Terrified after recent diagnosis

**Russell's Mom** · 01-28-09, 12:48 PM

A representation of your skills and dedication! It is difficult to imagine that temp with the power out! Hope it holds, Sharon

**boyce** · 01-28-09, 01:14 PM

Well I was a total Wuss when my staples came out... I squealed like a little girl....The doc even laughed at me!!

I came off the morphine after 1 day so I guess they mistakenly thought I was some tough guy.....Before the I/O I would have been twice as tough to be sure

So props to all of you for getting the staples out, and on with the healing!!

**Rollwithit** · 01-28-09, 07:09 PM

Hi Cheryl,

We're experiencing more snow here once than combined in all my years in SC. LOL Indy snow is a lot different than our usual snow/ice mix in South Carolina. Thankfully, we landed safely in Cincinnati and Indianapolis. Tell Steve that we continue to pray for his recovery. So glad to hear that the stitches are out. Please remember Bryan this week. We meet with Dr. Foster tomorrow and surgery on Friday. I hope the power stays on. Stay warm.

Karen

**Another Mom** · 01-28-09, 07:25 PM

Karen,
So sorry that Indiana is showing you such lousy weather! I heard Indy had over a foot of snow. My brother lives there and his girls are probably thrilled with all the snow. Please update us after you see Foster and after the surgery. There are several computers at IU in the various waiting rooms. I was able to sneak down there a few times while Steve was in the hospital.
Bryan is in my prayers. His treatment course has been so close to Steve's treatments. I think they were just a week apart. He will be fine but I know you will worry anyway. It's impossible not to. Please let me know how he's doing.

Cheryl

**Rollwithit** · 01-28-09, 07:46 PM

Did you get my PM the other day? I included my cell number.
If you got it, give me a call in the next day or two if you get a chance.

**Another Mom** · 01-28-09, 08:33 PM

I got your number and I'll try to give you a call later this week. What time is the surgery on Friday?

**Karen** · 01-29-09, 07:03 AM

Karen and Bryan.....thinking of you as you get ready for the surgery tomorrow.

**Rollwithit** · 01-29-09, 08:23 AM

10:30 Thanks for the prayers and support.

**Margaret** · 01-29-09, 03:43 PM

Many prayers and happy thoughts coming your way

**Another Mom** · 01-29-09, 08:31 PM

Steve is having some drainage from his incision, just above his navel. It's not a huge amount but the incision is very slightly pulled in that area and it's oozing. It's not really open, just pulled a little. He has a routine follow up with his local oncologist in the morning so hopefully she will let us know if we need to do anything else for it. I've just cleaned it was saline and put a dressing over it to keep it from leaking on his clothes. I'll be so relieved when the incision is healed. He's starting to get quite a bit of hair growing back. Looking a little less like a cancer patient. He looks tired but says he's feeling a little better every day.
Cheryl

**Rollwithit** · 01-30-09, 12:57 PM

Cheryl,
Bryan is out of surgery. Everything went as expected. Surgery only lasted 1 1/2 hours. God has been so good to us. Dr. Foster does not expect any active cancer. Most likely a teratoma.
I will update as soon as I can. He hasn't gotten in his room yet. He is still in recovery.

**Another Mom** · 01-30-09, 01:17 PM

Karen, that's wonderful news! I'm amazed at how quick his surgery went. That's just great. I tried to call you arouond 2:30 but didn't get an answer. You probably have my number on your cell if you need it. Tell Bryan we're thrilled for all of you!

Cheryl

**dadmo** · 01-30-09, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by Rollwithit

Surgery only lasted 1 1/2 hours.

Wow, guiness book of records is waiting for a call. Congratulations, now you can breath a bit.

**Smartie** · 01-30-09, 03:10 PM

I'm glad to hear that Bryan is out of surgery. I hope he has a comfortable night.

**MRMRSU** · 01-30-09, 10:29 PM

Hi Cheryl: Andy had oozing from the incision around the belly button too. I think this is pretty common and it's good that you were able to clean/dress it. Hope the follow-up went well today (assuming Steve was able to get to the doctor. We've heard about all the freezing over in that part of the country...hope you're all safe and as toasty as possible).

