Despite his expression he really loves this stuff.
Adam's team came in 2nd in the cook off competition.
Adam's Scout leader, Mr. Gregory, is trying to do his part to help Adam gain back the 12 pounds he lost while in chemo.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Camporee 2008
Despite his expression he really loves this stuff. Adam's team came in 2nd in the cook off competition.Adam's Scout leader, Mr. Gregory, is trying to do his part to help Adam gain back the 12 pounds he lost while in chemo.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
monitoring
We are now in a new phase of Adam's treatment. I guess it's the monitoring phase. Adam will go back in three months for more imaging tests. And every three months for a year or so. Then he will be seen at the 'Survivor's Clinic' on a less frequent basis.
In the middle of all this I was getting fired up about 'The End'. Like 'When Adam's treatment ENDS we are going to have a hell of a party.' Well his chemo and radiation treatments are done; have come to 'The End' but we are not in the partying mood. Adam is relieved, we are exhausted and 'The Party' doesn't have the cache it did a few months ago. Maybe some day.
Right now we are hunkering down with normal life, school, work, and whatever the heck is going on in the economy.
Personally, I need to get my head out of my rear......but I won't bore folks with the details.
Adam is good, Adam is well, Adam is on a camping trip this week with his 6th grade class. Gosh that boy goes camping a lot.
In the middle of all this I was getting fired up about 'The End'. Like 'When Adam's treatment ENDS we are going to have a hell of a party.' Well his chemo and radiation treatments are done; have come to 'The End' but we are not in the partying mood. Adam is relieved, we are exhausted and 'The Party' doesn't have the cache it did a few months ago. Maybe some day.
Right now we are hunkering down with normal life, school, work, and whatever the heck is going on in the economy.
Personally, I need to get my head out of my rear......but I won't bore folks with the details.
Adam is good, Adam is well, Adam is on a camping trip this week with his 6th grade class. Gosh that boy goes camping a lot.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Great News tempered
We waited longer than usual. Finally Dr. Kuttesch arrived. After some small talk with Adam he let us know that two of the three imaging tests, the brain CT and the bone scan, were completely clear. The MRI showed no cancer in Adam's orbitals but did show a spot in his right lung. This spot has been there for a while and Dr. K does not think it is a problem. But it's there so we will have to watch it. Adam is clear of cancer but we were hoping for a completely clear report.
He will have to go back monthly to flush his port o cath and will go back in three months for another set of imaging tests.
He will have to go back monthly to flush his port o cath and will go back in three months for another set of imaging tests.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Trio
On Thursday Adam had a trio of imaging tests: MRI, CT Scan, and a total bone scan. He has also been participating in a 'Coping' study through out his treatment and he had to be interviewed for that as well.
We now await the results of the imaging. We should hear on Monday.
Thursday night I walked in the 'Light the Night' event at LP Field in Nashville. This was to raise money and awareness for Leukemia and Lymphoma. Folks were given balloons that lit up; either white, red or gold. White was for survivors, red for family members and gold in remembrance of loved ones who died. Despite the rain it was well attended. It was a pretty corporate affair but that didn't ruin it completely.
Thanks to many of you I was able to raise $785 for the event.
Yesterday I participated with some folks from work in a Habitat build. I've done a couple of these things before and have never felt particularly useful. This time though I was assigned to caulk under the roof line. It involved being up on a high ladder and concentrating on laying down a neat and even bead of caulk. It got pretty good at it and used it as an opportunity to practice some the meditation/breathing techniques I've been experimenting with. I was able to get two houses worth of caulking done. Who says Buddhist meditation can't be practical!
Adam is away on a Scout camping trip this weekend. He left last night and will be back tomorrow. Apparently the main event was a breakfast cooking competition which began at 530am this morning. All I can say is I am glad it's Mr. Gregory (the scout leader) and not me having to deal with Adam at 530am!
My old college buddy Gerald and his friend Cookie are coming to town today. Gerald is a huge fan of Bob Pollard (former leader of the great Guided by Voices) and is doing a 'Deadhead' like following Bob on tour trip throughout the southeast. Should be fun. We are going to get some Princes Hot Chicken too. Never pass up an opportunity to get some hot chicken!
Go Dores! Go Bama! Go Obama!
I will get the results of Adam's tests as soon as we get them up on the blog.
Peace
We now await the results of the imaging. We should hear on Monday.
