem.
Dr. Guenther was back from vacation so it was nice to see him today. We were concerned because my dad wasn't feeling well all week and we never really pinpointed the true problem. Dr. Guenther really spent a lot of time with us and really tried to reason with the source of the problem. He seemed to think that it is definitely not from the chemo since we have been on the chemo for some time now and it never caused sickness before. All cultures and tests for infection were negative which was good so we are assuming it was a virus. He gave my dad the choice of getting chemo today or not and my dad chose to get chemo.
I realize that it's really easy for me and everyone else to want him to continue to get chemo but of course it is not fair to push it when we don't know how hard it is to deal with. I am so thankful that my dad is such a fighter. I almost started crying in the room when I heard him say I want to keep on the chemo. The rate of survival for esophageal cancer is quite scary but yet my dad doesn't let him stop his fight. There is a 5% survival rate and my dad told his doctor today he wants to be one of those 5%. I truly believe with all of my heart that it is people like my dad who are those 5%. He never gives up the fight and is always willing to do whatever they tell him he needs too. I look up to him more than anyone else in the world. I'm sure that it is so easy to say I give up or sure I will take a week off, etc. but my dad doesn't take the easy way out. Thanks for fighting dad. I wish I could fight for you or get some of those chemo drugs, or take some of those pills or side effects. If I could, I would do it without even thinking. What I can do is tell you how good of a job you are doing and how proud of you I truly am; I am prouder than ever. Stand strong and I can't wait to spend my spring break with you!!
Have I told you lately that I love you Hero?
Love always and forever,
Your little princess
Well chemo went good today. Blood counts were good, Hemoglobin at 9.6 and white blood count at 3,200. He is going to be on a pill for potassium because that was low, but that is a minor problem.
Dr. Guenther was back from vacation so it was nice to see him today. We were concerned because my dad wasn't feeling well all week and we never really pinpointed the true problem. Dr. Guenther really spent a lot of time with us and really tried to reason with the source of the problem. He seemed to think that it is definitely not from the chemo since we have been on the chemo for some time now and it never caused sickness before. All cultures and tests for infection were negative which was good so we are assuming it was a virus. He gave my dad the choice of getting chemo today or not and my dad chose to get chemo.
I realize that it's really easy for me and everyone else to want him to continue to get chemo but of course it is not fair to push it when we don't know how hard it is to deal with. I am so thankful that my dad is such a fighter. I almost started crying in the room when I heard him say I want to keep on the chemo. The rate of survival for esophageal cancer is quite scary but yet my dad doesn't let him stop his fight. There is a 5% survival rate and my dad told his doctor today he wants to be one of those 5%. I truly believe with all of my heart that it is people like my dad who are those 5%. He never gives up the fight and is always willing to do whatever they tell him he needs too. I look up to him more than anyone else in the world. I'm sure that it is so easy to say I give up or sure I will take a week off, etc. but my dad doesn't take the easy way out. Thanks for fighting dad. I wish I could fight for you or get some of those chemo drugs, or take some of those pills or side effects. If I could, I would do it without even thinking. What I can do is tell you how good of a job you are doing and how proud of you I truly am; I am prouder than ever. Stand strong and I can't wait to spend my spring break with you!!
Have I told you lately that I love you Hero?
Love always and forever,
Your little princess
Sunday, March 13, 2011
"I Believe in Morgan" May 7, 2011 Sole Burner
Hi Everyone,
You are being invited to join the team “I believe in Morgan” for the 2011 Sole Burner 5K Run/Walk.
I wanted to put together a team to support my dad and his battle against cancer. He has been doing so great and deserves to be recognized. I think it is a great time to come together and donate money to help support cancer research because it is truly so very important.
This event takes place on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at City Park in Appleton. Cost for the event is $22 a person for adults and 12$ dollars a person for children under 12. If you so choose, you can make a pledge beyond the entry fee but the entry fee is the only fee that is required to participate. Also, you can fundraise and get more donations from your friends, coworkers, and family etc. to donate as well. This money will be kept separate, just communicate with me if you are doing this so I can get you an envelope and form so you are recognized for your individual fundraising. This fundraising money is not due until Tuesday May 3. You will receive a Sole Burner t-shirt with our team logo on the back which is covered by your 22$ entry fee.
