Moving and grooving!

Alright guys. So Jason had his hip surgery yesterday. It took about two and a half hours, Dr, Satcher was able to just do the resurfacing and not a complete replacement. This is good because when he has todo this again in 10-15 years there is more of his own bone left. We finally got into a room around 7pm last night and it is on a floor that we spent some time on in 2009. Jason is doing great. He got up and walked really well with a walker. So well that they are going to try crutches tomorrow. He says there is no pain in his hip, only in the muscles and tissue, and burning around the incision. He is actually walking the best I have seen him walk in quite a long time. I am so proud of him and his determination. I. Know it's cliche but he amazes me daily with how much he has overcome and how much drive he has to keep going. On a different note, it was very odd for Jason and I to come back here and stay. It was with conflicting emotions. There was no impending death or doom hanging over us. This was a good step, a step towards healing the damage and letting Jason start living life a bit easier.

Another step towards healing....

Well I am extremely embarrassed that it has been so long since I've written on here. So much has passed since we've last talked. Jason is in school and doing well grade wise. The campus is very hard on him as those of you who have been to it know. I'm doing well too. I officially have one year left until I have my bachelors. It's been a road long travelled and I've worked hard for it. Ronan is doing fabulous. He is enrolled at a private school and it has actually helped with slot of his sensory processing issues. He is getting ready for a dance recital and to graduate Pre k. That's right folks our baby starts kindergarten in the fall. Now for the update. Jason has been having pain increasing in his left hip. This is the one that the tumors grew through and later that fractured. I had him assure it was not "cancer pain" as I did not want to be blindsided before finals. We called and bumped up his appointment with his orthopedist doctor down at MDAnderson. Well we got there today and they took X-rays. We met with Dr. Satcher to discuss options. There are two. 1. We do what is called resurfacing. Basically they will smooth out the hip socket and place a metal piece onto to Jason's existing femur or 2. A total hip replacement. We discussed the pros and cons of each and decided because of Jason's age we want to do the resurfacing. It's supposed to last twenty years but it is new technology so we will see. I t saves more of this existing bone so that in 15 to 20 years he will have a stinger base for then total replacement. We go down on the 16th of May for the surgical consult. We decided it was best to do it this summer because that way j would be missing less classes. Athoughtless this bums him out greatly because he was getting back into the swing of things. He will have the surgery down at MDA, we feel they have a better grasp on his case since they have been there since al out the beginning and that they probably have the most experience with cancer destruction of bone. He will hopefully be back up in Austin for his rehab. I start summer school June 3 so we will see how it all goes. He should've be in the hospital about 4-5 days, then 6weeks for major healing and a wicked limp(nothing new here) for around 3-4 months. He should be feeling pretty good by fall. Tis to both of us is a fantastic step towards healing. He will never be the same because of what he has faced, but this will help him feel better physically and help him walk a little taller. For those that know him that's not really needed either. Send up a little prayer that things go smoothly. I will update more now that there is a bit more to talk about. Prayers welcomed. Kimmy

Update

So hey all! We had the scans and it was not cancer just him sitting too long without pain meds.. He does however still have the supper cruddy osteoporotic hips. We have an appointment later in August to see if we are ready for hip replacements yet. Big news...Jason got into Texas State university...he is getting to move on away from cancer! Ronan is enrolled for preschool for the fall, a uniform and everything, signed up for soccer, speech and occupational therapy, and maybe swimming if we can fit it in. Me well you all know me, I have school and juggling the logistics and everything else. It's all okay though. Life is good! Prayers Welcomed! Kimmy

It's been awhile.....

So today we are at MDAnderson. This is not a scheduled check up and hoping and praying it is nothing. Jason has been completely off pain meds for a about a month now. He is pretty much always in some pain but he deals with it because he doesn't want the pain meds any longer. His body, his choice. He rode with me Monday round trip from Austin to Houston. So almost six hours. Well his back has been bothering him a lot since and now we err on the side of paranoia.. I mean caution and so here we are getting it checked oort. I will update more when I know more.Prayer request is that Jason just needs to take his pain meds and not ride so long in the car. Prayers welcomed Kimmy

