Three rounds down- it is working!

 Huge, HUGE, amazing praise to start off this blog post. My CT scan revealed marked improvement to the size of the tumors. This means praise God & it all has been working!

The last month has been full of work, Quickball, Mother's Day celebrations, finishing cancer care bags with Emma, Wil running, and dedicating Parker at church. 

Dario Dinner and treats

Emma and I have worked on these chemo care kits for the last several months. I was able to drop off the "old people" kits a few weeks ago and Emma brought the kids' bags to Brenners this past week. My nurse navigator- Robin- was able to pass them out and the chemo room held on to a few to continue handing out. Emma also made us matching shirts which are just amaing! 

The "old people" bags delivery!

Parker got the stomach but during my Week 2 of this last cycle. Poor thing was pitiful. Thankfully, the rest of the house didn't get it. Parker did have to get COVID tested again but it was negative. We were still having to push fluids to prevent her from getting dehyrdated, so Wil stayed at home with her for my Week 3 infusion. I had my wonderful friend, Ann Batista, who was able to join me! I was able to debut the pillow that we made when we didn't think Wil would be able to come to chemo with me. The nurses got a huge kick out of it! Ann was the one who introduced me to these embroidery kits. I've finshed a few of them already. 

I am so very proud of Wil and his running. We both started running during quarantine last year and he has kept up with it! Wil and his sister, Holly, both ran a 1/2 marathon a few weekends ago at Lake Norman. What you can't see in the picture is that my sister-in-law ran with an old school Walkman... Bless her heart

Mother's day was amazing. The kids (with Wil's help) gave me a wonderful book that features them and their Superhero Mommy. Wil's inscription in it made me cry talking about how I am a true super hero fighting cancer, working, being a mom and wife. 

Grandma opening her Mother's Day present

Ooma opening her presents

My parents were able to come to our house to watch Wilson's Quickball practice and Parker's dedication at church on Sunday. Parker was so excited to see her Pop Pop that she started running as soon as she saw him. Wilson was invited to a special practice for Quickball. 

Parker's dedication was orginally scheduled November 2019 but had to be postponed because I was still recovering from my last cancer operation. We rescheduled it for Mother's Day 2020 and that was cancelled because of COVID. So third time was a charm! We scheduled it during my Week 4 which is the week I don't have chemo so I would be feeling my best. I actually felt up to doing a walk/job interval twice that week. I haven't done that or felt up to that since I started chemo. 

 I put the link here if you want to see it. It is after Ms. Marie does the kids' lesson and at the start of the service. Both kids did a great job!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7JzbAquHbA&t=167s

Parking playing with Pop Pop at Wilson's Quickball practice

Sweet prayers for our family

Everyone laughing when Parker clapped at the end of "Jesus loves me" song

We met with Dr. Skinner on 5/17/21 for the results of the CT scan, labs, and treatment. Praise the Lord that it showed that this chemo regimen is working! Tumors are shrinking! The plan is to keep on the same regimen for another 3 months/3 cycles and do another CT scan. Then we will reassess to see if more chemo will be needed. My hemoglobin is continuing to drop and is at 9.6 now (should be between 12-14 optimally). This can explain some of my shortness of breath and fatigue. Even with that, I was able to go on a walk the afternoon after chemo and a job/walk on Tuesday!

Celebratory shaved iced at Cindy's

Prayer Requests:

1. For our friends the Hemphills during their treatment process for Emma's cancer. 

2. Prayers that the chemo care kits are used to show God's love and ours to those battling cancer. 

3. HUGE praise that my chemo is working. 

4. Pray for side effects to continue to be manageable. Mainly fatigue, nose bleeds, and low hemoglobin. 

Two Rounds and two months down

The last month has been a whirlwind of activity. We were able to celebrate Easter and Jesus' ressurection together as a family. Wil used the drone to take a family photo and we figured out that Parker is scared of it! We all had fun hunting for Easter eggs in the yard enjoying the beautiful weather. 

  

Wilson has started his Quickball games and is loving it. Wil is able to be out on the field to help the team out. They both love it and are having a blast!

During my 4th week of my chemo cycle, I have off and tend to feel pretty well since I don't have poison running through my system. Wil and I were abe to get away for a few days to Wrightsville beach to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary.

My buddy Emma and I are making Chemo Care Kits to pass out for peds and "old people" (as Emma calls me). The bags contain things that we find useful to have or use during chemo. We were able to make almost 50 bags for kids and adults through donations from friends and family. Just waiting on a HUGE donation from Headbands for Hope before they are completed. 

