Thursday, May 11, 2017
Monday, May 1, 2017
Vitale's and an update
If you don't feel like making dinner tomorrow night (Tuesday, May 2), my school colleagues have a solution for you...head to Vitale's in Zeeland tomorrow night between 4:00-8:00! They have organized a fundraiser with Vitales...so grab a pizza or two! Just print off the attached flyer and turn it in with your order.
In the way of a quick update, our family has been to Ann Arbor 3 times in the past week, with one more trip coming this week. We are completely sick of being in the car (and Chris and I are really getting sick of listening to Frozen and Moana soundtracks), but the appointments have quite been productive.
Kai also had GI, endocrinology, and pulmonary appointments last week. We made a couple of med changes and are waiting for chest x-ray results. But, all in all--especially for Kai---the appointments went well.
As I mentioned before, Sam's initial genetic testing showed abnormality in the form of a chromosome duplication. We met with the geneticist today and plan to move forward with doing full exome sequencing (reading all of his genes). He also will have FISH testing completed; this will help doctors locate the placement of his extra chromosome. At this point we know he has an extra 8th chromosome, but we are not sure if it is in sequence or is hanging out in some random place. This test will tell us where it is located. I always feel so impatient while waiting for genetic testing results to come back!
Recently, I met with oncologists at the Comprehensive Cancer Center. They had some additional concerns which led to further testing being completed there and I am now also scheduled for an MRI on Friday. Hopefully we will have good results to share soon!
Thank you for all of the support through all of this!
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Last chance...and quick updates!
I just heard that over 400 Team Timmer shirts have been ordered!! We know you will wants yours, too. You have until tonight to make your purchase...don't miss out!
Remember, if you are not in the area or able to pick your shirts up from Lincoln Elementary on the 26th, Chris and I will gladly make sure we get them to you!
Also,here are just a couple of quick updates:
Sam
Some of you know that we have hit some "bumps in the road" with Sam. He is not responding well to medications. We have an appointment coming up in Ann Arbor to look at next steps; we head to Ann Arbor, but Boston Children's Hospital is also covering his care, so the neurologists there will be able to offer input. It's great having 2 facilities that are working together for him. Also, we found out that Sam's genetic testing (chromosomal array) came back abnormal; he has extra chromosome tissue. So, we will be heading back to the geneticist to now "read" his genes to look for syndromes.
Kai
Kai has been "holding his own" for the last little while. But, as soon as we think he's in a good place, something usually comes up. He has had an increase in GI bleeding and pain lately. So, I head to Ann Arbor twice next week with him.
Jen
I meet with medical oncologists bright and early next Monday morning before heading to Ann Arbor with Kai. Because we're pretty loyal to U of M at this point (Go Blue!), I will also be heading to Ann Arbor to meet with the tumor review board and oncologists there soon. Of course, we can't forget about radiology oncology; I have appointments set up next week to meet with them.
We continue to thank everyone who has supported us in anyway!
Also,here are just a couple of quick updates:
Sam
Some of you know that we have hit some "bumps in the road" with Sam. He is not responding well to medications. We have an appointment coming up in Ann Arbor to look at next steps; we head to Ann Arbor, but Boston Children's Hospital is also covering his care, so the neurologists there will be able to offer input. It's great having 2 facilities that are working together for him. Also, we found out that Sam's genetic testing (chromosomal array) came back abnormal; he has extra chromosome tissue. So, we will be heading back to the geneticist to now "read" his genes to look for syndromes.
Kai
Kai has been "holding his own" for the last little while. But, as soon as we think he's in a good place, something usually comes up. He has had an increase in GI bleeding and pain lately. So, I head to Ann Arbor twice next week with him.
Jen
I meet with medical oncologists bright and early next Monday morning before heading to Ann Arbor with Kai. Because we're pretty loyal to U of M at this point (Go Blue!), I will also be heading to Ann Arbor to meet with the tumor review board and oncologists there soon. Of course, we can't forget about radiology oncology; I have appointments set up next week to meet with them.
We continue to thank everyone who has supported us in anyway!
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Team Timmer shirts
After my cancer diagnosis, my Lincoln Elementary colleagues graciously designed t-shirts to support our family through all of our medical journeys. Online ordering for Team Timmer shirts has been open for a couple of weeks and ordering ends tomorrow, April 12!
So far, a couple hundred shirts have been ordered...and we know you will want one, too!
Below is the link to place your online order. When ordering, you will be asked for the "player name"; just put your name---this helps know who the order is going to! Also, shirts will be delivered to Lincoln Elementary, however, Chris and I are more than willing to ship them to you. If you need us to ship them, please just let us know (you can message either of us on FB or email chrisjensam@gmail.com).
https://teamtimmer.itemorder.
We appreciate all of the support!
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Quick Update
Happy Saturday morning!
Chris and I just wanted to share a really quick update since next week is surgery week. The plan right now is for surgery to take place bright and early Tuesday morning. I'm sure my sentiments will change as we're actually on the way to the hospital, but I'm so ready!
For the past couple of weeks I have been sick (flu and sinus infection) and every time I think I'm finally better, a fever comes back. I have had this fever just hanging around now for 9 days. We found out yesterday that there is infection in the blood stream. That probably explains why I've felt so crummy! Anyway, we're working on fighting that so that it doesn't change Tuesday's plan at all. So, we'd appreciate a quick prayer that this doesn't set us back.
