The Corvallis Cancer Center is an amazing facility, with very competent and compassionate staff. It has been so nice to just hop in the car, drive 15 minutes to the opposite end of town, have Bruce's treatment, and be home all within the time it would've taken to drive just one way to OHSU! What a blessing for Bruce, me and the children!
Bruce's actual treatments have been quick and bearable. The side affects......not so much. He has been extrememly fatigued, had four+ days of hiccups, a sore, tight throat (later diagnosed as thrush), some nausea, dizzy spells, memory challenges, minor loss of hearing in one ear, some weight loss, lack of sleep, and a few other things. He continues to meet each challenge with determination, dependence on God, love for others and with such a spirit of grace and humility.
In our desire to help Bruce be as comfortable as possible (and not suffer unecessarily) during this treatment phase, and to give me a peace of mind, we have acquired the help of hospice. We have only met two of the nurses and they are beyond amazing! Christy made the introductory house visit and evaluation this afternoon and 2 hours later, Becky delivered some new anti-nausea medication and explained the proper dose and application. What a blessing!
It has been hard for the kids to see their daddy so sick, but understand that most of his symptoms are due to the radiation treatments and the medications to counteract the side affects. Bruce's last full brain and spinal treatment will be on Tues, Feb 5th and he will have the rest of the week to rest and recover. Bruce will see Dr Fuss at OHSU on Monday, Feb 11th for some imaging, lab work and simulation testing. His last radiotactic treatment to zap the larger tumors in his brain will hopefully be the following day, Tues the 12th. After all this, he will truly have time to recover from this intense round of treatment....this will be time for the whole family to rest, refresh and gain new strength!
We love the blog comments and encouraging messages. The meals have been such a blessing. The taxi service for my kids has been such a help. The prayers for our family have been so necessary and effective....KEEP THEM GOING!!! The ways we have been blessed and uplifted are too numerous to list......God has taken such care to take such good care of us!
With much love and appreciation,
MBA for THE A TEAM!!!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
BRUCE IS HOME
Bruce was discharged from OHSU this afternoon, had his radiation treatment, had a short visit with his mom at her home (who is undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer), had a quick lunch at our favorite restaurant, Macaroni Grill, had a nice ride home....until we ran out of gas on Hwy 34, just 7 miles from home! The day was just too routine so I had to throw something in to make it a typical Alexander Adventure....Bruce could have done without that kind of fun....Amah too!!! Marcie, my sister, came to our rescue (remember, she's amazing!) and we made it home safe and sound. We're looking forward to a good night's sleep and time together with the family. It's just so good to be home!!!
Thanks for your continued love, support and prayers!!! Good night!!
[FYI...Bruce's radiation treatments will now be done in Corvallis which will be better for the family, more comfortable for Bruce and much easier for MB to keep the gas tank full!!!]
Thanks for your continued love, support and prayers!!! Good night!!
[FYI...Bruce's radiation treatments will now be done in Corvallis which will be better for the family, more comfortable for Bruce and much easier for MB to keep the gas tank full!!!]
Thursday, January 17, 2008
OHSU
Hello Dear Family and Friends!
It is once again late....so once again this will be quick:
**Bruce was stable enough Wed night to get his scheduled full brain radiation treatment (2nd one) AND his first spinal radiation treatment. No complications with these.
**My mom and sister drove down from Seattle to help out in any way. The three of us stayed in a downtown hotel in an attempt to give me a good night sleep....it worked!
**Bruce had a good night, his anti-seizure and steroid levels were up where they should be, he was walking around the ICU unit after breakfast, passed all evaluations, was in the beginning stages of being discharged and unplugged from all his machines, felt queasy, got up to get his "bucket" and that was all he remembered. I arrived at ICU to Bruce being wheeled off to get a CT to see if there was any damage done in the fall...you can imagine how loud of a "thud" there was when he fell! Bruce said that the titanium plates in his head probably saved him....one fringe benefit of brain surgery!
**Needless to say, all talk of discharging him was done. He was quite disappointed at the set back but knows this is the best place to be right now.....and I didn't even have to convince him of that.....but I was ready to do it!!
**My sister, Marcie, headed down to Corvallis to be with the kids, be in charge of all the comings and goings and get some order restored to my house!! She is amazing!!
