NOTE: I had to edit this, because originally I listed all the tumor sizes in millimeters, which (sadly) is incorrect. Sherri confirmed that the measurements listed below should be in centimeters. :-(
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Today was the big meeting with our Doctor regarding their findings from the CT and MRI. Dr. Olsen said there is some good news; she never specifically said "the bad news is…" but you could figure that out on your own.
There are 4 large tumors that they were paying a lot of attention to. I was shocked at how large they are. The first one they showed us was 13 cm. OK, I can deal with that, especially since it is now down to 11 cm. The next one was 22 cm, down to 17 cm. There are two behind her heart and one was 36 cm, down to 31 cm. and the other was 35 cm, but had no change. So, the good news is that the chemo has shrunk the tumors in her lungs. This is great news in the long run, since this is the area that is the most life-threatening.
Natalee has some remaining tumors from her surgery that are in her pelvic and stomach area. They have actually grown a little. The Doctor felt it is probably because after the tumor was removed, the existing tumors got the information that there was now "room to grow." Since her tumor was large (the size of a football), it was only the outside that was actively growing. Additionally, in the area where the tumor was pushing on her spine we found out that it had invaded the bone and she does have a small amount of cancer in the bone.
Though some of this information is concerning, it is still hopeful knowing that the drug is being effective, especially in her lungs. One of the things the Doctor impressed upon us is that the Sunitinib (the drug) may not get rid of the cancer entirely, but in time it will be able to be maintained.
So with a little bit of a broken heart, we still know that there is good news, and that is what is important. I do have faith that Natalee will be cured completely of this cancer, it just will not be on my time. I do know that God has all power over every element, He created all things, even our bodies. Whether it is through God's hand personally, or Him divinely inspiring the Doctors and research teams, in time we will see the cure. There will be an end to all this.
We have had the most beautiful 1 ½ weeks. Natalee has been able to walk and eat, laugh and enjoy her friends and family, and to me that has been priceless. She will be starting her next round of chemo this Thursday. I am amazed at her strength and her constant willingness to endure what she has to endure. Nat never complains, she is truly a mighty angel.
Prayer requests:
1. That the chemo will affect the tumors in her stomach and pelvic area.
2. That the chemo will continue to shrink the tumors in her lungs.
3. That there will not be any cancer in her bones
4. That Natalee will be able to endure this round of her chemo.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Day 64
Exciting news, Natalee has gained 3 lbs., and is off her chemo for a two week break!!! I noticed a big difference in her after one day on the NG tube. Before she wasn't able to pull herself up, I was doing all the work, so it was really exciting for her to have the strength to do it on her own. I know she is feeling better because when we went to Target she was chasing me around in her Wheel Chair.
She has been able to walk a little and hopefully by next Tuesday's visit there will be some major improvements. The Doctors felt that much of her decline was due to her weight loss, as it compounded her illness. To help others understand, chemo makes the cells change, which in turn alters the taste buds. So for her, sweet things are too sweet, and other things are too salty, spicy foods burn and the rest of the foods are bland. Who would ever think a kid would not like Ice Cream? Nothing tastes good except Orange Chicken & Chow Mien from Panda Express. It doesn't make sense but I am glad she likes something.
On Thursday (today) Nat goes into the hospital; she will have an MRI, followed by a CT scan, X-rays and finally an EKG. They will put her out for the first two (the MRI last 1 1/2 hours so I am glad she will be asleep). We will be at the hospital from 11:30 and the last appointment is at 3:45 pm.
Next week our Church is having girls camp, the plan is for her to go see the doctors on Tuesday, where they will give us updates on what they saw in the films, and if the tumors are shrinking. They will take out the NG tube (temporarily) so that she can go up to camp for the last three days. We are so excited for her to have a little bit of a normal life. After she gets back from camp she will go in and they will put the NG tube back down her nose. The Doctors want her to have the nutritional supplement for several months.
Natalee's talk is nasal so I have fun with misinterpretations...we do have a lot of laughs!
Thank you for all your prayers and support.
