Radiation

[Tiffany Chen]

Hey everyone,

Today was a busy day for us. 

• blood draw in the AM - because we missed it last Friday
• Lumbar puncture - also rested in the dark for about 40 minutes after the procedure.
  
• (quick chick fil A run b/c the LP was running 2 hrs late and we missed most of PT)
  
• PT - I know I know... take it easy after an LP.  She just showed Anderson some exercises he could do in bed and walked once around the gym.  I was also checking the puncture site pretty frequently... no signs of bleeding, bruising, leaking and no headaches. 
  
• OT - ate some jello parfait, washed hands, practiced handwriting, tying shoes.
  
• Radiation - day 1

All in all, we were at the hospital for about 7 hours.  I was worried he wasn't going to make it through the day but the LP, according to him, was a 3/10 on a scale of difficulty to get through whereas he was anticipating a 6-7/10, he likes PT and OT so he had some fun there... and radiation was radiation.  First day's the longest one and he got through it fine.  Came home and took a nap after drinking a large milkshake type thing. 

Came home to care package from my family and 3 cards in the mail.  :)  THANK YOU!  Yes, Carissa, everything is bigger in Texas... especially, the cockroaches.  They're monster. 

• He hasn't had much of a headache since, but he woke up from his nap with some neck-shaking, which bothers him. 
• Pray for the results of the LP and spinal MRI to come back in our favor.
• He says his left eye seems to be a little more stable today.  :)  Continue to pray for that
• He drank 2 muscle milks today.  Pray that he stays well hydrated and full of protein throughout radiation.  He actually likes the muscle milk (chocolate). 
  
• Since jello also counts as fluid... he's been eating that too.  yay.  :)  Today's flavor is... pina colada.  I think I'll have to buy more of that.  Forgot where I got it tho.  Target or Kroger... 

Today was a pretty good day.  Glad for that.

Night!
Tiff

[Tiffany Chen]

Hi all,

Thank you for the encouraging cards and packages!!!  We've really enjoyed opening them and reading your words to us.  Thank you so much!  Just a reminder to double check the address before you send something.  We've moved this past week to a bigger apartment.  It's just across the hall to apartment 2318 instead of 2316.  I'm not sure how much longer I'll still have the old mail key and I wouldn't want our precious mail to get lost or left in another mailbox.  :)

Updates

• Radiation - Anderson finished day 4 of radiation today.  He's tolerating it pretty well so far. He's been drinking muscle milk, nutritional shakes and we found a Smoothie King pineapple protein smoothie that he really likes.  He said it almost tastes like orange julius... but it's not too sweet, which he likes.  We still have another 25 rounds of radiation to go, and then an MRI of the brain and spine, and then more appointments with the oncologist and neurosurgeon.  So far, his only treatment is going to be radiation until something else changes.
• Lumbar Puncture - came back negative!  No tumor cells in the cerebral spinal fluid!!!!!  SUPER good news.  :)  Thank God!
  
• Spinal MRI - came back clear for the most part.  One very small area that they're going to keep an eye on, but since the CSF was clear, they're not too worried about it.  GOOD NEWS too!  Praise God!
• New Apartment - we've settled into the new place just fine.  The rooms are bigger so it's easier for him to get around.  We've changed the shower head to a handheld and we got a chair to use in the shower so now he's pretty much independent.  I'm just around for assistance and safety nowadays.  :)  More Yays!
• PT/OT - also doing well in PT/OT.  He's been learning to walk better (with the walker) and working on some coordination things with his hands and feet.  On Friday, I think he might try baking cookies with OT.  That'll be exciting... and yummy.  :)
• Job - we're going through the book of Job together.  He's really enjoying it so far.  We've only been through ch 1-3.  He says that "Job gets it".  We look fwd to reading more together tonight.  :)
  

Prayer requests

• Nausea & vomitting at night - when he tosses and turns or moves around too quickly, he gets nauseous and vomits at night.  I put the anti-nausea bracelets on him at night and keep the basin handy.  It's still pretty scary to wake up to that kind of emergency though.  Pray that he'll be able to sleep through the night comfortably so he won't toss and turn.
• Vision - pray that his vision would stabilize and also for his double vision to improve.  This also adds to the nausea and vomitting.
• Energy & motivation - he's got good days and bad days... on a good day he'll be more willing to do things for himself and to practice what he learned in PT/OT.  Pray for more good days. 
  
