So much has happened in the past few weeks - I do apologize for falling behind with the updates, but thankfully Wendy has kept things "relative"ly up to date.
Before he was discharged, Carla, the Survivor Chairperson with Relay for Life, stopped by. She's amazing. Her husband has had 4 occurrences of cancer, and she is still standing tall, helping so many people.
We learned that Saskatchewan's Relay raised over $430,000. 98 cents of every dollar raised stays here in the province, so thanks again to all who supported the Together for Thomas team or who sent their wishes through the beautiful luminaries. I believe their team raised over 3 times their original goal of $1,000. I am so proud of those young people, who have promised me that next year's team will be bigger and better - I can't even imagine it!
The day that Thomas got out from his first round of chemo, the Ministry of Highways folks had organized a steak night in his honour. Mike and I were deputized to attend on his behalf, and it was amazing to see the support from friends and coworkers, including so many who don't work at Highways at all (and no cracks please about who does or doesn't work at Highways)!
We feel particularly grateful to the Highways organizers John, Ron and Wendy. I wish I knew the rest of the names of all the elves that made that night possible, but let's just say one huge THANK YOU to all to avoid missing anyone!
We'd also like to particularly thank Luther College's community, as they also lent a lot of support to the event. (That's so like them.)
As Mike shared that night, a friend of ours told us that our child's diagnosis had a silver lining: it has revealed and continues to reveal just how many people genuinely care out us. He was so right!
Any funds raised will be used to cover travel and treatment costs not covered by Sask Health. Mike and I will track our costs through the treatment programme, and plan to donate any extra funds to next year's Relay.
Since we got home:
Beginning the day after each chemo session, and then for 10 days, Tom needed to receive an injection every day of a man-made form of a protein that stimulates the growth of white blood cells in his body. Mike and I have both had to get used to delivering these needles, and Tom's had to get used to us getting used to it! (We know for sure that he got the worst end of that deal.)
We've been back to the clinic twice in that time for blood testing to monitor how his body is responding. We go to the clinic again tomorrow - apparently the results of the PET scan are in. Mike goes to the Pasqua for his tests tomorrow too, so we are going to be busy!
We are really hoping for some good news from both Tom and Mike's medical reports. Before he was discharged, Carla, the Survivor Chairperson with Relay for Life, stopped by. She's amazing. Her husband has had 4 occurrences of cancer, and she is still standing tall, helping so many people.
We learned that Saskatchewan's Relay raised over $430,000. 98 cents of every dollar raised stays here in the province, so thanks again to all who supported the Together for Thomas team or who sent their wishes through the beautiful luminaries. I believe their team raised over 3 times their original goal of $1,000. I am so proud of those young people, who have promised me that next year's team will be bigger and better - I can't even imagine it!
The day that Thomas got out from his first round of chemo, the Ministry of Highways folks had organized a steak night in his honour. Mike and I were deputized to attend on his behalf, and it was amazing to see the support from friends and coworkers, including so many who don't work at Highways at all (and no cracks please about who does or doesn't work at Highways)!
We feel particularly grateful to the Highways organizers John, Ron and Wendy. I wish I knew the rest of the names of all the elves that made that night possible, but let's just say one huge THANK YOU to all to avoid missing anyone!
We'd also like to particularly thank Luther College's community, as they also lent a lot of support to the event. (That's so like them.)
As Mike shared that night, a friend of ours told us that our child's diagnosis had a silver lining: it has revealed and continues to reveal just how many people genuinely care out us. He was so right!
Any funds raised will be used to cover travel and treatment costs not covered by Sask Health. Mike and I will track our costs through the treatment programme, and plan to donate any extra funds to next year's Relay.
Since we got home:
Beginning the day after each chemo session, and then for 10 days, Tom needed to receive an injection every day of a man-made form of a protein that stimulates the growth of white blood cells in his body. Mike and I have both had to get used to delivering these needles, and Tom's had to get used to us getting used to it! (We know for sure that he got the worst end of that deal.)
We've been back to the clinic twice in that time for blood testing to monitor how his body is responding. We go to the clinic again tomorrow - apparently the results of the PET scan are in. Mike goes to the Pasqua for his tests tomorrow too, so we are going to be busy!
Thomas' pain has been quite well managed and I am in the process of gradually reducing certain pain relievers from his regime, as per doctor's orders. I sit down every night and chart out what meds and what time each needs to be delivered.
His hair is starting to fall out now, so we tell ourselves this is a good sign, that the chemotherapy drugs are doing their thing. However, the molting process is certainly messy!
One thing that's new since we last updated y'all: we have learned that in order to coordinate the visit to Calgary to do stem cell harvest, his second (5 day long) chemo session will now start on Monday July 6. So if you're looking for us at the hospital: please don't! We won't be there until Monday!
