![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=91.6){kind=small}
Hello everyone! We are checked out of Stanford and currently in a little apartment place just down the block from the hospital. Everything is going really well with Justin. His numbers are looking great. His white blood cells are in the normal range. They took his catheter out last night because it was causing him a bacterial infection. Fighting fire with fire he said.. so its gone. But he wasn't really going to be needing it for much more anyway. He can do the last few meds through IV on his hand or so. We'll be here at least for a week is what I've heard. Due to the meds for the bacterial infection. He was very eager to get outside today when I came to pick him up. But I'm so not looking forward to this weekend, FOOTBALL non stop. Its the one thing he has LOVED about being in the hospital, he never has to change the channel away from the college football games. My parents just came by, they haven't seen him since we dropped him off on the 6th. But they came by with food and stuff for us to live on for the next week here in this little apartment. We hope you all had a great thanksgiving. And we'll be seeing you soon!
November 27th, 2009
happyNovember 5th, 2009
Justin checks into the hospital tomorrow, friday morning. He doesn't seem scared about that. Just concerned about his boredom while being confined to a small room for 24 hours a day. He'll be locked in there for most of the first 2 weeks he's at Stanford, until his blood counts and stuff start to climb back up.
He's already started chemo. He was feeling a bit worse today than he's been all week. Like they said he would though, so everything is going as planned. He'll be doing another day of chemo friday, a break on Saturday, chemo on sunday, a break on monday, chemo on tuesday. And then transplant day on Nov 12! They called this his second birthday. Thats the day they will give him back the stem cells we harvested just before my marathon. They said sadly, for the long day of harvesting.. the transplant is less than 5 minutes! I guess thats good. No fun being tied down all afternoon like usual.
He is going to be at Stanford for about the rest of the month. They said he could be leaving sometime around Thanksgiving. So we'll see how it all works out. See what his body decides to do. Hopefully it will work overtime and get these numbers up and moving and be done with this. Cause he's just as tired of it as anyone else is.
He's already started chemo. He was feeling a bit worse today than he's been all week. Like they said he would though, so everything is going as planned. He'll be doing another day of chemo friday, a break on Saturday, chemo on sunday, a break on monday, chemo on tuesday. And then transplant day on Nov 12! They called this his second birthday. Thats the day they will give him back the stem cells we harvested just before my marathon. They said sadly, for the long day of harvesting.. the transplant is less than 5 minutes! I guess thats good. No fun being tied down all afternoon like usual.
He is going to be at Stanford for about the rest of the month. They said he could be leaving sometime around Thanksgiving. So we'll see how it all works out. See what his body decides to do. Hopefully it will work overtime and get these numbers up and moving and be done with this. Cause he's just as tired of it as anyone else is.
If you'd like his email you can message me.. Or his hospital address..
In the meantime.. I signed up for the Winter Walk season and I'll once again be the webcaptain! I'm planning on doing the Oakland Marathon and possible the Kaiser San Francisco. :) We'll see! :)
In the meantime.. I signed up for the Winter Walk season and I'll once again be the webcaptain! I'm planning on doing the Oakland Marathon and possible the Kaiser San Francisco. :) We'll see! :)
October 21st, 2009
I FINISHED MY MARATHON! It was a great day for a marathon too. The weather was questionable.. but it pulled through at the last minute. The skies cleared up about mile 8. Heading down toward the cliffhouse to a clear view of the ocean was wonderful. I gained a few minutes. But I feel so many times better than I did last year after my marathon. So I'll deal with those few minutes. Time doesn't matter anyway. I started, I finished, and I didn't get injured along the way! Adorable Firemen from San Francisco were there at the finish line to hand us our little Tiffany's boxes with our finishers necklace in it. They are beautiful as always.
My team did awesome. Everyone finished without injury. So its been a great season. I'm really glad I got to know this team so well. I feel like a little family. I'm sad to see it over. But we've all agreed to get together every now and then.
Justin is doing well. He's had a few weeks off to recover. He had a great time at my marathon too, cheering all the teams on and taking photos. He'll be heading back to Stanford soon to begin chemo treatments. Then soon enough he'll be checking into Stanford to stay for a while. Hopefully he won't get super bored. But we'll see.
I've got the address if you'd like to mail him something. Just message me, email or facebook. There are certain food restrictions, so ask about those before you send anything. But something to entertain would probably be greatly appreciated. I don't know how many visitors will be allowed. Since he's kinda on "lock down" with the no immune system thing. But I'll get the info and share it here!
