5 Month Update...for anyone still out there

     I had almost forgotten about the blog!  Almost forgot about all of our followers out there still wondering what's going on with Warren.  I'm so sorry!!!  Warren has been talking to a man he has recently been introduced to that is going through the same treatment that he experienced this year and it just dawned on me that I have the blog to show him and share with him and it might help him and Warren relate better!  When he asks Warren how he felt during a certain week it's so hard for Warren to even remember now and it's only been 5 months since he finished the treatments.  (I remember way more than he does.)  My thought on that is it's because he was kind of in a medication induced, fuzzy, stuper during those weeks and slept the majority of the time.
     Anyhow, I look back and just read the last few posts that I posted back in May and realize even then that things still weren't really back to normal when I thought they were getting back to normal.  Now, I think I can honestly say it's close to being back to normal.  What is normal, anyway?  Everyone's lives change over the years so really what was normal a few years ago may change for most families but Warren is doing great.  He still has not really gained any weight, even though he really has been trying.  (I honestly don't think he's eating enought but his appetite is not what it used to be.)  He eats just fine and he can eat anything except for spicy foods just with lots of water but it's hard when you're trying to eat healthy and gain weight, too.  It would be easy to eat hamburgers and milkshakes all of the time but there's no nutrition in that and the sugar is really bad for cancer cells!  (Cancer cells thrive on sugar!)  Of course, sugar is just not good for anyone, anyway, but obviously really hard to cut it completely out of your diet.  (I spoke to someone today that told me her uncle had cancer and after all of the treatments he was cleared but then it kept reappearing year after year and once he switched to a gluten free diet it never reappeared.  Interesting, right?  I do believe that's how we should eat and I should probably change all of our diets to that but how hard would that be???!!!  I may have to do my best and try....That will have to be a new blog in itself!)
     Ok...so where was I?  Warren is great, he's back to work, working hard, working out, eating good, trying to gain weight and much closer to God!  :)  Life is good!  God is good!  We go back to MD Anderson for another scan/check-up next week.  I'll let y'all know how it goes.  Prayers would be greatly appreciated!  For our friend, Alan, too please!  (He's at MDA now being treated and has no one there to help him.  My heart goes out to him and pray, pray, pray he can stay strong through these almost impossible weeks for him!!!) 

Enjoying watching Jarred play soccer this year! Senior Year!!!

...and things are back to normal after 7 months.

   I almost completely forgot about the blog.  I'm sorry it's been so long since I've posted for those of you that we don't speak to often.  I apologize.  It was so easy to post when we were at MDA but back at home with the kids, work and all of the extra stuff going on I only think about what is on my "to do" list daily.  (Even though I really enjoyed blogging there for a while.  Unfortunately, it wasn't the topic I would've chosen to start my first blog experience about given I had a choice but I feel like we are all better people for the experience our family has had to endure this past year.  I just hate Warren had to go through all of it to help make us better people.)  Speaking of, Warren is doing awesome!  He is somewhat back to normal.  He's back at work, looking great and feeling great.  He lost a lot of weight and he's struggling to gain it but I'm sure it will take a good while to gain the weight and his muscle back that he lost.  He can eat pretty much anything again other than spicy food but he has to drink LOTS of water with his food.  (And I mean A LOT of water.  We just go ahead and tell the waitress, if we are out, to go ahead and bring several glasses of water because they will never fill his glass as fast as he drinks it up.)   He never lost his taste buds (YAY!!!) but he did loose his saliva glands and they may not come back for a year if they come back.  They will most likely not ever come back 100% but he should get them back a little.  That's really all he's dealing with now.  That's not fun and causes other problems like having too wake up a lot in the middle of the night to drink water and then having to get up and go to the bathroom a lot because he's drinking so much but we feel like it could be worse so we are grateful that's all he has to deal with.  He feels so blessed to have gotten through this all!  We all feel so blessed!!!  I don't think I posted in June but we went back to MD Anderson in June for his first scan and they said it looked great and the tumor was gone.  (it's done 6-8 weeks after his last radiation/chemo treatment becuase the radiation continues to work in his body for 21 days after the last treatmet.)

   Anyhow, everything is pretty much back to normal.  He's working everyday, getting up early and working out (going and doing sprints at 6am on the beach right now) and just getting back to "normal" again.  It feels good! 

4th of July 2013

One night mini vacation alone once he was better!

