Jada is home from her exam under anesthesia (EUA)
Jada did awesome at her exam today. We woke up at 5:00am and were at the hospital by 6:45am. Unfortunately we weren't seen until almost 9:30am (imagine, a waiting room packed with kids who are starving and parents who haven't had coffee yet.... not a pretty sight). Even more unfortunate, I think that the doctor was running late because the family before us got some bad news. Usually, if the exam takes long, it's not a good thing. And, it turned out to be just that. So, our thoughts and prayers go out to that family.
We also met another Rb family who lives in Ecuador. They come to Boston to get treatment. Yes, Ecuador. The little boy was diagnosed in Ecuador, flies here almost every 3 months for treatment by Dr. Mukai. The family barely speaks English and they are staying at a charity house (see, your donation dollars DO really help!). They have no family here, and they had to leave 2 of their other children behind. Their appointment was after ours, so I hope they are receiving some good news.
We are reminded how Blessed we are to live in this area and to have support from family, friends, and the best medical community. It's always a very humbling experience when we go to the hospital. Sometimes we are the "worst" story in the room - most times we are not.
Jada did really well, despite not having eaten in over 17 hours. She came out of anesthesia like a pro! Basically sat up, drank some apple juice, and got into her stroller while waving to the nursing staff. So, we're home and she's sleeping off the remainder of the anesthesia.
Just before she fell asleep, she talked to Tita Mari and Gavin. Here is a cute video of Jada talking to Tita Mari.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
We are back from CA! Joli is awesome!
I hear that Jada and Jorge had a great time this weekend at home! But, Joli and I had the camera, so here are our nice pictures from California at Nicole and Joe's wedding. It was so fun going with Joli at this age because she is really independent.... no strollers, no gigantic bags of diapers and snacks, etc. Although we missed Jada and Jorge terribly, it was nice to have some girl time! Enjoy!
Miss Joli in her fancy dress (that she picked out herself!)
Getting her nails done with Tita Mari
Miss Joli getting her first pedicure
Joli with her champagne glass of apple cider with a raspberry
Tearing up the dance floor with Lolo Sonny and Lola.... Joli danced all afternoon!
Not only were there TWO types of wedding cakes, but there was also a chocolate dipped strawberry station!! Oh, and Joli made that necklace for the wedding...!
Miss Fancy girl picked out her outfit (thanks to Target) of this adorable black dress and super sparkly silver shoes.
This is Joli's version of "The Robot" - she rocked it!!
A little hard to see, but this is Joli and Gavin dancing at the wedding
I hear that Jada and Jorge had a great time this weekend at home! But, Joli and I had the camera, so here are our nice pictures from California at Nicole and Joe's wedding. It was so fun going with Joli at this age because she is really independent.... no strollers, no gigantic bags of diapers and snacks, etc. Although we missed Jada and Jorge terribly, it was nice to have some girl time! Enjoy!
Miss Joli in her fancy dress (that she picked out herself!)
Getting her nails done with Tita Mari
Miss Joli getting her first pedicure
Joli with her champagne glass of apple cider with a raspberry
Tearing up the dance floor with Lolo Sonny and Lola.... Joli danced all afternoon!
Not only were there TWO types of wedding cakes, but there was also a chocolate dipped strawberry station!! Oh, and Joli made that necklace for the wedding...!
Miss Fancy girl picked out her outfit (thanks to Target) of this adorable black dress and super sparkly silver shoes.
This is Joli's version of "The Robot" - she rocked it!!
A little hard to see, but this is Joli and Gavin dancing at the wedding
Friday, October 19, 2007
Liza's Test Have Been Fine
Thanks to everyone who has been supportive with all the tests I have to go through. So far so good - no cancer cells anywhere. So, it's been good to start building my chart and meeting the doctors.
We still have 2 Jada appointments next week and then 2 Joli appointments the following weeks.
Pictures from California to follow!
Thanks to everyone who has been supportive with all the tests I have to go through. So far so good - no cancer cells anywhere. So, it's been good to start building my chart and meeting the doctors.
We still have 2 Jada appointments next week and then 2 Joli appointments the following weeks.
Pictures from California to follow!
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007
A year ago this month....