Update on treatments now: 

My cancer markers are moving in the right direction. I will be having a CT scan on week 4 of this cycle to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. I had a pretty tough time with severe heart burn/GERD episode after week 3 chemo last time and the nosebleeds are still coming but are more of an annoyance than severe. 

Prayer Requests:

1. Praise for cancer markers decreasing. 

2. Pray for the CT scan to show that my current chemo treatments are working and the tumors are shrinking. 

3. Pray for no more episodes of heart burn/GERD.

4. For my friend Emma Hemphill also continues to battle cancer. 

Finishing Round 1, with a few less hairs

We are currently in the 4th of 4 weeks of the first cycle of chemo. I'm feeling pretty good this week since I don't get any chemo on the 4th week of the cycle. 

Surprisingly, I have felt better overall with IV chemo than the TERRIBLE oral chemo I was on before. I feel yucky for Monday-Wednesday on chemo weeks and feeling better by Thursday or Friday.

My cancer markers are moving in the right direction. My exam on Monday was good. The plan is to get a CT scan after the third round to fully assess the progress. Dr. Skinner did say we are starting with 6 rounds but it could be more depending on the effectiveness of the chemo.

Starting last Friday, I noticed that my hair was starting to fall out. It was increasing rapidly by Sunday. Wil and I decided on Sunday that it was time to shave the heads ! 

Wil was the first up so Wilson could see him get it buzzed. Wil had an amazing idea to do mine and Wilson's at the same time. Right down the middle! Midway during my cut, I looked like Rufio from Hook. 

Tuesday, I was able to do a calligraphy project with Emma Hemphill. We had so much fun and I was able to give her some tips and tricks.  She did an amazing job! Then I was able to meet up with my friend, Ann for lunch and a walk in the park. 

Tuesday afternoon, my remaining hair was really bothering me. It would get hung up on the pillow and tug and pull. I could barely tug on it and I was still getting chunks out. I just wanted it out. So with Wil's help, buzzed it closer then shaved it. It felt so much better and made me stop picking at it. 

Thank you all for continued prayers and support. Below are specific prayer requests. 

1. Praise for cancer markers dropping and pray for continued good results. 

2. Pray for my blood pressure to come down (one of the side effects of one chemo- Avastin ) . 

3. Prayers for Wilson and Parker as we transitioned into me not having hair. 

4. Prayers for endurance for the months old treatment ahead of us. 

Round 1 of 6, week 1 of 4

 Monday was our first chemo. I got some funny looks and stares, but to be expected with this fun hair! Wil was able to come with me to my first chemo.

Teal diva gifted me this awesome infusion shirt. It unzips right at the port site, whether it is on the right side or left side. It kept me warm and was a great thing to have, plus it was the perfect color. Thanks again, Shannon!

The nurse that accessed my port actually use to live on our same street! She drew labs which we had to wait for the results before they could hang my pre-meds. Wil and I are no strangers to waiting. The updated chemo room had much more comfortable chairs for Wil.

Then, we got the go-ahead to start my pre-meds. This is when I get my iv Benadryl nap. To decrease the risk of having neuropathy (numbness) to my fingers, I put cold pack gloves on. They feel like boxing gloves. So I needed Wil to help adjust my headphones, blanket, etc. While I was sleeping, the nurses told him since I was using the cold gloves and needed more help, he was allowed to come to all my infusions! This is a huge praise!

I've been tired and a little nauseated, but not terrible. I did get the flushed face for a few days, probably from the steroids. The kids have been sweet and Wilson extra snuggly. 

I go back to work Friday & Saturday. Thank you for all of the prayers & support.

Crazy, fun, colorful hair

These last two weeks have been such a whirlwind.

 Wednesday morning, Wil and I had chemo teaching at the cancer center. The education nurse, Amy, did an amazing job along with the pharmacist student. I got these cold mitts to wear when the Taxol infuses. This helps to decrease my hands getting the chemo which can cause (and did in the past) neuropathy. Feels like a dulled sensation. 

That afternoon, Wil drove me to get my second COVID vaccine. It was a quick and easy process. I got the Pfizer one. Afterwards, had a sore arm, slight full headache, and swollen lymph nodes. 

Saturday, Wil and headed to see my wonderful and talented sister, Lauren, to get my hair done before chemo. I have been growing it out for almost two years to be able to donate it again. 

The first step was to get my hair prepped for donation. I felt like Coolio and we all took a turn cutting some off !

Then Lauren and I got to have some sister time during the coloring progress. She kept it a secret what the final look would be. And as always, she did a phenomenal job! 