She has been able to walk a little and hopefully by next Tuesday's visit there will be some major improvements. The Doctors felt that much of her decline was due to her weight loss, as it compounded her illness. To help others understand, chemo makes the cells change, which in turn alters the taste buds. So for her, sweet things are too sweet, and other things are too salty, spicy foods burn and the rest of the foods are bland. Who would ever think a kid would not like Ice Cream? Nothing tastes good except Orange Chicken & Chow Mien from Panda Express. It doesn't make sense but I am glad she likes something.
On Thursday (today) Nat goes into the hospital; she will have an MRI, followed by a CT scan, X-rays and finally an EKG. They will put her out for the first two (the MRI last 1 1/2 hours so I am glad she will be asleep). We will be at the hospital from 11:30 and the last appointment is at 3:45 pm.
Next week our Church is having girls camp, the plan is for her to go see the doctors on Tuesday, where they will give us updates on what they saw in the films, and if the tumors are shrinking. They will take out the NG tube (temporarily) so that she can go up to camp for the last three days. We are so excited for her to have a little bit of a normal life. After she gets back from camp she will go in and they will put the NG tube back down her nose. The Doctors want her to have the nutritional supplement for several months.
Natalee's talk is nasal so I have fun with misinterpretations...we do have a lot of laughs!
Thank you for all your prayers and support.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Day 56
A note from Sherri:
Natalee had a bad weekend and couldn't get out of bed for 3 days. I just get so excited when she does good and I really don't like to share the bad side of things. We went to the doctor [on Tuesday] and she lost another 2 lbs. They felt it was important that she gets in-home care so they put a tube down her nose and the in-home service will come in and give her supplements (liquid food). She really is just skin and bones and pretty much lives in her bed. She hates the tube so when they told her that they had to do this she just cried, that was one of the most horrific things she remembers in the hospital. It was hard to see them try to get the tube down to her stomach, but the tube is small so she can eat food even though the tube is there. They want it to be in there for several weeks.
Yesterday we were at the hospital from 11:00 till 5:00 pm so please let everyone know that I really appreciate the meals. I was so emotionally worn out that it was nice to come home and not worry about getting a meal together.
On the positive note, my kids came up for the 4th so every one was here plus my sister and several of her family members, so we ended up having 18 people for the holiday. It was a bitter/sweet weekend, but I wouldn't change it.
Natalee had a bad weekend and couldn't get out of bed for 3 days. I just get so excited when she does good and I really don't like to share the bad side of things. We went to the doctor [on Tuesday] and she lost another 2 lbs. They felt it was important that she gets in-home care so they put a tube down her nose and the in-home service will come in and give her supplements (liquid food). She really is just skin and bones and pretty much lives in her bed. She hates the tube so when they told her that they had to do this she just cried, that was one of the most horrific things she remembers in the hospital. It was hard to see them try to get the tube down to her stomach, but the tube is small so she can eat food even though the tube is there. They want it to be in there for several weeks.
Yesterday we were at the hospital from 11:00 till 5:00 pm so please let everyone know that I really appreciate the meals. I was so emotionally worn out that it was nice to come home and not worry about getting a meal together.
On the positive note, my kids came up for the 4th so every one was here plus my sister and several of her family members, so we ended up having 18 people for the holiday. It was a bitter/sweet weekend, but I wouldn't change it.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Day 53
Natalee had a good week. No major side effects or complications. She is very tired and doesn't walk much so the Doctor asked her to do 6 laps in the back yard or about 3 laps of a basketball court.
Dr. Olsen was very pleased that she her side effects are minimal and so are we! The blood test results are positive as her white blood and red blood counts are normal; her immune count was good. The best results were her LDH is 503; last week it was 600, so this is how they know that the chemo is working on her tumors. YAY! Life is beautiful!
Dr. Olsen was very pleased that she her side effects are minimal and so are we! The blood test results are positive as her white blood and red blood counts are normal; her immune count was good. The best results were her LDH is 503; last week it was 600, so this is how they know that the chemo is working on her tumors. YAY! Life is beautiful!
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