Eating Real Food!

The last few days have seemed to go by rather quickly. Fern served up a turkey supper of the proportions where our table couldn't hold all the servings and we all helped ourselves to a little extra on behalf of my wife. Grandpa and grandma LOYEK took our oldest and youngest, Caden and Makaela, back to Edmonton with them until later this week and it was good to be able to spend a little time, just the two of us. I took Lanita out to see the hustle and bustle of the mall where, after a couple of easy chair rest stops, thanks to Sears and The Bay, we headed off for a little drive. We took a little cruise through our metropolisis downtown, then through the countryside while the gentle flakes of snow started to blanket us with a little more winter. Tuesday we headed back to Kelowna along with Arleigh and Fern to see the doctor we have been working with. I don't know how to put into words the visit that Lanita and I had with our wonderful health practitioner but I will do my best to summarize the highlights. Her body is responding great to treatment! The ileocaecal valve has not been closing in her body for a very long time. This is what is leading to a lot of challenges of which one of the major ones is, is Nausea! There is a natural physical process where you are able to close this valve and immediately her nausea stopped! It is amazing how the human body functions. Her health numbers are getting better and even though we know that there will up and down days, we are getting the tools on how to train the body and get it back to a healthier working state. Treated my wife to a stay overnight in Kelowna where we also met Brent & Veronika. We will head back to our wonderful palace today, but first, we need to find Lanita some hats to accommodate her balder state. Her hair was falling out in clumps so yesterday before heading out, she went and had her beautiful locks shaved off and I must say, she has a beautiful shaped head!

Re: Company

Due to Lanita's weak immune system at the moment and her lack of sleep we are kindly asking people to refrain from visiting until after next Wednesday. It isn't that we wouldn't love to see everybody but we are doing everything we can do at the moment to allow her body to strengthen. Thanks for your your understanding.

A new lease on life!

This post isn't about some 'magic fix','miracle pill',or some other crazy thing. We did leave our castle this morning at 11:30 and headed to Kelowna, Lanita, Dad, Mom, Laurel, and myself in dads suburban. I can honestly say that I was prepared for a very long day or the day being 'very long', but have to say that it went by rather quickly. This Mr. Derksen is very proficient in muscle testing, electrode, and energy testing. He has extensive knowledge on foods, enzymes, etc and At the end of the day, Lanita walked out feeling no nausea, not tired, and had more energy than she has had since her surgery. We headed home with my Rosie cheeked wife and the start to some of the learning towards a proper recovery. We now believe that there can be a restoration, versus a few months of life expectancy.

Passports and flying wheelchairs

Wednesday morning I grabbed my trustworthy copilot, Arleigh, and happy sidekick Caden and headed off to Kelowna. The passport office had done their quick work of getting the boys passports renewed. Damon's been busy enjoying his time with his cousins in Vancouver and today Brent escorted him across the line to safely deliver him into the care of Garth & Sherri. I left Lanitas wheelchair in the back of my truck as it has a covered top and never thought to much about this until I was sitting at a stop light in Vernon. All of sudden, a lady runs up beside my truck, pounds on my window, and scared the wits out of me. When I rolled down my window she asked, "do you have a wheelchair?". Apparently when we took off from the last set of lights the tailgate popped open and out flew the wheelchair! She had kindly set it upright by the stoplight and it was thankfully still there when we wheeled back. I believe that God has kind ways of delivering messages and opening doors. There is a natural path doctor in Kelowna by the name of Darrell Derksen that was mentioned to us in 2 emails and again also in person via a conversation in our home. While on the way to Kelowna for the passports I dialed Mr. Derksen who told us that he had just had a cancellation just before we called and said he would be able to see us at 1:15 that afternoon. We visited with mr. Derksen that afternoon until 5pm. Being trained in 19 areas of alternative health studies he was able to explain what he has seen in how bodies work and repair themselves and adjusted his schedule so that Lanita could be fit in today. A spark of tentative hope started to burn.

