Yard Work

Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers reading this. We had a good day today. We went to early church and followed that by going to lunch with Nikki's family. Afterwards, we went to see Gahanna Lincoln's musical Hairspray with Terri and Sean. It was very good.

Things are good here. Aaron is feeling well and continues to get more and more back to normal. His basketball team is in the playoffs again this upcoming Saturday. They are excited and hoping for the best.

School is winding down. Testing is finally over, so that is a relief. We are praying that our students did well. 

We recently finished a big overhaul of our landscaping. We were tired of our big bushes that were becoming overgrown and wanted to change it up. 

Aaron and two of his uncles, Andy and Mike, removed the bushes a few weeks ago. We are very thankful that they came over and gave their time to help us out.

 

The following weekend we went to Oakland Nursery and found someone who could help us get plants that fit what we wanted to do. We showed them the picture of our yard and described what types of plants we wanted. He then helped us select plants that would do well in that environment. It was very nice to get help from someone who works with this every day. We spent the next week getting things finished and are pleased with our new landscaping.

 

Riley!

 

One Month Later

It has now been a month and a day since I finished radiation. A lot of people have been asking how I am doing, so I thought I'd update the blog.

I am doing really well (praise God)! I feel pretty much back to my normal self. I am still tired off and on, but I'm not 100% sure that's from the healing or not. Most of my taste has come back. Every now and then I find something that doesn't taste the same as it did. Usually the food that doesn't taste the same is chocolate candy like Hershey bars or something like that. I'm glad I can finally taste french fries and pizza again! My throat still stings here and there when I swallow. It just depends on the day.

Overall I don't have any complaints and am happy with how the healing is going. These past four weeks have flown by. It feels like I just finished treatment last week. I did have to go back to OSU yesterday for my one month follow up appointment. The doctor said that I am doing well and should continue to notice myself feeling better and getting things back for the next two months or so. She said I will get a cat scan in June to get a 'new baseline' for my new 'normal'. They feel pretty confident that unless something odd shows up I should be good with regular scans and bi-monthly appointments to check on my progress. I don't mind though. I know it could've been much worse. I'm just thankful for my family, friends, co-workers, and God and all everyone has done.

I've spent the past 4 weeks back to work full time, hanging out with family/friends, going to the gym, and continuing in my basketball league. I've also played my new PS4. Thanks to everyone who helped get that for us. It was very thoughtful.

Happy Easter to everyone tomorrow! I decided to avoid the crowds and go to church tonight. It was good to get another reminder of all God has done for us. I am thankful for all of the blessings I do have and am happy to have a relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If you ever want to know more about that, feel free to ask. I hope you all are able to spend the day with family or friends and not have to work.

Prayer requests:
* Continued healing and no cancer ever again
* Healing for anyone else going through this (I'm definitely not the only one)
* A cure for all cancers will be found
* Praises to God for his goodness in this and all He's done for you as well
* My dog Riley to not be sick (food was discontinued and he's been sick here and there while adjusting to new food).

Thanks!

Done!

I.AM.DONE. Praise God! I finished my radiation treatments today. It is crazy to think that, but it finally happened. I don't know if it has hit me fully yet, but I'm thrilled still. I am very thankful to have a loving, caring God during this time. I was able to get through it with very minimal issues. All of our prayers were answered and I am so thankful for that. I truly believe God had a hand in all of this.

I am very thankful to my family, friends, and co-workers who all helped make this much easier on us. I appreciate all of the prayers and cards. It really does make a difference to know so many people are rooting you on and are thinking about you. 

Today Nikki and other family members came to the hospital to watch me ring the bell. 

Afterwards we came back to the house and many friends/family came over to celebrate being done. It was a lot of fun. I love hanging out with everyone and it was cool for my family and friends who haven't met, to meet. Then, as if all of the cards, prayers and community wasn't enough, I was surprised with a gift from everyone. I guess my brother had organized a bunch of donations from a lot of people to get me a PS4 and some games! It was a great surprise and I was thrilled as this had been on my wish list for a while.


