I don't know where to start...anyone still reading this blog (or FB) knows my last MRI showed no re-growth of the tumor; promising results considering we're just shy of six months since my surgery. I'm staying level-headed about it...not to high, not to low.

I've had a few seizures over the the last couple-three months. They are getting shorter in length of time but the soreness is the same. I saw my neurologist after my MRI a couple of weeks ago; he put me on another drug (Lamictal?) in addition to the other two anti-seizure med's. I really think I/we are on the right track with this.

Just got back from Indian Rocks Florida on Monday. Karla and I took a MUCH needed vacation with her two sisters and their husbands (I'm an only child and this trip showed me what its like to have brothers and sisters...thank you for caring SO much, I love you guys). We rented a townhouse overlooking a bay and had a two block walk to the beach. We did a lot of nothing...no plans or agenda, just what we all needed. My parents kept the boys and I must say they came home pretty spoiled I guess that's what grandparents are for...Thanks Mom & Dad!

Things are looking up...it'll be October before I can drive and I'm already getting impatient. But oh well...things could always be worse.

That's all I've got for now...Take care and be well.

TB

The Doctors say that as far as they can see there is no apparent re-growth or changes in the cavity where the tumor once was.  They are attributing his recent seizure activity to after-effects from receiving radiation therapy to the brain.  Travis is going to switch anti-seizure medications in hopes to become seizure free ....(for at least 3 months so he can DrIvE).

His next scan will be in three months....

Thanks again for all of your kindness as we continue the fight against cancer!

After the last blog post of Travis's seizure activity they increased his dose of his anti-seizure medication.  That increase made him SO TIRED it was hard for him to speak and/or stay awake....so....I called up to the Doctors and they decreased that medication and put him on an additional med.  The combination of these two meds should do the trick!

However, there are always side effects involved.  Travis has been having 'tremors'.  At first when he experienced these 'tremors' he thought it was the onset of a seizure.  His lips quiver, his hands shake and his over-all 'self' is just spacey.  After a few of these he realized that they were manageable.  .  . and they say the 'tremors'  CAN go away once his body gets used to the drug....(hence the Crap-Shoot).  I am also sad to report he had yet another seizure last night   which is yet another side effect when you switch medications.   So we/he are just trying to get this medication situation under-control.

What works for some people doesn't work the same for another....C-R-A-P  S-H-O-O-T!  (words of wisdom )

Have a Fabulous Holiday Weekend!!!  We are looking forward to time with friends, family and fireworks!

Karla

Any-hoots I am blogging today to report Travis had yet another scary seizure on Saturday morning (never on a weekday when I can call his Doctors).  This time I did not witness the entire seizure. I was in our family room with the boys letting Daddy sleep in (yes I am a wonderful wife) and all of a sudden I hear two large BANGS.  As many things went through my head as to WTF could have just happened, one of them was perhaps Travis fell ? (clumsy poop!) I listened for a minute to see if I could hear a cuss word or the floor squeak because then I would know he was okay....and when I heard nothing I went up to check things out and there he was at the foot of the bed on the floor super confused.  I ended up taking him to the ER due to the fact he was unable to talk to me again (like after surgery) he was very disoriented and kept doing awkward things like laying down, getting blankets on then getting up and going into the bathroom (but not going TO the bathroom), walking out and laying back down....and while all of this was going on I was trying to get him to tell me his name...where he was...my name...or What the FREAK he was doing???

I decided to call my sisters (Thanks Jodie and Abby) to come watch the boys because Travis's behavior post-seizure had never been this awkward and I needed to take him to the ER.   Half way to BryanLGH West Travis turns to me and says "I think I had a seizure"...."ReAlLy?" yA ThInK?    I was happy he began to recall the situation and he was able to speak again

In the ER they gave him yet another dose of his anti-seizure medicine ...so he was a zombie on the ride home and then slept all day and night.

We will call his Doctors in Omaha tomorrow and see what they want to do...probably UP his anti-seizure meds

Hope all of you Dads out there had a wonderful Fathers Day

Thanks again for all of the support   It means a great deal to us!

Karla

So with that said we are ready to CeLeBrAtE with all of YOU!  Please come down to Barry's Bar and Grill this Saturday night for Beers, Nachos, Friends and to support Brain Cancer Awareness (don't forget to wear your Team Travis shirt or any gray shirt you may have in your closet)!

You may see name-tags at the gathering.  It has been suggested it might be interesting to see just 'how' everyone is connected to Travis.  So please fill out a name-tag with Name (DUH) and how you are connected to Travis   For examples- co-worker, wife, sister-in-law, team-mate, grade-school buddy, HS friend, Doctor, pediatrician, BFF...you get the picture

Can't wait to see you all on Saturday!  Thanks Again!

Karla

OK...thanks for letting me vent...

If there is a 'silver lining' ( )to having another seizure, it's that I now know what to expect when it happens. I guess it's pretty common for people on Keppra (anti-seizure medication) to remember their seizures (lack of a better term). I remember everything, even Karla's conversation with the 911 operator. I was sitting on the edge of our bed, watching a show on dvr. A strange sensation suddenly darted across my brain from left to right. It kinda of made me feel light headed, like I did when I received pain killer via the IV in my arm. It went away as fast as it came on...but then a few seconds later it was back, only this time the sensation was also in my finger tips. My forearms, wrists, hands, and fingers locked up. That's about the time I started running for Karla.