Out for a bit

Ok, it's been a few days since I put on my typing fingers and I know people are wondering how my dear wife is doing and what is happening at our house. Let's begin where I left off. Monday I took Caden to town to spend some time doing what fathers and sons always do, we went to see the doctors! I asked the cancer clinic about Lanitas nausea to see if it was the remainder of the chemo in her system and got informed that there was no longer chemo in her system so that it was a direct result of what was still happening with her stomach. Cancer growing? It makes you feel like you are walking around in an empty room with no doors after hearing news like this. I did get a doctors slip for a wheelchair and then went to home depot (always a great place to to make you feel a little more constructive!) and picked up a shelving unit for Caden's room. Lanita had a blood test that afternoon for genetic testing. Tuesday I went to town with my wife while Caden and Makaela went tubing at Harper Mountain Skihill thanks to A couple of our wonderful, adventerous friends. We picked up Lanitas wheelchair, a few scrappbooking calendars, some Sushi, and headed home. Mom & dad came back up from Calgary and it was great to have another mini reunion. It was another evening of being pampered (Lanita), foot rub, nausea meds, and off to bed. Brent (my brother) took Damon with him to Vancouver earlier in the day so didn't need to worry about the entertainment factor for one boy.

Getting Stronger

Somethings change and somethings don't. Here are some of the things that where the goings on for this last week. We saw the surgeon last Wednesday for a routine check just to check up on the knife wounds and everything is healing up well. We did the usual cross examining of him and he patiently went through his knowledge of things again. It was good to be able to find out what each type of drug does that Lanita is taking and get a better handle on the flexibility for time lines between dosages. Things where cut a little short as the buildings fire alarm went off and we were forced to evacuate. This little outing was enough exertion for the day and so back home we went and back into the easy chair she crawled. Thursday was a day of clip and snip. It was finally time to trim the hair to a shorter length so she's now sporting a little different look. It doesn't look like the oral chemo treatment will resume until the 28th as not much has changed on the nausea side. Everyday is another day of nausea still persisting and trying to have things go down, not up. Still waiting on results to see if her cancer has the HER2/neu recepter. If it does, they have another form of chemo that directly attacks those cells. Information is being sent to a few other places so we will see how things play out. She's eating a bit more, walking a bit more, gaining a little strength, and starting to dictate a few orders from her command center easy chair so we know shes feeling a bit better! Brent has been busy transforming my garage which has been wonderful. We picked up cabinets from home depot along with the usual few extra things that somehow are needed and in the end, I now have a painted, organised , clean, things hung up garage. It is GREAT! I already have his next project planned for him! Adios for tonight.

Chemo...Not Fun

Its Tuesday night in the Larson house and not much is stirring, including my wife. It has been a little like driving down a road where someone has ripped out all the road signs and you just have no idea what might be coming or what one day from the next may be like. Last Saturday was a busy day with 15 people in our house and that wasn't including people visiting etc and Lanita was in a good form. It seemed she had some strength coming back even though she was talking in a low tone of voice. Sunday she went with us to our little Sunday morning Fellowship Meeting as this is what life is about and then we stayed for lunch. That afternoon, she crashed with exhaustion. Appetite dropped, Energy dropped, Nausea roared. By 9:30am Monday morning we were back in the cancer clinic getting IV hooked up and fluids in. You think you are going for an hour or two but soon find that the clock says you've been there for 4. Laurel stayed with Lanita at the hospital while I did some running around (more anti-nausea pills for Lanita, Another Starbucks for myself) etc.. I wasn't that clear on my previous blog about these chemo treatments. She is also doing oral chemo 2x daily at home. You know that you are dealing with some nasty pills when you have to take your meds with a pair of rubber gloves! They have stopped her from doing this oral chemo for next 2 days to try and get this nausea under control. Got Lanita back home late this afternoon and she became one with the couch. I had to make a run to Kelowna today to get passports renewed for the boys in case they need to go to Seattle this next week, and then back in time to orchestrate school pickups and take all 3 to the dentist. Stopped into Sears on the way home and picked up a leather lazy boy recliner so Lanita can sit up/ lay down better and be more comfortable. She isn't able to visit much, only for 5 minutes or so, then her eyes go closed while she just listens to what is being said, and when that's to much, she dozes off. It seems that noise is bothering her more and she prefers the lights off. Tomorrow morning we meet with Dr. Gorman, the surgeon, and that's all she will probably be able to handle. We are so blessed to have the wonderful help-mates that are here. It is taking a team of people to do what my wife used to handle. Mom has been feeding the equivalent of a logging camp for the last week or so and Laurel and Maria are taking care of Laundry, kids, etc., Brad & Chantelle have handled the office side of things, and everyone has pitched in to get whatever needs done so that my beautiful wife is cared for and the house can carry on. The kids have been wonderful. Yes, they still can have their moments, but they have been great little helpers and are coping well with having a "sick" mom. I will try to give you an update tomorrow. Signing off for now....Eldon

