Latest News

News from this past weekend. We got the news on Friday, and Mom had a lot of visitors this weekend. We got a lot of news, which clarified some earlier issues.

There is a tumor in her left lung which has closed off the windpipe, and the lung collapsed as a result. This made it difficult to determine how big the tumor is at this point. We heard yesterday that it is a non-small cell lung cancer, which is the type which is supposed to be slower to spread, but it's still questionable as to whether or not it has.

There is fluid around the lung which is not typically present, and there is a separate growth on her adrenale gland. Each of these things could be unrelated, or they could also be cancerous. Mom is having both of these tested today. They will be drawing fluid from the lung, and performing a biopsy of the growth on the adrenale gland.

We're hoping that these both come back as negative, which will mean that the cancer has not spread beyond the lung. If not, then it sounds like they plan to do a radiation treatment to reduce the size of the tumor to allow air into the lung. This will reduce the chance of pneumonia developing and allow them a better view of how big it is.

They will then proceed with removing the one or both lobes of the left lung. She has been breathing with one lung all week and by this past weekend, her body has seemed to adapt well, and her pulse ox was normal with no supplemental oxygen and just one lung!

If the cancer has spread, then they will proceed with a combination of radiation and chemotherapy.

The results of today's tests should be available by Wednesday and that will outline what the next steps are.

Please keep her in your prayers and we'll hope for the absolute best. She is determined to beat this and will need lots of support to do so.

Love

Craig

Liz Backus updates

Well here we go again - this sucks. Anyhow - Liz was diagnosed with lung cancer late yesterday - the 7th. We were getting some conflicting information about having to remove her entire left lung and if or how they will do treatments.

The doctors have determined that the cancer has spread and therefore will NOT REmove her lung. So that doesn't sound good. However, they will be doing treatments chemo and probably radiation - I assume all over. We do not know where the cancer has spread at this time.

Liz is staying at FAxton - St. Luke's hosptial in Utica, NY and her room number is 173.

Please tell friends about this website that may know Liz. I realize most people that check may be our family - but we'll pass this along to the Backus gang as well.

Its important we keep her in our prayers - she's a wonderful woman and very strong. If anyone can beat this cancer- its Liz. She's a fighter and has a LOT to look forward to in life and she's young. So we are focusing on all those positives right now.
Love,
Gail

Woo HOo

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new year

Ok - a little late - but we have been running around in January.

Anyhow - you can check out Nate's 18 month pictures on the picture link. We are still going to download all the ones from the holidays.

Hope this new year is good to everyone so far.

Yes - Nate is 18 months - and starting the "terrible 2's" a little early. He's also teething - hence not as many happy smiles in his pictures this time around. He refused to pose. But enjoy - we have a few - bruises on the forehead and all. He's all over the place and a true boy! Its great.

Love,
Gail

Merry Christmas!

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Merry Christmas

Well this is Nate's 2nd Christmas and he's totally not into Santa at all this year. He just looks at him like - who in the world are you Mr? Its cute and funny. We didn't push it - he held on to one of us with his death grip indicating - don't you dare put me closer to that guy!

anyhow - we are ready for the holidays - and just can't wait to spend some time with family and just chill out and relax. I have all next week off to spend with Nate and visiting friends and family.

We wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and happy (and safe) New Yaers!

love,
Gail, Craig and Nate (and even Fudd)

Mmmmm ice cream

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First Hair Cut & More

Well Nate finally had enough hair that required a hair cut. We saved the special moment to do with grandma Backus and Aunt Jen in NY over Thanksgiving weekend. Nate really didn't care for it much at all - squirmed and cried. they really only cut the back a little bit and tried to get around the ears. It was cute - we have pictures somewhere at home of the fun.

We hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving holiday with family, friends and loved ones. As I mentioned - we were in Ny with the Backus clan - it was fun. Just a LONG 12 hour drive home sunday. We are all trying to get caught up from that. Its amazing just sitting in a car makes you tired and worn out. Not fun.

This weekend we are hoping Nate won't be afraind of Santa - we are attending my works Breakfast with Santa party. It should be fun - sold out - so I'm sure TONS of kids! i can't wait. Hopefully my friend Barb's kids will help Nate visit Santa for a quick picture. Hopefully

Alright - just had to send a quick update. Other than all that - we joined a new church a few weeks ago - really happy about that. Work - its work for us both. Craig's swamped at his job - and me - just plugging along.

I'll hopefully post more this month.

My new hat

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Hi from Chicago

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New pictures

Ok - click on the "family photos' link over to your left. Then go to the albums

Nate 200509
Nate 200510

Click on each album to see all the new pictures inside.

In September - we all went camping with papa and uncle Marcus. Those pictures are from that trip and a trip to the Dominos Farm petting zoo.

In October - we went to two different apple orchards - the sunny and warm day - not very photo happy. The one with the Warner's and Price's - he had more smiles. We also have some pictures from our trip to the Detroit zoo toward the end of October.

I think that's about it - enjoy.
Oh - and the ADORABLE Hat - handmade by my cousin Kim - it looks GREAT! Thanks Kim.

Update - finally

Well - yes its been a LONG time since we actually posted anything here - sorry for the long delay - life has been a little hectic. We are finally done with Nate's surgeries - both a sucess. But after the tubes - then the pink eye problems started. We hope that is all over for a while - he just needed stronger drops. Knock on wood - it hasn't come back yet. So that is good. Its just been one thing after another. Struggling to find help babysitting during the week when he's sick.

Teething is another fun time - I just look at the gums and the molars coming in - man it looks painful and its in my baby. So you have to feel bad.

Other than that - we are running around trying to keep up with Nate. Now with his ears finally clear he's talking a lot more. We may not always understand the babble - but he'll get his point across one way or another. Its fun.

His newest loves are any animail - he loves animals and the Wiggles - our newest TV show. They are usually the only things he'll do his nightly breathing treatments with.

Over the last few weeks - Nate even had his first over night trip to papa's house in Howell. He had a GREAT time as usual - so that is always fun. he'll be spending this Friday otu there too. He and his best friend Tommy are going to do a little trick or treating visit to great grandma's house - and he'll just stay the night out there. He'll have fun.

Us - well busy as you can see. Craig's work is going well - just stressful. MIne - its just another job at the moment. Picking up with another audit in February - so tryign to just get people back on track around here. So we'll see.

Marcus and dad are well too. Marcus' house is coming along very well. I haven't been out there in a while - but it was looking really good the last time I was out there. I think he's even staying there some now.

Other than that - life goes on as normal.

Look for more pictures to be uploaded in the next week or so.
Gail

Fun at the orchard

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Walking is fun

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1 down 1 to go

Well Nate's first surgery was a success - he goes back for a check up next week - but we are not seeing any problems. The day of - was a LONG and rough day - he was sick from either the anastesia (spelling?) and probably drinking too much too soon. But he was up and running around the next day. So that is good - bounced right back. It looks as if the incisions are healing well too - yeah!

Now we have the surgery to put tubes in his ears next Tuesday - that will really help. He ahd an infection prior to the first surgery and then it and pink eye came back the weekend after - just days after the surgery. Poor kid had a fever and just not well - but you'd never know it - he is always so happy. So that was good. All the doctors really think the tubes will help him feel a lot better. We know it won't cure all ear infections - but it sure will help! so that is all that matters right now. Yeah!


He also just returned from his first camping trip. Grandpa Doug rented a cottage this past weekend for all of us - it was so nice. Nate had a great time with Uncle Marcus and grandpa - it was just so sweet. Couldn't have asked for better weather either - it was all perfect.

Ok - back to work.
Love you all -
Gail