Chris Updates

Some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next.
Delicious ambiguity….
                                                -gilda radner
April 21, 2008
I am often reminded of the great quote by Gilda and the uncertainty of life. I am certain today that my luck and health is continuing to improve.
Tim and I returned from Houston late last week after another successful trip. I was given every test known to man kind, and they all came back clear. Once again, I am thrilled to be where I am today. I will return to Houston around mid August for another follow-up and to also have a minor surgery performed to correct my nasal passages. Scar tissue has formed in my nose from the radiation and it is not allowing me to breathe. I was given the green light on this surgery by my oncologist and I’m thrilled to think I will be breathing again soon. A good problem to have!
Once again, thank you for your prayers and calls.
My prayers are also with Blake (Kathy’s husband) as he continues this ugly fight against cancer.
Love,
Chris
January 24, 2008
Over the finish line!
Well, Tim gave you the details on a successful trip to MDACC last week. I was fortunate to have my friend Barbie go with me as Tim was out with pnenoma. Barbie kept things light as we laughed our way through Houston. Tim is still fighting the pnenoma and I’m hoping will feel better soon. It’s been going on over 5 weeks now.
As Tim said my tests came back clean and this took a huge weight off my shoulders. I also was told I am not a candidate for the vaccination because I didn’t have surgery on my nose. Well, that was a happy choice I didn’t have to make for myself. I had worried about the vaccination treatment and that I don’t have the stamina to take it on for a 2 year stint at this point.
So my course of treatment will be to religiously have Pet Scans every 3 months for a couple years then time will allow me to space in out in 6 month intervals and so on.    My next visit to MDACC will include a possible day surgery so I can breathe better.
I want to again thank family and friends for their endless support.   I don’t know how someone in my situation would survive without the support I received. Your notes, cards and calls have strengthened my soul to no end.
To everyone that has stepped up to help me, I hope that I can repay someday with the kindness and love you’ve shown me.
Thanks to Tim for standing by me through this mess. If it wasn’t for him, I know I wouldn’t have received the standard of care I’ve got and might not have crossed the finish line! Thanks to my sister for endless trips to Denver along with Denise (Missy). You both dropped everything in your lives to accommodate helping me at a moments notice. I can’t count the number of times they’ve visited Denver this year.
Thanks also to Erin and Barbie for helping me for a weeks jaunt in the hospital and traveling to Houston.
I can’t forget my little man who has weathered this storm like a champ. Devin’s sweet spirit and soul has brought me hope in a time that was filled with chaos.
In closing, I am a lucky girl. I have been blessed with incredible family and friends. (Blessed that my parents moved to Denver in a time I really needed them.)

Thanks again to Missy for providing this outlet of support via web site. I had asked Missy to close down this site a few months ago. She insisted we waited until this trip to MDACC was completed. What a gift she gave me to correspond with everyone through such a hard process. Thanks again Missy.
It’s nice to sign off on a positive note. It's bittersweet signing off and brings tears to my eyes. What a year it has been.
To all of my family and friends, I love you and thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will be indebted forever.
To my other friends and family fighting their own health issues, hang in there and my prayers are with you.
With lots of love and great hope 2008.
Chris

January 20, 2008

Wanted to let you all know Chris had her follow up at MD Anderson last week and all is clear. Our good friend Barbie went with her due to me having a little bout with pneumonia. Chris was in good hands with our good friend. The Dr's at MDACC took many images to include CT/MRI's and happy to report no signs of cancer. We will also meet with our CU Dr this week for our NASA redundancy process. But we expect the same prognosis. This will be the first of 3-4 times a year over the next year or two, but very positive none the less. Dr Meyer's the head of ENT at MDACC and a very acclaimed cancer surgeon said he can address Chris's breathing through her nose challenges with day treatment next visit in April-May while having her next check up. (Radiation has created scar tissue which has created breathing problems for her.)

We hope you all had a nice and safe holiday season and we feel strongly that 2008 will be a great year.

You don't know how much strength Chris garners as she reviews her site knowing her web site has had almost 3,000 hits! Thank you for your words of encouragement and prayers.