My team did awesome. Everyone finished without injury. So its been a great season. I'm really glad I got to know this team so well. I feel like a little family. I'm sad to see it over. But we've all agreed to get together every now and then.
Justin is doing well. He's had a few weeks off to recover. He had a great time at my marathon too, cheering all the teams on and taking photos. He'll be heading back to Stanford soon to begin chemo treatments. Then soon enough he'll be checking into Stanford to stay for a while. Hopefully he won't get super bored. But we'll see.
I've got the address if you'd like to mail him something. Just message me, email or facebook. There are certain food restrictions, so ask about those before you send anything. But something to entertain would probably be greatly appreciated. I don't know how many visitors will be allowed. Since he's kinda on "lock down" with the no immune system thing. But I'll get the info and share it here!
October 9th, 2009
Well lets start with the good news. Good news is we are on track with the Stanford time schedule. We had a bit of a change in plans with the hospital a week back. But things are going well, and everything is going on time. We should be done with Apherisis before my marathon. Which scary thought, is next Sunday. Eek.. only 9 more days. I'm ready though. I don't have much choice, I have to be. Its do or die time.
The bad news.. Justin's blood counts came back really low yesterday. He's going to need to get a blood transfusion. They said this is normal and happens to a lot of people. Its just not what we were hoping for. He goes today to get a blood test to help them match him up with the right blood. Then he'll go in tomorrow morning and get the transfusion. He asked if he should do it or would things improve, the doctor said he'll probably just get worse. So he didn't get left with much choice. So he's braving up again to get this done. Maybe they'll be able to use his Hickman Catheter instead of his arm though. Then it won't hurt since there is no poking!
That's all the news I have for now. We'll keep you in the loop. :)
The bad news.. Justin's blood counts came back really low yesterday. He's going to need to get a blood transfusion. They said this is normal and happens to a lot of people. Its just not what we were hoping for. He goes today to get a blood test to help them match him up with the right blood. Then he'll go in tomorrow morning and get the transfusion. He asked if he should do it or would things improve, the doctor said he'll probably just get worse. So he didn't get left with much choice. So he's braving up again to get this done. Maybe they'll be able to use his Hickman Catheter instead of his arm though. Then it won't hurt since there is no poking!
That's all the news I have for now. We'll keep you in the loop. :)
September 30th, 2009
Well Justin got the word this evening that we are back on for Chemo! The results to the many tests on his cough all came back negative. I guess its "just a cough". Which is all possible since the cough is really what started this WHOLE thing in the first place.
So news is we are back on for the chemo overnight and its scheduled for this Friday. Which works and doesn't. But we'll make it work. I'll just have to run from my marathon training on Saturday morning to Stanford to pick him up. I think it will be fine.
This also makes things a little easier.. but maybe still a bit tight.. for Nike! We are just hoping that his body responds SUPER well to the blood boosters, as previously they have, and he'll be able to get in and done with Apherisis with time to spare. We are also crossing our fingers that we don't have to do more than a few days of the Apherisis. Word is that it could take up to 5 days.. I'm hoping for about 2. :)
Good news! Guess you crossed your fingers and hoped with us.. well it worked! Thanks! :)
So news is we are back on for the chemo overnight and its scheduled for this Friday. Which works and doesn't. But we'll make it work. I'll just have to run from my marathon training on Saturday morning to Stanford to pick him up. I think it will be fine.
This also makes things a little easier.. but maybe still a bit tight.. for Nike! We are just hoping that his body responds SUPER well to the blood boosters, as previously they have, and he'll be able to get in and done with Apherisis with time to spare. We are also crossing our fingers that we don't have to do more than a few days of the Apherisis. Word is that it could take up to 5 days.. I'm hoping for about 2. :)
Good news! Guess you crossed your fingers and hoped with us.. well it worked! Thanks! :)
Monday went great. Justin's port from John Muir was removed and he had a his Hickman Catheter placed. His surgery was a bit over an hour, but he walked out feeling good. Tired and sore, but that's all just minor. He'll have to keep it clean and flush it daily so that the tubes don't get blocked up. We have a big bag of goodies to keep it under control.
