A look back at 2009

Well it has been some year. This blog post is dedicated to a look back at the Derek, Kaela, and Camden Beach family in 2009. January-March was pretty uneventful. Derek and I were both really tired. I was growing a baby which is horribly tiring. In March we found out we were having a boy! Derek was doing chemo and was scheduled to be done in May. However he developed a cough similar to the one that took us to the doctor in the first place and more scans were done. It was found that his cancer hadn't shrunk any and in fact was growing. Derek went through 3 different types of chemo before it was decided that a bone marrow transplant was necessary if Derek wanted to be cured. In May we went and had a consultation with the transplant doctor and everything was laid out for us. His own stem cells would get extracted from his blood which looks like someone getting dialysis. He had to do this 2 days in a row to get the amount of cells he needs. They said he would have to be in the hospital for about a month. The bad news was that it sounded like he would be in the hospital when I had Camden so I was greatly worried about that. Derek then did some pretty intense chemo where he spent 8 hours a day for a week getting chemo, got 2 weeks off then had to do it all over again. Towards June I was feeling pretty crappy. I was getting huge and thought I would be giving birth to a 10 pound baby. My blood pressure started rising. At the beginning of July I stopped working.

Here's me looking HUGE!

On July 21st I went to the doctor and my blood pressure was really high so they sent me to the hospital to get a 3D ultrasound to make sure my baby was okay. I was already dilated and almost completely effaced so she said I would go into labor sometime this week but to make an appointment for next week just in case. Next week came and I still hadn't gone into labor. I went to the doctor and my blood pressure was crazy high and said that I had preeclampsia and the only cure is having the baby. So she sent me to the hospital to get induced. Everything went pretty quick after that. I got into the labor room and Derek got really sick. He had just done really intense chemo a couple days before so he kept disappearing into the bathroom. At 11am they started the pitocin. At 1pm my doctor came in and broke my water. At 145 pm I got my epidural. Pretty quickly after that I was 10 cm and started to push.

At 501 pm Camden Allen Beach was born weighing 6 pounds 5 ounces and was 18 inches long. Derek was great through the whole thing. Even being so sick he never complained and was there for me every second I needed him.

In September Derek got his first transplant. This one he did outpatient. He did one day of super intense chemo. And the next day he got his cells back. It wiped him out pretty bad. He shaved his head because his hair was falling out but it was falling out too slow for him. Since he started chemo in last November he has kept his hair and wanted for once to look like he actually had cancer.

We were living our life as a happy family. In October Derek and I celebrated our One year anniversary.

That's not a beer on the table. That's an IBC rootbeer. Derek can't have fountain sodas. Two days later he went in for his second transplant which he had to be admitted for. He did a whole week of chemo followed by a day of getting his cells back. I visited him everyday but no one under 12 can go into the transplant unit so Camden couldn't see Derek. Everyday I brought the blanket Camden slept with to Derek so that he had a little piece of his baby. It was really hard for Derek to be away from us and really hard for me to have to chose who I was going to be with Derek or Camden. But 15 days after being in the hospital Derek came home. He couldn't get out of the car fast enough to see his son! Derek got out of the hospital 2 weeks earlier than expected, and then very quickly started recovering. I took a caregiver class on how to care for Derek when he got out of the hospital and I was expecting him to be incapable of doing anything like make his own food or even take a shower but he was fine! It was great and really a testimony to me how our Heavenly Father can perform miracles to those who believe they can happen.

Here is Derek getting his cells back for the last time!

After that it was just a healing process for the both of us. Derek got called as second counselor in the Sunday school presidency. I got called as the secretary in the Primary. I went back to work right after Thanksgiving. We also had a wonderful Christmas. Even though Camden doesn't understand about Christmas yet we still had a blast buying and wrapping his presents and watching him as we opened them for him.

Our Christmas was wonderful! It was so nice to be together.

