Chris is beginning chemo today with a new drug. The side effects are predicted to be worse than with other drugs. Our prayer request is that this medicine would be highly effective, and that Chris would NOT experience the predicted side effects. Thank you for agreeing with us in prayer.
(written by Jean)
(written by Jean)
Chris met with her Integrative Doctor yesterday. They talked about the scan results as well as natural treatment options. The doctor had some good ideas; chemo, a clinical trial in Boston, natural treatments locally, and a 10 day detox program at a health institute in Michigan.
Please pray for wisdom and discernment as the family prays about which treatments or combinations of treatments to do. Also, please pray for peace in the process. Thank you.
(written by Becky)
Dad asked me to post our latest update because we are in a bit of a shock and he can’t call everyone he should.
Mom had a scan last week and we got the results this afternoon. It seems the cancer is either developing a resistance to the chemo and/or mutating. The spots around her body with cancer have all grown since the last scan in December. The most concerning growth is her liver. This area has had a more significant growth than that rest. The oncologist is concerned it may have mutated, so a biopsy is being scheduled in the next few days.
The next steps are continued chemo after determining which combinations of drugs that will be most effective based on the biopsy. We are also looking into a clinical trial in Boston that the oncologist says Mom is eligible for.
Please pray… for Mom’s physical health and for all of our emotional health.
P.S. I can’t keep up on this blog with enough regularity while focusing on Mom’s daily needs. Our friend Jean has offered to help get updates from us and then post them here. You’ll be hearing from her on here, as well. Thanks for your understanding!
(Written by Becky)
Mom’s bone scan results were pretty inconclusive. Since this was her first bone scan that showed active cancer spots on the the bones, we have nothing to compare it to. So, this scan will be the baseline. (Previous CAT scans only show cancer spots – but don’t determine if they are active or dead/calcified.) The active cancer spots shown on this recent bone scan were what we expected as they pretty much matched spots on previous CAT scans. However, we were gladly surprised that there were no spots on her neck. But now we’re stumped as to why she’s having so much pain in her back and neck. She went for an MRI yesterday to see if the pain is muscular – but we don’t have results yet.
Mom reports today that she’s feeling ok. It’s been two days since chemo and she usually is quite tired and a little nauseous by now. Her pain meds seem to be stabilized a bit better today and she’s up and about in the kitchen warming up her own food.
This week’s round of chemo was supposed to be her last for this phase before another scan in three weeks, but they decided to do one more round of chemo since she’s tolerating it so well. So, she’ll have another round of chemo in three weeks and then a scan three weeks after that.
Mom is standing here proofing over my shoulder and said to please include that she is thankful for your continued prayers and for standing with us believing in her healing.
(Written by Becky)
Mom’s xray’s didn’t show any fractures but weren’t detailed enough to show possible hairline fractures. She’s still in extreme pain and bedridden. Chemo is tomorrow and she’ll also get results from her bone scan last week to see if cancer has spread to her bones. Prayers appreciated for physical healing and also emotional health. It’s draining to deal with this for almost two years and it’s wearing on Mom.
(Written by Becky)
Mom is at the ER right now getting x-rays. Neck and back pain has increased over the last several days and is very extreme today. Bone scan results coming on Wednesday during next round of chemo. Please say extra prayers today and this week… life is really hard.
(Written by Becky)
We are expecting many blessings this new year! Thank you for partnering with us in prayer.
On December 18th, Mom and Dad met with the oncologist to review results from her scan the previous week. The news is just what we needed for Christmas! The cancer is shrinking again! It was a significant amount again, although not as drastic as during the first round of chemo in June/July 2011. We were so grateful for the good news, our first positive scan since December 2011, a whole year! Every scan since then had been hard news to bear and it had really begun to wear on Mom’s emotions and drive to fight. This was just what we needed to restore our fragile hope and have an amazing Christmas.
Our Christmas was just what we needed… low-key. Just the six of us: Mom, Dad, Johnny4, Johnny5, my husband and me. We just lounged around and played games. And Mom couldn’t have been happier.
Mom and her treatment team have decided on three more rounds of chemo (with three weeks in between each round) and then another scan to check progress. She’s had one round since the last scan and handled it relatively well. She gets very tired between the 3rd and 5th day after chemo, but bounces back well. She’s had little nausea and no hair loss. The doctors are amazed at how well she handles chemo.