Thursday night I walked in the 'Light the Night' event at LP Field in Nashville. This was to raise money and awareness for Leukemia and Lymphoma. Folks were given balloons that lit up; either white, red or gold. White was for survivors, red for family members and gold in remembrance of loved ones who died. Despite the rain it was well attended. It was a pretty corporate affair but that didn't ruin it completely.
Thanks to many of you I was able to raise $785 for the event.
Yesterday I participated with some folks from work in a Habitat build. I've done a couple of these things before and have never felt particularly useful. This time though I was assigned to caulk under the roof line. It involved being up on a high ladder and concentrating on laying down a neat and even bead of caulk. It got pretty good at it and used it as an opportunity to practice some the meditation/breathing techniques I've been experimenting with. I was able to get two houses worth of caulking done. Who says Buddhist meditation can't be practical!
Adam is away on a Scout camping trip this weekend. He left last night and will be back tomorrow. Apparently the main event was a breakfast cooking competition which began at 530am this morning. All I can say is I am glad it's Mr. Gregory (the scout leader) and not me having to deal with Adam at 530am!
My old college buddy Gerald and his friend Cookie are coming to town today. Gerald is a huge fan of Bob Pollard (former leader of the great Guided by Voices) and is doing a 'Deadhead' like following Bob on tour trip throughout the southeast. Should be fun. We are going to get some Princes Hot Chicken too. Never pass up an opportunity to get some hot chicken!
Go Dores! Go Bama! Go Obama!
I will get the results of Adam's tests as soon as we get them up on the blog.
Peace
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Adam is well
It's hard to believe we are almost done. This Thursday Adam will go in for a days worth of imaging tests. God willing, the tests will show a complete absence of the cancer. Lately when people ask about Adam I have said, "He's done with chemo!" He is done and that is great. Sometimes I am not sure how I feel. I am relieved and I am very happy. Adam is coming out of his chemo funk. His appetite is picking up a little. I even gave him a 'booster' lesson on his bike. He hadn't ridden in a while. He caught on almost immediately. His hair is coming back in. His lashes and brow are growing slowly back. We bought hiking boots yesterday. He's looking forward to a scout trip coming up and a class camping trip right after.
I feel a little depleted. I feel worried. It's not rational. I know the treatment has been successful. My thinking goes something like this: What next? This cancer is pretty rare and Adam got it. What else is in store? I'll get over that I am sure with time.
This past 7 months has forced me to think deeper about myself. At times I have been better for it. Adam's illness and his bravery have made me better....at times. At other times I have been angry, sad and depressed by my lack of 'inspiration'. I have explored, thought about, prayed about this whole thing. But that hasn't kept me from being the same selfish son of a bitch that I know I can be. Way back in the beginning I said how much I appreciate and feel indebted to all the people who have shown Adam and our family support of all kinds. I meant that. I am not sure if I will ever have it in me to make it up. I can try to 'pay it forward'. But I fear my efforts will seem paltry compared to the true generosity we have received.
Adam is well.
Amen.
ps--we've raised $760 for Light the Night against leukemia and lymphoma. Way to go!
http://www.active.com/donate/ltnNashvi/2471_ebrinson1
I feel a little depleted. I feel worried. It's not rational. I know the treatment has been successful. My thinking goes something like this: What next? This cancer is pretty rare and Adam got it. What else is in store? I'll get over that I am sure with time.
This past 7 months has forced me to think deeper about myself. At times I have been better for it. Adam's illness and his bravery have made me better....at times. At other times I have been angry, sad and depressed by my lack of 'inspiration'. I have explored, thought about, prayed about this whole thing. But that hasn't kept me from being the same selfish son of a bitch that I know I can be. Way back in the beginning I said how much I appreciate and feel indebted to all the people who have shown Adam and our family support of all kinds. I meant that. I am not sure if I will ever have it in me to make it up. I can try to 'pay it forward'. But I fear my efforts will seem paltry compared to the true generosity we have received.
Adam is well.
Amen.
ps--we've raised $760 for Light the Night against leukemia and lymphoma. Way to go!
http://www.active.com/donate/ltnNashvi/2471_ebrinson1
Thursday, October 9, 2008
20/20
Adam's check up with Dr. Mawn went extremely well. I was worried because the last time we met with Dr. Mawn his sight in his left eye was only 20/60 and we were a little ashamed because we hadn't been as aggressive with the eye drops as we should have.
It was with great relief as I watched Adam go through the ever decreasing sized letters almost perfectly. He 'passed' with flying colors. 20/20!
His eye lashes are growing back which means that his eye is getting more natural lubricant which means that his eye doesn't look as irritated as it did. His brow is growing back as well. We had been told that his lashes and brow may take months to grow back. It looks like he is ahead of schedule.
