Surprise..Surprise ..Surprise..and they're all good surprises...for a change!!!

September..the month that football starts, the month when fall begins and oh yeah the month of our warriors birthday. September 25th is the actual date but  the celebration can be anywhere from a day to 2 weeks, and that's just fine with me. As Reenie got together with the cheer moms a week and a half ago it was a birthday dinner for our girl surprise number one. Last week end the high school friends got together for their annual trip to Sister's Lake Mich. to celebrate Reenie's birthday, but to her surprise they ended up in  Oak Brook for the weekend to shop and eat, along with another surprise her girlfriends from New Jersey and Houston came in for the get together. Surprises two and three.
 A couple of weeks ago at chemo Reen had a little wheezing going on so they performed a chest xray to see if there was anything happening. The chest xray was not conclusive so now the recommendation was "lets do a CT scan". Man it always seems like good news is short lived (previous tumor markers being good) we got to enjoy that for about 15 minutes. We received the news of the scan last week and the lungs were fine some scar tissue from previous surgeries and past infections, but there was a bonus. The CT scan was of the chest area, and compared to the last PET scan the tumors were decreased in quantity and size...surprise number four and just wonderful news...this chemo is helping!!!
Well Reenie has enjoyed her birthday month, she is getting through the pain and fatigue with your love, support and prayers and the belief that this chemo is working, the battle is ongoing so she needs the continued thoughts and prayers. After all the get together, the dinners, the presents, Reenie celebrated her actual birthday with the news that she now will be sharing that birth date with a very special person Quinn Ainslie a beautiful baby born to Megan and Mike Darcy, daughter fo Maureen and Jim Scobey, it has been a good month.
Reenie sends her love and appreciation for all the cards and birthday greetings.

I think Pink is your color!!!

Its amazing as I sit here today and watch my wife fighting the battle of her life and realize 100s of thousands of women have dealt and are dealing with the exact same issues. I watch Reenie each day fight through the pain, the sickness, and the unknowing and I wonder how she manages to persevere. I was able to see the inspiration last week when Reenie's family (Shannon,Kristen,Ryan,Reen's mom Maureen and myself) spend a day with the Pink Heals Tour. Reenie set out last Monday to see the Pink Fire Trucks that travel the US each year in support of women battling breast cancer. The Fire department has always been special to our family, Reenie's dad Bud was a Chicago Firemen for 30 plus years, Josh, Kristen's husband is a fire fighter in Cicero and our son Ryan has completed a fire training course  and is continuing his education that he hopes will land him a career in the department. So the combination of fire trucks and a breast cancer awareness program brought our family together for one of those special days that we don't mange to share often enough. Reenie was the star in Homewood, she donned the Pink fire apparel and took pictures with the crew from both departments (local and traveling) . She posed for numerous pictures for the host support group and many family pics as well. The members of the Pink Heals tour helped Reenie share her inspirational message to others by writing a message on the trucks cab and we spent some time reading the messages of others as well. The truck is filled with messages from 1000's of women who are fighting the same battle our warrior is involved in. We payed a visit to Matteson where 2 more trucks from the tour stopped, Reenie met other women going through treatment and they share stories and hugs, and more inspiration. I know that Reenie gains strength from her family and friends, from knowing she handled this before and from her doctors and nurses and from prayer. I now know her experience will give others strength, her messages on the Pink trucks will inspire others to keep going to "Keep fighting like a girl" as I know the messages have inspired her and our family, like the mothers day walk this day was for Reenie to wear her badge of courage for all to see and she was most definitely "Pretty in Pink"
The last few appointments for our girl have been very encouraging, I said a couple of weeks ago the "eye" test showed improvement well so did tumor markers that we received last week, the cancer cells and tumors are responding to this new chemo...so please keep the prayers and good thoughts coming Reenie's way. The problems are and probably will be during treatment the side effects of infection, low white counts and fatigue, but this post is staying upbeat because it was a good week for our warrior...got good news, spent some time with family and friends and this is how "PINK HEALS"

Love to all....keep praying the miracle prayer!!!

