You are one in a Million

Tuesday May 31, 2001

I know that many of you have read that Aj has gone into surgery recently and that he has been diagnosed with a cancers tumor. Here is our Story.
 
Three Months Ago at Aj's six month check up I noticed that his Doctor checked his testicles. I had no idea why she did that or even what she was looking for, but none the less I went home that day and checked Aj's testicles. At that point I knew that his testicles were normal considering he got the all clear from his Doctor. A couple weeks later while changing Aj's diaper I checked his testicles again and noticed that one was a little larger than the other. I really did not think anything of it at the time but did make a subconscious Mommy mental note to check it again later. Later came and I checked and found that it was indeed getting bigger, so big it made me nervous and I called and scheduled his 9 month check up a couple weeks early.

 His doctor did notice that his left testicle was x4 bigger than the normal size and ordered an ultra sound for the following week. She reassured me that this would be nothing to lose sleep over and she would have been right, apparently there are quite a few things that can make a babies testicle enlarge.

However during our ultra sound the technician noticed right away that something was not right and called in two different doctors and they confirmed that Aj had a tumor on his testicle and it would have to be removed. Aaron and I were in shock and did not know how to handle the news. We took the baby to get his blood drawn later that week to have a better idea of what we were up against. Everything came back normal (whew) except for the AFP which came back twice the normal level and indicates that Aj's tumor could be malignant.

When we meet with Aj's urlogist he informed us that no matter how much he would like to save Aj's testicle he just felt that it would be best to take the whole thing out. He feared that the Tumor was a Yolk Sac Tumor which only happens 1.6 in a 1,000,000 case, what are the odds.  Gulp... my precious 8.5 month old little boy is going to lose his testicle... what! Aaron and I had a lot to think about, are we doing the right thing? Should we wait and get a second opinion? What if we wait and get a second opinion and that gives the cancer time to spread and then what? We decided that with the information that we had it would be in Aj's long term best interest to remove the testicle.

That brings us up to today's surgery. The Baby did great and was able to come straight home. Now we just have to wait for the results of the pathology, blood work and chest xray to come back. The test can come back in two ways: that we are all clear which would be great  or saying we may have a longer path in front of us.  I still have no idea what that path in tales. Time will only tell what will happen. No matter what, the prognosis for this type of cancer is 95% curable...happy dance time

Through this all, I have to consider myself blessed. I am blessed because I listened to Mommies instinct and found the tumor really early, I am blessed because I have a wonderful family who has surrounded me and my boys with there love and support. I have great friends who have prayed for Aj and  I am just so thankful. Today my baby is at home and asleep and I know that he is loved my so many people.

Thank you everyone for your Love and Support

XOXO
Sabline, Aaron and Aj

#37, #38 & #39

Tuesday May 31. 2011
Dear Aj,
As you can see I have missed two Tuesday post, so much has happened in those long two weeks. I can almost say that our world has been turned upside down. I guess the best place to start is all the way back in the beginning. The weekend of May 14 we both got the flu, you fought the bug off like a trooper and were back on your feet in no time, Mommy on the other hand had a harder time shaking the bug but by mid week we were both on are way to recover. Then of course the next weekend we all (including Daddy) got a head cold.

Then on Tuesday May 24 we got some very scary news, the lump in your testicle that I had found was a tumor and that you would need surgery to remove not only the lump but the whole testicle. No matter how bad your Dad and I felt you always seemed to make us feel better with your warm smiles. You had no clue that this was going on and you had other thing on your mind. You have set your sights on learning how to crawl and you are going to be there so soon. Within the last 2 weeks you have become a rolling machine, a pro at pushing yourself backwards, and even getting up on your knees and rocking back in forth. You even have figured out how to make your self sit up (you have only done this in your crib, once in the middle of the night while still sleeping. You woke up so confussed) Today you had a surgery to have your testicle removed. Today has been one of the hardest days that your Father and I had to go through as parents. We love you so very much and as your Daddy kept saying today, you are just the sweetest, happiest baby ever.
I have know idea what your future holds, I wish I could shield and protect you from every hurtful and horrible thing that this world has to offer but I know I just cant. Your Daddy and I both will always be here for you, to hold your hand and help every step of the way, no matter what.

Love,
Mommy

#36

May 10, 2011
Dear Aj
You are just to cool for words. As your mother I have the right to put you in cute customs and use funny props and this is on of those times. You have taken to grabbing at everything and anything, including my sunglasses. So I just went ahead and put them on you and you just thought it was the funniest thing. What I thought was even funnier was that they fit you almost perfectly. So does Mommy just have a small head or does Aj have a big one?

I am finding that when I have something amazing to record it tends to come in a cluster. I am proud to announce that this week proud moments are

1. You woke up from your afternoon nap the other day and were kind of hanging out. Not really crying, just talking and at some points getting a little fussy. I can not remember what I was doing, something that I had to finish before I came in to get you. You continued to entertain your self for a couple minutes, I finished doing what ever I was doing and walked into you room and found you sitting up in your crib!!! You fell asleep on your back (you may have rolled on to your tummy, but I am not sure) at some point you figured out how to pull your self up to a sitting postion. Needless to say that Daddy lowered your crib right away

2. I was reading an article that said you should be able to start standing while holding on to objects. I had yet to try to see if you could do it and was curious. For some time you have enjoyed standing when we hold your hands so I could not see why you would not be able to.  Sure enough we tried to see if you could stand while holding on to your entertainment center and you did it! Now you have a blast standing on the couch and holding on the back or holding on to the coffee table and smacking your hands against the surface.

This past Sunday was my first Mothers Day, your Daddy did a wonderful job picking out the perfect necklace, but if you were to ask him he will tell you that he had nothing to do with it. His story is that "you Annie and your piggy bank snuck out on Saturday night bought me a necklace that had a S for Sabline and an A for Aj as well as a beautiful bouquit of peach roses" Your Daddy is so silly!

Love
Mommy

I just love being your mom

This is nothing more than me wanting to remember this feeling of incredible love that I have for you. Today is Friday a day I look forward to all week because it is our day. I love our easy going morning when it is just the two of us and all we have to do is sit and play. I love watching you figuring out life and all that it has to offer. I love it when we go out and run earrends later in the day and you are in the back seat laughing and babbling at the cute baby in the mirror. To make it better, every place we go into everyone talks about how cute you are. And you know, they are right. I fell in love with you the minute the doctor put you into my arms, but everyday you get to become a little bit more of a person and I just love it. I know that you are going to keep me busy and on my toes and all I have to say is bring it on Aj! I am ready for the wild ride that you are going to take us on.

#35

May 3, 2011

Dear Aj

I can not believe that you are almost 8 month, I know that you are going to keep getting older every month but for some reason it still surprises me every month.

We had a great Friday! You saw Mrs. Hedi your physcal therapist and passed your exam with flying colors. She was very happy with your improved head tilt and your sitting. As always we still have to work on you tummy time to make sure you learn how to crawl and not scoot across the floor on your bum. After your doctors appointment we rushed to Costco to pick up this months "house supplies" and from the moment we stepped into the store everyone kept saying how cute you are! Every time turned a corner someone else would co over how cute you are. I hear how cute you are all the time but I promise you it never gets old.

Love
Mommy