Monday October 20 2008

Jack at Gym class.  

Dad and the kids.

Off to the park.

Jack "flying" with Daddy.

Kate carrying a gourd.  

Jack picking apples.

Dad and Kate in the backyard.

Jack and Mom playing out back.

Dad and Jack.

Mom and Jack.

How cute is this sweater.  My mom made it for Kate.

Fall at our house.

The family at Emma Krumbees.

Jack kept putting pumpkins in the wagon.  If he had it his way we would have brought home all of them.  When he wasn't looking, I would take them out.

I can't tell you how many times she tripped over pumpkin vines that day!

Ride 'em cowboy!  This was a big step for Jack.

Jack and Me on the tractor.  Dad and Kate had to walk.  No strollers allowed.

This past weekend we went to Emma Krumbees.  It is a pumpkin patch and an apple orchard.  Every year they have a scarecrow festival, pony rides, a petting zoo, camel rides, and all kinds of family fun.  We had a great time.  Jack was brave enough to go on the pony ride.  Last year we had to get our money back due to a deep and painful fear of ponies.  This year, he loved it.  

Some Pictures!

Kate enjoying an ice cream cone.

Jack was nice enough to give his baby sister a ride in his jeep.

Jack playing in the leaves.

Kate playing in the leaves.

Raking leaves in the backyard.

Jack at the driving range.  John is so proud!

Kate walking.

Not having any fun at all!

Jack on the rides at Como Zoo.

On the swings.  Wheee!

Jacks 3rd Birthday

The mission to Mars Jumper.  

Jacks Finding Nemo Cake

Mmmmmm...Birthday Cake!

The Family.  The kids are thinking, "take the picture already."

September 21, 2008

Hello Everyone,

I will start off with a health update.  I am doing well.  I am gaining strength and feeling good.  Not great yet, but I am on my way.  It has been a bumpy road.  I have my great days, and my not so great days.  I still get tired easily, but that is to be expected.  This last week was my first week alone with the kids.  Well, sort of.  I had some help from my mom.  But it is so nice to feel like a mom again.  I was getting tired of sitting on the sidelines.  I don't want Cancer Patient to become my primary title.  So, I am jumping back in to motherhood...with caution.

We heard from Mayo Clinic about the cancer.  It is stage 2 Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma.  At first I was diagnosed as a stage 3, after further investigation, I was changed to stage 2, which is great news.  Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is a very rare type of kidney cancer that accounts for about 5% of all RCC cases.  The good news is that the statistics say that the recurrence rate for Chromophobe RCC is somewhere between 5-25%.  So, we can keep our fingers crossed that this chapter in my life is over.  The bad news about the Chromophobe RCC is that they don't know a lot about it because it rejects the dye used to study it.  I had an MRI to check my tailbone for any cancer spread.  The report on that is that, "It looks OK."  However, I do have a large pool of blood (hematoma) at the surgery site.  The doctors are hopeful that it will reabsorb into my system in time.  They will keep an eye on everything.  I will be scanned every few months for a very very long time to check for any new tumors.  

I went to a genetic counselor to see if they had any answers as to why this happened.  They think I may have something called Birt Hogg Dube Syndrome.  It is an extremely rare syndrome that increases your chances for Chromobhobe RCC.  The symptoms include flesh colored moles on your face (which I have, but so do many other people), lung problems, renal tumors, and some other things.  I will be tested for it by removing and biopsying the moles on my face.  If I test positive for this syndrome, my parents, sisters, and kids will have to be tested too.  If they have the syndrome, they are at a greater risk for developing kidney cancer. Hopefully none of us have that and it is just a fluke that this happened to me.  I go back to the oncologist on the 29th for a check up and a bunch of blood work.  I go to the dermatologist on Oct 27 for the mole removal, so if you see me right after that, be kind.  I am sure I will have a few stitches on my face and look scary!  Just in time for Halloween.  Who knew that cancer would be such a pain.  

In happier news, Jack turned 3!  We had a big party.  It was a celebration for everyone in our family with a birthday in September.  Jack turned 3, John turned 32. Will turned 2, Lauren turned 17, aunt Linda turned ?, and of course Grandma Adorable turned 29....again.  It was a great party.  We rented a big blow up jumper for the kids to play in.  It should have been a huge hit, but it was a cold and rainy day.  They still jumped and played, but I am sure they could have had a better time if mother nature would have cooperated.  Jack had a great time.  He had a Finding Nemo cake, tons of balloons, and way too many gifts.  He got a Jeep that he can drive, a trampoline, a remote control Bobcat, a racetrack, games, books, a soccer ball, golf stuff...you name it, he got it.  He is already making his Christmas list.   Now that Jack is 3, he is wearing Pull Ups and starting to use the potty.  He is very proud of himself.

