Appointment in Calgary

Had a very good appointment in Calgary today. I had a appointment at the Tom Baker Centre in Calgary. I had a chest x-ray done, which they said looked very good. They are also very happy with the progress of my foot. The reason for the chest x-ray is because with this type of cancer there is a chance of it spreading and the chest is the first area that it spreads to. Was told though that my tumor was superficial and because of this there was only a 5% chance of it spreading to other areas of the body. Of course they still have to check to make sure. So for the next couple of years I will have to go to Calgary every three months to be checked. For now though things look very good and we could not be happier. Sorry for not posting anything for quite some time. Did not have anything new to really post. Will try to post more often.

Quick Update

This is just a quick update about my foot. I was at the doctor in Calgary on Monday (August 20th) and he was happy with the way things are coming along. This doctor was the plastic surgeon that transferred what they needed from my leg to close the hole in my foot. He was a little concerned with the swelling and decided to put this sock looking thing on my leg that applies a little compression to the area. This will help bring the swelling down. He also wants to see me in about a month to see how things are going then. Other then that I have been walking normal again, and can now take showers which is nice. The compression sock that they gave me can be taken off by me in the morning to have a shower. Never thought I would miss having a shower. Was bathing until now. Anyways that is all that I know for now. Will post when anything new comes about.

Appointment In Calgary

Came back to Calgary this weekend for an appointment on Monday (August 20th). I have all my stitches removed and the swelling seems to be going down more everyday. Will not be long until my foot looks normal again. Will post the results of my appointment on Monday.

Removed Stitches

Yesterday (August 7th) I went and got almost all of my stitches removed from my foot. Home Care removed 28 stitches, but left three until I go back for a bandage change on Friday. The reason of leaving the three is because they thought that if they removed them, the area they are keeping closed may open up. So they thought a few more days will give it enough time to close the area for good. Other then that, things have been going good. My foot is getting better as the days go by. I am able to walk on it without any problems. I think the brace gets in the way more then anything, but I am still supposed to use it until the end of the month. Also from what I can see, it seems the swelling has gone down a fair bit now that they have removed the stitches. Will have to see on Friday when they look at it again to see if it actually have gone down. That is all I know for now. Will post again when there is more news.

Update About Foot

Not a lot to update about. My foot is still just as swollen as when I left the hospital, but is not getting any worse which is good. I have been going to home care at the hospital 2-3 times a week to get the bandages changed, and they are happy with the way that everything is looking. I have also been putting more weight on that foot when walking, but only put on more weight if it does not hurt to do. Other then that I try to keep my foot elevated when sitting to try bring the swelling down. My pain has been very minor so far. Have only had to take Ibuprofen so far for pain. Other then that nothing else really new. I did have crutches when I left the hospital, but have since gone without them. It is easier to get around without them, and does not hurt pain wise. Also they were making me put weight on my foot even with the crutches, so it is not like I went from no weight to full weight in the matter of a week. I would not push it that much. That is all for now. Will post if something new comes about.

Back At Home

Just a quick post to let everyone know that I am back at home. I got home Wednesday night. Glad to be at home, and cannot wait until everything is back to normal again.

Getting Out Of The Hospital

Well it looks like my time at the hospital has come to an end. They are going to let me go tomorrow (July 25th). I just need to see the physical therapist and then I am allowed to go, so will probably not be out of here until sometime in the afternoon. Jason and Jo said they will take me to Medicine Hat once Jason is off work tomorrow. How nice of them. So should be home by about 10:00 tomorrow night. Look forward to seeing everyone again. Talk to you later.

Surgery Was a Success

Friday's surgery appears to have gone very well. The new skin in my ankle is maintaining it's normal color, and when they check it for a pulse, there is always a strong pulse. Also they have not had to use leeches this time which is another good sign. This means that there is good blood flow going in and out of that area. Now it is just a matter or time to allow everything to heal properly. Currently I am stuck in bed with my foot elevated, but they figure by Tuesday I should be able to start using some crutches to get around. Then by Friday (July 27) I should finally be able to go home. That will be awesome. Cannot wait. Also I have been informed by my doctors that there was no cancer at the edges of were they took all of this flesh out of my ankle which is good. They will test everything that they removed from my ankle to see if any cancer was in there, but it looks good. Will post when I have more new news.

Fabian's Phone #

Fabian's new phone # is 403
943 5929

Hopefully Last Surgery

The date and time has been set for hopefully my last surgery. It has been set for 9:15am Friday (July 20th). They had to transfer me to the Peter Lougheed hospital in order to get enough OR time to do it. I will remain now at the Peter Lougheed hospital until I am released for good. If anyone wishes to visit me, I am on the third floor, in Unit 34. I do not know the room number, but I am right by the front desk, so it is pretty easy. Also I do not yet have a phone, but will post the number once I get one. Will try to post something after my surgery tomorrow if I am up for it.

