Big Day for the Wilkins crew!

Last night Scotty went in for his regularly scheduled MRI- these two months seem to fly by extremely fast, it seems like he was just in for his last MRI.  Anyway, we went to follow up with the results today with the Oncologist.  Once again, Scotty had NO NEW GROWTH - and no progression! WOOOOHOOOOOO!!! We LOVE hearing those words!  Praise the Lord!

If you read Scott's last blog post, he mentioned that we were given the opportunity to stop the chemo trial that he was participating in.  At that time, we were caught completely off guard and did not want to make the decision to stop the Chemo.  It just seemed so scary to us.  But after much thought, we decided that it might not be a bad idea.  So today when we got the good news, we decided to review our options a little further.  We had a family meeting the other night, where we conjured up several questions and concerns that we wanted to address with the Dr.  So today, we went at him full force!  We spent over an hour talking to him and really getting deep down into Scott's situation.  Here's what we came up with.

Basically, Scott is doing EXTREMELY well!  He has not had any new growth or any progression in over 14 months of being on this trial of Avastin and Tarceva.  When the Doctors do not see any growth over a period of 12 months, they like to see the patient stop taking the Chemo- (there are several  reasons why they do this, but here were the deciding factors for us).  1. They like to see if the cancer has stopped growing on its own (maybe the chemo actually killed it) 2. The cancer can sometimes mutate and find a way around the Chemo and become resistant to the treatment.  These are the main reasons they like to stop treatment after a year.  Now of course, they do not know if in fact any of these things could be true of Scott's tumor or not, because EVERYONE and EVERY TUMOR is totally different!

So with this information in mind, we took the "lets quit while we are ahead" approach and decided to stop the Chemotherapy for now, while Scott has the opportunity, and he has not become resistant to these two regiments- if in the future this stinky tumor decides to grow back, we will still have the opportunity to take these again, and we like the idea of that!!

As we finished up in the Doctors office when the official decision was made, Dr. Yung said, "okay then, we will see you back in two months." We were like WHAT? two  months?? We didn't think about the fact that we won't have to go every TWO WEEKS and every MONTH for Dr.. appts!  HOW COOL is that?!  It was a very weird feeling to think that we are free of Doctors appointments, and blood tests, and IV pokes and hours of waiting for the Chemotherapy treatments! But its a very cool feeling at the same time!

Now we need to continue to pray for our sweet Scotty! We need to pray that this tumor decides that it is NOT going to come back and it will not progress!  We thank everyone for all of the prayers and prayer lists we have been added to, we have learned so much about our Faith in God throughout this entire process and we will continue to lean on him during this path that he has lead us on- its a rocky one, but we know there is a reason that we are walking it!

Love to you all!!!

Candace, Scott, and Tyler

P.S. Tomorrow 10/17/12 we celebrate 3 years of Marriage!  I can't believe its been 3 years already - our wedding feels like it was just yesterday - what a fun day that was!!! 

New Family Pictures - August 2012

We recently took some family pictures and thought we would share them.  Tyler was 18 months and a handful! But we were able to capture some cute ones... Enjoy!

Update: 8/26/12

How the time flies....

I didn't realize that it has been such along time since my last post and I apologize for not keeping it more up date.  I keep getting reminded to update the blog and I just never seem to sit down and do it.  It has been a quick summer for us and a busy one.  I will cut to the latest update from the doctors office.

I went on last Tuesday August 21, 2012 for my one year check up appointment.  This  was the one year mark since I started this avastin / tarceva chemo regiment.  I went in for my MRI in the morning followed by the doctors evaluation.  He had told us at last appointment that after the MRI we would be able to evaluate if any changes needed or like the old saying goes "If it ain't broke don't fix it".  The doctor came in and told us the news we always love to hear and once again no new growth.  Which means that there is no visual signs of any changes from the scan.  Now there is a little bit of white that shows up in the scan but from a year ago there id no change.  This white stuff that shows up in the scan could be a number of things.  But without doing a biopsy the doctors don't know for sure what it is.  We know for sure what ever it is the area is not growing AT ALL!!  He was extremely pleased that I made it a whole year without any changes.  My family and I are just grateful and thankful for God giving us this good news.  I know it is his grace and the power of prayer that all of the scans keep coming back so positive.

