Well it has been almost two months. Crazy how fast time flies. We were headed into a tailwind the last time I posted and sorry for anyone who looks here for updates but the truth is it has been confusing. Brad had fluid drained, had a scan that looked pretty good from a cancer perspective. Lots of tumors gone but his liver was really struggling to work. We met with the Liver practice…to be honest we aren’t a fan. Not that it is lacking on their side but I feel like liver people aren’t the best to work with cancer patients…I’ll leave it at that. We met with Palliative Care and LOVE them! It is like rainbows and sunshine in those appointments. They want to focus on the good things, how to make things better and goals. We feel great when we leave there and they do the heavy lifting regarding medicine adjustments and sorting out what the cancer people and liver people are not saying.
The truth is Brad felt horrible in July and August. In September he worked hard to rally for Whitney’s Senior walk, his birthday, her birthday, soccer games, bachelor party trip to Louisville and helping me juggle the nuttiest month of our year. Russell and Whitney provide such joy and distraction for us. They give us family time and we make the best of memories doing the most fun things! Brad was SO incredibly proud of Russell watching him run his first Cross Country season. Very quickly he went from top 3 to the #1 runner on his team. His coach was so beyond impressed and proud of him and can’t wait for him to run track in the Spring. To top it off Russell was named “Citizen of the Month” in September by his teachers. When he said goodbye to baseball we never thought the positive impact would be as great but he is so much more balanced and loves his down time. He likes to read which warms his parents hearts to see him doing something that has nothing to do with technology and using his brain. God sent.
So here we are, in a “coasting” period. The bottom line is Brad’s liver is too weak for chemo or surgery and his weight is very low. He’s in a catch 22, gain weight so when they can do chemo his body can handle it with the extra weight to withstand the chemo beat down. Otherwise we are at a standoff with the cancer and the liver situation. Thankfully Brad has been trying hard to each well, gain weight and stick to a low salt diet to help his liver. He has learned how to rest to do things he wants to do and pushes through extreme exhaustion to make it to everything he wants to attend.
Here are some pics from Brad’s adventures:
my3moons 