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Sunday, September 20

coming Full circle

After completing his 12 week monitored home program, plus a few more weeks of evaluation with upped dosages and working out logistics, etc, Martin is finally scheduled for his second round of treatments at the hospital!
We got the call a few days ago while out running errands, and my heart raced a bunch in the linen aisle as our doctor confirmed that they could start Martin next week. The thing is, I won't be able to go with him this time because of having a little newborn, not to mention the four other little kiddos that are already trying to adjust to a different house and new schedules, etc. We've never been separated for this long before and it's going to be really hard, and we talked for the last few days trying to make it work somehow so we could all stay together, but there really is no way to work it out, and in the end he's going to be in great hands with an awesome friend who volunteered to be his wingman while I stay home with all the kiddos.

This time around will be much like his last trip, with a daily schedule consisting of different combinations of mostly injection therapy and IVs (through intravenous catheters), as well as some neat but more intensive procedures that heat his blood and so forth. It will be different though in that there will be no tumors removed, that they don't think his treatment will last as long this time, and that he'll be starting out with another round of contrast CT scans of his whole upper body and pelvis, as well as contrast MRIs of his brain, and lots of blood-work so they can compare with his last set. Overall the objective of the oncology team there is to supercharge his immune system once again with immunotherapies and build up his strength so he can continue to battle the cancer cells on his own, with the aid of his home program of medication and injections, etc, once he leaves the hospital. It's pretty amazing stuff, and we're so glad that we made the personal choice for Martin to start with this route.

So! You can see how it's kinda hard to answer briefly when people ask how he's doing, not only because he has better days and worse days, or because the more concentrated his treatment and the more it's helping him the worse he feels, but because as with most cancer victims, up until his tumor under his arm there was no outer indication or reflection of what was going on inside his body, so most of the time we don't really know how he's doing, not in-between scans, if that makes sense? Most days though, he is doing good:) That's what I usually say:) So thank you for checking on him, and on me, for caring, for being part of my tribe, and for your many sweet prayers and thoughts, because we have indeed seen miracles, and every new day is a gift for every one of us.

And moving forward, normally I only share so many details about his treatments and therapies with those that email asking for friends or family, etc, mostly because it's my least favorite topic as you can imagine, because this isn't a cancer blog, and because we've plain been so dang busy that I haven't updated it much at all anyways as 'm sure you've noticed.haha A few of you have sweetly requested that I share more on my blog in the future however, and since we've gotten more used to talking about it, and as of yesterday we finally have working internet at the new house(!), I'm happy to say that I see no issues in my keeping up regular updates of every kind including about Martin. So if that all sounds good or bad to you for any reason please let me know. :)

Well in-between our first trip to the Mexico Hospital in May and today, our sweet little Evelyn joined our family, we celebrated a few holidays, a birthday, moved house, started our oldest in Kindergarten, had some of the hardest days and some of the longest nights, but we've been grateful for every distraction as you can imagine, and overall we've made many happy memories and are excited and nervous to be back full circle for another round:)

Thanks so much for reading today,

29 comments:

  1. Praying the weeks apart will fly by for you both! Thank you for the update on the blog, I think of your family often.

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  2. Sending lots of love of and good healthy vibes from a fan in Israel. :)

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  3. Wishing Martin all the best hun and well done for staying so strong xx

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  4. Thanks for the update!!! will continue to think of u guys <3
    Xo Ellen from Ask Away
    www.askawayblog.com

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  5. I have been lurking on your blog for quite some time now (and I love it), I just somehow didn't feel that I could leave a comment, since many of the things you share here are so deeply personal - and that's one of the reasons I really like reading it - and I'm a total stranger, but this time I just wanted to say that I'm praying for you and your beautiful family and that I'm sure everything will turn out just fine for you, because you deserve it. And keep those updates coming, we all care and we want to know how Martin is doing.

    Lots of love from Italy,
    Anett

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  6. I think that it is extremely important for you to write about whatever you want to write about. And if that is mostly Martin and his treatments, I support that. After all, I know that when something big or scary happens in one's life, it is really hard to think or talk about anything else.

    Of course I love anything you post, but I personally don't mind the updates at all. It's where your family is at in this stage of life. I also find the whole treatment process interesting and unique. God bless you and your family. You are in my prayers!

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  7. I don't know how you're doing it all, but rock on, Mama. Sending so much love your way.

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  8. I would be glad to hear updates on your husband (and family)!! I am keeping you all in prayer. I LOVE the pic of your husband holding Evelyn and she's staring straight at the camera with a sassy look!! God Bless!

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  9. Prayers for you and Martin during this time of chaos.

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  10. Praying for strength and that your time apart will fly so fast! Hugs to you!
    Love, Victoria

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  11. So glad for the update. Keeping Martin the kiddos and you in my prayers!

