Chad update

Chad headed out on the red eye to New York Tuesday night (05/15/12).  His first check up after his radiation treatment in March. Anyone that has to have regular check ups, not matter the reason, it is rough!  Time flies so fast.  It feels like we just left NY and off he goes again.  Just when we start to relax after everything that goes on it is time to get the emotions/ nerves going again.  The story of our life...but...I wouldn't change it!  This is the result of Chad's visit.

In the words of my awesome doctor, "you, my friend are a success story!"
We are clear for another 4 months!!!
Thanks to all for your prayers, they are what have made this all happen!!
Thank you, thank you!

Time to lift our chins, give thanks and enjoy life as we know it!  You're a fighter Chaddy!  I love you!

My little monkey

Ethan has perfected the art of climbing the door jam.  Didn't we all do this as a kid?  I know I did.  I never told him to do it or how to do it.  Why do things like this pop into our minds?  Anyway, he is very proud of what he can do and he practices often.

Trophies

The boys did so great this year perfoming on "the big stage".  They claimed to have stage fright but the moment the music started they busted out their "cool moves". Wade got his very first trophy this year and Ethan added two more to his collection. Way to go boys.  You rock!

Harry Potter

Ethan has learned about Harry Potter from his many adventures at LEGO.COM.  He has begged me to watch the movie so we made a deal.  Read the book and then watch the movie.  I wasn't sure this was going to work especially for Wade but to my surprise they loved it!  The boys listened so well and would ask to read more and more.  We are now in search of our next book with a movie to follow. 

P.S.  The boys informed me that we are going to have two babies at the same time and they will be named Ron and Harry Potter.  Later we will have a baby girl named Hermione.  Silly Boys!

April 2012

 

March 20-22  Chad works for a fantastic company.   Petzl America!  They are one in a million.  They have been so wonderful to support Chad throughout all his treatments and genuinely care and help him with whatever he may need.  The CSS department decided to head out together for a work "retreat" to the city of rocks.  A little camping and a little climbing!  We had so much fun.  The boys loved climbing and of course the stone soup was delicious!

 

 Wade has a fear of heights so we thought he would be a bit timid...boy we were wrong.  The kid loves to climb and does a really good job!

 Ethan would climb so fast Chad couldn't keep up with him.

 

 Chad...he loves to climb.  He finds a freedom and satisfaction climbing, that I will never understand.  I was scared to death to see Chad climb.  He shouldn't be climbing...I am 100% sure his doctor would tell him NOT to climb.  However, for some reason I feel Chad needs it.  I have threatened him with his life...not to overdue it!  With that said, here are the pics of Chad up the Rock.  He looks good up there!

 Ethan had his very last preschool field trip March 19th.  The Dinosaur park.  As you can see the boys had a great time.  Ethan loves to be with other kids.  He tends to easily take charge and be the leader.  I hope this is a sign of good things to come.

Easter is always a super fun holiday for the kids.  They get to color eggs (In all my 31 years of life I never remember anyone spilling the Dye...Ethan did this year!), Egg hunt, Egg hunt and even more Egg hunts, and of course get a basket full of fun.  I love watching my kids get so excited.  

At the Hirschi house the boys had to find 80 eggs in the backyard...just the 2 of them!!!  As they filled their baskets we heard, "We are so spoiled", "We are spoiled rotten", and "We are rich". They truly are all three. 

 G'ma Hirschi finds great satisfaction in hiding baskets for the adults and she always tries really hard to stump Chad. Until this year she was unsuccessful.  As you can see in middle left picture Chad's basket was inside the gas fireplace.  My mom is a genius!

 

 Ethan took charge of pics on Easter Sunday.  He told us to get in a line and it turned out really cute.  Ethan you are always full of great ideas!  The Buckner Boys are so handsome just like their DADDY!  I am so thankful we have Easter SUNDAY.  I love that we can have so much fun with worldly things and then put it all away and think of our Savior.  Chad and I love teaching the boys about Jesus.  Their little testimony's are amazing!

These two little studs are ready for their first dance performance of the season.  Ethan is doing "Party Rock" - Hip Hop and Wade the cutest Zebra in the whole world is doing "Animal Crackers" - Jazz.  They will steal the show there is no doubt.

March 2012

 

It isn't very often that you can put a jacket on and go enjoy a great day of fishing in March, but we did.  March 29th Chad took the day off and we went to our favorite local pond in Clearfield.  We all caught fish...and more fish.  The boys love to go fishing and I even got me a license this year so Fish beware!

  

I have some of the most amazing friends in my life.  I can't even begin to thank them for what they have done.  They put together a boutique/bake sale to raise funds to help us pay for the great cost of fighting cancer...in New York.  They put so much time and effort into it.  On top of that everything was donated by someone who found a link to us in some way.  In a time where all we hear is how bad things are...I have found a renewed faith and trust in people.  People are so good!  Thank you to all involved...if you haven't seen them already...Miracles are happening and you are apart of it!