**Bruce had another full brain and spinal radiation treatment today, is overnight again in ICU (they wanted to move him to the standard Neurology ward, but there were no beds available) and he will have another treatment Friday at noon.
**My mom, Amah, stayed here with me and Bruce and was available to do whatever. She is amazing!! We are at a hotel again tonight. It is hard for me to be away from Bruce but know it is the best thing for me.
**We know nothing beyond tomorrow's treatment, other than God is Sovereign, God is Good, God is Trustworthy and we are totally dependent on HIM!
Thanks again for every one's love and prayers. We are strengthened daily by them!
MBA for The A Team!!
It is once again late....so once again this will be quick:
**Bruce was stable enough Wed night to get his scheduled full brain radiation treatment (2nd one) AND his first spinal radiation treatment. No complications with these.
**My mom and sister drove down from Seattle to help out in any way. The three of us stayed in a downtown hotel in an attempt to give me a good night sleep....it worked!
**Bruce had a good night, his anti-seizure and steroid levels were up where they should be, he was walking around the ICU unit after breakfast, passed all evaluations, was in the beginning stages of being discharged and unplugged from all his machines, felt queasy, got up to get his "bucket" and that was all he remembered. I arrived at ICU to Bruce being wheeled off to get a CT to see if there was any damage done in the fall...you can imagine how loud of a "thud" there was when he fell! Bruce said that the titanium plates in his head probably saved him....one fringe benefit of brain surgery!
**Needless to say, all talk of discharging him was done. He was quite disappointed at the set back but knows this is the best place to be right now.....and I didn't even have to convince him of that.....but I was ready to do it!!
**My sister, Marcie, headed down to Corvallis to be with the kids, be in charge of all the comings and goings and get some order restored to my house!! She is amazing!!
**Bruce had another full brain and spinal radiation treatment today, is overnight again in ICU (they wanted to move him to the standard Neurology ward, but there were no beds available) and he will have another treatment Friday at noon.
**My mom, Amah, stayed here with me and Bruce and was available to do whatever. She is amazing!! We are at a hotel again tonight. It is hard for me to be away from Bruce but know it is the best thing for me.
**We know nothing beyond tomorrow's treatment, other than God is Sovereign, God is Good, God is Trustworthy and we are totally dependent on HIM!
Thanks again for every one's love and prayers. We are strengthened daily by them!
MBA for The A Team!!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Bruce Needs Our Prayers!
Mary Beth just called tonight (January 16) to say that Bruce had a seizure in the car on the way up to Oregon Health Sciences University for his full brain radiation treatments. He is now in intensive care in the neurosurgery unit. Right now they are checking his levels and keeping tabs on him and working with Dr. Foos to decide when/if to continue the brain radiation.
Thank you so much for praying. We'll keep you posted.
Carol for the "A" team
Thank you so much for praying. We'll keep you posted.
Carol for the "A" team
Monday, January 14, 2008
PET RESULTS
We are back safe and sound from a great weekend! The wait for the pet scan was a loooooong one, but we survived! Bruce had a great lunch in the cafeteria (he was too hungry to take extra time traveling to a restaurant...thankfully the food is good at OHSU!) and then we headed North! We spent time with family, saw friends we haven't seen in awhile, fulfilled our business obligations-Superman did great! We hollered and screamed during the first 5 minutes of the Seahawk game and then ate and laughed our way out of sadness over the Hawk loss! The kids did great over the weekend, the house was still standing (even though it did look like a tornado went through it) and no injuries on the snow blast....all in all, a good weekend!
Our call from the doctor this afternoon included more challenging news to absorb. Bruce has a tumor in his right armpit and colon and one of the 5 tumors in his lungs has grown. The PET confirmed the tumor in the cervical spinal cord and his thoracic area is still undetermined. Again, we weren't shocked, just deeply saddened.....and slightly surprised that there were not more tumors....
The emotional roller coaster ride continues....this ride is not as fun and exciting as California Screamin', but I feel we need to be securely fastened and buckled in tight just the same.....
Bruce's plan for treatment stays the same for now. He goes to OHSU for a full CAT SCAN of his spine at 9:30 am and then has his first radio tactic surgery on one or two of the larger brain tumors at 1:30 pm. Our dear friend, Don Snow, is taking Bruce up to OHSU and spending the day with him so I can get things done at home (my never ending endeavor) and have time with the kids. The doctor mentioned in the phone call that the full brain radiation will start soon, as early as Wednesday! We will find out more after Tuesday's visit and will update the blog when we have more details.
