Entry 6: And They're Off to His Appointment!

Yesterday (Thursday) Aaron got his appointment scheduled! Yay! However, it wasn't set until Monday, February 10th...as our brother Chris put it "what? That's like 2 weeks from now!" I expressed the same sentiment to Aaron and he responded "well, you know, Kimmie...I'm not their only patient." True.

We were trying to be positive, but at the same time we all are so ready for him to see a doctor so we can
1.) get some answers!
2.) have a plan to get this cancer taken care of!
        None of us know how long this cancer has been in Aaron's body, but we know the "lump" on his neck has been around for too long, and for too long it was treated as though it were an infection. We need and want this out!  

So! today when Beth texted me saying Aaron's appointment has been bumped up to this Monday at 7:30 AM, I could not wipe the smile off my face.  It seemed too good to be true! The new-patient nurse called and told them they must have friends in high places! (Thank you for your prayers!) Not only was his appointment not going to be ten days away, it would be the very first appointment on the next business day! And what's more, the office doesn't even open until 8:00, but the doctor is making time for Aaron and coming in early to see him. We are SO grateful! We know doctors work extra long hours, so for him to be willing to stretch his hours even further for our Aaron...we won't be able to thank him and his staff enough! I called Beth and Aaron and said "how did this happen?!" The only explanation Beth could possibly give was simply "Aunt Joanie!" 

(Doesn't she look fun? Rest assured...she is.)

So then I called our awesome, hilarious, sweet Aunt Joanie to see how she pulled this off!  She told me how much her colleagues really pulled together to make this happen. Long story short, a PA that works with the oncology doctor Aaron will eventually see sent an email to the cancer surgeon (who Aaron needs to see first). He gave the surgeon, Dr. Spector, a brief history of Aaron's symptoms and explained how he is related to Joanie. Dr. Spector wrote back and said he'd make time for Aaron where there wasn't. We can't even express how grateful we are!  Aunt Joanie was rejoicing over the news with a nurse she works with, and the nurse said "oh, don't you cry because then I will cry." It touched my heart to think that someone who doesn't even know Aaron would be emotional and so happy right along with us. Aunt Joanie's colleagues told her "we couldn't do what we do without you, Joan, so we want to help your nephew."

...

Aaron, Beth, the kids, and their friend Adam (the one who took Beth to the ER the other day) started their journey up to Michigan today!  We are also so grateful Adam can help them and give so much of his time. What a blessing he is to our family at this time.  The caravan is currently staying the night in Knoxville, and will finish up the trip by Sunday in time for their early appointment Monday.  I got a text from Beth tonight on their road trip saying Ahna has burning diarrhea and Levi was projectile vomiting in the car, followed up by "come what may, and love it!" Whew! My poor SIL and brother! (And not to mention, niece and nephew!) 

One more rather important update: we DO know what kind of cancer Aaron has.  It is called squamous-cell carcinoma. The doctor Aaron will see on Monday specializes in this type of cancer. 

Aaron & Benjamin, 2010

Entry 5: Tough Day...Full of Blessings

Tuesday, January 28 started out really, really rough. One thing we haven't yet shared on this blog is that Beth has a pinched nerve in her back. It has been very painful for the last few months, but with the stress of the news of Aaron's cancer, the pain has been exacerbated. On Monday Beth got a cortisone shot but unfortunately it didn't help. Yesterday morning, Beth and the kids were at their home in Alabama while Aaron was wrapping up some business in Santa Rosa Beach so he could leave and head up to Michigan for treatment.  He got a call from his wife and heard her screaming and crying in pain as the kids ran around her not knowing what to do. The pinched nerve was causing severe pain in her left leg and she couldn't even move. (Beth prefers to have her babies naturally: she is no wuss!) Feeling incredibly helpless being far away from his suffering wife, Aaron looked towards heaven and cried out to God asking Him for help, and asking what he was supposed to do. It was just. so. much. Then, a miracle happened.

The next second, the phone rang. It was Brother Winters from their ward (church congregation) in Alabama asking Aaron what he could do to help. Aaron was overcome with emotion and gratitude. Brother Winters arranged for a mutual friend named Adam S. to go and pick up Beth and the kids. Adam got Beth to the ER and got the kids to preschool. Brother Winters met them at the ER, and he and another friend gave Beth a priesthood blessing.

Jeffrey R. Holland once stated: "From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as His emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children. Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world. Sometimes the messages are more private. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, and guidance in difficult times."  Brother Winters was one of those "seen" angels for the Sundstrom family yesterday.