Update...4 Weeks Post Radiation/Chemo Treatments

    Today marks 4 weeks since Warren's last radiation treatment.  We are slowly getting back to normal.  He has had a rough go at recovery but I think he's finally starting to recover.  He definitly experienced every side effect that they tell you "is a side effect" from radiation or chemo.  All unpleasant, painful and some humiliating.  He went several weeks without really eating anything other than having 1-2 Boosts or Ensures a day along with water and gatorade.  To date he's lost about 44lbs but I think we are on the right track now.  We've started juicing again (and he's actually getting them down everyday).  I've been making healthy soups several times a week and he's been eating those but he's really sick of soup and so ready for normal food.  He really wants a cheeseburger, hotdog, pizza, hot fudge sundae and all of the other food he sees on the commercials daily!  Unfortunately,  he's starving from eating so healthy and light everyday.  (Not that he's eating that by choice but it's all he can get down and he desperately needs the nutrients to repair and rebuild.)  Right now it's almost impossible to eat enough to gain weight.  We are lucky to get enough calories to just maintain his weight so that he doesn't loose any more.  I believe it will be very soon before he can eat pretty normal again.  (He's still having problems eating because he still has so many sores in his mouth from the radiation.)  He's doing what he's supposed to be doing to help with that but it's a slow healing process, I assume. 
     Just in the last week he has made tremendous progress, though.  (I think we can rest assure it's all because of the juicing recipes that his mom emailed us and demanded that he does to get better.)  Truly within 4 days he felt a whole lot better.  He has gotten a lot of strength back.  He's gone to work  several times this week for a few hours and we even went to Ihop for breakfast one morning.  (That was a huge suprise when he asked if I wanted to go!)  He drenched a pancake in syrup and managed to eat one even though it hurt.  (That's how bad he wants to eat!)  Oh, and he's completely off all of his pain medications.  I think that's why the pain seems to have gotten worse.  He says the pain pills don't really help anymore so why take them. 
     Well, that's the most recent update.  Sorry, it's been so long again!  I truly intended on updating regularly but with the kids and all that's going on I haven't turned the computer on much during the day and unlike my normal self I've been in bed and asleep by 9pm every night.



This was Monday when we went to visit Mawmaw.  She wanted a
 picture for her book. (He's probably going to kill me for posting this
when he sees it but it is what it is.  This is 4 weeks after his last
treatment and 40+lbs lighter.)

     Y'all have a good weekend and a Great Mother's Day for all you moms!!!

    

"Kick it For Arde"

     I think we got through those 2 bad weeks post radiation/chemo!  Yesterday Warren woke up feeling good!  I was shocked to hear him say those words.  He had a really rought two weeks so he deserved a good day!  He's still not doing solid foods but that's coming.  He's hungry and really wants to eat he's just got to ease back into that.  He still has pain but it's not nearly as bad so I think this week we will start wheening him from the pain meds a little.
     My best friend, Julie, and Warren's friend, Kris Reiman, put together a soccer benefit for Warren yesterday called "Kick it for Arde".  Along with a lot of our other friends and family who worked it and helped make it a success.  (Thanks to Patrick Wadsworth, Robert, Angie, Melody & Garret Waldrop, Candice and Braxton Clifton, Steve Huckaby, Scotty Barnes and Newks for donating water and food and all of he Referees who donated their time!!!  And thanks to all of those who signed up and participated by playing and coaching!!!  I know there are otheres that played a part and just know that we appreciate it so much!!!)  It was a 3v3 tournament (for those non-soccer fans out there that means 3 against 3) for all ages and it was a great day!  There were over 50 teams that came out and participated and they seemed to have a great time.  Again, how overwhelming to see that many people come out and support Warren and our family!  As I was walking out the door to run up to the fields for a little while Warren said he was going to go.  What???  I couldn't believe it.  He hasn't been able to make it out of the house other than a quick ride to the doctor or once to the bank.  I'm not sure what happened overnight but yesterday was a REALLY good day for him.  He went out to the fields and stayed for several hours, watching games and talking to friends and all the kiddos.  It was so nice to see him feeling that good! 

Candice, Julie, Melody, Robert, Brax, Angie & Garrett





Kris Reiman, Sheldon Baker, Warren & Donnavan
The "Kick it for Arde" Soccer Benefit

 



Aniston warming up with Sheldon...bahahaha


To see more pics of the day go to www.facebook.com/internationasoccerclinic ...I'll be posting them later
 



     This morning is a little different story.  He's not feeling that great.  He's having issues (side effects) from some of the medications and he's pretty much in agony.  Hopefully, we'll get this resolved in a little while and he'll be on the mends!  I do think it's going to be a much better week and I'm really excited about that! 

I'm back to blogging if anyone is still out there following...