Karen, I'm amazed how quick Bryan's surgery was...WOW! I hope that recovery will be fast too. Happy thoughts and best wishes!

**Another Mom** · 01-31-09, 09:19 AM

Steve's follow up with the local oncologist was very routine. No problems and she wants to see him in two months. We can avoid monthly port flushes if I flush it myself so we'll probably do that. Save him one more hassle. His incision is still having drainage but Dr. Foster isn't worried. Said to keep cleaning it with saline and putting a dressing on it. We went out to Sams Club to get some formula and diapers for Kramer and Steve wanted to go. I think he's desperate to get out of the house after all this snow and ice. We should get some relief today because the temp is going to get above freezing and possibly into the 40's tomorrow. It's been hard getting to all of our hospice patients in this weather. I'm ready for the ice to melt!

Karen, I hope that Bryan did well overnight. If he had a epidural for pain, it's probably wearing off and his pain might get a little worse. I know Steve's did. I wish him well and will keep him in my prayers.

Cheryl

**Rollwithit** · 01-31-09, 02:36 PM

After surgery, Bryan slept for a while. Then, throughout the evening, he had spasms which had to be calmed with medication.

Those subsided after about 10:30pm and he had a much more restful night. Today, he's been up in a chair twice has tolerated a couple of visitors and is now resting again. He's had vegetable broth, jello, water and a popsicle to eat/drink. Tonight, we plan another trip to the chair and a walk around the room only. The hall walks will come tomorrow. Thank you all so much for your care and concern. Do you all know of anyone else here from the forum? I would like to say hi.
I'll let Bryan know to expect a call from the Guiness world record book. He'll look forward to that.
Cheryl,
My phone doesn't pick up all the time inside the hospital. I do appreciate your call. (Your number didn't register on my phone so that is why I am trying to update the site.) Check our blog later, I'm going to try to get an update on it soon.

Take care and God bless you all.

Karen

**Another Mom** · 01-31-09, 08:55 PM

Karen,
It sounds as if Bryan is doing well. Steve sends his best wiishes. I babysat Kramer today while they went car shopping. By tonight, Steve was wiped out. Too much activity and too little pain medicine! I changed his dressing and sent him home to rest.
I hope the walks go well. It will really help get his intestines up and running. Please let Bryan know that we're keeping him in our prayers. I hope you and your son have managed to get some rest.

Cheryl

**Rollwithit** · 02-01-09, 05:24 PM

I am so glad that Steve is doing well. I can tell that it will take a while for Bryan to fully recover. He is doing pretty well considering the type of surgery. He's eating very little but drinking lots of fluids. Dr. Foster said that he might be discharged tomorrow. I don't want him to leave too early although I know how antsy they get in hospitals. Anyway, we continue to remember Steve in our prayers and your family. I will update as soon as I get a chance. Blake is flying home right now so please remember him (and mama) in your prayers.

I asked the nurse how many patients have to go through this surgery alone. She said about 10%...my prayers go out to them. It would have to be difficult to go it alone.

**Rollwithit** · 02-04-09, 07:09 PM

We're flying home tomorrow. Can't wait to get back to SC.....not as cold there. LOL Anyway, Bryan is doing great! He is right on schedule. He's eating small meals with zero or very low fat. Walking the halls to stay as active as he can. He is a very good patient. I pray the flight home will treat him well. We are ready to see our children and sleep in our own bed. Thank you all for the very informative posts. We learn more and more everyday.

Cheryl,
I pray that Steve is doing well. Please send our best to him.

Karen and Bryan

**MRMRSU** · 02-04-09, 08:55 PM

Karen...glad to hear that you and Bryan are heading home. This is wonderful news and I hope his recovery will continue to go well. At the very least, it will be great to be in the comforts of home.

Cheryl, I hope Steve's recovery continues to go smoothly too.