• Rest - good, rejuvenating rest.

<3,
Tiff

[Tiffany Chen]

Hi Everyone,

A lot happened today.  Very eventful and productive.  I won't bore you with the details up front, but I went to the social security office, we all went to Brazilian bbq for lunch, Anderson had radiation, PT, and OT, I filled out a change of addy at the post office, we returned a transport chair to costco, got passport pics taken, returned stuff at the mall, ate dinner, read Job with my hubs, had some family time, filled out passport application, assembled transport chair, wrote thank you e-cards... and that's the gist of the major events for today.  I feel good at the end of a productive day.

Updates

• Radiation - day 5 is done.  We saw this at the radiation check-in desk.  made all of us laugh.

• PT - went well.  We got a whole list of exercises to do at home. 
  
• OT - went extremely well.  Anderson baked cookies today!  He did it all by himself and after he was done, we went around the rehab gym and delivered cookies to the patients and staff.  I'm really really proud of him.  Some pictures on facebook.
  

Prayer requests (same as yesterday's)

• Nausea & vomitting at night - when he tosses and turns or moves around too quickly, he gets nauseous and vomits at night.  I put the anti-nausea bracelets on him at night and keep the basin handy.  It's still pretty scary to wake up to that kind of emergency though.  Pray that he'll be able to sleep through the night comfortably so he won't toss and turn.
• Vision - pray that his vision would stabilize and also for his double vision to improve.  This also adds to the nausea and vomitting.
• Energy & motivation - he's got good days and bad days... on a good day he'll be more willing to do things for himself and to practice what he learned in PT/OT.  Pray for more good days.  

• Hearing - he says that things don't sound the same.  Not sure about that one, but pray that it improves.
  

• Rest - good, rejuvenating rest.

Thank you for interceding for us!!!  Have a blessed Easter!
<3,
Tiff

[Tiffany Chen]

Hi all,

We had a pretty great Easter weekend.  Our friends from CA flew over to visit and it really lifted both our spirits and encouraged us in our struggle.  We've also had the pleasure of receiving many of the cards a lot of you are sending to us (hand carried and via usps) and we had a lot of fun looking at them, opening them, reading them, and also eating some of the things you all sent to us.  Thank you all for your kind words, thoughtfulness, and encouragement to us! 

Updates:

• Radiation - day 7 is done.  Anderson's been tolerating it fairly well, I think.  He's been drinking a lot of protein and he's still eating well.  He could probably be drinking a little bit more, but overall, he's doing OK on the radiation treatment.
• Firsts - Anderson had a lot of firsts in the past few days.  He went out to the park with our friends, he walked by himself at PT, he's been trying to read more now... and we watched a movie today for the first time.  It wasn't a great movie, but it's the first time he's done it since the surgery.  He also said that he has a lot more energy now.  We also did some leg workouts together today. 
  
• Neuro Opthamologist Oncologist - we have an appointment to see the eye specialist tomorrow.  Hopefully she'll be able to help out with some of his vision problems or at least suggest some therapy that Anderson can do in OT to help.  
• PT/OT - he's really enjoying PT and OT.  He looks fwd to it now.  :)  I'm really glad that he does.  I can see that it's helping and that he wants to work on the things that they point out to him.  
• Energy - since he's had more energy, we've been able to talk a lot more the past few days.  I'm really enjoying the time with my husband and cherishing our conversations.  He also felt well enough to accompany me to the drive through today.  He usually just wants me to bring food home, but he got really excited about what he was going to order today from McDonald's.  Yeah, I feel gross after eating the double fish filet sandwich (do we have those at home in CA?  I don't remember...) and spongy chicken nuggets, but it was fun going out with him today for the first time.
  

Prayer Requests

• Radiation - things have been going well so far, but keep praying that they continue to go well and that the treatment would be effective
• Nausea/vomitting- he still gets nauseous and vomits when he gets out of bed the first thing in the morning.  Docs say that it could be swelling from the radiation.  Pray that he'll be able to get through it.  Mornings aren't the greatest for him.
  