Before Adam arrived, Beth sent out a text to family members asking for immediate prayers for her relief.  Beth's sister said a particularly beautiful prayer that she later sent Beth via email. She prayed: "Lord, I lift up my sister to you, please touch her leg and relieve the pain. May the evil one be banished from this beautiful family. May your Holy Spirit reign over this family in a way that will bring strength and peace. Calm the heart of my sister, may your strength be evident.  May she have the strength and endurance to take each moment and activity forward. Help her to know that you will not leave her nor forsake her. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen." 

I called Aaron shortly after I received Beth's text and asked him how she was doing. He was tearful and it was obvious that he did not like being away from her in her pain.  He then said "I don't know how she is going to make the drive up to Michigan." By this point, I was crying too to hear my brother in such anguish, and asked if I could help her make the drive. Aaron assured me that he wasn't asking me to do that, but that it would be great and would help a lot (Aaron and Beth wanted to take two cars, but it wouldn't be safe for Beth to drive up in her condition.) I called my husband and he was on board. I called my mother-in-law and she was more than willing to watch our kids while I went up there. She said "whatever I can do- just say the word." (She's planning her mother's 80th birthday party this weekend, but she was ready to take on my two rascals.) And that is what has been so amazing...that's been the response from so many: "what can I do? I'm ready to help." 

By the end of this day, there was nothing anyone could say to make us think anything other than that 

people are good. 

Aaron then went to what he says is the "best health food store in the Destin area" (Aaron would know- he has great taste- no pun intended;)...but really he does)-- it's in Blue Mountain Beach and is called "For the Health of It".  He walked in with his eyes bloodshot from all the crying he'd been doing and ran into his friend and the store's owner Ed Barry. Ed studies martial arts and tai chi and took 30 minutes out of his day and away from his work to help Aaron to calm down with some breathing exercises that really helped him. Aaron remarked on how helpful and loving Ed was in his service to him, and Aaron again found himself incredibly grateful.

Aaron had so much work to do before he could get on the road to Michigan, but by the time he got back to the office, he said his brain could barely function. In walked our sister Marissa who works with Aaron. She then just stepped up to the plate and completely took over so Aaron could get packed and focus on getting to AL to his family, and then on up to Michigan. Aaron had to hurry and get on the road to Alabama to pick up the kids from preschool as Beth was still in the hospital.  

As I got my kids and I packed up, our Dad started to warn strongly against us starting our drive due to the weather we'd be facing. We were hoping that the weather channels were just blowing everything out of proportion- plus, we were (and are) all just so ready to get him to the Cancer Center. My car was packed and I started the drive to Aaron, but by the time I got to I-10, we'd all decided to call off the trip until the road conditions weren't so dangerous. Aaron later said it was a really good thing I didn't come because he barely made it home himself with the kids because the roads were so bad already. 

Beth got some great care at the hospital! They gave her three different shots and prescriptions, and was home feeling much more comfortable than she had been by the time Aaron and the kids arrived.  

Aunt Joanie is working away to get Aaron seen right away at the UM Cancer Center. Today (Wednesday) our brother Chris faxed her up a few other records so she could send them to the surgeon. She told the nurses who received the faxes that he needs to be seen right away- that he's waited long enough (after being told by a doctor repeatedly 4-5 months ago the lump on his neck was nothing). The nurses agreed with Aunt Joan and if all goes as it should, he will have an appointment in the books for this Monday by sometime tomorrow (Thursday)! 

Our cousin Lisa is working to find a nanny for the kids up in Michigan so Beth can be with him during appointments, and the whole family up there is working together to round up winter clothes for the kids. We are all so thankful!

Words cannot adequately express our gratitude for the compassion, love, and prayers! Keep them coming! We have a long road ahead, but as Aaron said "there's only one acceptable outcome here and I am committed to not only win this fight but to be a better husband, father, brother and friend. Thank you for lending me your strength through your thoughts and prayers."

 Aaron, Beth, and baby Levi

Some of our family Thanksgiving 2013

 

Sweet, playful Uncle Aaron 

Entry 4: Best Day Yet

Monday, January 27th has been Aaron's best day physically and emotionally since hearing the news.  This has a lot to do with all of the love and support he and his family have been shown (so thank you so much:). He went and got a haircut, his "warrior cut" as he put it, but would not let anyone touch his beard! :) He had a good chat with the person cutting his hair about cancer, herself having been through it with her mother. He's telling everyone and has been overwhelmed by the optimism and love everyone has shown.