Another Operation Done

I had my surgery yesterday and everything went to plan. They removed the old patch of skin and fat from my ankle, and I am now scheduled in for Friday to place another patch into that area. Currently it looks kind of gross. There is a fair sized hole in my ankle that is filled with what looks like gauze, sealed with tape, and a hose going through all that into my ankle. The hose is attached to a small pump that sucks out any blood that accumulates inside my ankle. There is not a lot of blood coming out, but the whole area looks gross to the average person. I currently do not have a lot of pain which is good. The only time it hurts is when I let my foot hang down. This causes some throbbing pain, but nothing that Tylenol 3 would not handle. That is all for now. Will post after I am done my surgery on Friday.

Post from the Hospital July 16th

Well my first operation was not the success I was hoping for. The new skin that they took from my leg and put on my ankle is not taking to the new area. It has turned a very dark purple and is very swollen. The doctors have decided to remove the skin that they put on my ankle on Wednesday and try it again. They will remove the old skin on Tuesday with a brief 20 minute surgery and then try to schedule in time to do another skin transfer within a day or two . They will be taking some more skin and fat from another area on my leg to place on my ankle. The doctors do not know why this did not work the first time, but it did look hopeful for a little while. Then there was blood flow coming into the ankle and not a lot getting out. This caused the ankle to get swollen from the blood not getting out and eventually it caused the skin and tissue to die. They want to remove it as soon as possible so that there is no chance of infection. So we will try this again and see how it goes. It will not be as long and complicated as the first, and hopefully all goes well this time around. I would like to thank everyone who has come to see me so far. It has made my stay here easier to handle. I will post more news after I have had my surgery.

Fabian's Phone Number

Fabian has a phone number in the hospital it is 4039441860. He is on the 3rd floor not sure what unit (sorry) but it's the burn unit room 308 if anyone wants to go visit.I think its 31

Fabians Surgery Is Finally Done

Fabian is out of surgery after 12.5 long hours. Like I said the tumor is gone. They took one tendon from his foot the one that lifts the 4 toes up and down but left the one that controls the big toe. Then they replaced that with a tendon from his hip and took some skin from his hip and put it on his foot. When I went to the hospital they we're trying to get some leaches to attatch to his foot for some reason I can't remember what Eva said. I didn't spend a lot of time with him I was out for supper when he got out of surgery and then when I got there I got pretty dizzy and ended up sitting in the hall. I will not be seeing Fabian tomorrow but will talk to Brian and Eva and keep everyone posted. I will also try and talk to the nurses or doctors. He looked pretty good considering what he went through he has morphine for the pain and gravol for the nauseau. Sorry if I didn't give enough information the day has been a little hectic.
Love Nikki

fabian's Surgery SO FAR

Fabian was dropped off at the hospital at 5:30 am this morning. He went into surgery at 7:30 am and I got a phone call at 4ish saying they had removed the tumor and that part of the surgery had went really really well they got all of the tumor but he is still in surgery as of right now and we were told it would be at about 7:30 before we know anything else so right now I'm just waiting at Jason's he'll be off work shortly then we will go for a bite to eat and then hopefully be able to pop in and see Fabian before I head back home. I will keep my parents updated as I find out anything so you can call them up to about 9pm at 5265793.

Date And Time Of Surgery

Just a quick post to let everyone know that I have to be at the Foothills hospital tomorrow (July 11th) by 6am. I have to get admitted and prepared for surgery. Do not know when exactly I will be in the OR room, but imagine it will take some time to get admitted and preparred for surgery. Will try to post as soon as I can after surgery to let everyone know how it went.

Another Day In Calgary

Well I am back in Calgary again for some more doctors appointments. Had a MRI scan done of my ankle and also had a appointment with the plastic surgeon that will be doing part of my surgery. The doctors took a look at my MRI scan from today and they said that it was hard to find anything left of the tumor in my ankle. They will still be doing the surgery, but it looks like it may be not as bad as originally thought. They still will not really know until they get in there and test the area for any remaining signs of cancer. I am keeping my fingers crossed. Hopefully the surgery will not be as bad and will be able to get out of the hospital quicker. Still happy with my results from today. Will post more after my surgery on Wednesday.

More Appointments In Calgary

Hello everyone. Sorry I did not post anything for a while. I was in Calgary on Wednesday June 27th for some more appointments. They drew some blood for testing, and did a quick x-ray of my chest. I think it was to make sure that everything was clear in my lungs. They also discussed my upcoming surgery, but what they talked about was nothing really new. They told me that the surgery would be about six hours long, and that I will be in the hospital for about a week after. This is to make sure that there are no complications with the surgery. I will also be on morphine for three days to control the pain. I will have a little trigger thing that I can use to give myself morphine when the pain becomes too much. Then on June 28th I had another appointment to do some breathing tests. They wanted to see how well my lungs are working and how much capacity they have. They said everything looks good. They wanted to do the lung test because of my slight case of asthma. After that I stayed in Calgary until Friday and are now back at home. Not too much else really new. Feeling pretty good right now. Do not have any pain or anything which is awsome. Will post when something new comes up. Talk to you later.

