Mr. Clean

Yes, as in CANCER-FREE. So unbelievably happy to report that Chris got a phone call from Dr. McCoy canceling his Friday appointment. He said that there was no need to bother--everything looked great on his PET scan and he was definitely done with chemo. I am sorry that it has taken me until Tuesday to post, but we were busy celebrating! Chris rejoiced with his sistahs over the phone and with his parents in person Thursday night. Friday night we celebrated without kids but with the Roberts (and takeout from taqueria and margaritas para mi). It was actually nice to hear Chris and Brittany talk Tennessee football (for me--not Harrison) instead of about cancer-stuff. Saturday we attempted to campout with a few families from the 'hood...and as Hans said, "It didn't rain on our parade, but it sure did rain on us."

Here we are about three months later and more or less on the other side of things. (Chris will have radiation as "insurance"-more on that when we get the schedule). And weirdly enough (it drives Chris crazy when I use bizarre adverbs), this has been the most difficult message to post. This is my fourth attempt--too many emotions, I guess. We are thrilled, humbled, grateful, and exhausted. A lot has happened in those three months--for us and in the lives of those whom we love. We have watched friends say goodbye to loved ones and we have welcomed new life and new family members. Everything--both good and bad--has just been more intense.

I think we are still working on our take-away message (or at least I am), but as Chris said, "Anytime you have a life changing experience and live to tell about it...it's a good thing." We are truly grateful for the gifts of faith, family and friends that kept us together. It is going to be a great summer.

Much love to you all--Katherine, Chris and kids

our FAVORITE quote,
"Chris, you kept your hair but lost your Hodgkins." Dr. Frank McCoy

short and sweet

Two things not usually associated with me. Chris went in for his last round of chemo yesterday. It was pretty crowded and loud--so he tuned out the best he could with the ipod, Tutu read and I didn't grade papers. Home again, zonked out, woke up to say hi to the kids and devour food from the Lindas. (Mrs. Daniel provided lunch and Mrs. Milligan brought dinner!) Dr. McCoy is impressed that he has been able to keep his weight up and I'm grateful that I don't have to weigh in at visits. Thanks to all for fattenning us up!

Chris is back in a chemo-coma for a few days. His 3rd round was his "best" so far...maybe this one will beat it (not planning on a round 5). Thanks for all of your prayers, concern, comfort and innapropriate humor (you know who you are!) I'll update again asap. My kids are taking a quiz right now...back to mean-teacher-mode.
K

teamosabe

OK. Round 3 was today and it went pretty well. Jenny (the angel-oncology nurse from across the pond) wasn't there...someone let her go on Spring Break, but we had Miss Shay (the gospel -singing nurse) and she was very good. I think that Chris expected to be relieved, excited, fired up or something after he finished his second round two weeks ago. It was easy to think of the half-way mark as such a big milestone, but all he could think was--I HAVE TO DO ALL OF THAT AGAIN. AGHHHH!

So, being 3/4 of the way done seems to be a better moment to celebrate...not that he's up for kicking his heels just yet. He does, however, seem to be pretty "up" about things for someone who spent the day in the Infusion Center.

Maybe it was the collective fit that we threw last week (his at home, mine on-line). I keep thinking about when our kids lose it. When Tate really comes unglued (not that often anymore), we generally step over him until he is finished and then we ask him, "Did that make the situation better or worse?" You know, in that annoying parentese tone. And he always answers, "Worse. I should have handled it differently." Typical first-born response and we come away from the situation smug and eager to replace Dr. Spock. We no longer ask Janie the same question because her answer is, "I don't know, but it made me FEEL much better." Huh. That is all we have to say in response to our daughter on many occasions. And yes, maybe there is something to the whole fit-throwing thing.

Maybe his spirits are up because he was home alone and able to recharge for a few days. He invited his buddies to cash in on the "cancer card" (hurry, guys--it will be expiring soon) in the form of golf on Sunday and steak night on Tuesday. He even managed to squeeze in dinner before the basketball finals (sorry, Bruce!) while the kids and I were out of town. Don't feel bad for us--we headed to LA (Lower Alabama) and played on the beach while my Mom took care of all three of us. I was a sloth, she was a saint, and it was wonderful. (We even got to catchup with our Crazy Cajun friends who moved to Fair Hope, AL--the kids had a blast!)

Maybe his improved outlook is due to the fact that Dr. McCoy called him the "poster boy for chemo" today. His stats are all stellar--white blood cell count, weight is still up, something about some platelets...and the boy is still holding on to his hair! I say it is because he is so stubborn, the kids say that he is part Wookiee.