Love,
Tim

December 19, 2007

Dear Family and Friends,
I want to wish all of you a very Happy Holiday and best wishes for all of you.
Thank you for supporting me through an amazing year. I can only pray 2008 will bring great and wonderful things to our life.
My sister and family will be visiting us during the Christmas Holiday which always brings a ton of brightness to our family. Her family is delightful and brings a lot of laugh to the McEntee, Lythgoe, Frischknecht families.
This year, I feel even more blessed with the events that have occurred and where I am today. Three weeks out from radiation and I feel pretty darn good.
I have been “nurse betty” the past week with my two guys. They both contracted Influenza A and have been sick puppies now going on 6 days. I can only hope that the next week brings light to our cabin. (I think they are paying me back for the year I’ve put them through and checking my stamina. Well I’m back and I’m ready for them to knock it off!)
My dad heads in the first week of January for his hip replacement. This procedure is well over due and we know once he completes this he will be on the slopes and golfing soon. His quality of life will only get better. He has put off this much need surgery for years and then when I got sick it was delayed.
So our prayers will be with the Marv man. Also, prayers to a couple of friends in this loop of cancer whose husband was recently diagnosed and also a good friend of Denise and Willie’s. Also, my sister in law Jackie as she waits for a liver transplant which we hope will be early 08.
We will keep the faith going for everyone. It’s not easy but the support makes it bearable.
Happy Holidays.
With Love,
Chris

11/28/2007
The Finish Line
Well, I knew the end of my “spa" treatments was coming, but everything ended rather abruptly with my final radiation treatment today. I received a call last night that the radiation machine had broken and treatment was going to be delayed a day or so. As you might imagine I couldn’t believe it, and with my nose almost touching the finish line!! About 11:00am today they called me back and informed me the machine was fixed and off to CU I went to finish the final 33^rd treatment.
I want to thank everyone for your support, love, encouragement and for standing by me and my family through this very tough adventure.
My next steps will be to meet with the radiation doctor and regular oncologist in early January in CO and will return to MD Anderson in mid January to meet with my surgeon and oncologist there and redo scans etc. The possibility of doing a one year vaccination to be given every three weeks will be discussed and any other options at this appointment.
At this point, I want to thank my dear friend Denise for the beautiful gift of this web site. I want to thank all my family, friends and husband who have stepped up to get me through this process. Your support has been there constantly and a source of stability throughout my treatment.
I continue to hope and pray that my road brings nothing but good health from here on out. If life changes, I know I have the best support system anyone could wish for. If it wasn’t for my family and friends like you the finish line would have been impossible. I’m blessed to have surrounded myself with some of the best souls in the world.
Happy Holidays and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. None of you will ever know how you’ve affected my life!
With love,
Chris

November 18, 2007
Well, I have 6 more spa treatments left (as Missy calls it) and I will be finishing my radiation the end of November. I’m not sure I’ve had such anticipation and excitement for a month to come to an end. I officially look like “Rudolph” and my nose is really sore. At least I’m approaching the right season!
This last week, I was blessed to reconnect with Mom and Dad’s family of my uncles, aunts and cousins. Unfortunately, my mom lost her brother bringing us together in Utah for his funeral. We feel that he is in a better place right now and that his suffering will not have to continue. We will all miss him and pray that everything will work out for Aunt Joyce (Uncle Don’s wife) along with their children Stacey and Larry. Our thoughts and prayers are continually with Mom’s other brother Uncle Bob along with Aunt Lois and their kids.
There road as well is become a hard one to travel on and we pray that time will make this better as Uncle Bob encounters a very tough road ahead.
I had an experience the last couple of days while I was in Utah that really touched my spirit and soul. Debbie wasn’t able to make it (we missed her) and she had talked with my cousin Stacey beforehand about the “boys” (my cousins, uncle and dad) giving me a blessing. My sister works in mysterious ways! I tried to resist it and get out of it as I felt that the focus and remembrance was about Uncle Don and not me. As the services came to close my cousin Jeff and Larry gave me a blessing. There was something about their hands on top of my head that gave me a certain calmness and strength. I wish Tim could have been there.
I was truly blessed to think most of our family was there and that everyone would take time out of their busy schedule to set aside a few minutes of prayer for me. Once again, I thank everyone for their prayers from family and friends to new friends that I don’t even know personally. It means a lot.
Thank you to Stacey for pulling it together along with Jeff, Larry, Brad, Uncle Bob, Kent, Wes, and Dad and for Debbie instigating it.
The picture on my website is of my five cousins from my Mom’s side that I have grown up with my whole life. It’s been a long time since we were all able to reconnect and some of us didn’t recognize each other. What we did recognize and joke about was we weren’t sitting at the “kids” table anymore! With only a total of seven grandchildren on this side of our family we always had a special relationship. We truly missed Debbie.
I wish each of you a blessed and safe Thanksgiving. I have more than my share to be thankful for and for all of you with your showering of support.
Have a nice Turkey day.
Love,
Chris