I have to have ALL of the paper work submitted and participant’s names and money by March 28th which is only about 2 weeks away. Also I will need a shirt size for all participants at this time as well. The shirt sizes are: Youth, Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large, Adult XL, and Adult XXL. If you don’t have the full payment in by then, you won’t be on the team. If you still want to participate in the Sole Burner you can do so but will have to register yourself on their website: http://community.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=35019&pg=entry
Don’t feel obligated to participate, but if you would like to, we would LOVE to have you there!
To get back to me you can:
·Mail in the bottom part of this post with your payment or drop it off at my mom and dad’s house.
·You must fill this out fully for each participant because this is how I register you!
If you have any questions my email is PETER339@uwm.edu
Thank you!!
Jill Peterson
Name:
Shirt Size:
Age on Race Date:
Address:
Will you be walking or running?
Email:
Phone Number:
You are being invited to join the team “I believe in Morgan” for the 2011 Sole Burner 5K Run/Walk.
I wanted to put together a team to support my dad and his battle against cancer. He has been doing so great and deserves to be recognized. I think it is a great time to come together and donate money to help support cancer research because it is truly so very important.
This event takes place on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at City Park in Appleton. Cost for the event is $22 a person for adults and 12$ dollars a person for children under 12. If you so choose, you can make a pledge beyond the entry fee but the entry fee is the only fee that is required to participate. Also, you can fundraise and get more donations from your friends, coworkers, and family etc. to donate as well. This money will be kept separate, just communicate with me if you are doing this so I can get you an envelope and form so you are recognized for your individual fundraising. This fundraising money is not due until Tuesday May 3. You will receive a Sole Burner t-shirt with our team logo on the back which is covered by your 22$ entry fee.
I have to have ALL of the paper work submitted and participant’s names and money by March 28th which is only about 2 weeks away. Also I will need a shirt size for all participants at this time as well. The shirt sizes are: Youth, Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large, Adult XL, and Adult XXL. If you don’t have the full payment in by then, you won’t be on the team. If you still want to participate in the Sole Burner you can do so but will have to register yourself on their website: http://community.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=35019&pg=entry
Don’t feel obligated to participate, but if you would like to, we would LOVE to have you there!
To get back to me you can:
·Mail in the bottom part of this post with your payment or drop it off at my mom and dad’s house.
·You must fill this out fully for each participant because this is how I register you!
If you have any questions my email is PETER339@uwm.edu
Thank you!!
Jill Peterson
Name:
Shirt Size:
Age on Race Date:
Address:
Will you be walking or running?
Email:
Phone Number:
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
BEST NEWS YET!! CHEMO 3-7-11
Hi everyone,
My dad got chemo yesterday.
I am SOOOOO excited to report that yesterday my dad's blood counts were great, his hemoglobin was 10.4 and his white blood count was 4,000 which are both AWESOME numbers! The even better news is the CEA results. That's the cancer cell count that we are always hoping will drop, drop, drop. His CEA was down to 26!!!! This is the LOWEST it has ever been since he was diagnosed. When he was diagnosed his CEA was 232. So as you can see, my dad has been doing some real work on that cancer. Next time you see him or talk to him tell him to keep going to town on those "boys" (that's what we call the cancer!)
Funny story, last night I was on the phone with my dad and telling him how Cory and I were talking about his good numbers and telling him that Cory said "I wonder what those tumors are doing now" and I said "getting the sh** kicked out of them, that's what!" When I told my dad this he goes "Ya, I don't know if they are on foot or horseback but there packing their bags and moving out of town." I almost died laughing while on the phone and then Cory and I almost died laughing when I told him when I got off the phone.
But it's stories like this and the sense of humor and optimism that my dad has that makes him such a strong, dedicated fighter. For that attitude I am SOOO proud and SOOO thankful. Like he said again on the phone last night, There is not ONE kind of cancer that doesn't have at least one stage four survivor. Dad, keep up your fight and you will be one of those survivors. I am sooo proud of you I can't even explain it!!