No maybe about it...we know that having y'all as part of TEAMOSABE definitely helps. (Phrase coined by the Monday-Night- Margarita-VBall team). Thanks for all of your love--in the form of prayer, food, notes, knock-knock jokes, new music (who knew Marcel was such a punk rock follower?) and the awesome limited (we are not doing this again) edition Chemosabe bracelets from fantabulous sistahs, Lindley and Susannah. Thanks to Chief for dealing with our lemon-of-a-car today, too. And I almost forgot--a special war cry out to Tonto Shonto, our newest follower.

God is good and everyone is asleep--Hallelujah!
Much love, Katherine and Chris

-Quote of the week-
"I know what's wrong with you...you have cancer. I guess I just suck."
Parker Gilbert on the 1st hole

Second Verse...a little bit worse than the first

So, half-way done with chemo at this point. I would love to report that we are doing some sort of tribal dance around the house to celebrate, but the truth is Chris has been feeling pretty sucky. (I don't think that counts as a curse word either--at least not a first-string, Varsity swear word.) I do, however, acknowledge that it lacks sophistication (or at the very least, creativity)...but it DOES seem to sum up how he's actually feeling.

He had round 2 on Thursday. An angel-like oncology nurse, Jenny, saved him from becoming a human VOODOO doll at the hands of another nurse. I won't call out the poor woman who tried to get things started, but I did fear for her life when she told Chris to go to his "happy place". Tutu and I just held our breath and Chris very calmly replied, "Well, it sure isn't here."

After Jenny took over, things went pretty well. The Infusion Center wasn't very crowded, so Chris could keep the "inmate talk" to a minimum. (That's what our friend, Ansley, calls it...you know, "What are you in for? How long have you got?") Back home Thursday afternoon and then he was pretty much in a chemo-coma until Monday. He did come out to enjoy some good eats and to verify the fact that his hair seems to be GROWING! Especially the ear hair-- and that was supposed to be one of the perks...huh.

So, we know that the good stuff far outweighs the bad, but he is just sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. I think he was also in need of a break from being upbeat and positive and just wanted permission to be pissed. Permission granted...and he got mad for the first time. In case you were confused about real swear words--he held a seminar at home last night. I mean he really came up with some original and extremely entertaining combinations. Sims, you would have been proud.

He worked yesterday and made it to the kids' music performance last night. Janie had a speaking part and more importantly, her brother did not. I'm still not sure why anyone gave that girl a microphone, but she did well and was most pleased with herself.

So, today seems to be a better day. Chris is done being mad and we are back to being unbelievably thankful for family and friends. Thanks to those who continue: to pray (even when we are whining), to show up with amazing comfort food, to send hilarious cards/meaningful e-mails, to take care of our kids at a moment's notice and to appear at our back door with a carton of eggs, a 6 pack of toilet paper or a new kids' movie (man, did it rain this weekend!)

We are also grateful for a God who is big enough to handle our frustration, our praise, our flashes of understanding and more often, our befuddlement. (Sometimes all of the aforementioned at the same time).

Hope all is well with y'all. Please let us know what is going on with you and yours...after all, you know WAY more about what's happening at 179 Stewart than you probably bargained for.

Much love, Katherine and Chris

And Breakfast Fairy/B'fast Bandit who filled our freezer--THANK YOU and PLEASE identify yourself!!

Buzz

Sorry that I haven't posted, but we have been enjoying a relatively "normal" stretch of time. The Friday-Sunday following chemo were pretty rough, but Chris worked Mon 10-4 and then the rest of the week he was back to a regular work schedule and able to help around the house.  I tend to cry at weird times--the latest being when I saw him taking the garbage to the street last week.  It was great to celebrate something so mundane...or maybe I just really don't like taking out the trash.  

On Wednesday night Chris attended a chemo kick-off party thrown by his partners.  He received a sweet mullet wig and stylish mustache as well...I think that Sean may be the one to thank/blame!  They even wrapped them in vintage Lone Ranger paper--nice touch.  Friday afternoon Miss Sherry gave Chris a buzz cut with the kids looking on and jeering and cheering.  They think that it is hilarious and I think he looks pretty darn good.  I have been asked if I will be shaving my head as a sign of solidarity--but let's be honest, only one person in this relationship is good-looking enough to pull off bald.  I would look like a 6 foot Q-tip.  

We then headed to Janie's first soccer game.  As I was muttering something to myself about the fact that kids shouldn't play sports until they can put on their own &%$# equipment...Janie had her own mantra going, "please let me be on the pink team-please let me be on the pink team."  We searched for the right field and coach and what do you know--the girl is on the pink team.  