After the explanation of the scan and the good report the doctor gave us a decision to make, either continue on the same chemo regiment or get off of the chemo all together.  We didn't realize that was an option to get off the chemo.  He said that since there is no growth and that there is really nothing to target with the chemo I had the choice to come off of it.  Lets just say at this point we didn't really know what to do.  There is a drawback to both options.  If I stay on the chemo the cancer cells have the ability to mutate and become immune to the chemo and if I come off of the chemo than of course the tumor could grow back as well.  So we asked the doctors opinion and he said to stay on the chemo because I am having very little side effects and can still operate without any real hinderance.  After he gave us his lecture he asked what did we want to do.  We decided to go with the "If it ain't broke don't fix it" approach.  I feel that if something changes then I will make a change then.  Like my dad said, "We live in a 2 month window" meaning that I get a MRI every 2 months and thats when we would see any changes.  If there are changes we deal with it at that time.  I mean thats how I started this journey and it seems to be working out good.

I would first like to thank God for allowing these results to come out so positive.  I am not sure of what his plan is for me and I am good with that.  All of my worries are now his worries and it makes living so easy.  I can't thank all of you enough that read this blog for all of the prayers you have given my family and I.  The power of prayer works and if somebody doesn't believe it just read the blog from the beginning.

Love always and THANK YOU!!!!,
Scott, Candace, and Tyler

May 17, 2012 Update!

Hello all!!

I figured it was time for another update.  I have just been busy at work and I am tired when I get home and forget to update the blog.  On May 2 I had another MRI and it came back no new growth again!!  God has once again answered our prayers.  The doctor says that all of the treatments are working and keeping that tumor from growing.  I will tell you that it is a great feeling hearing those words.  I know I say it a lot but we just can't think everyone for all of their prayers and support.  I have completed 8 months of the 24 month trial I am on.  For now I just continue on my trial and then when I complete it then jump to the next one. 

Last month Kne-Kne (my wonderful mother-in-law) took the whole clan to San Antonio to the Zoo and Sea World.  We had a great time it was fun watching our little Tyler look at all of the animals.  He really liked all of the birds.  He did so good hanging out is his stroller.  Here is a picture from the trip.

Tyler has recently learned how to walk.  It so much fun watching him learn.  When he first started he kind of looked like he had a little to much to drink.  He was just trying to find his balance. 

I always like to give thanks to God for all of his blessings through this stage in my life.  I have been leaning on him hard these past few months and by no means has he let me fall.  In fact he has helped my family and I to keep our heads up and keep walking.  It is an awesome feeling to let him have all my worries because he has a plan for my family and I and its perfect.  Of course my beautiful, strong, selfless wife always deserves a thanks.  Candace has a harder job than I taking care of Tyler.  I know she is always wore out at the end of the day but she always has a smile.  I want to personally think each and everyone for all of the prayers and all I can say is keep them coming.

Love always,
Scott, Candace and Tyler

3/7/12 Update

Hello all!!

I had another MRI scan on Friday March 2, 2012. My dad has always been my chauffeur and support for my MRI scans and since we have been getting great results from all of my scans I have decided to keep it this way. I wouldn't necessarily call it a superstition but if it isn't broke then don't fix it. My appointment was set for 6:00 pm. We arrived around 5:30 pm and lets just say we walked out around 9:00 pm. It was the longest wait for an MRI I have ever had. I guess they want to really just drain you down before these scans. I have lost about 50 lbs. since I had my surgery and I seem to slide into that small machine a little easier. It is still a very tight squeeze. I think on my next scan I am going to try and take a camera in so people can get a good laugh at a big man getting squeezed into a small tube. :) I have to give a big thank you to my POPS for taking time to hang out with me and spending his Friday night just waiting around. No matter what kind of appointment I have, either Candace, my mom, my dad or a combination there of they are always with me. It sure helps calm my nerves more than they will ever know.

