Baby Tyler James Caplan

Tyler arrived at 11:10 AM today, weighting in at 5 pounds and 6.4 ounces and measured 19 inches long. He is beautiful and has a head full of black hair. Sorry no picture today, I left the camera at the hospital with Melanie.

It all started last night, or did it?... Melanie checked in the hospital about 5:15 PM. About 6:30, they gave her the Crevadill. I wasn't going to stay with her, but then she started having contractions around 10 PM. At 10:30 they gave her a sleeping pill, thinking that it would put her to sleep and we would see how steady the contractions were. They weren't steady, but they were strong. At 11 PM they gave her something for the pain. About 11:30 PM....nothing. The contractions pretty much stopped. By then, I had already decided to stay the night...mostly because she was having contractions and partly because our air conditioner decided to stop working.....and our house was hot when I took Jim home at 9.

We slept off and on, but not through the night. I got up at 5:15 to go get Jim and take him to work. Although Charles was here and could have done it, I figured I would since I wasn't really sleeping anyway and I would have time to get back before they gave Melanie the Pitcon at 7:30 AM.

OK, hang on to your seat because the rest of it goes really quick! The contractions started almost immediately. About 8, the doctor came in and broke her water, and the nurse asked Melanie if she wanted her to start hydrating her for the Epidural. Melanie said no, I think I can go a while yet. At 8:15 AM, I'm thinking and praying...start the hydration. A little bit after that, the nurse came in, saw the screen displaying the graph of the contractions and said "how about we start the hydration now?" Melanie said "OK", I silently said "Thank you, Lord". I honestly don't know why anyone would want to go through labor without an Epidural...especially when it's your daughter in labor!

The nurse came back in around 9 AM and said that the IV wasn't getting in fast enough, so she gave it some help. It was about 9:30 by the time the Epidural was in and another 10-15 minutes before she has felt some relief. Let me tell you, that was a long hard hour for Melanie, with back to back contractions, but she did great. We breathed through most of them, cried through some and held our breath through others. All in all, she listened and did what she was told. Even the nurse commented on her ability to listen and respond, even when she was in great pain.

At 1o AM, she was at 8 cm already! About 10:45 AM, the doctor came in and said, let's see how your doing..."oh yes, you're complete, I'll go get my scrubs on"... I'm thinking... HURRY! and telling Melanie to breathe, don't push. The doctor came back just before 11...2 really good pushes later, Baby Tyler was out, laying on his Mommy's chest crying...just like the rest of us was doing.

more tomorrow...I'm so tired. I'm going on about 4 hours of sleep and it wasn't consecutive....and I can barely keep my eyes open.

OB Check-up

Today Melanie went to the OB doctor for a checkup. She didn't lose any weight, not did she gain any. She's only gained a total of 18 pounds...she's all baby. The doctor told her that her blood levels are low...mostly iron....could be why she's been so tired lately. She has to be at the hospital about 5 PM Sunday night. Since she is 3weeks early, and nothing has started, they are going to give her some Cervadill to help get labor started. Then Monday morning about 6 AM they will start her on Pitocin. Because she's early and still pretty high, the doctor thinks it's going to be a long, hard labor. Melanie wants to avoid a c-section, since there isn't going to be much of a recovery time before she starts chemo. So the doctor said that was fine as long as neither one of them is in distress.

The doctor gave her a Cord Blood Collection Kit to take to the hospital. These kits are use to collect umbilical cord blood and to bank it. Why is this important you ask, because stored Stem Cells can later be used to treat many different blood disorders and cancers. These kits run about $2k, and Melanie's insurance doesn't cover the cost... The doctor just GAVE it to her....for FREE! What a blessing! Melanie has always liked this doctor and obviously she has become attached to Melanie as well.

Since Hodgkin Lymphoma is a blood cancer, there is a small chance that it will be passed onto Tyler. So once he's born, they will test the placenta for it and for the blood type. If the placenta is her blood type, they will test his blood for the cancer. If it's Aaron's blood type, then all is well and no testing needs to be done.