Thanks to everyone who gave blood, keep giving blood every 8 weeks, we are thankful that we don't need it but there are plenty others that do. Help them come out of there not so good times and jump back up into positive times just like blood donors helped us to do.
Also thanks to all of our friends and family for always being so great. We love you all! Thanks for the notes, calls, meals, hugs, prayers, etc. We definitely appreciate it sooo much.
Keep us in your prayers, ask God to keep helping my dad fight this cancer. Also please continue to pray for the chemo to work really well and for my dad to not have any side effects.
Thanks so much everyone!!!!
"They're a world my world revolves around
My sacred piece of solid ground
The flesh and bone that gives me strength to stand
They are a fire in my driving on
The drive behind my coming home
The living, breathing, reason that I am
A family man"
I love you Dad, your a ROCKSTAR!
But of course still my king and hero!!
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!
Jillybean
My dad got chemo yesterday.
I am SOOOOO excited to report that yesterday my dad's blood counts were great, his hemoglobin was 10.4 and his white blood count was 4,000 which are both AWESOME numbers! The even better news is the CEA results. That's the cancer cell count that we are always hoping will drop, drop, drop. His CEA was down to 26!!!! This is the LOWEST it has ever been since he was diagnosed. When he was diagnosed his CEA was 232. So as you can see, my dad has been doing some real work on that cancer. Next time you see him or talk to him tell him to keep going to town on those "boys" (that's what we call the cancer!)
Funny story, last night I was on the phone with my dad and telling him how Cory and I were talking about his good numbers and telling him that Cory said "I wonder what those tumors are doing now" and I said "getting the sh** kicked out of them, that's what!" When I told my dad this he goes "Ya, I don't know if they are on foot or horseback but there packing their bags and moving out of town." I almost died laughing while on the phone and then Cory and I almost died laughing when I told him when I got off the phone.
But it's stories like this and the sense of humor and optimism that my dad has that makes him such a strong, dedicated fighter. For that attitude I am SOOO proud and SOOO thankful. Like he said again on the phone last night, There is not ONE kind of cancer that doesn't have at least one stage four survivor. Dad, keep up your fight and you will be one of those survivors. I am sooo proud of you I can't even explain it!!
Thanks to everyone who gave blood, keep giving blood every 8 weeks, we are thankful that we don't need it but there are plenty others that do. Help them come out of there not so good times and jump back up into positive times just like blood donors helped us to do.
Also thanks to all of our friends and family for always being so great. We love you all! Thanks for the notes, calls, meals, hugs, prayers, etc. We definitely appreciate it sooo much.
Keep us in your prayers, ask God to keep helping my dad fight this cancer. Also please continue to pray for the chemo to work really well and for my dad to not have any side effects.
Thanks so much everyone!!!!
"They're a world my world revolves around
My sacred piece of solid ground
The flesh and bone that gives me strength to stand
They are a fire in my driving on
The drive behind my coming home
The living, breathing, reason that I am
A family man"
I love you Dad, your a ROCKSTAR!
But of course still my king and hero!!
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!
Jillybean
Thursday, March 3, 2011
A few good announcements!
Hi everyone,
This is just a random post for two reasons, first I forgot to include in the last post that I am happy to announce that I got engaged on the 12th of February! Cory completely surprised me and planned an amazing night for the two of us. Everyone is really, really happy!!
Next I wanted to share this song with everyone, it is such an amazing, beautiful song. It was released by Chris Medina who is a former American Idol contestant this season. He was sent home a few days ago because he broke down in the middle of performing one of his songs I believe (not this song though). His fiance was in a tragic car accident five months prior to their wedding. She has numerous injuries and is trying to regain strength to walk, etc. He sings for her and this song has a music video that goes along with it where it shows her before and after the accident and how he takes care of her now and will never leave. It's just amazing, the song is so beautiful I can't even describe it.
