Day 2

I feel so fortunate to have so many great doctors at my disposal.  Caden's appointment yesterday did not have him nauseous, but the tumor pain reared its ugly head.  Big Time!  Not only was he feeling the pain/pressure/pulling at the belt line that he started to feel a few weeks ago, which became pretty intense last night after weeks of reprieve, but he also started to feel the radiating pain in his shoulder, which is the tumor that he's got inside his liver pressing on his diaphragm.  This is actually the pain that he knows well, this radiating tumor pain.  It's also the pain that we've been expecting, and kind of waiting for, but wishing he never had to get.  As soon as I heard that the pain intensified (let alone started last night at all) I sent an email out to Sue, asking if it was normal for it to happen this way after just two treatments.  But, not only Sue, I sent out a text to Caden's Primary Care Physician, who happens to be one of our religious leaders, and has also had radiation himself just a few years ago.  Sue got back to me within five minutes with an email; Dr. Burrup got back to me within two minute with a personal phone call.  Both said the same thing, but also had different reasons as to why it was happening now.

1) They both agreed that the radiation was not the cause.   Especially after just two treatments.

But where they had differing reasons...

2)
Sue--  Radiating pain is from the liver lesion.  It is a nerve thing.  AND he's probably wiped out from camp {Trek}.  Has he taken an Oxy?

Dr. Burrup--  He believes that many prayers were said and answered for Caden to be able to go on Trek.  The pain was held off for him to be able to go, and how blessed that it had for so long.  I have heard from many people that Caden was in the thick of everything out there in the wilderness.  Not only did he volunteer to help many times with the handcart, but he helped put up and take down tents, and volunteered for many things without complaint.  Typical Caden, always willing to help others, even when most would shy away, even beg not to help.  Not only did he walk those 18 miles in extreme weather circumstances, but he worked as hard, if not harder, than others more "physically" able.  All while those {explicit} tumors are robbing him of vital nutrients and stealing our time.  My son amazes me, and many around him, with his strength and determination.  So, yes, he was wiped out from Trek, but the truth is, we truly were blessed to have this pain held off for so long.  We were stunned he wasn't feeling it when they did the scans on June 7th!  23 days later, that's when the pain became unbearable enough to take some pretty extreme pain medications.  Both were correct in the assessment: He was wiped out and we were supremely blessed.

For the first time in a long time, Caden slept in longer than anyone in our family.  Even that gives me mixed emotions.  I hate radiation, but we need it.  I hate that he's so tired, but love that he can finally sleep in later than Satan's Hour 5:30am.  I hate that reality is tainting things a little bit, but I'm grateful that we get more time with him.  STUPID CANCER!!!!!