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