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  12. We're praying for your family as you all go through this and for the strength to keep you all going strong, also that your time apart will fly by fast, I know its hard! Thank you for the update! You have such a beautiful family!

    -Alice Wright
    www.whatsoever-lovely.blogspot.com
    www.thewrightfamilyfarm.blogspot.com

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  13. But we cannot thank you enough the updates, however small. Us blog readers may not be close, but we definitely care about you guys! I'm very grateful to hear he's doing well at the moment. :) And very glad to hear he's got someone going with him to do the treatments. If you need to take time for yourself while he's away and put the blog on the backburner, you do that ma'am! Do what you need to do and keep on being your awesome rockin' mama self. :)

    - Briana
    http://theladynerd.com

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  14. I know it must be so hard to go through all of this, but you have such a great outlook on life. Positivity makes everything so much easier/better. I've been thinking of you and your family and will continue to do so as he goes in for this round. Sending all the hugs your way. xoxo

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  15. They are having extraordinary success treating stage 4 melanoma with immunotherapies created from the malignancies themselves at UPENN Hospital, among others. I hope you are seeking these options, too, and if so please share that journey as well as the alternative approaches so readers can learn from your difficult journey. And be wary, "cancer cures" are big business now. A young, otherwise healthy man should have MORE options with a late stage diagnosis, not fewer. Hopefully you are hearing this from many cancer-experoinced people. Ask questions. Look for studies. Find the academic experts, those without financial interest. Best wishes to you all.

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  16. You have such a positive outlook on life. And your little girl's face in that picture just melts me and makes me want to have a newborn again. Thank you for sharing your story, you two and your family are such an inspiration.

    Morgan | theradwife.blogspot.com

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  17. It's good that you guys are being aggressive with this. My mother just passed three months ago from melanoma. Her doctors weren't aggressive at all, they never did scans and I am young and I just didn't know. Keep it up. Keep him fighting. Keep on those doctors and get as many scans as possible. I'm praying for you guys. Can't wait to read about how he is cancer free!

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  18. i agree with morgan, you do have such a positive outlook on life, no matter the circumstances. sending prayers your way!

    evanda- evandaestes.blogspot.com

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  19. All my love and prayers to you and your family. You're so strong. I've been telling my husband all about you and what you and your hubby are going through because it's so inspiring how you can still do all of what you do. xx

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  20. Sending positive vibes and prayers your way.
    Thanks for the update, you and your family are on our minds and prayers each day.

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  21. I can't imagine being separated from my husband if one of us was in treatment like this! I really admire your strength and positive attitude even in the middle of all of this. Sending a virtual hug your way! <3

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  22. Thank you for sharing this with us and updating!!! Will be praying for him and you, and your family. Yay for wifi at the new house!!! If your internet tribe can do anything, please let us know! :)

    http://www.creating-kelsi.com

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  23. First of all I adore reading your blog. Secondly, I thank you for sharing what your going through. You guys are an example of strength and have a beautiful family. I'll be praying for you.

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  24. Hi Emily. I've been checking out your blog for a few months now ever since a friend of mine raved about your awesome hairstyles and your amazing persona as a whole. I'm impressed, myself. However, this trial your family is going through just crushes me. A part of me just wants to forget about the problems of others and not feel the pain, but as a young wife and mother of five, like you, I take your situation personally. Good is giving you amazing strength and that makes me partially relieved. It is families like yours, who endure such hardships, that humble me to a point where any frustrations, complaints or fears that I feel, I am forced to dismiss, worn the knowledge that some go through real fire.

    May God, very generously, give and give and give you and Martin more strength. God's grace is sufficient and His mercies are endless. I pray for a miracle, for complete healing, for peace, for comfort. I wish there was more I could do. Meanwhile, I'll just continue coming back, quietly, to get inspired, while waiting for good news. Even though your updates do more for us than we, the readers, do for you, I hope it brings you at least a ounce comfort that we carry your burden in our hearts as one family in Christ.

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  25. It's probably super difficult raising five young kids and dealing with all this. But if it helps, your kids are the cutest things in the world and I want hair as beautiful as yours.

    Keep staying positive!

    Andria
    www.everyday-writing.com

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  26. You're so sweet, and I'm so glad to hear that you guys are doing well and reaching into a new routine. I know it will be hard to be apart, but you've got a huge community praying for you all xx Sending positive thoughts and lots of smiles x

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  27. Your new home looks so lovely!
    xo
    http://thejoifullife.com/

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  28. I know it must be so hard but thank you so much for sharing, I have been wondering how he is doing! Sending prayers his way and to you and all of your littles at home!

    xx Kelly
    Sparkles and Shoes

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  29. So sorry to hear this. May God Almighty strengthen you and your family through such difficult times. Praying for you and your beautiful family.
    xx,
    Carmen

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