Greetings -
We just found out that Kurtis' surgery has been moved to 11:30 this morning. Nothing wrong with him - a trauma case most likely came in and bumped him :) More updates later.
Liz
Email notes to: rockieslizard@gmail.com
GoFundMe: http://www.gofundme.com/helpkurtis
Monday, July 1, 2013
Sunday, June 30, 2013
On the Eve of the Brain Dig
Hello!
I want to start out by writing that Kurtis and I are blessed and fortunate to be surrounded by the love and care of so many wonderful people (which, if you are reading this includes you) and the outpouring of support from so many of you has been uplifting and incredibly meaningful. Thank you for taking the time to write notes, text messages, donate money, share things with others who want/need to know, visiting, hugs, etc. etc. etc. Each of those small things act as a lantern and when we are able to hang all of those lanterns in the tunnel we're standing in right now, it is possible to see the end. I don't have, and I don't think I will ever have, the words that are right for expressing the gratitude that we both feel for all of those 'lanterns' - so think of the best words you can and then multiply that by the biggest number you can think of and that will put you somewhere close.
So, tomorrow is the brain dig. We're both a little rattled if I'm being honest, but I don't think that we would be human if we weren't. Kurtis' surgery has been moved up to 9am (due to neuro cancellations - not emergency status - stop freaking out) which we are pleased about so we don't have to wait around all day. Here is a quick rundown of what will be happening tomorrow:
=Before 9...probably around 630...Kurtis will be taken for an MRI to make sure that the computer and surgeon know where to go
=9 am...surgery begins
=1-2pm...surgery should be completed
After surgery, Kurtis will go to the ICU for a few days most likely and then we'll come back to the Neuro unit. The surgery plan has changed a little bit, so if you want to know about that keep reading...otherwise jump down a paragraph. There are about five tumors in Kurtis' brain right now. Three are in a club by the cerebellum on the right side, one is on the cerebellum on the left side, and one is "on his brain" on the left side. As of this moment, the plan is to remove the clump as well as the tumor "on his brain". The tumor on the left side cerebellum is very small and buried a little bit more so they will use pinpoint radiation to zap the hell out of that little thing. I know that it sounds really scary, but the surgeon is top notch and everything will be okay :)
Kurtis won't be up for visitors for a few days at least, so it was really nice that we had a group today - part of Kurtis' family and one of our lacrosse families came by as well as our old cancer doc. It was a good day full of resting, TV (even though the Rockies lost, Cuddy extended his streak so that was excellent). Perhaps the best thing was that Chauncey got to come and spend the day with us. He would stay the night, but everything starts so early tomorrow that we sent him back home. We're now winding down and preparing to sleep!
I'll update more tomorrow. Keep those positive vibes, thoughts, etc. coming. Please feel free, as I've said before, to share this with anyone :)
Love,
Liz, Kurtis, and Chauncey
Email notes to: rockieslizard@gmail.com
GoFundMe: http://www.gofundme.com/helpkurtis
I want to start out by writing that Kurtis and I are blessed and fortunate to be surrounded by the love and care of so many wonderful people (which, if you are reading this includes you) and the outpouring of support from so many of you has been uplifting and incredibly meaningful. Thank you for taking the time to write notes, text messages, donate money, share things with others who want/need to know, visiting, hugs, etc. etc. etc. Each of those small things act as a lantern and when we are able to hang all of those lanterns in the tunnel we're standing in right now, it is possible to see the end. I don't have, and I don't think I will ever have, the words that are right for expressing the gratitude that we both feel for all of those 'lanterns' - so think of the best words you can and then multiply that by the biggest number you can think of and that will put you somewhere close.
So, tomorrow is the brain dig. We're both a little rattled if I'm being honest, but I don't think that we would be human if we weren't. Kurtis' surgery has been moved up to 9am (due to neuro cancellations - not emergency status - stop freaking out) which we are pleased about so we don't have to wait around all day. Here is a quick rundown of what will be happening tomorrow:
=Before 9...probably around 630...Kurtis will be taken for an MRI to make sure that the computer and surgeon know where to go
=9 am...surgery begins
=1-2pm...surgery should be completed
After surgery, Kurtis will go to the ICU for a few days most likely and then we'll come back to the Neuro unit. The surgery plan has changed a little bit, so if you want to know about that keep reading...otherwise jump down a paragraph. There are about five tumors in Kurtis' brain right now. Three are in a club by the cerebellum on the right side, one is on the cerebellum on the left side, and one is "on his brain" on the left side. As of this moment, the plan is to remove the clump as well as the tumor "on his brain". The tumor on the left side cerebellum is very small and buried a little bit more so they will use pinpoint radiation to zap the hell out of that little thing. I know that it sounds really scary, but the surgeon is top notch and everything will be okay :)
Kurtis won't be up for visitors for a few days at least, so it was really nice that we had a group today - part of Kurtis' family and one of our lacrosse families came by as well as our old cancer doc. It was a good day full of resting, TV (even though the Rockies lost, Cuddy extended his streak so that was excellent). Perhaps the best thing was that Chauncey got to come and spend the day with us. He would stay the night, but everything starts so early tomorrow that we sent him back home. We're now winding down and preparing to sleep!
I'll update more tomorrow. Keep those positive vibes, thoughts, etc. coming. Please feel free, as I've said before, to share this with anyone :)
Love,
Liz, Kurtis, and Chauncey
Email notes to: rockieslizard@gmail.com
GoFundMe: http://www.gofundme.com/helpkurtis
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Evening Report!
Greetings and Salutations!
In getting back in the swing of things, you can probably expect more blog posts than are probably necessary, but I know that many of you have questions and this is the best way for us to get out information :)
Today was quite restful for both Kurtis and myself. There was only one test today, an EEG, which is a brain wave test. They did that mid-morning - it involved hooking Kurtis up to a bunch of wires on his head and then doing a few things including a memory test, a strobe light test, and then rest with his eyes closed. Through the cancer "experience" Kurtis has had a lot of testing done, but never an EEG - I asked the tech a lot of questions and got to watch along on the monitor. They were running this test to check for seizure type activity which they didn't find which is great!
We had visitors, both family and friends, which helped to keep the mood light and cheerful. To those of you who visited today - THANK YOU! :) Fortunately, the Rockies played today and we enjoyed spending the afternoon watching them - especially with a great walk-off win!
Tomorrow is more of the same, relaxing and monitoring. Looks like surgery is tentatively scheduled for around 2pm...I'll update that if it changes! We met with the neurosurgeon again and he still feels like the surgery should be no big deal.
Thank you to all of you who texted, emailed, and called today. We are so thankful to have such amazing families as well as such a wonderful collection of friends, coworkers, students, and lacrosse players/families and fellow coaches. It is so nice to have heard from all of you and it is so wonderful to know that there are so many of you that care about us. We're also thankful that our gofundme is now rolling and working - thank you for that initial donation :)
Again my email is rockieslizard@gmail.com - please don't hesitate to send notes to Kurtis there :)
All our love and another update soon.
Liz, Kurtis, and Chauncey
In getting back in the swing of things, you can probably expect more blog posts than are probably necessary, but I know that many of you have questions and this is the best way for us to get out information :)
Today was quite restful for both Kurtis and myself. There was only one test today, an EEG, which is a brain wave test. They did that mid-morning - it involved hooking Kurtis up to a bunch of wires on his head and then doing a few things including a memory test, a strobe light test, and then rest with his eyes closed. Through the cancer "experience" Kurtis has had a lot of testing done, but never an EEG - I asked the tech a lot of questions and got to watch along on the monitor. They were running this test to check for seizure type activity which they didn't find which is great!
We had visitors, both family and friends, which helped to keep the mood light and cheerful. To those of you who visited today - THANK YOU! :) Fortunately, the Rockies played today and we enjoyed spending the afternoon watching them - especially with a great walk-off win!
Tomorrow is more of the same, relaxing and monitoring. Looks like surgery is tentatively scheduled for around 2pm...I'll update that if it changes! We met with the neurosurgeon again and he still feels like the surgery should be no big deal.
Thank you to all of you who texted, emailed, and called today. We are so thankful to have such amazing families as well as such a wonderful collection of friends, coworkers, students, and lacrosse players/families and fellow coaches. It is so nice to have heard from all of you and it is so wonderful to know that there are so many of you that care about us. We're also thankful that our gofundme is now rolling and working - thank you for that initial donation :)
Again my email is rockieslizard@gmail.com - please don't hesitate to send notes to Kurtis there :)
All our love and another update soon.
Liz, Kurtis, and Chauncey
The Morning Report!