Here's the link, ENJOY!:
LOVE YOU DAD!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Chemo 2-21-11
HI Everyone,
It's been a while since I've posted, this is because it's been a while since we've had to go to the doctor! My dad had some great accomplishments in the mean time though, he graduated from radiation on February 7th. In total, he did 14 treatments of radiation. This radiation helped big time in stopping the bleeding that he was having, I am happy to be able to say that he hasn't had any bleeding since! While on radiation, he could only be on one chemo drug which was a pill form. Usually chemo comes in a combination of two drugs. He was done with the pill chemo since the 8th so he has had almost two solid weeks off of chemo completely.
In those two weeks my dad's apparently been very busy. We all knew he went to Vegas with my mom, aunt Karen, and uncle Dave. What we didn't know is how much his body was working to re-coop from the radiation and chemo. Yesterday when he went in for his labs, we found out that his white blood count was 4000, which is in the normal range. That is something we haven't seen in I don't even know how long, I would have to look back at the previous posts, but a long time. Also, his hemoglobin was at 11.8 which we also haven't seen in SUCH a long time. This is the number that was so low when he was in the hospital and needing transfusions. Also, this is very close to normal, the normal range is 12-15. This is a great sign, tells us that his body has been healthy enough to make both red and white blood cells. AWESOME NEWS. His weight was pretty stable as well.
The thing that is most impressive is that his CEA which is the cancer cell count that I am always talking about, dropped almost 20 points! It went from 71 to 51.7. This is just amazing. This means that the cancer in his body is dying. We didn't necessarily expect that number to go up or stay the same but it seems like that's what would happen when you were off chemo for a few weeks and only on one drug of it for a few weeks before that. We were so shocked and happy with this number, and all of these numbers.
As I write, my dad and brother are at home getting ready to go in today to get the new chemo drug that we will be trying. I read a little about it online and I just have this feeling it is going to be great. My dad will stay on that pill chemo as well for the other drug. I also think this is a good thing because from the results yesterday with labs, it seems that that pill is doing it's job.
I just want to take a minute to shower my dad with some praise. Everyone should do this for their loved ones in any hard time in their lives, especially if they are a fighter as my dad is.
Dad, your decisions, good outlook on life, and amazing personality have been amazing through this whole battle so far. I'm so glad you have decided to keep fighting so hard and taking care of yourself so perfectly. I am so honored to call you dad, even through some bad news, you have kept pushing forward and fighting soo hard. You could have just given up, but that's not you, you have always taught Ben and I to never give up; you are showing us just how much you meant and believe in that all of them years. Just like you have told us in so many things, racing, jobs, dance, college, "You can do it." "I'll be proud of you no matter what." Well, we are saying that to you dad. YOU CAN DO IT. In this war we are on that front line with you, mom, Ben, and I. We are so proud of you. I know you can do UNBELIEVABLE things because you are an unbelievable person. Your faith along with your will to fight and willingness to take care of yourself goes farther than the average person. With your attitude and Dr. Guenther I think that you have everything it takes to seriously kick this cancer out completely. This cancer doesn't know what it's getting itself into when it's fighting Jim Peterson and Dr. Guenther together.
Keep up the good work dad. I am so proud of you and so thankful for the news this week. I've been praying and praying that this new chemo is just amazing, and for some reason I just have a solid feeling that it is going to be just that.
I love you so much. You are my King and if I could, I would buy you a huge Throne:)
He's heroic in his quiet strength,
and in his caring ways.
My Dad: My Hero
Love always,
Jill
It's been a while since I've posted, this is because it's been a while since we've had to go to the doctor! My dad had some great accomplishments in the mean time though, he graduated from radiation on February 7th. In total, he did 14 treatments of radiation. This radiation helped big time in stopping the bleeding that he was having, I am happy to be able to say that he hasn't had any bleeding since! While on radiation, he could only be on one chemo drug which was a pill form. Usually chemo comes in a combination of two drugs. He was done with the pill chemo since the 8th so he has had almost two solid weeks off of chemo completely.
