Treatments & Side Effects

Hi all,

Not sure how many of you have been coming back here looking for an update. Sorry for the lage in adding new info how Mom is doing.  My last update explained that following Tara's wedding Mom would start a new treatment regimen at the beginning of May.  This was not an easy decision as this treatment would add more side effects on top of the ones she's already dealing with (tiredness, hair loss/thinning, lack of energy, etc). This treatment was the start of an almost all new chemotherapy treatment mixture (with the exception of one drug). She is now going to chemotherapy every week with one week being about 5-6 hour process and the second week being about 3-4 hours.

She has had one scan / check on her progress at the end of July, and what we hoped and prayed was delivered. The new treatment made a pretty dramatic change to the size and tumors - almost of of the tumors were reduced in size and there were fewer tumors. Her spleen still is enlarged which is concerning, but the doctors explain that with the liver pushing on the spleen this is to be expected.

SIDE EFFECTS:
So this is the part that is not fun and makes for long days and weeks. With Mom's last treatment, she could predict how she was going to feel when. She knew when the good days and bad days would come. This treatment seems to be unpredictable and she can have a good week or day but those seem to be sporadic at least lately far and few between.  This new treatment added - continued hair loss/thinning, dry/itchy skin and some redness on her arms, face, and legs has resulted (but comes & goes), and diarrhea. However, she is pushing through the best that she can and I am almost certain not really telling us how bad it is. But, I know my Mom is strong and if anyone can handle all of this to fight this disease, it's her.

With all of the prayers and support, I'm asking for more.  Keep sending all that you have! And, next time you see her, be sure to tell her how strong she is :). She could probably use a few encouraging words & a laugh.

Long Overdue Thank You Note from Tim & Sharon

Hi there -
Sorry for the over-due time to post this Thank You note from Mom & Tim on the blog. A version of this was posted in the newspaper and in the church bulletin, but I forgot to post this here. Next post will be an update on how Mom's doing.

Words cannot express the gratitude that Tim & I feel after the outpouring of support we received for at the benefit. Thank you to the hundreds of people that donated items, attended the event, bid on items, bought raffle tickets, sent cards, gave money, helped organize and work the event. It’s amazing all of the people giving their valuable time and money to help us. The overwhelming support I feel cannot be matched – I feel so blessed to have so many people in our lives that care enough to show this much support. The event and outpouring of support was just what I need to continue with chemotherapy treatment and fight this disease. You all have done so much; I can’t explain how thankful and grateful we are for everything you have done to help in so many ways!
Thank you, Sharon (& Tim)

Thank You & Update from Latest Scan

First of all, thank you so much for everyone that came out to the benefit for Mom.  It was truly amazing to see so many people that attended. I was more than overwhelmed and it's not even me :)!  Mom & Tim were speechless after so many of you came to give your time, talents, money, and overall encouragement. It's amazing this community what it can do when people are in need! Finally, words can't explain the gratitude we all feel after such a successful event. A more in-depth thank you will be coming from Sharon & Tim in the next few days!

This past Monday, Mom receive the results from her latest scan. Unfortunately, the cancer has began to outsmart the current treatment.  Some of the tumors grew and some of them did decrease in size. This means that her treatment is keeping some of the cancer in check, but these results are a strong indication that it is time to change her treatment plan again.  This change will be almost completely new to her.  Although this is not what we had prayed for, the doctors ensure us that a more drastic change in the treatment will work (and hopefully for much longer than this last slight adjustment in her chemo-mixture).

For the next 2 treatments, Mom will continue w/ the current regimen and will make the change to the new treatment following Tara's wedding. Unfortunately, the major side effect from this new drug causes acne-like symptoms or a red rash that can occur on your face, neck, or shoulders.  Keeping Mom's quality of life as pleasant as possible so important for her spirits and will to keep fighting.

Please keep her in your prayers!

Arby's & Dairy Queen Benefit Nights

First of all, a huge thank you to all of Mom's friends that have organized these upcoming events to help Mom and Tim.  The funds raised will help defray some of the medical costs from the past and what is yet to come. Here are a few opportunities to eat out a few nights at Arby's & Dairy Queen!

Super Sueper Benefit at the Platte Center Auditorium is planned for MARCH 26th!

