Brandon was able to go out for a couple of hours and then spend a few hours at home with several of his closest friends this weekend. One of them had moved to San Francisco years ago and was back in town to visit family and friends, so Brandon hadn’t seen him in a long time. We were happy that he felt up to enjoying himself.

He got up this morning and went out to run a few errands on his own. Each day, he seems to be making strides in the right direction.

Brandon finally had a decent day on Tuesday. He was up and moving around the house quite a bit during the day, and he even ran a short errand on his own. He did wear down by late afternoon, but it was good to see him engaging in some sort of normalcy (the new normal, not the old one).

Kristen’s grandfather passed away early this week, and the funeral was yesterday. Brandon felt up to going to the service and to the family reception afterwards, so he spent a big part of the day out of the house. Although it was under sad circumstances, he took another step toward being himself again.

That’s the mission right now – to be himself again. He never got a call from the pain management team, but he said this morning that he’s going to hold off on calling them. The pain is beginning to subside to a point where it’s tolerable. It’s still a nuisance, but it’s not debilitating. He has a long road ahead, but he’s moving forward.

Thanks for checking in on him, and keep the prayers and positive thoughts coming!

Brandon continues to struggle with pain. The insurance company didn’t approve the pain patch, so he went with an OTC patch that the pharmacist suggested. That isn’t helping, and since the surgeon said the patch might not be helpful if the pain was too deep anyway, he’s called and requested a referral to the pain management team. We hope they get him in soon and start to get this under control.

Brandon and his family went to Kristen’s parents’ house for Thanksgiving dinner. We were supposed to go out to eat with them on Friday, but the Thanksgiving outing was more taxing than he expected, so we gave him a day to rest and waited until Saturday to get together. He looked good and seemed happy to get out and about, but he wore down quickly during the brief time we were out. It seems as though the rough hours are still outnumbering the manageable ones each day. He’s facing a different challenge following this surgery, but it’s a challenge all the same.

Please say a prayer that the pain eases soon and that he’s able to gain some strength back and quality of life back.

Brandon saw both the plastic surgeon and the oncology surgeon this morning. The plastic surgeon removed the drain and said he was pleased with how well Brandon was getting around. Although Brandon is still in pain and doesn’t feel like he’s getting around too well, the doctor told him others who have the same surgery don’t always move as well as he does at this point.

The oncology surgeon was happy with how everything looks and with how Brandon seems to be up and moving as much as possible. He and Brandon talked about the pain, and he suggested trying a lidoderm patch to see if that provides some relief. He said that in placing the drain, they punch through a muscle in the abdomen and sometimes that can cause irritation to the muscle. The patch may help if the irritation isn’t too deep. The only concern the doctor had about the patch was whether or not it would be covered by insurance. He said it could be quite costly if not covered. If the patch is cost preventative, or if it doesn’t help, he will send Brandon to a pain specialist to do some injections for a while until the pain begins to subside on its own. Both surgeons agreed that it’s temporary but still not good if it’s affecting his quality of life.

Brandon’s kidney function numbers did inch up in the wrong direction, but they are still down from a month ago. We were hoping for a good downward trend, but we seem to be getting an up and down pattern for now. Let’s pray that turns back in the right direction.

We are thankful for the positive reports from the doctors today and thankful that Brandon continues to fight this. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

I wanted to start by wishing everyone a great Thanksgiving! If there is one thing I have learned this year, it is the importance of friends and family. I am so thankful for all of you and don’t know where I would be without you. This year has been the most challenging year of my life. As I sit here and type this, I am in considerable pain and not able to walk very far without having to sit down. I look at my daughter, and it breaks my heart that I can’t “play” with her as a Dad should be able to. I feel bad for my wife that we don’t get to go on “date” nights or out for a drink like normal couples. I feel bad for my parents that they are continually worried about my health and well being. This is mentally and physically draining. Sometimes doubt creeps in, and I wonder if the surgeries and pain are even worth it. With all that being said, it is. Seeing the support and well wishes I receive from all of you makes me want to kick this cancer’s ass. I can’t and won’t let this cancer beat me. I am going to fight like hell to get better so I can be the dad, husband, and son my family deserves. I am thankful for all of you, and I am thankful to be here today. If you don’t mind, please say an extra prayer for me and my family. I wish you and your families nothing but the best, and if you ever need anything, please let me know. I owe you all so much!