Light The Night walk

Sometimes you just don't know what to do to make someone feel better or how to make their day a little brighter....and then it hits you like a lightening bolt! That's what happened to my dear friend Darlene. She's taking a stand against lymphoma. She is raising money and walking in the "Light The Night walk" sponsored by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She's walking in remembrance of Lucy, the Proios Family's mother; Ted, her brother; and for Melanie.

If you would like to sponsor Darlene, click here. Any amount will make a difference.

Melanie presented a new symptom this week, tiredness. She's been so tired. I'm concerned about her having the energy to go through labor and delivery, so she'll need lots of prayers on Monday.

Tomorrow, Melanie goes to the OB doctor and we find out what time she needs to go to the hospital on Sunday and all the other details surrounding Tyler's birth.

Sending 11 inches of love

Well, she did it. Melanie had 11 inches of her hair cut off. She wanted to get used to seeing herself with short hair... before she began seeing herself without any. It really is longer than it looks, but her hair is so curly that it comes just to the bottom of her neck. It really is cute, but for her, its still going to take a few days to get used to it. She's taking that 11 inches and sending it to Locks of Love, an organization that provides hairpieces to children suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. I'm proud of her... for even in adversary, she wants to help someone else in theirs. Her hair loss will be temporary, 6-9 months and will grow back after chemotherapy treatments stop, while these kids go a lot longer.

It was a good conclusion for a week that started out with dehydration and a visit to the hospital, followed by 4 doctor visits, 3 of which she had to go to by herself. It was a stressful week. I'm sure there are more weeks like this one coming, but with the help of our family and friends, your love and prayers, we'll make it through this battle.

We know this cancer just doesn't affect Melanie and our little family. We know it affects each and every one of you too. We see it in your eyes, hear it in your voice, receive it in your gifts, and feel it in our hearts.

Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and courageous.

Yet Another Doctor!

Let's see how many does she have...4? You would think by now, Melanie would have seen all the doctors she needs to see...not so. Today, she went to Dr. E. He will be the surgeon who will insert her "port". A port is a small medical appliance that is inserted beneath the skin. A catheter connects the port to a vein. When it's time for a chemo treatment, the nurse will use the port to connect the IV instead of poking her hand or arm. Since the cancer drugs are so harmful to the skin, this should make getting an IV every other week easier and safer.

Dr. E is going to do this surgery on the Wednesday (Oct 1) after she has the baby, while she is still in the hospital. Not sure yet if that will delay her coming home from the hospital by a day or not. The port will be inserted just under the skin on the left side of her chest, below the collarbone. She'll have a slight bump, about the size of a quarter where its located.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

It's been a challenging week for us. Your thoughts and prayers are what helps us get through each day.

Oncologist Visit

Today's doctor appointment was with Melanie's oncologist, Dr. K. It was the first time I had gone with her to one of her doctor appointments since going with her to Dr. M. - who was the one who got the ball rolling with the testing & surgery that resulted in her diagnosis. While we were waiting, I was looking at the other people waiting and couldn't help thinking about the fact that each one of them had cancer and how sad that was.

They did a blood draw, which she wasn't expecting then Dr. K came in shortly after that. He is a very good doctor, open to any questions, not condescending in any way, and very positive and upbeat about this. The Lord has blessed Melanie with the best doctors anyone could ask for. He felt the lumps in her neck and found a smaller one under her right shoulder. The lumps have grown since he last checked them. After her examination he explained what the next steps will be and when they will take place.

Melanie will be induced on the morning of Sept. 29th. About 10 days later, on October 8th, she will have a PET scan. This will determine the stage of cancer it is which in turn will tell them what kind of chemo medicine to use and how much. She is at least a stage 2, but the PET scan will show that. She will come back to him for the test results, then will begin chemotherapy treatments on October 10th. She will be getting a total of 12 treatments every other week. The alternating weeks she will have to come in to have her blood tests.

