Today has been another day of highs and lows. Mom was feeling much better so Haidyn and I went over to see her. As she was giving Haidyn a bottle the research nurse called from the West Clinic. Mom has been qualified for the clinical trial drug research however she was randomized into Group A which is the chemo drug we were hoping she would not be taking. She will be taking the Paclitaxel and carboplatin once every 3 weeks plus centuximab weekly. All three chemo possiblities have essentially the potential for the same side effects however group B and group C drugs seem to react more gently with the patient.
This news was bitter sweet to say the least. We feel so fortunate that mom qualified to recieve such a good drug with additional screening but are fearful of the side effects for mom. There is an increased chance of hair loss, nausea, bones or body aches and fatigue. Mom wants so badly to feel better, not worse. Since she starts her chemo on Fridays the main effects would happen within the first 72 hours of administration of the drugs. If she can tolerate that, then there is a good chance she will stay on the trial with the drugs. At any time she does have the option to withdraw but that will mean giving up the Erbitux and the additional screening. My mom is so tough, please pray for her strength and endurance to fight this cancer as aggressively as possible with these drugs. If this is not the answer there are other drugs but we are praying that this will be the answer.
Mom is not afraid of the hair loss rather she is concerned about the fatigue, nausea and aches. Her doctor wanted to stay away from this drug because of the holidays as well but we already knew our holidays this year would be different from any other. I am begging you all to please pray for her strength and for Ken's strength to help her through those tough days. Luckily she will only have to have the treatment once every 3 weeks so she will have 2.5 weeks of good days, then 3-5 tough days and it starts all over again.
It was good to be around our church family tonight. To receive so many hugs on behalf of my mom and to have so many ask how she is doing felt so encouraging. Many thanked me for the blog- THANK YOU FOR CARING, FOLLOWING, COMMENTING and PRAYING WITHOUT CEASING. This is the smallest thing I could do for my mom and Ken and it is a blessing to keep everyone up to date so the prayers are specific. Not that any of us believe God needs to know, but it is a powerful feeling to pray specifically and feel like he answers specifically. Our God is an awesome God. I am trying so hard to understand his plan for my mom and our family right now but I have put my faith in him and trust that he will hold us in his hands and give us peace. Tonight Kelly shared his story with me which gave me peace. Even though the circumstances with his parents weren't any more ideal than what our family is dealing with, he is able to see the strength and closeness his family gained from their experience. Thank you for reminding me of the ways God will use our family as we fight as a famiy for my mom's health to be restored.
Again, I say it in every blog but THANK YOU! I am truly amazed at the response this blog has generated. For those that have sent me personal messages to encourage me- I needed it! This is not always easy but is a minimal sacrifice for the benefits to mom and Ken. They are two of my heros and I love that they are finally finding strength in something I am doing instead of me feeling like I am leaning on them to have strength. Please continue to pray for my mom as she prepares to start treatment Friday morning, the doctors and nurses that are overseeing her care, Ken and his strength to support mom and to praise God for all the ways he has and continues to bless us all. God is always good!
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Hi Emily,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Karen and I attend SV. I've been praying for your mother since last Wednesday when I heard about her diagnosis. Thank you for keeping up this blog! I admire your faith and your determination. I will keep ALL of you in my prayers and will be helping with food preparation, so I may meet you face to face very soon. I just wanted you to know that I'm one of Joan's prayer warriors and I too believe in the power of God and in prayer.
Much Love,
Karen S.
Thank you again Emily for such a informative post.
ReplyDeleteWest Clinic will be gentle with her body and spirits. Tell Ken they have wonderful volunteers to assist with anything to make their stay peaceful. Most of them are cancer survivors who give of themselves to others since this kindness was offered to them. The very best place your sweet mom can be. Everyone is praying. God bless you all.
Emily, your updates help us specifically focus our prayers. May our prayers always embrace the belief that God's Will shall be done,that He has
ReplyDeletea plan for each of us. May your faith be strenthened in this time of trial and know this.. God loves your mom and is with her.
Em, your mom was the first person in my mind when I awoke this morning, and I said an immediate prayer for Friday's "beginning of the party." God is faithful and will bring all of you through her treatment in His arms. Everyone reacts differently to different chemos, but I wanted to give Joan a bit of encouragement. I don't remember which "cocktail" Daddy was on with his lung cancer chemo, but we were all AMAZED at how well he tolerated it, especially considering he was 75 at the time. He and my stepmother had their wedding in the middle of it and even went on a cruise toward the end. (Granted, his new son-in-law was a doctor, and that part of the family went with them, but still!) Undoubtedly there will be some rough days in there somewhere, but wave after wave of prayers from all the warriors will sweep her through. Love and hugs, Patti
ReplyDeleteEmily,
ReplyDeleteThanks you so much for sharing this journey with us. You are strength and encouragement for your mom and us. Please know that you and your whole family are covered with a cloak of prayers from saints all over God's Kingdom. Please tell your mom and Ken I love them and I am praying without ceasing on their behalf. God is Good.
Okay, Friday morning we all begin this journey with Joan and Ken and the family. My prayer is for the meds to quietly work effectively to do immeasurably more than they have done for any other patient before. Tell Joan when her phone rings just a half ring, that will be me telling her that I care, with I could be there and that I am thinking and praying for her. Like a tiny little bell ringing, God's mercy to be on her is my prayer.
ReplyDeleteI have been praying for Joan, Ken, and all the family since the day I heard the news. I have thought many times "Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10 While it is so hard to be "still" when you are restless, God can give you the peace you all need now. Sometimes we don't understand it, but we believe simply because He said for us to believe. As you well know, he is our refuge and our strength. Joan, you are so very strong.....you have God, you have a wonderful family and your Christian family. He is awesome!
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