November 5th, 2007

Well Chris is on the back end slide of her radiation treatments. Her nose is starting to get a little raw inside and out, but very little complaining from my tough little wife. Her pal Denise Harman (Missy) came in from SLC last Tue and stayed through Sunday. She went to Chris's "spa" treatments together and then went to bkfst. Missy was helping me keep some weight on Chris. Missy also dressed up as a Firewoman with Devin's Fireman for Halloween (see picture above) and not only went to school with him in the outfit but also trick or treated with Devin and his best friend Anna. We finished the week with a couple of days in the mtns. Weather was wonderful and mtns charged us all up for another week of spa treatments. Denise is a great friend for both of us we are very blessed to have her in our life. (she is also this web site's publisher)

Chris will finish radiation up on Nov 27th and then be due for a long deserved break and lot's of loving. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Love
Tim

Well, big thanks to Missy for her continued surprises to my web site. (I told her she needs to do this professionally!)   The song that Denise added is one of my favorite from “Garth Brooks”. This song has brought many smiles to Devin and me on our driving adventures the past couple years. So hearing this song when I need inspiration really makes me happy. I hope all of you enjoy it too!
I started my radiation today. Mom and Dad went with me. Devin had donuts with dad and I made Tim go vs. joining me. So 1 visit down another 32 to go.
I think I see THE light at the end of the tunnel. I’m just sure of it.
Thanks again to my family and friends for their endless support.
Love,
Chris

September 27th 2007

Dear All,

We returned late last night from yet another trip to MD Anderson in Houston. MDACC was not comfortable making their tumor board review and prognosis last week off of PET-CT imaging from CU. So they had us come back for another full round of image testing to make sure that they were making a recommendation from their own very carefully ( I must agree) imaging. The GOOD NEWS is CHRIS IS CANCER FREE!!!!! That doesn't mean that she might not still have remnants of cancer cells. That will be addressed with limited radiation to the nose. SO,, my beautiful bride gets to keep her cute little pug nose that I adore so much! Yesterday was a very heartening and happy day for our family. We want to continue to thank all of you who are supporting Chris. She will begin radiation in the next week or so and be done in 7-8 weeks. Yeah!!!!!!!!!

Love
Tim

September 23, 2007
Hi Family and Friends,
The month of September has brought some surprises. I’ve been meaning to drop you all a short note to update you. Though I must admit my update is fairly complicated since everything has been so undetermined at this point, or should I say not set it stone.
The first part of September caught us all by surprise with the “cardiac arrest”. This as you can imagine set me back a bit. I feel blessed that I was so close to the hospital (well like in it) or circumstances would have been a lot different.
My joke is the real bummer was they cut off my favorite jeans! You know how girls love their jeans. They just happened to be my Lucky’ brand jeans so I’m feeling like I got “lucky” even though my jeans are toast!
Daily I am reminded of the support we are blessed with. So many family and friends giving support and prayers. Your support has been so generous for me, Tim and our son Devin. This really keeps my spirit going, more than you will ever know.
Tim and I were at MDA-Houston again this week, and we are heading back once again this week. I am having my Pet-CT Scan redone at MD Anderson because the clarity of the one from CU wasn’t precise enough for MDA to make their final recommendation. If my scan shows any sign of live cancer cells then I will have a day surgery on Thursday to remove what little is left of my original tumor. This will be to remove any bulkage and “the” sore that I’ve had in my nose forever.
Also, if my nodes in the back of my throat show any signs of cancer cells then this will also determine my radiation treatment plans which will begin some time in early October. If the nodes light up I will be doing radiation on my nose and throat. If not, we’re just going for the nose right now. This will mean 7-8 weeks of treatment. This therapy is really what I’m hoping to occur, because the potential side effects increase when going for your throat. I will start my radiation in the next 1-3 weeks depending on if we do the day surgery or not. Surgery delays radiation therapy for another 2 weeks.
So, I’m blessed with being able to have expert opinions by multiple doctors but it’s also a bit overwhelming to determine all options at this time.
I feel I still need to just stay focus on one piece at a time.
Thank you again for all your support and love.
Love,
Chris

