Like a Broken Vessel

Last week our car broke down and Travis was in excruciating pain. I came home from work and fell on my bed and just cried, after I was done feeling bad for myself I accidentally started this video."If the bitter cup does not pass, drink it, and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead!" I am so grateful for the timing of this video, for latter day apostles and for the easy access to these teachings!

Colostomy recommended

Dr. Gonzales(GI dr performing the colonoscopy) recommends a colostomy. There is a sinus tract that is allowing air and other stuff to pass through. It sounds like the fistula is basically still there. He said some day they may be able to operate, but as of right now the risk is not worth it. The tissue looks a lot better then it use to, not as swollen, which I wonder if that's because he has been on ibuprofen. Dr. said if it was him then there would be no hesitation in getting a colostomy. He is supposed to follow up with Dr. Foley(surgeon). Dr. Foley was also present for the Colonoscopy.

As of right now Travis' pain is so severe and the quality of life is diminishing and so a Colostomy is better than this.

They did not biopsy anything because there were no ulceration or mass effect, which is awesome! No visible cancer!

He's home!

 

FaceTime was more realistic today!!! We got Trav home a couple days early. He still has a way to go before being better, but he's able to rest at home, yay! We are all so happy to have him home, just his presence makes us feel more complete!

 

Things went well today. Travis is recovering in the hospital for a few days. His ostomy is reversed and we are praying that things start working so he can come home!

Visiting Daddy!

Hospital had restrictions so the kids couldn't go see Daddy so we did FaceTime instead!!

Surgery Prep

 

We are going to miss Daddy while he is at the Hospital. Lots of tears while everyone was going to bed

Happy New Year

Well could fall asleep any minute, I'm so sick and so we stayed home and I'm calling an early night. 2014 was one of the hardest years, very worn out from our trials...but also so grateful for those who strengthened and supported us! Trav has a surgery next week to reverse his ostomy, we will hopefully have happy scans and hopefully stop chemo next year! We have learned so much and have been very blessed. Hopeful for an easier 2015, even if we are starting it out sick! Happy New Year!!

From Travis (Pain)

Someone asked me what the worst part of cancer is. I have to leave emotional pain out of it, it's too hard to measure that. They wondered if feeling sick was the worst. That's bad, it is. But if you want to know what has been the worst for me, I can tell you it's the physical pain involved. I think many people don't think about that. I know I never used to. But it's easily been the hardest on a temporal level. It hurts. It hurts a ton! And it's unique. It's a beast.

So many procedures...

2 years ago today Travis was diagnosed with Colon Cancer, for the 2nd time. It feels like its been so much longer, 4 surgeries, including two illeostomies, 6 weeks of carrying around a chemo bag, 6 months of intense awful chemo, 6 more months of maintenance chemo, radiation, many scares, many questions, few answers, him losing his ability to walk, ER visits, he lost 90 pounds, nueropathy, stroke, too many MRIs, colonoscopies, ct scans and other tests to count. Through it all we were so blessed to have the constant support of my family, a great ward, wonderful friends and the knowledge that this is all part of a greater plan. 5 months of remission...only 4 years and 7 months to go before we can say hes cancer free and hopefully only 3 more months of Chemo, hopefully only 1 more surgery and we know there will still be many more tests to go.

From Travis

Thank you to everyone who posted some pics yesterday with words of support. This hasn't been easy, but man I've sure had the best support I could ask for. From beards with bows, to orange-outs and jerseys, to a personal tweet from my favorite Bronco of all time, it made my day. And I really wanted to thank you for it. I won't lie, I shed some tearballs yesterday. It meant that much to me. Thank you.