Date Set For Surgery

Well, I got word as to when I will have my surgery. It will be on July 11th and will be in Calgary. It sounds like I could be in the hospital for about a week or so after surgery, because they want to make sure nothing gets infected and everything looks alright. They will be taking some skin and part of a tendon from my hip and putting it into my ankle. This is after they remove the area they treated with radiation. From what I heard from the doctors, the procedure could take about 6 to 7 hours to complete. Hope all goes well. Talk to you later.

Thank You Very Much

I would like to thank everyone for attending the benefit supper, and those who could not make it, but sent there sympathies. I cannot beleive how good of a outcome it was. All the money raised will for sure be put to good use. I would like to thank again the people involved with putting on this supper, and also the people who donated either there time or food to this event. It was greatly appreciated. Not too much really new out here. If you have read Nikki's blog you will know that Taylor has developed allergies, and Eastynn is teething. I have been at home since Wednesday, and am glad to be at home. My foot has been sore a little which is normal, and is easily treated with some Advil. That is all for now.

Shaved My Head Today

The day has finally arrived today. I had a shower this morning and noticed a couple of large clumps of hair in my hand when I ran may hands through my hair. It was going to happen eventually from the chemo treatments, but had hoped it would be a little later then it did. It was then that I decided to shave my head. It was bugging me all morning. It felt like I had just got a haircut and had that itchy feeling all over. Dave (the father-in-law) ended up doing it for me. Other then that, nothing else really new to post. Will maybe post a picture of my new do. Talk to you all later.

Back At Home

Hello everyone. Sorry I forgot to post earlier. I have been back home in Medicine Hat since Wednesday (June 6) and have not posted anything until now. I guess there is not a lot to post about either. My ankle has been little sore from the radiation treatments, but nothing a couple of Motrins cannot handle. I have been resting at home which is awsome, and just waiting now to have my surgery. That will be in about six weeks. Also they want to have another MRI sometime before the surgery, so will be back in Calgary for that. That is all that I know for now. Talk to you later.

Talked To Surgeons

I had another radiation treatment today and also had a appointment with some of the surgeons. They wanted to see how things are going and make plans for the upcoming surgery. Currently they want to do another MRI scan before my surgery which will be sometime between July 18Th and August 1st. They have to coordinate between all the doctors involved. So far they are hopeful that they will not have to remove one of the tendents that move my foot up and down which would be good. They will have to see once they get in there and start removing the area they are treating. I guess they take samples around the area and test them to see if they contain cancer. All while they are operating in that area. Also they will likely take a tendent from around my hip and then attach that to my foot. This is a new way they are doing things and hopefully works well. They will also likely take skin from that area in my hip and use that on my ankle to help close the area they operated on. Other then that I do not know too much more. The surgery sounds a little scary, but will get through it I'm sure. Will not be dancing or anything too soon after all this. That is all for now. Will post any new news.

Three More Days In Calgary

I am back in Calgary to do three more days of radiation treatments. I also have a appointment with my surgeons tomorrow to talk about the upcoming surgery. I will get more details about what they are planning to do then. That is all that I know for now.

Back Home For Weekend

Well I finished a week of radiation treatments in Calgary and are now back in Medicine Hat for the weekend. I now only have three more radiation treatments left and then I am done until my surgery which is about six weeks after the radiation treatments are done. So far everything is going good. My ankle was feeling sore yesterday, but that is normal with this kind of treatment. It also looks sun tanned in that area, which is normal as well. It may swell up a little as well, but have not seen that yet. On Monday I have to meet with the surgeons to discuss my upcoming surgery and sign some consent forms, so will know more then. That is all for now.

Back In Calgary

Back in Calgary again to do more radiation treatments. I finished my chemo treatments on Friday last week and also did two treatments of radiation last week. I do not have to go back for any more chemo treatments for now, which is good, because was feeling a little under the weather from the chemo. I felt kind of sick all weekend, but was feeling good by Sunday, which was good. This week is radiation treatments only, and is only on the ankle. The likely things that will happen from the radiation treatments is that my ankle will feel sore and swollen, and will develop something that looks like a bad sun burn on the skin in that area. That will be easier to live with I think. That is all that I know for now.