More thoughts from sister "Venus":
      I think Tim and I are classic Mars/Venus. Tim has done a great job of updating everyone about the details of Chris's most recent scare. He remembers every detail of her care. Every conversation with every doctor, every medication and the name of every nurse. There is no one on earth that could love,protect, and get Chris through this maze of decisions and treatments like Tim is. Tim remembers the mechanics. My heart tends to get stuck in the emotion, which I'd like to share.
     I have been trying to process and make sense of everything that happened last week.We were feeling so blessed (still do) that Chris has had such a great response to the biochemo. After 3 recent rounds, 7 total of chemo, the news that radiation without surgery might possibly finish off the cancer monster made the sky blue and the sun bright.
     Then, last Tuesday a tornado called cardiac arrest descended on Chris's life and sucked us all up with it. It spun us around until we (including the doctors) were shaken and confused. We felt constant turn your stomach upside down fear, until the wind finally calmed and we realized no permanent damage was done.
     Tim said that walking into the ICU and seeing Chris hooked up to every conceivable monitor was one of the low points in his life. I felt the same way. When I walked into her room she scared me. She was sick. The kind of sick that makes beads of sweat form on your temples and is only tolerable if you close your eyes and no one makes a sound. That night Tim let me stay with her. He spent the previous two nights sleeping in a chair by her bedside.I kept looking at her and in my heart asking God, WHY? After all that her body has endured,WHY? This blow came out of nowhere.
     I knew when Tim originally called me that Chris had been in cardiac arrest, that her heart had stopped. Briefly, I thought. On Friday morning the two doctors that were with her when it happened stopped by her room and told us how scared they both were. They said it took at least 2-3 minutes to get her heart started again. Hearing exactly what happened first person brought the reality home to me. I almost lost my sister Tuesday! I felt the initial panic all over again intensified. Then I felt gratitude for yet another huge blessing. If she had been anywhere other than in a hospital with a nurse by her side and two M.D.'s on the other side of the door she probably wouldn't have survived. If she had been home alone or driving a car or anywhere other than where she was, we would have lost her.
     Back to the WHY I struggled with. I believe God had a hand in helping her body say ENOUGH because her spirit simply wouldn't.
     On Tuesday Chris had no heartbeat. On Friday she was moved from Intensive Care. On Saturday morning she was released from the hospital. By Saturday night she was in her cute jeans and high heels, hair and make-up perfect, sitting in a great restaurant having dinner with her husband, son and sister. I am in " pick your jaw up off the floor" awe of my baby sister!
     We have every reason to believe that Chris will completely slay the cancer monster . It's a huge miracle. A miracle that Heavenly Father, spurred on by all the prayers of those who love and care about her is creating. Please keep praying. I know without any doubt that we are, praying her better.
                                    Love,
                                       Debbie

September 8th, 2007 12pm

Well we broke Chris out about an hour ago. We had scheduled a final 6am EKG and blood workup with cardiologist last night so she could get out before the cardiologist made his rounds this morning; then he didn't release her around 8am as promised. At 10:15 Chris basically told the nurse that she was leaving. At 10:30 the cardiologist showed up and released Chris. The tests came back OK and she is now home, or should I say going with her son and sister to get some sunshine!!

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.

Love
Tim

September 7, 2007 4pm

Well it has been a wild couple of days. After many, many tests and several perplexed cardiologist they finally figured out that the anti nausea drugs that Chris has been prescribed with her treatments, and after them are causing the occasional irregular heart beat. She seems to have had an adverse reaction over time, and it appears this was the culprit for her cardiac arrest on Tue. So they removed them, and also added a beta blocker to her daily regiment. It appears to be doing the trick and we almost got out (yes it does feel like breaking out of prison at times) today, but they wanted her levels on one of her tests to decrease slightly to ensure no episode could occur when she is home. She has been given excellent care and the nurses continue to be truly amazing!! Now we have new friends in the ER and the Intensive Care units as well at CU!! :) So keep your fingers crossed and we will keep you posted.