• Dodgers/Astros - Anderson would like to go to a Dodger game next week if he feels up for it.  Hopefully he'll feel well enough to go!  Pray for good health and energy next week.
• Rest - pray for good rest.  last night was a good night.  pray for more good nights... also for more productive and busy days so that we'll be tired enough to rest well.
• Healing - from his occassional headaches, unstable vision and double vision, general uncoordination, and neck shaking.
  

Thank you all for your continued prayers!  It really is encouraging to us to read news from home and how blessed everyone's been back at home.  Please continue to remember us! 

:)
Tiff

[Tiffany Chen]

Hi Everyone,

The days all seem to be flowing together now that we've settled into a routine of daily radiation and MWF PT/OT.  I woke up this morning praising God for all the encouragements and good things He's sent us lately and also reminding myself that we shouldn't get lazy with our prayers or complacent in our attitude towards God, but to praise Him, praise Him, praise HIM for all the great things He's done in us, through us, and through all of you.

Thank you all SOOO much for writing the letters and cards.  We've received one almost every day this week and it's been the high point of my day to open the little box and pull out the cards addressed to us.  Thank you for continuing to remember us in your small groups, on a daily basis, and for praying for us and encouraging us through our stay here in Houston.  Anderson and I are truly touched by your gracious acts of love toward us and how far your arms reach out to lift us up.

Updates:

• Opthamologist - she did a quick assessment and prisms won't work for Anderson at this point in his recovery.  We have another appointment for a more thorough assessment later on in May. 
  
• PT/OT - Anderson had a really good day of therapy yesterday.  We played foosball, air hockey, and mini shuffle board in OT.  I was really impressed by the improvement in his hand-eye coordination in foosball... especially since his vision is still moving and he has no depth perception.  He also did full pushups on his toes.  His muscles are getting stronger and he's working on walking without the walker in PT. 
  
• Radiation - day 10 is done.  He's actually feeling pretty good these days.  He still gets headaches when his head shakes but they seem to be less severe and he hasn't thrown up all week.  He's still drinking a lot of protein shakes.  Usually like 2 a day.  He really enjoys the egg protein shakes and his mom likes making them (I think). 
  

Prayer Requests (pretty much the same):

• Radiation - would be effective.  Anderson is scheduled to start losing hair in the radiated area this next week.  We're happy it's baseball season and he can wear a cap.  We didn't bring a dodgers cap to Houston... thankfully.  We hear the fans sometimes can get pretty rowdy.
• No more tumors! pray that the tumor(s) would not grow back and that the doctors would be on top of things with treatment and whatever it is that they need to do.
• Symptoms - praise God that things have gotten better.  Please continue to pray for less neck shaking, more stable vision, resolution of double vision, regaining coordination in his arms/legs, no nausea/vomitting/headaches
• Rest - continue to pray for good, productive, healing rest.  His muscles are continually sore with the exercises he's been doing in PT so pray that the rest would help heal him of the muscle soreness as well as be rejuvenating for the rest of his body.
• Dodgers/Astros game - we're still looking fwd to going on Thursday.  Pray that he would have the energy to go when the time comes.
• Family visiting - my parents and my aunt are coming to visit next week.  Pray for their safety as they travel.
  

Have a great weekend!!!  We've got thunderstorms here in Houston right now.  I guess we'll be staying in today.

<3,
Tiff

[Tiffany Chen]

Hi all,

Anderson's just past the halfway point in his radiation treatment.  Today was day 16 out of 30 total. 

He decided that he'd write an update so here it is (also on the facebook group).  :)


Hi everyone it's Anderson. Things here in Houston are ok. I hear that the Lakers are going to play Hou this next round? It's the only way we get LA televised stuff here since everything is either Astros or Rockets. Tiff and our families are very supportive and helps us a lot. I'm currently relearning a lot of things including walking, typing, writing, throwing and some others. Thank you all for your prayers and support, we will keep you updated.


<3,
Tifferson

[Tiffany Chen]

Hi Everyone,

Sorry for the lapse in updates.  There aren't too many big changes but there have been a few.

Overall, Anderson's been feeling well.  He has his good days and his bad days.  His schedule's been changed so that he goes to PT/OT twice a week instead of 3x a week so that allows us more time to rest during the week.