Kate is growing like a weed.  Finally her four front teeth are in!  I think the worst of the teething is over.  She is walking too.  She just figured it out one day.  She can even get up without pulling up on furniture.  Walking at 10 months.  She is a determined little bugger.  We are very proud. 

John turns 32 tomorrow.  Happy Birthday to him!  

Well, I would write more and add photos, but I hear Kate.  She is awake and wants me to pick her up.  I will add pictures soon.

Take care!

Becky

August 22, 2008

Hi Everyone,

First of all, let me apologize for the ugly pictures of the tumor.  I bet that was not what any of you were expecting to see when you visited my blog!  I wrote the text of the blog and added the photos after.  When I added the photos, I thought they would show up BELOW all of the text.  My disclaimer  that there were graphic photos attached didn't do much good.  So, sorry about that.  That is what I (and all of you) get when I sit down at the computer under the influence of pain killers.  But now we all know what cancer looks like.  I think the pictures are sort of like a car crash...you don't want to look at it, but you just can't help it.  

Anyway, I am doing pretty well.  I am still in a lot of pain and very weak, but it is getting better.  I took the bandages off of my incision last night and it looks great!  I was expecting a gruesome looking thing.  I thought it would look like the scar on Frankenstien's head.  But it isn't so bad.  I think it makes me look tough.  

I am really excited because my kids are coming home tomorrow!  Jack and Kate have been at "Camp Grandma and Grandpa Waldock and  Camp Gaga and Papa Winstead."  Both my parents and Johns parents have been taking wonderful care of them.  They have come for short visits but I think it is time they come back home.  I am really looking forward to having my family under one roof again.  I am by no means ready to jump back into my role as full time Mom, but it can only help to have my kids around me.  John is going to get a crash course in being a stay at home mom.  Kids, cooking, cleaning, laundry, yard work.  I plan to take pictures.  I am not worried, he is a wonderful father and he will do great.  My mom is planning on moving in for a few days to help as well.  And if it is too much, too soon, we can send the kids back to "camp."  

Speaking of our parents, I have to take a minute to thank them.  They have been so helpful, generous, and supportive.  Thank you Mom, Dad, John Sr, and Arlene!  We would be lost without you.  We love you so much.  If any of you see them, give them a pat on the back.  They really deserve it.  

So far, we have not heard any new news on the pathology of the tumor from Mayo Clinic yet.  So far all we know is that it is Stage 3 Renal Cell Carcinoma.  I have an oncology appointment on Thursday.  We will learn more then.  In the meantime, I plan on resting and healing.  I promised Jack that we would watch Finding Nemo when I got home from the hospital, so I am looking forward to that.  

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers!  That is really helping to keep our spirits up.  I really believe that whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.  So, I figure I will be ironclad by the time this is all over!  

Love to all!

Becky

Home from the hospital

Hello Everyone.

I am home from the hospital.  The surgery went well.  They ended up taking the tumor, my kidney, and my adrenal gland.  I got to keep my spleen.  I am very sore and very very weak.  But hopefully it will get better every day.  

The pathology report on the tumor is back.  It is stage 3 Renal Cell Carcinoma.  My oncologist is sending some samples down to Mayo Clinic for more testing.  We will hear from Mayo in a few days to determine the best course of action.  

  

Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers.  I really appreciate it.  

I have added the photos of my tumor.  Be warned, they are graphic.  The tumor is big, it is mean, and it is ugly.  And it is no longer residing in my abdomen.  

Ready for Surgery

Today I had my pre surgery physical.  My heart, lungs, blood, etc. all look good.  I am strong, I am young, and I am as ready as I will ever be.  

Yes I am scared.  I am afraid of the surgery.  I am afraid of what they are going to tell me after the surgery.  I am scared for my kids and the rest of my family.  Besides that I am trying to stay positive.  

Ok, here is the morbid part.  Just in case things go badly.....I feel I need to tell people that I love them.  You all know who you are.  I love you so much.  Also, I want all of you to make sure my kids know how much their mom loves them.  Alright, that is enough of that.  

So, Friday morning..........here I come.  

Summer Pictures

4th of July at Prior Lake

Golfing at Dwan with Gene and Debbie

Summer Fete

Swimming with Auntie Jenny

Swimming at Grandma and Grandpa Waldocks

Mayo Clinic

It turns out that I am not going to Mayo for a second opinion now.  There is only one doctor that is qualified to see a patient who has a tumor as large as mine.  That particular doctor is booked a great deal in advance, and I can't wait that long.  So, the plan is to proceed with surgery on Friday at Methodist Hospital.  