My mom's knee replacement surgery went very well and she is going home today. She says she can really tell the difference after going through the initial rehab exercises. No pain, no gain Mom!
It was with great relief as I watched Adam go through the ever decreasing sized letters almost perfectly. He 'passed' with flying colors. 20/20!
His eye lashes are growing back which means that his eye is getting more natural lubricant which means that his eye doesn't look as irritated as it did. His brow is growing back as well. We had been told that his lashes and brow may take months to grow back. It looks like he is ahead of schedule.
My mom's knee replacement surgery went very well and she is going home today. She says she can really tell the difference after going through the initial rehab exercises. No pain, no gain Mom!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Help Rhonda
Rhonda Clark works at Vandy Childrens Hospital. When we were first getting acquainted with the inpt unit she was by far the most friendly and cheerful person we met. She greets folks at the front door, answers questions and is generally helpful. She also has CP and is wheelchair bound. I have mentioned her before. Adam did a class project on CP and featured Rhonda and her assistance dog, Art. Please go to her web site http://www.rhondaclark.net/
I am writing about her again because she is trying to qualify for Extreme Home Makeover on ABC. She has to get 1000 signatures. She has over 600 already.
On her home page click on 'sign the petition'. Fill out your signature information and press 'next'. You will be directed to a site that will ask for a donation. YOU DO NOT NEED TO DONATE ANY MONEY. Just click next and then when the credit card page appears, click cancel at the bottom.
Rhonda really deserves it!
I am writing about her again because she is trying to qualify for Extreme Home Makeover on ABC. She has to get 1000 signatures. She has over 600 already.
On her home page click on 'sign the petition'. Fill out your signature information and press 'next'. You will be directed to a site that will ask for a donation. YOU DO NOT NEED TO DONATE ANY MONEY. Just click next and then when the credit card page appears, click cancel at the bottom.
Rhonda really deserves it!
710.....
http://www.active.com/donate/ltnNashvi/2471_ebrinson1
Thanks to many of the readers of this post and many generous folks at work we have raised $710 for the Light the Night event. My original goal was to raise 200. I didn't mean to underestimate people's generosity. I thank you very much.
The event is Thursday October 16th at LP Field, home of The Titans. Adam has imaging tests all day that day so I am not sure he will be in the frame of mind to spend his few hours of free time marching around a football stadium. I'll be there and I will be very proud to brag about all the good folks who have donated through me.
Tomorrow Adam has an appointment with Dr. Mawn, the eye surgeon who removed the tumor. When I mentioned his appt today he was a little startled and asked if there would be any sticks. Thankfully I could say 'no' but getting an eye exam isn't always fun either. At least he doesn't have to miss any school.
Please keep my mom, 'Juju' to her grand kids, in your thoughts and prayers. She had knee replacement surgery today. I am confident this will make her life a whole lot better, but tonight she is in a lot of pain. Hang in there Mom!
A special 'shout out' to our friends Mel and Pam who put our donations over the 700 mark!
Thanks to many of the readers of this post and many generous folks at work we have raised $710 for the Light the Night event. My original goal was to raise 200. I didn't mean to underestimate people's generosity. I thank you very much.
The event is Thursday October 16th at LP Field, home of The Titans. Adam has imaging tests all day that day so I am not sure he will be in the frame of mind to spend his few hours of free time marching around a football stadium. I'll be there and I will be very proud to brag about all the good folks who have donated through me.
Tomorrow Adam has an appointment with Dr. Mawn, the eye surgeon who removed the tumor. When I mentioned his appt today he was a little startled and asked if there would be any sticks. Thankfully I could say 'no' but getting an eye exam isn't always fun either. At least he doesn't have to miss any school.
Please keep my mom, 'Juju' to her grand kids, in your thoughts and prayers. She had knee replacement surgery today. I am confident this will make her life a whole lot better, but tonight she is in a lot of pain. Hang in there Mom!
A special 'shout out' to our friends Mel and Pam who put our donations over the 700 mark!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Chemo aint for sissies, to borrow a phrase. Adam is done but the effects linger. He's been feeling bad physically all week and today it caught up with him. He went to school but got sick and had to be picked up. No big deal.
He will return to school tomorrow and hopefully feel well enough to play in his soccer game on Saturday.
Go Vandy. Go Bama.
He will return to school tomorrow and hopefully feel well enough to play in his soccer game on Saturday.
Go Vandy. Go Bama.
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