Joli had her port-a-cath removed. It seemed like forever ago when she had that port. Even in this picture, she look so small! We waited a full 8 months until after she finished chemotherapy to have her button removed in the event that she needed any additional treatment. I think, at last count, Joli's port had been accessed over 150 times over 14 months -- between chemotherapy, flushing the tubes, blood draws, anesthesia, etc. We went through boxes of band-aids, tubes of .. gosh... I think I actually forgot the name of the "numbing cream." It's amazing how easily I used to be able to rattle off the names of each and every single medication and now, I can barely remember the name of a cream we used over a hundred times.... oh, gosh, seriously, I actually can't remember the name.... weird.
Finish 1 appointment ... get 2 more
So, I promised I would write about this flurry of appointments that I now have as a pre-cancer patient. The MRI experience was fine, thanks to my sister Mari who refused to just let me sulk. She took the ride into Boston with me, hung out and made me laugh in the waiting room, ate some awesome Vietnamese food, and then we went to see Grace read at Grub Street. The only thing that was hard was the actual dye they injected into me that made me want to barf.
Soon after the MRI, I had to then see another doctor in Boston. Because I was there a little early, I decided to stop down to see Joli's oncologist and ask if she needed any follow up appointments. "Yes, in fact, she's scheduled for an MRI on a Wednesday and then needs to come back to the oncologist the following Tuesday! I was going to call you today! " Great. I scribbled those into my appointment book.
I then went to my appointment with the gynecological oncologist. I have to admit, in all these doctors appointments, I actually didn't even know what kind of doctor I was going to until I got there. So, after an insanely long wait, a physically uncomfortable exam, more vials of blood drawn, I went to the counter to check out. And, yes, I was scheduled for 2 more appointments and scribbled those into my appointment book.
I left the parking garage crying and thinking, "These doctor's appointments are like a full time job!" Driving out of the garage also brought up feelings of having to bring Joli there so often - and then knowing I have to bring Jada there in 2 weeks for an EUA, and then bring Joli there TWICE in 1 week in November.
For me, I know this whole flurry of appointments means that a) I may never have to have chemotherapy if we catch the cancer early, and b) that it will only happen every 6 months like this. The good news is that the doctor seems to think my risk of ovarian cancer is not 30% as a BRCA1 person, but more like 15% because of a few key factors: 1) I had children before 35, 2) I breastfed both kids, 3) I only ovulate a few times a year. My risk of breast cancer is still at about 80%.
The other good news is that I'm reading an awesome book called "Free Food for Millionaires" which has kept me very occupied in those waiting rooms. I highly recommend it!
So, more blogging after my next appointments. Like Mari says "It's better than chemo."Oh, and I'll post pics of the kids with Gavie soon, too.
Joli News:
Joli started her new school this week and LOVES it! I can't get her to leave in the afternoon because she just loves her new friends, her new fun, and her new teachers! (and so do I!). I'll take some pictures later of her at her new school!
So, I promised I would write about this flurry of appointments that I now have as a pre-cancer patient. The MRI experience was fine, thanks to my sister Mari who refused to just let me sulk. She took the ride into Boston with me, hung out and made me laugh in the waiting room, ate some awesome Vietnamese food, and then we went to see Grace read at Grub Street. The only thing that was hard was the actual dye they injected into me that made me want to barf.
Soon after the MRI, I had to then see another doctor in Boston. Because I was there a little early, I decided to stop down to see Joli's oncologist and ask if she needed any follow up appointments. "Yes, in fact, she's scheduled for an MRI on a Wednesday and then needs to come back to the oncologist the following Tuesday! I was going to call you today! " Great. I scribbled those into my appointment book.
I then went to my appointment with the gynecological oncologist. I have to admit, in all these doctors appointments, I actually didn't even know what kind of doctor I was going to until I got there. So, after an insanely long wait, a physically uncomfortable exam, more vials of blood drawn, I went to the counter to check out. And, yes, I was scheduled for 2 more appointments and scribbled those into my appointment book.
I left the parking garage crying and thinking, "These doctor's appointments are like a full time job!" Driving out of the garage also brought up feelings of having to bring Joli there so often - and then knowing I have to bring Jada there in 2 weeks for an EUA, and then bring Joli there TWICE in 1 week in November.