This has been a tough year but it was made sweeter by the arrival of our little boy. Heavenly Father sure has been watching over us and taken great care of us. Our family and friends have been angels to us and have really looked out for us. We couldn't be more grateful. It has also made us all the more grateful to be an eternal family.

Sorry

Now that Derek is home we haven't had much going on which is AWESOME! We just hang out. Derek is doing great. He has an appointment on Tuesday and I am going to ask if I can go back to work. I LOVE being at home but I feel like I need to go back to work. We are too poor for both of us not to be working. Derek's hair is growing back and I have a feeling it will grow back fast. Camden is a big fatty. I love it, he is so cute. He smiles alot, he is just a happy, content baby. Well that is all that is new with us. I am glad I have nothing more to tell you. A boring life is my favorite.

Day + Not sure

I have alot of pictures of Camden and Derek together but I can't help it! They are just so cute! They were taking a nap and Camden moved his hand over so that he could fall asleep touching his daddy's hand. Precious I know. We are all doing great. Derek is feeling fantastic. He seems totally normal. He has been really helpful. He does alot around the house and does alot with Camden. We went to the doctor on Tuesday and she said that he was doing so well he didn't have to come back for 2 weeks. Plus he got his external line taken out that day so he is pretty happy. Camden is doing great. He is just getting so big, I can't believe it. I am doing okay. I fail at trying to excerise and lose weight so im feeling pretty lame.

Oh Camden, my Camden

This is what happens when Camden thinks he is alone. We are bad parents because we think this is hilarious.

Halloween

Camden getting all ready for his first Halloween! He looks like he wants to say "You're going to put me in what?!"

Rawr! Have you ever seen such a cute monster?! This is Camden's costume. So cute.

After a little while at the trunk or treat Camden was fast asleep. But that didn't stop Derek from pushing Camden around getting more candy out of people. You would think that people would realize that a 3 month old is not going to eat that candy and it is clearly a ploy to get candy for mommy and daddy. But we aren't complaing. Well I will be when I look at the scale.

Camden cuddling with mommy after a long night of trick or treating.

Reunited and it feels so good!

Our little family is reunited! On Tuesday Derek came home and we are so happy to have him back. Life is indeed sweeter when I can have Derek and Camden. Derek came home a week earlier than expected and in better health than expected. The doctors said that Derek is one of the earliest people to go home after having a transplant. He looks great and feels great. If you were talking to him you would have no idea this guy just went through a torturous tour of chemo. He is so positive. He is such a wonderful example to me and to Camden. While we were at the hospital one day this week for him to get his blood tested he turned to me and said "I am so lucky, this could be so much worse." What a ridiculous thing to say I thought. This is pretty bad. But its such a wonderful insight into the humility and testimony of an awesome man. Life is sweet!

Day +5

I bet you didn't know that Camden is bringing sexy back. Camden is doing great. He has his moments. Yesterday he was not a fan of mom. Everytime I held him or looked at him he started freaking out but he was the best baby ever for everyone besides me. Derek is getting better everyday. Today he is getting a blood transfusion. His white blood cell count is super low but he has a fair amount of energy. There is another bone marrow patient here that walks laps around the transplant area to make sure his body isn't getting weak. He just hauls along much faster than I care to walk. I make fun of Derek telling him he is lazy. He walks around a couple of times but nothing like this guy, lol. I am getting ready to lose this baby weight. I signed up for a fitness bootcamp which is monday through friday for an hour for the next 4 weeks. I am excited, I am sick of having to still wear maternity clothes. Derek can hopefully come home on Wednesday. I realized yesterday that since Derek has been in the hospital I have driven 600 miles.