Tim

September 6, 2007 2pm

Ok-where do I start? Chris and I attended a radiology consult together on Tue afternoon. It was a fairly intense consult. After the consult the radiology team had scheduled to do Chris's radiation treatment planning scans. They basically make a mask that covers your face and then bolt you down for scans and subsequent therapies. Well right after she finished this somewhat overwheling ordeal, she was still on the table when she went into what they thought was a siezure and cardiac arrest. Chris was given CPR and they used paddles to get her heart beat back into sync, this only took a few minutes Then rushed her to the ER on the other side of hospital. I had gone back to work after the consult and was informed right after they resuscitated her and was back at hospital within 20 minutes.

Now for the good news, all tests have come back negative from a brain MRI and chest CT to echo cardiogram of her heart. So it appears that her heart is not damaged and that she does not have any tumors or lesions that could be causing this. It was not a heart attack, no enzymes were evident that would mark a heart attack. So they/we are perplexed. It appears we will be going from ICU to a regular room later today to be watched over for another day or so. Sorry about delay in updating everyone, but just didn't have a lot to report on what was happening.

She is and has been in pretty good spirits and fully awake and talking. I will keep you all posted as we try and figure this out.

Tim

September 2, 2007 11am

I am very happy to report that Chris is recovering quickly from this last round. Her spirits are good and Devin is thrilled to have his Mom home. Thanks for all your support. I know Chris looks at this site several times a day, and garners some of her strength from it!!

Love
Tim

August 31, 2007 8pm

I am happy to report Chris is home in her little bed. She did extremely well today with Erin supervising her departure.

Thanks for all your support.

Love
Tim

August 30th 5pm 2007

Another beautiful night and day for Chris. This morning Erin gave her the dreaded shower (dreaded by me) and Chris slept most of the day. Her parents were here a good part of the day along with Martia visiting. Her commrade in arms Sandy came by also to check on her last night. We just finished what we hope is her last (ever) chemo drug. She will get some bio drugs in am tomorrow and then we wean her off the dopamine and take our Princess home to her awaiting son by dinner time tomorrow. Erin has been a great help. Not sure why I didn't bring the surgical/ER nurse in before round 7!? duh!

We appreciate all your thoughts and prayers. Keep them up and I will keep you posted.

Love
Tim

August 29th 8am 2007

Chris did beautifully yesterday. She literally slept soundly the entire day. Erin spent time with her later in the day and Chris kicked her out about 9pm as she dosed off again. She had a good night but they had to push fluids due to her typically low blood pressure. Our little trooper has a Zen like ability to take this beating and sleep through it! Let's hope it continues through week. Her last chemo drop is tomorrow.,,, Hopefully forever. we'll have her home for the long weekend by 3-4pm on Friday.

I'll keep you posted.

Love
Tim

August 28th, 9am 2007

Well Chris is resting well after completing day 1 of what we hope is her last bio-chemo round. She is somewhat of a celebrity around here due to her response and numerous visits. The nurses tried a new anti nausea drug yesterday that seemed to help with the more difficult first round. Her personal nurse (and lifelong friend) Erin cared for her all night and she only got sick a couple of times. Erin introduced Sprite into Chris's rigid regimen of no food or anything and it seemed to help. (Helps having your own seasoned nurse!!!!:)

We will keep you posted on how she does over the next few days.

Love
Tim

August 26th, 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you for your love and support. As I head into chemo tomorrow for my 5 day stay, I pray it goes quickly. I couldn't ask for better news as this point. I truly feel blessed that things are progressing in such a positive manner.
I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for my strong support system.
My special thanks to Erin for jumping in at the last minute to help my family with this last round.

Tim says that my medical "high maintenance" should count for dog years with me. Ummm... not sure on that one!

