Cancer: Game On: March 2014

Friday, March 28, 2014

IngerStrong Golf Tournament

Several months ago, Eagle Hills began planning a golf tournament to benefit our family. Eagle Hills will be hosting the tournament on Saturday, April 12. Besides great golf, there are some amazing prizes for golfers along with a silent and live auction. Come and bid for the chance to win a 5-night stay in Kapalua, Maui! A BBQ lunch will be provided by Mickey Ray's at 1:30.

To sign up your team, please contact Dave Radcliffe (IngerStrong@eaglehillsgolfcourse.com) Haven't caught the golf bug? You are still invited to come for lunch and take part in the auction.

Zach and I have realized these past 3 months that cancer is a far too common word and is affecting so many families besides us. So, Zach began to dream about ways down the road to support others who face a similar battle. Ultimately, he hopes to create a foundation through the IngerStrong Golf Tournament to bless and support other families during their journey. Since January, both Zach and I have prayed that God will turn this rotten set of circumstances into something good. We hope this does just that.

We are excited and hope this year's IngerStrong Tournament for our family will be the first of many more down the road for other hurting families.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Answer to Prayer

Zach's lymph nodes are responding to the chemotherapy. The cancer has stopped growing and has not spread beyond the lymph nodes; his brain and organs are healthy. Although the treatment hasn't yet destroyed a great number of the cancer cells, there is marked improvement. We are happy for this good news but I must admit I was a bit disappointed not to hear: "Congratulations! 75% of the cancer has been eradicated!" But today's news was sure a heck of a lot better than what we feared.

I was reminded again today by our radiation oncologist that this will be a life long battle. Small goals are met one at a time--stopping the growth of the cancer being the first one.

Zach will continue with another 12 days of radiation (with the goal being to shrink the giant esophageal tumor). Then we will meet with Dr. Zuckerman after spring break to hear his plans for the next round of treatment.

Zach goes in Tuesday afternoon for his feeding tube. We are now both okay with this step--he needs nutrition and is falling behind quickly. The tube will be the perfect fix!

We will both sleep well tonight. I am so appreciative of your prayers for our family.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

A Tough Week of Bad News

We met with Dr. Zuckerman Tuesday morning before Zach's fourth round. It has become increasingly difficult for Zach to swallow anything--even liquids. Dr. Zuckerman decided it was time to do an endoscopy. There were 2 scenarios--either the chemo was irritating the esophagus or the tumor had mutated and continued to grow in spite of the chemo. Our appointment was set for Wednesday afternoon.

I woke up exhausted Wednesday morning. Neither Zach nor I could fall asleep Tuesday night. Once I did manage to fall asleep a certain 5-month old (the guilty shall remain nameless) fussed most of the night. Some mornings there just isn't enough coffee. I had nearly talked myself out of going to bible study and talked myself into going to the gym instead. I hadn't touched the week's lessons and I wasn't sure what good going would do for me. After the week's events though I know realize what a mistake it would have been had I gone to the gym! Today's lesson touched on Hebrew 11--faith in action. "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1) Has God ever knocked you over the head? It feels a lot like a 2 x 4 and serves as a good reminder why making Him a priority is necessary when there are weeks like this one.

Wednesday's last minute endoscopy appointment couldn't have come at a worse day or time because I had already committed to teach a class at Skyview High School in the afternoon. We are grateful to family and friends who pitched in to watch the boys and drive Zach to the hospital. Due to miscommunication Zach arrived at his appointment late. But that allowed me to get from Nampa to Boise just as the doctor began talking to Zach about the procedure. Sadly the procedure found that the tumor in his esophagus has grown quite a bit and is now blocking 80% of the passageway. We decided not to make a decision regarding placement of a stent or a feeding tube Wednesday. We came home and tried to make sense of what we had just learned.

Dr. Zuckerman called us first thing Thursday morning. By 10:00 we were at MSTI actively planning for radiation. The radiation will (hopefully) shrink the esophageal tumor. Zach will go in every day for 3 weeks of radiation. Dr. Kuhn, our radiation oncologist will then rescan to monitor how the tumor is responding. Zach's body was "mapped" out today using a CT scan to prepare for the radiation. 3 weeks of daily radiation begins Friday. Once the chemoball is removed Saturday I think that chemo will be put on the back burner for awhile.

A PET scan is scheduled Friday morning and we will meet with Dr. Kuhn on Monday to get the results. This scan is the one we have been waiting for! It was originally scheduled for April but with the growth of the tumor it has been pushed up. We will know if the lymph nodes have responded to the chemo or if there is a systematic problem. Obviously there is concern because the esophageal tumor has grown and the cancer might have spread beyond the lymph nodes as well. It might be a long weekend not knowing! I'm sure March Madness will help keep us busy :)

Zach has lost a significant amount of weight in the last 3 weeks. The decision has been made to insert a feeding tube. This is pretty demoralizing for Zach but he understands the need. The tube will likely be inserted Friday after radiation. In typical dramatic and ironic fashion, Zach cracked a molar on a soft piece of food today at lunch. We wrapped the molar up in a napkin and visited the dentist after Zach's MRI and a long day of (mostly) bad news. I just have to laugh at that one!

Our good news is that Zach continues to have a "beautiful and cancer-free brain"--those words coming from Dr. Kuhn. We are thankful for this news!

Game On!

Zach after his endoscopy on Wednesday.

Thursday's CT scan to "map" out Zach's body for the radiation treatment.

We can't end on a sad note! I always wanted a thumb-sucker because they're so cute! Remind me I said this when he's 5 and we are pinning socks to his hands at night.