Day +3

Camden is so cute! I just love my precious little baby. Last night I cuddled with him while he was sleeping and I gave him a kiss and he grinned so big in his sleep. I look at Camden and feel greatly inadequate. I hope I can be the mom he deserves. Derek is feeling alright today. His stomach is still a little weak but if you walked into his room and started talking to him you would think he is feeling fine. He talked to the doctor today and the doctor said that if he is still doing good (counts are going up, no sores in his mouth, no fever) then he may be able to come home early next week (tuesday or wedenesday). I really, really hope he can come home, I miss having him at home. Derek is going a little stir crazy being stuck in this hospital room. Everyday I bring him the blanket Camden slept with the night before and it helps him, but it is no great substitute for the real thing.

Day 0 Happy birthday!

Here is Derek getting his cells back. The nurses say "Happy Birthday!" Im assuming its because this is the first day of the rest of your healthy life! He is cuddling with one of Camden's blankets that smell like Camden. He is also surrounded by pictures of Camden. He says they make him feel better. Right now its just a waiting game til his cells engraft back into his body and start making red and white blood cells. I am hoping it is 2 weeks at the most. He needs to come home, Camden misses his daddy. And Daddy misses his baby.

Day -2 and -1

The last chemo ever! Well that is what we are hoping. On saturday Derek got chemo for the last time. He was HORRIBLY sick. And not only sick he was in alot of pain. He got so much pain medication but not much was working. He is a trooper though. And have you ever seen anyone so studly getting chemo? Today he is still really really sick and hasn't been able to keep any food down. Tomorrow they will start giving him nutrition through a line. Tomorrow he also gets his cells back which was the worst part for him last time. I am preparing myself for the cream of corn smell, ew. I miss him terribly when I am away from the hospital. And I miss Camden when I am at the hospital. Its no fun no matter where I am. I can't wait for Derek to come home with his family where he belongs. I went to the temple on friday and really felt good afterwards. Its amazing how much peace the temple brings. I can't wait til Derek and I can go together again. Life is crazy hectic. Its comforting to know that this craziness eventually has an end with a happy ending, a happy and healthy family.

Day -4 and 5

Yesterday was pretty uneventful (which we like). Derek got chemo and was feeling fine. We played the WII which is so nicely set up in his room and hung out. It was as well of a day as you can have being stuck in a hospital. Today however was not quite so fun. Derek got a different type of chemo today which kicked his butt. He was sleepy and nausea. He threw up a few times(which was not fun) and just felt awful. The doctor said his white blood, red blood cell and platelet counts are dropping which is to be expected. This weekend he should be feeling his worse. Today was not a good day so Im scared to see it get worse.

Day -6

Today is Derek's second day of chemo. I guess I expected him to be lying in his bed all sickly but when I got there this morning he was out of bed walking around. There was a cart that has another tv on it and a wii. Derek showed me all of the games that they had (and it was alot). He seems reasonably comfortable. He wishes he was home. We wish he was home. Camden was cuddling with me earlier and he started fussing and wiggling around. I could tell I wasn't the person he wanted to cuddle with. Camden is being a good boy for me though. He knows this is hard and he is trying to make sure he is not making it harder. Perhaps I am guessing too much on his behavior,but I am sure he knows that something is going on. I've been keeping busy, I am rarely home during the day. How I long for boring, relaxing days with my husband and sweet baby. If you are interested in seeing Derek just let me know, I can give you directions to his room or even be there to lead you there.

Day -7

Today Derek went into the hospital today. They put him a really small room but later a much bigger room opened up and they moved him to that room. When you come into the Bone Marrow Transplant area you have to scrub your hands like a doctor for 3 minutes before you can enter the room. Every 15 minutes or so someone comes into the room so getting any sleep is like impossible. Today is his first day of chemo. This is more intense chemo than he has ever gotten. I stayed with Derek til about 430pm when I finally left to pick up Camden from my mom's house. I hate having to chose who I have to be with, I can't be with Derek and Camden at the same time since Camden can't go into the hospital. Derek hates not being able to see Camden. We put a bunch of pictures of Camden up around the room and everytime a nurse would come in they would comment on how cute he is (I can't blame them) and it made Derek more sad because he can't see Camden. As I found my way to the elevators I started crying. It is pretty much torture having to leave my husband to suffer alone. I didn't even leave the building yet before I texted Derek to tell him I missed him. I cried all the way to my mother's house, at my mothers house and then when I got home. This will be the longest I have been away from Derek since we got married. What's really unfair is exactly a year ago from today we arrived in Hawaii and was enjoying the beach and fantastic Hawaiian weather. I can't wait to go back and forget all about cancer. Oh cancer, how I have shed many tears because of you. Its time to stop.