Obviously, the treatment plan (chemo/radiation) will be determined after surgery.
Again, we just want to thank everyone for all of the prayers and support.We definitely feel the love!
Also, I just have to share this picture...but my 3rd graders did this on the playground. They must have known I needed that yesterday!
Thanks!
Chris and I just wanted to share a really quick update since next week is surgery week. The plan right now is for surgery to take place bright and early Tuesday morning. I'm sure my sentiments will change as we're actually on the way to the hospital, but I'm so ready!
For the past couple of weeks I have been sick (flu and sinus infection) and every time I think I'm finally better, a fever comes back. I have had this fever just hanging around now for 9 days. We found out yesterday that there is infection in the blood stream. That probably explains why I've felt so crummy! Anyway, we're working on fighting that so that it doesn't change Tuesday's plan at all. So, we'd appreciate a quick prayer that this doesn't set us back.
Obviously, the treatment plan (chemo/radiation) will be determined after surgery.
Again, we just want to thank everyone for all of the prayers and support.We definitely feel the love!
Also, I just have to share this picture...but my 3rd graders did this on the playground. They must have known I needed that yesterday!
Thanks!
Thursday, March 9, 2017
more testing!
Just a quick update since my last post...
While I was supposed to have surgery this afternoon, we had small change in plans. I am now scheduled for an MRI tomorrow. With the MRI, the surgeon and oncologist are looking for a couple of things, including any signs that the cancer has metastasized. I will also be having genetic testing done to check for the BRCA mutation. Both tests are recommended because, according to the surgeon, I'm "just a kid" (tell that to my wrinkles and crackling joints in the morning!). Both tests are expedited, so we should have results very soon....and results will impact treatment options after surgery. Additionally,because I will have lymph nodes removed during surgery I will begin occupational therapy on Monday. Therapy will continue after surgery as well.
The one new piece of information that we have learned during my pre-op appointment yesterday is that it is likely that I will have my ovaries removed, too.
As I was leaving yet another appointment this afternoon I was feeling grumpy about the entire situation. I'm in quite a bit of pain, so that doesn't help matters any. But, I quickly checked Facebook and was overwhelmed by what I saw.
ZPS...I'm not even sure what to say other than I love you guys!
While I was supposed to have surgery this afternoon, we had small change in plans. I am now scheduled for an MRI tomorrow. With the MRI, the surgeon and oncologist are looking for a couple of things, including any signs that the cancer has metastasized. I will also be having genetic testing done to check for the BRCA mutation. Both tests are recommended because, according to the surgeon, I'm "just a kid" (tell that to my wrinkles and crackling joints in the morning!). Both tests are expedited, so we should have results very soon....and results will impact treatment options after surgery. Additionally,because I will have lymph nodes removed during surgery I will begin occupational therapy on Monday. Therapy will continue after surgery as well.
The one new piece of information that we have learned during my pre-op appointment yesterday is that it is likely that I will have my ovaries removed, too.
As I was leaving yet another appointment this afternoon I was feeling grumpy about the entire situation. I'm in quite a bit of pain, so that doesn't help matters any. But, I quickly checked Facebook and was overwhelmed by what I saw.
Even colleagues that weren't at school sent support!
We even got love during Lincoln's Walk Program today...thanks Tammy for sending them to me!
And then there are the ZPS families. Right now I have 74 emails in my inbox from parents/students (sorry, I know I won't have a chance to respond to all of them tonight 😊). Here are just few notes that were sent our way.
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
A Loss for Words
As I haven't posted for quite some time, I feel like I should have something profound or enlightened to say. But as the title of the blog post expresses, our family is at a loss for words right now. We have been shaken in the past couple of weeks, so I hope that you'll understand the brevity and bluntness of this post.
Surprisingly, as this is an outlet where I typically share about the boys and our journey with their health, our shock is not in regard to Sam or Kai. Instead, it is me. Recently, I have been diagnosed with breast cancer. **insert tears, frustration, anger, sadness**
I will be having surgery coming up this week, followed by chemo and radiation. We know that it's fairly aggressive, but we're hoping that we have detected it early enough to have an effective plan in place.
We covet your thoughts and prayers as, naturally, this is all so incredibly overwhelming right now. We have our plates full already caring for 2 children with chronic health issues; we definitely do not "need" this right now (not that anyone ever does!). However, it is evident that cancer doesn't care that we are already working so hard everyday to meet the physical, emotional, spiritual, financial needs of our family... but, our God does. We're trusting that He provides the strength to conquer this!
Surprisingly, as this is an outlet where I typically share about the boys and our journey with their health, our shock is not in regard to Sam or Kai. Instead, it is me. Recently, I have been diagnosed with breast cancer. **insert tears, frustration, anger, sadness**
I will be having surgery coming up this week, followed by chemo and radiation. We know that it's fairly aggressive, but we're hoping that we have detected it early enough to have an effective plan in place.
We covet your thoughts and prayers as, naturally, this is all so incredibly overwhelming right now. We have our plates full already caring for 2 children with chronic health issues; we definitely do not "need" this right now (not that anyone ever does!). However, it is evident that cancer doesn't care that we are already working so hard everyday to meet the physical, emotional, spiritual, financial needs of our family... but, our God does. We're trusting that He provides the strength to conquer this!
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