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 :)
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
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!!!
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