The Anniversary

Here is us at Claim Jumper. We had a delicious dinner and here is our yummy dessert. We have some sneaky friends who came into the restaurant and paid our dinner bill and sent us this dessert. It was a total surprise and they didn't want us to know it was them but the waiter gave them away. Those are not beers on the table. Those are IBC rootbeers. Part of Derek's diet restrictions for his transplant include not drinking fountain sodas or having water that is not reverse osmosis so the bottled rootbeers were the safest bet. We went to a movie before dinner and saw Couples Retreat which was great. Today is our official anniversary and it has been busy. We really haven't had time to just sit down and hang out so it is a good thing we hung out last night. As I am typing this Derek is packing his stuff for the hospital. He doesn't look very happy. I know he is not looking forward to being away from Camden and I. Nor am I looking forward to him being away from us. This is tough. This whole thing, this whole year. This cancer better go away because im not sure how much longer my sanity is going to hold up. We have some great friends and family looking out for us and we appreciate it. They really are the reason we get through.

The Beach boys are twins now! Derek really shaved his head and his beard. I have never seen Derek without facial hair so it is kind of weird, but he still is a stud. We are having a nice time hanging out together as a family before Derek goes into the hospital. I am kind of worried about staying home without Derek but my sister-in-law Doeshann is going to come stay with me, so I feel a little safer. Tomorrow Derek and I are going out for our anniversary. I am really excited to just be able to hang out together. The Beach family went camping this weekend and Derek really wanted to go but alas he can not. I am perfectly happy not camping but I think it bums Derek more the fact that he can't go because of his health. It stinks that cancer really just has our life on hold. We can't wait to be able to go and do things. For our first anniversary I really wanted to go on a cruise but that will have to wait. For now, life is sweet. It will soon be sweeter when we hear the words "Cancer free".

Day+ who knows

Have you ever seen such a cute baby! We got his pictures back and here is one of them.

I have lost track of the days. Derek is feeling so good now we haven't had to keep track of everything. His hair is most definitely coming out. He has patches of lost hair on his head and in his beard. He checks into the hospital on Monday for sure. I'm scared. I don't like having to be without him. I know he needs to do this and I feel good because they will be able to monitor him and if he needs anything he can get it right away instead of having to endure an hour ride to the hospital. But I still don't want to be without him. Camden is not allowed to come into the bone marrow transplant area so Derek won't be able to see Camden the whole time he is in the hospital. I know that really bothers him. I will keep this updated the whole time Derek is in the hospital. P.S. My baby is so cute!

Day +16

Well folks the news is in. Derek will be going into the hospital on October 12th which is the day after our anniversary. They wanted to bring him in either the end of next week or the beginning of the week after and Derek persuaded them that October 12th was ideal. We really don't want to spend our first wedding anniversary in a hospital, even though that sounds wildly romantic. General Conference is coming up and we are excited. Conference has happened at the most perfect times to give us that spiritual boost for what is ahead. Last year it happened right after we found out Derek had cancer and right before we got married. This year it is right before the big transplant. God has planned it perfect. Well, he usually does. I was talking to Derek today about how I know everything is going to be okay. I feel that there is something different, something special about Derek, and i'm not just saying that because he is my husband. He was meant for something big in this life and I feel lucky to be able to help him towards that. I thought I would be dreading the day he has to go into the hospital but now I am looking forward to it because I know it is what he needs to do. I am weak. But sometimes I forget my own strength. It won't be easy with him in the hospital for a few weeks but Camden and I will deal. We have a lot of great people supporting us. That love is what we need to get through.