Good Morning!
We already know quite a bit more than we did when I wrote last night, and we've set up a donation page to help with all the fun medical bills so I wanted to get that out :)
Our donation page is through gofundme and you can reach it using it's main link or through the tinyurl. Please don't feel like you have to help with money - your positive thoughts, good vibes, and love are what we need the most and keeping Kurtis in your thoughts in more than enough. That said, we learned last time that this 'activity' is expensive and know that for some of you, this feels like a good way to help. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Main address: http://www.gofundme.com/helpkurtis
TinyURL: tinyurl.com/helpkurtis
Here is the latest information...
Where we are: MCR -- currently in a much better room! Kurtis is out of the ICU (yes!) and we are now in the neuro room that has a bathroom and Kurtis isn't hooked up to as many beeping, whirring, and buzzing machines which is nice. He is both able to move around better and sleep more easily and comfortably. If you'd like to come and visit, you can send me a text or email me (rockieslizard@gmail.com) and I can let you know when a good time would be :)
Medical Stuff: We looked at the scans of Kurtis' brain with the help of the neurosurgeon yesterday. It's a good thing he was there to show us what everything was - really strange pictures that are confusing until you have a frame of reference! There is a small "clump" of tumors on the right side of Kurtis' cerebellum, a small one on the left side of the cerebellum, and then one on the left side of his brain in the back. They are small which is a really positive thing. Although there was a small glimmer of hope yesterday that Kurtis would not need brain surgery, the doctors have decided that the best thing to do is go in and remove the clump of tumors. This is due to his cancer history and wanting to get those things out. It is my understanding that there is a "brain/blood" barrier which does not allow all chemo drugs to work in the brain. Therefore, this option is the smartest for what we're dealing with :) The surgery will take place on Monday sometime - from what I can tell it looks like the afternoon is what they're aiming for - at MCR. It should take 3-4 hours and the neurosurgeon seems confident that everything should go smoothly so we are trusting that!
Right now Kurtis is just resting and the weekend should be pretty "quiet" as far as tests, etc. go. Today he will have a brainwave scan to help assess his risk of seizures, but that is the only test he has to have today (at least for now). Should be a lot better day for him - much more fun than a 2 hour MRI!
We also met with our oncologist earlier this morning and he went through the treatment plan for the cancer. Kurtis will start with pinpoint radiation for the tumors in his brain (two on the left side) that they didn't remove. Then, he will start chemo. After talking with the doctors at IU, it was decided that we are not in a place where we should be in a clinical trial yet, and there is no need to go to Indy right now which is a relief! Chemo treatments will be straightforward (once a week) and outpatient so that is another positive. He also said that the drugs in this chemo mix shouldn't make Kurtis as sick as some of the other chemo drugs he has had in the past - hooray!
THANK YOU for all the kind words, facebook posts, text messages, emails, etc. They are fantastic and have helped to keep our spirits up! :)
I didn't write this last night I don't think, but please feel free to share this blog with anyone you'd like - it's not an invite only club and the more positive energy we have flowing Kurtis' way, the better.
Love,
Liz, Kurtis, and Chauncey
We already know quite a bit more than we did when I wrote last night, and we've set up a donation page to help with all the fun medical bills so I wanted to get that out :)
Our donation page is through gofundme and you can reach it using it's main link or through the tinyurl. Please don't feel like you have to help with money - your positive thoughts, good vibes, and love are what we need the most and keeping Kurtis in your thoughts in more than enough. That said, we learned last time that this 'activity' is expensive and know that for some of you, this feels like a good way to help. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Main address: http://www.gofundme.com/helpkurtis
TinyURL: tinyurl.com/helpkurtis
Here is the latest information...
Where we are: MCR -- currently in a much better room! Kurtis is out of the ICU (yes!) and we are now in the neuro room that has a bathroom and Kurtis isn't hooked up to as many beeping, whirring, and buzzing machines which is nice. He is both able to move around better and sleep more easily and comfortably. If you'd like to come and visit, you can send me a text or email me (rockieslizard@gmail.com) and I can let you know when a good time would be :)
Medical Stuff: We looked at the scans of Kurtis' brain with the help of the neurosurgeon yesterday. It's a good thing he was there to show us what everything was - really strange pictures that are confusing until you have a frame of reference! There is a small "clump" of tumors on the right side of Kurtis' cerebellum, a small one on the left side of the cerebellum, and then one on the left side of his brain in the back. They are small which is a really positive thing. Although there was a small glimmer of hope yesterday that Kurtis would not need brain surgery, the doctors have decided that the best thing to do is go in and remove the clump of tumors. This is due to his cancer history and wanting to get those things out. It is my understanding that there is a "brain/blood" barrier which does not allow all chemo drugs to work in the brain. Therefore, this option is the smartest for what we're dealing with :) The surgery will take place on Monday sometime - from what I can tell it looks like the afternoon is what they're aiming for - at MCR. It should take 3-4 hours and the neurosurgeon seems confident that everything should go smoothly so we are trusting that!
Right now Kurtis is just resting and the weekend should be pretty "quiet" as far as tests, etc. go. Today he will have a brainwave scan to help assess his risk of seizures, but that is the only test he has to have today (at least for now). Should be a lot better day for him - much more fun than a 2 hour MRI!
We also met with our oncologist earlier this morning and he went through the treatment plan for the cancer. Kurtis will start with pinpoint radiation for the tumors in his brain (two on the left side) that they didn't remove. Then, he will start chemo. After talking with the doctors at IU, it was decided that we are not in a place where we should be in a clinical trial yet, and there is no need to go to Indy right now which is a relief! Chemo treatments will be straightforward (once a week) and outpatient so that is another positive. He also said that the drugs in this chemo mix shouldn't make Kurtis as sick as some of the other chemo drugs he has had in the past - hooray!
THANK YOU for all the kind words, facebook posts, text messages, emails, etc. They are fantastic and have helped to keep our spirits up! :)
I didn't write this last night I don't think, but please feel free to share this blog with anyone you'd like - it's not an invite only club and the more positive energy we have flowing Kurtis' way, the better.
Love,
Liz, Kurtis, and Chauncey
Friday, June 28, 2013
Back on the Carousel
Good Evening -
Although writing in this blog the first trip around the cancer carousel served both as a way for us to pass on information on to those who care and as a therapy of sorts, I didn't really miss it that much. I mean, there are positives to working on your writing skills, spelling, etc. but I'd prefer to attack that in a different venue.
Bad news is, the blog is back. We're back. Back on the carousel.
Over the last several days, Kurtis has been suffering from some pretty strange and severe headaches. Yesterday, I eventually called our cancer doc and it was decided that we needed to make our way to urgent care. After some tests there, we were sent to the ER where they did a head CT and discovered some masses in Kurtis' brain. So far, we don't know a lot...but we do know enough to fire out our first update.
As it stands this is what we know:
-Kurtis has four tumors in his brain. There are three on the right side on/near his cerebellum and one on the left side above the cerebellum in the actual "brain" part (look at my science knowledge!).
-The neurosurgeon and neurologist both described the tumors as "small" - we don't know exactly how big that is, but if the neuro guys are calling it small, I'm good with it.
-It looks like Kurtis will be having brain surgery, most likely on Monday. They will be removing some of the tumors near his cerebellum. After that, they will use pinpoint radiation to get rid of the remaining tumors.
-Kurtis also has one or more tumors that have started to grow in his lungs ... they may be cancerous or teratoma (benign tumor that doesn't respond to chemo/radiation and has to be surgically removed) due to his past history.
-One of Kurtis' lungs also had fluid in it. Today, they drained that doing a fancy procedure that I both don't remember the name of and have no chance of spelling - so look it up or ask someone who is a doctor if you really need to know that name. Seriously. I think it starts with T. He feels better now to have that fluid out and it doesn't sound like the procedure was as painful as you might imagine which is positive.
-Currently, we are in the ICU but later tonight we will be moved to a room - either to oncology or neurology
-Kurtis isn't feeling the possible impacts of the pressure on different parts in a huge way. He is having headaches and he has a small problem with fine motor skills (trouble signing his name) and occasional slight slurred speech...but other than those things, he isn't too super
This news has been quite a shock to us as I am sure it is to you if you're reading this! Kurtis' last clean scan was in April and everything has been clear for a long time. I know that the first question out of your mouth or in your head will be "what can we do to help?" My answer right now is -- we don't know. We're going to need help, I know that from experience. But, we're learning about what this ride around the carousel is going to look like. As soon as I know what we need, I promise I will ask. We may need some food help and/or some help with Chauncey. Until then we can always use positive vibes and love.
