MRI, CT and Surgery Scheduled

Monday June 25, 2012 - Last Thursday we came to start the last infusion of this cycle but they wanted to see Jake in the clinic first.  When we arrived we went to the clinic and saw the Dr and he thought that Jake had too many sores in his mouth and throat to go another round of chemo.   So he sent us home until Monday the 25th if Jake felt good enough.  By Sunday afternoon Jake was feeling better enough that he could eat without any pain killers.

We left at 9:30am on Monday to come back to PCMC,  we got here around 11am and by the time we had registered him it was 12:30pm before they had the fluids running and we were on our way to starting chemo.  As of right now it is 8:00pm and his isn't ready to start yet.  Hopefully soon!!   Then we can be home by Thursday.  The nurse practitioner came and let us know that they have scheduled his MRI and CT to check to see how his lung nodule is responding to the chemo.  It is scheduled for July the 2nd.

Dr. Scott the orthopedic oncologist has scheduled the surgery for July 11th.  We will meet with him sometime before that to go over the surgery.  Having a some anxiety with that.  Always new that this was the way it was going to be but it just seems to come so fast and more of a reality.  It is interesting ...... I remember thinking on new years day what this year had in store for our family.  Never in my wildest dreams would I ever have thought we would be facing this. 

Home on a Sunday!!

Sunday June 17, 2012 - It is Sunday and Jake was able to clear his methotrexate!   We were able to leave today around noon.  It was nice to come home and actually enjoy a Sunday at home.  He is scheduled to go again on Thursday for the last round of the 2nd cycle.  We will have to go for a MRI and CT before so they can see how the chemo is affecting the nodule on the lung.  Praying that everything goes smoothly and he doesn't get sick and that the chemo is affecting the nodule.  Once this is completed we will know more about when the surgery will be and what to expect in the next coming weeks. 

Nausea Medication Change

Saturday June 16, 2012 - Jake stayed in bed extremely nauseated until Friday around 4pm and tried sitting up for a while that lasted for an hour and then was back in bed nauseated again.  Dr. Wright came in to see him on Friday around 6pm to talk about nausea medications.  The Nurse Practitioner, Dana, and I tried to go over some other nausea med options that might help him so maybe there wasn't so much throwing up.  They changed Zofran to Kitro.  I think that was the name of it anyway.  He takes so many medications for different things and they keep adding some to the mix to help with other stuff so its hard to keep up on all of them.  Anyway,  it seemed to do the trick as he was able to get up on Saturday morning and sit up for a while.  He still didn't eat anything until around 6pm.  He was nervous that he would not be able to keep it down.   He has done pretty well so far.  He is back in bed resting now.  His methotrexate levels are too high to be able to come home on Sunday but praying for Monday!  We are both ready to be home.  The chair/bed is not getting any more comfortable.  Jake offered to trade me for one night. He said that he wanted to give the "bed" a shot. 

As long as Jake doesn't get sick after this treatment we will come back on Thursday for another infusion of Methotrexate.   However they will order a CT and MRI to see if the chemo is affecting the nodule in the lung. 

Guardian Angels

Thursday June 14, 2012 - We are back at primary's today and everything is looking good.  No fevers thus far. The IV fluids are pumping and hopefully we will start so we can go home soon.   Jake is sleeping right now because he had some nausea and they have started his nausea medications. 

Last week in church this man got up and told a story of a girl that had been in here having chemo.  She had been really sick and in the process of getting better.  She started talking to her Father and asked him who was the man standing next to him?  He told her there wasn't anyone standing next to him.  She started to describe the man she saw to her Father.  Then her Father realized that his daughter has just described in detail his Father whom she had never met here on the earth and she went on describing her great aunt and others in detail.  I find this comforting, as I have felt the Savior near us in this trial to know that He hasn't left us to deal with this alone.  I'm sure that Jake has guardian angels watching over him and comforting him as well.  Another of Heavenly Father's tender mercies!  I am sure that He gave us angels that have done secret acts of service for us well. 

I am praying this infusion goes fast and we are able to go home quickly. 

Home.....

Sunday June 10th, 2012 -   The Doctors sent us home this afternoon,  we made it home around 5pm. Due to the seriousness of the fever and the way the culture grew out he was sent home on I.V. antibiotics.  We will find out Tuesday if we are to go back on Thursday for chemo.  I suspect we will as they don't like to hold off chemo any longer then they have to.  

....a waiting game

Saturday June 9th, 2012 - Just after 2pm on Thursday Jake started with a fever it was almost 105.  His body was shaking with chills.  His fever persisted until Friday evening.  He has to be with out a fever for 24 hours before they will start the Methotrexate.  So unfortunately that won't start until later Sunday or Monday.   The lab has been growing the culture in hopes to pinpoint exactly what is causing the fever.   The nausea is being controlled by meds......and we wait.  

Great Community Support for Jake!!

Today was the garage sale fundraiser for Jake!!  A lot of work and effort went into putting this all together including social media advertising, flyers, and many donations from people and local businesses in the community.  Donations were still coming in the morning of the garage sale.  Pretty awesome!!!

                                    Many volunteers came to support Jake and his family.

..................even with the set up!!

Jake's cousin, sister McKenna and brother Britton made a special appearance and came to support the event!

McKenzie, Landon and Katie have been working as a team (with many others!) to plan and develop various fundraising events for Jake.

A very fitting garage sale item!!  Could not pass up this photo opportunity.

One of a kind t-shirts made to show their support for Jake!

Mrs. Utah, Juliet Tietjen, showed up for the event.

Mrs. Utah joined in with others beauticians that were onsite to shave heads in support of Jake.

A GREAT end result!!

Thanks to everyone for their support and love!!!!

Fever Returns.....

Thursday June 7th, 2012 - We are back down at PCMC!  This time we are suppose to start methotrexate.  We arrived around 11:00am.  They started him on is saline drip.  Usually we can start the chemo by 11:00 pm. So we wait.  Jake is bored as we wait. We read a little and wait some more.  Then by 4:30pm Jake start shivering,  I can see his body shaking.  I went and got the nurse and he came in and took Jake temp.....yep a fever of 102.  So the nurse called the Dr. and she said no chemo tonight.  They came and took some blood cultures and they are going to let them culture over night and if nothing comes of it we will start chemo in the morning.     So now he sleeps because has been really nauseous, yes even before the chemo starts.  Hoping and praying his fever goes away.  They won't let us come home until he goes 24 hours without a fever and the methotrexate clears his system.  It is usually 4 to 5 days after the infusion ends. 

FUNDRAISER FOR JAKE ~~ Saturday June 9th