Bruce: "We are trusting and seeing God's blessings every day....and hope you are doing the same!"
Securely Fastened in God's Arms,
MBA
Our call from the doctor this afternoon included more challenging news to absorb. Bruce has a tumor in his right armpit and colon and one of the 5 tumors in his lungs has grown. The PET confirmed the tumor in the cervical spinal cord and his thoracic area is still undetermined. Again, we weren't shocked, just deeply saddened.....and slightly surprised that there were not more tumors....
The emotional roller coaster ride continues....this ride is not as fun and exciting as California Screamin', but I feel we need to be securely fastened and buckled in tight just the same.....
Bruce's plan for treatment stays the same for now. He goes to OHSU for a full CAT SCAN of his spine at 9:30 am and then has his first radio tactic surgery on one or two of the larger brain tumors at 1:30 pm. Our dear friend, Don Snow, is taking Bruce up to OHSU and spending the day with him so I can get things done at home (my never ending endeavor) and have time with the kids. The doctor mentioned in the phone call that the full brain radiation will start soon, as early as Wednesday! We will find out more after Tuesday's visit and will update the blog when we have more details.
Bruce: "We are trusting and seeing God's blessings every day....and hope you are doing the same!"
Securely Fastened in God's Arms,
MBA
Friday, January 11, 2008
WAITING
Friday Afternoon:
I am here in the waiting room while Bruce is having his pet scan. It should be done soon-I hope-and then Bruce wants to go eat a big lunch! I've taken a little nap, made some phone calls, caught up on emails, went for a walk, watched an infomercial about the Oreck vacuum cleaner.....do you see why I hope this test is done soon? :)
I'm sure we won't get any results until next week, so we have fun weekend plans in Seattle to help pass the time. We will visit friends and family, do some Arbonne presentations (Bruce has even offered to be a testimonial model at our Sat Open House-who better to have model than SUPERMAN!), and Bruce's highlight: watching the SEAHAWK PLAY-OFF GAME with his brother-in-laws and hopefully playing some hoops with his basketball buddies....oh, and spending time with me!
Pearce and Isaac are headed to a Snow Blast Weekend with their youth group (please pray there are no broken bones, concussions or other major injuries!) and Mikaela will stay busy with her regular social activities. Their hearts are always filled when they are with their friends doing what they love.....God really does provide just what we need!
Well, that's it for now, time for another walk.....only so much sitting one can do while waiting........
Love,
MBA
I am here in the waiting room while Bruce is having his pet scan. It should be done soon-I hope-and then Bruce wants to go eat a big lunch! I've taken a little nap, made some phone calls, caught up on emails, went for a walk, watched an infomercial about the Oreck vacuum cleaner.....do you see why I hope this test is done soon? :)
I'm sure we won't get any results until next week, so we have fun weekend plans in Seattle to help pass the time. We will visit friends and family, do some Arbonne presentations (Bruce has even offered to be a testimonial model at our Sat Open House-who better to have model than SUPERMAN!), and Bruce's highlight: watching the SEAHAWK PLAY-OFF GAME with his brother-in-laws and hopefully playing some hoops with his basketball buddies....oh, and spending time with me!
Pearce and Isaac are headed to a Snow Blast Weekend with their youth group (please pray there are no broken bones, concussions or other major injuries!) and Mikaela will stay busy with her regular social activities. Their hearts are always filled when they are with their friends doing what they love.....God really does provide just what we need!
Well, that's it for now, time for another walk.....only so much sitting one can do while waiting........
Love,
MBA
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Pictures to Share
I was looking thru some of our photos and did not know that I had these. My Mom was just asking if anyone had copies of the family photos at Bruce's 50th Birthday Bash and we thought they were gone. SURPRISE!! Thought I would share them here.....with a few other favorites!
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Bruce's 5oth Birthday Celebration at Lake Sammamish. Bruce and MB with her Mom and siblings! We missed Poppy, MB's dad, who was in the hospital....we were tempted to sneak him out for the day...but common sense and wisdom got the better of us.....I guess that comes with age! 
Mike and Sandy; Marco and Rebecca; BA and MBA; Marcie and Shawn; Matt and Mary Jo!