**Another Mom** · 02-04-09, 10:06 PM

Karen & Bryan,
Best wishes for a safe trip home. I'm sure you've had enough of the cold weather in Indiana. I'm so happy for you that the surgery is over with and all went well. It's a great feeling to hear such good news, isn't it?
Steve is getting a little stronger each day. He still has a small area in the incision that's draining. I change the dressing each day and it's slowly getting better. It's such a tiny area but it just hasn't stopped draining yet.
He thinks he'll try to return to his teaching job the day after his follow up with Drs. Einhorn and Foster on 2/16. He had originally thought he'd wait until the following week but he said today that he might try to return on the 17th. His hair is growing back and his back pain has improved a little bit. I'm sure he'll get worn out pretty quickly when he returns to teaching teenagers all day!
Hope everyone is doing well and as usual, thanks for your wonderful words and prayers. We all appreciate it.

Cheryl

**Rollwithit** · 02-05-09, 07:10 AM

BTW, just wanted to let you all know that Bryan's tumor was teratoma, just as Dr. Foster had suspected. We pray this is the end except for, of course, surveillance.

Take care all. I will check in again when we get settled in SC.

**Scott** · 02-05-09, 07:17 AM

Great news, Karen!

**mikes mom** · 02-05-09, 07:36 AM

Glad to hear Steve is doing better every day and looking forward to work.

Also happy to hear Bryan is doing well and no TC was found.

Best wishes for continued healing to both!

Debbie

**Another Mom** · 02-11-09, 04:50 PM

Steve continues to heal well from his surgery. He is to see Dr. Foster and Dr. Einhorn on Monday afternoon. He called me last night with some concerns though. He's experiencing retrograde ejaculation and it's got him pretty upset. He said it was a heck of a thing to call your mother about! I'm just happy that he's comfortable enough with me to call. Dr. Foster has been in touch by e-mail with Steve and told him that this most likely will not change. Steve and Corinne are both upset because they certainly wanted more children. Foster said he could pursue some fertility treatments and that they would talk more about it next week. Steve said it seems that he gets everything that he's told is a possibility. He realizes that his health is the number one priority but it's still tough to have all these things to face when these guys are so young. Hope you are all doing well. Having 70 mph winds here this evening with lots of power outages...........hope ours stays on!

**dadmo** · 02-11-09, 06:43 PM

If they did a nerve sparing surgery that function might return. It took my son several months before his plumbing was back to normal. If Steve continues to have a problem they do have ways of collection the sperm they need.

**mikes mom** · 02-12-09, 08:04 AM

Cheryl,
I am sorry to hear this. Steve knows "cancer free " is the goal but you can't blame him for being upset with the price he has paid for it. If the function does not return there are alternatives to allow conception. Fertility treatment has come so far. I'm sure he'll feel better after talking with Dr E and Foster.
Debbie

**dadmo** · 02-12-09, 08:24 AM

Cheryl,
When I mentioned that it took a few months for my son to regain that function I really mean months. If I remember right it was about 8 months.

**llcovell** · 02-12-09, 06:58 PM

Cheryl,
Sorry to hear about the latest problem. The fertility problems are just really so unfair on top of everything else.
Thinking of you,
Lorinda

**Rollwithit** · 02-13-09, 04:37 PM

Please tell Steve that we will be praying for him and his wife. We pray that this is a temporary obstacle for their young family. Let us know how the check up goes in Indianapolis.
Love,
Karen

**Another Mom** · 02-14-09, 10:59 AM

Thank you to everyone for the encouragement and kind words. Steve, Corinne and Kramer are leaving for Indy today. They decided to make a long weekend out of their trip to see Einhorn and Foster. They need to get away and enjoy themselves. Hope everyone has a good weekend. My husband and I are also going away for the night so I'll post more after Steve's check-up.

**dadmo** · 02-14-09, 04:41 PM

If they ever want to visit New York City or home is available as a basecamp. We might even be able to get a forum family fix together in his honor.

**Another Mom** · 02-15-09, 05:16 PM

What a generous offer dadmo. I know they're headed to Flordia this summer but I'll let them now about the offer.

**mahalomom** · 02-15-09, 11:24 PM

Hi Cheryl,
So glad to hear all of you are getting away. I'm glad to read that Steve is healing. Although he is faced with this new problem, he is so blessed to have Cutie Kramer.
~Mary Ann

**Another Mom** · 02-16-09, 08:10 AM

Yes, They are absolutely so lucky to have Kramer. He was only 5 months old when Steve was diagnosed and it could have easily happened before they had him. They know they're blessed. Kramer makes so much of this nightmare more bearable. He's such a happy little boy and he has changed all our lives............don't I sound like a first time grandma?