Please keep me in your prayers.
Love,
Chris

August 26th, 2007

I am happy to report more good news. Chris's latest scans were reviewed at MD Anderson's weekly tumor board and the recommendation back from MDACC and previously CU Medical Center was to proceed with what we hope is her last round of chemo for now and she will then move to low a dose radiation therapy in the next few weeks. Radial therapy is performed as an out patient and will take about an hour a day for 4-5 weeks. We are being led to believe that surgery is not required due to the success of Chris's response to chemo therapy. Recent PET-CT scans not only show the tumor has shrunk dramatically but it no longer shows up "hot" on the PET scan. Meaning that if there are remnants of the cancer left they are microscopic and do not read on the PET imaging. Our little stud is ready for this last round and has kept her spirits high, although she is getting a little short with my sense of humor!

We have Chris's good friend Erin coming in from Utah. Erin is a nurse at LDS so I will be taking notes from her on this last round. All kidding aside I think we will be able to take extra care of her. Although I think she will miss her sister Deb and Missy though! Me too!!!

Keep us in your prayers.
Love
Tim

August 20th, 2007

Sorry for such a long delay in updates, but really have not had much to report. Chris got scanned late last week for a planned follow up apt for today. Then we get a call from our oncologist's nurse on Friday afternoon somewhat ecstatic and asked for Chris to call her. Well, they wanted to let us know before we went up to the mtns for the weekend and prior to our planned apt for Monday that the PET-CT scan came back very positive. So today we learned after they received the radiologist report that the tumor had shrunk dramatically and that her cancer no longer shows up in the PET scan of her body or even the tumor or "source" of the melanoma in her nose. So that means we have eradicated the massing of Cancer, but we know we did that 3 years ago and it came back at the source. So,,,,,, what does that all mean. Well we will confer with the team of Dr's we have involved at MD Anderson this week, but the CU teams recommendation at this point is one more round of chemo next week and then do a very specific radiation therapy to eradicate any cells that are left at the microscopic level at the sources in her nose. If this protocol is pursued and agreed upon by MD Anderson Chris might be able to avert the dreaded nose surgery. Too early to be sure, we really want to make sure we have consensus between the two top teams of Dr's to include oncologist, surgical oncologist and radial oncologists at both MD Anderson and CU. As you can imagine this news has us cautiously optimistic that Chris could be through her therapies in 8 weeks.

Chris's niece Brianna has been with us for the past 4 weeks and has been a tremendous help with Devin and caring for Chris after her last treatment. Of course we had Denise come in for that round too so we've had lot's of support. I also want to thank you all for providing so much support to Chris through this web site and letters/calls. I know it means the world to both of us.

This week we will confer with our Dr's and we do have Chris scheduledfor what we hope is her last bio chemo round starting next Monday the 27th.

We'll keep you posted.

Love
Tim

August 14, 2007 - Chris

Well, everyone keeps asking for an update and things are really quiet. I will be going in the first of next week to review a current Pet CT Scan with my doctor. After that it will be sent on to MDA to get their opinion as well.
As this point, it should lay the ground work of which way we are heading. Not too sure at this point where we are going!
I really can't get too ahead of myself or it brings on stress and questions that I can't begin to ponder or answer yet. It's the one day at a time theory. Focusing on each day and not getting ahead of myself has become more important than ever. Maybe I need a little more meditation or yoga in my life!
So one of us will update you in the next week or so on any changes that maybe occurring.
Thanks again to my family and friends for their ''check in's" and support through this web site. It's truly a blessing for me, my family and friends.
Reading one line on a dreary day is the inspiration I need to pull it together.
Just don't be confused. I think sometimes it's harder for family and friends than the patients. It's not easy been one of them and being on the receiving end for all the ones I love. This is been the hardest thing for me is watching the disappointment and stress through my spouse, family and friends endure. Of course everyone does an exceptional job at holding it together in front of me.
Missy left Sunday and boy we will miss her. She continues to be an inspiration and never stops giving :)
Keep the faith.
Love,
Chris

August 4, 2007 12:30pm (MDT)

Chris just finished her last bio med and will now be weaned off her dopamine and dashing home.....Ok dashing might be a little much. Hope to have her home in a couple of hours. She has her Mom and pal Missy here with us now to keep her smiling throughout final hours.