In closing, we remain hopeful and faithful regardless of what happens. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Round #4 Begins Tuesday!

Our prayers were answered! Given the circumstances, Zach couldn't have had a better week at school. He didn't get sick during the week and he survived all 5 days of teaching. Without a doubt God pulled him through it and we are thankful and relieved.

My brother's girlfriend Jessica is the dance team director for the Idaho Stampede so went to a game Friday night. The Stampede gave our group a court side table and also offered to pass out information about April's golf tournament. I am very appreciative of the Stampede's kindness--we had a fun time!

Saturday night we were treated to another wonderful evening! All 5 members of the Leonnig family came over to babysit and they treated Zach and I to dinner at Gino's. (Zach teaches and coaches their son, Luke.) It was such a thoughtful and creative gesture! I think Oliver loved making new friends and having someone help him with his golf game. We enjoyed Gino's and loved our time together. Thank you Leonnigs for being so good to us with all you have done.

Eating is becoming increasingly difficult for Zach. The chemotherapy is irritating his esophagus. Zach described it as though his esophagus is rejecting whatever he tries to swallow. Soft and liquid foods help some but we pray his ability to eat isn't blocked altogether and he can continue to eat without much more discomfort and difficulty. Round #4 begins Tuesday. He teaches Monday and I hope it will help keep his mind off of what the rest of the week will bring.

In closing, I want to share an email Zach received from a former student. Like many of you who are teachers and coaches, Zach never gave much thought to whose life he might be touch. There are students and athletes you work directly with who would undoubtedly share similar sentiments if the circumstances called for it. As a former teacher myself, I too often forgot about the opportunities I had to touch lives when I was overwhelmed with all the demands teaching brought. I hope this helps you remember.

My name is ____ and I heard you had cancer from the grapevine at my church, Cathedral of the Rockies. I was in your class freshman year at Rocky and sophomore year too. You were and still are my favorite teacher I have ever had, and when I heard you had cancer I instantly started to cry. I wanted so desperately to contact you, so I looked on Google for a way and prayed to the Lord and I found one. You inspired me Mr Ingersoll to do my very best and you believed in me, when really no one else did. I cry because I think why the heck did this man have to get cancer, he has a 5 month old! I am only 19 years old, so please don't judge me, but I have a 11 month old daughter, who is my world. I think to myself, what would happen if I was in your shoes? I will tell you the truth I am not a very optimistic person, but there is no one I would be more willing to put my life's earnings in than you winning this battle. I know you will win. You are kind, many look up to you, you are strong, and I believe in you. I hope you remember me, it would mean so much if you did. Stay strong, and keep carrying on, anything is possible with Mr. Ingersoll.

Our friend Tanya Leaf took this picture while she was in Boston. They stole my blog title! :)

This picture was snapped during the state basketball tournament after a questionable call. I love everything about this picture!

Luke Leonnig and Max.

Luke and Natalie teaching Oliver how to golf.

My sweet grandma "Cokee" holding Max.

Mitch and Max.

Mitch and Jessica with our boys. I'd like to photoshop Zach and myself into this picture as it is the only one I have of both boys actually looking at the camera. Neither boy is crying or pulling someone else's hair, and there aren't any fingers in noses, stained shirts or sticky faces.

This adorable squishy baby turned 5 months old today!

Mitch and me at the Stampede game.

Zach and me.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Lots of FroYo and Toppings

It's hard to begin a post following a big night of support. Do I start with 'thank you?' Those words look hollow because they don't convey the depth of appreciation we have. I was reminded again by the show of support at the Aspen Leaf fundraiser just how much God has blessed us. Zach's battle has shown me how many others are also fighting a similar battle. And most of those people haven't received the kind of public attention we have…though they would deserve every bit of it! On Friday, a sweet lady introduced herself to us as we were eating lunch. She recognized us from the blog and is battling cancer with 5 kids at home. We were so touched to hear her story. It was a reminder that many have a similar story.

We do not take a single thing for granted that people do for us. It has never been about the money for Zach and I (although we do understand that is why the fundraisers are being organized.) It really has been about people loving on us, praying for the family, encouraging Zach and just being all around amazing. We are incredibly grateful for you!

Some of the first people in Aspen Leaf's doors was the Rocky Mtn basketball team. What sweet guys! I know how much they love Zach and he feels the same about them. The little boys and I ventured down after nap and Zach joined later for a bit. Saturday was his worst day so far but he spent as much time at AL as he could.

I definitely see that chemotherapy has a cumulative effect on the body. Each round is tougher on Zach than the previous. In 1 week Zach will need to return full-time to work. Short term disability will come to an end and it is important to save as much sick leave as possible for the future. Zach will work full days on his "good" weeks. I ask that you begin praying now for the week of March 10th. He needs prayers for energy and prayers for protection that he remains healthy.

In closing, Zach was really, really touched by everyone who reached out last week. He clearly doesn't check the blog anymore because he wondered how so many of you got his number. I won't tell if you don't!

Granted this has nothing to do with Aspen Leaf but just LOOK at this child! An adorable 18 pound at his 4-month checkup.

Clearly wearing a size-too-small diaper.

Bricen and Bode Lords enjoying their lunch!

The Bueno boys chowing down.

Grandma Kathi and Mr. Max. This amazing woman spent ALL DAY and EVENING at Aspen Leaf. She dubbed herself the "unofficial greeter" and thanked family, friends and strangers. Good thing she loves yogurt--she got her fill of it :)