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
“She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails.” ~Elizabeth Edwards
Monday, October 21, 2019
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