Update On Shan

Hi all, wow what a week its been Shannn has been at the cross cancer hospital in edmonton since last thursday. They put the stent in her esphoagus on monday and the doctor was quite happy that it went in well and closed a hole she had in her esphoagus. Shannon also had an ng tube up her nose to help feed her as she hasnt ate really anything of substance for 2 weeks. Mon and tues she seemed fine but tues night she pulled the tube out in her sleep. On wed she started coughing more and they fiqure she has a bit of pneuomnia. Chest exray on Mon showed nothing. On wed showed some problems. Today (fri) they looked at the stent again to make sure it did not move and that came out good. The doctor says they cant see any holes but it could be as small as a pin hole with some water she was drinking leaking in to her lungs. If it is they hope the tissue in her esphoagus will grow over it but I am not so sure... They also put another ng tube up her nose to feed her again and on Monday they are going to put a feeding tube in her stomach. SO much to comprehend in a week highs last fri to lows on wed.

 

We own a Bar &Grill and my staff have been awesome working long hours helping out so I can be at the hospital during the day and with our pride and joy Alyssa Raine at night. My mom looks after my little girl during the day so family is a god send. It's amazing how much strength a four year old can give you. Without her I dont know where I would be. I know she doesn't quite understand but we have had our talks about Mommy going to Heaven. The other night she we laying on my chest watching our beloved OIlers and she said to me " Daddy when Mommy goes to Heaven were gonna be okay"  I cried and she said no more tears dad.

On another note after her scope today SHannon asked me to go pick up some travel books to Disneyworld so she can plan out Alyssa's Days when we go. WE ARE STILL HOPEFUL WE ARE GOING. I really believe come hell or high water we are going Shan is so determined we are going and back to Vegas again.

ALl of you fighting this demon take care I have learned over the last two years of fighting colon disease and this espohagus cancer dont get to high and dont get too low. Some days are gonna be good news others SUCK. But keep a smile on your face live in the moment. We live in a country with universal heathcare but sometimes I wonder if that helps get things diagnosed faster( sometimes u wait weeks for tests to be done but once your diagnosed it goes fast) or if you paid you could get tests done quicker as Shannon was complaining in June about Swallowing and it tool to September to find out what was really wrong. Dont believe acid reflux especially if you have never had a problem. Thats the meds they supplied Shann for two months that didnt help.

Thats a lot of ramblin from me take care all hopefully I have some good news soon.

Mike

    

Hi Mike - thanks for the update on Shannon - I was wondering how it was going.  I'm really glad they are giving her a G-tube.  That will absolutely help her gain some strength back.  I am praying for all of you and especially praying you all will make that trip to Disneyworld!  Alyssa sounds like such an extraordinary little girl Mike!   Shannon will always live on in Alyssa.  Stay strong - your attitude is wonderful.  Please keep us posted when you can.  God speed - karen

Hi Mike,

              Thanks for the update. I know you have been through hell this week. This disease is so awful. It seems like everywhere I go people have cancer. The lady who cuts my hair, her mother and brother-in-law have cancer. A lady I work with, her friend is dying of cancer. This person was fine until 2 weeks ago and now he is told he has cancer in his brain, bones, liver & lungs. I just don't understand and I am angry. The only thing I know to do is pray for everybody.

     I hope your wife can build some strength and be able to go to Disney. I know everybody here on the board is pulling for your family. Don't forget to take care of yourself. I am going to look for some good news from you.

                                                                                       Pat

Hi Mike & Alyssa:   The strength that a parent has is phenomenal!!! Robbie was determined to be with his girls all summer and we noticed that he began to slip a bit in mid- August but he was with them fishing and swimming and helping them with school work right up to the end.  I know that he really wanted to live until Sabina's birthday on October 17th and only made it to the 7th but he sure fought hard.  The main problem with Robbie was the mets in the liver.  He had Brachytherapy just 2 weeks after diagnosis and that was with the 4 day Easter weekend in there.  The Brachytherapy actually destroyed the primary tumour and he was able to eat right up until the last 3 days of his life.  I sure hope and pray that Shannon gets to go to Disneyworld with Alyssa.  Love and prayers to your family, Lynn (Mom of Robbie)

(((((((((Mike and Shan))))))))))))

My husband, Harley has been fighting EC stage IV since Dec. 21, 2006.  He went through chemo and had terrific results - the tumors in the esophagus, liver and lymph nodes were all shrinking.  As of Aug. 27, 2007 he was told that he was in partial remission.

Fast forward to the end of Sept. 2007, after we came home from a cruise.  He started having symptoms again, we called his oncologist, the cancer had returned bigger and badder than ever :-(  So he's now going through chemo again and will have radiation.  But what I wanted to tell you was how strong a person is, even though they seem at "deaths' door".

Harley had two double chemo treatments on a Tuesday and Wednesday (Oct. 16th & 17th).  On Thursday Oct. 18th, we left for Disneyland!  It was a planned trip to take our grandson (3 1/2 years old) along with our son and daughter in law.  I had taken out travel insurance and had spoken with our travel agent - no problem in cancelling the trip. 

But Harley would not have it!  Even though he had double chemo two days in a row, we WENT TO DISNEYLAND.  Miraculously enough, he did pretty ok.  He refused a wheelchair on Friday but agreed to one on Saturday! Men are very stubborn! 

When we returned from Disneyland, he did get worse - at first we thought it was from the double chemo, but just last Saturday (Oct. 27th), he was running a fever of 101.2 and had severe chills.  I called the oncology emergency # I was given when we first started this journey and was told to get him to emergency right away.

I did, thank God - he was immediately hooked up to IV's for fluid and 3 different IV antibiotics.  He was in the hospital until Tuesday and he's sooooooooo much better!  His color is better, he feels good and he's eating! 

I think that the Disneyland trip did a number on him, but he was determined to go.  And even though he did get sick after the trip, he was able to recover with the wonderful help of the San Francisco VA Hospital.

I think that Shan will do well too.  She sounds like she's really determined - but PLEASE rent a wheel chair!  They are only $30, but you get $20 back when you return the chair!  And the chair is yours for the entire day and night - if you go back to your hotel to rest, you simply take the wheelchair back and tell them you will be coming back - that way they save that chair for you so it's there when you come back after resting.

I was very unsure about going to Disneyland, but seeing both Harley's face and our grandson's face, I know it was worth it.

You and your daughter will have these memories forever - and Shan will have the pleasure of seeing her daughter at Disneyland.

I'm praying that this trip does come about for all of you.  It was touch and go for us until the last moment - but thankfully our trip did happen.

You will all be in my thoughts and prayers - please keep us up to date.

Gentle hugs,

Azzie