Days+ 13,14,15

Here's our new family picture! My hair is ridiculous I'm aware, that is why I always wear it up. But my boys look precious :) Derek seems better everyday. But today (Day 15) was the final day of hair. Derek was taking a shower and he was pulling out a lot of hair but it still looked fine when it dried. But he wanted his hair to go on his terms. So my sister-in-law Caitlin came over and shaved his head. He looked like a skinhead with a shaved head and a long beard. I told him it would confuse people when they saw us together so he trimmed the beard greatly. Now he kind of looks like a cancer patient. Maybe people won't be so confused when we tell them he is getting a bone marrow transplant. We went shopping for hours today and he didn't seem tired. Its been really nice now that Derek is feeling so good. He says he feels normal. Camden got his vaccinations on Monday. Poor baby didn't know what was happening to him. He was fussy all day, I really don't think he felt well after getting those shots. He weighs almost 12 pounds! He is growing up so fast, its crazy. He smiles all the time now at us and is starting to giggle. All week I have just been working on organizing and updating everything for Primary. Its slowly coming together but there is a lot to do. Right now everything is great with us, we are just waiting for Derek to go into the hospital for his second transplant. What we are really waiting for is the news that Derek is cancer free. We can't wait for that news! We pray that it is coming soon.

Day +12

What a sabbath! All I can say is wow. I was recently called to be the secretary in the primary presidency which wouldn't be so dramatic but I have spent the last couple of days trying to get everything organized. Today I was a tad bit overwhelmed trying to figure out my new calling and taking care of Camden, but all in all it turned out okay. I don't think any of us know what we're doing really, primary is kind of a circus. I've never been to primary before so it was interesting to see how everything went. Its been fun experiencing all these different parts to the church. When I joined the church I went straight into the single's ward so that is all I have known. Derek went to church for sacrament and then left and then came back to get Camden and I. He is fooling everyone with all of his hair and his happy disposition. No one has any idea that he just went through a bone marrow transplant. Camden is spoiled and he comes to realize that more everyday. Its been a crazy day, time to relax in front of the tv for some NCIS.

Day+8,9,10,11

Not much has been going on the past few days so I thought it pointless to post. Today (Day +11) Derek went to the hospital to get his blood tested to see how his white blood cells and red blood cell counts were. His stem cells have already engrafted in his body. On Thursday his counts were really really low which is where they should be. Today however they are super high. He is already recovering from the transplant. His platelet count was really low though so he got a transfusion of platelets. They also said he would lose his hair between Day 10 and Day 12. This is not the case. Yesterday we noticed his hair STOPPED falling out and now appears as if its growing. Bizarre. But that has been Derek through this whole thing. Derek is definately feeling better which is really nice. His appetiete is almost back to normal. Camden is doing great. Everytime I look at him he seems like he is getting bigger. He is trying to talk all the time, it is so cute. My boys are doing good and I couldn't ask for more.