So… we wait another nine weeks for another scan and another treatment planning meeting… but this time we have a bit more hope.
(Mom with Johnny4 and Johnny5 on Christmas morning)
(written by Becky)
Hi all,
We apologize for our updates not being as frequent as you would like. Some days, it feels like all we can do is keep our heads above water. Thanks for sticking with us!
Mom has just finished two rounds of chemo, three weeks apart. This week is Week 6 and she is getting a CAT scan today to check for progress from the chemo. She meets with the oncologist this coming Tuesday to discuss the findings and determine our next steps. Will you please pray for good news? We are so desperate for good news!
Mom handled chemo relatively well this time (as opposed to Summer 2011). Her side effects were minimal – no hair loss and very little nausea. Just a few days of fatigue after each dose. Last you heard from us, she was also semi-bedridden (needing to stay off her feet to strengthen her pelvic bones and prevent a fall which would cause more damage). In the beginning of November, it was very painful for her to walk…. but now she’s feeling MUCH better! She still needs to take it easy around the house (rest alot), doesn’t drive and needs to use something to stabilize her while out and about (either a wheelchair or walker). But the improvement is really encouraging. And Thanksgiving and a few other family dinners have really lifted Mom’s spirits – so we are thankful for those times!
Additionally, Mom had a very enlarged lymph node in her neck area before this round of chemo and that’s disappeared! Another sign to give us some hope.
We appreciate your continued prayers… both for Mom’s physical healing and all of our emotional health. It’s draining to live with this month after month and the new lifestyle with shopping (only co-ops), cooking, diet, cleaning, etc. is time consuming and takes much discipline! We are so thankful for those who are helping us on a regular basis!
(written by Becky)
Dad asked me to let you know that chemo went well today. Mom’s spirits were lifted by a visit from two different ladies dear to her. She came home and rested all afternoon and is feeling ok right now. Not much nausea. But still significant pain in her hip.
One of Dad’s board members gave Mom a wheelchair today. This was a huge blessing for when she needs to leave the house.
A few of Mom’s siblings are lining up to visit for a few days each, which she is extremely excited about.
Thanks for your prayers!
xoxo
(written by Becky)
Hi all, Sorry for the delay in getting an update to you. Things are a bit crazy the last two days. Mom is now unofficially bed-ridden. The oncologist reviewed the scan from the ER on Saturday and confirmed that there is deterioration in the pelvic bones from the cancer. The doctor is worried that if Mom falls, her pelvic bone will break badly, necessitating a hip replacement surgery which will halt chemo for over a month. Since chemo (starts tomorrow morning) is so urgent, right now, Mom needs to stay in bed as much as possible. She can use crutches in the house when it’s necessary to use the bathroom and someone has to be there when she showers. Additionally, she will now be using a wheel chair when she’s out of the house. (And, if you’ve seen their house – you’d gasp. It’s a split level ranch with three different sets of stairs.)
The oncologist is confident that chemo will help sterngthen her pelvic bones, but the back-up plan will be to do targeted radiation in that area after chemo.
Her spirits were up today. She was very cheerful after a few different visits from friends and says she’s looking forward to time to rest, pray and read.
Chemo starts tomorrow. This is a hard time for all of us… especially for Mom physically. The rest of us need to step it up to an even higher level of cleanliness around the house while her white blood cell count is down and ’round the clock waiting on Mom.
Many people have asked what they can do in addition to praying. Here’s what I can think of:
1. Ladies to sit, pray, chat with Mom. Get her tea or a snack. (If she’s sleeping while you are there, I’ll always have a list of things that need done like chopping her daily truckload of veggies.) One of Mom’s friends is putting together a schedule to spread out visits, so I can put you in touch with her.
2. One-off cleaning projects, like wipe out the fridge or a mid-week vacuum/mop the kitchen floor. (My cousin comes once a week but during chemo, we need to be extra vigilant.)
3. Bring meals for Dad that can be in the frozen or in the fridge for a few days incase he has plans the night you bring something. Ideally, in those cheap aluminum tins that you don’t need back.
Thanks for your prayers!