Relay for Life

I never really thought about getting involved in Relay for Life before Jason's cancer diagnosis. But suddenly Jason was asking if I wanted to join him. Everything just seemed to fall into place.
We got invited to join the ME&V Relay Team. Jason mentioned to some people at KWWL that he might want to do a luncheon fundraiser to raise money for the relay.

People at KWWL took the idea of a lunch, and turned it into a great event. The plan was walking tacos, and a bake sale. I started asking people if they had anything to donate for a drawing to reward those who gave to our team. I think in all we had more than 20 items to give away to people who donated.

It was a fun luncheon. People from ME&V came to KWWL for walking tacos. In all, that event raised more than $1,000. It was AMAZING! That money that people so generously gave will go towards cancer research. It just shows you that when people come together, big things can happen! Join us next year as we start even earlier to raise money for this great cause.

Outpouring of Support

Right when Jason was diagnosed we recieved a lot of generous offers to help us from family, friends, our church and KWWL. People were asking us what they could do to help us through this journey. After a lot of brainstorming, Jason and I narrowed it down to three categories:

1. Food
2. Lawncare (Just ask my dad Jeff why I don't mow...he'll tell you)
3. Childcare

KWWL and our church, Cedar Valley Community Church took these three categories and lined up volunteers. Thanks to their support we receive one meal a week, someone to mow our lawn once a week, and a list of volunteers to watch Julia if we need some time away.

All these seemingly small tasks add up to a huge help to our family. That one meal a week we don't have to worry about, gives our family a chance to slow down and relax a little. It's also fun to chat with the people who have worked so hard to prepare it. And the lawncare...has been awesome.

Thank you to all our volunteers, your generous gift of time has been the greatest gift of all!

Chemo #1

We knew our morning would be long at the cancer treatment center, so we needed things to occupy our time and minds. We packed our bag with activities for both of us. Magazines and a note book for Jason, and the Twilight book for me.

I also made sure there was a bag in the car for Jason...just in case he needed it on the way home.

After kissing our daughter Julia goodbye, we headed off for the unknown.

When we arrived at the center, Jason checked in and was quickly called back for his blood test. I followed him around as we started to learn this new routine together. The visit with the doctor followed the blood test. We were able to ask any last minute questions while he confirmed our plan of treatment and showed us to our chemo room.

Ironically, a photog from KWWL was there at the center in the room next door shooting a health plus story for Tara Thomas. The rolling cameras, were at least an occasional distraction through the beginning of his treatment.

An oncologist nurse named Brenda, knocked on our door and showed Jason all his medicines he'd be getting that day. It looked like quite the cocktail of syringes and saline bags. She moved his shirt to access his port for the chemo and got him all hooked up. The first injection would be a test to make sure he didn't have an allergic reaction to the "B" of ABVD. The test went well, and we moved onto the other drugs.

After two and a half hours of Jason sitting in his chemo chair, we were free to leave. Jason was still feeling pretty good. He handed me the keys as we left the treatment center.

As we drove home, I felt as though I had a newborn in the car. I drove a little slower, and was easier on the brake. I tried to keep the ride as smooth as possible so Jason wouldn't get nauseous from my driving. After a long 5 minutes...we were home.

1 chemo down, 7 to go.

Chemo: Preparing for the unknown

When we got home from visiting the Mayo Clinic, I started to panic. Chemo was going to start in the morning, and we hadn't even had a chance to prepare for it.

We had loads of papers to read about side effects and risks, we needed to pay attention to what Jason would eat that night and morning, and figure out what he should even wear for the first treatment.

I don't know if anyone ever feels ready for chemo to start, but I felt very unprepared.

The doctors weren't able to help us very much either as far as what to expect for the chemo day...so we did our best and stuck to bland food and comfortable clothes.

Cancer vs. Pregnancy

I've often told Jason how much cancer is like having a baby. Here's a look at the similarities:

You find out you have cancer -You tell your family -You change your diet -You stay away from sick people -You're tired -You don't feel well -people are always looking at you and telling you how good/bad you look -You don't know what to expect -Your spouse is worried about you -You get poked and prodded a lot -Your at the doctor several times a month -Everyone gives you advice about what to do -You hope everything goes well -After several months you hopefully rid your body of the cancer

You find out your pregnant -You tell your family -You change your diet -You stay away from sick people -You're tired -You don't feel well -people are always looking at you and telling you how good/bad you look -You don't know what to expect -Your spouse is worried about you -You get poked and prodded a lot -Your at the doctor several times a month -Everyone gives you advice about what to do -You hope everything goes well -After several months, you hopefully give birth to a healthy baby

The list of similarities can go on and on...

Mayo: Airport Terminal or Clinic?

Visiting the Mayo Clinic is an interesting experience. Jason and I recieved a welcome letter in the mail with a map and directions on how to get there. It sort of felt like preparing to go to college. Lots of people had good things to say about the clinic, so in a weird sort of way we were looking forward to going.

When we arrived, it was mid-afternoon. The clinic was really hopping. The ideal parking ramp was full, so we had to walk a few blocks.

When we stepped off the elevator I saw a waiting room like I had never imagined. It seriously looked like an airport terminal. There were hundreds of chairs in this massive waiting room. The doors were lettered like airport gates, and there were receptionists at the front of each "gate." Names were called ovver the intercom.

Jason pulled out his confirmation letter and we headed toward the desk to "check in." After a few minutes, Jason was called to our gate, and escorted into a waiting room.

We met the doctor, who confirmed that Jason's treatment plan of 8 chemos of "ABVD" were the correct route to follow. He agreed that chemo should begin the next day.

With this confirmation in hand, we left the clinic of all clinics and headed home.

Going in for an implant

Jason jokes as if he's been abducted by aliens. If you saw what he had to have done, you might get the joke too.





In helping get Jason and I ready for this chemo therapy, the nurse explained the side effects of the medications. One of the four drugs can give the feeling of severe burning the entire time it's administered. To avoid the pain, a power port can be installed right above his collar bone.





The simple procedure would allow chemo to go directly into on of his big veins, so he wouldn't feel the burning sensation in his arm. We agreed with the nurse that this was the best solution and scheduled the out-patient surgery.

Jason was put out completely for the surgery. After sitting in the waiting room for a half hour they brought us to a recovery room, where Jason was wheeled back in. His whole family was in the room, so it was quite crowded as he came to. It was a relief to see that he was okay after his surgery.

Since the drugs from the surgery were still wearing off, Jason kept on repeating himself. It was cute that he was genuinely concerned about how it went over and over again. As well as kept telling us what a nice nap he had just had.

Jason will keep this port for at least a year. It's fully hidden from view. All you can see is the bump on his skin.