Still In Hospital

I am currently still at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary undergoing chemo therapy treatments. I have been told though that I will be done by Friday at noon, and then I have to go for my first radiation treatment at 1:00pm. After that we are all heading back to Medicine Hat for the weekend. Then on Monday I will travel back to Calgary to continue my radiation treatments. Will not have to stay in the hospital for those which is good. I will be staying at Jason's house (Brother-In-Law), which is nice because it is pretty close to the hospital. That is all that I know for now. Will post as anything new comes up.

Started Treatments

Today I started chemo therapy at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary. I had to be here at 7:30 this morning to put in what is called a PICC line which they use to give me the chemo intervenusly. Basically the PICC line is a IV line that goes from a vein in my arm all the away inside the same vein to a vein close to my heart. Not to worry it does not hurt or anything, but was little scary when they were explaining it to me. They then had to do a chest x-ray to make sure everything was properly in place and then started me on the chemo. So far the boredom has not been too bad yet, but am thinking that by tomorrow evening I will be itching to get out of here. Thankfully they have a couple of computers connected to the Internet that patients can use, which is how I am posting this blog. Well that is all that I know for now. Will post if anything new comes about.

Treatments Starting Soon

I just recieved a phone call from Dr. Mack's office to say that Fabian's treatment will be starting on May 21st. That means from the 21st at noon till the 24th at noon he will recieve chemo. Then from the 24th-25th and 28th-1st and the 4th-6th he will recieve radiation. So we should be in Calgary just about the whole time. But I will use Jason's computer to keep posting.
That's all for now
Nikki

Another Trip To Calgary

Today was another trip to Calgary to get prepared for the upcoming treatments. They had to create a foam cast around the sides of my foot and up my leg to the back of my knee. This is to ensure that my foot is in the exact same position for each of the radiation treatments. They also did a CT scan of my foot to see how much of a area they are going to be treating with radiation. It wasn't as long today as it was in the past. My appointment was at 2:00 and was out of there by just after 3:00. I was told that they will inform us with 7 working days as to when they will be starting the treatments. I still have a long ways to go, and I hope it all goes by quickly. Will post with anything new. Talk to you later.

Results of CT and MRI Scans

This is Fabian here posting the results of my CT and MRI scans. What we found out today is that I will still have to do three days of chemo followed by ten days of radiation treatment. After that I will have to wait six weeks until I go for surgery to remove all the area that they want in my ankle. A down side of the surgery is that they will have to remove two tendants from my foot which will give me limited mobility in my foot. I will not be able to lift my foot as easily, which they may give me a brace to compensate. They may also take a tendent from the back of my leg and attach it to the front of my foot to give me more mobility in my foot. I have to go back to Calgary on Wednesday to get prepared for the chemo and radiation treatments. They want to take a scan of my foot to see which position is ideal for the radiation treatments. They also want to make a cast of my foot so that it is always in the same position for each radiation treatment. They have not finalized a date to start the chemo and radiation treatments but it sounds like it will be at the end of this month. That is all that I know for now. Will post anything new that comes about.

CT and MRI Scan's

Yesterday was another trip to Calgary were I had both a CT and MRI scan. We were on the road by 8:00 as the appointment was at 11:00. This made for a long day as by the time everything was done it was 5:00 and could not eat all day as you are not allowed to eat before these scans. The CT scan was of my chest and abdomen, and the MRI was of my foot. Monday we have to go back to Calgary to see the results of the scans, and from there will see what the doctors have planned for treatment. Hopefully it is good news and will not involve a lot of treatment. Will post the results of the scans on Monday. That is all for now.

Next Friday

As you all know Fabian has his Cat Scan on Friday now they are also goin to try and do his MRI on Friday too. Then on Monday we go back and get the results and we'll see what happens from there.

CAT SCAN

Fabian just got a phone call and his cat scan is May 4th in Calgary.

Welcome

I thought we would start a new blog just for Fabian's health updates. Just figure the blog site for the girls is suppose to be a happy upbeat place to visit. And hopefully there won't be a whole lot of unhappy news here but this will be Fabian's place.
Today we went to Calgary to the Tom Baker Cancer Clinic. There we saw two different doctors and got some more information. It turns out that Fabian will need to get a MRI scan in Calgary and a CAT scan in Medicine Hat. After that he will have to start three days of chemo therapy followed by ten days of radiation treatment. Fabian will have to stay in the hospital for the three days of chemo and then do outpatient treatment for the radiation treatment. The radiation treatment will be ten weekdays straight with being allowed to come home on the weekend. This will kind of suck as he will only have to go to the doctor for about a hour a day and then hang out in Calgary for the rest of the day. After the chemo and radiation is done we will have to go in for surgery in about six weeks. This is to remove any parts of the tumor that might still remain. They will have to take a little extra around the tumor area to ensure that it is all gone. After all that we will have to wait and see if it returns. Looks like we will have a long way to go before we will know for sure if it is gone or not. Will keep you posted though as we get through each part of it. That is all for now.