Pack a suitcase or pack a wound

The calender says its time for another school year, time for a White Sox playoff run, time to celebrate Kris and Josh's first year anniversary and most importantly time for some encouraging news about our warrior. The past few weeks have been really difficult for Reenie, our fighter is tough but so is this treatment. She has to push herself to get through the day, lots of pain meds and lots of pain. It has gotten to the point where she is losing her nails and easy tasks are almost impossible. Yet she doesn't complain but will become sad, last week she had a great day on Thursday only to be knock back down on Friday when her visiting nurse felt her surgical wound looked infected, it was, so back on antibiotics and stay close to home. The antibiotics made her nauseous and on Monday she became sick so they backed off on some of the medication. Our girl is still receiving care at home, she needs to have her pick line flushed daily and the site where her port was removed has to be monitored for infection. It was a year ago we were packing for a long weekend and a wedding this year just packing wounds. Reenie has been on her new treatment since July 21st for a total of 5 cycles of Navelbine with daily doses of Femara the hormone therapy. The doctors are waiting until she has completed 8 cycles before any testing, PET scans and tumor markers will be done. The encouraging news we have had is that the EYE test, the visual examinations done the last two weeks have shown an improvement in both look and feel of the tumors. We take this news as a positive but we can't get too excited as we know this beast is a mother @&#*$% and we really need to see an improved scan and markers....but this is a move in that direction, so keep those prayers coming our warrior's way, she needs them for her strength and spirit. The Haas' family sends their love and appreciation to all family and friends you guys are our rock...thank you
And thanks to our special Tuesday flower man....you have no idea how much Reenie appreciates them!!

Who is this person you call the Warrior

Well the journey has had many turns the last week and a half. Wednesday July 21st (Shannon's birthday) we had our appointment with our oncology team to discuss the PET scan results and treatment change. But first our warrior who never stops thinking of others had to deliver a wedding gift to one of her Physician assistants that she made her self, a wine basket with numerous bottles of wine for the new couple to share on many different occasions that Reenie had outlined with labels on each bottle, a time consuming and thoughtful gift for someone special to our fighter.We expected that the scan results would tell us what we already kind of knew from the tumor markers, that the current treatment wasn't working as hoped. We were right, but the scan was not as bad as it could have been yes the tumor cells have increased slightly and spread around the abdomen, but it has not metastasized to the bone or any organs. Our fighter was on to another chemo therapy drug Navelbine and a new hormone therapy drug Femara. That day would be her first infusion of the new drug and she tolerated it, at least no allergic reaction which when starting a new drug is also always a worry. So now we pray and hope and believe that this will slow and stop the progression of this $%&*!@# animal, feel free to insert your favorite obscenity at this point, mine has 7 letters. Another turn in the road came Friday evening when visiting with her friends her arm that has her medi-port became sore and red, a possible infection was brewing. Saturday July 24th our combatant was admitted to the hospital to begin IV anti-biotics and try to clear the infection, We were hopeful Reenie could keep the port if the infection cleared up, but after 48 hours of IV's the infection wasn't clearing completely so the port needed to come out. Surgery was scheduled Tuesday to remove the port in her arm, now we needed a new access point to stay on her new treatment schedule, this was a priority and the nurses and doctors at Metro South knew this and came up with a plan to make sure Reenie would get her chemo on Wednesday. They inserted a pick line called a Power Line into her chest Wednesday morning and released her that afternoon in order to receive her scheduled treatment...I'm not sure warrior adequately describes how this girl is fighting, it is absolutely amazing to see what she is going through, how strong she is, how much fight she has, and how graceful she does it, does she cry, yes, is she mad yes, but she puts her makeup and her new wig on and you would never know she was fighting the fight of her life. She looks amazing at all times. Thursday Reenie was feeling a little better after her stint in the hospital and second treatment, she spent the day with Maureen, and Kristen stopped by with a new top that would hide the Power Line, this was definitely a better day. Friday came and Reenie was given an experience  that not many of us have the opportunity to share, a VIP pass into the Bon Jovi show Friday night from Dave and Brenda, now Reenie knew of this gift earlier in the week, but it did not look like she would be able to attend I really never thought she would feel up to to it by show time...I was wrong. Reen was sent home on IV anti-biotics so the nurse came over Friday afternoon and after she left our fighter said she wanted nothing more than to spend an evening with her husband downtown on the lakefront, or was it nothing more than to see and touch Jon Bon Jovi....anyway she was able to do both. The evening was awesome, great food and drink, spent some time with our friends the Scobeys and Carneys and the seats were amazing and yes our warrior touched the Bon Jovi (I'm guessing that's a good thing) hey it made Reenie forget about things for just a short time, and that made it all worth it. We stayed the night downtown with yet another gift from our friends the Lykes...Thank you, our friends are so amazing, helping us through this trying time, our family is steadfast and strong, Reenie is gaining strength through each of you... I thank you...and the definition of a warrior is REENIE