Just for the record, Bruce is the oldest of the bunch!
Bruce with some high school buddies who drove up from Portland to celebrate with him!The Duck attire was a total joke....the outfit, and Bruce, ended up in the water....right where it belongs!
Uncle Bruce with his kids and all the nieces and nephews...and Charlie! Spencer had just moved into his dorm and was officially a college student and unable to make it to this party! He and Poppy were greatly missed!
Bruce and his younger sister, Kirsten. Her Duck shirt is NOT a joke....but the glasses are!Monday, January 7, 2008
RECENT NEWS
Hello Dear Friends and Family!
It is very late, but we wanted to give a quick update. Please know that we will keep everyone posted with more details as we know them and are able to get them posted. YOUR CONCERN, LOVE AND SUPPORT MEANS SO MUCH TO OUR FAMILY!!
~A tumor in the cervical section of the spinal cord was detected just last Friday. There is also something suspicious in his thoracic spine area, but not identifiable. Bruce started back on steroids immediately to prevent swelling in these critical areas.
~A brain MRI was done at OHSU on Sunday night with an immediate follow up appt with Dr Fuss, the radiation oncologist, on Monday morning.
~The brain MRI showed that Bruce has 8 new brain tumors, all in the last month,.....this was very shocking and very sad news.
~The plan is to radiate the 3 largest brain tumors (targeted radiation, just like his other brain tumors) and then have full brain radiation.
~He will have a mask fitting and simulation tests done this Wed at OHSU.
~He will have a full pet scan at OHSU on Fri to fully determine what is happening with his spine and check the status of the chest and lung tumors.
How are we doing, you might be asking.....
BRUCE SAYS: "IT IS HARD NEWS, BUT WE ARE TRUSTING GOD AND TRYING TO CHERISH EVERY MOMENT WE HAVE WITH OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!"
MBA SAYS: "DITTO!"
Our kids were very sad to hear the news and trying to deal with their hurt. They are also learning to trust God in the hard things, be honest with their feelings and thoughts, and are turning to each other for support and comfort....what a lesson to learn at such a young age.
They love God and are sensing his presence and nearness....as are their mom and dad!
Love,
MBA for the A TEAM!!
ONE DAY AT A TIME TEAM!!!
It is very late, but we wanted to give a quick update. Please know that we will keep everyone posted with more details as we know them and are able to get them posted. YOUR CONCERN, LOVE AND SUPPORT MEANS SO MUCH TO OUR FAMILY!!
~A tumor in the cervical section of the spinal cord was detected just last Friday. There is also something suspicious in his thoracic spine area, but not identifiable. Bruce started back on steroids immediately to prevent swelling in these critical areas.
~A brain MRI was done at OHSU on Sunday night with an immediate follow up appt with Dr Fuss, the radiation oncologist, on Monday morning.
~The brain MRI showed that Bruce has 8 new brain tumors, all in the last month,.....this was very shocking and very sad news.
~The plan is to radiate the 3 largest brain tumors (targeted radiation, just like his other brain tumors) and then have full brain radiation.
~He will have a mask fitting and simulation tests done this Wed at OHSU.
~He will have a full pet scan at OHSU on Fri to fully determine what is happening with his spine and check the status of the chest and lung tumors.
How are we doing, you might be asking.....
BRUCE SAYS: "IT IS HARD NEWS, BUT WE ARE TRUSTING GOD AND TRYING TO CHERISH EVERY MOMENT WE HAVE WITH OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!"
MBA SAYS: "DITTO!"
Our kids were very sad to hear the news and trying to deal with their hurt. They are also learning to trust God in the hard things, be honest with their feelings and thoughts, and are turning to each other for support and comfort....what a lesson to learn at such a young age.
They love God and are sensing his presence and nearness....as are their mom and dad!
Love,
MBA for the A TEAM!!
ONE DAY AT A TIME TEAM!!!
Bruce Up In Portland for Tests
Hi all,
Bruce and Mary Beth are up in Portland today for some new tests. I am sure they will let you know more about that soon, but I thought I would just post it here to get as many people to pray as possible.
Carol
Bruce and Mary Beth are up in Portland today for some new tests. I am sure they will let you know more about that soon, but I thought I would just post it here to get as many people to pray as possible.
Carol
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