Brandon hit a bump in the road yesterday when the compression binder he has to wear around his abdomen caused some irritation and a rash. So not only does he have he pain from the surgery, but now he also has an itchy rash. Things never seem to go smoothly for him. He found out at his last appointment with the plastic surgeon that he will have to wear this binder through early 2018, and it is not comfortable for him. We’re looking into ways to make it more bearable though.

He’s still in a considerable amount of pain, and he’s only been out and about a couple of times since coming home from the hospital. He’s not up for a “fun” outing like dinner or the movies yet. The actual surgical recovery process was easier on him when he had the CRS/HIPEC than this one. But we have to focus on the end result, which will hopefully make this rough patch worth it. So let’s hold on to the faith that he will feel better soon and that the coming year will be a better one for him.

Brandon had a follow-up appointment with the plastic surgeon yesterday afternoon, and he removed the staples. He said things look good from his perspective, but he didn’t remove the drain yet that was put in place during surgery. He told Brandon to keep track of the drainage, and he would remove it when it was at a certain level for two days in a row. It was below the level yesterday evening, and has subsided even more today, so Brandon called to make the appointment to have it removed and couldn’t get in until Wednesday morning. It’s a nuisance for him to deal with, but not as much so as the dialysis port was. Among the many things he will be thankful for on Thanksgiving will be having the drain removed! He has another follow-up appointment late Wednesday morning with the surgical oncologist. We’re praying for and expecting a good report from him as well.

He’s still getting around slowly and has lingering pain, but he’s moving forward in the healing process. It sure hasn’t been easy for him. He did seem a little better today, and we’re once again looking forward to the day when the good hours outnumber the not-so-good hours.

Thanks for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers and checking in on him. He loves and appreciates all of you!

Brandon went home from the hospital late yesterday afternoon. The pain had subsided enough that the doctors felt it could be managed at home. The plastic surgeon came in and talked to Brandon and Kristen before he was discharged and explained his part in the surgery in more detail. He also showed them pictures from the operating room. After talking with him, Brandon realized that the surgery was more invasive than he thought. He’s on restrictions as far as exercise and lifting for four months, and the basic recovery time will be six weeks. He said this morning that the pain was more intense during the night last night, but we’re sure that will come and go for a while. We are just hopeful that the recovery process continues in the right direction and he doesn’t go through the challenges he went through after his last surgery.

Thanks for checking in on him, and please keep praying!

Brandon is still in considerable pain, but he is taking steps in the right direction. Literally. He’s up and moving, walking laps around the hospital floor. He sits in the chair, rather than staying in bed, for several hours during the day. He found out this morning that a big reason why his pain intensified from the level it was yesterday is because his epidural came out during the night, so he wasn’t receiving the steady dose of pain medication he’d been getting since surgery. They decided to leave it out, rather than go through the procedure to reinsert it, so they’re now working out the new plan to keep the pain in check.

Aside from the pain, he seems to be doing well. We don’t know yet when he will be able to come home. That depends on how quickly they get the pain under control and how quickly his stomach is able to process his food. Avery has been able to visit more this time since he’s in the newer facility, but he still gets bored when we’re either at work or watching Avery and he’s there alone. We’re all hoping he comes home soon!

Our bit of good news for the day is that his kidney numbers got better again! Still nowhere near “normal” but inching in the right direction. Hopefully, getting these tumors out of the way has jumpstarted that process. Keep praying that this trend continues and that he comes home within the next couple of days.

Brandon left the recovery room after 11:30 last night. It was a long surgery, but it seems to have been a successful one. The oncology surgeon was able to remove all of the tumors, and the plastic surgeon was pleased with what he was able to do afterward. After spending time in recovery, Brandon went to a room just two doors down from the one he stayed in after his surgery in May. But that was just for one night because they moved him early this morning to a brand new building that houses surgical oncology and neurosurgery, just opening for patients today. He is the first patient to stay in his current room and among the first to stay in the new building. The rooms are bigger and have a window with a nice view, and they are more family friendly and comfortable. At least that relieves some of the “gloom” of staying in the hospital.

Brandon said the pain is much worse this time than it was after his prior surgery. The doctor told us last night that he would expect that, so we weren’t surprised. They are doing their best to control the pain with an epidural and pain medication, and he is comfortable enough that he’s getting some rest. They haven’t gotten him up out of bed to stand or walk yet. He is on a clear liquid diet, but he hasn’t wanted anything other than water so far. His throat is still raw from the anesthesia tube. Once he starts moving around and getting some nourishment, we’ll know more about how long he will be in the hospital.

Thanks again for your comments, thoughts and prayers!