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. Round two is pretty much in the can!

thanks
Tim

August 3, 2007

Well Chris did very well with her third round yesterday and will begin her fourth round in about an hour. Her fifth and final round tomorrow is a lighter round of two of the five drugs she's been taking. She will finish that by noon tomorrow and then we begin the process to get her home. Hope to have her home by 4pm tomorrow.

Marita looked out for Chris this morning and I know Chris appreciates that and the visit from Diane. Her pal Missy will be in late today and will spend some time with Chris tonight and help us take care of her next week. As I've said before it continues to amaze me how many special friends Chris has in this world.

We'll keep you posted.

thanks
Tim

August 2, 2007

Chris's 2nd round went well and she had a good night. Blood-pressure still a concern. Instead of increasing her dopamine I offered to the nurse to talk to her about things I knew would piss her off, but they said that wasn't medically sound!?

Our good friend David Clayton took the infamous morning shift change. I got to wake up my son and have bkfst with him. Even squeezed in a few hours of work when Chris's parents took over watching over our girl through the morning and lunch. Much appreciated.

Chris will begin her 3rd round in next hour or so. I'll keep you posted.

Tim

August 1, 2007

Chris had a bit of a tough night. But that's pretty common with first day of treatment. She takes one chemo drug she just gets the first round. She slept well after overcoming her nausea a little after midnight. She had a great morning. blood pressure is a bit on edge, but we are watching closely. Her next round will begin about 4pm today. I'll keep you posted.

Love
Tim

July 31, 2007 9:30pm

Well the day finished better than it started. We got here at 8am as usual for the first part of her treatment and we find out they don't have a room available. Guess I forgot to call for an early check in. Long and short is we got into our room at noon, and just finished her first round. We had an especially good and seasosned nurse that got Chris's nausea and pain immediately under control. So I am happy to report at this time that she reacted to her first treatment beautifully.

Each course of treatments get more difficult for her phyically and mentally. This one more than any previous treatments.

Will keep you posted. Keep the prayers up.

Love
Tim

July 30th, 2007

Chris and I had her follow up today to review the CT scan of her tumor following her first round of bio-chemo. The radiologist and oncologist were both very positive about what appears to be a "killing off" of the tumor or what they call "necrosis". This is what we had hoped for, that is that Chris would respond to the treatment once again. They very seldom take CT scans after only the first round since the protocol of 4+ rounds is based on the tumor being eradicated a portion at a time!

So....next step is she begins her second treatment tomorrow morning and if all goes well we will be home on Sat. We have Chris's niece Brianna helping out here with Devin for several weeks along with her good friend Denise Harman coming to town on Friday to help nurse her back after treatment. We will miss Chris's sister Debbie's support this round, but she was informed she had to care for her own family this round. (An edict by her bossy little sister) We look forward to her return! I want to thank all of her/our friends and our families for there continued inspirational support.

I'll try and keep you posted over the next few days.

Love
Tim

July 23, 2007

To my dear Family and Friends,

I don’t think I warrant my own web site! All your thoughts have really been comforting and a reality check for me this past week or so. I’ve been reading these emails in chunks and sometimes I can read only a few because I feel so lucky and blessed and get a little choked up.

I’m thinking the second go around I still need your thoughts and prayers and this road seems very curvy at times. As I’ve been told this isn’t my “first rodeo” so I think I’m getting pretty good at this “ugly monster” (as Deb would say). This process or at least hitting this straight on seems to be the best approach.

Thank you to my “Tamale” for taking the time to make this web site for me. Denise, you are continually there for me and my family and it never stops. Thank you and I love you! You truly emanate true friendship.

As the weeks have gone on I’ve slowly started to get behind on thank yous, emails, and getting back to people. Thank yous will be coming but they might be a few months late. This web site has really been a blessing for me.

I really don’t have anywhere to start because I feel I will forever be in debt to my family and friends for helping me through the “bend in the road” again.

All I can contribute this again to is apparently I also was standing in a couple of wrong lines in heaven that only have a few members in their club!

To Tim thank you for all you continue support, love, doctors appts etc. I think you’ve almost earned your PHD. Not what you wanted, I know!

My mom and dad, sissie, family, old and new friends….

Thank you for all the love and support you give me. I couldn’t do it without all of you.

