Latest Update

I realized that it had been a while since we had posted anything on the website. We have both been very busy with school coming back in session, Colby starting daycare and treatment continuing on. So... here is my shot at the best update I can give.

A week ago I went in for what was the 8th round of chemo. As usual everything seemed to go really well and I felt great all week. Next Tuesday we will go to the oncologist as normal, like we were having a 9th round of chemo. They will check my blood levels, etc, but they won't start any chemo until we see the doctor. When we see the doctor we will discuss our visit to the radiation oncologist and whether we are going to finish off the treatment with more chemo or radiation.

So now to our visit with the radiation oncologist. Rob and I had some questions when we went to this consult, and we were very pleased with the oncologist we met with and his honesty about radiation and its side effects. The good news is that the side effects are very little compared to the ones experience in chemo. There won't be hair loss, etc. because it will all be localized radiation (meaning only to the big spot that was originally in the chest.) Our big concerns were around the increased rate of breast cancer in women who have radiation and the increase in heart problems down the road. The oncologist explained that the percentage of breast cancer went up drastically in any teen that had radiation when they were younger. He said once you hit the age of 30 the number drastically decreased. His belief is that it is less likely in someone whose breasts are fully mature, since I have had a baby and nursed, he thinks I fit that category. As far as heart problems, all my radiation would be above the heart so no worries there.

Rob and I left this consultation thinking that radiation is the best way to go. We will of course make the final decision next Tuesday and begin whatever the next treatment is then. We will keep you posted as to what happens next.

On another note, I am currently training for my 1/2 marathon with TNT and loving every minute of it. I am up to 3 miles each day for my workout, and enjoying getting to know people and run with a group once a week. This Saturday we go to South Mountain:) After a couple of weeks of training one of the people who works for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society and TNT asked me if I would be interested in being one of their Honored Heroes/Teammates. These are the people who are cancer survivors, speak at events and they are the ones who the teams run in honor of. I of course was honored to do this and hope that my voice will only help to raise more money for cancer research in the future. I invite you to check out my TNT website for weekly updates on the running and donate to a fantastic cause. Here are some Colby pics from summer fun in the sun:) and the TNT website. http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/pfchangs10/mrynders

Oh and the best news of all!!! Colby is binky free thanks to the Bye-Bye Binky Method:)

Final Tweets of Rob's 20's

Here is the recap of my tweets from 8/5/09 chronicling my 20's:

That's it folks! Hope it was not too annoying. If you're thinking of getting me a gift tomorrow you can do this: http://tinyurl.com/lg9g78

What to say about 29? It was a crazy busy second year of campus ministry. Loved being a dad and husband. Thx to all who made 20s great!

When I was 28 my wonderful son was born. The same son who just had a huge meltdown :)

Ages 25-27- Graduated seminary, moved to AZ, worked at Grace UMC, wrestled with the ordination process, commissioned in 2007.

Age 25- more seminary!

25th birthday- Dave a Busters with a bunch of seminary friends.

Age 24- First full year at Claremont School of Theology. Kind of a blur. Loved working at Claremont UMC though!

24th birthday- Not really sure. Would have recently returned from honeymoon, grandmother also passed away sometime close to then.

Age 23- Graduated college with Steven Spielberg http://tinyurl.com/kjzpah, started seminary, married a beautiful woman, interned at CUMC!

23rd birthday- I think some buddies took me to Chili's after my youth threw me a surprise party. Thanks again gang!

Age 22- hired as youth director at Lakewood First UMC, proposed to Melissa on Sunset Beach.

22nd birthday- on SSP staff in Point Arena, CA. Honestly can't remember what I did that day.

Age 21- moved to Long Beach to finish undergrad, lived in the dorms, on the rowing team, made some great friends. That year was a blast!

21st birthday- on SSP staff in Clearlake. Bought a beer at a gas station then we watched "Top Gun," then we were attacked by local thugs.

At age 20 I finished community college and applied to Cal State Long Beach's psych degree program. I was desperate to leave my hometown!

When I turned 20 on August 6 1999, I was a chef at the SSP Utah site. I still miss that place and people from that summer sometimes.

Tomorrow is the last day of of my 20's. I think I will tweet the most memorable moments of the last decade throughout the day :)

Join me in the fight against Cancer

So, it's official... I am going to train and run the PF Chang's 1/2 marathon on January 17, 2010. I am doing this in conjunction with Team In Training, which is an endurance training and fundraising organization through and for the Leukemia/Lymphoma society.

As I have been doing my own battle with cancer these past four months, I realize the importance of raising funds to help not only find a cure, but support those people who are going through the same things I have been through. I will be posting training updates, as well as treatment updates on the website now:)

I also wanted to let you all know that I would love your support as I work to accomplish the goal of finishing the race and fighting for a cure. If you would like to make a financial donation to my race the website is:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/pfchangs10/mrynders

I hope you all will help as I continue to Fight Like A Girl!!! and put an end to blood cancers.

All Clear!!!

Well, we are sitting through the middle of chemo treatment number seven. We just saw the doctor and he said Melissa's PET scan came back clear! There is no visible evidence of cancer in Melissa's body at the moment! Treatment, however, is not finished. We have one more scheduled chemotherapy and Melissa must also get a consult from the radiologist because she had a large mass in her chest. We will get a recommendation from him as to whether Melissa should get radiation or four additional (12 total) rounds of chemo. All of this would be to finish anything off that is still lingering. I am extremely excited to report this news and it looks like we can wrap things up in late September or October!!!!