If all goes well, we'll return to Calgary the following week for the stem cell harvest procedure. We'll go ahead of time for bloodwork monitoring, and then Tom will undergo a surgical procedure on the 20th to have a shunt or tube inserted into his groin area. This will be the mechanism that will be used to access his blood, so the stem cells can be harvested, which could take at least 2 days. Tentatively, they'd start his next chemo on July 24th (back in Regina).
The oncologist in Calgary has expressed concern about Tom flying after the next procedure, so we are considering driving. We've looked into whether we could rent a camper van or motor home for the trip, but there is no business in Regina or Moose Jaw that offers such services.
If you know of anyone who has a camper or van that's not overly huge, and who would rent theirs to us from approximately July 15 through 23, please give us a call.
P.S. Some folks have asked me why they can't comment on the blog. I made a couple of setup changes, and that seems to have resolved the problem. You might want to sign your name when you post a comment so that we know who it is from.
The girls are all busy: Laura made it to Korea (finally) and we've heard from her a couple of times - but I hate to disappoint Wendy, as she has in no way expressed regret for taking 2 suitcases! Jeanie is working at La Senza (not an Italian food restaurant, Mr. Stieb), and Nancy at Wal Mart. Both got down to the park for fireworks last night, and we understand that Laura and Paula took along flags and other Canadiana to decorate their dorms with, and to encourage their hosts and fellow students to celebrate Canada Day with them. I tell you, this diagnosis has given us a whole new appreciation for being Canadian!
Besides being Canadian, we are so grateful for:
* each of our four children
* the wonderful staff at Alan Blair
* Gerry and Tim, who installed various aids around the house that will make life easier for Thomas
* visitors Carla, Nick, Jynelle, Genevieve, Ocean, Steph, Sandra, Sherry
* the patience and understanding of our employers
* everyone's prayers and well wishes
* God's love and grace
Please continue to keep Thomas, his medical team, and his family in your prayers. I would so appreciate it if you'd also think of our dear Aunt Sharon, our friend George, our good friend Cathy's dad, and all who are all walking down a similar path. Pray that God will be with them in their particular journey.
TTYL,
Thomas' Mom
His hair is starting to fall out now, so we tell ourselves this is a good sign, that the chemotherapy drugs are doing their thing. However, the molting process is certainly messy!
One thing that's new since we last updated y'all: we have learned that in order to coordinate the visit to Calgary to do stem cell harvest, his second (5 day long) chemo session will now start on Monday July 6. So if you're looking for us at the hospital: please don't! We won't be there until Monday!
If all goes well, we'll return to Calgary the following week for the stem cell harvest procedure. We'll go ahead of time for bloodwork monitoring, and then Tom will undergo a surgical procedure on the 20th to have a shunt or tube inserted into his groin area. This will be the mechanism that will be used to access his blood, so the stem cells can be harvested, which could take at least 2 days. Tentatively, they'd start his next chemo on July 24th (back in Regina).
The oncologist in Calgary has expressed concern about Tom flying after the next procedure, so we are considering driving. We've looked into whether we could rent a camper van or motor home for the trip, but there is no business in Regina or Moose Jaw that offers such services.
If you know of anyone who has a camper or van that's not overly huge, and who would rent theirs to us from approximately July 15 through 23, please give us a call.
P.S. Some folks have asked me why they can't comment on the blog. I made a couple of setup changes, and that seems to have resolved the problem. You might want to sign your name when you post a comment so that we know who it is from.
The girls are all busy: Laura made it to Korea (finally) and we've heard from her a couple of times - but I hate to disappoint Wendy, as she has in no way expressed regret for taking 2 suitcases! Jeanie is working at La Senza (not an Italian food restaurant, Mr. Stieb), and Nancy at Wal Mart. Both got down to the park for fireworks last night, and we understand that Laura and Paula took along flags and other Canadiana to decorate their dorms with, and to encourage their hosts and fellow students to celebrate Canada Day with them. I tell you, this diagnosis has given us a whole new appreciation for being Canadian!
Besides being Canadian, we are so grateful for:
* each of our four children
* the wonderful staff at Alan Blair
* Gerry and Tim, who installed various aids around the house that will make life easier for Thomas
* visitors Carla, Nick, Jynelle, Genevieve, Ocean, Steph, Sandra, Sherry
* the patience and understanding of our employers
* everyone's prayers and well wishes
* God's love and grace
Please continue to keep Thomas, his medical team, and his family in your prayers. I would so appreciate it if you'd also think of our dear Aunt Sharon, our friend George, our good friend Cathy's dad, and all who are all walking down a similar path. Pray that God will be with them in their particular journey.
TTYL,
Thomas' Mom