If you want to send Kurtis a note, I know he would appreciate it. The best way to do this is to send me an email (rockieslizard@gmail.com) - and I'll get it read to him :)
I'll put more information here as I get it.
Love to all -
Although writing in this blog the first trip around the cancer carousel served both as a way for us to pass on information on to those who care and as a therapy of sorts, I didn't really miss it that much. I mean, there are positives to working on your writing skills, spelling, etc. but I'd prefer to attack that in a different venue.
Bad news is, the blog is back. We're back. Back on the carousel.
Over the last several days, Kurtis has been suffering from some pretty strange and severe headaches. Yesterday, I eventually called our cancer doc and it was decided that we needed to make our way to urgent care. After some tests there, we were sent to the ER where they did a head CT and discovered some masses in Kurtis' brain. So far, we don't know a lot...but we do know enough to fire out our first update.
As it stands this is what we know:
-Kurtis has four tumors in his brain. There are three on the right side on/near his cerebellum and one on the left side above the cerebellum in the actual "brain" part (look at my science knowledge!).
-The neurosurgeon and neurologist both described the tumors as "small" - we don't know exactly how big that is, but if the neuro guys are calling it small, I'm good with it.
-It looks like Kurtis will be having brain surgery, most likely on Monday. They will be removing some of the tumors near his cerebellum. After that, they will use pinpoint radiation to get rid of the remaining tumors.
-Kurtis also has one or more tumors that have started to grow in his lungs ... they may be cancerous or teratoma (benign tumor that doesn't respond to chemo/radiation and has to be surgically removed) due to his past history.
-One of Kurtis' lungs also had fluid in it. Today, they drained that doing a fancy procedure that I both don't remember the name of and have no chance of spelling - so look it up or ask someone who is a doctor if you really need to know that name. Seriously. I think it starts with T. He feels better now to have that fluid out and it doesn't sound like the procedure was as painful as you might imagine which is positive.
-Currently, we are in the ICU but later tonight we will be moved to a room - either to oncology or neurology
-Kurtis isn't feeling the possible impacts of the pressure on different parts in a huge way. He is having headaches and he has a small problem with fine motor skills (trouble signing his name) and occasional slight slurred speech...but other than those things, he isn't too super
This news has been quite a shock to us as I am sure it is to you if you're reading this! Kurtis' last clean scan was in April and everything has been clear for a long time. I know that the first question out of your mouth or in your head will be "what can we do to help?" My answer right now is -- we don't know. We're going to need help, I know that from experience. But, we're learning about what this ride around the carousel is going to look like. As soon as I know what we need, I promise I will ask. We may need some food help and/or some help with Chauncey. Until then we can always use positive vibes and love.
If you want to send Kurtis a note, I know he would appreciate it. The best way to do this is to send me an email (rockieslizard@gmail.com) - and I'll get it read to him :)
I'll put more information here as I get it.
Love to all -
Friday, August 24, 2012
Has it already been a year?
Hello All,
It is hard to believe that it is already getting close to the end of August, and that soon the leaves will start to change and the weather will finally start to cool down enough that our air conditioners aren't on all the time.
Liz and I just got back from my doctor's office and we have some wonderful news. I am now officially cancer free for 1 YEAR!!!!!! All of my blood work came back normal and the stuff in my lungs is either getting smaller or staying the same.
We could not be happier with the news, especially since I started my first full time teaching job this last Monday. For those of you that do not know, I am now also a Polaris Penguin and work right next door to Liz. It was an amazing first week and I could not be happier!
Thank you again for all the love and support you have given to the two of us! I don't get to talk to or see all of you enough, but just know that we are so lucky to have each and every one of you in our corner!!
All of our love,
Liz and Kurtis (and Chauncey too...)
It is hard to believe that it is already getting close to the end of August, and that soon the leaves will start to change and the weather will finally start to cool down enough that our air conditioners aren't on all the time.
Liz and I just got back from my doctor's office and we have some wonderful news. I am now officially cancer free for 1 YEAR!!!!!! All of my blood work came back normal and the stuff in my lungs is either getting smaller or staying the same.
We could not be happier with the news, especially since I started my first full time teaching job this last Monday. For those of you that do not know, I am now also a Polaris Penguin and work right next door to Liz. It was an amazing first week and I could not be happier!
Thank you again for all the love and support you have given to the two of us! I don't get to talk to or see all of you enough, but just know that we are so lucky to have each and every one of you in our corner!!
All of our love,
Liz and Kurtis (and Chauncey too...)
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Nine Months Clean!!!
It doesn't seem like it has already been three months since I have written in here, but it is that time again. Last week, I had my nine month CT scan and blood work, and once again it all came back clean. This is perhaps the biggest "all-clear" so far because it means that Liz and I will be able to get married on June 16th with clear minds that are not worried about having to continue the fight!! Thank you all so much for your continued support, love, prayers, and good vibes. It means the world to me.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Six Months Clean
I know that Liz and I have gotten out of the routine of updating our blog very often, but we both agree that is a good thing since there is really nothing for us to tell you. However, today is different. We found out that my tumor markers are all still normal and the nodules in my lungs are all still shrinking!!!
This marks six months clean for me and that is a huge relief for all of us. It has been a long journey, and we are all so glad that I have passed another hurdle in having this whole ordeal behind me.
Love to all,
Liz, Kurtis, and Chauncey
This marks six months clean for me and that is a huge relief for all of us. It has been a long journey, and we are all so glad that I have passed another hurdle in having this whole ordeal behind me.
Love to all,
Liz, Kurtis, and Chauncey
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Almost a month into 2012!
Hello!
It has been a bit since we've sent out a real update. Amazing to me that this blog used to be my lifeline to everything. I used to feel this almost obsessive feeling about updating it. Now, it doesn't cross my mind daily, and it is nice to know that Kurtis fighting off cancer probably doesn't cross your mind too often either.
Life in northern Colorado is treating us well. This year, so far, winter has been insanely warm and mild. In some ways that is really nice, but a small part of me misses the large piles of snow...and we've yet to have a snow day this year. That is one of the great things about working in education...the chance for a snow day doesn't go away when you become an 'adult' :).
Here are what the three of us have been up to -
Kurtis:
Working more and more as a substitute teacher in PSD. He spends all of his work days at my school (Polaris) which is great! He gets quite a few calls from the other members of the staff and enjoys getting to know the kids better each time he's in a classroom. I think he enjoys being able to be a teacher a few days a week and still spend some time working around the house on his days 'off'. When at school, he covers for almost any class ... French to math and back again ... and the kids seem to really like him. He's also done some major work around our house including cleaning up and organizing our office so that I have a nice place to work which is beyond awesome. He's started to work out now that his body is finally recovering from his treatments. Unfortunately, normal person mode can still wear him out, but it is NOTHING compared to where we were a year ago. In February, we'll be celebrate SIX MONTHS clean! Whoop whoop!
Liz:
I've been working and working. And working. I'm teaching two US history classes and one English class right now and I love them all. I was initially a little worried about my English class as there are thirty-three kiddos (!!) but the class has been structured in a way to accommodate all of their learning and it is going quite well. My US history class is making their own history books and loving it. My classroom constantly looks like a pinata exploded due to the construction paper scraps, etc. but the students are really performing well. Lacrosse is about to start up and I couldn't be more excited. We've started our winter season, lovingly referred to as 'winter ball' and the kids are 2-1. Winning doesn't matter in this league, the point is for the girls to remember how to play before we start having games in the spring, and they are doing a mighty fine job. There is a group of them participating in a speed, agility, and conditioning training program that my assistant coach and I are taking with them that is really fun. Butt-kicking, but fun.
Chauncey:
Chauncey is looking forward to his birthday that will happen in February. On 2-22 the puppy will be two! We can't believe we've had the little (well...kind of little still) guy for two years! He's been enjoying going on runs with me and making a mess of the house by dragging out all of his toys. The snow and ice are finally melted in the back yard and he seems to like that better than when he struggles to run on it. He's claimed one of the upstairs bedrooms and spends a lot of his time laying in the sun on one of the beds and staring out the window. Often when I come home from school his little cute face is waiting for me in the window :) When it is warm outside, he gets to go to the dog park that is not too far from our house. There are usually a lot of dogs there and it is quite funny to watch him try and get all the other dogs to chase him. We also got him a 'zipline' for the car. This is a system that keeps him in the back seat via a cord that runs across the handles in the back and then a tether clips to his harness so he can go back and forth, but not forward. Chauncey doesn't understand it yet, and it's pretty hilarious to watch him try to jump out of the car only to be completely thwarted.