For me, I know this whole flurry of appointments means that a) I may never have to have chemotherapy if we catch the cancer early, and b) that it will only happen every 6 months like this. The good news is that the doctor seems to think my risk of ovarian cancer is not 30% as a BRCA1 person, but more like 15% because of a few key factors: 1) I had children before 35, 2) I breastfed both kids, 3) I only ovulate a few times a year. My risk of breast cancer is still at about 80%.
The other good news is that I'm reading an awesome book called "Free Food for Millionaires" which has kept me very occupied in those waiting rooms. I highly recommend it!
So, more blogging after my next appointments. Like Mari says "It's better than chemo."Oh, and I'll post pics of the kids with Gavie soon, too.
Joli News:
Joli started her new school this week and LOVES it! I can't get her to leave in the afternoon because she just loves her new friends, her new fun, and her new teachers! (and so do I!). I'll take some pictures later of her at her new school!
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Friday, October 05, 2007
My MRI is today
Inspired by Grace, I'm also posting on Breast Cancer Awareness month. Not sure if I posted (to those reading the non-Joli-and-Jada posts), I was tested for BRCA1 (breast cancer gene) in August and was positive. That means, I have an 80% chance of developing breast cancer. And, since many of my female cousins, aunts, and even my sisters were either cancer or pre-cancer survivors, I'm no fool to my odds.
Today starts the massive amounts of tests. I'll pretty much be in Boston every single week for the next month or so, between my own tests, Jada's EUA's, etc. Fantastic....
I'm not nervous about being BRCA1 positive. I figure, you deal with the cards you have - and our family has been good about that (by no choice of our own, of course). So, now begins my journey of building a chart with the Boston hospitals and, hopefully, catching any cancer cells before they truly turn into something bad. As a BRCA1 positive person, I also have a much higher risk for Ovarian cancer, too. So, I'll be monitored for that as well.
I guess I'm a little nervous today because this test is what found Grace's pre-cancer cells (I know there is a more scientific name for this, but "pre-cancer" works for me). Grace emerged from the next 2 tests with massive bruising and a lot of pain - two things I am NOT a fan of in my life. So, not nervous about the tests, but nervous about what they could find. Grace has decided to have a double mastectomy in a few weeks. I'm not quite there yet. But, who knows what the tests will determine for me.
Now that I'm "out", I'm sure I'll be writing more about this... in between stories of the girls pooping the tub -- which happened yesterday (thanks, Jada!) -- and going to school!!
Peace.
Inspired by Grace, I'm also posting on Breast Cancer Awareness month. Not sure if I posted (to those reading the non-Joli-and-Jada posts), I was tested for BRCA1 (breast cancer gene) in August and was positive. That means, I have an 80% chance of developing breast cancer. And, since many of my female cousins, aunts, and even my sisters were either cancer or pre-cancer survivors, I'm no fool to my odds.
Today starts the massive amounts of tests. I'll pretty much be in Boston every single week for the next month or so, between my own tests, Jada's EUA's, etc. Fantastic....
I'm not nervous about being BRCA1 positive. I figure, you deal with the cards you have - and our family has been good about that (by no choice of our own, of course). So, now begins my journey of building a chart with the Boston hospitals and, hopefully, catching any cancer cells before they truly turn into something bad. As a BRCA1 positive person, I also have a much higher risk for Ovarian cancer, too. So, I'll be monitored for that as well.
I guess I'm a little nervous today because this test is what found Grace's pre-cancer cells (I know there is a more scientific name for this, but "pre-cancer" works for me). Grace emerged from the next 2 tests with massive bruising and a lot of pain - two things I am NOT a fan of in my life. So, not nervous about the tests, but nervous about what they could find. Grace has decided to have a double mastectomy in a few weeks. I'm not quite there yet. But, who knows what the tests will determine for me.
Now that I'm "out", I'm sure I'll be writing more about this... in between stories of the girls pooping the tub -- which happened yesterday (thanks, Jada!) -- and going to school!!
Peace.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Jada Speaks
Kind of out of nowhere, Jada just started speaking in sentences. It's kind of weird. Here are the sentences she says:
"Mommy, I want some milk."
