1-25-20

The results of the new scans are in and the doctor said it was good news: there are signs of real improvement from the chemo/immunotherapy treatment! At this point Mom will only have immunotherapy which shouldn’t have the negative side effects that the chemo has been having. She also needed a blood transfusion yesterday due to a low red blood cell count. We’re hopeful that at this point, she will really begin to feel better and get her energy back.

She’ll continue the immunotherapy treatment every three weeks. During her next treatment (on Valentine’s Day!) she’ll also get an infusion to strengthen her bones.

We’re so grateful to be able to share this positive update.
❤️

(A favorite photo of Mom with all her grandkids in Texas-a FEW years back!)

1-4-20

The last three weeks have not been easy on mom. While she stayed on top of her anti-nausea medication, the chemo, nevertheless, has really been taking its toll. At today’s treatment they found out her red blood cell count is down which helped to explain how tired she has felt. Because of this, the doctor decided to reduce the potency of the chemo mixture. They always wait till the last minute to mix up the chemo solution for just this reason. 

We're hoping the next few weeks are easier on her system. They will take more scans (finally!) on the 21st (with results back on the 24th). Of course, we're all so anxious to find out what effect this last few months of treatment have been having and are hoping for the best! The results of the scans will determine the next course of treatment. 

I am writing this from Holland. I'm so grateful for Mom's continued support for my travels even as she's going through this rough time. I'm missing being there for her (in person) day to day but know other's are taking this as an opportunity to spend more time with her and she's enjoying and appreciating the support from her loving circle of family and friends. The next update will be on the 24th when we find out the results of the scans. Until then....


Happy New Year to each of you!
❤️

12-13-19

Treatment # 3 went well today. Knowing what to expect and getting in a rhythm with the medication made a big difference these last few weeks. While Mom is definitely feeling the tiredness that comes with chemo, she has also begun to feel improvement with her voice: it is straining her less to talk. The doctor agreed that this is a good sign that the chemo is making a difference.

On another positive and hopeful note, Mom has booked her tickets to join me to see the tulips in Holland this Spring. It’s really great to have that to look forward to!

Her next treatment will be in 3 weeks (January 3rd) so we’ll update again then. In the meantime, we wish you all a beautiful holiday.❤️

11-22-19

An update to share that Mom had her second chemotherapy/immunotherapy infusion today. She learned alot from the last infusion on the importance of staying on top of the medication (especially the anti-nausea medication) so is hopeful this round won’t effect her as badly as the last round did.

She’s wishing all of of you a Happy Thanksgiving!

11-2-19

Just a quick update to let you know that Mom’s first chemo/immunotherapy infusion went well yesterday. She’ll be receiving these every three weeks. They will rescan and reevalute after her 4th treatment (in January).

Isabel and I are with her now...and will be spending more and more time in her guest rooms: wanting to make sure we’re here if she needs us...and because of the clarity of how precious time is.

She’s in as good a spirits as anyone could be under these circumstances and so appreciates the love and support coming her way.

~~~

As you can see from this photo I took just a few days ago, she looks GREAT! One thing I’m wanting to do during this time is to work on a photo project of her life with her...so we can reflect and enjoy it as we make it. If any of you have special photos with her (and I know you do!), I’d love for you to send me copies so we can include them in this project. You can email or scan them to me at: keiza@comcast.net or you can mail them to mom’s and I will scan them and send them back to you. Thanks in advance for being part of this special project.

And here’s to many more photo opportunites to come...
❤️

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). ❤️