Aaron got all of his results in from the doctor today. The pathology reports shows that there is no lymph tissue left on the right side of his neck: only cancer.  This is of course scary, but he's undeterred in his will to move forward and beat this.

Saturday we were all standing around Chris and Beth's kitchen talking about the plan of attack and getting up to Michigan. I told him I just wanted him to get up there NOW (or yesterday) and that I'd put the plane ticket on a credit card...whatever! However, unfortunately it's not that easy.  The Cancer Center can't see him until they have received and reviewed all of his medical records, so today he got all of his records faxed up there, as well as his CT Scans and discs of medical info Fed-Exed there overnight. Aaron called and talked to the new-patient coordinator and commented on how nice she was. We were hoping that he could get seen as early as this week, but now understand that it may not be until next week.  Aaron and Beth and their children will still start the journey up to Michigan tomorrow (Wednesday) but won't be in quite as big of a rush with this new information.  Aaron's friend owns a property management firm in Knoxville and is so kindly opening up one of her cabins to Aaron and Beth so that they can have a place to stop and take a rest on the long drive up to Michigan. Knoxville is about halfway in between Destin and Ann Arbor, so it's just perfect. If the Center gets a cancellation this week, there is a chance Aaron will get seen, but other than that, it looks like his first appointment will be next week. 

Benjamin and Levi just started a new preschool and as such new teachers whom they just love.  The preschool is going to hold the boys' spots for them.  Again, such kindness.

Aaron got choked up tonight as he talked about all of the love and support he has been shown by everyone he has told.  He is so humbled by the prayers being offered on his behalf. He is sure grateful for all of you and is so thankful for the goodness and concern shown towards him. Thank you so much for your love.

Onward into battle!

Entry 3: Family Rally

Less than 24 hours after getting that phone call from Chris, Aaron, Beth and the kids were on the road again to Tallahassee. This time it wasn't for a doctor appointment, but just to be with family. They needed to be around us and we needed to be around them. One-by-one, we all started trickling into Chris' and his wife Beth's home for the weekend.
 Aaron and his niece Aurora (Marissa and Tom's baby) and Marissa and Aaron:

 Aaron and sisters Kimmie & Jessica:

I didn't snap a pic of Chris and Aaron, so here's one of these two knuckleheads from a few years ago: 

Our little sister Jessica and Beth went to great lengths to make sure we, and all of our children, were all well-fed this weekend. Being together made the heartache of the news more bearable, and uplifted our spirits. There may be quite a few years in between all of us, but one thing is for sure, we love each of our brothers and sisters immensely. And if any good has come of this so far, I can say at least one thing is that we have already drawn even closer as a family.

Saturday night Aaron decided to build us all a fire.  He also thought it'd be a good idea to chop some wood in Chris and Beth's home. He had no idea why...

...Beth looked like this when she walked in and found Aaron with an axe in her family room...

In typical Aaron fashion, trying to add to the humor of any situation, his excuse this weekend whenever he wanted a break about something: "I can do this. I have cancer." ;D
 
 Aaron went to Whole Foods and got the kind of good and healthy food that he wants to fuel his body with as he fights through cancer. Beth was on her feet juicing all kinds of healthy drinks of carrots, kale, etc for him. He's determined to stick to a very healthy diet and not hinder his body with any foods that could be bad for him. Aaron gave up caffeine cold-turkey when he got the news. He told me that usually when he goes off caffeine he gets major headaches for a week, but he has only experienced one minor headache, and feels this is a sweet tender mercy from the Lord.

Beth is being strong and optimistic, though as you can imagine, the sadness of the situation can hit her any given minute. The love and support she and Aaron have received from you, their family and friends, have truly bolstered them so much.

I tried not to let Aaron see my cry...I was wanting to appear nothing but brave in front of him. But at one point on Sunday the tears just came rushing out of me as I hugged him.  He held me and assured me "we all just need a good cry."

We all got that this weekend.

Entry 2: Preparing for Battle

Not two whole days after Aaron found out about his cancer, he, Beth, and our mom already had set a plan in place to fight this. Elizabeth was on the phone right away calling everyone she needed to get this plan set into action. She has been amazing.  She has always been one to take care of business, get things done, and get them done well. Aaron is so blessed to have her by his side to fight this with him.

