Justin's update

[justinsmom]

Hi all- I don't seem to post very often but wanted to say hi and ask how long it usually takes to get the CT results-Justin just had his first one (the 18th)since his RPLND in Nov. His blood work has been good-AFP was 2.0 down from 11 before his surgery (originally 1709) Also, his protocol is blood work every month & CT every 2 months for first year is this the normal? Also, one reason I don't post much is kinda busy...he is getting married the 4th!!! Take care & God Bless, Lanette

[justinsmom]

By the way I hope I posted in the right place-since Justin is now on follow-up and pretty much "done with treatment"? Does that make him a "survivor"? :)

[Scott]

He's been a survivor since the day he was diagnosed, and as the parent, you're a survivor, too! This is a fine place to post.

CT scan results are sometimes available nearly immediately. Since it has been five days, they should certainly be available.

[justinsmom]

Praise the Lord!! Justin's scan was clear!!! Wedding in 9 days!

[dadmo]

Lanette:
Congratulations, now you can really celebrate at the wedding.

[carpla]

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Scott]

Hip, hip, HOORAY!!!

[tonytigre]

I am so happy for Justin and you.

[justinsmom]

Thanks everyone for all the support. Keep prayers going for Justin as he still has the brachial plexus nerve injury in his right arm. He had planned on going back to college in January but postponed it till summer or fall depending on the healing of his arm. It really is for the best as his strength & stamina are no way near back to normal...which is expected with the 2 surgeries & 4 BEP cycles. I am glad he came to the decision to hold off on school because that way he & his fiance' can get accustomed to marriage first & with his physical therapy that all takes time. One of these days I'll see if I can post a picture. God Bless All you guys-Lanette

[amorgan74]

Ms. Lanette: Congrats big time. It is definitely time to have a celebration and what better place than a wedding. Ya'll have a good time and may God bless you and this event too! April :)

[Chris'Mom]

Glad to hear the scan was all clear....Mary ellen

[jdunn]

Lanette,
Truly wonderful news!!!! CELEBRATE!!!! ENJOY.
Thoughts and prayers always for our TC Guys.
Jane

[justinsmom]

Thanks again everyone for all the support. Countdown to the wedding is TWO days!!!!!!! Pray for everyone to enjoy the day and not STRESS and to celebrate God's gift of uniting 2 separate individuals into 1. Thanks all-God Bless-Lanette ><>

[amorgan74]

Ms Lanette, You are definitely in my thoughts and prayers and I hope everyone can enjoy the day with minimal stress. ;) I know you must be very excited!!! April

[Scott]

Countdown to the wedding is TWO days!!!!!!!How exciting for everyone involved! I suspect there may be a few tears of joy shed.

[justinsmom]

Well, today is March 15, CAN YOU BELIEVE how fast time goes? Justin and Candice got married on Feb 4, it has been well over a month!! They are doing fairly good, just house sitting right now then will have to find a place to live temporarily till summer when hopefully they can go back to college. His right arm is still pretty much useless although we are seeing SLOW progress. But he saw a neurologist last week who said maybe another 4 months for this type of injury, so we are just praying it will heal 100%. He was going to study criminal justice hoping to do something in Federal Law Enforcement, but is concerned if his arm doesn't come back he will need to switch that....so praying for God's direction..but SO grateful the cancer is "gone"!!! Also, thankful he is able to work for our business to give him some income.... He has an appt. Thurs with oncologist for monthly check up & blood work. He has not scheduled another CT scan and the last one was January...not sure about that cuz he first said every 2 months....does anyone have an oppinion on time frame of this?

[Don]

Blood work every month and Ct-scan every 8-12 weeks... Should be like that for the first year at least... Some doctors will carry that protocol through the first 2 years... Especially when a large mass is removed .. they usually like to check alot ..just to make sure nothing was missed!!!!! Glad to hear Justin,and you, are doing much better. DON :)

[justinsmom]

Thanks Don for your reply, I will let you know when the doctor schedules Justin's next scan. (also please refresh my memory-was your abdominal mass a teratoma? & are you & Justin the only ones here with large abdominal masses?) I am a little confused about x-rays vs. cat scans. I thought the TCRC site said x-rays, but Justin's oncologist says cat scans because they are better...any input on this? Thanks, Lanette ><>

