Fun times with Benjamin Moeller

So, I was just scanning through the blog and realized there has not been a fun, "what is Benjamin up to" post since his 4 month well visit!!!  He will be 8 months on Friday!  That is entirely too long to keep all of you from the funny stories, cute pictures (though there have been some), and continual learning!  So, without further ado...

This is gonna be good!

In early June, the Moeller family traveled to Wisconsin for two graduations!  This was Benjamin's first plane ride.  He did great on the way there, all snuggled up in the Moby wrap. 

Snuggled up like a baby kangaroo

Benjamin spent time with lots of family, went to his first graduation parties, went in the pool for the first time, and took a good nap for the first time (almost kidding).

What have I agreed to!?

Great-Grandma Judy from Texas! She smells like sunshine.

Great-Grandpa George and Great-Grandma Karen from Wisconsin! I <3 fingers!

Cousin Macy, only 2 weeks younger. That means I can boss you around!

Cousin Audrey and Elliott. We're just chillin'.

This is like a giant bathtub!

Masta Nappa

Mommy and Daddy were a little nervous that it was a fluke that he slept the whole way to Wisconsin and surely they would be those parents on the plane with the screaming baby.  As you can see below, it was not a problem at all.

I'm not tired.

I'm just resting my eyes.

Who am I kidding?

 We also took a family picnic and took time to enjoy the nice summer weather as a family.

Wee!!

Look Mommy!  A leaf! My very first leaf!

Fear not.  There will be more posts updating you on all the fun we have been having!

An update on Daddy

This post is going to be devoted to updating you on Aaron: his diagnosis and his treatments.  Sorry, Benjamin.

Don't worry, people! Mama included lots of pictures so you still get to see how cute I am!

Praise God that Benjamin will not remember any of this difficult time in our lives!  His only worries seem to be when will someone get him out of his crib and when will someone feed him.

I'm too cute to nap!

Really, it's not hard.  Food on spoon. Spoon in my mouth. Yummy in my tummy.

First of all, thank you for your prayers and support.  We truly appreciate every phone call, e-mail, and every donation made in Aaron's honor.  It is a great comfort to know that so many are lifting up Aaron and our family before our Lord.

Aaron continues to feel better!  His appetite is up, he is going for 30-45 minute walks in the evening, and he is working from home (with some help as you can see). Aaron has also started blogging about his faith and his fight with cancer.  Check it out over here.

But I thought he said, "Ben, throw my papers on the floor."

Official tumor diagnosis:

Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor (MPNST).  This appears to be a high grade soft tissue sarcoma that originated in the protective cover of his nerves, called the nerve sheath.  This tumor is different than what Aaron had as a child, which was great news since his childhood cancer was extremely aggressive.  Dr. Tawbi feels that this new tumor is likely a radiation-induced tumor from Aaron's childhood treatments. 

Hemangioendothelioma.  Remember those nodules or spots the surgeons found on Aaron's lungs?  Well, those were malignant also.  Aaron actually had two different cancers growing when he went in for surgery.  Fortunately, the surgeons removed both!  Hemangioendothelioma is a soft tissue sarcoma tumor that behaves like a benign tumor, are usually located in the chest wall, and metastasize in a small percentage of people.  Dr. Tawbi said that since Aaron is already scheduled to have chemotherapy for the MPNST we will be treating the hemangioendotheliomas by default and no additional treatment is necessary for them specifically. 

You can read more information on the MPNST and hemangiotheliomas at the American Cancer Society website.

The plan:

Radiation: 5 45-minute treatments of radiation starting tomorrow, Friday, September 2nd.  He will then have treatment on Tuesday and Thursday for the next two weeks with his last treatment on Thursday, September 15th.  The type of radiation he will receive is called the CyberKnife, which will administer large doses of radiation to a small area along his aorta while reducing the risk to health tissue in the area. 

Chemotherapy: 4-6 3 weeks cycles of Gemcitabine and Taxotere beginning on Friday, September 16th.  What this means is that Aaron will receive Gemcitabine alone on the 16th, both drugs on the 23rd, and have a week off, which completes cycle 1.  Cycle 2 will begin on October 7th as long as Aaron's blood work looks alright.  We are praising God!  This is the best case scenario for his chemotherapy treatments!  When Aaron talked about receiving treatments he said it would be great it were outpatient and he would only have to go in once a week (rather than being hospitalized) and be done before the end of the year.  With this treatment plan, he goes in for IV chemotherapy once a week and if they do 4 cycles, he should be in his last cycle around Thanksgiving!  Also, and very importantly, these two treatments are fairly safe concerning kidney health and do not require a dose reduction, which would lengthen the amount of time Aaron would have to receive treatment!

God has surely heard our prayers!  Thank you for praying on our behalf.  We do ask that you would continue to pray and rejoice with us during Aaron's time of treatments.

Prayer Requests:
* Praise to our God for his mercies in providing protection over Aaron's kidney, providing a means of treatment, and permitting the best possible scenario to take place!
* Prayer for endurance for Aaron, effective treatment, and as few side effects as possible
* Praise that we will begin treatment soon and possibly be completed by Christmas!
* Prayer that God would be present and powerful during the time of treatment
* Prayer that God would strengthen our marriage and our family through this time of trial

Thank you for praying for my daddy, my mommy, and me!