Please know if you prayed for me, sent me a card, helped with the gift, or even just thought encouraging thoughts, that I really appreciate it and am very thankful. Thank you all! Also, a special thank you to Nikki for helping with everything through all of this and being strong. Love you!

And Then There Were Four...

Number 26 is done. 4 more to go. Time has been going by very quickly since the half-way point, which is a good thing. After this weekend I will only has 2 more treatments to go. My last day is Tuesday. It will be nice to have some family there with me as I ring the bell. Two people have rung it this week while I was there.  If you don't know what ringing the bell is, it is what you do once you have finished your treatment. It is some type of symbol for being done and when you ring it everyone in the waiting area claps for you because they understand to some degree all that you have been through.

I'm feeling very good overall still, which is awesome. The doctor saw me today and agreed that I am doing well. One of the nurses said that I am the exception to the norm. I told her I attribute it to God and all of the prayers everyone is giving. I really do believe that. I appreciate every prayer that is said on our behalf and every card that I have gotten. I am still able to eat anything I want (no feeding tube!), however, most foods I eat now taste different than normal, which makes it a little harder to want to eat. I still find enough food to eat though, so it's not too bad right now. I was told today it could take up to 3-4 weeks after treatment is over before it starts to come back. Other than a few sore spots in my mouth and feeling exhausted quite a bit, I am doing very well. Praise God!

This past weekend I was able to play basketball again with my team. Unfortunately we lost in the playoffs. I was happy overall though as we finished 7-3 on the season. The last two years we didn't win that many games combined. I was able to get together a team for the Spring league that starts this coming Saturday. I can't wait until treatments are over and I get my energy back and can play much better. On a side note, the Knicks have now won 5 games in a row!

Prayer Requests:
* Praise God for taking care of me so far through this.
* That the last few treatments go well with no further complications from it.
* Quick healing
* No cancer ever again
* Pray for the other people there receiving treatment. Unfortunately, like my nurse said, for me to be doing so well is an exception to the norm for most people.

Thanks for reading!

Two-Thirds

I am two-thirds of the way done! I have 20 treatments done and only 10 to go! Time has been going by pretty quickly since I hit the half-way mark a week ago. Between teaching, treatments and basketball on Saturday, we've been busy. I'm not complaining though, because I can't wait for this to be over. 

I get asked often how I am doing. I do not mind at all. It's nice to know that people are thinking of us. Currently, I am doing very well. I've been blessed to not have any horrible side effects as of yet. The most annoying ones right now are dry mouth, taste changes and some soreness in my throat. Luckily, taking two Aleve twice a day takes care of most of the discomfort. The doctor said I might need more in a week, but I'm praying I don't. The taste change is only for some of my foods. It started with not being able to taste much of my pizza this weekend and has since moved to not being able to taste some cereal, some dullness in taste of other foods and M&M's tasting really weird. I was told though, that this will come back shortly after treatments are over.

My energy level comes and goes. I've taken a day off of work the past two weeks to rest my body and immune system. So far that is helping out a lot. I get tired off and on throughout the day. I was happy that I had energy to play in my teams basketball game this past weekend. We won, so we are 6-2 and play in the playoffs this weekend. It'll be nice to play more again when this is all over. 

I am thankful for great friends and family who have been supportive. Nikki has done a great job taking care of me and being at most of my appointments. It's also nice that we work together and I don't have to drive to and from work every day. We have been receiving cards (over 250 now!) from many people. It's nice to know that we are in so many peoples thoughts and prayers. Nikki's mom, Terri, also set up a dinner rotation for us and we had many great people provide delicious food for us. Having food given to us saved part of our evenings which was nice. Thank you to all who have done those things. 

 Nikki went to the Women's Retreat through church last weekend. While she was gone my dad came and took me to my Friday treatment and then out to eat at Outback Steakhouse. I was thrilled to be able to still eat one of my favorite meals. Then on Saturday, two of my long-time friends, Aaron and Cody came over to watch old movies after the basketball game. I did fall asleep during one though because I was so exhausted. 