We're hoping that everyone is doing well!
Sending our love!
Liz, Kurtis, and Chauncey
It has been a bit since we've sent out a real update. Amazing to me that this blog used to be my lifeline to everything. I used to feel this almost obsessive feeling about updating it. Now, it doesn't cross my mind daily, and it is nice to know that Kurtis fighting off cancer probably doesn't cross your mind too often either.
Life in northern Colorado is treating us well. This year, so far, winter has been insanely warm and mild. In some ways that is really nice, but a small part of me misses the large piles of snow...and we've yet to have a snow day this year. That is one of the great things about working in education...the chance for a snow day doesn't go away when you become an 'adult' :).
Here are what the three of us have been up to -
Kurtis:
Working more and more as a substitute teacher in PSD. He spends all of his work days at my school (Polaris) which is great! He gets quite a few calls from the other members of the staff and enjoys getting to know the kids better each time he's in a classroom. I think he enjoys being able to be a teacher a few days a week and still spend some time working around the house on his days 'off'. When at school, he covers for almost any class ... French to math and back again ... and the kids seem to really like him. He's also done some major work around our house including cleaning up and organizing our office so that I have a nice place to work which is beyond awesome. He's started to work out now that his body is finally recovering from his treatments. Unfortunately, normal person mode can still wear him out, but it is NOTHING compared to where we were a year ago. In February, we'll be celebrate SIX MONTHS clean! Whoop whoop!
Liz:
I've been working and working. And working. I'm teaching two US history classes and one English class right now and I love them all. I was initially a little worried about my English class as there are thirty-three kiddos (!!) but the class has been structured in a way to accommodate all of their learning and it is going quite well. My US history class is making their own history books and loving it. My classroom constantly looks like a pinata exploded due to the construction paper scraps, etc. but the students are really performing well. Lacrosse is about to start up and I couldn't be more excited. We've started our winter season, lovingly referred to as 'winter ball' and the kids are 2-1. Winning doesn't matter in this league, the point is for the girls to remember how to play before we start having games in the spring, and they are doing a mighty fine job. There is a group of them participating in a speed, agility, and conditioning training program that my assistant coach and I are taking with them that is really fun. Butt-kicking, but fun.
Chauncey:
Chauncey is looking forward to his birthday that will happen in February. On 2-22 the puppy will be two! We can't believe we've had the little (well...kind of little still) guy for two years! He's been enjoying going on runs with me and making a mess of the house by dragging out all of his toys. The snow and ice are finally melted in the back yard and he seems to like that better than when he struggles to run on it. He's claimed one of the upstairs bedrooms and spends a lot of his time laying in the sun on one of the beds and staring out the window. Often when I come home from school his little cute face is waiting for me in the window :) When it is warm outside, he gets to go to the dog park that is not too far from our house. There are usually a lot of dogs there and it is quite funny to watch him try and get all the other dogs to chase him. We also got him a 'zipline' for the car. This is a system that keeps him in the back seat via a cord that runs across the handles in the back and then a tether clips to his harness so he can go back and forth, but not forward. Chauncey doesn't understand it yet, and it's pretty hilarious to watch him try to jump out of the car only to be completely thwarted.
We're hoping that everyone is doing well!
Sending our love!
Liz, Kurtis, and Chauncey
Monday, January 16, 2012
Snowy January Day
Hi,
Nothing new or interesting to report here. Kurtis is doing great! School just started for me, so nothing extremely exciting, but we do have this picture to entertain and amuse everyone. Chauncey doesn't really have any fur that is good for snowy days. He freezes and shivers and it is always rather pathetic. However, we were able to score a REALLY nice Ruffwear jacket for him for only $15! Since it was snowing today, we made him wear it.
He's adorable and we love him...seriously the greatest dog to have around when someone is fighting cancer.
Nothing new or interesting to report here. Kurtis is doing great! School just started for me, so nothing extremely exciting, but we do have this picture to entertain and amuse everyone. Chauncey doesn't really have any fur that is good for snowy days. He freezes and shivers and it is always rather pathetic. However, we were able to score a REALLY nice Ruffwear jacket for him for only $15! Since it was snowing today, we made him wear it.
He's adorable and we love him...seriously the greatest dog to have around when someone is fighting cancer.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Throwing Away Cancer
Greetings!
Kurtis and I have been all into celebrating mini things as time has been passing.
Today, we did something that I really found significant, and made "cancer" even more a thing of the past.
Since we've been home from Indy, there have been cancer pills in our fridge. They were part of the chemo that K was taking after his big treatments.
TODAY WE THREW THEM AWAY.
Not that Kurtis has been taking them for months, but they've been there...just as this little reminder. "Cancer's here"....
Yea, not so much.
It's 2012 now! :)
Love to all!
Kurtis and I have been all into celebrating mini things as time has been passing.
Today, we did something that I really found significant, and made "cancer" even more a thing of the past.
Since we've been home from Indy, there have been cancer pills in our fridge. They were part of the chemo that K was taking after his big treatments.
TODAY WE THREW THEM AWAY.
Not that Kurtis has been taking them for months, but they've been there...just as this little reminder. "Cancer's here"....
Yea, not so much.
It's 2012 now! :)
Love to all!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Happy New Year!
Hello!
We've gotten out of the routine of posting often, but know that there are many of you out there who might be wondering how we're (okay...how Kurtis is...) doing. The answer - great! Here is a run down of what we've been up to the last few weeks ...
The end of December meant the end of school for me, and it was busy (as the end of quarters and semesters always are). We went a week longer than 'usual' or than many other schools are currently going, and even though the last week was a little rough and the kids were a little ragged, I am REALLY enjoying being off of work a week into January rather than being back at school...now.
In late December, Kurtis had another tumor marker check and an appointment with the doc. Everything is looking good - tumor markers are still normal and he is set to have another CT in February. The fact that his markers are still good made for a good birthday for me (yes, I'm 25 now...and officially old...I think...) and a good Christmas as well.
We spent the first part of my time off of school in the Springs with my family. My little sister (Christina) was home from her college in Spokane, and it was great to see her while she was home. We got to go out to one of my favorite brew pubs - Phantom Canyon. They make an excellent pile of steak fries, cheese, sour cream, and bacon that I absolutely adore...and the beer is great :). We enjoyed catching up with my family and hours upon hours of board games (including ZERO, Ticket to Ride, Bananagrams, Phase 10, Chronology, Buzzerwezzer, and...maybe a few others). We celebrated Christmas with my family a day early - and although Timmy and the Donkeys didn't pull off a "W", bit was a wonderful day filled with love and great food. On Christmas day we took a trip up to Denver to celebrate with my Mom's side of the family. We had a wonderful time with all of them and Kurtis even won the BIG PRIZE! For Christmas, we all purchased a $15 dollar gift, and then put $5 into the "big" gift. They were all wrapped in similar sized boxes in the same wrapping paper and we drew numbers and gifts. Although Kurtis drew #13 (the last number) he won the prize and walked away with $80! We spent a few more days in the Springs hanging out with my family and trying to help Chauncey understand why Luke and Quincy (my parents' labs) didn't want to play with his psychotic self.
From there, we headed up and out to Holyoke where we had Christmas #2. We enjoyed hanging out with Kurtis' parents, sister, brother-in-law (what is that to me? brother in law-law?), and niece. The days were pretty low -key and I was able to get some work done for school and we both just enjoyed some 'down time'. Christmas #2 was great - although I think the highlight for both Kurtis and myself was the elephant toy we got Aubrey (niece) for Christmas. The elephant toy shoots balls out of his trunk and then they fall into his stomach through his ears. After about 500 hours of wrestling it out of the box (apparently toys for kids need like 100 little tie things and small odd pieces of cardboard), we finally got it working and Aubrey was quite excited. She jumped up and down and exclaimed "WOW, WOW, WOW! Amazing!". She's getting pretty big now (about 1.5 years) and is a lot of fun now that she can talk and play. After a good few days in H-town, we headed home with a very tired dog.
