The "Good" Cancer

Today, yes a day earlier than expected, we heard from Dr. Jones about the liver biopsy. She said they have confirmed that this is low grade neuroendocrine tumor which is the "good" pancreatic cancer! It did begin in the pancreas and metastasized to the liver. It's amazing that we'd be happy about this but this is the rarer form of pancreatic cancer that has proven to be more treatable (not curable). There is a lot of research being done in this area and they will try some new treatments that are just in the trial phase right now. She was very positive and said we would meet tomorrow to discuss the treatment plan. She said she will take Craig's case to the "liver board" tomorrow morning and receive input from other doctors regarding his treatment. Thanks for everyone's prayers and positive thoughts. I think they're working!!

Mr. Red Face

Craig's face went red yesterday, not from embarassment (Craig get embarassed, come on!) but from possibly penetrating the liver during the biopsy. It's still red today as you can see in the picture. He looks sunburned. The doctor didn't seem concerned so we're going with the new look (it does look better than last Sunday's picture, don't you think?). He's feeling ok today...he hasn't taken any drugs hoping to get his system to settle down. Last night was brutal for him. Every new drug he takes seems to cause a new problem and most likely it's more diarrhea (I know you wanted to read that but it's the truth!) Thanks to everyone who calls, replies to the blog, sends emails, stops by, leaves large sums of cash in unmarked envelopes. We really appreciate the love and concern.

The liver biopsy

The liver biopsy is done. They told us to go to the U Hospital at 8:45 am. We parked, made our way through the construction and down the dreary halls of the hospital and were sitting in radiology for 1/2 hour waiting...then they said we should be at Huntsman. We were happy to leave the U and head up to Huntsman. The difference is amazing and it does so much to lift your spirits being in a beautiful place that's not under construction and doesn't really look like a hospital at all. So "thank you Jon Huntsman"! At Huntsman they got us right in and did an ultrasound to look at Craig's liver to see if they could see the tumors, if they couldn't, then we wouldn't be able to have the biopsy. But the tumors were visible and they proceeded with the biopsy. Craig was slightly sedated and the skin and area of his liver was sedated also. The ultrasound wand was placed on his right side until they found the exact spot where they wanted to biopsy. A little "needle holder" was attached to the wand and the doctor slid the very long needle through that and into Craig's liver. Craig had to hold his breath so his liver wouldn't move. I could see the needle appear on the screen as they entered the liver. Then the needle has a little grabber hook that comes out and snags a snippet of his liver and withdraws it back into the needle and they pull out the needle and deposit the sample in a little cup. They did that five times and took different samples from two of the tumors they could see on the right side. Craig didn't feel much and what he did feel was just a little pressure luckily. He conversed and said a few funny things while they were doing the procedure. He was taken into recovery where he slept for 1.5 hours and I played games on my iTouch! I had great intentions of catching up my journal but my brain just wanted to zone out for awhile. We went to lunch at The Point after he woke up and he did pretty well. He felt ok and was able to walk and talk just fine. We met with Dr. Jones after and she made a change on the drug he was taking since it's not giving the result they want. Now he'll be taking a pancreas enzyme to replace what the pancreas isn't producing. We'll see if that helps him get his system slowed down. The results from the biopsy won't be ready until next Tuesday. That's the day we'll find out the course of treatment. Craig is a trooper and still smiles and is already being referred to as the "nice guy" by the staff at Huntsman who have just met him. That's my Craiger!

Waiting and waiting

I'm feeling frustrated...waiting for the biopsy tomorrow has been too many days. Then I know that we won't know anything yet so we'll wait more days for the results. I'm frustrated because Craig still has cancer and nothing is being done yet to stop it. OK, I know he's getting the octreotide shots 3X a day, but they've only made his symptoms worse. He's just not feeling that great. I need to be more patient but I'm not good at that. I want help for him now and I want someone to make the cancer go away!

On the good news of the day...we had family pictures taken this afternoon at Wheeler Farm by Heather George, expert photographer. She took about 500 pictures...so something should turn out ok. She took Chase's senior pictures and then the family, the kids and Craig, me and Craig. It was bittersweet. When she told Craig and I to look at each other, I started crying. The reality of the situation and why we were taking the pictures became very real.