Debbie, a special thank you for up rooting your life again so that I might get a jump start on tackling this project. I know how this must affect your life and family. You are my second mother and sissy and I love you more than you know.

I will keep trying my hardest and I will keep accepting your prayers and love. It really is what is helping me cope right now.

Love to all of you,

Thank you,

Chris

Latest developments

Monday July 16th
Notes from Chris's bedside,
Sisters thoughts:

     I feel blessed that Chris & Tim have allowed me to be here with them this week. The first thing that hit me when I saw Chris is something I've watched all my life,my little sisters strength. Tim is her soulmate in that way as well as so many other ways. So, the environment in the McEntee house the night before treatment was one of determination,optimism,and humor; mixed with the expected emotions of fear,worry, and why? Chris didn't verbalize it but I know that walking into the hospital Tuesday morning must have felt like willingly going for a flogging. The monster called cancer is bigger and uglier this time.After meeting with numerous doctors, Chris is aware of how ugly he is and how long and hard the fight to kill the monster might be. But, with her strength, her love for and from her husband and little boy,and all of our prayers, she will slay the monster and permanently send it packing.
     Even as she laid in her hospital bed,every cell in her body being tortured with extremely potent chemo drugs,the Chris that we all know and love didn't miss a beat.I can't count how many times she turned to me and muttered too weak to open her eyes things like:"I'm sorry I'm not much fun right now" How's Devin? Nurse, I think my sister needs a nap could you please get her a pillow? How's Devin? Deb, when you go home tonight make sure you eat I filled the fridge with lots of food." "There are lots of books and magazines on my nightstand for you." How's Devin? Don't come down too early I want you to get some sleep." I'm worried about you and Tim,have you guys eaten? How are Mom and Dad?" Even in a state that every breath was uncomfortable it seemed all that was on her mind was making sure that everyone else was comfortable and happy. Just like always.....
     Another part of Chris that just can't be kept down is the Glamour Girl in her. She went off to the hospital with a huge bag of new pajamas and sweats. She said that if bed was where she was going to be the coming weeks, she was going to look good there. Even though just sitting up took a huge effort, she still insisted on a shower,clean pajamas and clean sheets each day. As I put clean socks on her perfectly pedicured feet and watched her apply lip-gloss even though her eyes were closed, I smiled.
     Devin has done well this week. He misses his Mom but Chris and Tim have assembled an awesome team of people to help care for, teach and play with him.Nothing is as good as Mom though. Tim and Chris are amazing parents. It's been fun for Aunt Debbie to have some time with my adorable nephew.
     As I read through the guest-book all the expressions of love and faith brought tears to my eyes. I know everyones support will mean the world to Chris in the coming months. Chris told me that her oncologist told her how fortunate she is to have such a great circle of family and friends to support her. He said that many patients don't win their battle largely because they lack a strong support system. So, thank you for your continued prayers. I know with all my heart that if we all continue to pray on her behalf, that we will pray her better.
                              Love to each of you,
                                   Debbie

Sat July 14th 10pm

Our Little Chris is home. She did better than any of her previous rounds, but I'm partial. Now we just have to keep the gnarly nausea away and feed her! Keep the prayers up and positive thoughts. Won't know anything for a week or so.

Sat July 14th 9am

Chris had a great night. For the first time since she's had these therapies (3 years ago too) we have not had to max out her dopamine over the 5 days to keep her blood pressure up. So all is good. We will turn off last bio drug at noon and then work on getting her out of here. Of course she is already talking about how bad she wants a shower!! You know our little Chris!!! Hope to have her on her way home by dinnertime!

Friday the 13th 5pm

Chris is just finishing up her last day of chemo and will only have her final 24 hours of a bio drug that is an immune enhancer to finish off her first round of bio-chemo. Last night we battled her blood pressure a little to keep it up so they could continue the process. She did great after that. She slept most of today, and is already starting to work what we call the "closing nurse"!! This is person who will help us finish up tomorrow (Saturday) and enable us to take Chris home. Probably will be 7-8pm before we get home. Will be great to get Chris back in her own home and bed. Devin can't wait to see his Mom.

I know she will be looking forward to seeing this web site and your messages. I want to thank the Tamale's for putting it together. Especially the Techo Tamale herself Denise Harman.

thanks
Tim