10-21-19

Today, Eric and I joined Mom at her long awaited oncologist appointment and received the painful news that the cancer has, indeed, spread from her lungs to her hip. Therefore, she has been diagnosed with “stage 4 lung cancer”. The oncologist explained that this basically means that it is not curable at this point...but that it is still treatable.

It was decided that the best treatment option will be to begin a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is a newer treatment that will help activate her immune system and is a hopeful advance in the field. They are beginning the process of getting her started on this as soon as possible. Hopefully, within the next week.

When asked for a prognosis, Dr. Wilfong, drew out a bell shaped curve and told us that the average life expectancy for people with stage 4 lung cancer at this point is 18 months. He said that since she is still active and in good health otherwise-and with the immunotherapy treatment-there is hope that she can land on the far side of the bell curve.

We’re still in the midst of processing all of this information and know now you all will be processing it along with us. One thing we know for sure, at this point, is that it is a giant wake up call to what really matters and that will be our focus from here on out.

More later...
xoxo
Kelly

10-17-19

Just a quick update to share that the results from Mom’s brain MRI were what we’d hoped: no signs of cancer there. She’s continuing to take it day by day and ready to find out her Oncologist’s advice for the best course of treatment on Monday (10/21). ❤️

10-8-19

Finally, an update! 

Shawn joined Mom early this morning to meet with her Oncologist (Dr. Wilfong) for the first time. He said the cancer in her lungs and some lymph nodes in her chest are adenocarcinoma, non-small cell (which is the most common).

He still wants to run more tests before deciding how best to proceed, so to that end

on 10/14 she is scheduled for a brain MRI (which is standard protocol to rule out brain metastases). She will also have a bone biopsy on her right hip to get more information on the spots that lit up on the PET scan. At the same time molecular testing is being done on the lung biopsy tissue, which will help him know which specific treatment will be most effective. 

During this visit, she also met with the palliative care team, who were very warm and caring and who will help support her during this time. Both Mom and Shawn really liked Dr. Wilfong. He was reassuring that lung cancer treatment has drastically changed and advanced over the past five years. By her next appointment with him (October 21st) he will have had time to review all of these test results and will let her know what course of treatment he advises. After months of feeling like each doctor was looking at different parts of the elephant, she’s finally feeling like it’s all coming together and that she is in good hands, which is such a relief. She’s also modeling how to stay in the present moment- which is such an inspiration.

Our next update will most likely be on the 21st.

Thank you so much for continued love and prayers.

❤️

10-1-19

A quick update tonight to let you know that Mom got a call this afternoon from the Pulmonologist with the PET CT Scan results. He said that along with the mass in her lung, two spots lit up in her right hip bone.

We are trying to wrap our minds around the implications of this.

The next step is an appointment with Oncology on October 9th but efforts are being made to move that up. In the meantime, Mom is working to explore her options and is doing everything within her power to make sure she has the best medical support team possible.

Thank you for your love and support.
❤️