He finished day 20 of his 30 cycles of radiation.  Almost done!  We do have some appointments on the 2nd week of June (including another MRI of the head and spine) so we'll most likely be staying here until then.  After radiation's done, we'll have a few weeks here just to rest and hang out in hot, humid Houston... after the June appointments, we'll hopefully be coming home! 

Thank you to all of you for your prayers for us.  Also, thank you for the cards and care packages!  You really let us know that you're still thinking of us and still praying.  We are constantly encouraged by our church family and we thank you so much for your support!  I know it sounds so cliche but we really do mean it. :)

Prayer Requests:

• Health - pray that the tumors would not grow back.  Also pray that we would be protected from the swine flu and whatever else is flying around here.
• Eyes - Anderson will be seeing the neuro-opthamologist again this Wednesday.  He still has double vision and his vision is still unstable but it might be getting better.  It does get worse when he wakes up in the morning and then gets better as the day goes on.  He's been able to read a little bit nowadays so he reads Job to me sometimes.  He doesn't like it when I read ahead over his shoulder.  He's also been trying to type and send emails here and there.  It's also good practice for his fine coordination in his fingers.
  
• Strength/Stability - he's working on using the walker more than the wheelchair and he says that when he works out his legs, he feels more stable.  Sometimes he says that he feels more unstable... I can't really figure out if it's something to do with his brain or his legs... it's probably both.  It's definitely gotten better though since he's been doing PT/OT.
• Sleeping - his sleeping is much improved although he doesn't usually sleep as well as I do... (he's a light sleeper).  He hasn't thrown up at night for a few weeks and he's been less sensitive to noise/light (he also uses the eye covers and earplugs now and then which helps).  
• Shaking/headaches - I've noticed that he's shaking less nowadays and complains less of headaches.  The low-dose steroids probably has something to do with that. 
  
• Hearing - he's complained about his hearing not being the same since the surgery.  He says that it kinda sounds a little muffled.  Pray that it resolves. 
  
• Parents going back to CA - Anderson's parents are flying back home on Monday.  Pray for their safe journey and also for peace in their hearts about leaving us.  Also pray for us... it'll be pretty much the first time we've been on our own as a married couple.  Neither of us have really cooked too regularly since we moved home from Irvine.  Wow that was ... 4 years ago for me and 6 years ago for Anderson.  I'm pretty sure that we'll be OK but pray for us as we adjust and take care of ourselves.  
• Doctors & Therapists - wisdom for all of them as they treat Anderson.
  

I think that's about it for now.  :)

Miss you all!
Tiff (& Anderson)

[Tiffany Chen]

Hi all,

Anderson and I have been doing well out here in Houston... there are the good days and the bad, but we've been getting through them together and we praise God about that.  :)  Thank you for partnering with us and for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.  :)  We are so thankful for such an awesome support system... and for all you friends and family out there sending us your love.

Anderson's done with day 24 out of 30 cycles of radiation!  We're excited for him to complete his radiation treatment.  So far, he's been handling it well.  We've had a few early appointments this week which tire us out but the afternoon nap tends to help with that.

I think the biggest update is that we've been living on our own for... 2 and a half days.  haha.  It might not seem HUGE, but it's the first time we've been on our own since we've been married and I think we're having a great time.  We're not wild and crazy but we like being on our own.  We have our own adventures now together and it's pretty darn fun. 

This past Monday (also our nephew's 1 year birthday), while Pastor Ted and Dann were visiting, Pastor Ted baptized Anderson and his parents on our patio... with a jug of water.  It's been quite a spiritual journey for the both of us this past year and especially for Anderson.  We were all happy to witness his baptism as well as his parents' baptism.  Dann has the real pictures but I thought I'd draw you all an icon so you can imagine how it went.  It is attached.  The original masterpiece is in my journal.  No worries.  If you ever see the real pictures, it looks exactly like that.  :P



This past Tuesday, Anderson and I had our 6-years of dating anniversary.  We were pretty tired and we didn't really do too much out of the ordinary except eat at the Mediterranean buffet with Ted.  Everyday is a day to celebrate for us. 

We're almost done with Job.  Anderson's been enjoying going through Job and I enjoy hearing him read to me.  :)  Good times.