Love to all

Big Week Ahead...NO WHAMMIES

The week ahead will hopefully provide us with some much needed information and direction. Last week we received the results from the tumor markers drawn right after the long holiday weekend. The markers did show an increase which usually means that there is more activity. Last week was the 8th dose of taxotere which was the agreed upon amount of chemo before another PET scan. The PET scan is scheduled for tomorrow Monday with results expected Wednesday and I believe a decision will be made to change the treatment regiment. The taxotere might have slowed down some activity but it has not stopped or more importantly not completely killed the bad cells. The last few weeks have been difficult for our fighter, she has been able to make most of our planned outings or get togethers but hasn't really felt good doing it.   Reenie and I were able to spend a day and night with with the Scobeys, Carneys and Kirks at Jim and Maureens and we did have a wonderful meal  and a great time with friends. We were also able to attend the wedding of Shannon and Kristen's friend Nicole and her new husband Phil Stockmal. Like I said Reenie is determined to try and make most engagements and each time I am amazed at how great she looks when I know she isn't feeling that good. She puts on her wig and makeup, a new top or dress and looks beautiful. Those that don't know her history and even most that do can't believe she is battling the monster everyday...she really is doing it with grace!. Reenie was also able to spend a few hours today with many of her cousins at a birthday and graduation party for her cousin Maureen's daughter Katie another wonderful time. But with the reality that today is Sunday end of the weekend and a new work week is ahead our warrior has much more to contend with, the unknown, the change of treatment, she needs some good news to pick up her spirits, something to build on, so keep the prayers coming Reen has a big week ahead. Thanks to all who have been sending prayers and well wishes our way and of course all the great dinners..you guys are the best love to all

Fire works....but does the chemo!!! Happy 4th

In this season of cookouts, graduations,pool parties and fireworks, I've realized the events  we look forward to... Reenie not so much. The chlorine stings the sores or nodules, the sun is no longer her friend and the heat well if you can't use the pool to cool off, the heat's no friend either. This past week has been a reality check  for our warrior, beautiful weather she can't enjoy like she used to, and that has been a major disappointment. She hasn't been able to get out as much lately either since the treatment has been increased, she has become more tired and has had ALOT more pain. We are unsure of this new pain she is experiencing, she still gets bone pain from the shots, but the past few weeks the nodules on her abdomen have been very painful, is the chemo working, not sure, are the nodules creating scar tissue, not sure. We will learn more in the upcoming weeks. We will have tumor markers drawn this week with results July 14th which will also be the 8th dose of taxotere and another pet scan will be scheduled. Determination will be made then whether we continue this course or start another treatment. This schedule will be followed only if there are no more delays like a week ago when Reenie's white count plummeted and her treatment had to be delayed 5 days. Reenie has been bummed lately with having to miss a few events but is hopeful to get out over the holiday for a visit and have friends back for the Tinley firework display and maybe a couple days in Michigan with the Scobeys and Carneys if she is feeling better. Reenie wants to thanks her Angels of love who have made meals and taken us out this month, you don't know how much that means to her (us), thanks Kathy, Noreen, Jim and Carole and especially Dave and Brenda for arranging the dinners and driving schedule, our fighters spirits are lifted by every ones prayers, visits, meals and calls..love to all keep saying the miracle prayer.

Pain Pain go away.......come back never!!

Well as we walked on mothers day in support of our warrior and all the women in our lives that are or could be affected by this monster that doesn't fight fair, the message of the walk was HOPE, FIGHT, WALK. Walk we did, with family and friends, fight is what Reenie is doing each and every day, and HOPE, is what we are doing each minute. Hope that this treatment is the one, hope that Reenie is pain free, hope that our fighter continues with the strength and determination that she has displayed throughout. Well the rain has finally stopped and tomorrow is suppose to be a better day, lets hope so! Reenie has completed one round of the newest chemo treatment (Taxotere) she is tolerating it fairly well, I say fairly because after the first two doses she became nauseous 5 days after treatment, we think that may be under control. The nueropathy has continued, and the bone pain in the hips is back because of the need for the shots to increase the white cells, so fairly is the best way to describe her toleration of treatment. So far the treatment has not brought about the positive results we were hoping for, but our team is asking us to give it some time that we may not see results for a couple cycles, that's were the fight comes in. To not be able to see positive results yet go ahead and keep taking the poison, well that's some kind of strength, and that's were the hope comes into play again. So we will continue this treatment of Taxotere, the dosage has been increased and there will be no off week, it will be continuous. We will keep the hormone treatment of Faslodex going and the targeted cell killer Avastin, and a heavy dose of prayers. Reenie is still trying to be normal, get out once in awhile, have visitors and enjoy Ryan's hockey games. The Chicago Blackhawks winning the Stanley Cup and the Sox taking 2 of 3 from the Cubs lifted her spirits, oh those were my spirits that were lifted, anyway it gives us all hope!!!
Reenie sends her love to all...thanks for every ones support in her fight..we need you and your prayers
Oh and sorry for the late update...