Well, after a rough couple of days I can now say confidently I am on the road to recovery! I am anxious to heal and return to my regular routine, including work! There is absolutely nothing on T.V. during the day :-)
I will follow up with the surgeon in another week and hope to be released then! We will continue to give updates as we see our team of doctors over the next few months.
Thanks to those who have brought our family such delicious meals! We sincerely appreciate everyone reaching out to support us...Thank You...

This is an incredible video of cancer stricken children who exude such strength, determination and courage. This would make any mother proud! This is worth the time to watch.
http://soc.li/OTmy10O

"STRENGTH does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender. THAT IS STRENGTH." -Arnold Schwarzenegger



This is a picture of Mason's legs he tattooed (with a sharpie) for his lacrosse game last Saturday. The team played in honor of James, their coach Brett who married his sweetheart on Monday, and baby Bauer who has overcome cancer. We played Lone Peak High School and beat them in double overtime! GO BINGHAM!!!

Back to the blog... Sorry there have not been a lot of postings since we've been home as time has not permitted. We really appreciate everyone's patience in allowing James some time to begin the healing process. James is recovering slow but steady, stronger day by day. He is ready to welcome your phone calls and would love a visit. We will continue to update the blog with information regarding our upcoming Doctor visits. Our Doctor has also reminded us as we search the Internet for information about Castleman's Disease, that we remember to use some key words that pertain to James' type of the disease as there are many factors to Castleman's disease. Those key words are: Hyaline, Unifocal, and Localized. This will hopefully avoid any misunderstandings or confusion about James' diagnosis.

 

James was able to escape the hospital yesterday afternoon! Woohoo! We were able to get settled and last night he finally got some sound sleep. A few more days of rest and he will be ready for visitors by mid week.

We are finding ourselves in as much shock with this diagnosis as we were when we found out April 2, 2012 that something really serious was wrong... There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the unknowns of this rare disease, although great comfort in knowing the mass is benign. We still have a lot of unanswered questions, that we can hopefully get answered in the coming weeks.

Have a great weekend! Love to all...

My Dear Family and Friends,

We were visited by James team of Doctors this morning. James and his tissue samples were the subject of a medical conference. They have diagnosed him with Castleman's Disease (my type of the disease is Hyaline Unifoacl). In English: a overgrown lymph node. This is a benign mass. At this point he does not have Cancer. The Doctor said he basically had just won the lottery!There were decades of experience at the table and only one Doctor had ever seen a case. Most of them had never even heard of it. This is an extremely rare, and uncommon disease. It is caused by a virus. He most likely got the virus years ago. The treatment is removal of the mass. He will have regular PET Scans ( radioactive contrast scan of lymphatic system) of my whole body, if the tissue they couldn't remove starts to grow again, he will undergo radiation to kill the remaining tissue.  The recurrence in other lymph nodes throughout the body is very low, but possible. This is about all we have been told because they just don't know enough about the disease.  As they get us more information we will share what we know with you. Below is some information from the Mayo Clinic regarding Casstleman's Disease. 

By Mayo Clinic:

Castleman disease is a rare illness that affects your lymph nodes and other immune-cell structures of your body.

Also known as giant lymph node hyperplasia and angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia, Castleman disease is classified as a lymphoproliferative disorder. That means it involves an overgrowth (proliferation) of lymphatic cells. This makes Castleman disease similar to cancers of the lymphatic system (lymphomas), which also are characterized by cell overgrowth. Castleman disease isn't considered a cancer, but it is associated with a higher risk of a type of cancer called lymphoma.

Castleman disease can occur in a localized or a more widespread form. Treatment and outlook depend on which type of Castleman disease you have.

We feel so very blessed, and thankful. We are humbled by the overwhelming show of love, prayers and support on our behalf. There are no words to describe the peace and joy we are feeling now. We are so grateful to have such amazing families, and such incredible friends!

THANK YOU... THANK YOU... THANK YOU...

ALL OUR LOVE~ JAMES, SYDNEY, JESSE AND MASON