Chemo - half way done (or more)!!

Chemo went as well as it could be expected. I really did not feel to great during it and it was a tough time. The first day was the toughest. I went in around 9:30 and i had about 6-7 hours there. I was put into a room and for the most part i rested and played x box. Something that i have realized during chemo is that anything you eat or crave during it, you never want to eat again. The next day it just sounds like the worst thing ever. The first day was definitely the roughest day. Days 2 and 3 were okay. I only had about 1-2 hours of chemo and it was mostly getting in and out pretty quickly. Over all it kinda sucked but I find small little things to look forward to during chemo like getting home and resting. I was not able to get to my hockey practices this week but I am probably most definitely feeling good enough to go to them this week.

When I am at home i can mostly keep my pain under control. I have had quite a bit of nausea and haven't been able to walk due to dizziness. This week I am doing my tutoring Monday and Tuesday and hopefully hockey practice.

Tuesday i have a blood test to test my counts depending on if i can play in my hockey tournament this weekend up in Hyland Hills. The Dr.'s said not to plan on playing.

I am very excited that chemo is over half way done (so we think). I am also hopeful radiation therapy will go smoothly so i can go back to school and hockey. Going through all of this it really makes me think how grateful it is to just go to school and have a normal day and see all my friends. I really miss that but I am hoping its not too long before that can happen.

I will try and write more now that I am on chemo break again!

Thanks for all your prayers and support!

-Tristan

p.s- If any of you get a phone call from me asking if i can stay with you don't act surprised, my parents are pretty fed up with me.

Once upon a time...

not so long ago, there lived two little boys. Now these little boys were neighborhood friends, the kind that play roller hockey in the cul-de-sac, and watch Av's games on tv. They even went to some games together.

Time went by and the boys stayed friends through moves, different schools, and a one year age difference. They shared a back fence and some very memorable times. One of the boys got sick and his hair began to fall out. So the other boy, who likes to make faces, decided his hair had to come out too.

And so it did.

It took 3 people and two sets of clippers to get that unruly hair off. Now the boys share one thing in common. Smooth lids. But not smooth enough for the funny-faced one.

Nothin' says lovin' like the first time your dad takes a razor to your skull. You just don't ever forget the first time.... Ahhhhhhh......smooth. Boys, the ladies like to rub their hands all over the velvety smooth lid. He highly recommends it.
And they all lived happily ever after........ Not THE END but the BEGINNING.

Scroll down to see all of the other bald and beautiful men....are you next? Email your picture and we will add it to the rest!

Twas the night before chemo and all through the house...

Relaxing before the big event...

From Lenina
(Tristan's Mom)

Tristan's hair started falling out on Friday. As awful as that can be - especially given that he has great hair (!) he and Chris (Tristan's Dad) both shaved their heads Saturday morning. Lest it be just a ho-hum experience, my good friend Leighann, owner of Leighann's Hair Studio and Spa in Greenwood Village, pampered them and comped the services (Thank You!!).

Chris (Dad) goes first

Caleb (brother) waits patiently

Not so sure...

Almost Done!

Bald and Beautiful...

We have Chemo tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday. We will update during that time to let you know how round two of chemotherapy goes. As always, thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers.

The 18 day break part 3

Yesterday (Monday) and today has been going pretty well. I have not been throwing up at all and only having a few headaches. Although i have been very tired during the day and have felt like sleeping quite a bit.

Yesterday was a really fun day because i got to go and skate at my hockey practice. It has not really occurred to me until this past week how great my hockey team is. Although we spend a lot of our game time in the penalty box and could be known as a bunch of goons, they have meant a lot to me. These guys have put a smile on my face so much in the past couple weeks its been awesome. Its been really fun to get to watch them go out and play even though i haven't been able to help them out there. I would really like to thank all of them for all their support during this time. They have truly been great! I can't wait to get back on the ice with them!

I am also excited yesterday our coach picked captains and assistant captains and I was picked as one of the assistant captains. This meant a lot to me and this is just the motivation I will use to try to go to our games still even during chemo!

Today, I woke up with a small headache but it was fixed right away with medicine. I have no chemo therapy this week and the only hospital visit i have is Thursday to test my blood counts.
So this week i am having math/English tutoring every day for about two hours a day.

I am also hoping to skate at my next hockey practice which is Thursday.

