Next Step: Juravinski Cancer Center

Juravinski Cancer Center: Hamilton Health Sciences

Now that the surgery is complete, my case is being referred to the Juravinski Cancer Center in Hamilton, where I'll meet with a multi-disciplinary cancer team (radiologist, oncologist, urologist, etc.). My final consult with the urologist in Cambridge wraps-up the post-op phase on May 31, and my initial consult with the oncologist is the next day (June 1) - yes, it moves that fast! More details to come June 1 . . .

I've also developed a slight complication; a post-op infection of the surgical site. So I'm on large doses of antibiotics to clear it up. Other than being a bit uncomfortable, the site should clear up (hopefully) by the end of the month consult.

One last (cool) thing: I mentioned how I've so blown away with all the love & support - this Mon. I had a friend drive down to our place, and insist on taking out the garbage (I'm on lift restrictions)! Talk about way-cool friends 8) !!

Home from Surgery

Chris is home from surgery. All is well - as well as it can be after surgery (thank goodness for drugs) and now he just needs to be patient and let others wait on him until the Dr. says it's OK to resume doing the things he would like; gardening, lifting (Crystal), etc.
We were told to call in to the the Dr.'s office on Thursday, so we are hoping to hear any results of the surgery then. We are also praying that he will heal quickly and be able to resume normal activities after his visit to the Dr. on May 31st.
I hate to admit it, but I am finally thankful for the XBox - this would be a long two weeks without it!

Crystal Timeline - She is getting sooo BIG!

A few weeks old, and fits in the bathroom sink.



About one month old and still sleepy.



Two months old and learns to smirk & smile - especially when looking at herself in the mirror.


Isn't she adorable????



Three months old and looking more and more like mommy (wearing the bonnett, sweater & slippers made for Connie when she was a baby)



At almost 3 and a half months she learns to lift her legs and bum up off the floor in order to hit the dangling toys from here jungle playset - her arms are just too short still to reach the high ones. She has such force that if it weren't for her shoulder and arm she probably would have rolled over onto her tummy - but I'm sure that will come soon enough......

Some good news . . .

I was in to drop off some forms at Dr. Gallagher's office, when they pulled me aside to say that the results of the CT full-body scan were in - which reported negative for metastatic illness (the scan didn't detect any presence and/or spread of cancer). The surgery is Mon. afternoon, and the testicle will be sent to a lab, and I should probably know the results of the lab test in the next week or two.

Surgery on Monday . .

Surgery to remove the testicle is this Monday afternoon, and I should be off work for about 2 weeks. I'm told that once they stick the tissue under the microscope and confirm it's indeed cancer, I'll be sent down to Hamilton to a multi-disciplinary oncology team who decides what, when and how much - if anything that I'd need (like radiation/chemo). I won't really have any more updates until after the surgery on Monday - sometimes the info. is slow-coming.