 Here we are in New York city...where dreams come true!  Right?  Yes they do.  Chad left on March 10th to begin radiation treatments on the 12th.  I flew in on the 13th and we had the most wonderful week.  What more could you want...walking around all morning seeing the sights of NY (24 miles in 4 days to be exact), taking hubby to his daily BBQ at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and then spending the nights with the coolest family in NY.  We enjoyed every moment. 

Top left: Dr. Yamada

Middle left:  The famous Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Bottom left: Chad being bolted to the table

Right: The machine that sends out the radiation

The treatments went as planned.  No hang-ups or bumps.  Now we watch and wait for the miracles of modern medicine, with the help from Our loving father in Heavenly, to take place.

 

This is what happens when you get bored waiting, waiting and waiting to see the doctor.

  

 You can't go to NY with out hitting the Lego Store.  I think I was the most excited.  I LOVE LEGOS!

 

 Chad and I are so thankful to Dave, Jen and their wonderful kids for putting up with us.  They sacrificed a lot to have us in their home and we are truly thankful.  The burden of fighting cancer so far away from home was lightened greatly knowing we had a place to stay and the love and comfort that comes from being with family.  Thank you so much.  You are all so amazing!

P.S.   Chad and I have never had so many pictures of us together since our wedding day.  Fun!

February 2012

 

Wade Wade Wade...The boy has an incredible mind, strange, but incredible.  Pic on the right is of his tail (blankie coming out of his underwear). Bottom left is an arm band holding his sippie cup so therefore he drinks from his ankle. It's a good thing he is flexible.  The top left is of course how he eats his oranges.  As long as he eats them he can do whatever he wants. :)

 

February 17th is the perfect time to go to the Rodeo.  No burning sun beating down on you and not to many people/rednecks to drive you crazy.  The boys got to sit up close and loved every minute of it.  There favorite part was the Big Bulls, Mutton Bustin' and of course the clown the cooked up a "weenie dog".  One of our favorite outings of 2012.

 February 29th was the annual Petzl Olympics.  Where the co-workers challenge each other to a few activities related to Petzl equipment.  It makes for great entertainment for all involved.  Good food and Good laughs.  The boys love to climb on the climbing wall and this year Ethan got to go on the a Zip line.  He was scared to death but was so brave.  When I asked him if he would ever do it again he said "no way" but I think he would in heart beat.

Things are finally back to "Normal" at the Buckner house.  The last few days have not been so easy.  Chad came home from New York on Sunday and when I got to him he was so so so very sick.  He had the worst headache of his life which is really bad for Chad because he gets migraines.  He told me on a scale of 1 to 10 he was at a 14.  Due to the intense pain in his head he was sick to his stomach and throwing up.  With a little bit of research we found out it was all due to his Myelogram.  Basically a spinal tap that removes some spinal fluid and adds dye to get images taken.  He finally got to the point where he could stand up for short periods of time and keep food down.  It has been a slow recovery but he is finally functioning with minimal headaches.  We are sure glad to have our little family back together.  The boys sure missed their Daddy-o!

Chad update

As most of you know Chad went to New York with his Father on Monday hoping to find some answers and hope from doctors in New York at the Sloan - Kettering Cancer Center.

We did get answers and some education. A little bit of info about Chad's tumor. IT is called leiomyosarcoma. It is a rare form of cancer. The Chemo doctor in NY put it like this... Most doctors treat patients based on data. hundreds of thousands of women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year so it is simple to group 5000 here and 5000 here for different treatments and compare results. Chad's tumor is so rare that about 2000 cases are reported each year and on top of that only about 100 cases of this tumor are found in the spine like Chad's. So basically Chad's treatments are trial and error based, due to the lack of data.

In the words of Dad Buckner here is the result of their visit with the doctor on 02/14/12.

"The over arching understanding is that the Lord is in charge.  His tender mercies have been seen.  After receiving the word from Huntsman that there  really wasn't anything they could do for Chad, and basically to "go home, enjoy he quality of life you have while you have it", we knew there was no where else to turn than to the Lord.

Yesterday (02/14/12) we spent from 8:30 to 5:40 at the hospital.  We started with a meeting with Dr. Josh Yamada, a Bishop in Dave's stake. A very gentle man, soft spoken, but with no hidden agenda. Chad came into contact with Josh almost two years ago just after his second surgery. Dave put us in touch with him after Dave told him of Chads situation.  He was very eager to help and consult at that time. 