Tuesday was a mess. Justin's been coughing for a little over a week. He's told everyone he can speak to. Finally last week he saw the Doctor's assistant from his oncology office here at John Muir. She gave him some antibiotics and sent him on his way. We showed up bright and early at Stanford to begin the overnight stay for chemo. He again mentioned this cough that hadn't yet gone away. He told them it'd been about a week or so, but that things weren't getting worse in sound or anything. They decided to run tests and figure out what was the matter before they began anything. So after 3 hours of fluids in prep for chemo they decided we were going to have to cancel the chemo and attempt it again next week. This is a big downer for us. We were ready to go, had all the dates on track. And now we are left wondering what happens with all the other days and in the long time line of events. This also makes a huge problem for my marathon. Can he go? Will he be on his shots? Will his counts be high enough to begin Apherisis? How will he get to Stanford? These questions are still left in the air at the moment.
He and I are crossing our fingers that we can push the chemo back to Wednesday, which will push the shots back a few days, and hopefully push the Apherisis back too, just after my marathon. So.. lets hope for the best!
Tuesday was a mess. Justin's been coughing for a little over a week. He's told everyone he can speak to. Finally last week he saw the Doctor's assistant from his oncology office here at John Muir. She gave him some antibiotics and sent him on his way. We showed up bright and early at Stanford to begin the overnight stay for chemo. He again mentioned this cough that hadn't yet gone away. He told them it'd been about a week or so, but that things weren't getting worse in sound or anything. They decided to run tests and figure out what was the matter before they began anything. So after 3 hours of fluids in prep for chemo they decided we were going to have to cancel the chemo and attempt it again next week. This is a big downer for us. We were ready to go, had all the dates on track. And now we are left wondering what happens with all the other days and in the long time line of events. This also makes a huge problem for my marathon. Can he go? Will he be on his shots? Will his counts be high enough to begin Apherisis? How will he get to Stanford? These questions are still left in the air at the moment.
He and I are crossing our fingers that we can push the chemo back to Wednesday, which will push the shots back a few days, and hopefully push the Apherisis back too, just after my marathon. So.. lets hope for the best!
September 25th, 2009
Things are winding down here with my marathon training, only 23 days till race day! Doing a BIG walk in the morning, 11 miles, mostly on the course track! Its great living right here in the same place as the race because we get to actually train on the course! A little advantage most people won't have. Well most being other than the 600+ who will be there BRIGHT and EARLY tomorrow morning!
Justin and I are just beginning our adventures at Stanford. We've finished the prep work and paper work. Now we are getting down to business. Monday is surgery day, removal of his port and implanting the device Stanford will use instead. We got a big bag of goodies to keep the device clean and sterile and hopefully with not problems! We'll get the drugs on tuesday to keep the blood clots away. Tuesday comes the first day of treatment and the first overnight stay. He'll be receiving a high dose of chemo that has major problems if you don't thoroughly flush it from the body. So besides the chemo they will pump him full of fluids so he'll be needing to pee nonstop! Sounds like fun. But definitely better than the other end of the spectrum, bleeding in the bladder. So here's to a night of potty runs!
I'm going to keep updating this throughout our Stanford time. However I don't think I'll put putting photos here, they are all accessible from my facebook page. Add me!
Off to rest for tomorrow is an early and LONG day. Where's my recovery drug cocktail?
Justin and I are just beginning our adventures at Stanford. We've finished the prep work and paper work. Now we are getting down to business. Monday is surgery day, removal of his port and implanting the device Stanford will use instead. We got a big bag of goodies to keep the device clean and sterile and hopefully with not problems! We'll get the drugs on tuesday to keep the blood clots away. Tuesday comes the first day of treatment and the first overnight stay. He'll be receiving a high dose of chemo that has major problems if you don't thoroughly flush it from the body. So besides the chemo they will pump him full of fluids so he'll be needing to pee nonstop! Sounds like fun. But definitely better than the other end of the spectrum, bleeding in the bladder. So here's to a night of potty runs!
I'm going to keep updating this throughout our Stanford time. However I don't think I'll put putting photos here, they are all accessible from my facebook page. Add me!
Off to rest for tomorrow is an early and LONG day. Where's my recovery drug cocktail?
okayJuly 1st, 2009
Well alot has happened between my last post and this one.
I've been training for a month now.
I've raised over $850 for Leukemia and Lymphoma Research.
