The PET/CT Results

For those of you who don't follow me on Facebook, I received the results to the PET/CT Scan I had on Thursday...the tests showed  no cancer in my body!  That means that I'm in remission!  I'll still have 4 more treatments and then I'll be done.  

Thank you for all of your prayers, thoughts, and words of support over the last five months.  We couldn't have done this without YOU!!!

-bw

The 2nd PET/CT Scan

My reactions from treatment last week weren't as good as the previous weeks.  The days immediately after treatment were like being on a roller coaster--good for one hour and then bad for 3.  I spent a lot of time sleeping and wishing I could wake up in October!

*****

I go in on Thursday of this week for my re-staging PET/CT scan.  This scan will show what the chemotherapy has done to the Lymphoma over the last 4 months.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it'll show that it has been taken care of, which means only 4 more treatments!  

*****

This week, Rachel and I are teaching arts & crafts at VBS @ GGUMC.  Day 1 was today, and so far, we're having a good time!  Tomorrow will be much more exciting as we'll have 16 MORE preschoolers than we had today!  Pray for us!

*****

On Wednesday, we're hoping to go to the Orange County Fair.  I'll try to get some pictures to put up here.

-bw

The Pictures from my new Camera

I took all of these pictures using my new Nikon DSL40 camera while at Disney's California Adventure.

The Michigan Trip...Finally!

Here is the summary of our Michigan trip from three weeks ago (better late than never):

Wednesday (6/24)

We flew to Chicago's Midway airport from LAX.  I slept most of the flight and Rachel dealt with the piece of work sitting next to her (not me).  It was 93 and humid in Chicago when we hopped into the rental car.  We drove to Grand Haven (there was hardly any traffic) and met up with Jen for a trip to the lake for some pronto pups & rock piles.  After dinner, we drove to the Riverhouse, our home away from home for the next few days.

Thursday (6/25)

Thursday was highlighted by sleeping 11 hours during the night and taking plenty of naps during the day.  I also helped install the window air conditioning units and was rewarded when Rachel's dad brought Fricano's pizza for dinner!

Friday (6/26)

More sleeping and a trip to the grocery store.  Worst part of the trip so far: my favorite beef jerky store was closed for remodeling!  Rachel's grandparents came to visit and we spent a good amount of time with them, including lunch and a hardcore game of Phase 10!

Saturday (6/27)

I felt much better on Saturday.  I was up before 9 and had more energy.  We had lots of visitors (and a great time with all of them)!  Jen, Uncle Kevin, Aunt Patti, Jason, Karli, Karina, & Jackson were all there to hangout and enjoy the wonderful river weather.

Sunday (6/28)

Sunday was a travel day for us and included our first Culver's meal of the trip.  We had dinner with Jim & Kevin before heading over to the Evangelista's to spend the night.  We talked until the wee hours of the morning (just like old times) and enjoyed homemade sticky buns!

Monday (6/29)

After sleeping in, we had breakfast at the Evangelista's before going to our favorite Southeast Michigan Chinese restaurant, Chinese Tonite in Chelsea.  As if that wasn't enough food, we stopped at Culver's for dessert.  We then went to Battle Creek to prepare Rachel's dad's birthday dinner.  Rachel's brother, Casey, also came over and we watched the first Transformers movie.

Tuesday (6/30)

We left Battle Creek in the morning and drove back to Chicago.  Of course, we stopped at Culver's for lunch and then rushed to the airport for a two hour flight delay!  Despite the delays, we had a great flight crew (thanks, Southwest!) that made the trip enjoyable.  We were glad to be home safely, but weren't looking forward to reality!

The Pictures

1/2 way done with chemo!

@ Joslyn's wedding.

Family pic @ Amie's wedding. You can almost see Rachel.

Father's Day 2009.

Homemade Sliders.

When you choose the wrong team in the NBA Finals, you lose the bet. Brandon had to wear the Lakers shirt for 24 consecutive hours!

Joslyn & Ian's wedding. June 7, 2009.

Amie & Shane's wedding. June 6, 2009.

The Downhill Ride

I promised Grandma that I would write tonight--especially since I've gone two weeks again without any contribution to this Blog.  

Our trip to Michigan was great!  I'll try to post pictures later this week (along with the pictures I promised two weeks ago).  The good news is I already wrote a draft of what I was going to Blog about, so I'll probably get that up tomorrow after my numerous naps.

Tomorrow's treatment is my 7th.  After the treatment on the 20th of July, I'll go in for another PET/CT Scan, which should show the cancer is all gone.  4 more treatments after that and I'll be all done!

-bw