Day +6 and Day +7

Yesterday (Day+6) was not very exciting and I like that. I can't wait til our lives are totally boring, that must be great. We had family home evening and talked about the temple. We wish we could go but i'm not sure Derek could sit there through the whole session, he gets tired easily. I also attempted to make cookies, which was disastrous. Derek liked them though so he gets 3 dozen cookies all to himself. Last night we woke up to Camden making some weird noises. It sounded like he was getting ready to throw up so we got ready for explosive vomiting. Derek had him sitting on his lap and just when we thought he was getting ready to throw up we heard a horrible and terrifying noise coming from his diaper and a smell to match the noise. I went to change his diaper and more noises were coming from his diaper. So we just laid him on the changing table and let him finish. What I saw when I opened the diaper was terrifying. The moral of the story is that Derek and I find bodily gasses amusing and worthy to share with everyone. Today (Day+7) I took Derek to the hospital. He got fluids and got his blood tested. His white blood cell and red blood cell count have almost reached rock bottom which means that soon enough they will come back up and Derek can recover from this transplant. His platelets are real low which means on Thursday he will probably have to get a blood transfusion. We stopped at Food City to get some groceries since our kitchen is becoming bare. Derek was going to stay in the car but at the last minute he changed his mind which was a bad idea. By the time we left he couldn't stop throwing up. I feel terrible that I let him go in and walk around with me. He doesn't need to be around that many people anyways. When we went to pick up Camden from my mother-in-law's house our sweet baby smiled when he saw us which I think made Derek feel all better. The new season of NCIS starts tonight which I have been waiting for for like a month. Perhaps it is sad that I get so jazzed up about seeing a bunch of navy cops kicking butt and solving crimes.

Day +5

Today Derek has an appointment at the hospital. Its kind of weird to have an appointment on a Sunday but when your a transplant patient regular business days and hours do not apply. He just got his labs drawn which showed his red blood cell count and white blood cell count have dropped a lot but they are only going to drop more. He was in his regular playful self mood which is great and a welcome change to the super sick Derek. While we were at the hospital I noticed that in one of the rooms a few members of a family were coming out crying while a few more members of a family went in. I got a glimpse of the inside of the room. The patient was hooked up to a lot of different bags of liquids making their way to the patient. I thought maybe the family was scared seeing their loved one hooked up like that. What got me is that I recognized that kind of suffering. The kind of suffering where you have to watch the one you love suffer, which is not a pleasant or easy thing. Later I heard the doctor explain what was happening to the patient. All of his organs were failing. It has become an all too real reality the chance of losing Derek and though this transplant has brought us hope, it has also brought us fear. That family will lose their loved one but hopefully I will not have to lose mine. It has become more apparent as the days go on that Camden and I are not the only ones who need Derek to get better. We are not the only ones who are relying on him and his strength. And perhaps you may think it bitter of me to say, but I hope God remembers that.

Day +4

Saturday was a good day as you can see! Camden was being a fussy nugget but once he cuddled up next to his daddy he was fast asleep. I can't blame him. Derek was feeling a lot better. He kept all his food down. My friend Kristi made us a delicious dinner (which Derek ate 2 plates). Derek and Camden took a nice long nap, letting me get a few things done. Days like this are what make life so sweet.

Day +3

Today Derek seems worse than usual. Since Tuesday he hasn't been able to keep any food down. He's on a few different nausea medications but im not sure they stayed in his system long enough to do any good. I took him to the hospital because I thought he was dehydrated. They gave him some fluids and some stronger nausea medications. It was definitely helping. While we were there he was joking and smiling which I haven't seen him do in awhile. It was nice. He finally doesn't smell like cream of corn! He smells like himself again which is awesome. I defintately know that Camden knows that something is going on. I really believe that Camden knows why he is here on Earth at this time. Derek says that when he is holding Camden and he is looking in his eyes its as if Camden is saying "Get better daddy, I need you". I really believe that that is true. Derek and I both recieved blessings today. Their affect is more evident than I realize. My inadequacies are great, but I am comforted that the Lord knows that we are doing the best we can. We appreciate that people love us and care about us a great deal. It makes us feel like we are not doing this alone.

Day +2

Today Derek slept most of the day. He can only get out of bed for about half an hour before he has to get back into bed. He can't hold down any food. His hearing is going as well. They said that was a side affect from the last chemo he did but its becoming more apparent now. Despite being terribly tired and weak he is so optimistic. He never complains and I would think he has a right to. I on the other hand am not quite so good. Sometimes I feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders. Often times the Lord has to humble me in an already humbling situation. Derek is incredibly inspiring and I am grateful that he is my husband. Camden is use to a lot of attention from Derek but now Derek can not do much for or with Camden. Today I think Camden just had enough from me and was super fussy. I laid him down next to Derek so I could go make him and bottle and when I came back two minutes later he was fast asleep cuddled up next to his daddy. Sometimes mom just won't do and he needs his daddy. Maybe I could do this alone. It doesn't mean I want to.

