Our Next Steps

We met with Dr. Dan this morning.  Zach's comfort is top priority and he will no longer continue with any treatments.  We will interview a few hospice facilities next week.  It will nice to have them on board and they will be able to provide a full "home pharmacy."  Zach plans to continue teaching and coaching for as along as he is able.  

We had a nice pre-Thanksgiving pizza feast on Wednesday night with the Ingersolls.  Thursday afternoon we went to Kris' house and spent a lively afternoon with more family.  Oliver and Max had a fantastic time!  Zach was in quite a bit of pain both days.  But he now has strict instructions not to be afraid to take his pain medication.  He is a different guy when he is nearly pain free!  

Our dear friend Maxine May took family pictures for us a week ago.  The new blog picture is one of them.  She has a knack and quite a talent for getting everyone's attention!  

 Grandma Wendy and Oliver!  She's such a Grandma--she made sure Oliver was fed and happy before she got a plate for herself :)

 Uncle Matt and Zach.

 Posing after dinner.  

 Oliver enjoyed his Thanksgiving meal...especially the croissants.  

 Cousin Carter, Uncle Nate and Oliver burning off their pie calories in the backyard.  

 No tears = successful picture

 Kris with 2 of her boys.

 Mitch and Jessica are newly engaged!

Mitch and I got a lot of flack for both wearing purple shirts.  

My mom and I ran our annual 5K Turkey Run again this year. 

Many months ago my sweet aunt shared this with me: "Sometimes God calms the storm. Sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child."  I have reminded myself of this over and over this past week.  He is in control and we WILL be okay.   

Results

Zach woke up last Friday morning with upper back pain but he attributed it to a long night of sitting at the TranSiberian Orchestra.  We tried massages and a heating pad for a couple of days but they offered only temporary relief and the pain worsened.  This was an eerily similar experience to the one in August when we learned his cancer had metastasized.  Both times the pain stuck up on him rather quickly, it was in his back, and we kept trying to "work out" the knots and pain with massage and heat; nothing had a lasting effect.  I spoke to our nurse on Sunday because I was so concerned.  We moved scans up to Monday (yesterday) and met with a nurse practitioner later in the afternoon for results.  

We learned yesterday that Zach has not responded to the treatments these past 6 weeks.  (There are not yet any definitive answers as to why he has such intense new pain--it could be a blood clot or pneumonia but likely the spread of the cancer.)  He is now on an antibiotic for pneumonia and further tests for a possible blood clot are being run.

Zach is having a hard time keeping anything down.  He went in to the hospital today for fluids and liquid morphine.  He also got a prescription for stronger medication to get him through the rest of the week until we meet with Dr. Dan on Friday.  My guess is that instead of treating Zach's cancer as we've done in the past, we will now make it a priority to treat his pain and offer as much comfort as possible.  

We are looking forward to Thanksgiving at Kris' house with family and incredibly thankful for all of you.  

These are a few of the sweet kids from the Eagle Middle School National Junior Honor Society who brought us an early Thanksgiving dinner last week.  What a special treat for my crew!  Max loves his cuddle time with Ellie (in pink) in the church nursery.  

Seattle Updates

We made the decision last month to continue with treatment with the hope it would buy us time before a spot became available this month. The research coordinator from Seattle called yesterday afternoon.  They offered Zach a spot in their clinical trial that would begin next week.  However, the trial protocol requires that Zach has a 4 week chemo break before he begins the trial.  Although he had his last treatment 2 1/2 weeks ago, he has been taking a daily chemo pill.  This disqualifies him from beginning the trial next week.  Zach will loose his spot in the trial and be put back on the waiting list.  Regardless of what scans tell us next week Zach wants to take a break from the chemo.  Even if the treatment IS working and scans come back looking good, it has come at a high price; Zach is worn out and and tired of being sick.  Another spot in the trial might open up in January.

Those who know me understand that I ask TONS of questions (to the point that Zach usually offers those in the room a sympathetic smile as I rattle them all off.)  When we visited Seattle in September I gathered all of the information I thought we needed.  We were told at that time that Zach could continue with chemo until a spot became available.  Never once did anyone mention he would need to be chemo free for 4 weeks before he took part in the trial.  I was livid when I learned this yesterday.  I continue to be incredibly disappointed with the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and the oncologist.  

A couple of weeks ago I asked Oliver what he learned in the children's program at church.  He told me, "God's got it!"  I nearly broke down in tears because he is right!  I have been reminding myself these past 18 hours that God's got it.  I can't put my trust in the doctors and research staff at the SCCA.  But I can and will put my trust in God.  He has always made things abundantly clear to us during this journey.  The door to begin the trial next week closed for a reason.  I have to believe that in order to function and continue on.  

Thank you to those who have shared a video with me.  I have received 4 via email.  A wonderful friend at Eagle High School spent time at both schools yesterday to interview a few kids and I am so grateful for that.  He is also helping me format everyone and put the video together after Thanksgiving.  If you'd like to share something for Zach's surprise Christmas gift please email it to me at: ingersoll.nicole@gmail.com by November 30th.  

 My brown-eyed snow bunny!

 No free ride around here--he has got to earn his keep!

 Zach and Max snuggling at The Little Gym during a birthday party for a friend.

Thank goodness there was a car cart available at Fred Meyer--Oliver is less than pleased when there isn't one.  

 Sweet Max!

 Max helped me organize his room.

Zach and I went to see the Transiberian Orchestera last night, a wonderful gift from my mom. I have wanted to see them for years!  It was an amazing show.  

 

 

Final Round Before Scans

Zach had his second and final treatment today before scans.  His first round with the new treatment 3 weeks ago was very rough; he battled fatigue, extreme nausea and hand/feet neuropathy. He is noticing more pain as time goes on...always a concern.  But he has managed to avoid mouth sores.  Scans are scheduled the day before Thanksgiving and we will have results the day after Thanksgiving. 

Many people have reached out over the last 11 months and offered their help.  Prayers have always been our biggest request.  However there is something you can help with!  This Christmas "things" are less important than ever.  So, I would like to make a tribute DVD for Zach where people share their memories of him.  I would love to include as many family members, friends, colleagues, current/former students and athletes as possible.  If you'd like to contribute, I would LOVE that.  Please email me video of a memory, funny story, lesson he taught you, etc.  In addition to it being a touching gift for Zach, it is my hope that Oliver and Max will be able to learn so much about their dad.   Your tribute does not need to be long or fancy.  Email your video to me at: ingersoll.nicole@gmail.com. If it is too large to email we can use Dropbox.  Let me know what works best for you. The sooner I have it, the better.  I will need time to format and compile the videos so it will help to have plenty of time before Christmas to do so.  It is a surprise for Zach!

Thanks in advance!

 Uncle Nate and the boys!

 Oliver checking out Uncle Nate's beard.  

Zach's cousin Alexis flew in for a few days.  We really enjoyed our time with her and she kept our spirits up during Zach's treatment today.  

 Max spent his Halloween with the stomach flu.  

 Poor Max was so tired and sick but we did manage a quick family picture.  

Oliver was the cutest trick-or-treater ever!  Each time he was given a piece of candy he asked the neighbor: "Can I eat it?" 

 Daddy and Oliver.

My race car driver and me.  


Nate and I ran the Zeitgeist half marathon the day after Halloween.  The 13.1 miles loomed over my head like a dark cloud but kept me from eating too much Halloween candy the night before :) A tough race but my fastest so far!