Thursday Night..already

I know lots of people would be wondering when I was going to get this updated, so I apologize in advance that this may be a little longer of a post. Lanita is loving the emails, texts, and calls and wants to make sure that everyone knows that she enjoys reading them all even though she finds that she can't keep up with the replying as fast as they come in. Lanita is very happy to be home.
I don't think that it would be too surprising for most people to say that the last few days have had a few emotional moments. It is easy to ask why, how, etc. but there is no answer to some of these things. Thanks to Denise and Jessica and the rest of the wonderful staff on Floor 6 for their care and all the little extras they do. The kids got to see their mom Tuesday evening and where disappointed that mom didn't have a huge cut. After letting them know that we are going to fight this a little differently, they seemed content and where happy to start asking other questions. Allan (lanita's dad) left Edmonton that afternoon, and Brent & Veronika brought Bethany and her little boy Joey in from Vancouver. Maria (Lanitas other sister) flew in from Ontario on Wednesday. Wednesday was a day of trying to get the gas out of her body from the operation and just a day of quality time. Dr. Gorman came and spent over an hour of his time with us, answering questions, giving advice and helpful insights. Chemo arrangements where fast tracked to begin the next morning. It is a 3 part chemo, 1 IV and 2 oral. There will be 3 sessions that are 3 weeks apart. The program is tailored to avoid there being a bunch of Nausea and what it will do is knock out some of the cancer cells that are impeding her stomach and allow it to get back to a functioning state. We bought a Juicer and I think that people will probably get to know us well in the fruit and veggie section of the grocery store. Chemo went well this morning/afternoon as there are 3 bags that are pumped into you, each taking about an hour. I am working at trying to keep my "staff" of people as it is amazing what gets done with the a bunch a people all helping out! Damon sang his heart out at the Christmas concert for some of us yesterday, and the rest today. Lanita was sad that she had to miss it due to chemo but will end up getting it from video. Tomorrow is another day and I am thankful that I get the chance to kiss my wife good night and wish her a good morning. She amazes me at how she has such an unbelievable heart for others and still is more worried about those around her than she is for herself.

From the recovery room

A special thanks going out to Sue Gerbrandt for the special outreach as she took the time to take Lanita personally to the O.R. And looked after her till things started. Well, things didn't go quite as planned. They found cancer attached to the liver, spleen. And spread through the abdominal sheath. Because of this they didn't remove the stomach it left everything as is and she will be going home tomorrow. I talk to the doctors tomorrow in regards to chemo and what we can do to give her a little more time. sorry that this post will be short but update again soon. Thanks for all your phone calls, emails and texts. Love from all the Larsons and Loyeks