"Where is my Lolo?"
"Elmo go car seat, Mommy."
"That is Vega."
"There is Joli/Mommy/Daddy/Elma/Gordon/ Lolo/ Lola/car/Elmo."
"Gordon, down!"
"Mommy, night night."
"I want apple, please."
"Bye, Jo. Bye, Jo."
"Where's Daddy? Daddy at work."
"Jo is there."
"Jada, sit down."
"Gordon, no no."
"I want that."
Hmmm... I think there are more. It's so odd... just all of a sudden speaking in sentences! Yay, Jada!
Kind of out of nowhere, Jada just started speaking in sentences. It's kind of weird. Here are the sentences she says:
"Mommy, I want some milk."
"Where is my Lolo?"
"Elmo go car seat, Mommy."
"That is Vega."
"There is Joli/Mommy/Daddy/Elma/Gordon/ Lolo/ Lola/car/Elmo."
"Gordon, down!"
"Mommy, night night."
"I want apple, please."
"Bye, Jo. Bye, Jo."
"Where's Daddy? Daddy at work."
"Jo is there."
"Jada, sit down."
"Gordon, no no."
"I want that."
Hmmm... I think there are more. It's so odd... just all of a sudden speaking in sentences! Yay, Jada!
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Sunday, September 30, 2007
To NY and Back!
We went to NY and back in 24 hours to see Jorge's family and to visit our friends on Long Island. It was so much fun being back there and bringing the girls. Cotton candy and french fries - doesn't get better than that.
The girls had a great morning with Grammy, Pops and Uncle Pedro.
We then went to Long Island and met up with Olivia and Gen (and their mom). It was a spiritual connection from the minute the 4 girls met each other. Olivia, of course, is the creator of the beautiful quilts that she gave the girls over the years.
Jada finally got to meet Tracey - one of Jorge's mentors from high school and both of our good friend. Tracey brought Joli and Jada around to all the little animals and bought the girls hot dogs!
Oops... just tried to upload the pictures from Gen, but because i stole them from her facebook, they didn't come out right. So, I'll post those once I get them from her (ahem ahem, Gen....).
Thanks for hanging out with us everyone! Off to bed....
We went to NY and back in 24 hours to see Jorge's family and to visit our friends on Long Island. It was so much fun being back there and bringing the girls. Cotton candy and french fries - doesn't get better than that.
The girls had a great morning with Grammy, Pops and Uncle Pedro.
We then went to Long Island and met up with Olivia and Gen (and their mom). It was a spiritual connection from the minute the 4 girls met each other. Olivia, of course, is the creator of the beautiful quilts that she gave the girls over the years.
Jada finally got to meet Tracey - one of Jorge's mentors from high school and both of our good friend. Tracey brought Joli and Jada around to all the little animals and bought the girls hot dogs!
Oops... just tried to upload the pictures from Gen, but because i stole them from her facebook, they didn't come out right. So, I'll post those once I get them from her (ahem ahem, Gen....).
Thanks for hanging out with us everyone! Off to bed....
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Some Fall Fun!
Just hanging around and enjoying the warm fall so far! We went apple picking and the girls had such a great time. Jada enjoys bossing everyone around and saying, "Apple. I want apple." I also caught Jada the other day with one of the baby dolls and she kept saying, "Baby? Want apple? Want apple baby?" Too cute!
Jorge and Joli getting their apple picking stance ready
Joli getting ready for another week at school
Jada checking out the animals
Just hanging around and enjoying the warm fall so far! We went apple picking and the girls had such a great time. Jada enjoys bossing everyone around and saying, "Apple. I want apple." I also caught Jada the other day with one of the baby dolls and she kept saying, "Baby? Want apple? Want apple baby?" Too cute!
Jorge and Joli getting their apple picking stance ready
Joli getting ready for another week at school
Jada checking out the animals
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
JADA SPEAKS!
Once again, getting a demand from the family about not updating people on Jada's coolness, too. So, here you go!
Jada basically babbles and babbles and bosses people around all day.
Some of the things she loves to say:
"Mommy"
"Daddy"
"Go!" (to Gordon)
"I want apple/milk/that."
"Ay, nako!"