In those two weeks my dad's apparently been very busy. We all knew he went to Vegas with my mom, aunt Karen, and uncle Dave. What we didn't know is how much his body was working to re-coop from the radiation and chemo. Yesterday when he went in for his labs, we found out that his white blood count was 4000, which is in the normal range. That is something we haven't seen in I don't even know how long, I would have to look back at the previous posts, but a long time. Also, his hemoglobin was at 11.8 which we also haven't seen in SUCH a long time. This is the number that was so low when he was in the hospital and needing transfusions. Also, this is very close to normal, the normal range is 12-15. This is a great sign, tells us that his body has been healthy enough to make both red and white blood cells. AWESOME NEWS. His weight was pretty stable as well.
The thing that is most impressive is that his CEA which is the cancer cell count that I am always talking about, dropped almost 20 points! It went from 71 to 51.7. This is just amazing. This means that the cancer in his body is dying. We didn't necessarily expect that number to go up or stay the same but it seems like that's what would happen when you were off chemo for a few weeks and only on one drug of it for a few weeks before that. We were so shocked and happy with this number, and all of these numbers.
As I write, my dad and brother are at home getting ready to go in today to get the new chemo drug that we will be trying. I read a little about it online and I just have this feeling it is going to be great. My dad will stay on that pill chemo as well for the other drug. I also think this is a good thing because from the results yesterday with labs, it seems that that pill is doing it's job.
I just want to take a minute to shower my dad with some praise. Everyone should do this for their loved ones in any hard time in their lives, especially if they are a fighter as my dad is.
Dad, your decisions, good outlook on life, and amazing personality have been amazing through this whole battle so far. I'm so glad you have decided to keep fighting so hard and taking care of yourself so perfectly. I am so honored to call you dad, even through some bad news, you have kept pushing forward and fighting soo hard. You could have just given up, but that's not you, you have always taught Ben and I to never give up; you are showing us just how much you meant and believe in that all of them years. Just like you have told us in so many things, racing, jobs, dance, college, "You can do it." "I'll be proud of you no matter what." Well, we are saying that to you dad. YOU CAN DO IT. In this war we are on that front line with you, mom, Ben, and I. We are so proud of you. I know you can do UNBELIEVABLE things because you are an unbelievable person. Your faith along with your will to fight and willingness to take care of yourself goes farther than the average person. With your attitude and Dr. Guenther I think that you have everything it takes to seriously kick this cancer out completely. This cancer doesn't know what it's getting itself into when it's fighting Jim Peterson and Dr. Guenther together.
Keep up the good work dad. I am so proud of you and so thankful for the news this week. I've been praying and praying that this new chemo is just amazing, and for some reason I just have a solid feeling that it is going to be just that.
I love you so much. You are my King and if I could, I would buy you a huge Throne:)
He's heroic in his quiet strength,
and in his caring ways.
My Dad: My Hero
Love always,
Jill
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Quote of the day!
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
-Winston Churchill
Optimists like my dad beat cancer.
Love you daddy
-Winston Churchill
Optimists like my dad beat cancer.
Love you daddy
Monday, February 7, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2010
Hi Everyone,
My dad had his last radiation treatment this morning. He is doing good. He got a certificate for completing the radiation so that is really cool! He hasn't had to get any transfusions since he has come home from the hospital so that is just awesome news.
We will find out our new chemotherapy regimen next Monday when we meet with the doctor. Please pray for a good reaction to the next chemo with no side effects. We pray that my dad can tolerate it as well as the first chemo.
Please remember to donate blood, I understand that some people are medically unable which is completely understandable, then your job is to inspire your friends, family, and relatives who are capable how important it is. There is no "rule" that we MUST replace all of the blood my dad has gotten, We just feel like giving back in respect of all the people who need blood or have loved ones who need blood. We want there to always be blood for people to receive.
With that being said, if your excuse for not giving is "your to scared, you don't have time, or it might hurt" for one minute put yourself in someone's shoes who has cancer or who has a disease in which they are getting poked, chemicals pumped into their bodies, loss of hair, appetite, fatigue, death staring them in the face, every week, sometimes every day and hour. Yet, these people never complain; they laugh and tell jokes and are so happy with everything they are given. Think about them, and what would happen if everyone on this earth was that inconsiderate and didn't donate their blood; our loved ones would die.
