Richmond Family Updates

(Quote by Johnny5, age 6)

“I just want to say that I love my Nana. I’m praying that the germs in her body go away.”

The greater the battle, the greater the victory. The Lord is on my side. He will be the victor! To God Be The Glory GREAT things HE has done. He is MIGHTY to save. Thank you for standing with me.  Please continue to pray daily…as this battle is great.  I am confident GOD will “come with vengeance” (Isaiah 36:4) and MANY will see HIS GOODNESS.

~Chris

(Written by Becky)

Over the last two weeks, Mom has been doing a massive amount of research around diet, nutrition, supplements and alternative treatments. She found out about an “integrated doctor” who practices both conventional medicine along with alternative options and made an appointment for May 24th, his first available. However, yesterday Dr Bob told us that he made her an appointment today for the same doctor without even knowing Mom had already made one. This doctor had a cancellation and was able to meet with us today.

The meeting with this integrated doctor was a good meeting. Mom felt more hopeful after hearing some of his recommendations, which included a second opinion at Sloan Kettering and pursuing chemo as well as a very intense homeopathic plan including a specially tailored diet of food and supplements based on her blood tests. He also recommended acupuncture to raise her energy, aroma therapy to decrease anxiety, high doses of vitamin C given through IV’s and Iscadore (Mistletoe) treatments which raise the immune system.

We already have several appointments next week: MRI, surgery to install the port for chemo and/or vitamin C, aromatherapy and acupuncture. She has a blood test tomorrow morning and the doctor will review it on Wednesday to determine her diet and supplements. We are also waiting for an appointment at Sloan Kettering in NYC to be scheduled for ASAP as well as another oncologist here locally.

Please pray with us as we decide treatment plans. We need to decide soon.  If you would like to comment on this post with ideas, advice, opinions or stories, please do. Please don’t argue with other comments, just share your ideas, advice and/or stories.

(Written by Becky. In shock, so quick and just the facts.)

Today, we met with the oncologist who confirmed that Mom has stage 4 cancer in her lungs. It is Adenocarcinoma. It falls under the category of non-small cell cancer which is less rapidly growing than small cell cancers. It is not curable and surgery isn’t an option because it isn’t contained and has spread throughout her body. The oncologist recommended chemotherapy using the following three drugs: Taxol, Carboplatin and Avastin. The Avastin is a drug that reduces blood vessel growth and tumors need new blood vessels to grow. He said all three of these drugs are usually well tolerated.

The oncologist also ordered an MRI to make sure that it hasn’t spread into her brain, because treatment recommendations would change if it has (radiation). He also wants to check samples of the biopsy for EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) a mutation found in 10% of non-smokers and Asian’s. If this growth factor is present, treatment recommendations would change to a pill instead of chemo and there is usually a good response to it.

Later this evening, my parents, brother, and dear friends Bill and Linda met with Mom’s Primary Doctor, Dr. Bob. We had a long discussion of interpreting the results and began to discuss ideas for treatment planning. Mom wants second opinions as well as research into alternative / homeopathic options. For the last two weeks, she’s been on a strict organic raw foods diet with some special oxygenated water and reports that she is feeling much better. Her cough is almost gone and she reports more energy, which gives her more desire to research alternative options.

In summary, today we learned that Mom has stage 4 lung cancer and the average life expectancy is 6-8 months, with or without chemo. Our doctor said that this cancer is so serious and advanced that chemo probably won’t help. It may give us a few more months, but Mom’s quality of life would suffer dramatically.

We are numb and in shock. We need your prayers.

(Written by Becky. In shock, so quick and just the facts.)

Mom reports many instances in the last two weeks of precious time with precious people. These times are what are keeping her going while we wait for test results and process this nightmare.

Last Sunday, there was a prayer service for her and 120 people came to join the family in a time of prayer and praise. Hundreds of other loved ones have sent countless messages.

Today, the staff team at YFC came to the house for a prayer time and then served Mom and Dad by cleaning up their lawn. Mom said this time was so precious to her as her YFC family are like her kids.

My brother has attended every doctor appointment and has been a huge support to Mom and Dad.

Then, this evening, I arrived from England and our family had dinner together. Mom said she is the most happy when she has her kids together. Although she misses my husband Keith who couldn’t come, having me, my brother and nephew for dinner was precious to her.

We’ve all had countless conversations and messages from friends and family from all over the world that have been such an encouragement.

You are all so precious to us!

(Written by Becky. In shock, so just the facts for now.)

Mom had a cough for several months, starting September 2010. After a few appointments over a few months with her doctor resulting in some antibiotics and then allergy medications, a chest scan was recommended in March 2011.

On April 18th, Mom had  chest x-ray which showed some suspicious spots, so she was sent for a CAT scan. On April 19th, she had a CAT scan on her chest from which we found out she has a 5x7cm tumor in her left lung. On April 27, 2011, a PET Scan confirmed that it was cancer and has spread into her liver (12 lesions on her liver), her lymph nodes, bones and kidneys.

This morning, she had a biopsy to determine what kind of cancer it is. We will find out this Thursday.

Please pray for our family as we process this information and make decisions based on it.