We enjoyed the amazing weather over the weekend.  Three more soccer games (make-ups due to the rain last weekend) some real cajun cooking Saturday night, and we even got to see Maclaine (teenage niece) play soccer on Sunday.  Chris had been concerned about his allergies during all of this...Dr. McCoy said that one pleasant side effect of the chemo is that patients usually don't have to deal with allergy issues.  So, for the first time since I have known Chris (15 years...no comments, DT and J)--no sneezing this Spring.  At least not yet.  

Thank you all for prayers, food, laughter, words of encouragement and "the bottle of bourbon at the end of the tunnel" (it has a prominent place on the counter!)

Specific prayer requests right now would be for Chris's grandmother (Gigi) who just had surgery in Memphis and is still in the hospital and for Chris's parents Sue/Tutu and Bob/Chief.  They are taking this "sandwich generation" thing to a whole new level.  In the last month they have--gone to Missouri to help welcome Lindley's precious baby girl (and wear out her 2 older siblings), driven to TX to help Zanna and Jon relocate, been to Memphis to help with Gigi and in their spare time--they have been busy helping us!

**Things at work have really fallen into place (one of Chris's main concerns) as several cases have recently settled.  So, the quote of the week comes from Lee Welborn (one of Chris's partners).

"Chris, when God wants to clear your calendar...GOD WILL CLEAR YOUR CALENDAR!"

 

One Down...

Thursday went.  And thanks to all of you who equipped us with magazines, mints, books, new music, crosswords, the fabulous Chemosabe shirt from Miss Gail (and the "other" shirt from Emmy!), homemade banana bread, and all of the other things that I am sure I am forgetting. Can you get "chemo brain" by proximity?  Dr. McCoy joked that Tutu and I looked like Chris's sherpas as we headed into the Infusion Center, but we wanted to be prepared...or at least not be bored.   

We found a quiet corner and Chris got "hooked up" soon after.  It was a rough start (when Chris turns pale it is always cause for concern) but once things got flowing, he was fine.  I can't tell you exactly how he felt--he was into his book and into his head and dealing with it all as best he could.  

So, I'll bore you with what I was thinking.  When we walked into the room (picture a huge place with lazy boys and attempts at "homey touches" but every other person is having bags of poison pumped into them), I just kept looking down so that I wouldn't throw up on anyone.  (For those that don't know, I am a huge wimp when it comes to anything that is hospital-like...sometimes I can just drive too close to Kennestone and want to hurl).  But at some point during the day, maybe it was that one of the nurses sang a gospel song upon request, maybe it was hearing the grandmother take a break from her treatment to tell her grandchild away at college to "eat right and hit the books" or maybe it was the lovely couple from South Africa who kindly offered words of wisdom and encouragement...my image of all of it changed.  I was able to get over myself and look up and actually see them.  And they were no longer sick people with tubes running into them--they were husbands, wives, mothers, friends, grandparents, one teenager--and they were all fighters.  

We clapped, cheered and teared up as several of the warriors celebrated their last treatment and as weary as they were---they each had a certain bounce to their step on the way out the door.  It was really amazing...not in an "I-want-to-hang-out-there-on-a-regular-basis-way," but very powerful just the same. 

So, back home...Chris had a pretty good night.  His Mom took him back to the doctor this morning for his $5000 booster shot (to keep the white blood cell count up) and his Dad came over to hang out with him this afternoon.  We went for a short family walk after school, had a good dinner, he read to the kids and is now shouting at the UT basketball team as if they can hear him through the TV.  So, things seem somewhat normal--he just feels like he was run over by a bus and the kids are disappointed that his hair hasn't fallen out yet.  

Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers (and to the Marietta Mafia for providing childcare!)  

Much love, 

Katherine and Chris (who is nodding as I clear this with him--"yeah, yeah...sounds good...REBOUND!!" So, thanks to March Madness I can post whatever I want!)  

Game on.

A great visit with the oncologist today (what a strange sentence).  

Dr. McCoy spent a lot of time explaining all of the results from last week's tests.  Here's my take (and save your heckling--I realize webMD and mayoclinic.org don't qualify me to explain much of anything). Chris aced them all...bone marrow is clear, PET scan didn't show any additional rotten spots, literally blew them away on his lung test, heart was perfect, LDH was normal and some blood sedimentation test rated him as a 1 (the lower the better).  He's pretty much the picture of health except for this lymphoma thing.  He is officially staged as having 2A Classic Hodgkin's.  Given what we already knew, this was the best possible news he could have gotten today (second only to "Just Kidding").  