Dr. K is very optimistic that her lymphoma will be cured. Those were the words that we wanted to hear and have been praying for.

When we were walking back to the receptionist desk, we ran into one of the Chemo nurse's and Dr. K. They suggested that Melanie get a "port" put in while she is still in the hospital with Tyler. This would eliminate a needle stick every visit. To have that done would be a surgical procedure, so she's thinking about it.

We went back to the reception area to get the treatments scheduled. The receptionist set them up, remarking to the other, about Mel being the sweet one, which warmed my heart. All of the people there were good people, very nice and very compassionate.

Everything seems to be going well; prayers are being answered and we believe the Lord will answer these prayers in a way we would hope for. In times like these, and it seems we've had a few times like these this past year, I continue to fall back on one of my most comfort giving Bible passages:

Psalm 121 - I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

The choice

About 8:30 this morning, I gave Melanie a choice...either she calls the doctor or I do. I did. I was afraid she was going to go into labor. After waiting an hour for the doctor to call, I called again. This time the doctor called right back. She said to go to the hospital for a IV and anti-nausea medicine, so we went around 10 AM. Got all checked in and the IV started just before 11. They discovered she also has a bladder infection, so some antibiotics were ordered for her IV drip. She was having contractions but nothing regular. After about an hour, I could tell a big difference in her. She was looking a lot better and sitting up and talking. It was a relief. They ordered her some soup, which wasn't good but she dipped her crackers in it and ate some of it. She kept it all down so they said she could go home. We left about 2PM...which was surprising because I thought we were going to stay most of the day.

Melanie is doing so much better now. The doctor is going to call in a prescription for the anti-nausea medicine so she should make her delivery date. This just goes to show you, not matter how old your child gets, sometimes you as a parent, has to step in and tell them what they NEED to do. She was afraid she'd have to stay over night if she went to the hospital....most of the time, NEEDS out weighs WANTS.

Thank you Jesus for watching over Melanie and baby Tyler today.

It's really real

I realized last night that Melanie is sick, that she really does have cancer. She has been staying with us off and on since she was diagnosed on August 20th. Other than seeing the lumps on her neck, you wouldn't have know anything was wrong. Well, that's not the case now. I think the cancer is starting to gain ground. In the past few weeks she hasn't had a whole lot of energy and the last few days she hasn't been able to keep anything down. Tiredness and nausea are two key symptoms of Hodgkin Lymphoma. If things don't improve this morning, I think it will be time to call the doctor and go to the ER for an IV. Tyler's delivery date is still a few weeks away and we don't want him to come before then...37 weeks is better that 35.

Precious Gifts

Melanie received a gift from my Aunt Nora this past weekend. She sent her some really nice head wraps, all different colors and styles, and instructions on how to create different ties and make them look like different styles; a really nice letter that made Melanie cry; and a prayer shawl that Nanny (my mother) had made for her. She told Melanie to "wrap yourself in God's and Nanny's love whenever you feel the need." But best of all, she put love in it, lots and lots of love.

What you don't know about Aunt Nora is that she knows what Melanie is going to have to go through...she's been there and is doing that. Aunt Nora has lung cancer, for the third time. She knows what its like to loose your hair, to shop for a wig, to sit in a chemotherapy chair for half a day, to be wiped out from the meds, and when she thinks about Melanie having to go through all that, she cries. She began chemotherapy in Nov. 2007. Her hair has grown back. She is on maintenance chemotherapy treatments every third week until March 2009.
My Aunt Nora, she's a fighter and a precious gift to us. Please pray for her too.

This verse is for you Aunt Nora. James 1:12 - Blessed is the man who perseveres under trials, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Delivery Date

Melanie is scheduled to be induced Monday, September 29th. She has to check in on Sunday, then before the sun comes up on Monday, they will start the medication to induce labor. We are praying for a natural delivery and a quick recovery. A c-section could require a longer recovery period and may prolong her treatment.

Isaiah 40:31 - Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength....