[justinsmom]

Justin has his 2nd "post cancer, RPLND" CT scan tomorrow thought I'd keep you posted a little. His first one was Jan 18 so about 11 weeks ago, monthly blood work has been good, please pray for clear results....thanks ahead of time....Lanette

[elrod]

Justin has his 2nd "post cancer, RPLND" CT scan tomorrow thought I'd keep you posted a little. His first one was Jan 18 so about 11 weeks ago, monthly blood work has been good, please pray for clear results....thanks ahead of time....Lanette

Consider the prayers done! I am on the sidelines here and can not contribute much but there is one thing I can do and that is to pray. I have seen the power of prayer and I have zero doubts that it works. I often pray for everyone on this forum and feel like I know you all just from reading the posts and updates. Good luck tomorrow.... I am sure it will be good news!

[Don]

Lots of luck and many prayers your way Lanette!!!!! My doctors never mentioned X-rays, my surveillance is blood test every 6 weeks, ct scan every 3 months, ultrasound and petscan after 12 months. They recommended the pet-scan after the first and second year do to the size of the original tumor and the degree of spread. I personally haven't heard of any other survivors having petscans as part of thier surveillance protocol.. They said they wanted to keep as close eye as possible also because of how fast my cancer had spread even after diagnosed.. As far as other having real large abdominal tumors I know it's not real common and can think of 6-8 member off the top of my head that have had to deal with one.. Please let me know how you make out tommorrow as soon as you can!!!!!!! DON

[Chris'Mom]

Lanette, hope all goes well with Justin's tests...I am saying a prayer right now....Mary Ellen

[jdunn]

Lanette,
Prayers go out to Justin. My Josh has bloodwork done hopefully today. I'm sick to my stomache all over again.
Jane

[Karen]

Lanette and Jane,
My hopes and prayers are with both of you and your sons for clean tests!

[Chris'Mom]

Jane, does it ever get easier on the bloodwork side...Chris had his last week and this thursday we visit Dr. Sheinfeld in NY....after I get results I breathe for another month....take care and say hi to Josh...Mary Ellen

[jdunn]

THanks Karen and MaryEllen for the encouraging words. !!!! Josh has his doctor's appt. on Friday. :)
Tell Chris hello too!!!!!!!!!

[justinsmom]

Justin goes for his monthly oncologist appt. tomorrow will get results of CAT scan from the 4th so will let all know, I'm sure it's good as Dr. would have called had anything major showed up. Will post first of week. Wanted to thank everyone for thoughts and prayers....Have a great Easter week-end, remembering what Christ accomplished at the cross...God Bless, Lanette

[tonytigre]

I know everything will be fine and his test will all come out clean. He is very lucky to have a great Mom like you Lanette. You, Justin, and all your family have a Great Easter.

[jdunn]

Lanette,
I know Justin's test will be just fine.
Have a Happy Easter too!!!!!!!!!!!
jane

[justinsmom]

YEA!!!!!!!!! Justin's CT scan was clear!!! So he finished chemo Oct 4, had his abdominal mass removed Nov. 21 and his 2 Ct scans and blood work have been clear...........Thanks for all the prayers-Also for those of you who know about his brachial plexus injury, it is SLOWLY getting better, but the fact is we are seeing improvement. So that too is encouraging. Thanks to all of you guys that really care, it is nice for us "caregivers" to also have a place to vent....and encourage one another-God Bless-Lanette

[Karen]

Lanette,
Excellent news for Justin and you!!!!

[jdunn]

Lanette,
Wonderful NEWS!!!! The whole world just left your shoulders.....RELAX...and enjoy.

[justinsmom]

Thanks everyone for the encouraging words-it really is nice to have a place to go where so many can relate to the same things we feel....and that "care-givers", "co-survivors" whatever you call us are just as welcome as victims....Thanks everyone who supports this site!!!!!

[discodolly]

Hi -

I was reading one of your posts and saw that you had Yorkies too. I have 3 of my own and one I am keeping for a friend who has Cancer of the Esophagus and is going through lots of treatment at the VA Hosp. I knew we had lots in common with our sons, now I know you must be a great person if you have a Yorkie. I always saw that if you have a Yorkie and don't smile at the things they do at least once a day there is something wrong with you. LOL

Debbie