**dmann999** · 02-16-09, 12:32 PM

Hey it is great to hear you all are getting away for the weekend. I hope everything went well on the appt. You are lucky to have that little boy ( an big boy too

..... God does work in mysterious ways. Joe wasn't successful with banking before chemo unfortunately. Hopefully Steve's issue is temporary. We see Dr. Foster on the 18th.....

Dawn

**Another Mom** · 02-16-09, 03:49 PM

Steve's appointments were very routine and he said they went well. They did a chest x-ray and drew blood so we'll hopefully hear about those later in the week. He will have chest x-ray's and bloodwork every two months till October, every four months during the second year and every six months for years three to five. Steve said it feels like a long process........he's so ready to be done with this. I had tried to prepare him for the lengthy follow-up. Dr. Foster told him there were some inexpensive options for future fertility. He had been unable to produce any viable sperm when he tried to bank sperm prior to surgery. I guess I need to figure out how to hold my breath for five years!

**Another Mom** · 02-17-09, 08:10 PM

Steve went back to work today! He's been off since this nightmare began on September 7th. I called to see how it went and his wife said he had been asleep since she got home. They both are high school teacher but they teach at different schools. He called tonight and said his back is hurting but that the day went ok. I'm sure it will take awhile to get back in the groove. I'm sure each day will get a little easier.

Cheryl

**Scott** · 02-17-09, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by Another Mom

Steve went back to work today!

A huge step toward a new normal!

**MRMRSU** · 02-18-09, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by Another Mom

I'm sure each day will get a little easier.

Definitely...all things in time.

**mikes mom** · 02-18-09, 07:39 PM

The first week back to work for Mike was very tiring. He came home, showered, ate and went to bed. The following week he was happy to be back to work , feeling stronger and smiling again. Steve has been through a lot! It will take time but his steps are in the right direction now.
Debbie

**ally30736** · 02-19-09, 08:42 PM

Hope the rest of Steve's work week has gone well. I think teaching can be exhausting (even with no children of my own and not having been through what he's been through), but it must feel great for him to get back to his normal life.

Ally

**Another Mom** · 02-21-09, 10:57 AM

Steve's week went pretty well. One of his classes threw a party for him. They brought in a cake and some soft drinks to celebrate his return. They seem to have lots of questions about his treatment and some wanted to see his scar! Teenagers! We had Kramer last night so that Steve and Corinne to go out to dinner and pick up a baby gate, Seems that Kramer is getting into everything! Have a good weekend everyone.

**dmann999** · 02-21-09, 11:12 AM

I am so happy to hear this good news. It really gives me hope too that we will, someday soon, be back to normal again. Thank you for all your support and love here for us as well.

Joe saw Dr. Foster Thursday and he is a great guy. I feel much more confident and educated thanks to all your posts for what lies ahead of us.

Blessings to you and your family ! Dawn

**Another Mom** · 02-21-09, 05:42 PM

Dawn,
Joe should do just fine. The surgery is no fun but it's necesaary and Dr. Foster is great. He was very open and honest with us and told us everything to expect. Joe remains in my prayers.
Cheryl

**Another Mom** · 02-23-09, 09:44 PM

Just wanted to pass on a recent picture of Steve with his little boy Kramer. They were at basketball game at the school where Steve teaches, He's feeling better every day and getting stronger. Kramer keeps him busy and that's a good thing!

**mahalomom** · 02-23-09, 09:53 PM

Two cuties!! Steve looks great. I hope he's feeling great too.

Mary Ann

**dmann999** · 02-24-09, 12:03 PM

WOW look at all that hair...... Joe is just getting peach fuzz.... Has anyone noticed hair coming in lighter???? I thought is was usually darker?

**Another Mom** · 02-24-09, 06:51 PM

Yes, Steve is really getting a lot of hair back now. It's really soft but about the same color as it was before. He said that he's finally looking like something other than a cancer patient. I'm sure the hair loss bothered him more than he let us know. He's looking good and starting to feel pretty good too.

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