Family Photos

Melanie and Aaron were married on May 22, 2008, in the rain on the beach, after Melanie locked the keys, her dress, the marriage license, and the rings in the truck! Over coming adversities is what this family is all about!

They have 3 beautiful children between them and another will arrive by the end of this month. Aaron works out of town for the Union, working on the pipeline. Kaylie lives with her mother in Rhode Island and visits every summer and most holidays. Melanie, Catie, and Jake live here in Florida.

Kaylie is 7 and in 2nd grade, Catie is 6 and in 1st grade, and Jake is 3 and stays home with his momma. Baby Tyler was due October 21st, however with Melanie's recent diagnosis and chemo schedule, she will be induced in a few weeks. Hopefully tomorrow we will know the date.

No Date Yet

Melanie did not hear from the doctor's office today, and when she called, they had closed at noon. So I guess we will find out on Monday.

I've received some questions about how to post comments and how to make the blog part of your home page, so I've decided to post the instructions here.

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Thought of the day: In every season of our life, God gives us what we need.

OB Appointment

Melanie went to the OB doctor today. She didn't gained any weight, nor did she lose any, so that was good. Tyler's heartbeat is good and strong. She won't need to have any steroid shots, nor go to the OB specialist since she'll be 37 weeks and that's not considered premature. The doctor did say the baby will probably be about 6 lbs.

We should know tomorrow what day they are going to induce Melanie...it takes a day or two to coordinate schedules with the hospital and doctor...but it looks like it will be the week of September 22nd.

Today is also Catie's 6th birthday! We had "breakfast" for dinner and opened presents. We'll be celebrating Rebekah's and Catie's birthdays on Saturday. So that should be fun for us. Rebekah will be 17! Can't hardly believe it!

"I don't feel like I have cancer"

When I saw Melanie in recovery, her first question was "Where is my baby?" I started to panic and reached for her tummy, thinking they didn't tell me they took the baby...then I realized she was hooked up to the fetal monitor and that beautiful sound I was hearing was his heartbeat. But in that span of 2 seconds, the fear was very great.

I had to keep telling her, he was safe and was still there. She started crying, saying she doesn't feel him. I look her in the eyes and tell her..."Melanie, I promise, he's still in your tummy. Don't you hear his heartbeat?" She said "No". So I try to move the machine so she can see it, but there isn't enough room and she can't turn her head to the right, because that's the side the incision is on. It took her a while to realize the anesthesia put the baby to sleep too, that's why he wasn't moving.

Her next question was, "What did I do to get this?" I started crying again, and told her, she didn't do anything, it just happened. But I was thinking, is she really asking:" what kind of activity or illness did I do or have to cause this or why did God give me this cross to bear". In either case, I didn't know the answer, but I did know that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

They moved Melanie to post-op and said you'll be here for about 30-45 minutes then you'll get to go home. But not really. We were there until almost 6. As the anesthesia wears off and Melanie becomes more alert. She kept saying "I don't feel like I have cancer." All her signs and symptoms were masked by her pregnancy.

• Tiredness. Most every pregnant woman is tired especially taking care of 3 young children this summer.
• Weight loss. She and the kids spent most of the summer with Aaron at his job site in Okeechobee. Nothing to do there but walk and sweat. So we thought nothing of it.
• Itchy skin. At the beginning of August, Melanie calls to tell me she had hives. (She had hives when she was pregnant with Catie, another pregnancy symptom for Melanie.) But these were only where her clothes were, so thought it was the laundry soap. They went away after a few days. Now, I see her scratching her tummy all the time...but is that just her skin stretching or the cancer (sometimes its so hard to say that word).
• Night sweats. Another pregnancy thing.
• Fever. This one she hasn't noticed.

The nurses and doctors were so nice at the hospital. Several of them said Melanie and her baby were in their prayers. The OB doctor came in to check the baby and she reassured Melanie that they can do a lot for premature births these days and that she and her baby will be fine.

Just before we left the hospital, baby Tyler kicked his momma and the tears started again, tears of joy and relief.