For this reason, I am more than thankful for lifetime donors. For people like my mom and dad who have taught me from little on that giving blood was the kind thing to do. I remember sharing cookies at the blood drive with my brother waiting for my mom or dad to get done donating. Even before my dad was diagnosed with cancer I began giving blood because I was taught this from little on. Thanks mom and dad for teaching me all of these great life lessons, I never understood the power of donating just always knew it was the right thing to do, now I understand the true power and importance. Thank you to all of the lifetime donors and people who follow through with giving, believe me you really, really do make a difference.
All that being said, maybe I should look into campaigning for the blood center?
Ha-Ha. Have a good day and remember:
Give Blood: Save lives :)
This is Packer Country, Where's your green card?
Super Bowl Champs XLV
Love always,
Jill
"Effort only fully releases it's reward after a person refuses to quit."
-Dad
My Hero <3
My dad had his last radiation treatment this morning. He is doing good. He got a certificate for completing the radiation so that is really cool! He hasn't had to get any transfusions since he has come home from the hospital so that is just awesome news.
We will find out our new chemotherapy regimen next Monday when we meet with the doctor. Please pray for a good reaction to the next chemo with no side effects. We pray that my dad can tolerate it as well as the first chemo.
Please remember to donate blood, I understand that some people are medically unable which is completely understandable, then your job is to inspire your friends, family, and relatives who are capable how important it is. There is no "rule" that we MUST replace all of the blood my dad has gotten, We just feel like giving back in respect of all the people who need blood or have loved ones who need blood. We want there to always be blood for people to receive.
With that being said, if your excuse for not giving is "your to scared, you don't have time, or it might hurt" for one minute put yourself in someone's shoes who has cancer or who has a disease in which they are getting poked, chemicals pumped into their bodies, loss of hair, appetite, fatigue, death staring them in the face, every week, sometimes every day and hour. Yet, these people never complain; they laugh and tell jokes and are so happy with everything they are given. Think about them, and what would happen if everyone on this earth was that inconsiderate and didn't donate their blood; our loved ones would die.
For this reason, I am more than thankful for lifetime donors. For people like my mom and dad who have taught me from little on that giving blood was the kind thing to do. I remember sharing cookies at the blood drive with my brother waiting for my mom or dad to get done donating. Even before my dad was diagnosed with cancer I began giving blood because I was taught this from little on. Thanks mom and dad for teaching me all of these great life lessons, I never understood the power of donating just always knew it was the right thing to do, now I understand the true power and importance. Thank you to all of the lifetime donors and people who follow through with giving, believe me you really, really do make a difference.
All that being said, maybe I should look into campaigning for the blood center?
Ha-Ha. Have a good day and remember:
Give Blood: Save lives :)
This is Packer Country, Where's your green card?
Super Bowl Champs XLV
Love always,
Jill
"Effort only fully releases it's reward after a person refuses to quit."
-Dad
My Hero <3
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Another quick thought :)
Hi again,
I know everyone is always asking what they can do for us and we never have anything besides praying... WELL!! We have something now:)
We would love for everyone (who is able) to donate blood. You don't understand the impact that donating blood has until one of your loved ones wouldn't be around without it. We are grateful for the blood that we have received because people have donated. My mom,Ben,and I would LOVE to replace all of that blood so other patients and families can get all the blood they need. We will be giving blood for quite some time if we do it alone. Please help us out, we would really appreciate it and so would all the other patients and families who need it.
And of course the prayers :)
We love all of you,
Thanks so much!
Give Blood. Give Life.
Jill
I know everyone is always asking what they can do for us and we never have anything besides praying... WELL!! We have something now:)
We would love for everyone (who is able) to donate blood. You don't understand the impact that donating blood has until one of your loved ones wouldn't be around without it. We are grateful for the blood that we have received because people have donated. My mom,Ben,and I would LOVE to replace all of that blood so other patients and families can get all the blood they need. We will be giving blood for quite some time if we do it alone. Please help us out, we would really appreciate it and so would all the other patients and families who need it.
And of course the prayers :)
We love all of you,
Thanks so much!
Give Blood. Give Life.