Aaron has a deep conviction of and love for our Father in Heaven and His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, who love us incomparably and Who know our hearts, our fears, and our pains.  We believe we lived with Them before we came to earth, and that a big reason why we are all here is to face and endure challenges so we can grow and have opportunities to exercise faith, even (and especially) when it's not easy. We also believe God is anxious to grant us the righteous desires of our hearts, and to bless us to be able to endure such trials faithfully and with courage. We don't know much about what will come our way in this life, but one thing we do know is that trials, heartaches, and sorrow will come. If we never experienced bitter and difficult times, we would not be able to appreciate the sweet, happy, and healthy times, and thus we would have no opportunities to truly grow. Here come those opportunities.

We don't usually know the outcomes of the trials we will surely endure, but we know that fighting those trials with God by our side will always lead us to victory in an eternal sense. Aaron knows that God knew cancer would plague his body, and feels that his Father in Heaven set in place many different plans that would all work together for Aaron's good to fight this battle.

...

Aaron spent his childhood in the great state of Michigan before our family moved to Florida, and has since spent lots of time there as our aunts, uncles, and grandparents live(d) there and our dad and stepmom have a home there. Aaron even belongs to a fishing club in Michigan and goes up often to fly fish there. So Michigan very much feels like a second home to him.

 Aaron with our Grandma & Grandpa Erskine up in Michigan

Aaron and Baby Benjamin at the fishing club

Through the little information known about the cancer in Aaron's body, the doctors were not able to pinpoint exactly which type of cancer he has.  However, they were able to make an educated guess.  There is a doctor, an ENT Oncologist who specializes in the type of cancer the doctors *think* he has at the world-renowned University of Michigan Cancer Center.  And our dear Aunt Joanie, my mom's sister, happens to have begun working in this very cancer center a few years ago.  Because of her, Aaron will be able to get in into see a doctor at UM very soon (this week or next). I am positive that my Aunt Joanie has blessed the lives of many cancer patients and their families while working at this office, but we also feel that perhaps one reason she works there is so that Aaron could get seen quickly. Our sweet Aunt Shelley and Uncle Jeff who live close to the Center have so lovingly opened their home to my brother, Beth and their children. They have a basement with a bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and separate entrance so that Aaron and his family can truly set up camp there quite nicely. Their basement just became available. We are so grateful.

 

Aaron and Chris with Uncle Jeff and Aunt Shelley circa 1981. In case you were wondering, yes...Uncle Jeff and Aunt Shelley are still as cool as they look they must be in this pic:)

Aaron, Beth, Chris, Mom, Dad, and all of us feel very optimistic about this plan that has been set in place to go up to the University of Michigan.  We think he will be able to get amazing help there.

Entry 1: Finding Out

For about 4-5 months, Aaron has had a "swollen" lymph node, and each time he went to the doctor about it, he was assured it was normal, that it would go away, and that he had nothing to worry about.  Around Christmas time, Aaron could not ignore his growing anxiety over the mass on his neck and so decided to seek further opinions. Our mom thought maybe the mass had something to do with an abscessed tooth, so he went to see his friend from church, an endodontist. The endodontist assured Aaron his teeth were fine and healthy, but strongly encouraged him to see an ear, nose, and throat doctor.  Aaron had trouble getting into see an ENT quickly, so he called our brother Chris, a doctor in Tallahassee, to see if he could help.  Chris was able to get him into see an ENT a couple days later on December 24th. The ENT stuck a scope down Aaron's nose and told him everything seemed to be fine, but ordered a CT Scan to cover all the bases. Aaron had to wait a couple weeks into January before the CT Scan could be performed. The CT Scan then led the doctor to order a biopsy of the mass on Aaron's neck last Thursday, January 24th. 

After Aaron got the biopsy, he went to lunch with our little sister Jessica before heading back to his home in Santa Rosa Beach as he waited to hear the results. Aaron asked that the radiology center call his doctor, as well as our brother Chris with the results.  They called Chris first.  We can't imagine how difficult it must have been for Chris to have to call his lifetime best friend & older brother by 11-months to tell him what the results showed: cancer cells. Aaron will never forget the moment he heard that word: cancer. It felt like being punched in the stomach and getting the wind knocked out of him (a sensation he had never felt before, because let's be honest...who could knock the wind out of Aaron? ;).  He thought of the wife and children he was currently driving home to see.  How was he going to tell Elizabeth?  He wanted to be strong for her and their children. Chris then set out to tell the rest of us: his siblings and our parents, while Aaron tried to wrap his head around what he had just heard from his younger brother, and prepared himself to share the news with his wife. That was not an easy night. 

Aaron and Chris circa 1988.