Prayer requests:

1. Praise for healing process with port already with minimal discomfort. 

2. Huge praise for very little side effects from my second COVID vaccine and ability to get it before chemo starts. 

3. Pray for peace and comfort during chemo on Monday. We go in at 10:30 and Wil is able to come with me for my first infusion. 

4. Pray for minimal side effects after chemo. 

5. Pray for us to see glimpses of God's goodness in each step of this journey. 

Port-a-cath placement

 Yesterday, I went to Medical Park to get my port-a-cath placed. The port is a permanent IV access point in my chest. Since chemotherapy can cause tissue damage, it is safer for to have a port versus a peripheral IV. This allows me not to have to stay perfectly still while my infustions are running. 

Dr. Stuart placed my port yesterday. Wil was allowed to come with me since it was I was having a procedure. Dr. Stuart is the same doctor that did both of my bowel surgeries and is a family friend. We were in great hands there. 

Out from surgery, still groggy!

I'm sore but nothing bad, I haven't take to take anything more that Tylenol or Ibuprofen for the discomfort. It was an outpatient so we were home by 3:30 pm. I couldn't eat or drink after midnight so I was hungry, thirsty, and needed caffeine since I didn't get to have my morning coffee. 

My treatment plan is underway now. Thankfully, I get my second COVID vaccine today.  I am so greatful that I could have it done before chemo starts. My first chemo infusion will be next Monday (2/22/21). It will be 6 rounds of 4 weeks for Taxol and Avastin. I get the chemo week 1, 2, and 3. The 4th week, I don't have any chemo. If everything stays on track, I will be finished the end of July/beginning August. I am planning on just working 2 days a week during chemo. 

One of the chemos (Taxol) does make my hair fall out. This is the same drug that I had during both other rounds in 2012 and 2014. My younger sister, Lauren, is a cosmetologist and does amazing work. Wil and I are going to take a day trip this weekend to Cary to see her. That way she can cut and dye my hair before it falls out. Stay tuned for photos!

Wil and I are very blessed to have great health insurance! I know a lot of people have been asking what they can do to help us. I feel humble and overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support. 

My friend, Emma Hemphill, is still battling her cancer as well. It is tough going to through chemo but she does it with grace and leaning on God for strength far beyond her teenage years. If you would like to help, I have listed her GoFundMe page below. She still has a lot of treatments to go and donations would greatly help her parents and family. 

  https://gofund.me/0e4693f2

Thank you again for the prayers and I have listed more prayer requests below. 

1. Praise for easy recovery from my port-a-cath placement and no complications. 

2. Pray that I get minimal side effects from the COVID vaccine. 

3. Pray for peace and comfort for Wil and me as there are no visitors allowed in the chemo room. He has been at every treatment right by my side. He will is still planning on driving me to be as close as he is allowed. 

4. Pray that this new chemo is effective and shows regression of the disease at my next CT Scan. 

5. Continue to pray for our kids (especially Wilson) as we navigate how to explain cancer and chemo to him. 

Another fork in the road

 Thank you all for the outpouring of love, support, and mostly the prayers. 

We met with Dr. Skinner on Monday to go over the lab results and CT scan. What we have been praying is to see disease regression and for minimal side effects on the oral chemo. The praise is that my tongue has been slowly healing on the new mouthwash and is causing very little issues!

Unfortunately, there is a new area on the scan that has been growing. The way my cancer initially looks on the CT scan can be as normal abdominal tissue. Once it has been there longer, it becomes more apparant that it is cancer tissue instead of normal tissue. This the case for this new area in my omentum (the fat pad that protects your organs). My CA-125 (cancer marker) has been slowly increasing since the summer and did again this time as well. All of this points to the fact that it is time to move on to a new regimen. 

After much prayer, guidance from Dr. Skinner, and consideration, we decided to start IV chemotherapy. We were given options and will be starting Avastin (this prevents the cancer from making its own blood supply) and Taxol (which kills the cancer cells). I have had Taxol before and tolerated it and the Avastin will be a new therapy. I will have 6 rounds of 28 day cycle and will be getting a port-a-cath (permanent IV) placed. Then after the 6 rounds, I will (hopefully) stay on maintanence dosing of Avastin. 

We are still in the process of scheduling everything and are unsure of the timeline at this point. I will do my best to update the blog as much as possible, especially for specific prayer requests. 

Prayer Requests:

1. Praise that my tongue is healing. 

2. Praise that I will be able to get my 2nd COVID vaccine before starting chemo. 

3. Pray for guidance as we try to explain all of this to the kids, especially the visible aspect of me losing my hair. 

4. Pray for the effectiveness of this therapy. Pray for a miracle that this will rid my body of this cancer. Pray for minimal side effects and ability to be a wife, mom, and nurse during this time.