Thanks all for your prayers and support!!

-Tristan

Counting our Blessings...

From Lenina (Tristan's Mom)

I got a card in the mail a few days ago that had 3 pairs of shoes on the front. The inside said "Do any of these shoes go with my stress?" I laughed. As they say, laughter is some of the best medicine when life challenges are rather serious. Thank you all for your cards, calls and prayers.

Tristan is doing remarkably well given all that he's been through. Although he still appears somewhat pale and weak at times, he went to both of his team's hockey games this weekend (sat on the bench with the team but didn't play), he had some friends over at various times throughout the weekend, and is keeping up with both of the classes that he's taking through the home hospital program. The nausea has mostly subsided and last check, his blood counts were good and no blood transfusion was needed. We've been forewarned that this could all change drastically and almost instantly, but for now, we thank God that at least for this day, he is doing great. (relatively speaking of course!)

One of the most amazing blessings in a situation like this is the tremendous support of friends and family. There have been so many random (and not so random) acts of kindness - it would be impossible to recount them all. I pray that God will bless each of you who have so kindly reached out to us. One of the most incredible examples of this support is my brother, Trenton, whom many of you know as "the cigar guy". He shaved his head last week in support of Tristan. What an awesome uncle!

Before...

Shave and a hair cut...

After...
Hey - is that a ginger ale in your hand?

Tristan really enjoys reading all your comments on this blog - so keep them coming! They are a tremendous encouragement to him.

I am so grateful for all of you. I deeply appreciate all the thoughts, prayers and kindness that continues to come our way. Thank you - and many returned blessings to all of you.

Humbly,

Lenina

The 18 day break part 2

For the most part today was a pretty normal day so there is not much to report. My sleep has been pretty good and i slept till about 9 today. My English tutor then came around 10 and we worked for two hours. That went pretty good i got really tired at the end though. Of course then for the rest of the day I watched numerous news stations reporting about the presidential election. I did get a bit of an upset stomach today but besides that there have been no serious issues from the chemo. My appetite has come back for the most part and luckily my hair hasnt fell out yet.

Tomorrow I get to meet my math tutor and do that then hopefully go to my hockey practice. I am really looking forward to hopefully getting on the ice with my team just in my warmups even though i am not fully suited up.

Thanks again so much for your prayers and thoughts!

-Tristan

Tristan's Dad

It is true that people can have a healing effect on each other. Tristan and Chandler have been buddies since they were 6 years old. They use to break out in spontaneous neighborhood hockey games that seemed to last for days. Their energy together has always been without limits so watching Tristan's spirits elevate when he was able to see Chandler and spend some time with him this weekend on the heels of a tough week of chemo was nothing short of a blessing. I am so thankful that they were able to see each other again. We all love you Chandler and thanks for being such a good friend to Tristan.

The 18 day break Pt 1

Wow the weekend has gone by it seems some what fast. For the most part I have been feeling good. Friday was definently a tough day but I am past that now and i am starting to feel better every day. This weekend my friend Chandler got to fly out. (old neighborhood friend) Along with our pal TJ we got to play video games and watch movies which was really exciting for me since I havent been seeing alot of my friends recently. Saturday I was starting to get this twitch in my right leg. My mom thinks it was from some of the medicine but it could also be from not being very active.

Sunday was a pretty good day overall. I was able to go to the broncos game against Miami with my two friends Chandler and TJ and part of their families as well. I was able to walk all the way up and down the ramp to our seats so that was really good. That day around toward the end of the game I was starting to get somewhat of a "heavy chest." We are not quite sure what this was from but it for the most part has gone away now. My sleeping has been mostly normal. I have been waking up about normal times and going to bed at somewhat decent times. My appetite has still been kinda wierd. I have gotten taste back for some foods, but not everything.

Tomorrow i believe i start my home tutoring with my two classes we are trying to keep English, and math. I am looking forward kinda to it just because its something for me to do but I'm sure I'll get back into normal school mood with in the first 5 minutes.

Wednesday i have a team practice. I am hoping very much to at least be able to skate in my warm ups and just get a feel for the ice again because it seems like forever since i have been on it.

I would really like to thank you all for reading my blog and I am doing my very best to write on this every day!

Thanks so much for your prayers and thoughts!!!!
-Tristan