Pray for us tomorrow!! Thanks for everyone's love and concern. Craig says to keep smiling...that's what we did for 2 hours today at Wheeler Farm!

The love fest

What amazing people we are surrounded by in our ward, our neighborhood and our families. We had an incredible day on Sunday. The Holladay 25th Ward (best ward by far in the church) held a fast for Craig and a special prayer at the conclusion of fast meeting. Bishop Scott Wilmarth, just one week on the job, conducted the meeting and created a very special spirit for all of us. We so appreciate the friends and family who came to the meeting and who participated in the service by bearing their testimonies. How we could ever be worthy to be thought about like this is hard to imagine. All we can say is that it was a major love fest all day which fed us spiritually, mentally and physically. It has taken us through the night and into today with the positive energy flowing around our house. Thanks to Craig's brother Scott for organizing the food for all the families. We love you Scott! Thanks to everyone for taking the time to be with us and for bringing tasty food. We really can't think of any people we'd rather be with. We love you all so very much!
Craig has had a fairly good day on Monday. The shots are still making him a little nauseous for about an hour but he toughs his way through it. He's more tired now and we're not sure if that is because of the drugs or that he's listening more to his body and knows it needs more rest. I know I'm experiencing the "tireds" each afternoon, thank heaven for The Store, crunchy ice and diet Coke with a fresh lemon or lime!

Craig's sister Lisa is a diabetic and gave us "shot" lessons yesterday. I learned to stab him more like throwing a dart than sliding it in like sewing. Craig seems to appreciate the lesson and has been complimenting my shot giving all day! Thanks Lisa, we love you!

Chase had his final AP Government test today and will have his AP Calculus and AP English tests on Wed. and Thurs. He is great at staying focused on what needs to be done. He has a positive attitude and keeps the tears hidden (unlike his mother) in order to maintain his "Senior Dude" persona.

Maddie is also alive and finds this blogging thing ridiculous. Our lives are not that exciting. (Written by Maddie...I told her it's my blog and I can say what I want.) This is a picture of her with her cute cousins Lexi and Ellie.

Craig says keep smiling!! He really does have a great attitude and stays positive through it all. We are trying to wait patiently for the liver biopsy on Thursday and getting the results from that.

First Drugs

Friday was Craig's first day to receive a drug by injection to start helping the diarrhea and cancer. So far it has worked well...the diarrhea has increased! Ha Ha. He is supposed to have shots 3 times a day of octreotide for the next week to see how he tolerates it. Then it will be a monthly shot. I get to administer the shot in his love handles (they have come in handy!) The nurse yesterday commented that he didn't have much fat to shoot into. That made him happy. It is the first of many drugs he will receive.

We did get a chance earlier on Friday to go to Skyline's "SOW" (Skyline Officer Winners) assembly which Chase and a lot of neighborhood kids have been involved with. We've always appreciated the great friends our children have and it was good for Craig to see them. You could tell that they were concerned and showed their kindness and love for our children and us. Craig has really enjoyed being involved in their lives over the years.

This has been tough on Chase and Madison. They have been great given the difficulty of dealing with this. In the last couple of days we have seen some hope that their life will get back to some degree of normalcy.

Thanks for all your love and concern. Think happy thoughts and smile - it goes a long way!

Suzy and Craig

The lesser of two evils

We did get some good news from Huntsman Cancer doctor Kimberly Jones on Thursday. The type of pancreatic cancer Craig most likely has is neuroendocrine tumors which is better than adenopancreatic cancer which is what Randy Pausch "The Last Lecture" guy had. This is a newer type of pancreatic cancer and the research on it is progressing which might give Craig a little more time than first thought and that makes us very happy. Craig is feeling well with just a little discomfort in the abdomen and frequent bathroom breaks. Friday he will receive instructions on a diuretic shot we will administer 3 times a day to help with the diarrhea. Next week a biopsy of the liver, then chemo.

We feel so blessed to have so many people remembering us. Thank you to everyone for being there for us. Craig is such a sweet, humble guy and is really reticent to receive the attention. Please keep him in your prayers.