Brian is special. We all know that!
That being said here is what happened today. First we had scans. Then we ate a fast lunch and headed to our appointment with the surgeon. There is always lots of waiting. After waiting forever, he said the scan showed small, mildly suspicious somethings in the lungs but both the underarm mass and the adrenal masses have shrunk. We believe these lung things are from Brian's cough and nothing cancer related. After meeting with him we were sent to see the oncologist. She does not want to rush surgery until we know the bigger plan. The adrenals are the most complicated part in all of this. No need to remove the arm mass until we know what to do with the adrenals. Brian's case is super rare and they need to present it with all the other doctors, surgeons, and pathologists up here at MSKCC. So the plan now is to come home, do another round of chemo (she says normally you keep treating until you get no response), wait three weeks and get an MRI and more scans. We will then send those to MSKCC and they will regroup. We will then go from there.
Cons:
-I like plans and don't like when plans are changed.
-This process will be longer.
Pros:
-The oncologist said only 1 out of 10 people with Brian's type of cancer respond to treatment, so it is a miracle that he has not only responded but that they have all shrunk so much.
-WE GET TO SEE OUR BABY TOMORROW!
We love you all!
K & B
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Off to NYC
Brian and I are sitting in Chicago waiting for our connection. We have scans, an appointment with the surgeon and pre-surgical testing starting at noon tomorrow. We are happy to get this ball rolling. Thanks for the continuous prayers, support and love!
Friday, April 10, 2015
It's been a while
Hi everyone! I figured I would update you since Brian had his blog but some people only check this one.
New York went well overall. We have a definite date for surgery on May 18th. We fly up on the 13th for some pre-op appointments. We also found out that we are approved to stay at American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge which is a huge blessing. This means we will only need to find housing for a week and half until Brian is discharged from the hospital. We are beyond blessed. Wings of Hope also bought our airline tickets again.
One More Round
Before we leave Brian has one more round of chemo starting Tuesday (4/14)-Friday (4/17). If you would like to visit or drive him home or there just let me know!
Some people have asked where to donate. Here is the site again:
https://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/brian-newton-fan-club-help-brian-beat-cancer-/281003
We love you all and cannot thank you for the continued support over these past 6 months!!!! We are so grateful!!
New York went well overall. We have a definite date for surgery on May 18th. We fly up on the 13th for some pre-op appointments. We also found out that we are approved to stay at American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge which is a huge blessing. This means we will only need to find housing for a week and half until Brian is discharged from the hospital. We are beyond blessed. Wings of Hope also bought our airline tickets again.
One More Round
Before we leave Brian has one more round of chemo starting Tuesday (4/14)-Friday (4/17). If you would like to visit or drive him home or there just let me know!
Some people have asked where to donate. Here is the site again:
https://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/brian-newton-fan-club-help-brian-beat-cancer-/281003
We love you all and cannot thank you for the continued support over these past 6 months!!!! We are so grateful!!
Friday, February 27, 2015
Hospital Again
Hey everyone!
Brian unfortunately took a trip back to the hospital last night. We knew on Tuesday that all his counts were low and they told us to just be cautious about not being around sick people. Brian laid low. Thursday night he was feeling run down and had a 100.5 fever. The magic number that send us to the ER to be admitted. So he was last night. He is feeling fine other than some sore mouth side effects from the chemo.
Although Dr. B. is not highly concerned. The infectious disease doctor wants him there for 48 hours with no fever. So if you're perfectly healthy and feel like dropping by to say hey just text to make sure it is a good time. Hopefully he will get out Saturday or Sunday.
NYC Update
Our first two appointments are confirmed. We were fortunate to get free one way flights through a foundation called Wings of Hope. They will fly us home post surgery as well. Truly a blessing. We will be heading up just the two of us on the 17th. We have scans on the 18th and appointments on the 19th. The 19th will let us know whether or not surgery is a go. If yes, surgery will be the 23rd and we will be in NYC for up to four weeks.
It has been a planning nightmare because it is hard to look into lodging without having confirmed dates. So we are praying everything works out and have many contingency plans in place. That being said, if you know a great place to stay in the city that won't cost a gagillion dollars, LET US KNOW!
Love to you all!
Brian unfortunately took a trip back to the hospital last night. We knew on Tuesday that all his counts were low and they told us to just be cautious about not being around sick people. Brian laid low. Thursday night he was feeling run down and had a 100.5 fever. The magic number that send us to the ER to be admitted. So he was last night. He is feeling fine other than some sore mouth side effects from the chemo.