So, it's time to get after it.  Chris chose to start chemo this Thursday rather than wait until next week.  He'll have chemo every other week for the next two months with a radiation chaser.  We've gotten some great chemo pointers from Allison and Josh, but any other ideas about how to prepare and/or pass the time in the infusion center are welcome.  We do have a bootleg version of Slumdog Millionaire to watch on the laptop.  (I would thank the neighbor who dropped it off, but it might get her in trouble with the feds).

Janie was very concerned and quiet tonight after I picked her up from MMargaret's.  She asked very sweetly (and to know her is to know that is not her normal tone of voice), "But what are they going to do to Daddy on Thursday?"  I pulled the car over and tried to explain how they would put the chemo into his body to start fighting the cancer.  "Like karate?  Yes, Tate--a lot like karate.  And the chemo will be  hi-yahing so fiercely that it will make Dad pretty tired and probably make his hair fall out."

"HIS HAIR WILL FALL OUT?  HE WILL BE BALD?  Yes, for a while."

I braced myself for tears or at the very least more questions.  And then they started cracking up... I mean we had to race home to avoid people wetting their pants they were laughing so hard.  

Janie even tried out her new joke tonight (taught to her by Maggie, I think).  "Dad, why did the eagle get his hair cut?  Because he wanted to be a BALD eagle!"  Usually our kids' jokes don't even have a punch line--much less one that is topical.  

So, they appear to be tough like their Dad and slightly warped like their Mom.  Both will serve them well.  

Thanks for all of the calls, notes, e-mails and especially your prayers. (We got a very sweet prayer-gram today from Germantown Baptist in TN.)  God is good, life is good and while Hodgkin's was not something that Chris wanted on the '09 calendar--he is ready.  
Good night--K

Tutu's Turn

Katherine asked me a day or so ago if I would want to contribute to the blog since I spent most of Wednesday with Chris.  My first reaction was not concern over the days events but hesitation mainly centered on the fact that Kath is really a great writer!  She's able to convey their prayer concerns, events of their daily lives and the genuine love for all of you who are faithful to hold them up. The support and love and kindnesses are amazing.  I am sure that I speak for all the Harrisons when I say, "Muchas gracias."  See Katherine, I am fluent also!  Hope I don't lose any followers--she will return for the next post.

Wednesday Chris and I (both rule keepers) followed instructions to see a video for all patients at the center.  We searched for the fast forward button, but to no avail.  Thankfully, the nurse came in and rescued us not long afterwards. Lots of details about Chris's specific case were reviewed and we were given a tour of the treatment center.  The most important aspect of the visit was the bone marrow biopsy, the details of which only Chris can reveal.  It's not that I don't want to . . . it's just that I wasn't in there.  They escorted me to the "media" room and kept me occupied with Girl Scout cookies.  We were out of there by 12:30 and, of course, Chris went back to work. Our other companions, Katherine and Chief, had to work all day, so we filled them in at dinner.  Tate was especially impressed with his Dad's tales of the lab. More tests today, and then it's back to see Dr. McCoy on Monday.

To borrow Chris's words, we all sense the presence of prayer warriors and the soldiers who are walking along side and joining him in this battle.  I agree with Katherine; there is no greater gift than your prayers.  Thank you for the earthly signs you have become of our heavenly Father's love and faithfulness.  

"What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms..."

Love, 

Tutu (aka Sue) Harrison

sorry!

I did something (accidentally) to change the settings and some of y'all have been unable to post.  I think that I have now changed it so that anyone can post (blogger member or not/no password needed).  If it still does not work, I will get Bart (techie bro-in-law) to correct the problem over the weekend.  Sorry to Miss Pam, Wendella, Leigh Anne and anyone else affected by the cyber roadblock.  

K

the real McCoy

We had our first visit with the oncologist yesterday.  Chris, Chief, Tutu and I headed over there armed with his bright orange "playbook" and all of our questions.  We met with his PA, Jan, first. A few folks had warned us that the dietary changes we have been making wouldn't necessarily be met with some sort of marching band.  Not true with Jan!  She was ready to break out her trombone (and her wheat grinder) and had lots of good, practical suggestions to add as well.  Dr. McCoy then spent a great deal of time answering all of our questions and asking lots, too.  He ordered a PET scan, a bone marrow biopsy, heart test, and lung test--all of which is to say that Chris's dance card is full for the next couple of days.  Dr. McCoy will meet with us again Monday pm to discuss all results and officially "stage" this thing, but given what he saw on the CAT scan--he was encouraged and encouraging. So, not too much more to report. Chris should start chemo in about 2 weeks.  

(I almost wrote-"we" should start...even more annoying than when a well-meaning husband says "we're pregnant."  Really?  Are you the one turning green over there? Are you the one who has to get this thing out of your body, too?  No.  YOU are the one who caused all the trouble in the first place!)

