Chemo #9 and well...what?

Hey Everybody!
  Sorry it's been so long since we last wrote...life just sorta happened!  Our puppy Cookie has decided to take up the hobby of chewing on furniture and clothing, Nicole started school and our computer had an unfortunate run in with a bottle of water and needless to say it was unable to be recovered.  But...thanks to one of Nicole's regulars allowing her to borrow his lap top, we are back on the web and ready to go!
  On Tuesday, January 17th Ken had chemo treatment #9 and received the results of his latest CT scans.  According to the scans, Ken cancer did not shrink at all over the last 8 weeks.  It didn't grow...but it didn't shrink.  The doctor ordered a PET scan that Ken had today, and we will receive the results of this next week.  She seems to be confident that the chemo is working and hopeful that the PET scan shows that the cancerous areas are less active...we'll have to wait and see.
  Now...true to form to what the Weather Channel said, this was the most depressing week of the year, for us!  We left chemo with a great deal of questions.  What happens if the PET scan comes back showing the same amount of activity as before?  What are the back up plans if this chemo really isn't doing the job?  Are they planning on treating this as a chronic illness and therefore the goal isn't to shrink the cancer, rather, just keep it from growing? 
  Because we feel sort of clueless and like we've been left in the dark about these things, we have chosen to seek a second opinion.  We figured this would eventually need to happen.  So we will meet with this doctor next week to find out what his suggestions are.  Whether he agrees with the treatment our current doctor is doing, or whether he doesn't, we are open to what he has to say. 
  But it's not all bad...Last weekend we visited the National Western Stock Show downtown.  And while we didn't get to see any of the rodeo events, we got to have a little fun!

Ken got to eat some delicious beef jerky...

We visited the petting zoo...

Got up close and personal with this guy...

And watched the collies try and herd some sheep!

Hopefully we will have answers to all of these questions within the next week or so.  Until then, we hope your winter blues aren't too overwhelming and that you all are well. 

Love Ken and Nicole

Chemo #8 & The Bronco's Win!!

Hello from colorful Colorado!
  The New Year began with chemo treatment number 8...and a few adjustments.  Due to the fact that Ken's neuropathy (numbness) continues to get worse, the doctor decided to reduce his intake of this medication by 20%.  This means that hopefully the side effects should begin to subside a little.  Ken will be coming off of this medication altogether at the end of February and according to the doctor, over time he will begin to feel better, as this one chemo causes most of the unbearable side effects he experiences.
 Today Ken went in for another CT scan, at the bargain price of $1,170!  This is a regular procedure that is done every 8 weeks to monitor the growth/shrinkage of the legions in his lungs and liver, as well as the tumor in his bootie.  Please keep him in your prayers that we will receive good news next week when we get the results.
  Congratulations to the Denver Broncos for beating the Pittsburgh Steelers at home this weekend.  Clearly we were celebrating the win...and here's a picture of Ken after celebrating a little too hard!

  The weather here has been a little wacky lately and with the temps dipping pretty low, the dogs have been forced to entertain themselves inside...for you viewing pleasure, here's a clip of what we see and hear on a daily basis...enjoy!

  We hope that you all are staying true to your New Year's resolutions and are doing well!
  Love Ken and Nicole

Chemo 7 and Fa la la la la

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!
  We've definitely been slacking some on the blog front, but we've been busy otherwise!  Let's see what we've been up to since we last saw you...

 First of all, we received an early Christmas gift from Auntie Cappy and Uncle Jim.  They got us tickets to the Patriots/Broncos game on December 17th. 

Nicole had never been to a pro football game before, so it was certainly an exciting day for her. 
 It was an afternoon filled with lots of laughter, sunshine, food, parachuters, an F-16 flyover, and of course a Patriots win! Not too shabby for your first football game! :)
 
Since Ken had Chemo a few days before Christmas and because we were traveling home to New England for the holiday, Nicole needed to be creative!  So...instead of opening all of his gifts before we left, Ken got 12 days of Christmas this year.  Now we have a few things to look forward to this spring like going and watching a great college hockey rivalry and to the theater to see Wicked!!

On December 20th, it was business as usual, when Ken had chemo treatment number 7.  His neuropathy continues to get worse, while his spirits continue to remain high.  After this next treatment, should the neuropathy be the same, we will need to consider whether or not Ken will take a medication to counteract the neuropathy or to just have him come off that particular chemo altogether. 

Friday, December 23rd, it was wheels up, as we flew to the northeast to enjoy the holidays!!  We were able to spend time with and see so many wonderful family and friends and eat, eat, eat! 

We made it as far north as Rutland, VT to see JC and family. 

As far east as Framingham, MA to visit Grammy. 

As far south as New Haven, CT to visit the Peabody museum with Sophia and Joseph and to eat some delicious pizza...

and many place in between! 

 We would like to thank everyone who rearranged their schedules and drove many miles in order to see us, hotels Kent, Bolduc, Soriano, and Thulen for putting us up, especially Sophia and Noah for giving up their beds for us and to Jim and Cappy for taking such amazing care of our doggies while we were gone! 

  Now we're back in reality and awaiting chemo number 8 this week.  With 2011 in our rear view mirror, we are able to reflect on everything the year had given to us...the good, the bad, the ugly.  And while the most recent things aren't the best, we've come to realize that all of you are the ones that keep us energized, optimistic and full of love.  We consider ourselves so fortunate to have you!  It is our hope that 2012 is a year full of health and happiness for you all...oh, and a cure for cancer wouldn't be so bad either! ;)
  Cheers!  Ken & Nicole