The last few days have been both busy and relaxed. With money my grandparents and Kurtis' parents gave us along with Kurtis' BIG PRIZE money, we were able to take a trip down to IKEA and re-do one of our rooms. For Christmas, we got ourselves a new bed and nightstands (the Malm), and were hoping to be able to re-do our dining room next. So, earlier this week we headed down to Denver and picked up a new dining room table, four chairs, two "square" storage units and three floating shelves. and two bar stools. If you're not familiar with IKEA, they are a furniture/home store. We love it. The furniture is reasonably priced and modern...when you pick up what you want, it comes in flat boxes and you assemble it at home. I love that part - it makes me feel like I am 'making' our furniture...that and I like building stuff so it is fun for me. We've spent the last several days moving old stuff (big bookcase into our storage room which is now, thankfully, a lot more organized...old squeeky table is disassembled and in the basement too), and putting together and hanging up new stuff. We are insanely pleased with how everything has come together. Our new table is a lot smaller than our old one, and the room feels a lot larger now that we've taken out a bookcase that was just too big for the space. Chauncey is having a hard time as we've moved his 'house' (kennel) and when we ask him to 'take a time out' (go in his kennel) he gets really confused. Currently, he just goes and sits in the corner where his house used to be and we've got to help him find his house...it's rather amusing.
I head back to school on the 9th and Kurtis has several sub days already lined up. He has really been enjoying coming in to Polaris and will be coming to help me (well, my kids really) as I have about thirty-three kids in my English class. K is feeling stronger and better all the time. In the last few days before school I've been getting in some new recipies(Thai last night - and Madelines, Indian tonight!) which I really enjoy. In addition, we're both huge political junkies and have been getting increasingly excited about the 2012 election. We enjoyed watching the updates on Iowa yesterday and were amazed to see Romney win by EIGHT votes (that makes it easier to tell kids that EVERY vote counts!). Other than that, we've just been relaxing and hanging out with the pup who is sleeping hard right now due to this afternoon's visit to the dog park.
Here is hoping that everyone had a great holiday season and is enjoying the start to 2012. We're counting the days until our wedding (June) and Kurtis' one-year cancer free mark (Aug). Sending love from all three of us to all of you!
Liz, Kurtis, and Chauncey
We've gotten out of the routine of posting often, but know that there are many of you out there who might be wondering how we're (okay...how Kurtis is...) doing. The answer - great! Here is a run down of what we've been up to the last few weeks ...
The end of December meant the end of school for me, and it was busy (as the end of quarters and semesters always are). We went a week longer than 'usual' or than many other schools are currently going, and even though the last week was a little rough and the kids were a little ragged, I am REALLY enjoying being off of work a week into January rather than being back at school...now.
In late December, Kurtis had another tumor marker check and an appointment with the doc. Everything is looking good - tumor markers are still normal and he is set to have another CT in February. The fact that his markers are still good made for a good birthday for me (yes, I'm 25 now...and officially old...I think...) and a good Christmas as well.
We spent the first part of my time off of school in the Springs with my family. My little sister (Christina) was home from her college in Spokane, and it was great to see her while she was home. We got to go out to one of my favorite brew pubs - Phantom Canyon. They make an excellent pile of steak fries, cheese, sour cream, and bacon that I absolutely adore...and the beer is great :). We enjoyed catching up with my family and hours upon hours of board games (including ZERO, Ticket to Ride, Bananagrams, Phase 10, Chronology, Buzzerwezzer, and...maybe a few others). We celebrated Christmas with my family a day early - and although Timmy and the Donkeys didn't pull off a "W", bit was a wonderful day filled with love and great food. On Christmas day we took a trip up to Denver to celebrate with my Mom's side of the family. We had a wonderful time with all of them and Kurtis even won the BIG PRIZE! For Christmas, we all purchased a $15 dollar gift, and then put $5 into the "big" gift. They were all wrapped in similar sized boxes in the same wrapping paper and we drew numbers and gifts. Although Kurtis drew #13 (the last number) he won the prize and walked away with $80! We spent a few more days in the Springs hanging out with my family and trying to help Chauncey understand why Luke and Quincy (my parents' labs) didn't want to play with his psychotic self.
From there, we headed up and out to Holyoke where we had Christmas #2. We enjoyed hanging out with Kurtis' parents, sister, brother-in-law (what is that to me? brother in law-law?), and niece. The days were pretty low -key and I was able to get some work done for school and we both just enjoyed some 'down time'. Christmas #2 was great - although I think the highlight for both Kurtis and myself was the elephant toy we got Aubrey (niece) for Christmas. The elephant toy shoots balls out of his trunk and then they fall into his stomach through his ears. After about 500 hours of wrestling it out of the box (apparently toys for kids need like 100 little tie things and small odd pieces of cardboard), we finally got it working and Aubrey was quite excited. She jumped up and down and exclaimed "WOW, WOW, WOW! Amazing!". She's getting pretty big now (about 1.5 years) and is a lot of fun now that she can talk and play. After a good few days in H-town, we headed home with a very tired dog.
The last few days have been both busy and relaxed. With money my grandparents and Kurtis' parents gave us along with Kurtis' BIG PRIZE money, we were able to take a trip down to IKEA and re-do one of our rooms. For Christmas, we got ourselves a new bed and nightstands (the Malm), and were hoping to be able to re-do our dining room next. So, earlier this week we headed down to Denver and picked up a new dining room table, four chairs, two "square" storage units and three floating shelves. and two bar stools. If you're not familiar with IKEA, they are a furniture/home store. We love it. The furniture is reasonably priced and modern...when you pick up what you want, it comes in flat boxes and you assemble it at home. I love that part - it makes me feel like I am 'making' our furniture...that and I like building stuff so it is fun for me. We've spent the last several days moving old stuff (big bookcase into our storage room which is now, thankfully, a lot more organized...old squeeky table is disassembled and in the basement too), and putting together and hanging up new stuff. We are insanely pleased with how everything has come together. Our new table is a lot smaller than our old one, and the room feels a lot larger now that we've taken out a bookcase that was just too big for the space. Chauncey is having a hard time as we've moved his 'house' (kennel) and when we ask him to 'take a time out' (go in his kennel) he gets really confused. Currently, he just goes and sits in the corner where his house used to be and we've got to help him find his house...it's rather amusing.
I head back to school on the 9th and Kurtis has several sub days already lined up. He has really been enjoying coming in to Polaris and will be coming to help me (well, my kids really) as I have about thirty-three kids in my English class. K is feeling stronger and better all the time. In the last few days before school I've been getting in some new recipies(Thai last night - and Madelines, Indian tonight!) which I really enjoy. In addition, we're both huge political junkies and have been getting increasingly excited about the 2012 election. We enjoyed watching the updates on Iowa yesterday and were amazed to see Romney win by EIGHT votes (that makes it easier to tell kids that EVERY vote counts!). Other than that, we've just been relaxing and hanging out with the pup who is sleeping hard right now due to this afternoon's visit to the dog park.
Here is hoping that everyone had a great holiday season and is enjoying the start to 2012. We're counting the days until our wedding (June) and Kurtis' one-year cancer free mark (Aug). Sending love from all three of us to all of you!
Liz, Kurtis, and Chauncey
Friday, December 9, 2011
Latest CT Scan Update
Hello one and all,
I figured that it would be a good idea to share with you the results of my latest CT scan results from last week. The remaining tumors in my lungs are continuing to shrink and my tumor markers are all still normal!!
This is outstanding news and I am so lucky to be in the driver's seat.
We will continue to monitor my blood once a month or so and do CT scans every 3-4 months.
Thank you all again for all of your thoughts, prayers, and positive thoughts that you all have been sending to me and my family.
Liz and I are very much looking forward to spend Christmas with our families and not with the staff of the oncology ward at Poudre Valley Hospital; even though they were wonderful people.
Love to all,
Kurtis
I figured that it would be a good idea to share with you the results of my latest CT scan results from last week. The remaining tumors in my lungs are continuing to shrink and my tumor markers are all still normal!!
This is outstanding news and I am so lucky to be in the driver's seat.
We will continue to monitor my blood once a month or so and do CT scans every 3-4 months.
Thank you all again for all of your thoughts, prayers, and positive thoughts that you all have been sending to me and my family.
Liz and I are very much looking forward to spend Christmas with our families and not with the staff of the oncology ward at Poudre Valley Hospital; even though they were wonderful people.
Love to all,
Kurtis
Monday, November 21, 2011
Pre-Thanksgiving Post 11-21
Good Morning,
It feels like it has been forever since I have written anything about what is going on with me. In fact it was in May when you all heard directly from the horse's mouth so to speak.
Needless to say it has been a difficult month for me because I am continually thinking about what was happening on this day last year, but it has also been refreshing because I know that all that is behind me. Last week my tumor makers were all retested last week and they all came back NORMAL!! It is hard to explain how ecstatic we are to feel like we are finally clear of this large bump in the road.
