Home Sweet Home

*** There are three post-op pictures at the end of this post. I’ll warn you again before you see them – and I’m SO sorry if anyone was offended or disgusted with no fair warning. I am too used to seeing his head all mangled and his body bruised, so it doesn’t bother me anymore. I forget that the pics could be considered graphic to others. Sorry about that! ***

I apologize for taking a blog break. Things are always a little chaotic once we get home from a trip. Especially an unexpected trip.
We got home around 2pm Sunday afternoon. I unpacked the van and put things away, and Chad and I went straight to bed. I had slept well the night before, but my pillow was calling my name. It was the best little nap I’ve had in a long time.
The girls came home around 5pm, and it was so good to see them! Loud. But good.

On Monday, we packed a picnic lunch and planned to go to the park with the girls for a while. First, we stopped by Chad’s office to pick up some paperwork and such. That always takes longer than expected, so by the time we got to the park, everyone was tired. And it started to rain. We ate lunch and packed up. I promised the girls we’d have to come back another day.

Today was busy, too. Carys went to preschool this morning. As I was stuffing her lunch box into her backpack, I noticed her folder. With undone homework tucked away neatly inside. And a note about graduation picture day. I didn’t really read it. I didn’t realize it was TODAY. Thankfully, she had already planned to wear her favorite dress, so it was okay. And the homework just had to wait until tonight. A day late, oops! I try really hard not to do that, but it was such a crazy weekend for us.

While Carys was at school today, Chad had his radiation consult in Raleigh at the Cancer Center.
It was all general info, and we left with an appointment to come back on May 18th. At that time, they will fit him for his mask – which sounds kind of strange, I know. Chad will have a custom mask that bolts to the table in the radiation room. This ensures he receives the treatment in the same exact spot each time.
He will go five days a week, Monday through Friday, for six weeks.
Dr. Reilly, our radiation oncologist, is talking to Drs. Tatter, Shaw (Wake Forest neurosurgeon & radiation oncologist) and Campbell (Chad’s medical oncologist in Raleigh) to get everyone on the same page for the course of treatment. He may or may not do low-dose chemo, but I suspect he will since it typically makes radiation more effective. He’s already done the high-dose chemo that most patients do after radiation ends. Yay for that!
He will receive a standing appointment time, so we can plan other events and appointments around it. Hopefully, he’ll have clearance to drive again at the the end of the month when we see Dr. Tatter for a 1-month post-op visit.

I leave you with a few pictures — and to say that Chad is doing great. Physically, he feels puny. Every day, he’s getting a bit better though. And mentally? He’s himself again. I am ecstatic to have my husband back! It’s nice to have someone to talk to throughout the day, besides little kiddos — and it’s even better to have someone reply to you when you talk to them. His memory is mostly back, and there are a few times where he’ll forget a word or something he was going to say. It’s a dramatic change, to say the least.

Oh, and I must preface these pictures to say that Chad has since shaved his head. No more reverse Mohawk.
And he’ll probably shave it again once radiation starts…
And I have to apologize for the bad lighting. Sorry about that…I figured any pictures were better than none!headShunt placement using craniotomy site from last month, additional site on scalp, and site on neck.

neckMore of the neck site, with the extensive bruising causing by the shunt placement. I had no idea how rough that surgery would be – yikes!

And the belly incision. The bruising is finally getting better on this one, but it still looks pretty sore.
belly

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12 Responses to Home Sweet Home

  1. Chad says:

    Now that’s a sexy beast!

  2. Nana says:

    Chad – Yeah, baby!!
    (Can’t wait to see THAT lounging by the pool…..)
    You know I love you 🙂

  3. Amy Waveris says:

    So glad Chad is doing better and is back to his old self. Thinking of you all!

  4. Aunt Carmen says:

    Chad,We are so glad you are feeling better and back home. Remember, it’s almost summertime so you will fit right in at the pool!
    We love all of you!

  5. Emily Mecham says:

    I thought the head shot was graffic, until I scrolled further down. You need a warning on those Skye : ) Seriously though, I got a little queasy. Those bruises are rough, man. Chad sure is a trooper!

    Homework in preschool?!? Wow. That’s the first I have heard of that. As if you don’t have enough to worry about!

  6. Steve says:

    I liked the reverse mohawk! Why get rid of it? Maybe it should become the permanent ‘do.

  7. Carla says:

    Welcome home, Landfords!

  8. Aunt Tina says:

    Chad,
    No headbanging anytime soon for you mister!!! I am glad you are doing so much better. You are one of the toughest guys I know. When I grow up I hope to be as strong as you, Skye.(LOL) I admire and love both of you. Kiss the girls for me.

  9. Kelly says:

    Ah, those aren’t too bad. It sure does show what a trooper he is. Chad, your first comment cracks me up! 🙂 Glad to see you still have a sense of humor. You are all a wonderful family, and I’ll keep you all in my prayers. Much love Skye, Kelly

  10. MOM & DAD says:

    YOU BETTER START GETTING BETTER, THEY ARE RUNNING OUT OF PLACES TO DRILL HOLES IN YOU!

  11. Emily Mecham says:

    I wasn’t offended one bit. You can’t offend me : ) But I do appreciate the warning.

  12. melanie Owens says:

    Chad,
    You and Skye just make me appreciate my family everyday more than ever. Lots of love and prayers are coming your way. Hang in there. God has truely got a purpose for you.
    Stay strong,
    Mel

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