Mixed Results for John

How to start? The MRI yesterday showed growth in the brain tumors and the doctors feel that is what caused the seizure on Friday. The heart continues to shrink slowly though, as a result of the current chemo cocktail and as for the rest of the tumors in the body, some are shrinking and some are growing. The oncologist wants to add a different drug to the chemo mix which has shown to cross the blood brain barrier better. This could be started at the next scheduled chemo which is December 27. Jesi and John were still waiting for the neurosurgeon's input although the oncologist said gamma knife is still the most probably action for the brain tumors. It will just be when it is performed. Usually the surgeon wants it to be three weeks after chemo. As of today when I talked to Jesi, John was sleeping but doing OK. I think he was hoping the seizure was just a result of the chemo. I am trying to put a positive spin on all of this and say the seizure was a way to put the brain tumors on the forefront and treat them as actively as the heart tumor. John is getting some blood tomorrow and then will be in Perrysburg until the 26th. We will have a Merry Christmas.

MMEMFM

When the kids went to college I always tried to sit down on Monday morning and send a little recap of the past week. The subject line would always be MMEMFM standing for, Monday morning e-mail from mom. I may try to incorporate that concept into this blog. At least it will be today's topic. Actually I do not have to recap, because you can just scroll down and read about our week. But for the future I will try to make sure there is a little Monday morning update on how the Stanford's fared over the past week.

Last week was not one of our better weeks but we got through it and today is the beginning of a new week. It is the Christmas season and there is happiness all around. Family and friends visiting, good eats constantly available, and the hope that a new year always brings. I plan to put a smile on my face, finish up the details and enjoy the day.

I know I have acquired many readers over the last month and so today I am asking some of you to leave me a note in the comments section. If you have a favorite saying put that in or maybe a favorite team as I am struggling with this football bowl pool pick sheet. It is easy and quick as my friend Rosemary knows, and the comments mean a lot to me. I could use a boost of positive energy.

My thought for today to get you thinking is "Don't worry about things you have no influence over. It is wasted energy." Now if I could live that a little more I would be all set. Have a great day!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....

The winter storm is coming through Ohio much as predicted by the usually reliable forecasters. We had snow flakes yesterday, sleet overnight and quickly accumulating snow all morning. I would say we are in the 3-5 inch range right now and with the wind blowing we could see some drifting starting to take place. Mike and I baked Christmas cookies yesterday and Steve and I napped on and off. As of late yesterday afternoon John was still resting in bed but did not seem to have any major physical affects from the seizure. On Monday his Ohio State team of doctors will review all the data and perhaps have more information as to causes.

We took a pass on a favorite Christmas party last night. I couldn't put on a party face and get through all of the well meaning hugs in my current emotional state which was even more fragile with lack of sleep. I hope everyone had a great time. As I said it is always one of our favorite parties.

Today if the snow slows a little Steve and I hope to get out and do a little cross country skiing on the golf course. We haven't had much opportunity the last couple of years. It seems we only get one or two snow events that will support skiing around this area, then it is either too icy or not enough snow. The tractor is all set up to plow snow now too. I took the mower blade off on Friday when they predicted this storm. The plan is to wait until it stops snowing before doing the work of clearing the driveway. Jessica called from LA yesterday and is thrilled to hear we will be having a white Christmas. Lets hope next weeks travels are not affected by this kind of storm. I am very much looking forward to having my daughter home with me.

The roller coaster of Melanoma

Just when it seems like things are rolling along OK the bottom drops out. The phone call at 3:50AM this morning couldn't be good news. John was at the Marysville hospital. He had a seizure during the night had to call 911 and was at the emergency room. We jumped in the car...and were almost to Marysville when we got the call that they were not going to admit John. They did not know the cause of the seizure but he appeared not to have any brain issues that showed up on the cat scan. They prescribed an anti seizure medicine to add to the arsenal he already has and sent him home. We got to their house got some hugs, gave some hugs and put everyone back to bed. Annal, John college roommate and dear friend to both he and Jesi, is staying at the house this weekend. They sent us back home. John will talk to the oncologist today and see if it is possible this is a side effect of the chemo.

Mike, mean while did not get to go to the State Special Olympics swim meet because of the predicted bad snow storm headed this way. Since Wood County take school buses the decision was made late Friday right before they were to leave. There were several very unhappy athletes. This is one of the bigger state events and 2 nights in a hotel with friends is such a highlight.

So for now we are home, probably napping most of the day.

I do have a life

Recently when we were talking with a friend about blogging the comment was made "blogging is for people with no life". Well it certainly is true that I can get lost while surfing the internet but taking 5 minutes to post something here is probably a more effective use of my time than checking the financials online. (But if you have a great stock tip please pass it along.) And I did not post yesterday because I spent the day out and about getting Christmas at the Stanford's ready. There will be presents under the tree this year. And food to eat. And drinks to imbibe.

Mike is off to the State Special Olympics swim meet in Columbus today. He is rested up and we expect some new records this year. I am sure while I was out and about yesterday he was relaxing and mentally preparing for competition. The new aquatics pavilion at Ohio State is a great venue for this event. Steve and I will not be going down this year. We are looking forward to an empty nest weekend. A rarity in our life.

My thought for everyone reading this today is to remember not to get too busy wrapped up in the details of Christmas. Slow down enough to enjoy the people you are spending time with. They are important.

Christmas vacation (not the movie)

That is what Mike has decided this break in employment will be called. We had a successful meeting with CES (community employment services) yesterday and hopefully some lucky employer will jump at the chance to have such a dedicated employee as Mike. For now he is my employee and we will be out there today finishing up the outside Christmas lights. Then there is cleaning the basement...the garage...vacuuming....he will not be enjoying this Christmas vacation like those when he was a school boy. The karaoke machine is going right now but at least it is Christmas music. I have learned everything there is know about unemployment benefits via the internet and even though it is not to Mike's liking we will be applying just in case.

John is getting a full body CAT scan today to see what is going on in the rest of his body. It seems the latest MRI's were just heart and brain related. The results of this CAT scan will be used to determine where things go at his appointment with the oncologist on December 19. He is recovering from the chemo week but fatigue and back pain remain an issue. Hopefully the CAT scan will offer some insight into the back pain and a therapy other than pain pills can be addressed.

Miss Jessica on the West coast had a great birthday according to the pictures she sent. She and Ben spent her birthday weekend on Catalina Island. Very picturesque and a world away from LA even though just a ferry ride across the Pacific.