Liz has been keeping herself busy with school and lacrosse. She is very much enjoying being in school and always has about 100 stories to tell me about her day when she gets home. She is also practicing with the lacrosse team about two times per week and she is really really enjoying that. I think she has the practices more for herself than she does for the kids.
Chauncey is enjoying having me back healthy and we continue to have "first grade" at home. He is turning into quite the snow dog and really enjoys playing outside in it and looking out into his "kingdom" from the upstairs windows.
I have been keeping myself busy. In September, I a started substitute teaching at Liz's school and have been working once or twice a week doing that. It is definitely what I have needed since I have been sick. It has been a joy to begin to put a face to many of the names that come with Liz' stories.
Liz and I are extremely excited to be spending the holidays with our families this year instead of cooped up in the hospital. This year we are creating some gift bag type things for the people that are in the hospital for Thanksgiving that we will take there either Wednesday or Thursday because we know how much it sucks to have to be in there and how much small gifts can mean.
But all in all the last several months have been very good to Liz and I. We now look forward to a much more stress free road ahead. Thank you to all of you who continue to pray for us, think about us, and seen positive thoughts our way.
Love,
Kurtis (and Liz and Chauncey)
It feels like it has been forever since I have written anything about what is going on with me. In fact it was in May when you all heard directly from the horse's mouth so to speak.
Needless to say it has been a difficult month for me because I am continually thinking about what was happening on this day last year, but it has also been refreshing because I know that all that is behind me. Last week my tumor makers were all retested last week and they all came back NORMAL!! It is hard to explain how ecstatic we are to feel like we are finally clear of this large bump in the road.
Liz has been keeping herself busy with school and lacrosse. She is very much enjoying being in school and always has about 100 stories to tell me about her day when she gets home. She is also practicing with the lacrosse team about two times per week and she is really really enjoying that. I think she has the practices more for herself than she does for the kids.
Chauncey is enjoying having me back healthy and we continue to have "first grade" at home. He is turning into quite the snow dog and really enjoys playing outside in it and looking out into his "kingdom" from the upstairs windows.
I have been keeping myself busy. In September, I a started substitute teaching at Liz's school and have been working once or twice a week doing that. It is definitely what I have needed since I have been sick. It has been a joy to begin to put a face to many of the names that come with Liz' stories.
Liz and I are extremely excited to be spending the holidays with our families this year instead of cooped up in the hospital. This year we are creating some gift bag type things for the people that are in the hospital for Thanksgiving that we will take there either Wednesday or Thursday because we know how much it sucks to have to be in there and how much small gifts can mean.
But all in all the last several months have been very good to Liz and I. We now look forward to a much more stress free road ahead. Thank you to all of you who continue to pray for us, think about us, and seen positive thoughts our way.
Love,
Kurtis (and Liz and Chauncey)
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Update! October 1
Good Morning and hello!
Since it is October, I thought it would be a good time for our first update of the month! Right now, everything is going really well and Kurtis and I are slowly getting life back to normal. Day by day it gets closer and closer.
Kurtis is doing well. We just got his most recent HCG number back and it is currently less than .5 which is awesome! I always tell Kurtis "good job!" when he gets his low numbers back - seems a little silly since it isn't anything he can control besides taking his medicines :). He met with the doctor on Wednesday and he was very pleased with Kurtis' progress! Earlier in the week, Kurtis had to get a blood transfusion because the chemo pills knocked down his blood counts...but it's normal and he feels a lot better now that he's had the transfusion.
This past week was "intensive/adventure" week at Polaris and I had a really big group this time so Kurtis was my additional help in the form of a sub. We worked with great kids all week and did a whole bunch of simulations which was fun. I think the week was pretty tiring for K, but he's certainly enjoyed working again! This weekend we don't have a whole lot going on...but we're going to go watch some of our lax girls play rugby a little later and we had the chance to watch some of our lax girls play field hockey last weekend.
Hard to believe it is October already! The weather in Fort Collins has been insanely hot (for the season) and I'm really ready for the fall weather. Or at the very least, a drop in temperature by about fifteen degrees! We're enjoying watching football and playoff baseball.
Other than that, not a whole lot new is going on here.
Sending love!
Liz (Kurtis and Chauncey)
Since it is October, I thought it would be a good time for our first update of the month! Right now, everything is going really well and Kurtis and I are slowly getting life back to normal. Day by day it gets closer and closer.
Kurtis is doing well. We just got his most recent HCG number back and it is currently less than .5 which is awesome! I always tell Kurtis "good job!" when he gets his low numbers back - seems a little silly since it isn't anything he can control besides taking his medicines :). He met with the doctor on Wednesday and he was very pleased with Kurtis' progress! Earlier in the week, Kurtis had to get a blood transfusion because the chemo pills knocked down his blood counts...but it's normal and he feels a lot better now that he's had the transfusion.
This past week was "intensive/adventure" week at Polaris and I had a really big group this time so Kurtis was my additional help in the form of a sub. We worked with great kids all week and did a whole bunch of simulations which was fun. I think the week was pretty tiring for K, but he's certainly enjoyed working again! This weekend we don't have a whole lot going on...but we're going to go watch some of our lax girls play rugby a little later and we had the chance to watch some of our lax girls play field hockey last weekend.
Hard to believe it is October already! The weather in Fort Collins has been insanely hot (for the season) and I'm really ready for the fall weather. Or at the very least, a drop in temperature by about fifteen degrees! We're enjoying watching football and playoff baseball.
Other than that, not a whole lot new is going on here.
Sending love!
Liz (Kurtis and Chauncey)
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Continued Good News and Self-Check 10-18
Hello!
Time from a quick update from our neck of the woods. Today has been rainy and grey. Normally, this sends me into an angry tirade all day...and my poor students have to listen to me moan about how much I hate rain...but not today! My classroom has been a bazillion degrees since we've started school and the cool air circulating around my room felt more than fabulous today.
Since Kurtis' HCG has been "less than two" the doctors ordered the high sensitivity test. We have since learned that Kurtis' HCG is .5 which great news. Right now, there aren't a lot of things that we're doing medically for Kurtis. He's taking oral chemo which doesn't impact his daily life too much. Sometimes he's tired and occasionally his stomach hurts, but for the most part, he's "normal." In order to make sure that he should stay on the chemo, he also gets his blood drawn once a week to check for various levels, etc.
Life has normalized for us somewhat which is positive. In October, we will hit the one year anniversary of Kurtis' initial diagnosis. When I look back at the past year, there are a lot of things that I've learned and ways that I've grown. There are a lot of people who feel really bad when they find out what we've been through over the last year, but in a lot of ways the things that we've experienced have really impacted our lives in a positive way.
I know, it sounds strange... but consider the following...
...the type of cancer Kurtis has isn't forever. It isn't something that he'll have to carry in his body for the rest of his life. Sure, the treatment has been hell (to put it nicely) and it isn't something I'd wish on my worst enemy, but there are a lot of sickness that don't go away. His is on its way out the door as my fingers tap along on this keyboard.
...the sunrise, the sunset, rainstorms, afternoons in the hammock, baseball games, dinner out, reading books, drawing, writing, dreaming, and playing among everything else we do is now in technicolor. Life has never seemed so bright - even the simple things. Both Kurtis and I have learned not to "live in the moment" but to "love the moment". Of course, we're still future-minded, but it is nice to be able to love the moment you're in - and notice the small things.
...Kurtis and I have been through a whole lot together. I think there are a lot of people who are approaching marriage...right around our age...who have not been through the firestorm we've just walked through. I've discovered how nice it is to look at your partner and know that no matter what, they've got your back. There might be puking involved - or scary hospital stays - random frustration fits - or moments when you don't know what to do, but at least you have someone with you all the time that gets you and that you just get too.
...Families rock. Our families are fabulous and I can't imagine being here right now without them. Parents are great and they know how to do everything - from calm you down on a rough day to making sure that you have everything you need to survive.
...Friends and co-workers rock too. Ours have been so supportive. From our close friends that live in Fort Collins to the staff at my school and our lacrosse families we've had so much help that never went unnoticed.
It's hard to say things like "I'm glad you got cancer" or "I'm glad cancer touched us"...because, truth be told, there is no way that we'd like to repeat this whole process. BUT - since it happened, there are a lot of things we've learned and a lot of ways that we're better off because of what we've been through.
In addition, I'm gearing up a program aimed at teens called "Self Check 10-18"...it is only in the beginning stages right now, but what other way to throw out an intro to it than in this blog where you have followed our moves through this journey.
Working with kids (high school mostly) makes it so I know a few things:
-HS kids are awkward. All of them. So were all of us when we were there.