Josh taught us about the three methods of attacking the cancer.  Radiation, surgery, and chemo. The primary focus would be the radiation, and the surgery would only come to play to help increase the effectiveness of the radiation.  The chemo would be a back up to help strengthen the effects of the first two efforts.  He mentioned they wanted another MRI performed to get some better images and angles. He also set up an appointment with a Dr. Tap, a medical oncologist who would assist with the chemo if needed. Dr. Tap was fully booked, but as a favor to Josh, he meet with us.  We discussed the roll chemo could play if needed.  We then went back (Dr. Tap was at a different location, same hospital, but 8-10 blocks away) for Chads MRI and then after met with Josh again.  He was positive about the MRI and that Chads spinal canal looked healthy and the tumor was not effecting it yet.  He felt like he could address the tumor with radiation.  Just as we were leaving Dr. Bilsky the neurosurgeon came in.  He and Josh consulted for about 15 minutes and then they met with us.  Josh introduced Dr. Bilsky as the worlds leading nuro-surgeon.  He was very kind, and equally complementary of Josh.  He confirmed that surgery is usually used only when required, but that radiation was the preferred course to getting rid of the cancer.  Surgery does not always get rid of the cancer, but can help if used with radiation if required.  After they both had studied the MRI, they both agreed, radiation would be the best course and that Josh had experienced a great deal of success with these types of tumor's.  Our hearts were lifted and we felt a peace that as they put it we "can hit a home run on this one".  Their cancer board meets on Thursday to confirm their findings and then well learn the timing of the next steps.  If they can obtain approval from the insurance they will "stage" Chad on Friday which means they will inject some dye into Chads spine to learn more in preparation of the radiation.  They will fit him for his "Freddy Kruger" mask.  In two or three weeks he'll come back for a week of radiation.  Then they will evaluate after 6-8 weeks."

02/16/12
The board met this morning and decided that indeed they could and should do radiation. It will be a 5 day treatment March 12-16th. They are going "FRY" Chad with the highest possible dose they can knowing that this will be the last time he can get this kind of radiation. The doctor said he will have the worst Sore throat of his life because they will basically be sunburning his esophagus.

Tomorrow (02/17/12) he will undergo a Myelogram. Which is a test to examine the spinal canal and spinal cord and he will be fitted for his "MASK". The mask is used to bolt his head to a table during the radiation treatment so he cannot move. This is to ensure that the radiation hits the right spot.

All in all we went from worse case scenario to best case scenario. Our prayers have been answered and are continually being heard and answered more everyday.
Thanks for all the love, support and prayers in our behalf.

Feelin' the Love

I can't believe how awesome people are. All we hear everyday is how bad the world is. Yes there is a lot of bad but boy there is so much good. Chad and I have received so much love in the last few weeks. Phone calls, emails, cookies, texts and so many prayers. I can't even begin to tell you how many people are praying in Chad's behalf. I am sure Heavenly Father is hearing them all and in His time will answer them.

The picture is of our awesome little family united in the cause of beating cancer or as 3 year Wade says every night in his prayers..."Bless Daddy's back to go away". The fantastic yellow bracelets were made by our good friend Jay. We are reminded everyday to live strong and we will. Thanks Jay!

Chaddy Chaddy Chaddy...

We found out on the 9th that my dear sweet Chaddy still has a tumor growing in his spine. He has been through two major back surgeries, chemo therapy and heavy radiation. How on earth anything can live through that and still grow is beyond me...CANCER SUCKS.

The doctor said we have 3 options...

1. Surgery
2. More radiation
3. Chemo

The surgeon said the tumor is to small for the risky surgery he would have to do. He would have to go through the chest and move ribs, lungs, heart, etc. That is not an option right now. The radiation doctor said the tumor is to close to the spinal cord and there is no way she could get it all so it would just grow back in 6 months and then radiation would not be an option again. She told him to go home and enjoy his quality of life while he could. Chemo didn't do anything to stop it the first time and doesn't have a good track record with sarcoma tumors so that is the last option.

What do you do with that news...If you are Chad you find another solution. Chad has a fantastic uncle that lives in New York. He has a friend who specializes in spine tumors and has been in contact with Chad for the last 2 years. We didn't know why this contact was made until now. The doctor has agreed to take on Chad and his tumor. As of right now the plan is for all Chads medical records to get sent to NY and a PET scan be done. Chad is planning to go to NY on Feb. 14th to meet the doctors, get tests done and final prep. A few weeks after that a final plan will be put into place for radiation treatment. Chad will then go to NY for 3 to 4 weeks. They are going to use large amounts of Radiation over a short amount of time. There are long term risks involved but that is the nature of the beast.

Just when things are looking up we often get kicked to our knees. And then... Angels surround us and blessings are poured out upon us. Chad and I have seen more love, concern, and charity from people than we ever have before. Chad's employment is behind him 100%, sky miles are being donated as well as money to cover the large cost of fighting cancer. I don't know why things like this happen but I do know that we are strengthened to handle them. Heavenly Father loves us and is aware of our every need. This to shall pass.




Many have asked how they can help. I hate asking for help...I am too independent for that. Help is one thing I have slowly learned to except. So here is how you can help.

1. Prayers
2. Money donations ( medical bills, airfare to NY, chad out of work for a time)
Zions bank donation acct: Chad Buckner
Paypal: cbbuckner@gmail.com
3. Prayers...We believe in miracles and you can never have to many people praying in your behalf.


Thank you so much for all the love and support. You will never know how much a phone call, email, someone to talk to, card or just a hug means. It keeps us smiling. Thank you!