August 9, 2008

August 8, 2008

On July 31st I went to my back Dr. to discuss the results of my latest MRI.  When he said, "I don't want to alarm you but..." I never thought I would be up against a kidney tumor.  

It turns out that I have an 11 cm tumor on my left kidney.  The tumor is one of two things.  An oncocytoma (stage 0 cancer) or renal cell carcinoma (stage 3 cancer).  I have been advised not to do a biopsy due to the size of the tumor and the risk of spreading the cells.  I am scheduled for surgery at Methodist Hospital on Friday, August 15th.  I will have the tumor, my left kidney, and possibly my spleen removed.  It can take about 5 days to really examine the tumor and do all of the pathology.  So we won't know which cancer it is until then.  Either way I am in for a very tough recovery.  

I have had numerous CT and MRI scans done.  This type of cancer usually spreads to the lungs, bones, and brain.  So far those areas look good.  But they wanted me to know that they only are able to scan for masses 1 cm and smaller.  

I am confident in the team of Urologists and Oncologists involved.  They are good doctors and seem to have my best interests at heart.  

Needless to say I am very scared.  This is not something you expect when you are 32 years old.  I am trying to stay strong for my kids and the rest of my family.  

Now I am in scramble mode trying to get everything and everyone ready for surgery.  Sadly our Nanny who we have grown to absolutely love is leaving us.  She is a second grade teacher and has to get back to the classroom.  So, I may be asking some of you to help out with the kiddos from time to time.

I will update this blog as I can.  Wish me luck!

Becky

June 4, 2008

Hi Everyone,

We haven't written anything in a while.  Things have been crazy for us lately.  Everyone is doing ok.  The kids are great!  Kate is starting to sit up on her own and is rolling around all over the place.  She will be crawling anytime.  She is able to sort of scoot backwards while on her tummy.   It also won't be long before those first two bottom teeth pop through.   And she is sleeping thru the night most of the time.  (I hope I didn't just curse it!)  Jack is very busy!  He loves summer and is a big help in the yard.  He loves going to the park and  going for walks.  He could spend all day outside looking at stuff.  We are also getting ready for potty training.  We have the books, the pull ups (Big boy pants), the charts and stickers, and just need Jack to get on board.  Yesterday he did go on the potty a little bit.  He was very excited and we are very proud.  We will take baby steps.  

Anyway, that is just a quick update.  Kate is up from her nap, so I have to go.  I will write again soon.

Thanks to everyone for all of your kind words and support over the last month.  It has been and continues to be a difficult time for us, but we are doing ok.  

Becky and John 

June 3, 2008

Kate in her Bumbo chair.

Jack at Chutes and Ladders having two treats. 

We are back

Kate in the front yard watching her brother play.

Jack at the park.  He is so happy that summer is finally here!

April 30, 2008

I haven't written in a while.  That is because we have been busy.  We haven't been doing anything overly exciting, but we have been busy.  Spring is sort of here so we have been spending a lot of time outside.  Jack couldn't be happier that it is warm enough to go out and play.  We have been going to the park, walking around the lake, getting some yard work done, going to the dog park, and playing in the yard.

Kate is already 6 months old.  Where does the time go?  We started her on rice cereal and she loves it!  We waited until she was 6 months old due to the allergies that run in the family.  We had her 6 month well child check up today and she is happy and healthy.  She is growing right on track and is right where she should be developmentally.  

Other than that we are getting ready to landscape our back yard and paint the deck and gazebo that we built last fall.  I am really ready to finish all projects around here and just live in the house.  But as most homeowners know, there is always something to do, fix, etc.  

April 3rd, 2008

It has been a semi quiet week.  Jack and Kate came down with colds...again.  I think they got it from their father.  So we have been staying at home a lot.  We are keeping busy painting, coloring, playing with Play Dough, reading, and watching movies.  Other than that, not a lot is new.  We got some more snow, but it is all melting away now.  We are really looking forward to spring.  Jack is at the age where he hates being trapped inside all day.  Soon enough we will be dragging him in for his naps and lunch.  This summer should be  a lot of fun.  We are looking forward to walks, biking, swimming, going to the park, and just playing in the front yard.  I am even looking forward to all of the yard work.  I am not really sure how I plan on getting it done with the 2 kids, but I guess I get laundry done now, so I will figure it out.