-Testicular cancer is rare, but if you break down the ages of kids who are diagnosed, many of them fall into the HS age - or the close to HS age.
-Because they are unsure about who they are, they are also confused about everything else (what time class starts for example...haha) - including their body.
-I don't want ANY kid who finds a lump to not tell someone because they are embarrassed about it.
So...for these reasons I decided that one thing I could do to give back, spread awareness, and ultimately make 10-18 a positive day instead of a negative one.
Self-check 10-18 will launch at my school in classrooms on the 18th of October (Kurtis' diagnosis date). 10-18 in police "ten codes" also means urgent which I found appropriate. In short, teachers will talk to kids about the importance of knowing their own bodies - and most of all reporting something to an adult who can help them if they find something odd. It's not about scaring kids, but just about having an honest conversation helping them to feel less afraid. In the future, I'd love to get people that kids look up to speaking to this, but for now, we'll start small and work from here.
I'm launching a facebook page today, and if you're connected to facebook, I'd appreciate it if you'd add it. It takes a certain amount of "likes" before the page can have its own name, and I'd like to get that done ASAP. So - you should be able to search Self-Check 10-18 and find it!
As time goes by, I'll make sure that more information goes up as I have it :)
ALSO (I know, this post is long...hang with me) There is a benefit for Kurtis...here is the information from the Holyoke Golf Club:
Liz (Kurtis and Chauncey)
Time from a quick update from our neck of the woods. Today has been rainy and grey. Normally, this sends me into an angry tirade all day...and my poor students have to listen to me moan about how much I hate rain...but not today! My classroom has been a bazillion degrees since we've started school and the cool air circulating around my room felt more than fabulous today.
Since Kurtis' HCG has been "less than two" the doctors ordered the high sensitivity test. We have since learned that Kurtis' HCG is .5 which great news. Right now, there aren't a lot of things that we're doing medically for Kurtis. He's taking oral chemo which doesn't impact his daily life too much. Sometimes he's tired and occasionally his stomach hurts, but for the most part, he's "normal." In order to make sure that he should stay on the chemo, he also gets his blood drawn once a week to check for various levels, etc.
Life has normalized for us somewhat which is positive. In October, we will hit the one year anniversary of Kurtis' initial diagnosis. When I look back at the past year, there are a lot of things that I've learned and ways that I've grown. There are a lot of people who feel really bad when they find out what we've been through over the last year, but in a lot of ways the things that we've experienced have really impacted our lives in a positive way.
I know, it sounds strange... but consider the following...
...the type of cancer Kurtis has isn't forever. It isn't something that he'll have to carry in his body for the rest of his life. Sure, the treatment has been hell (to put it nicely) and it isn't something I'd wish on my worst enemy, but there are a lot of sickness that don't go away. His is on its way out the door as my fingers tap along on this keyboard.
...the sunrise, the sunset, rainstorms, afternoons in the hammock, baseball games, dinner out, reading books, drawing, writing, dreaming, and playing among everything else we do is now in technicolor. Life has never seemed so bright - even the simple things. Both Kurtis and I have learned not to "live in the moment" but to "love the moment". Of course, we're still future-minded, but it is nice to be able to love the moment you're in - and notice the small things.
...Kurtis and I have been through a whole lot together. I think there are a lot of people who are approaching marriage...right around our age...who have not been through the firestorm we've just walked through. I've discovered how nice it is to look at your partner and know that no matter what, they've got your back. There might be puking involved - or scary hospital stays - random frustration fits - or moments when you don't know what to do, but at least you have someone with you all the time that gets you and that you just get too.
...Families rock. Our families are fabulous and I can't imagine being here right now without them. Parents are great and they know how to do everything - from calm you down on a rough day to making sure that you have everything you need to survive.
...Friends and co-workers rock too. Ours have been so supportive. From our close friends that live in Fort Collins to the staff at my school and our lacrosse families we've had so much help that never went unnoticed.
It's hard to say things like "I'm glad you got cancer" or "I'm glad cancer touched us"...because, truth be told, there is no way that we'd like to repeat this whole process. BUT - since it happened, there are a lot of things we've learned and a lot of ways that we're better off because of what we've been through.
In addition, I'm gearing up a program aimed at teens called "Self Check 10-18"...it is only in the beginning stages right now, but what other way to throw out an intro to it than in this blog where you have followed our moves through this journey.
Working with kids (high school mostly) makes it so I know a few things:
-HS kids are awkward. All of them. So were all of us when we were there.
-Testicular cancer is rare, but if you break down the ages of kids who are diagnosed, many of them fall into the HS age - or the close to HS age.
-Because they are unsure about who they are, they are also confused about everything else (what time class starts for example...haha) - including their body.
-I don't want ANY kid who finds a lump to not tell someone because they are embarrassed about it.
So...for these reasons I decided that one thing I could do to give back, spread awareness, and ultimately make 10-18 a positive day instead of a negative one.
Self-check 10-18 will launch at my school in classrooms on the 18th of October (Kurtis' diagnosis date). 10-18 in police "ten codes" also means urgent which I found appropriate. In short, teachers will talk to kids about the importance of knowing their own bodies - and most of all reporting something to an adult who can help them if they find something odd. It's not about scaring kids, but just about having an honest conversation helping them to feel less afraid. In the future, I'd love to get people that kids look up to speaking to this, but for now, we'll start small and work from here.
I'm launching a facebook page today, and if you're connected to facebook, I'd appreciate it if you'd add it. It takes a certain amount of "likes" before the page can have its own name, and I'd like to get that done ASAP. So - you should be able to search Self-Check 10-18 and find it!
As time goes by, I'll make sure that more information goes up as I have it :)
ALSO (I know, this post is long...hang with me) There is a benefit for Kurtis...here is the information from the Holyoke Golf Club:
Hope everyone is doing well and we're sending love to all!
Liz (Kurtis and Chauncey)
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
August CT Scan Update
Greetings!
I come today with fabulous news! Kurtis had a CT scan last week to check his abdomen and his lungs. We have been nervously awaiting the results ... today especially. But, when the doctor came into the room today he immediately told us that everything was shrinking which is wonderful.
Kurtis continues to have normal HCG readings and will now have to have his blood tested using a "high sensitivity test" which should tell us what number he is exactly at. All we know right now is less than 2, but that is comforting enough as all we need is for it to be normal (and it is).
Not a whole lot new is going on here, or it doesn't feel new anyway. I'm back at school and currently teaching two sections of English 9/World Lit combo classes and one section of College Prep Reading. I've got great students and it is a whole lot of fun. In a few weeks, Kurtis will be going through the sub orientation for the school district up here and start out subbing by helping me run my intensive (a week long class that is different from "normal" classes) at school. I'm teaching a whole bunch of social studies simulations which should be a ton of fun for us and the kids.
We are currently fostering three adorable puppies until they can find homes. We've had them about a week now and it is fun to get to play with them and watch Chauncey be the "big brother." They wear him out, but he really enjoys having them in the house. Their names are Dexter, Helton, and Tracy (Rockies theme...) and we're hoping that they are able to find homes soon.
This weekend Kurtis is playing in a golf tournament in Holyoke and we are going to hit up the Rockies game Monday. I know he will enjoy playing golf with his dad and it will be nice to spend Monday afternoon at the ballpark.
On September 17, there will be a benefit for Kurtis in Holyoke. We don't have all the info yet, but it encompasses a golf tournament, dinner, and dance. As soon as I have access to the flier, I'll get it posted up here.
Thank you for your continued positive thoughts -
Liz (Kurtis and Chauncey)
I come today with fabulous news! Kurtis had a CT scan last week to check his abdomen and his lungs. We have been nervously awaiting the results ... today especially. But, when the doctor came into the room today he immediately told us that everything was shrinking which is wonderful.
Kurtis continues to have normal HCG readings and will now have to have his blood tested using a "high sensitivity test" which should tell us what number he is exactly at. All we know right now is less than 2, but that is comforting enough as all we need is for it to be normal (and it is).
Not a whole lot new is going on here, or it doesn't feel new anyway. I'm back at school and currently teaching two sections of English 9/World Lit combo classes and one section of College Prep Reading. I've got great students and it is a whole lot of fun. In a few weeks, Kurtis will be going through the sub orientation for the school district up here and start out subbing by helping me run my intensive (a week long class that is different from "normal" classes) at school. I'm teaching a whole bunch of social studies simulations which should be a ton of fun for us and the kids.