Still in Remission

Last Wednesday the 14th, Jason had his 3 month scans. We went to see Dr. Nieto on Thursday and he is still in Remission!!! That is 15months ladies and gentlemen from the second transplant! So completely excited. His blood clots are going away but they are toying with putting him on Coumadin. Im not a fan of it so I will see if I can convince him to stay on the Lovenox shots. He is still getting stronger and getting more strength back in his feet along with more feeling in his lower body. He got his second round of vaccinations and when I went to the pharmacy to get it them on the label it says Jason Elliott 32 years old. Pneumonia shot for birth to 5 years! Had a good laugh at that. Oh well.
On Monday Jason celebrated his 33rd birthday! Its hard to believe we have been dealing with this since before his 28th birthday. I will see if feels fantastic to be on this side of it.
We have also moved from the Houston area back to Central Texas. If anyone is looking for a house in the Houston area we have one for sale! Its closer to school for me and the big news is Jason started back to school on Monday as well. So far so good. He likes that he is getting to do something other than just sitting around trying to "recover".

Thats all of our news for now. Prayer requests for things to just keep trucking along!Prayers Welcomed. Kimmy

Well..............

So to begin with there is nothing going on the cancer front. This is fantastic. Sometimes its hard to believe where we were two or three years ago. Jason is doing great. He is continuing to rebuild strength, muscles, and endurance. Every cold or allergy bout still seems to turn into bronchitis but thank goodness not pneumonia. I think we will always be dealing with this. Thats fine by me. He goes back in for scans on spring break and we are pretty confident there is nothing to worry about. I however will still have my freak out time about a week before hand. Nothing I cant handle.
On to some other news, I started back to school this January. Wahoo! It feels good to be able to focus attention on something other than cancer. However, I go to school in San Marcos not Houston where we live. Bigger News is that Jason is enrolled to start college up again on March 19th. This to me is amazing and I am so proud of my husband. Again he is going to school in Austin, not in Houston. So we have come to the decison to put our house up for sale and move to the Austin area. When we moved to Houston in 2005 it was for Jason to continue his schooling, well work got in the way, then cancer, then Ronan and well school never got to be a priority here. Having a house here has been a blessing while Jason was undergoing active treatment and while appointments were so close together. Now that we are trying to get back to a more normal life we feel its time to move on to things that will only help our family. School is a huge part of this as you all know, there is also the church that I grew up in up there that Jason feels comfortable in. For those that really know J, this is huge!
Please pray for us, not in the same way that you all have been, please pray that we are taking the right path to becoming a stronger family not only in mind and body but in spirit as well. It seems that things are moving offly quickly and for us uncertainty takes a toll all of its own. Ill update you all more as we know more.Prayers welcomed! Kimmy

Happy Holidays!!!

There is not a whole lot going on around the house right now other than the Christmas is coming hustle! I just wanted to take a minute and update, Jason is over is respiratory infection and so is Ronan. We are only four days a way from Christmas so we could possibly all be healthy this year, knock on wood. Jason goes back in early January to see Dr. Tannir and get his second round of shots. I am starting school in January.....I am completely nervous! Its good though, its good starting our lives post cancer treatment.

I know I have said it before, but this year compared to last year is night and day. Even if I dont receive a single gift, I am utterly happy and content. Its extremely difficult to put into words how difficult last year was. I know I documented here, but those post were not everything that was going on and definately not all the feelings and emotions being felt. I suppose the best analogy I have is being trapped underwater, drowning, and that first breath as you break the surface. That one breath that is filled with the need and want of survival and relief that its going to be okay and you can breathe again.

Each one of you has played an important roll in helping Jason and I through this journey. Your support, comments, phone calls meant more to us than you will ever know. It kept us grounded and let us know we were not alone. Jason does not remember most of last year. We had a long conversation awhile ago where he answered all my questions and I answered his about last year. He was moved to tears by how many people love and care about him and his family.

Thank you, each one of you for thinking of us. We hope you all have the happiest Christmas and most blessed New Year. Spend time with your family and say a prayer of thanks! My prayer for this Christmas is simple.

Heavenly Father, When your precious Son came into this world and was born in a stable in Bethlehem in poverty and simplicity, you changed our world. As we gather together let us become like the shepherds and the wise men. Let us seek him in wonder and praise. We thank you for our material lives, praise you for our spiritual lives, and trust in you for our eternal life. Amen.

Merry Christmas!
Kimmy, Jason, and Ronan