Prayer Requests

• Radiation - pray that it would continue to go well with no complications.  Pray for the effectiveness of the treatment.
• Health & Safety - no more falls and no more tumors please.  We won't be seeing too much of the doctors until June so until then, we're just sitting tight and resting in Houston.  Pray for good health for the both of us, protection from swine flu, and safety as we drive around and stuff like that.
  
• Vision - Anderson was seen by the neuro opthamologist oncologist yesterday.  Essentially, there isn't too much we can do except continue to patch the eye and also work on some things in occupational therapy.
  
• Rest - Anderson hasn't been feeling the greatest the past few days but it might be because we haven't gotten too much rest.  Hopefully a few days rest on the weekend will help with that.
  
• Healing - from double vision, unstable vision, feeling unbalanced, some muffled hearing, uncoordination, etc.  Things haven't changed too much lately, but pray that things don't get worse. 
  

We miss you all.  It's starting to get hot in here... PTL for air conditioning... and dishwashers... and washing machines/dryers.  And internet.  And cars and gas and food and electricity....

<3,
Tifferson

[Tiffany Chen]

Hello friends,

This week's been a little harder on us.  We still have some good days and some bad days but there seemed to be more bad days this week than last week.  Anderson's been telling me that he just doesn't feel right for the past few days.  We're going to see how it goes in the next few days and probably talk to the doctors soon.  It's hard for him to pinpoint things, but overall... it's just not... right. 

He also had another small fall yesterday. He's alright tho.  Just a bruise on his back.  He slipped in the shower but he fell on his side this time and not on his face so that was one good thing.  The mat in the shower wasn't quite stuck and it was slipping around so he slipped.  I've washed and cleaned everything so hopefully it's better.  I'll probably be sitting in the bathroom with him for a while until he gets his confidence back and until I feel that it's OK for him to be alone in the shower.  It pretty much gave me a heart attack but we're both thankful that he's OK. 

Anderson's done with 29 out of his 30 cycles of radiation!  Tomorrow will be his last day and he'll be able to ring the bell that lets everyone know that he's done.  :)  We're happy about that.  After radiation, we're also going to start taking his army of supplements again (high dose antioxidants are contraindicated while on radiation therapy) and tapering down his low-dose steroids. 

So far, Anderson's next MRI is scheduled for May 27th.  If he continues to feel bad, we'll ask the doctors to move it up again. It was previously scheduled for June 7th, but we had them bump it up to May 27th a few days ago. 

Anderson's also winding down his OT/PT.  He'll be going once a week from now on for 3 more weeks.  He hasn't been feeling the greatest this past week, but he's still been able to go to therapy and push through. 

With regards to living on our own... we're doing OK.  :)  We've been going out and trying different restaurants for lunch and then eating at home for dinner.  We've made chicken, beef stew, fish... soba... dumplings... we just went to the market yesterday so there might be some more stuff that we'll try but in general, it's probably going to be chicken and fish.  It's pretty scary that all the tilapia we've found at the market has been a "product of China".  Actually, all the frozen fish we've seen at Kroger has been a product of China.  If it's not a product of China, it's farm-raised... so yeah.  I dunno if we're just being paranoid but it is pretty scary that even the fish comes from China.  We opted for wild-caught in the U.S.A.  Hopefully the label isn't lying to us. 

So... please be in prayer for us that...

• Anderson would have better days.  That his tumors would not grow back and if they do, that the docs will be able to do something about it quickly. 
  
• the MRI would come out clean.  May 27th is the next one for now.
• Vision - would stabilize, double vision would resolve
• Stability - his coordination, his legs, his head... all of that would work together and improve
• Health - that both of us wouldn't get sick, that our eating and exercise habits will continue to be good/decent while we're here
• Safety - as we roam around Houston and go back and forth from the hospital
• Moods - sometimes Anderson gets down on himself because of how long his recovery is taking, because he's frustrated with his side effects/deficits, etc. etc.  Pray that I would be an encouragement to him throughout his recovery (and pretty much for the rest of our lives actually) to help him get through it all.  I really think God's been working in me through my actions and my words to encourage Anderson but there's always room for improvement.  Also, the moods also translate into his motivation to work hard at his recovery/therapy.  Pray for good moods.

Alritey, I'll try to keep everyone more updated more often. 

Go Lakers!  I can't believe that it's 29-43 in the 2nd quarter right now. What happened?!?

<3,
Tiff (& Anderson)