We are currently fostering three adorable puppies until they can find homes. We've had them about a week now and it is fun to get to play with them and watch Chauncey be the "big brother." They wear him out, but he really enjoys having them in the house. Their names are Dexter, Helton, and Tracy (Rockies theme...) and we're hoping that they are able to find homes soon.
This weekend Kurtis is playing in a golf tournament in Holyoke and we are going to hit up the Rockies game Monday. I know he will enjoy playing golf with his dad and it will be nice to spend Monday afternoon at the ballpark.
On September 17, there will be a benefit for Kurtis in Holyoke. We don't have all the info yet, but it encompasses a golf tournament, dinner, and dance. As soon as I have access to the flier, I'll get it posted up here.
Thank you for your continued positive thoughts -
Liz (Kurtis and Chauncey)
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
-to Indy and back-
Hello!
I can't believe that it has been about fifteen days since I've written any kind of an update. That should serve as a very good sign to all of you - and it is. The short of it is that Kurtis is doing fantastically.
In the last two weeks we've been soaking up summer.
We've spent a lot of time sitting around and watching tv - mostly "Lie to Me" and "the Tudors" which are both things we don't watch during the school year but have access to on Netflix. I've been getting ready for school - purchasing supplies and writing lesson plans - and we also finished painting our room and the basement. Our room now has beautiful black frames with pictures of our family and friends covering the walls along with a new cover for the comforter that we like very much. Not only that, but we also found time for a few rounds of golf, several Rockies games, and time family.
This past weekend, we returned to our ever favorite place (in the entire WORLD might I add!), Indianapolis. Kurtis needed to have a six-week checkup with Dr. Hanna. In planning the trip, we didn't have a lot of time, so we ended up spending two nights in Indy instead of just one. Although it is not our favorite place, we had a good time. The Drum Corps Championships were going on which was very lucky! Our first evening was spent at a neat bar and grill and then to the park to watch the drum corps warm up. Kurtis probably learned far more about marching band than he ever wanted or needed to, but we had a great time. Sunday we hung out in the mall (it was a dreary day...the day following a bad storm where the stage blew over @ the state fair killing several people if you heard that on the news)...which was a lot more fun than it sounded. We ate at the new California Pizza Kitchen and played an 18 hole round of glow golf topping the whole thing of with a movie and dinner at a cute place on Mass. Ave (the only moderately cool place in the whole town).
Monday afternoon Kurtis had an appointment - so we spent the morning strolling by the river and checking out the animals at the zoo. As soon as we got back to the IU med center memories started to flood back. We've had a lot of experiences there reaching back over six months and the sights, sounds, and smells always bring back feelings of being back in there.
The appointment went really well. Dr. Hanna checked Kurtis over and went through the details of his treatment and recovery. Men who respond to the stem cell quickly (Kurtis did) have a 50% chance of being cured completely. Men whose numbers normalize after treatment (Kurtis' did) have a 75% chance of being cured. Considering that Kurtis had both of those things happen - he is in a really good place. Dr. Hanna let us know that the next year is important, but if we can get through the first year without relapse that we're in a great place!
We're feeling very thankful right now and extremely happy. Thank you to everyone for all the support, love, and care over the past ten plus months.
Here is to the next step in the journey - - -
Love to all -
Liz
I can't believe that it has been about fifteen days since I've written any kind of an update. That should serve as a very good sign to all of you - and it is. The short of it is that Kurtis is doing fantastically.
In the last two weeks we've been soaking up summer.
We've spent a lot of time sitting around and watching tv - mostly "Lie to Me" and "the Tudors" which are both things we don't watch during the school year but have access to on Netflix. I've been getting ready for school - purchasing supplies and writing lesson plans - and we also finished painting our room and the basement. Our room now has beautiful black frames with pictures of our family and friends covering the walls along with a new cover for the comforter that we like very much. Not only that, but we also found time for a few rounds of golf, several Rockies games, and time family.
This past weekend, we returned to our ever favorite place (in the entire WORLD might I add!), Indianapolis. Kurtis needed to have a six-week checkup with Dr. Hanna. In planning the trip, we didn't have a lot of time, so we ended up spending two nights in Indy instead of just one. Although it is not our favorite place, we had a good time. The Drum Corps Championships were going on which was very lucky! Our first evening was spent at a neat bar and grill and then to the park to watch the drum corps warm up. Kurtis probably learned far more about marching band than he ever wanted or needed to, but we had a great time. Sunday we hung out in the mall (it was a dreary day...the day following a bad storm where the stage blew over @ the state fair killing several people if you heard that on the news)...which was a lot more fun than it sounded. We ate at the new California Pizza Kitchen and played an 18 hole round of glow golf topping the whole thing of with a movie and dinner at a cute place on Mass. Ave (the only moderately cool place in the whole town).
Monday afternoon Kurtis had an appointment - so we spent the morning strolling by the river and checking out the animals at the zoo. As soon as we got back to the IU med center memories started to flood back. We've had a lot of experiences there reaching back over six months and the sights, sounds, and smells always bring back feelings of being back in there.
The appointment went really well. Dr. Hanna checked Kurtis over and went through the details of his treatment and recovery. Men who respond to the stem cell quickly (Kurtis did) have a 50% chance of being cured completely. Men whose numbers normalize after treatment (Kurtis' did) have a 75% chance of being cured. Considering that Kurtis had both of those things happen - he is in a really good place. Dr. Hanna let us know that the next year is important, but if we can get through the first year without relapse that we're in a great place!
We're feeling very thankful right now and extremely happy. Thank you to everyone for all the support, love, and care over the past ten plus months.
Here is to the next step in the journey - - -
Love to all -
Liz
Monday, August 1, 2011
Didn't see that coming...did you cancer?
Hello!
We have some very exciting news for you today!! Kurtis is no longer pregnant!!
What the heck does that mean? Well - his HCG is NORMAL. Finally.
>HCG, for those who haven't been following us for a long time via blog is the hormone that is used to measure the level of Kurtis' cancer, simply speaking. It is the same hormone that is used in pregnancy tests - when someone is pregnant it is a positive thing...in our case it is super negative. It is responsible for some of the things that Kurtis feels when he is sick - moody, tired, achy, sick, etc...just like pregnant women. So, now, you get the joke if you didn't!<
They took a test of his blood on Thursday to check his HCG levels. When we were in the land of Indiana, they can test the blood there and get results back in about two hours - but in Fort Collins, the blood has to be sent to the Mayo clinic and it takes a few days to come back. With the blood test on Thursday, it meant that we had to wait over the weekend. Over the course of fighting this junk, we've gotten better about waiting, but it is never easy.
This morning the results were in and I could hardly believe my eyes. NORMAL NORMAL NORMAL.
Thank goodness.
Kurtis has been feeling better than he did last time (aka after his RPLND and we were told that it was gone...). I talked to him about that in the car today and I asked him if he knew it wasn't gone last time the whole time and he said yes. He feels different now and you can see that in his eyes and hear it in his voice. :D
Tonight we're going to the Rockies game which should be fun. It's raining here as I type this, so hopefully it clears up for the game tonight.
Not a whole lot else to report...just getting ready for school to start up and looking forward to life actually being normal(ish).
Sending love!
Liz
We have some very exciting news for you today!! Kurtis is no longer pregnant!!
What the heck does that mean? Well - his HCG is NORMAL. Finally.
>HCG, for those who haven't been following us for a long time via blog is the hormone that is used to measure the level of Kurtis' cancer, simply speaking. It is the same hormone that is used in pregnancy tests - when someone is pregnant it is a positive thing...in our case it is super negative. It is responsible for some of the things that Kurtis feels when he is sick - moody, tired, achy, sick, etc...just like pregnant women. So, now, you get the joke if you didn't!<
They took a test of his blood on Thursday to check his HCG levels. When we were in the land of Indiana, they can test the blood there and get results back in about two hours - but in Fort Collins, the blood has to be sent to the Mayo clinic and it takes a few days to come back. With the blood test on Thursday, it meant that we had to wait over the weekend. Over the course of fighting this junk, we've gotten better about waiting, but it is never easy.
This morning the results were in and I could hardly believe my eyes. NORMAL NORMAL NORMAL.
Thank goodness.
Kurtis has been feeling better than he did last time (aka after his RPLND and we were told that it was gone...). I talked to him about that in the car today and I asked him if he knew it wasn't gone last time the whole time and he said yes. He feels different now and you can see that in his eyes and hear it in his voice. :D
Tonight we're going to the Rockies game which should be fun. It's raining here as I type this, so hopefully it clears up for the game tonight.
Not a whole lot else to report...just getting ready for school to start up and looking forward to life actually being normal(ish).
Sending love!
Liz
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