I got to the top of the stairs before I collapsed. I was able to shift my torso so my forearms hit first and kinda braced myself, but I still took a pretty good knot on my forehead. Karla was already half way up the stairs when I fell. I started seizing immediately when I went down. I was coherent and very aware of what was going on around on me; but I couldn't communicate or control my body. I finally allowed myself to just ride it out. The whole episode lasted around 45-60 seconds. I was completely conscious and aware (and sitting at the kitchen table) when the EMT/Paramedics got there. I was exhausted and felt like I had just run a marathon. I let them check me over but wouldn't take the ride to the hospital. As Karla mentioned in the previous post, that was the first night I didn't take a p.m. dose of steroid...the day after I finished radiation! Needless to say I am still on the steroid. I will continue through tomorrow and Monday I will stop. Hopefully this will be enough tapering

I'm excited so many people have RSVP'd for May 15th...we may have to get the back room after all (if we do we'll get a keg or two )! It will certainly be a memorable night

I hope you are able to enjoy your day; take care and be well...TB

He is tapering off of the Decadron (steroids) and last night was the first night he did not take a p.m. dose...and his body and brain did not like that very much!

We are advised to try again a little slower now and also up his Keppra (anti-seizure medication) to try to prevent this from happening again.  This is just a MINOR set back but Travis (understandably) is devastated (not only about the seizure but the not driving for 3 months

I did call 911 (and it took like 6-7 rings for them to answer WTF) again but did not let them take him to the hospital as I figured (beings how I am so medically minded) that is was the steroid taper that caused it and he would be fine   The boys were sound asleep in bed and did not see or hear anything

Thanks again for all of your support!  We will try this taper thing again with better results to be reported

Have a great weekend!!!

Celebrated the milestone at IHOP (I know...FANCY)  and met most of the family there. I have a confession...I thought this would be a nightmare!! You see....first time restaurant-goers for the twins. But they were so good...and they ate VERY well (very picky!)! Timmers had at least 4 good sized pancakes with syrup; B had 3 and a half pancakes and 3 pieces of bacon! It was comforting for me to be with those I care about most; your support through this has given me strength and I hope you know how much it means to me.

Funny story about Tim...the kids were off running around outside on the sidewalk when Tim stops, and points to a sweeeeet Dodge Viper and said, "I want to ride in that!" Hilarious

On the afternoon of May 12th, I will have my first three month check-up with Dr. Aizenberg and The Team; but first in the morning (gotta get my Zio's for lunch ) I will have a moment of truth, the first MRI since they wheeled me into the tube the evening after my surgery. It will serve as a baseline for how my brain looks now. Keep your fingers crossed... I will continue to go to Omaha every three months for an MRI and a check-up for the next 2-3 yrs.

My brother-in-law asked me tonight "what's next?"...appears that is the million dollar question as I have no solid answer. So I guess that's the next step...figuring out my next step. I have been so focused on the here and now I haven't allowed much thought for the future. Fatigue caused by the radiation will continue, probably through sometime next week before I notice any change; that + the steroids = still no sleep. They are aggressively tapering me off the steroids and I am SO thankful for that. I can't tell a difference so far with how I feel, but I'm hoping that as I get down to 1mg a day and then I'm done with steroids on Monday that my health will quickly return.

Oh yeah....to top it off...I have walking pneumonia (just means it was caught early). Got a real nice 'hack' that fits right in well with all the other side effects I've encountered.

Oh well....it is what it is, right? Another obstacle down, and time to rest and get healthy before I tackle the next one.

I hope you all are well....TB

I hope you are or will get to enjoy this Friday afternoon...it's beautiful!

It's hard to believe I started radiation six weeks ago...it's all kind of a blur. I will officially be done this coming Wednesday. They have already started tapering me off the decadron (steroid that's the root of my misery and which you can't quit cold turkey). They are being aggressive with the taper, which I truly appreciate, and it looks like if all goes well I should be off the decadron in 10 days.

I finally got the green light to start driving...it's amazing what we take for granted. I didn't realize the independence lost until I was relying on someone everyday for a ride.  Nonetheless, I have my keys back and I couldn't be happier

I'm looking forward to the party on MAY 15th at Barry's Bar & Grill! Should be a GREAT time! And if you have a Team Travis shirt, wear it or a shade of gray to promote brain cancer.

Guess that's all for now...be well and happy...TB

Onto even more fun things......Please don't forget Travapalooza (a.k.a "Cancer can Lick My Taint party) at Barry's Bar & Grill in downtown Lincoln...May 15th 7-close...This party is to not only CeLeBrAtE the end of Travis's treatments but also to THANK all of our FRIENDS and FAMILY for your compassion and support!

I also must give a shout-out to all of the employees (a.k.a friends and family) at Kenexa, Complete Children's Health, Advanced Chiropractic, Dr. Richard Thompson's Office, Wittmania Marketing....oh and not to forget those awesome ladies from Birthday Group!

Thanks once again to you all,

Hugs....Karla