Day +1

Today Derek is definitely feeling the affects. He slept most of the day. I had to wake him up multiple times to make him drink water and take his medication. Since he was diagnosed and has had to stay home, he's been bothered by the fact that he can't work. Now with the transplant he can't even help out around the house and that really bothers him. I was taking out the trash and he said "Do you want me to do that?" Of course not. A trashcan is a breeding ground for bacteria, silly Derek. I think the hardest thing he has to deal with is not being able to help with the baby. I think Camden can tell that something is going on. He just likes being with mommy and daddy. This is just the beginning. It's only going to get worse from here. Derek and I always joke that after enduring everything we have in our first year of marriage, that getting divorced after this would just be silly, not that we would ever want to. As I look at Camden and his sweet face I realize more and more that I need Derek around. I'll do whatever I need to to get him better.

Day 0

Today Derek got his stem cells back. It is quite a process. His stem cells were frozen in multiple bags so today he got 6 bags of stem cells back. There was one person who would unfreeze the bags, another who would check the numbers and make sure Derek was getting his cells back, one nurse who was hooking up the bags to his iv, and another person logging everything. Once the cells are unfrozen the cells need to make it into Derek within a few minutes otherwise the cells may be damaged. With a couple of the bags the line would get clogged and they had to hurry and get them back into Derek. With the cells come a cream of corn smell. They said Derek's breath and urine would smell like cream of corn but his entire body smells like it to me. My whole house smells like it really strongly. While getting the cells they are still cold so they can give you a cough and they did give Derek a bad cough and started throwing up. He was too weak to hold his own barf bucket so I had to hold it for him. I told him that's love when someone holds your barf bucket for you! He was in a lot of pain. I have never seen Derek look so sick, its definitely hard. I can't imagine what he is going through. I have to take his temperature multiple times a day to make sure he isn't getting an infection, I have to monitor his medication, and force him to eat and drink. He is too sick to do much on his own. His special diet has started. We appreciate everyone's love and support but we now have to limit our visitors. If you are healthy enough and you do come over you will be asked to wash your hands as soon as you come in. From this point he is only going to get sicker before he gets better.

Day -1

On day -1 Derek got chemo. He has been through hours upon hours of chemo so this was really nothing different for him except that he got a bed to lay in while he got chemo! And they spoiled him and got him breakfast and lunch. He had to get 4 hours of hydration before he got chemo to make sure his kidneys would be okay while getting the chemo. This chemo is not the same chemo that he has been getting, he received high dose chemotherapy which is much stronger than what he is use to getting. The effects are going to be more evident later in the week. This chemo is suppose to knock out most of his cancer and then in a month he will get a second transplant to knock out the rest of it and hopefully cure him. As I have been doing research on Hodgkins Lymphoma transplant patients his chances for a cure are over 50% which is quite a high number. Lets keep praying that he will be cured, I think he had endured enough and deserves to be cancer free.

Derek's transplant overview

Hello everyone! I'm not much for blogging but I thought I better get it together. We have a lot of people who want to know how Derek is doing so I will be doing a daily blog on what he is doing and how he is doing. The day that he gets his stem cells back is called Day 0, any thing before is in the negative days and anything after is positive days. Its just a bit of transplant lingo to help you know where he is with the transplant. If you have any questions on what is going on then just let me know, its a bit confusing. This is an extremely stressful time and we appreciate everyone's love and support.

We are lame

Okay we haven't posted in a long time. Like 4 days before we got married, so clearly we stink at this blogging thing, we will try to be better. This will be nice when baby Camden gets here and we can post everything you never wanted to know about how raunchy his diaper is one day or how much he cried.