6/26/20

Finally an update: Mom had a CT scan on Monday and went in for the results today.

She was scheduled to see the doctor and have an infusion today but the doctor said the scan showed the current course of treatment was not working. He cancelled the infusion and is ordering a molecular study of the mass in her lung. She is being referred to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance for a second opinion and to see if she qualifies for clinical trials. She is enthused about this plan.

The good news is that he approved Mom's plan of renting an RV and driving down the coast with Eric for two weeks. They'll leave two weeks from today. This is a trip that has been important to them both so it's a huge spirit lifter to be able to make it a reality!

We've been enjoying Mom's beautiful deck and had this surprise visitor recently!

5-21-20

A quick update to let you know that Mom’s procedure went smoothly today. Her voice is already showing signs of improvement but it will take a few days for things to settle to see how big the improvement will be. The procedure sounded very uncomfortable but she said it was doable. They are hopeful that it improves her ability to talk with more ease for several months at which point she’d have to go in and do it again. 

It’s exciting to hear strains of her regular voice already!

She’s resting now. It was a big morning.
❤️

The beautiful “Golden Chain” trees in Mom’s yard are in full bloom this week. 

Nice to be able to fully appreciate the lush park she has created over the years during this quiet time.

5-15-20

Time for an update.

Yesterday, Mom finished her first six week cycle of immunotherapy and began her second cycle. She’d been feeling discouraged due to increased coughing, plus back, chest, and bone pain but the doctor said her lab tests looked good and this is the time when she can expect to feel the benefits of the immunotherapy. Hope makes all the difference!

Next week, she will have a Covid-19 test in preparation for a throat procedure (5/21) that we’re hoping will allow her to talk again with more ease.

Zack is still able to be with us, at least through the month of May, which is a giant gift.

Mom has really pushed herself to be there for me during these last two months—-and especially since I broke my arm. How crazy since I so want to be there for HER! She has gotten up every day to help me: eat, shower, and be as comfortable as I can be. It really shows her inner strength—and what a strong Mama Bear I have for a Mom. We’re all managing to find things to laugh about in each day, even as we shake our heads in wonder to find ourselves riding out such an intense time.

For anyone interested, I have started my own blog for updates (https://www.unexpecteddetours.net/) and I’ll continue to post here for updates on Mom.

Till next week...continued good health to All.

Getting out for walks is helpful. Rosie & Leo love the creek just across the street!

4-19-20

An update to let you know that Mom is holding steady. She had her immunotherapy infusion on Thursday (4/16) and she will continue that every 2 weeks for the foreseeable future. She’s doing very well with it, much better than the chemotherapy. The nurse told me that she looked really good and at home she has her tough days and her good days. Her cough is hard to hear, let alone how that must feel for her but she continues with her inspiring attitude of acceptance, pragmatism, and hopefulness.
~~~~~
As many of you have already heard, I’ve had to follow in her footsteps in ways that neither of us every dreamed would be possible. These last few weeks have been a blur. I just shared a post on FB about it and it will be simplest for me to just share that here to let you know what’s happening:

“In October, in the midst of the beautiful trip Han & I took around the NW, we were simultaneously finding out that my mom had been diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer. In the midst of so much beauty...we were feeling such extreme mixtures of emotions. Supporting her during this difficult time became the top priority.

At that point, we made the decision that I would move in with her...to help out and to enjoy our precious time together. After one more trip to Holland in January, I came home and got busy doing that. In the midst of this, I decided to go to the doctor to have him look at what I thought was a “frozen shoulder” that I’d had for months. He sent me for an MRI.  One test led to another and, incomprehensibly, I have been diagnosed with Diffused Large Cell Lymphoma (a type of blood cancer). It is hopeful that it is completely curable. And for sure, it is completely scary!

This has all happened very fast. Last week I had a port put in and I start chemo on Friday. To have this all happen at once, in the midst of this pandemic has felt nothing short of surreal. My mom, Zack, and I were all supposed to be in Holland right now for a really special Spring trip. It is so difficult to put our minds around being slammed by these crazy waves we didn’t see coming.

In some ways this feels like the worst possible timing. In other ways, there are some silver linings to it, the biggest being that we’re here together and Zack is able to be here with us, too. As timing would have it, he’s between lives (moving from Billings to San Francisco) but on leave until the “shelter in place” policy is lifted. It’s hard to imagine what we would do without his help right now, when friends and family can’t come over as they would any other time.

I’m also grateful for all the inner tools I’ve been cultivating over these last years. I heard a talk recently, that in times of crisis you get to see if your house is built on sand or a solid foundation. I’ve worked deligently in these last years to build that solid foundation and although I’m scared and overwhelmed....I can feel it there and trust that it will hold me steady. The biggest comfort is my total trust in the old Pema quote, I’ve shared here before, “You are the sky. Everything else-it’s just the weather.” After stormy skies....the sun always follows. It is nature’s way and I have total faith in that."

~~~~~~~

So, I had my first chemotherapy infusion on Friday. I had the same nurse who treated Mom the day before. She was right in saying that this is one experience no mother and daughter want to share. I feel such heartache for the extra stress it is putting on Mom...and also my empathy for all she has gone through has increased so much by having to experience all the assaults on my body (and mind) that she has had to endure these last months. It is alot to take in. 

~~~~~~~~~

I know this is a crazy time for everybody reading this. Wishing for each of you to stay safe and healthy. I can’t wait until we’re all on the other side of this surreal time. We will have so much celebrating to do!

❤️
Kelly

3-26-20

Boy, how quickly our world has turned upside down.

In the midst of this, Mom had progress scans done this week and met with her oncologist today.

She found out that while there are no new spots (which is great news), the growth in her lung has grown some, so the doctor is switching her to a new formula of immunotherapy. She’ll be going in every two weeks, rather than every three weeks.

We were supposed to leave Monday for our big trip to Holland and it is beyond disappointing that we’re having to postpone it-for now. We’ll be rebooking as soon as we possibly can.

We know this is a difficult time for all.

Stay healthy and safe...and know we are sending our love to each of you.
❤️

The  daffodil fields in Skagit Valley will have to do until we return to Holland.

2-16-20

On Valentine’s Day (Isabel’s 16th Birthday!), Mom went in for another immunotherapy treatment. She also had a “Zometa” infusion (for strengthening her bones). 

In the last 3 weeks since she stopped the chemotherapy, she has had more energy. At the same time she has had an increase in back pain, which is disconcerting.

On a bright note, the two of us will be flying to Billings to visit Zack this week. It’s our last chance before he moves to San Francisco this Spring and a good test flight for the longer one we plan on taking to Holland next month.

“You can’t stop the waves, 

but you can learn how to surf”.

-Jon Kabat-Zinn

One of my favorite photos of Isabel & Mom❤️

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!)