Although Dr. B. is not highly concerned. The infectious disease doctor wants him there for 48 hours with no fever. So if you're perfectly healthy and feel like dropping by to say hey just text to make sure it is a good time. Hopefully he will get out Saturday or Sunday.
NYC Update
Our first two appointments are confirmed. We were fortunate to get free one way flights through a foundation called Wings of Hope. They will fly us home post surgery as well. Truly a blessing. We will be heading up just the two of us on the 17th. We have scans on the 18th and appointments on the 19th. The 19th will let us know whether or not surgery is a go. If yes, surgery will be the 23rd and we will be in NYC for up to four weeks.
It has been a planning nightmare because it is hard to look into lodging without having confirmed dates. So we are praying everything works out and have many contingency plans in place. That being said, if you know a great place to stay in the city that won't cost a gagillion dollars, LET US KNOW!
Love to you all!
Thursday, February 19, 2015
New York Plans (well kind of)
Hi everyone!
First of all, once again we owe a big thanks! The donations and kindness continue to bless us and overwhelm us. We appreciate you all including you anonymous-ers. We have loved the meals, kindness of strangers, and security we receive from all of the support.
Second, Brian just finished his fourth round of chemo today!! Wahoo!!!!! Just fluids and a shot tomorrow and we get a little bit of a break. The third round was rough, so we are hoping that laying low this weekend will help make this fourth round seem like a piece of cake. Prayers and fingers crossed!
Third, we heard from MSKCC and our doctor's office in New York today. Tentatively, we will have scans and an appointment with our surgeon on Thursday, March 19th. After that there will be two options:
Option A: two more rounds of chemo at home
Option B: surgery on his arm/chest area on Monday, March 23rd.
Obviously we are hoping for Option B but are going to do what is best according to the doctors. Again, this isn't set in stone until we hear back from them.
Our Needs
The only thing we need right now is lots of prayers. Prayers for Brian to feel great this round with no crazy side effects. Prayers for a planner like me to be okay when plans aren't easy to make. Prayers that surgery is the next step.
We love you all!
First of all, once again we owe a big thanks! The donations and kindness continue to bless us and overwhelm us. We appreciate you all including you anonymous-ers. We have loved the meals, kindness of strangers, and security we receive from all of the support.
Second, Brian just finished his fourth round of chemo today!! Wahoo!!!!! Just fluids and a shot tomorrow and we get a little bit of a break. The third round was rough, so we are hoping that laying low this weekend will help make this fourth round seem like a piece of cake. Prayers and fingers crossed!
Third, we heard from MSKCC and our doctor's office in New York today. Tentatively, we will have scans and an appointment with our surgeon on Thursday, March 19th. After that there will be two options:
Option A: two more rounds of chemo at home
Option B: surgery on his arm/chest area on Monday, March 23rd.
Obviously we are hoping for Option B but are going to do what is best according to the doctors. Again, this isn't set in stone until we hear back from them.
Our Needs
The only thing we need right now is lots of prayers. Prayers for Brian to feel great this round with no crazy side effects. Prayers for a planner like me to be okay when plans aren't easy to make. Prayers that surgery is the next step.
We love you all!
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Counts are up!
Neutrophil count is at 900! They told us yesterday that no matter what we couldn't leave til it was 500. We are so happy. Now it's just a waiting game hopefully Brian will get released today or tomorrow! Yay! He's feeling a lot better.
Friday, February 6, 2015
A Small Hiccup
Hello everyone. Just a quick update on our crazy week. Brian has been feeling pretty run down since the last round of chemo. He has a slight cold and just didn't feel like he was rebounding the same as past rounds. Yesterday he had some blood work and his white blood cell counts were low. Then last night he had a fever. The rule is 100.5 or higher and we have to go to the ER. So we went last night. They ran every test imaginable. They haven't found any infection which is good! Brian is getting antibiotics and fluids to be proactive since he has such a low immunity right now. He has to wait until his nuetrophil white blood counts reach 500 in order to be discharged. This whole process is so that we are better safe than sorry. It could take several days to get those counts back up. Pray that it is quick so that our little family can all be sleeping under the same roof!
Love to you all!
P.S. Is it a good sign when people say, "I remember you," when they see Brian?!?!
Love to you all!
P.S. Is it a good sign when people say, "I remember you," when they see Brian?!?!
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