Jill
Hospital Week
Hi Everyone,
Sorry I haven't updated this blog in a while. It's been really busy lately and hard to get time. As many of you know, my dad was in the hospital from last Wednesday the 19th to this Thursday the 27th. We went in for a scope on Wednesday the 19th and found out that he was very, very low on blood. We were sent straight to the hospital and had to stay there until my dad was able to maintain a high enough blood count. We did start radiation treatment to the esophagus area to try and stop the bleeding, and finally, Thursday we saw some progress. He was able to come home Thursday and I am so happy to say that he has gone back to get blood checked both Friday and Saturday and both days his blood was 10.3 and 10.1 which is great news.
While in the hospital he was having to get two units of blood a day and was usually losing those two units plus a little bit more... So as you can see, it is great that he is maintaining a solid 10 for his blood without having transfusions in the past few days. He will get 14 total treatments of radiation. He has gotten 8 treatments so far. We are on a new chemo that is actually an oral pill that he takes a few times a day. We are on this chemo until we are done with radiation and then chemo will most likely change again.
My dad's white count is still very low so we still have to be extra, extra careful not to get him sick. We are SOO happy to have him home. He lost at least 10 pounds while in the hospital and I am glad to say that thanks to the big shakes and Roastbeefs and even EXTRA, EXTRA, big roast beefs from Arby's (Thanks Hoovy!) and big bags of candy (thanks Travis and Katie) and the peanuts and other various snacks and treats (thanks schuh aunts and Gma Schuh) and delicious apple bread (thanks Karen Swaim) He has put it all back on!! So that is great news!
Continue to pray that all goes well with the following radiation treatments and that the bleeding stops and never comes back. Also that this new chemo regimen works wonders and we can see a real life miracle.
Thanks Everyone,
Love always,
Jill
Hey Dad,
Don't rock the jukebox :)
Sorry I haven't updated this blog in a while. It's been really busy lately and hard to get time. As many of you know, my dad was in the hospital from last Wednesday the 19th to this Thursday the 27th. We went in for a scope on Wednesday the 19th and found out that he was very, very low on blood. We were sent straight to the hospital and had to stay there until my dad was able to maintain a high enough blood count. We did start radiation treatment to the esophagus area to try and stop the bleeding, and finally, Thursday we saw some progress. He was able to come home Thursday and I am so happy to say that he has gone back to get blood checked both Friday and Saturday and both days his blood was 10.3 and 10.1 which is great news.
While in the hospital he was having to get two units of blood a day and was usually losing those two units plus a little bit more... So as you can see, it is great that he is maintaining a solid 10 for his blood without having transfusions in the past few days. He will get 14 total treatments of radiation. He has gotten 8 treatments so far. We are on a new chemo that is actually an oral pill that he takes a few times a day. We are on this chemo until we are done with radiation and then chemo will most likely change again.
My dad's white count is still very low so we still have to be extra, extra careful not to get him sick. We are SOO happy to have him home. He lost at least 10 pounds while in the hospital and I am glad to say that thanks to the big shakes and Roastbeefs and even EXTRA, EXTRA, big roast beefs from Arby's (Thanks Hoovy!) and big bags of candy (thanks Travis and Katie) and the peanuts and other various snacks and treats (thanks schuh aunts and Gma Schuh) and delicious apple bread (thanks Karen Swaim) He has put it all back on!! So that is great news!
Continue to pray that all goes well with the following radiation treatments and that the bleeding stops and never comes back. Also that this new chemo regimen works wonders and we can see a real life miracle.
Thanks Everyone,
Love always,
Jill
Hey Dad,
Don't rock the jukebox :)
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Chemo January 17, 2011
Hi Everyone,
We are back from vacation and had a good time. We had chemo yesterday. My dad was only able to get one chemo drug, he has some bleeding that we need to find out where it is coming from before he can be considered ok to get the other chemo drug. He still did get Herceptin which is good. His weight was stable. His whole blood was very low because of the blood loss, he got two transfusions after chemo yesterday to help. His CEA was up just a little but to 72 and his white blood count was about 1600 not much of a difference from two weeks ago. He is getting another scope tomorrow to see if they can find out where the bleeding is coming from and hopefully do something to help stop it.