Now the prayers:
* Praise to God for taking such good care of me so far. I really am doing well considering everything they said could happen.
* That I will continue to do so well and have limited side effects.
* Continued strength and energy to work and continue with most of our normal activities.
* That these last two weeks will go by quickly!
* Continued positive attitude.

Thanks and have a great week!

It's Hump Day!!

Hey guys.... guess what day it is?!.... Take a guess!!.... That's right.... it's HUMP DAY!!  :)  Aaron reached the halfway point of radiation treatments today.  15 down, 15 to go.  We are finally over the hump and can start counting down days.  It feels good to finally be able to say that.  However, we are always keeping in mind the small goals and the small victories.  One day at a time.  Just make it to Friday.  Then Tuesday.  Baby steps.

A few side effects have begun to appear as of late.  Aaron has had a few sores coming and going in his mouth, accompanied by some soreness/throat pain at times.  So far, it is manageable.  For now, please pray that this would be it, and that these side effects would not get any worse.  They are bothersome now, and we are on our knees asking that they not get any worse for the rest of treatment.  Head/neck radiation can get pretty ugly, but we are praising God for His mercy so far.  Aaron has not lost any taste as expected, and he is still eating mostly normal food.  PTL!

We have been so blessed by so many cards (over 200!!), notes, meals, encouragements, and prayers.  Please continue to lift us up, especially Aaron.

Here are the specific prayer requests for this week:

• That Aaron's side effects would not get any worse, that they would get better.  Prayer for his ability to continue eating so that he does not need a feeding tube.
• That Aaron would continue to stay positive.
• That the sicknesses going around school and everywhere else would not affect us!  Can't really afford to have any bugs flying around right now!
• For the other radiation patients...they have become a kind of family for us.  Because you are there every day at the same time, you get to know the other patients.  There are so many different stories, side effects, conditions.  Please pray that we would be a light in a sad place.

Love to all!

-Aaron and Nikki

Sunday Update

Good afternoon! I wanted to give everyone who reads this another update. I now have 8 treatments completed and 22 to go. This coming Tuesday will be 1/3 of the way complete. The following Tuesday will be half-way! 

So far I am doing well. The meeting with the dietitian on Thursday went well. She told me how many calories and grams of protein I need to aim for each day. She said that I am doing well with what I've been doing so far, and she will check in later this week to see if I'm maintaining my weight (I've gained 2 pounds since my consult). If so, I may not have to meet with her again. Luckily for me, I have a few friends who are dietitians and I can ask them for information as well (thanks!). If I can maintain my weight, I will have less of a chance for needing a feeding tube.

I am feeling pretty good. If I feel like this the entire time I will be very thankful. I've been able to do pretty much everything I usually do.  Nikki and I have hung out with friends, gone to church, and I have been able to work each day. I even played in my team's basketball game Saturday (we won- now we are 4-2). I was told I may lose my sense of taste in the next week and get dry mouth. So far I have my taste still, which is great! My mouth is getting more dry and my throat feels tight off and on. I feel pretty good, but with these few issues starting, it does get concerning when I think that I still have 22 treatments to go. Otherwise, I'm doing pretty well.

Nikki and I tried to go out to eat on Friday night for Valentine's Day, but traffic was horrible because of the snow, and the restaurant had an hour wait. We are tired of sitting around waiting at the hospital every day, so we didn't want to wait for dinner. We ordered Outback Steakhouse to go and ate it at home while watching The Butler (good movie). 

We want to thank everyone who is keeping us in their prayers and keeping us encouraged. We really appreciate it. It does make a difference, so please keep it up! Also, thanks for the cards. As you can see below, we have quite a collection. We love reading each one. It's a good visual of all of the people thinking about us. 

The wall of cards and the treatment chain

If you want to pray specifically for anything, here you go:

• Praise God I am doing very well so far!
• Pray that I won't lose all of my taste and that my mouth doesn't get uncomfortably dry.
• Pray that we stay encouraged and get enough rest to stay positive throughout this.
• Finally, continue to pray that the negative side effects of the radiation will be very mild, very few, and very temporary. (I don't want a feeding tube!!)

Thanks everyone!
Aaron & Nikki

Riley napping today