So on to the results of the scan. We had to wait 4 long days for the results BUT it was worth the wait!!! The doctor came in and said NO NEW GROWTH!!! Let me tell you hearing those 3 words it feels like a huge weight is lifted off our shoulders. This was probably the quickest appointment I had and that just fine by me. I still go see my surgeon every other scan and last time we saw him he said the part of the tumor he had to leave in my head was not growing and might possibly be getting smaller.

He told me that I could go into surgery again to remove the rest of the tumor, but since the chemo and other treatments seem to keep working then we will just leave it alone till we have to do that. It just amazes me to hear him talk about brain surgery like its a walk in the park.

Since all of my scans are coming back good then I just keep taking my chemo and thanking God for all of my blessings.

I always like to give a little shout out to Candace because her strength through all of this just helps keep me moving forward. Her positive attitude just filters down to me. She just always puts on smile which lights up my day and never has any self pity. I love you Candace!!

Our little Tyler-Man keeps just growing up so fast. He is getting so strong and is such a boy. He has no sense of the word gentle. Everything he does is full force. It is always a great feeling to hear him start crawling to the back door when I get home from work.

My family and I can't thank everyone enough for all of the prayers and support. At times its overwhelming to think about it. If you don't believe prayer works and putting your worries in Gods hands then you need to wake up. Trusting in God that he has the perfect plan for us only makes this experience easy and tolerable.

Thank you always,

Love,

Candace, Tyler and Scott

Psalm 9:9 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Update 1/11/12

Hello all,

Happy New Year!!!

I hope everyone had a safe and happy New Year celebration!! I have never been the one to say man I am getting old but I think times are changing for my wife and I. This year we had a very relaxing New Year Celebration just hanging out together hoping to make it up till 12:00 am. Well we saw the ball drop in New York, so close enough. I guess I would say I was a New Years scrooge because everyone in our neighborhood decided it would be a good idea to pop off fire works outside of Tyler's room. Now normally I would be out in the middle of it enjoying the festivities and now all I was hoping is they better not wake up my son. If they did, I am pretty sure sure I wouldn't do anything but at least its nice to talk big. Anyway on a couple of the loud pops Ty made a little noise but never woke up. So it turned out just fine. We went to bed at 11:00 pm with a sleeping baby. WHAT A PARTY!! Ha ha! I will tell you I wouldn't have it any other way just relaxing with my beautiful wife.

On January 2 I got to bring in the New Year with a visit to the MRI machine for another scan. I was supposed to get my results on January 3 but MD Anderson called and said my doctor was going to be out of town and they rescheduled the appointment for the 10th. I had to wait 8 days to find the results out. The results were once again NO NEW GROWTH!!! The doctor even said it looked better than the last scan. My family and get to start off 2012 with Great news!! I keep telling people that the power of prayer is awesome. God is listening and its in his hands how it will all end up but for right now we could not be any happier. It was well worth the 8 day wait to hear the results!! I have to say other than a little rash and an ingrown toe nail the side effects of the chemo have been very tolerable. I have been feeling good and just keep on going. It also makes it more tolerable for us leaving all the worries in God's hands.

Candace, Tyler and I can't thank each and everyone of you enough for all of the Prayers and support. We know they are working and keep them coming!!! I couldn't do this without my Candace. I know I keep saying this but her strength is unbelievable!! She does such an awesome job of being a great mother to Tyler. I know as he gets older he becomes more of a handful and she just puts on one of her pretty smiles and deals with it. God truly knew what he was doing when he brought her into my life. I also have to thank my parents and Kne-Kne for all of their support and help through all of the appointments. My Dad is usually my MRI escort. I think this routine with him going with me to the scans will have have to be the norm since the results are coming out so good. Candace, Me Maw and Kne-Kne have been such a great help switching off babysitting and going with me to my appointments. I can't thank them enough because it has been so comforting to me always having somebody with me at my appointments and Avastin infusions and know our little Tyler is always well taken care of!!

Once again thank you for all of the prayers and support IT WORKS!!!!

Love always,

Scott, Candace and Tyler

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6