Prayer Warriors Needed ~
This morning I received my normal little news update email from our local NBC news station with a very interesting title. "I Prayed for God to Give Me a Positive Attitude" A 13-year-old girl in Kaufman County recently learned she has just months to live.
This caught my eye and I had to read. Here is a little girl, right in my back yard needing our help and prayers. She is battling Osteosarcoma which has returned twice. Of course I cried as I read it. I hate seeing another child with this dreaded disease. I searched and search and have come across her caringbridge page. This beautiful little girls needs are help. Please pray for her and her family during this time.
LaurrenSmith
On a lighter side, Michael is doing OK. He is still pretty tired but he is determined to get up and go. He is so ready to get these scans out of the way.
As always, please continue to pray for all our beautiful sarcoma warriors. They all need our extra prayers tonight.
Melodie
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Waiting and Waiting ~
Michael did fairly well the last three days with his treatment. He had a little nausea each day, but nothing we could not control. His fatigue has really sat in. Right now we are playing the waiting game. We are still at the hospital waiting on getting his Nuelasta shot. He’s not scheduled to get it until 5:00 this evening so we wait and wait. I could take him home and return in the morning for his shot, but waiting would just be easier with the drive we have and once I get him home, he don’t move for a few days.
Michael had some visitors this time while we were here. On Thursday, Rachel and David came by and we had a great visit with them. They are the young couple we met during Michael’s 4th treatment. Rachel has Ewing’s in the pelvic. She is an amazing young woman with great strength, spirit, and faith to overcome this. It was nice to see her and Michael share their stories and Michael offering his thoughts to her. Depending on how his stomach feels today, we are going to try to stop in and see them before we leave.
Yesterday, he had a visit from his nieces, Lily (4) and Tona (2). Our daughter tagged along with them, which gave Michael a chance to pick on her. This was the first time the little ones got a chance to come see Uncle Mike. They know each time he goes in for his medicine and comes home not feeling well.
When they got here I took them to the gift shop for them to get Michael some balloons. They each picked him up a little stuffed animal each which they took home with them to be safe. The big balloon actually sings “Celebrate” so Lily had fun turning it on and on having a “show” for everyone. She even had a show for Michael’s aide.
We are extremely excited for this to be his very last treatment. On one hand, we are so happy to get past this every three week cycle of hospital, recovery, a week of being able to do a little to starting all over. But on the other hand, he has had some of the nicest nurses and aides taking care of him. With Michael’s humor, they all love him. I don’t think there is a single nurse / aide he didn’t get along with. To all you ladies, and one gentleman, you are truly amazing people and you all show the love and compassion needed, not just to the patient but to the family as well. We can never thank you enough. Don’t worry, Michael has not left ya’ll forever, you know he WILL be back to pick on ya!! We love you guys!!
This evening, I will take him home, he will do his normal go to his room and stay in there until about Tuesday or Wednesday, and then he will start working on slowing building back his strength. We should begin his various scans and doctors’ appointments in three weeks.
Once we are done, watch out Kansas City because here we come and there will be one great big CELEBRATION. We have so many family and friends in Kansas City that we have not been able to see in quite a while; we felt this would be the best place. We also ask those of you in Kansas City also fighting sarcoma, please join us. We have been watching, praying, and following your journeys and we know some of you have been following Michael’s and we consider you as family too.
We will continue to update each of you on Michael’s progress, scans, and of course the PARTY. Michael and I each have a facebook and once we have a date set for his PARTY, we will be sending out an Event Invitation. If you would like to friend us, please send an invite. We would love it. (Michael Irwin, yes the Michael with the green hair or Melodie Irwin)
Please continue to pray for all our beautiful sarcoma warriors. We love each of them and we need to continue to lift them up. Also, please continue to pray for a cure. I will update everyone later to let you know he is home. And thank you once again for all the prayers and words of encouragement from everyone. We love all of you!!!!
Melodie
Michael had some visitors this time while we were here. On Thursday, Rachel and David came by and we had a great visit with them. They are the young couple we met during Michael’s 4th treatment. Rachel has Ewing’s in the pelvic. She is an amazing young woman with great strength, spirit, and faith to overcome this. It was nice to see her and Michael share their stories and Michael offering his thoughts to her. Depending on how his stomach feels today, we are going to try to stop in and see them before we leave.
Yesterday, he had a visit from his nieces, Lily (4) and Tona (2). Our daughter tagged along with them, which gave Michael a chance to pick on her. This was the first time the little ones got a chance to come see Uncle Mike. They know each time he goes in for his medicine and comes home not feeling well.
When they got here I took them to the gift shop for them to get Michael some balloons. They each picked him up a little stuffed animal each which they took home with them to be safe. The big balloon actually sings “Celebrate” so Lily had fun turning it on and on having a “show” for everyone. She even had a show for Michael’s aide.
