We'll start with my brother first.... Craig's tests results came back showing that the Chemo is working and the cancer is gone. They are continuing the chemo treatments to fully keep it gone. (not to sure of the details or for how long). His blood count goes from good to bad, so the doctors are keeping a close eye on that. We tried to get a blood drive put together for him, and we want to thank all those who volunteered, however, credit cannot go over state lines any more. But in Washington, there was a HUGE turnout as about 100 people showed up to give blood in his name. He has had and continues to have numerous blood transfusions. He is a fighter and won't give up!
As for Pam.... ALOT has happened since November! I flew to Idaho in December to be with Kellie as she was at the ending of her pregnancy and Alex had to fly to Dallas to begin his internship on January 3rd, 2012. It was nice to be with the kids for Christmas and to get the support that I desperately needed.
Alex flew home in time for McKenzlie Tatyana Barnard to enter into the world. She arrived by planned c-section on January 12, 2012. Weighing in as the smallest baby our family has ever had. 6 lbs. 14 oz. (I know that isn't small for most, but for us, she was 3 1/2 lbs smaller than her big brother Camren. Mommy and baby were healthy and all went well. Alex soon flew back to Dallas, and as soon as Kellie and McKenzlie got the "all clear" from the doctors, we loaded up the car to start or drive to Dallas.
.... In January, I went to the doctor with what they believed to be a kidney stone. I recovered quickly from that, only to be go to ER a week later with a blood clot in my leg. MD Anderson was called and I was taken off the Cancer Medicines immediately as this was what was believed to be the cause of the blood clot. I was immediately put on blood thinners, and a new chapter in my life began.
.... Now, back to the trip to Dallas. When Kellie, Camren, McKenzlie, Jason, Kaydee and I started our journey, we had the priviledge of stopping in Arizona to visit a few people from Jason's mission. Kaydee went to church with him, and then we visited some of the people he lived with. It was great meeting these wonderful people who took such good care of our son. We also had the priviledge of visiting one of Kaydee's room-mates (Amber) from BYU-Hawaii and visit with her family. That was great visiting with them as well.
We finally arrived in Dallas about 5 days after leaving Idaho. The babies did great traveling! Jason and I dropped off Kellie, the babies, and Kaydee and the two of us headed home.
I immediately went back to my regular visits with MD Anderson where they have been keeping an eye on me, doing lab work every 2 weeks. My clot finally went away, and we thought that all was "finally" going forward. Until.... It was at one of the appointments that she noticed my breathing was not right. She sent me to a cardiologist as she didn't like that I was having breathing difficulties and some chest pains. I got in immediately to see the cardiologist and he thought I was having symptoms of a mild heart attack. Or at least the warning signs of one coming on. He warned me that any other severe pains, I was to get to E.R. immediately. Well, that time came the very next day...
February 14, 2012 I decided to have some very severe chest pains. I couldn't breath, and my vision was really off, arm went numb, etc. With Jason being the only one home with me, he immediately got me to the closest E.R. and a good friend was called. They stayed with me until about 2:00 am. While at E.R. the doctors went into full Heart attack mode! Medications and tests were done immediately. My first EKG came back abnormal. I was admitted in to the hospital for 24 hour observation. The whole time I was on oxygen as I was having a very difficult time breathing. CT scans, X-rays and several other tests were done. All of which the stupid doctor sent his Assistant and told me were all tests were negative. They released me and I found a new cardiologist immediately.
Two days after returning home, I went to see the new cardiologist. She immediately had me do an echocardiogram and nuclear stress test. All of which thankfully came back that my heart was fully healthy. So, she said she wanted me seen by a pulmonologist immediately. She still was NOT ruling out a possible "mild heart attack", but said it could be a clot in my lungs. Even though the hospital said there was nothing. She did not like the CT scans, and wanted me further checked.
So, March 1st started my Pulmonologist experiences. Testing was done, to measure my breathing, and it came back that my lungs were only functioning at 67% at best. Plus my lungs were taking SEVERAL seconds to refill, instead of less than a second as normal. He thought it could be severe silent Asthma, so he started me on Asthma meds. After being on those for 10 days and no change, they added a steroid. After 10 days on steroids.... Still, no change.
To add to this... a couple weeks ago, my c-section scar of over 20 years ago, started to bleed and open up. My doctor immediately sent me to my surgeon, and last Thursday (April 5, 2 cysts were removed.) They were sent to the lab to be checked for cancer...
So today, I returned for a follow-up with the pulmonologist. He went and re-looked at my hospital chest x-rays and CT scans, and decided that I definitely did NOT have Asthma. Both my lungs were covered with a haziness. So, tomorrow (April 10th) I am going in for extensive blood work. Looking for auto immune diseases, lung disease and even the ugly word of Cancer! I will also go in on April 19th for a repeat CT scan to compare to the one taken in February. If nothing is found to explain the breathing issues, he will schedule an exploratory surgery on my lungs and biopsy. This makes me really nervous, and hope it does not come to that point.
Well, that about covers me to this point of my life. Now let me tell you about Camren's latest updates....
As some of you remember, Our grandson (while in Idaho) was taken to Primary Children's hospital numerous times for breathing issues, apnea, seizures, etc. Well, it is amazing how wonderful Texas doctors are! In just 2 days and 3 doctors we FINALLY got the diagnosis' on Camren that we have been waiting a year for. One visit with a great ENT (who took care of KD and Kellie both as kids) found that Camren's breathing issues and apnea were most likely due to his enlarged adenoids and tonsils. So on April 3, Camren had his tonsils and adenoids removed. Since he would not eat or drink after surgery, (and being younger than 2 years old), he spent the night. The next day, he still would not eat or drink. But he was begging for McDonald's french fries. The doctor said to "let him try". So grandma Pam, bought him a large fry and he immediately ate EVERY ONE of them and drank his entire sippy cup of juice! Then became his normal self. The nurses could not believe the change in him, and he was able to come home! He has eaten literally everything you are NOT to eat after having tonsils out, but seems to be doing great! He was also seen by a Pediatric Cardiologist who informed us that Camren is like his Aunt Kaydee and has Syncope! That is what is causing his heart rate to jump around so much and if we were able to take his blood pressure at home, would most likely find that jumping around as well. He put him on another heart monitor, and Camren will most likely be put on meds soon to help with the syncope. These two doctors could not believe that no one in Idaho could come up with this! But we have a diagnosis, and treatments! So we accomplished!!!!
I think that about catches us up on everything. Tomorrow, I get my stitches out,get the blood work done, Camren goes in for his follow up from surgery, and Kaydee goes in for follow up on new blood pressure meds. And Wednesday morning I fly to Idaho with the kids and will stay a week before I come home to a totally empty house once again! It has been great having the kids close by, and having Jason home with me. They have been a huge strength and support to me. I will miss them while they are in Idaho! Until next time....