     Well, we have been home now for 10 days and it's feeling somewhat normal again.  And again, I apologize for not posting for so long this time for those of you who get on regularly to check on Warren's status.  It's been hard to find the time to blog but I will make it a priority again.  Promise!!! I've got to get better at time management!  I'm dedicating this week to getting more organized...while taking care of Warren and Aniston.  (I had to take her to the doctor today because she ran a fever all weekend and we needed to know what it was in case it's someting we needed to be extra careful Warren didn't get.  It's a virus called the Adenovirus.  Not that big of a deal but makes her feel really bad like the flu.  High fever, a little cough, really tired, sore throat, etc..  It can't be treated with anything so she'll just have to sleep it off.   Bless her heart!  Now, we need to make sure Warren doesn't get it!  I think it's mostly just in kids, though.  Don't think it's too much to worry about.
     Anyhow, about Warren...He's still feeling pretty crumby.  I know the doctors' said that the two weeks after his last treatment would be the worst but for some reason my mind would not let me really believe that.  I guess my logical response is...the treatment is over and each day he wakes up will be a little easier than the last but it's been the opposite.  Last week each day was WORSE than the last.  I'm hoping this week my theory will come into play!  No really, I feel like it can only get better but it still may be just as tough this week as last.  He's got to be the cleanest cancer patient around, though, because his comfort zone is a hot bath.  Can't tell you how many he takes a day!  Maybe 5 or 6, sometimes more.   (This morning he was in the bath when I left to take Aniston to the doctor and when we got back (2 hours later) he was in the bath.  I freaked out because he was sleeping and I woke him up and thought he'd been there since we left.  He said he had been but he was joking.  It was his 2nd bath.  Yes, I know it's dangerous to sleep in the bath but if you saw how small our bathtub is you would understad he's fine! ha ha ha....It's seriously perfect for Aniston's size, not US!!!  That should probably be our next project when all of this is behind us...a bigger tub!)
      Anyhow, whatever works, right?!  He is getting down more shakes than when we were in Houston but it's still not enough.  He's probably lost 35 lbs now.  As of last week he had lost 32 lbs and I know he's lost some from last week but I'm not sure how much.  I asked him how much he weighed when he played soccer in college and he's about that size now.  I know he will come back strong, though, and gain some back so I'm not as worried about it as I was.  We are almost to the light!  I just hope the saliva thing stops for him because that is one of the worst side effects and it's so yuk!  I think he could deal with the dry mouth way more than he can deal with having to spit every minute and he really can't go anywhere having to do that all of the time so hopefully that will subside soon.  Oh yeah, one of his biggest issues right now is sleep.  He is still having trouble sleeping at night.  I realized last night his biggest problem...he has sleep apnea, which he has never had, and it's jolting him back awake everytime he falls asleep and stops breathing.  He does this ALL night and is then miserable because he didn't get any sleep.  (I didn't get any sleep last night because when he did fall asleep last night he snored so loud (also something new) and Anistn snored really loud, too, so there was no chance I was sleeping through all of that.)  All of Aniston's life I've checked on her all night either to change her position or listen to see if she was breathing if I didn't hear her snoring and now I'm doing the same with Warren.  So, now I guess we need to address this issue and see what can be done about this.  I'm sure it's a combination from the radiation on his throat and nose and all of his medication he's on (which is from the side effects of the side effects!).
     So, that's what's been going on with Warren.  I'll keep y'all posted and let you know how he does this week.

 

He did it! It's over, done, history!!!

     Well, the last treatment was Friday and then we hit the road!  We were home by 12:45pm.  Sorry, I haven't posted.  I spent the weekend with the kids and haven't even unpacked or openend my computer.  Warren, is doing about the same.  He hasn't wanted to eat much and he's not getting much sleep.  It's a cozy, rainy day here today so maybe he'll feel like catching up on some sleep!  I have lots to unpack!

Warren ringing the bell after his last treatment!!!

 

 

He's finished!!!

 

     They gave Warren his mask to bring home.  (What in the world do we want that thing???)  Our car was so packed to the top with everything I told him he would have to wear it all the way home because we had no room for it! he he he....He did great, by-the-way, on the way home.  He slept the entire time.

     We'll be going back to MD Anderson in 6-8 weeks for another PET scan to see how the treatment worked.

Getting Ready to Say Goodbye to MD Anderson...Stay Tuned

     Stay tuned tomorrow!!!  We...ok, (I) am packing us up now and getting us ready to hit the road after Warren's LAST radiation treatment in the morning.  (I did lock myself out in the parking garage earlier while bringing suitcases to the car.  Ya think my husband came looking for me after 20 minutes, nope, nada! Had to wait for someone to walk by in the parking garage to let me in.  Then they acted all suspicious like I was full of it and trying to break in or someting.  Really?  In slippers and pj's?)
     Warren started out feeling pretty bad today but ended it feeling a little better.  The IV fluids he received every day this week kind of made him sick after each one of them for some reason.  Maybe because he felt really full???  Not sure.  He threw up after all of them, though, this week.  Weird.  I hope he will be ok for the 6 hour drive home tomorrow.  I'm going to make sure he has ALL of his meds so maybe he will just sleep.  I'll get him all comfy with pillows and a blanket and hope for the best. 

     I will be posting a video tomorrow of him "Ringing the Bell" after his last treatment.  (I hope it works!)  Check back later!  I'll try and post it before we take off or on our first stop. 

Hasta La Vista, Houston!!!

 

 

Romans 12:12  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.