Tuesday ....so far

Things started out pretty much the usual this morning. Kids up at 6:30, breakfast made, (ok-that might not be the usual! But fernie, my dear mom, had the kitchen and Arleigh Rollin!). Convinced the kids that porridge IS wonderful and got them on the way to school. Lanita hasn't been allowed to eat since yesterday except for some gourmet water with a side dish of jello and a little broth for added variety. She was a little 'lax' yesterday but things got sped up. We gave her a break yesterday by dropping the boys off at the ski hill while Lanita went to pre-op with her mom to get blood taken etc. We got to the hospital 8:25am this morning and we are still in the waaaaaaiiiiiiiitttting room as I clack this out on my iPad at 9:20am. Eldon signing out for now, we will update in about 5 or 6 hours.

Sunday

Well,the countdowns on. It's Sunday evening and it's been another wonderful day. Lanita is feeling good and it is almost overwhelming the outpouring of love, care, and support from family and friends. Lanita loves hearing from everybody and never tires of the emails, texts, phone calls, etc. Tomorrow morning she goes in for pre-operation prep with all the questions and to get more details of all that will go on Tuesday. Arleigh & Fern and Lanitas mom Laurel, are here to help out. Brent and Veronika Larson came up this weekend from Vancouver and brought my sister, Sherri Miles with them. Sherri created the excitement today by deciding to swan dive into the footboard of her bed after tripping over a chair in the dark and split open her nose. This subsequently woke the house up at 6am. No need for an alarm clock! So, off to the hospital we go, got it glued together and steri taped. She looked like she was in a boxing match by the end of today with her black eye and her taped nose! Let's see what tomorrow brings. I will attach a narrated picture drawing of what they are planning to do to give her a new stomach.

Click here to view narrated picture

Friday Update

We met with Dr. Gorman, the surgeon, this morning. We found him to be very open and informative and he gave us a lot of confidence about what is needing done. A lot would depend on CT scan scheduled for the afternoon about the extent of things and whether the operation was going to be for a cure or for palliative. Obviously this weighed on both of our minds for the day. We got a phone call from Dr. Gorman about 15 minutes after the CT scan though and his words were, "It could't look better"! There wasn't time to get into any details but we take it to mean that the cancer is contained in the stomach at this point and he isn't expecting big complications on Tuesday. A colonoscopy will be done Tuesday morning along with further scopes to get an even better picture before the surgery starts. The Main supply lines from the stomach will be checked, probably removed as they do worry about the lymph nodes in this area and in the abdominal area. Surgery will probably be 3-4 hours and they will use a small part of the small intestine to create a "stomach" which will attach to the esophagus and back to the intestinal tract. She will be able to eat normally and will require vitamin B12 shots on a monthly basis.  We are a little more relieved that at this point it seems contained. We are very comfortable with all that's been laid out, the rest is in Gods hands.

Yes, Its True.

Lanita has been diagnosed with stomach cancer. It isn't a secret but it does take one by surprise.
Here's the story.....
Lanita has had trouble eating since early spring and she knew everyone thought that she was on a diet but no, she wasn't. It hurt her to eat and she was full after a few bites. We just chalked this up to something that would eventually go away. In October She happened to mention this to her doctor and he thought that it was possibly a hernia so referred her to Dr. Bergmann, who specialized in this. November 4th  a scope was done and we were asked to stay as Dr. Bergmann needed to talk to us. She told us that Lanita's tummy was "Swollen & Very Unhappy" looking. You don't want too read to much into something so we put it aside until the next appointment on the 21st. She was told that it could possibly be cancer and that further testing was being done in Vancouver. On Wednesday, November 29th, It was confirmed that it was definitely stomach cancer. The cancer is aggressive and it is imperative that the whole stomach be removed as soon as possible. It isn't a type that grows as a tumor but rather a spreading type. A CT scan will be done Friday to find out the extent of things. Surgery is scheduled for Tuesday. Lanita is in fine form and taking it in stride. We appreciate everyone's phone call's, thoughts, and prayers and we will keep things updated so everyone can know whats going on!     Eldon