I am painfully aware that the physical burden is on him.  

A good friend called the other day--insistent that she do something other than "just" pray.  I assured her that we were fine for now and that she should take away the word "just".  (Like it is some sort of consolation prize in place of a casserole).  I cannot think of anything more meaningful, powerful, useful or personal for someone to do than pray.  It means that you have stepped out of your busy life, away from all of the things/people pulling on you, and held that person up to God.  However you do it, wherever you do it and whatever you say--we thank you for lifting Chris up.  We feel covered in prayer.  

Love, 

Katherine and Chris (who has now taken an interest in the blog and likes to dictate to me...you can imagine how well that is going)

*The kids were more than distracted yesterday while we were at the doctor's office.  They drove (almost) to Alabama to pick up 13 new Leghorn chicks for the farm.  They got to see goats, rabbits, turkeys, pigs and a mule.  They told us that they can't wait to go back with T and Veronica to pick out more animals next month??!!??

Tate and Janie

Happy Friday...been a long week.  We did want to let y'all know that Chris had an encouraging conversation yesterday with the surgeon who removed the lymph node.  He also had a good talk last night with Josh Poag (a great guy who was smart enough to marry Amy Rolfes).  Josh knows a lot (unfortunately from first-hand experience) and was very helpful to Chris.  He came away from both conversations optimistic, realistic and resolute. 

Several folks have asked about the kids.  They are doing great.  They know about the "marble" in Chris's neck since he has a really cool battle scar where it was removed.  We told them that the doctors didn't like what they saw.  Next, that they were going to take a picture of Dad's body to see if there were any more "rotten spots"-Janie or "enemy invaders"-Tate.  Gotta know your audience.  Told them about the spots/storm troopers that they found and that the doctor would come up with a battle plan for getting rid of them. Janie went back to coloring and Tate wanted to know more.  So, we talked briefly about the zapper/radiation ("Like in Captain Underpants?  Yes, a lot like Captain Underpants") and cancer bullets in the form of chemo. They were both curious as to how they could be soldiers in Dad's army.  We said that the most important way was to be "prayer warriors".  They also enjoy helping fix Dad's fighting food--they are really into making him smoothies in the blender.  I was tempted to add that they could also pick up legos, feed the dog, grade papers, etc.  

So, our kids have a fruit salad/Star Wars/C. Underpants version of what is going on.  Not sure that my understanding is that much better. We are trying to take their lead--talk about it when they want to and make things as "normal" as possible the rest of the time.  Much more interesting topics include Janie's Fancy Nancy b'day party on Sunday and the advent of real chickens at the farm on Monday (thanks to crazy cousins T and Harmonica).  We'll attempt to post photos documenting both.  (Bart???)

Have a good weekend--Love, Katherine

*Chris will say too much info, but for those of you (and there are a lot) who act as spare parents/other mothers--I thought it was important for you to know what was said.  Plus, he doesn't know how to log in to edit the blog.  

Also, wanted to clear up a couple of things:

1.  Please don't think that we set up the blog to keep y'all from calling, e-mailing, texting, sending smoke signals, etc.  We both love hearing your messages and reading your notes...it just relieves the pressure of having to respond in a timely fashion.

2.  Y'ALL can swear all you want.  Quite frankly, I feel that it is appropriate.  Chris is just trying to rein me in since his grandparents will be reading this.

Speaking of swearing, MLaura's mother (a lovely, steel magnolia from Augusta, GA) had the quote of the week:

"If you have to have one of those bastards, that's the one to get."  

here goes

We're going to give this a try.  It is supposed to be easy (I'm sure we'll need computer help) and it will be a quick way to get info to those who care about Chris (and it's free, Chris). He has given me certain parameters (which I may or may not stick to) but we'll see how it goes.  He did say not to be too serious--thus the title. 

 

Chris had a lymph node removed 2 weeks ago.  They did a biopsy and it turns out that he has Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  He had his CAT scan Tuesday.  It looks like there are 3 other smallish tumors in his upper chest, but we will have to wait for official results early next week.  We are encouraged by all that we read and hear about Hodgkin's and especially uplifted by stories of folks who have been through it and moved on to being worn out by normal things like kids and work.  

We are grateful for all of the prayers, thoughts, war-cries and "cancer coaching" that we have received already.  You have filled needs before we have even asked, made us laugh and made us feel loved.  

We are gearing up to kick this thing in the @#$ (I am also not supposed to swear).  

Much love, 

Katherine and Chris (who is rolling his eyes and reading over my shoulder)