We are extremely excited for this to be his very last treatment. On one hand, we are so happy to get past this every three week cycle of hospital, recovery, a week of being able to do a little to starting all over. But on the other hand, he has had some of the nicest nurses and aides taking care of him. With Michael’s humor, they all love him. I don’t think there is a single nurse / aide he didn’t get along with. To all you ladies, and one gentleman, you are truly amazing people and you all show the love and compassion needed, not just to the patient but to the family as well. We can never thank you enough. Don’t worry, Michael has not left ya’ll forever, you know he WILL be back to pick on ya!! We love you guys!!
This evening, I will take him home, he will do his normal go to his room and stay in there until about Tuesday or Wednesday, and then he will start working on slowing building back his strength. We should begin his various scans and doctors’ appointments in three weeks.
Once we are done, watch out Kansas City because here we come and there will be one great big CELEBRATION. We have so many family and friends in Kansas City that we have not been able to see in quite a while; we felt this would be the best place. We also ask those of you in Kansas City also fighting sarcoma, please join us. We have been watching, praying, and following your journeys and we know some of you have been following Michael’s and we consider you as family too.
We will continue to update each of you on Michael’s progress, scans, and of course the PARTY. Michael and I each have a facebook and once we have a date set for his PARTY, we will be sending out an Event Invitation. If you would like to friend us, please send an invite. We would love it. (Michael Irwin, yes the Michael with the green hair or Melodie Irwin)
Please continue to pray for all our beautiful sarcoma warriors. We love each of them and we need to continue to lift them up. Also, please continue to pray for a cure. I will update everyone later to let you know he is home. And thank you once again for all the prayers and words of encouragement from everyone. We love all of you!!!!
Melodie
Thursday, September 17, 2009
LAST TREATMENT!!!!! ~
Just a quick updated!!
Yes, we just checked Michael into the Jackson Building for the last time about an hour ago. We are waiting for the pharmacy to get his chemo up to the floor. We are excited to get this weekend over.
We spoke with his doctor this morning and discussed his plan. At this point he would like for Michel to get through his chemo this weekend, go in for labs / doctor visit in 10 days and go for his CT Scans in 3 weeks. We will then go see his oncologist in 4 weeks, go through the CT Scans and discuss with Michael’s neurosurgeon the CT scans and what MRI’s he wants Michael to have. Then go in for his MRI’s and have a follow up visit with his neurosurgeon. Then if all looks good, remove the port. Still about 6 weeks of appointments and tests but we are at the end.
We will update everyone later. Please continue to keep all our sarcoma warriors in your thoughts and prayers.
Yes, we just checked Michael into the Jackson Building for the last time about an hour ago. We are waiting for the pharmacy to get his chemo up to the floor. We are excited to get this weekend over.
We spoke with his doctor this morning and discussed his plan. At this point he would like for Michel to get through his chemo this weekend, go in for labs / doctor visit in 10 days and go for his CT Scans in 3 weeks. We will then go see his oncologist in 4 weeks, go through the CT Scans and discuss with Michael’s neurosurgeon the CT scans and what MRI’s he wants Michael to have. Then go in for his MRI’s and have a follow up visit with his neurosurgeon. Then if all looks good, remove the port. Still about 6 weeks of appointments and tests but we are at the end.
We will update everyone later. Please continue to keep all our sarcoma warriors in your thoughts and prayers.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Michael Update ~
Michael stayed down for a few days with his skin pain and other side effects. He was up and moving around by Thursday. He is still weak at times, but is managing to get around.
Michael is going to kill me for this story, but I have to tell it.
Sunday, my lovely husband was outside in the shop helping my dad work on a car and hit the top of his head. He was down in front of the car and his leg started to cramp. When he tried to stand up, he hit is head on what we think was the engine hoist (yes a large metal pipe). He went down and luckily my dad was right there and was able to help him down easily It did knocked him out for a few seconds. I just happened to be walking out there as I saw my dad and brother trying to help Michael into a chair. It was a site considering Michael is 6’2” and around 250 and my dad and brother are 5’7” and 5’10” and not very big.
He did not cut his head open (thank you god) and we continued to monitor him through the night as he was playing stubborn and didn’t want to go into the ER. Only thing he had was a severe headache and his shoulders were hurting. He did later complain a little of the left jaw, ear being sore to touch and when he ate. Of course, later Sunday evening they were back out there putting the parts of the car back together. Yes, I was out there like a mother watching / helping every step of the way. Monday, I would not let him out of my site for even a second.
Tuesday we went in for his labs. We normally wait around for them and talk with his nurse and doctor. When we walked back to see his nurse, his doctor was standing right there. He asked how’s the labs, and the nurse began pulling them up. Then he asked Michael how he has been doing. It’s funny, when we do see the doctor, he never looks at Michael anymore to see how he is doing, and he always looks at me for an answer. Michael drops his head, not to look at the doctor. I told doc what had happened on Sunday and he pulled off Michael’s hat. Of course that hurt, so he put Michael into an exam room. He looked over Michael’s head and went to get his lab results.
Michael’s labs were actually not too bad for where he is at in his cycle. They looked pretty good. So his doctor sent him down for a CT of the head. He wanted to make sure the contusion was above the skull and not between the skull and brain. If his counts weren’t that great, he was going to give him a transfusion to help with the contusion.
