**First off: If you are the winning bidder of auction items, I apoligize for not contacting you yet. It’s been so busy. Tonight it will happen.
Tuesday was a LONG day of travel. Gannon got dropped off at my house early in the morning. He was transferred directly from Craig’s truck to my truck. I took off to Lacrosse and made the 90 mile drive with Gannon in toe.
He was so good…not one peep came from him except a coo at about the halfway point. Once we got there I popped up the stroller and went to my appointment. It was a quick in and out with me getting a shot in the butt cheek.
While there I snapped this picture of him and posted it to Facebook saying he was my support team. You know, this little guy really has been a strong member of my support team for the last eight months.
I can’t tell you how many tears he’s seen me cry while rocking him in the rocking chair. He doesn’t look at me funny or judge….he just smiles his big “I love you Grandma” smiles. I can’t tell you how good it is to have him in my life. He’s really been just what I needed.
From the shot we took a quick stroll to stop in and see Mary Jo a the library. You might remember she’s my blog reader from Lacrosse.
Next stop a diaper change and then we were back on the road again headed towards home. Of course we made a quick stop at the thrift store but then home we went.
I took him out of his seat and changed a diaper again. Gannon stretched and stretched. The poor guy had been in a car seat the most of 5 hours. Not on single fuss came from him. He’s really the best baby.
I put him on the floor so he could roll and try to crawl. He loves the floor. He definitely earned himself some floor time.
I ran around and tried to get a few things done…packing something to eat as we had another leg of the journey to complete.
Kalissa showed up. I had everything loaded and off we went. This time we were headed south to Iowa City a 115 minute drive for a follow up on Gannon. Last week on Friday they did a scope procedure on his colon. Since that happened, Gannon has been a changed guy. Remember his terribly big tummy?? Well look at him now….
No big tummy. His tummy has been so much better. Kalissa has had to do rectal dilation for him and he’s been put on milk of magnesia. Things have gotten noticeably better and we’re optimistic. The doctor is too.
They want Kalissa to keep up with the milk of magnesia and dilation if needed. We’re supposed to give it three months and then check in.
We are cautiously optimistic. We feel we’re going in the right direction and we’re comfortable that help is there if it’s needed down the road.
After the appointment we packed him back up and were headed towards home…well really headed to Grandma DeeDee’s (that’s Craig’s grandma) who was taking care of Carver for the day.
Kalissa got Jimmy John’s along they way and had to smell it…(remember no going out to eat for me!!)
I had left that morning at 6:30am and got home at 8:30pm. Gannon and I logged 410 miles together in the car today….well actually more. Kalissa was driving at one point and missed a turn. (we had to go her way which was supposed to be faster than my way, but she missed the turn so we ended up going east rather than south…Let’s just say, I was right) What a long day.
As you’re reading this, I’m likely either going or coming home from yet another trip to Lacrosse…this time for my test dose of Radioactive Iodine. I got a little news today that my tumor marker was up even higher. In a month it jumped 9 points. It was at 17..now it’s at 26 and a returned cancer number is 2. I remember sometime back that my doctor said she would treat me if it got over 10. At that time, I was at 2.7 and we didn’t know we wouldn’t be able to find it. I so hope we find it on Friday. This hunting and searching gets expensive and old…but I understand they don’t want to treat anything if surgery first might be the best option. I keep telling myself, you’ll know more on Friday.
Even though Tuesday was a long day, I’m so glad I could go with Kalissa…so glad. Gannon has been such a support to me, I want to be a support for him too. (and his momma) Together we’re all fighting to be #kramerstrong!
Jo! Such good news about Gannon! Now to get you sorted out, and on the road to healing. You are in my prayers.
-Jean ❤
Praying for you, Jo, to get answers & complete healing! Also for continued safe journeys on the road!! I’m glad things are moving in the right direction for Gannon!! What a wild Tuesday of travel!! I appreciate your blog and your willingness to share your life’s ups & downs! God Bless you! ♥️
Gannon’s tummy looks so much better! Glad you are finding some answers and some solutions. Little ones are so helpful to remind you about living life. Glad you had some time with your Gannon and Kalissa.
Praying for answers for you also. The dr.’s have a whole arsenal to help with cancers. Take care and treat yourself! You deserve the best, my friend.
Gannon looks like a changed baby! (Ar Ar!) He’s always been so happy but now seems happier with his tummy being a bit more natural! Looks like he’s on the road to recovery.
And you – it’s not over yet – at least there’s progression and you know what’s going on. Continued prayers for your entire family.
It was a long day so get some rest if you can.
Love and prayers
How Wonderful, Jo!!! Gannon’s stomach looks SO MUCH more NORMAL!! Kalissa must be over the moon happy with his improvement. I am so glad she was a stoic mom during Gannon’s colon scope. She trusted those doctors to be doing what was right, and look at the results! I hope the continued care will keep Gannon’s body normal.
Congratulations to you and your companions on the long drives you had to do. I feel for you. In the seating portions of my body especially. Ouch.
Take care of yourself, we love you and your family.
Gannon looks so much better and I’m glad you could go with for his appointment and he got to go with you to your appointment, Kramer Strong! I pray that you get some answers for your own situation and a game plan is put in place. Prayers for all
So glad things are moving in the right direction for Gannon! He has a wonderful smile! Next hurdle is to find your cancer and how to treat it. Continuing to keep all of you in my prayers.
That baby is so happy! And feeling better I think! Praying for you for good results and only find the numbers are not reliable.
Waiting patienly with you for answers. What a sweet traveler you had. Gannon looks so much better! Hugs and prayers Jo.
Oh Jo, what a day! Gannon is looking good, so happy he is doing better! Prayers for you both that you get positive outcomes!
Continued prayers for Gannon and you, it is nice to see the change in Gannon. He is quite a little trooper and so are you.
I have a question for you about the carrot cake, can I bake it in a 13 x 9 inches. I don’t have a tube cake. My address is:
bfhamlin@bevcomm.net
Thanks a lot, Felicia
I sure think you could put the carrot cake in a regular pan. I didn’t try it with this particular recipe but have with many others.
Continuing good thoughts for you and baby! Sounds like you’re all such troopers….keep going. Best wishes,
Priscilla in San Diego
Gannon really is a trooper. So thankful that he seems to be getting some relief. Jo, I am glad he has been there to comfort you. Tears can be a good thing, but not everyone understands that. I keep you in my prayers.
So good to see Gannon without that big belly. Bet it’s a relief to him too! Hope they can tell you something on Friday. Knowing it’s there somewhere and the numbers going up & up has to be stressful. Finding it & figuring out what to do about it would be so much better than wondering & waiting. Any kind of cancer is scary enough without it hiding as well.
Sounds like your day turned out well despite the detour. :) Happy to hear that Gannon is doing better. Praying that he continually gets better and that your scan goes well at the end of the week so the doctor can know how to best treat it and get rid of it. Your family is definitely #Kramerstrong!
What a long day, but how good to see Gannon so happy and looking like he must feel better, too. Now to get you fixed up!
LONG day indeed! Phew! I don’t know where you found the time or strength to blog about it, but am SO glad you did.
What a special little traveling companion you have in your Gannon. I’m so glad to read that he is doing better. I’m praying for you right now, asking the Great Physician to give your medical team wisdom as they search for this hidden cancer. God bless you and keep you and your loved ones in His care.