An intro and welcome

Thanks for checking the blog! As you all must know- Mom is currently battling breast cancer (round 2) and Dad is also battling prostate cancer (also round 2). Mom was originally diagnosed my sophomore year of high school (guess that was 2003?) and Dad my junior year (spring 2005?). Quick summary- Dad was placed on hormone therapy to basically kill off any food for the cancer. That treatment had the potential for some nasty side effects and potential to cause heart weakening. So Dad jumped into exercising and eating really healthy and has done an amazing job at it. He quickly moved from a novice runner to running 4 miles a pop, has lost weight, and his side effects seemed to be minimized by his hard work. Though he did experience some of them. The treatment was successful extremely quickly- and now they wait for the PSA to go up again, indicating growth/return in significant numbers of the cancer cells. Then he will go back onto the therapy. As indicated in the posts below- Monday he was tested again and its not back yet! The longer it takes the better!

The updates on Mom have been pretty much summarized in the emails that I have added below. This all kind of appeared in the last month.

Mom and Dad and our family will use this blog to update as she begins her chemotherapy and he continues his own trek. Jenny and I wanted to start this because from our past bouts with cancer, we've all learned that sometimes people want to ask but think it might be upsetting (to us it generally is not- Deans love to talk!), and it also helps to know that people do know what is going on. It's hard to keep track of who knows what- and especially with the hills and valleys Mom is about to face- news will probably come up quicker than it has before.

Storms have a way of finding us... but life's a beach!

Please share your comments, personal stories, prayers and thoughts on here. This is not just our family's journey, but all of our community's as we all push Jim and Teri toward good health with our prayers and support. A few words can go a long way!

Peace, love, prostates and boobs,
Julie

"Some days there won't be a song in your heart.  Sing anyway".  ~Emory Austin