We continue to thank and ask you for more prayers. Prayer is more powerful than we even all know. Please continue to ask God for some good news and good health and spirits for my dad. We appreciate everything that everyone does for us. Special thank you to my mom's sisters Karen, Kathy, and Konnie, and her mom (my grandma Schuh) for coming and cleaning our entire house when we were on vacation, it was truly wonderful to not be stressing about that when we got back. Once again I will say this, we are blessed with truly an amazing family, from us four to both of our extended families both Schuh and Peterson we are so lucky. Also special thank you to Kirk Schuh for taking care of our driveway when the big snowstorm hit and taking such time doing such a perfect job shoveling out the sidewalk and everything. We are so lucky to have such great friends too.
We love you all,
With God All things are Possible,
Jill
Have I told you lately that I love you Dad? I do!!
We are back from vacation and had a good time. We had chemo yesterday. My dad was only able to get one chemo drug, he has some bleeding that we need to find out where it is coming from before he can be considered ok to get the other chemo drug. He still did get Herceptin which is good. His weight was stable. His whole blood was very low because of the blood loss, he got two transfusions after chemo yesterday to help. His CEA was up just a little but to 72 and his white blood count was about 1600 not much of a difference from two weeks ago. He is getting another scope tomorrow to see if they can find out where the bleeding is coming from and hopefully do something to help stop it.
We continue to thank and ask you for more prayers. Prayer is more powerful than we even all know. Please continue to ask God for some good news and good health and spirits for my dad. We appreciate everything that everyone does for us. Special thank you to my mom's sisters Karen, Kathy, and Konnie, and her mom (my grandma Schuh) for coming and cleaning our entire house when we were on vacation, it was truly wonderful to not be stressing about that when we got back. Once again I will say this, we are blessed with truly an amazing family, from us four to both of our extended families both Schuh and Peterson we are so lucky. Also special thank you to Kirk Schuh for taking care of our driveway when the big snowstorm hit and taking such time doing such a perfect job shoveling out the sidewalk and everything. We are so lucky to have such great friends too.
We love you all,
With God All things are Possible,
Jill
Have I told you lately that I love you Dad? I do!!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Dad's Chemo January 3, 2011
Hi Everyone,
Well dad's chemo went good again yesterday. We got a double dose of the Herceptin since we won't be going in next week (because of our trip to Florida!) My dad's weight was good, back up a few pounds from last week. His white blood count was good, it was 1,700. His whole blood was good at 10.1 too. We stayed with the same chemo this week, the doctor seemed happy with the CEA from last week even though we were worried about it being up a couple of points. It seems like it has to fluctuate more than a few points to really be a scare. The more we heard the doctor and nurse talk on Monday, it seems like the news we got last week with the CAT scan was more on the positive side than we thought, sometimes it's really hard to understand exactly what the doctor and nurse are communicating because we are so new to all of this...
We won't be around next week because we are going to Orlando, Florida for a vacation but will go in for chemo again on the 17th. I will keep you updated and hopefully share a few pictures from our vacation!
Take care and God Bless!
Love always,
Jill
Have I told you lately that I love you Dad?
You'll always be my Hero!
Well dad's chemo went good again yesterday. We got a double dose of the Herceptin since we won't be going in next week (because of our trip to Florida!) My dad's weight was good, back up a few pounds from last week. His white blood count was good, it was 1,700. His whole blood was good at 10.1 too. We stayed with the same chemo this week, the doctor seemed happy with the CEA from last week even though we were worried about it being up a couple of points. It seems like it has to fluctuate more than a few points to really be a scare. The more we heard the doctor and nurse talk on Monday, it seems like the news we got last week with the CAT scan was more on the positive side than we thought, sometimes it's really hard to understand exactly what the doctor and nurse are communicating because we are so new to all of this...
We won't be around next week because we are going to Orlando, Florida for a vacation but will go in for chemo again on the 17th. I will keep you updated and hopefully share a few pictures from our vacation!
Take care and God Bless!
Love always,
Jill
Have I told you lately that I love you Dad?
You'll always be my Hero!
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