Finally the doctor did call with the results of the CT scan. Michael has a very large contusion above the skull. He will have another CT scan when we admit him on Thursday for his LAST treatment (yes I said last, we are so excited) to make sure it is going down. He said as large as the contusion is, Michael will probably have a headache and his shoulder will continue to be sore for a few weeks.
Wednesday, Rebbecca and I both came down with some nasty stomach bug. Let me tell you, I do not wish that on anyone. I am not one to get sick, but that was awful. I am still fighting headaches on and off, but it is that lovely time of the year for my allergies.
Michael is coming up with some big plans for Thursday for his doctors and nurses when we get ready to check in to the Jackson Building. I will keep them a secret for now; don’t want to ruin the surprises. If you know Michael, he can be a big prankster. Let’s just say I will have the camera and computer ready to update once we get there.
As always, please continue to keep all those beautiful people, our sarcoma friends and everyone fighting any cancer in your prayers and let’s pray for a cure!!
Michael is going to kill me for this story, but I have to tell it.
Sunday, my lovely husband was outside in the shop helping my dad work on a car and hit the top of his head. He was down in front of the car and his leg started to cramp. When he tried to stand up, he hit is head on what we think was the engine hoist (yes a large metal pipe). He went down and luckily my dad was right there and was able to help him down easily It did knocked him out for a few seconds. I just happened to be walking out there as I saw my dad and brother trying to help Michael into a chair. It was a site considering Michael is 6’2” and around 250 and my dad and brother are 5’7” and 5’10” and not very big.
He did not cut his head open (thank you god) and we continued to monitor him through the night as he was playing stubborn and didn’t want to go into the ER. Only thing he had was a severe headache and his shoulders were hurting. He did later complain a little of the left jaw, ear being sore to touch and when he ate. Of course, later Sunday evening they were back out there putting the parts of the car back together. Yes, I was out there like a mother watching / helping every step of the way. Monday, I would not let him out of my site for even a second.
Tuesday we went in for his labs. We normally wait around for them and talk with his nurse and doctor. When we walked back to see his nurse, his doctor was standing right there. He asked how’s the labs, and the nurse began pulling them up. Then he asked Michael how he has been doing. It’s funny, when we do see the doctor, he never looks at Michael anymore to see how he is doing, and he always looks at me for an answer. Michael drops his head, not to look at the doctor. I told doc what had happened on Sunday and he pulled off Michael’s hat. Of course that hurt, so he put Michael into an exam room. He looked over Michael’s head and went to get his lab results.
Michael’s labs were actually not too bad for where he is at in his cycle. They looked pretty good. So his doctor sent him down for a CT of the head. He wanted to make sure the contusion was above the skull and not between the skull and brain. If his counts weren’t that great, he was going to give him a transfusion to help with the contusion.
Finally the doctor did call with the results of the CT scan. Michael has a very large contusion above the skull. He will have another CT scan when we admit him on Thursday for his LAST treatment (yes I said last, we are so excited) to make sure it is going down. He said as large as the contusion is, Michael will probably have a headache and his shoulder will continue to be sore for a few weeks.
Wednesday, Rebbecca and I both came down with some nasty stomach bug. Let me tell you, I do not wish that on anyone. I am not one to get sick, but that was awful. I am still fighting headaches on and off, but it is that lovely time of the year for my allergies.
Michael is coming up with some big plans for Thursday for his doctors and nurses when we get ready to check in to the Jackson Building. I will keep them a secret for now; don’t want to ruin the surprises. If you know Michael, he can be a big prankster. Let’s just say I will have the camera and computer ready to update once we get there.
As always, please continue to keep all those beautiful people, our sarcoma friends and everyone fighting any cancer in your prayers and let’s pray for a cure!!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Home Sweet Home ~
Sorry for not updating sooner. Michael was able to get his Nuelasta shot around noon yesterday so I was able to get Michael home around 1:00. Once we did get home, he stayed in bed all day. This morning he started with the skin pain around his shoulders. By this afternoon, he pretty much felt it all over. We are just hoping this don’t last very long.
On a good note, Michael only has ONE more treatment left. If things look good over the next few weeks, we will check him in to the Jackson building for the last time on September 17th. Then we will schedule all his scans after that. If all is good after that, we will be planning 2 celebrations for Michael. We will plan one here for all our family and friends and one back home in Kansas City. I will give details closer to October.
As always please continue to keep all those fighting this dreaded disease and all other cancers in your prayers. And thanks for all the encouraging words everyone has left for Michael through his websites, facebook, and emails. He really does appreciate every one of them.
On a good note, Michael only has ONE more treatment left. If things look good over the next few weeks, we will check him in to the Jackson building for the last time on September 17th. Then we will schedule all his scans after that. If all is good after that, we will be planning 2 celebrations for Michael. We will plan one here for all our family and friends and one back home in Kansas City. I will give details closer to October.
As always please continue to keep all those fighting this dreaded disease and all other cancers in your prayers. And thanks for all the encouraging words everyone has left for Michael through his websites, facebook, and emails. He really does appreciate every one of them.
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