Monday, November 24, 2014

They're Ba-a-a-a-ack!


The HAIR and the COUGH are both back, in full force!!!!

In fact, Bert's hair was getting too long for him, dare I say, reaching borderline mullet status!  It's thick and full, and CURLY in the back!  He's got that sexy hair thing going on again!

And with every haircut comes a little visit with our favorite hairdresser, so it's definitely a win-win!
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Unfortunately, the damn cough has slowly returned!

It started a few weeks back, here and there, a little dry, annoying cough.  It has morphed into the deep, painful, forceful cough that hurts all over and zaps his energy.  Yes, the one from this summer...the one that keeps him up all night...and makes him sound like he's about to cough up a lung!!

Thankfully, we have a visit coming up to MD Anderson in a couple of weeks.  We pray that it's something that can get taken care of quickly, like last time.  But it would also be nice if it wasn't coming back like this.  Last time, they said it was harmless fluid that was a result of radiation to the chest.  

They tested it last time, for cancer cells, but didn't find any activity.

I will be super thankful if his energy and health return as quickly again!  

Thanks for checking on us!

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Finally! Some great news!!


Both kids tested NEGATIVE for the MEN1 genetic mutation!!!!

It took forever to find out, and of course, there was DRAMA!!!


The genetic counselor called the house looking for Jacob one afternoon.  But, he was at work!

Albert was still on the phone, getting NO information, because both kids are adults over 18, when Kasey started calling on the other line.  Apparently, she wasn't gonna wait and she called my cell phone.  She was crying and I was scared to death because I thought it had to be bad news! 

But it wasn't, her tears were tears of relief!  She felt so happy that she was in the clear!


The counselor left a message for Jake to call her back! but since he works every night until 10, we knew we weren't finding out that day, <sigh>!

The next morning he called, got voicemail.  Then called in the afternoon before he left for work, got voicemail, <double sigh>!!


Seriously, by the next morning, I was a nervous wreck!  I was cranky and harassing Jake until he called again just to appease me, you guessed it!  We got voicemail AGAIN!  <triple sigh>!!!


Jake was getting ready to head out to work and he stops to tell me, "oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, Ms. Jackson called"...pause...sad puppy dog eyes...I'm a ball of nerves...he's formulating his speech..."she said I'm negative!"

Let me tell you!  I was screaming and wanted to kick his scrawny butt to the moon!


Dammit!  We were on pins and needles for almost two full days...

How could we be happy that KC was in the clear, but what if Jake wasn't?  We couldn't celebrate too hard for her and make him feel like crap if his news wasn't good...

Torture is the only way I can describe it.


Let me tell you!

The celebration, elation, relief, utter happiness was indescribable!  They weren't gonna have to worry about this dreadful disease that was slowly taking their daddy!

Our family genes give us enough to worry about!  Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity...the list goes on!  At least there is ONE they wouldn't have to worry about!


The best part is that they also can't pass it on to their kids!  It's not recessive/dominant.

Albert's DNA had an omission that my DNA filled in!  Now they can only pass on the complete strand.

Thanks for all the prayers, I know they helped!

(P.S. I haven't forgotten to tell y'all about their day at MD Anderson, but I will, SOON!)












November is NET cancer awareness month



NET cancers are NeuroEndocrine Tumors (carcinoids).

Yes, the month is almost over, but I believe that it's better late than never!

The cancer that invaded Albert's thymus and is still inside and around his heart, is a NET cancer.

It's one of the rarer types of cancers, with the bleakest survival rate.

Depending on where it's located, it may or may not respond to treatments.

Every person's NET cancer is different because it can occur in so many different places in the body.

Either they grow very slowly or very aggressively, and usually aren't detected until they are very large or affecting other organs.

You can learn more about them at:  http://netcancerday.org








Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Happy Veterans' Day!

December 1988

I know it's late in the day, but I didn't want the day to go by without wishing Albert a very

Happy Veterans' Day.

He served your country while the country was at war.

Not everyone who serves their country comes back home.

Thank you to every service man and woman who has sacrificed comfort, family, limbs, sanity, and life for our freedom.

Albert, I am lucky that you are with me today.