New to this

[Racing for life]

Hi! Just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Julie. My husband Matt, of almost 2 months now, was informed by his gastronologist the first of August that he did not have Chrons diasease but a tumor in his stomach. Now, almost 2 months later, 2 surgeries later, and 2 series of BEP's down, AND two stays in the hospital, we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. We have felt like we have been run through the mill, so to speak, as we have been dealing with him being in pain since the end of March. Now we have answers, a plan of attack, and feel like life has given us a second chance. We can't wait until the chemo is over and we can start living life to the fullest.

I have been reading the blogs here everyday and it has been so helpful just to hear your stories. To know that what we are experiencing is normal. Just to have the knowledge of what we can expect has been more helpful than anything I have read on the internet, in a phamplet, or even a book. I have so many questions and truly value your insight and ideas already. You are all so supportive of each other and I can't wait to get to know you all. Thank you for letting us become a member of such a wonderful family.

[Margaret]

Welcome Julie, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband for a fast recovery and a happy marriage.

[dadmo]

Julie:
Welcome. I'm glad we have been able to give you some level of comfort. Anything you want to share, vent about or ask is fine with all of us. We're here for you.

[Karen]

Welcome Julie. I see you husband was diagnosed with stage III seminoma. How's he doing after the surgery and chemo?

[Fed]

Allow me to join in welcoming you here. Our community is outstanding, and we're here to help each other out. I'm glad you guys are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and I hope the remainder of your husband's recovery goes as smoothly as can be.

[Racing for life]

Karen- He was told the surgery was not going to be a big deal but he was really sore. He ended up having a stint put in his tube going to his kidney as the mass in his stomach was resting on the right kidney. But all in all he is such a trooper he is doing really well. As far as the chemo goes, every time he has a round his counts get so low that he gets sent to the hospital for a 6 day stay, like last time, or three day stay, like this time. That gets frustrating as I feel like I am not doing my job as a wife by keeping him healthy enough at home. He tells me that I am doing a great job but I worry. And now today our youngest has a temp and sore throat so she is confined to her room for recovery today. I worry that she will get more sick and then who will have to leave? Days like today are the hard ones for me but I will get through this. WE, will get through this!

And thank you all for the welcomes. They are like little E-hugs!

[dadmo]

Julie:
You doing a wonderful job. His counts will drop because of the chemo it has noting to do with your level of caregiving. It's not uncommon for some of our family to get sick like your husband. Do you know if he is getting anything to help build his counts up?

[Fed]

Julie,
I can guarantee that you are kicking butt as a caregiver. Something like this is always a drain on the caregivers, but it looks like your husband is also looking out for you . I am curious about what dadmo asked. Has your husband been receiving neulasta shots at the end of the first week of every cycle?

[Racing for life]

He just left to get a neupogen shot(not sure on the spelling here). He had two while in the hospital and has three more to do as an out patient at our local hospital. We meet with our oncologist Monday and I want to talk to him about being more proactive so we don't end up in the hospital again. I never thought about starting in with the shots the Monday after the 5 days of chemo. I will add that to my list of questions in our cancer journal.

[dadmo]

The neulasta shot was standard in treatment schedule they set up for my son. Even with the neulasta my sons counts were low, I can't imagine what they would have been with it.

[Margaret]

The site of the injection will be sore for a few days. Advil and warm compresses help if he has any discomfort.

[Racing for life]

I'm getting the advil and heating pad ready as we speak. Thanks for the help.

[Racing for life]

Update

We met with our oncologist yesterday and Matt started his BEP yesterday (last round!!!) and I mentioned getting ahead of the crash this time with getting shots ordered for next week. He said that sounded like a great plan so we have his blood tested Monday and will go from there! Thanks for the ideas!