And.... Justin's flu came and went.. but the cough and worry didn't. He had a scan that came back glowing. They assumed it was from him being sick. But to cancel out the worry they did a biopsy. Word came today that his biopsy shows active cancer. Once again, Justin has cancer. The details of where, when and what have not been determined. As they come I will update everyone.
So the "in remission" diagnosis was short lived..
I've been training for a month now.
I've raised over $850 for Leukemia and Lymphoma Research.
And.... Justin's flu came and went.. but the cough and worry didn't. He had a scan that came back glowing. They assumed it was from him being sick. But to cancel out the worry they did a biopsy. Word came today that his biopsy shows active cancer. Once again, Justin has cancer. The details of where, when and what have not been determined. As they come I will update everyone.
So the "in remission" diagnosis was short lived..
crushedJune 4th, 2009
We we had a bit of a scare with Justin last week.
He's been coughing for a while now. And the doctors have been back and forth with the idea that its due to his radiation treatments effecting his lungs. Well things didn't seem to be getting better, and actually they got worse. We were fearing that this could be back to the same way this whole cancer thing started. He had a scan on Wednesday. And friday evening he got a call from the doctor saying that his scan was "glowing", aka BAD. So they decided he should go see his oncologist Tuesday. So he kinda freaked out a little.. worried.. all that. Come tuesday.. he had a temperature of 105 and heads into the oncologist. The glowing is most likely because his lymph nodes are in overdrive trying to get him to not be sick according to the oncologist. He said most likely things will be back to normal in the scans when he isn't sick so not to panic. Since then he's been home puking and hacking.
So.. never been so happy to have the flu.
He's been coughing for a while now. And the doctors have been back and forth with the idea that its due to his radiation treatments effecting his lungs. Well things didn't seem to be getting better, and actually they got worse. We were fearing that this could be back to the same way this whole cancer thing started. He had a scan on Wednesday. And friday evening he got a call from the doctor saying that his scan was "glowing", aka BAD. So they decided he should go see his oncologist Tuesday. So he kinda freaked out a little.. worried.. all that. Come tuesday.. he had a temperature of 105 and heads into the oncologist. The glowing is most likely because his lymph nodes are in overdrive trying to get him to not be sick according to the oncologist. He said most likely things will be back to normal in the scans when he isn't sick so not to panic. Since then he's been home puking and hacking.
So.. never been so happy to have the flu.
May 23rd, 2009
I have joined with Team In Training again for another season of the Nike Women's Marathon! I hope that we can again have your continued support in this never ending battle against Cancer. Justin and I are both thankful for your support and encouraging words during last year. And we hope you are along with us for this marathon of a season.
Just a little background/update. As many of you know, my brother Justin, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma (aka Hodgkin's Disease) on Feb. 29, 2008 after a month of testing. Doctors moved rather quickly and he began Chemo treatments on April 1st. He wrapped up Chemo on my birthday, Sept. 3, 2008 and took a month or so off to regain some strength. Overall he had great success with the Chemo and took to it really well. He didn't have any major problems or sickness from the treatments as they had warned him about. After Chemo they decided to do a short round of Radiation, that began around Halloween and continued through the holidays. in January 2009 they officially finished all the treatments and started the waiting game. A month later they did scan of his body to check on the cancer, and officially announced him "In remission"! This had been a long year, but a great one in the end. With the support of all our friends and family he made it through successfully and is back to leading a rather normal life of a 28 year old! He'll continue to deal with the scans and doctors appointments for the next few years. But as long as things stay the way they are now, its just a quick checkup. And in 5 years they can call him "Cancer Free"!
I have joined with Team In Training again for another season, this time I will be the Web Captain of the team. Mentoring new members as well as keeping a photographic log of our events. This is nothing new for me as I did it last year on my own! Keep checking in my blog and photo album for more updates and photos of the 2009 season.
Once again thank you for your support and contributions in this time of economic stress! Every little bit helps. On that note, I have teamed up with Bank of America and they will double my funds! How you ask? Well, any cash or check donations sent to me, and written to my name, I will collect and give to Bank of America. They will take those donations and double them! That means your $20 donation that you wish could be more, is now $40! Amazing. It really adds up quickly when you think about it. Its a great resource that I hope many of you will consider using. If you'd like to just donate here online that would be awesome as well! However Bank of America will not double those funds.
I hope you will continue to visit my websites. Please share this with your friends and family! Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support!
http://picasaweb.google.com/JessicaMEstr
http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/nikes
crazy