"Elma"
"Cheese!" (in front of the camera)
"Hiii!"
"Musky" (aka her nickname: Muskrat)
"Elmo"
"Hide! Hide!"
"bye, bye!"
"Apple"
"Banana"
"Lolo!" (as of today!)
WORDS SHE UNDERSTANDS:
"Jada, get that"
"No, Jada!"
"Get your shoes"
"Where's Ate Joli/Ate Mia"
"Go to the car"
"Where are your eyes/ears/hair/nose/mouth"
This is Jada's remix version of A-B-C and the Barney Song... ENJOY!
Once again, getting a demand from the family about not updating people on Jada's coolness, too. So, here you go!
Jada basically babbles and babbles and bosses people around all day.
Some of the things she loves to say:
"Mommy"
"Daddy"
"Go!" (to Gordon)
"I want apple/milk/that."
"Ay, nako!"
"Elma"
"Cheese!" (in front of the camera)
"Hiii!"
"Musky" (aka her nickname: Muskrat)
"Elmo"
"Hide! Hide!"
"bye, bye!"
"Apple"
"Banana"
"Lolo!" (as of today!)
WORDS SHE UNDERSTANDS:
"Jada, get that"
"No, Jada!"
"Get your shoes"
"Where's Ate Joli/Ate Mia"
"Go to the car"
"Where are your eyes/ears/hair/nose/mouth"
This is Jada's remix version of A-B-C and the Barney Song... ENJOY!
Monday, September 10, 2007
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!
Joli had her first day of school today - complete with bright green and purple backpack! She did a great job playing on the computers and listening to her teachers. The letter of the day was letter "M" and Joli brought home some neat artwork that we'll proudly display in her room! Watch out, pre-schoo1 -- here comes Joli!
Classic "first day of school" picture pose
Miss Jada had fun while Jo was at school - check out her finely manicured nails...
Joli had her first day of school today - complete with bright green and purple backpack! She did a great job playing on the computers and listening to her teachers. The letter of the day was letter "M" and Joli brought home some neat artwork that we'll proudly display in her room! Watch out, pre-schoo1 -- here comes Joli!
Classic "first day of school" picture pose
Miss Jada had fun while Jo was at school - check out her finely manicured nails...
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Joli at 49 months (August 2007)
Late night out!! (okay.. more like "8:30pm"...)
Thanks to Elma, all the couples were able to go out to a wedding -- sans children -- the other night. So, this entry is dedicated to the grown ups! Jon and Jenny scooted out early, so we didn't get any pics of them, and of course Mari and JP are in the West Siiiide.
Super rare photo of BOTH Jorge and me!
Just as rare a photo of Grace and Alonso (usually the one taking the pictures!)
Our good friends Ligaya (known her for 26 years) and Chuck
Kirsten and Paul - no kids, so they stayed at the party later -- 9:30pm....
A night out!
Late night out!! (okay.. more like "8:30pm"...)
Thanks to Elma, all the couples were able to go out to a wedding -- sans children -- the other night. So, this entry is dedicated to the grown ups! Jon and Jenny scooted out early, so we didn't get any pics of them, and of course Mari and JP are in the West Siiiide.
Super rare photo of BOTH Jorge and me!
Just as rare a photo of Grace and Alonso (usually the one taking the pictures!)
Our good friends Ligaya (known her for 26 years) and Chuck
Kirsten and Paul - no kids, so they stayed at the party later -- 9:30pm....
A night out!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
JORGE WON! JORGE WON! JORGE WON!
Thank you to everyone who supported Jorge in the Comic Book competition! We are thrilled for him and couldn't imagine this happening to a nicer, more wonderful person! Look for his book coming out in March '08!! Until then, Jorge will be working with his "publicity team" (seriously... he actually has a publicity team now!!) and doing lots of press! :) WE LOVE YOU, JORGE!! Congratulations!!
Thank you to everyone who supported Jorge in the Comic Book competition! We are thrilled for him and couldn't imagine this happening to a nicer, more wonderful person! Look for his book coming out in March '08!! Until then, Jorge will be working with his "publicity team" (seriously... he actually has a publicity team now!!) and doing lots of press! :) WE LOVE YOU, JORGE!! Congratulations!!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
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