Things we are THANKFUL for….

The kids and I have been playing a game lately. I ask them what they are thankful for and we list several things each morning. The first day, as expected, it was toys and material things. However, I have been playing the game too and have listed some things such as family, health, roof over our heads, ability to create memories as a family, doctors, etc….

So, the kids have caught on. They are listing bigger and better things…not so many “things.” Today, they were thankful for Ross helping to make a blanket fort in the family room so they could read and be quiet so daddy could rest. They were thankful for me coming home (I had a planned visit with several out of town friends and we were either expecting Ross’ treatment to start long ago or in a few more weeks.)!! Lastly, they were thankful for ice cream (baby steps…. lol).

So, I gave Ross his first shot on Thursday evening. By Friday, he had a few bloody noses….but virtually NO OTHER SIDE EFFECTS!! We were both pretty blown away and SO THANKFUL!!! On Friday, I had a planned weekend away. Honestly, my thought was that I had to cancel it. However, when Ross was feeling great…I decided to go!! It was a wonderful get away after all the stress from the week. On Friday night, I literally crashed. Between Pittsburgh and doctors appointments all week for Noelle and Ross…my schedule for the week was to just “get through the day!” When I had nothing scheduled other than fun….I was a little lost and I think I started to really process my week. We had Pulmonology and GI appts in Pittsburgh Children’s on Monday and Tuesday, Noelle had a Neurology appt at Children’s back home on Wednesday morning and then Ross’ appointment to train and start treatment on Thursday.

I felt like I didn’t sleep at all Thursday night. Everytime Ross moved, I just imagined him puking all over me. So, I hopped up everytime the poor guy twitched in his sleep to make sure he was okay. He was fine. By Friday evening, I was exhausted. I was with my girlfriends in a nail salon and kept hearing the Casting Crows song, “I Will Praise You In This Storm.” I am so utterly thankful that I’m healthy and able to take care of everyone. I also kept hearing the Laura Story song, “Blessings.” Because even though things are crazy and chaotic….we are so blessed! Just because life isn’t going as planned….doesn’t mean its going badly. Sometimes it takes a few trials in life to make sure you know whats truly important. I’m thankful for my trials.

By Saturday night, Ross was having fevers and chills. He’s a bit achey all over and is just tired. Luckily, the kids were amazing, went to bed early and were perfect for quiet time to allow for his naps. He barely told me anything and really wanted me to enjoy the time with my girlies. He is amazing…. and I enjoyed my time. Now that I’m back…he’s moving slower, is more tired and is admitting that without small doses of tylenol, the chills and aches are pretty bad. But…if thats as bad as it gets….We are thankful!!

Ross is planning on going to work tomorrow. So, we’ll see! Overall, I’d say that his first few days on the Interferon treatment were not that bad. He is a tough guy.

We are keeping the faith that his side effects will remain minimal and that treatment is being effective! During Week 5, he will have to add another drug, which by our research will be the hardest part of the treatment. Any side effects that he is having will apparently be multiplied. So, we pray that he will continue the minimal side effects throughout the course of treatment.

We are expert prayers and waiters!! 🙂 There is a plan…..we pray, we wait….we hope! 🙂 Thanks again for the continued prayers! We feel them and you have no idea how much they are appreciated!

xoxo,

Stacie 🙂

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Things that should be easy…

You would think it would be easy for me to give Ross his first treatment shot today. I’ve watched needles go in and out of him and Noelle what feels like thousands of times! To give a shot… Knowing the side effects that the shot may cause… was sad for me today!

The shots and pills are in… So for now, we wait, we pray and we hope!!

Ross is in a great mood and even decided to do a video blog about his journey through treatment! This is crazy because he is usually such an introvert! I think he has kept this secret for so long (because even doctors have been quick to judge how he got the Hep C… Until they hear the story)… I think it feels good to let it out!!! I’m proud of him! Check it out:

Our marriage hasn’t been roses and chocolates everyday! We have had to work to keep our relationship and marriage strong. It hasn’t been easy. Tonight, it’s easy! He has always worked so hard to provide for us and love us unconditionally. I’m proud of him for taking this with such ease so far……

So, again… We wait, we pray, we hope… Thanks for joining us!

Xoxo,

Stacie 🙂

These are the days of our lives….

So, I’ve been super quiet lately. Partly because I’ve just been too busy to sit down and write. Partly, because maybe I’m still in a little bit of denial. Also, partly because I’ve taken on a new job at my work that I love…but it’s made me busy!

We had a magical trip to Disney. There really are no words to how much fun we all had. What you don’t know is the why! Why did we plan a last minute, bank breaking trip? Well, the hubby wanted to. You see, when Ross was a kiddo….he had cancer, twice. Just in case your mind goes there…he does NOT have cancer again! Whew!

However, during his cancer treatments…he received ONE blood transfusion. This was in 1989. They didn’t start to screen blood for bad things until 1992. So, unfortunately, the blood he received was tainted with Hepatitis C. He did treatment way back for it and it has remained a low risk disease for him for years!

During a routine visit with his doctor this fall, his liver enzymes were elevated. No big deal…they always are slightly elevated. However, these results were pretty high. They scheduled a liver biopsy around the holidays and the results were slightly worse than we were expecting. Ross was told he had some significant liver damage. This is basically borderline liver failure. So, the doctor gave him really no choice….he needed to start an Interferon treatment, or else he would need a liver transplant soon if we can’t get the Hep C under control. Treatment can last from 48-72 weeks…so basically the next year. We were told the treatment comes with some pretty serious side effects, but weren’t too concern because he has already been through it (and back then, it coincided with chemo).

So, knowing that he would be feeling kinda crummy for a year or so…we planned our Disney trip. Did I happen to mention it was magical?!

We got home from Disney and treatment has been delayed for one reason or another. The nurses were stressing that we read all the information that comes along with treatment. Quite frankly, I know they have to cover their butts….but the treatment paperwork is downright scary. “May cause heart attacks, strokes and even death.” The most common side effects include fatigue, flu like symptoms, hair loss, headaches, vomiting, etc….but the extreme side effect is death. No big deal, right?! ((Yikes!))

So, here we are. Tomorrow starts the first day of treatment for Ross. We know that God has a plan….a plan that we can’t see or even imagine. But we are asking for prayers….as many as you’ll send up! We pray that the side effects are minimal and that the treatment is effective. After about 6 weeks of treatment, he’ll have extensive bloodwork done to see how the Hep C is responding to treatment. If his numbers haven’t rapidly decreased….they will consider treatment a failure and he will stop. At that point, I guess we just wait around for his liver to get bad enough for a transplant.

I know for a long time, Ross didn’t want me to share this with anyone. But now, he doesn’t care. This is a guy who has never drank, smoked or done drugs. He has taken care of and protected his body well. So, we are just waiting and praying to see what Gods plan is for the Mikels family. If Noelle taught us anything, it’s that God has a plan….and sometimes you just have to be patient for it.

Noelle and I just returned from a doctors trip in Pittsburgh….I’ll save that blog for another day because there is really not much to tell. Noelle remains a mystery….just the way she likes it!

So for now, we wait….we pray! Feel free to join us!

Xoxo,

Stacie 🙂