A free will donation dinner will be served from 4 pm – 8 pm along with various auctions during the evening with the Grand Auction beginning at 7:30 pm.  A bake sale will also be offered during the benefit.  Items included in the various auctions are:  NE Volleyball and Football tickets, Creighton Baseball Tickets, Golf Weekends, Golf Balls, Shotgun, Pork with Processing, Quilts, Area Rugs, Nebraska Rug, Garage Door Opener, Vinyl Bench, Autographed NE Footballs, Diamond Gloss Paint Protection Package, Airplane Ride, Antique Toy Tractors, Husker Jackets, Caps and Gloves, Wheel Alignment, Gas Cards, Luggage, Tools, Wine Basket, Faberge' Jeweled Goose Egg, Lighted John Deere Picture, Lighted Anheuser Busch Collection Series Sign, Paintings, Garmin, Car Washes, along with many other items and gift certificates.  Music provided by “Maverick” following the grand auction.

Lastest Update!

We have good news again!  Mom's latest scan showed that the tumors have decreased in size.  It was a relief to hear that her new treatment has worked even better than the doctors predicted.

The side effects of this treatment is a little more grueling however.  In December and January she was really bloated and was retaining water (probably from the steroid they give her to help with some of off other side effects), but that seems to have subsided at least for now.  For that month +, he left her feeling really uncomfortable and then she didn't have an appetite and then when she did eat, it made her feel awful.  It's better now so it helps her.  Also, her hair has really started to thin which was a little bit of bummer. She got a wig and it looks awesome!  Even though, we all know this is just appearance and at least doesn't cause pain/discomfort, but can really just make the out-word appearance remind you even more of this disease. And, we all know Mom and her hair :)

The good news has kept Mom's spirits up and overall, she's pushing right through as it seems to us looking in from the outside.  Most of the time, we don't even know how bad she's really feeling as she hardly mentions anything.  I'm sure if you ask Tim, he may have a better insight, but if you ask Sharon.  She'll say, she's "fine".

There's plenty to keep Mom (and Tim) busy these next few months.  Tara's wedding is fast approaching.  Mom and Tim are helping out during the week after work watching Micah (which they LOVE!) It's great to hear Mom talk about taking care of Micah. She just says, "he's such a good baby, who wouldn't want to watch this little guy!" 

Update from surgery & December scan

Sorry for the delay in providing an update.  It was a long week and I just didn't know how/what to say. 

In mid-October, Mom had surgery for radio-frequency ablation. They removed most of the growing tumor on her liver, but were not able to remove it all due to the location being so close to her colon (they didn't want to damage her colon).  Early last week, she was back in for another scan to see the status of the tumors on her liver.

In the past months, we have been hoping & praying that the one tumor that had begun to grow was just an odd case and not an indication of the cancer starting to out smart the treatment plan. Unfortunately that was not the case and more of the tumors have grown.  A few spots on top portion of her liver and the rest of the tumor they attempted to remove also grew.  They also are seeing an indication of the cancer in 6 of the liver's lymphoids. On Monday (12/6), Mom's treatment plan was changed.  The chemotherapy treatment will add another drug into the current 5-FU that she has been getting for the past 21 months.  This new treatment brings a more aggressive course of action which also comes with more side effects.

Mom had a tough week overall, physically & emotionally.  Please keep her & Tim in your prayers as she adjusts to the new treatment.  We pray this slight change in her treatment gets the tumors back under control and the side effects of this new drug are minimal.

Some more ... My mom is awesome!

I just had this feeling of a robot posting the specifics on Mom's blog on next steps and immediately realized how awesome my Mom is.  She is step-by-step so focused on beating this disease, I wonder how she stays so strong. She must be scared, I am.  She just pushes right through ... not once complaining of the colonoscopy she had yesterday (wow, that is fun right). Keeps going, planning the next weekend ... lives each day and doesn't stop, ever.  I was talking to her yesterday (she was resting, I know ... shocking) and she just says I need to get up and do something or make something, she laughs slightly. But, she's serious.  I think I'd take every opportunity to just watch a movie on the couch.  But not my MOM, she doesn't stop.  No matter what.  Keep those prayers coming! Read below for the details!