Cousin Adventure T4G- wk 5 & status update

Today we had the privilege of a fun visit from Lynessa with her two boys, Gunnar and Kellan.  This video includes our adventures of a crazy cousin sleepover, trip to OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science & Industry) as well as a visit to the Adidas campus (including a tour and employee store shopping spree, thanks Mo!).  This is the first video with all 5 of your grandchildren mom and dad!  Enjoy!

https://vimeo.com/126576325


Update:  My mother, Pat has had a really rough last couple days.  Unfortunately, chemo had to be temporarily suspended due to a respiratory infection.  She was admitted to UW Medical Center last night and they discovered she has pneumonia in both lungs (upper lobe).  She taking a heavy dose of antibiotics and monitored regularly.  She had a throat scope today which revealed inflammation. We are praying this will be resolved with the antibiotic treatment, otherwise they will need to biopsy them to determine if they are also cancerous tumor lesions.  She was in a lot of pain and unable to eat today, but she should have pain medication on board now... so hopefully eating will not be as painful tomorrow.  Overall she is very fatigued and could use our prayers for strength and healing of this infection so that she can resume her biweekly chemo and continue to prepare and plan for the T-cell transplant.

It's a boy!!! Welcome to the world Madsen Flynn!

This post is dedicated to the newest grand baby, Madsen Flynn, our third child.  His middle name, Flynn was derived from grandma, Patsy Lynn.  Baby decided to come early Sunday morning, 4/19 at 1:59am.  He weighed in at 8 lb (well approximately... as he decided to poo and pee all over me before an "accurate weight" could be attained:) and 19 3/4 in. The entire labor was 58 minutes... we barely got to the hospital!  Pure joy and deep love is all that we can say to describe our instant connection with this little one.  We were all convinced he was a girl... except for Aksel, who repeatedly told us we were expecting a boy!  He is very happy to let all know, he was right. :)  Enjoy... we surely are!  Can't wait for you to meet him mom and dad!


https://vimeo.com/125864316

Playing at the Fields Park & Family Pics - thurs4gram wk 3

Today was a gorgeous day and we spent 3+ hrs at the Fields Park across the street from us.  We lunched, played in the sand and enjoyed the rays this morning.  Sharing popsicles (quite literally:) with our neighbors in the courtyard was the highlight of the kiddos' evening!  This video ends with our family pictures which were taken last week, courtesy of the fabulous Ryan & Kristine of www.wearesisu.com.  Enjoy!  We love you grandma & grandpa!

https://vimeo.com/125217369

Thursdays for Grandma - Easter and Zoo Day edition

This video is composed of our celebration from Easter Sunday as well as our visit to the Oregon Zoo today.  (Sorry for the poor video quality at the end... we can fix that later:)

Happy Easter Grandpa and Grandma!  We missed not being able to see you last weekend!  Hopefully our baby sister or brother comes soon so we can come visit you!  We had a lot of fun at the zoo today... a highlight was the carousel for sure!

Love,
Aksel & Em

Please follow the link below for this week's video!

https://vimeo.com/124593224

So what Cancer is Grandma Battling?

Pat Bode, beloved mother and grandma, has been diagnosed with an extremely rare case of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.  We are talking win the worst lottery for rare cancer award, as she is one of only seventeen people ever documented with this type of cancer.  Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in general accounts for approximately 2-3% of all non-hodgkins lymphomas.  Her sub-type is virtually unknown with no real prognosis due to its rarity.  Basically, she has a combination of Epstein-Barr virus and the cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.  These two disease processes and their cells are fighting each other and proliferating at an incredible rate.

 "Lymphoma occurs when cells of the immune system called lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, grow and multiply uncontrollably. Cancerous lymphocytes can travel to many parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, blood, or other organs, and form a mass called a tumor. The body has two main types of lymphocytes that can develop into lymphomas: B-lymphocytes (B-cells) and T-lymphocytes (T-cells)."

(http://www.lymphoma.org/site/pp.asp?c=bkLTKaOQLmK8E&b=6300151)

These cancerous cells have been found in her blood as well as her bone marrow.  She is currently receiving weekly intravenous chemotherapy treatments to combat the cancer while simultaneously finishing a strong anti-viral to try and keep the Epstein-Barr virus at bay.  Given the chemo treatments are able to decrease these cancer cells, in 3 months or more time, she will be a candidate for a stem cell transplant.  This is a unique trial opportunity in which stem cells are specifically engineered to fight and combat these cancerous T-cells.  

It has taken almost two years to reach this specific diagnosis mostly due its complex nature and rarity.  We move forward, trudge on much due to the support of friends and family showing their love, support and constant prayer.  My mother is an incredibly strong woman in faith and spirit.  It has been difficult to see her so weak, vulnerable and essentially homebound.  Thanks for joining us in praying for her.  

Prayer Requests:

- The sores in her mouth to heal so she can talk and eat without pain

- That the joy of the Lord would fill her heart and cover her in the inevitable loneliness that comes with being homebound

- Strength for my father, an unsung hero, who has taken such wonderful care of her and the household chores

- The Epstein-Barr virus would subside and that in turn, her energy would return

- The chemo would prove effective in combating the cancer cells

- There would be a match for a stem cell donor (siblings are currently being tested, children will be next)

- Continual guidance for the doctors as they seek the best treatment options for her

Thank you all!!!  Let's show this cancer that the power of prayer is real!  

Playing and praying hard for grandma this Thursday!

"Come wis us to da park, gwama!" Aksel (4)

We had the privilege of a special visit from cousin Kirsten Postma and sweet baby Hudson this week.  We took the streetcar to Wallace Park today and stopped for cake pops, a kiddo fav, on the way home!  A visit from Peter Pan and Tinkerbell finished evening play! "We wuv u dama!!!" Emery (2)

For higher quality please follow our vimeo link below:

https://vimeo.com/124008210