KathleenWreath.com

Hello Friends!

I have wonderful news to share!  I had a Dr. appointment today and found that my new Tumor Marker number is 5.4.  Under 5 is considered clear, but they really like it to be under 3 so that is what we hope for as a result of the next 3 remaining treatments.

I had a reduced infusion of my chemo today.  It only took 30 minutes and I am not on the pump this time around.  I made a decision (with my doctor’s blessing) that I didn’t want to have a full treatment at this time.  Several factors influenced my decision.

First, Frank is in Boston on business and my parents are on the last week of their vacation.  This mean’t that my entire family support system was gone and I would be home alone.  If I got sick or anything, there would be nobody here to help me.  Now I know….I have had friends coming out of the wood work to look out for me while I’ve been by myself.  It’s been really amazing having people who choose to love me so much.  I say it’s a choice, because it’s not like we’re related and they’re stuck with me.  They love me because they do, And I am so lucky to have these people in my life.  When I say I was alone, I didn’t have to be.  I just felt this way was best.

Another thing that influenced my decision is that Frank and I are leaving on vacation this Thursday and I didn’t want any of the after-effects from chemo to take away from our good time.  My Oncologist is a big believer that quality of life has to be very heavily considered in treatment, so he completely understood.

As it turns out, I had to have one of my drugs called Avastin, withheld one week because of platelet  (can never remember how to spell it) issues.  This drug has no real side effects and is the one that chokes the blood supply to tumors which is what basically they feed on.  So, I opted to have that treatment today.  I get the benefit of no symptoms, but don’t go entirely without kicking some cancer cell booty at the same time.

This past Sunday (yesterday) our pastor spoke on subject matter that really hit home to me.  He talked about detours.  Those times in our life when due to whatever reason,  our plans get shifted into a different direction.  He spoke about the fact that as a pastor of a very large church, he has personally witnessed the detours of many in his congregation…he also shared some of his own.

He spoke about the fact that in these times people seem to go into one of two camps.  First are those who’s lives just seem to spiral downward.  God becomes distant from them, as in many times these people tend to blame God.  Then he spoke of the other camp. Those people who show great resiliency. In this camp people tend to lean on God and become even closer to him.  He also spoke about the fact that in many ways, parts of their lives become better because of that challenge.

I try each day to be in the 2nd camp.  I want people to see strength and hope in my life..not because I am so great, but because what strength and hope I have is entirely God-given.  I know for a fact that resiliency would be impossible for me if I didn’t have God to lean on.  One who encourages me to surrender my troubles and fears in their entirety. 

I am so blessed.  Parts of my life are (as oddly as it can seem) better since my cancer diagnosis.  I wouldn’t wish to have it for these reasons, but I have come to find that cancer is a result of an imperfect world…a world in fact in chaos.  God has created purpose and meaning where there would otherwise be none.  God didn’t give me cancer, but He uses it in a meaningful way.

I hope this finds you well and you can draw something from my little ramblings.

Love and blessings to each of you!

Kathleen

So, I was disconnected from chemo 7/31 on Friday 7/9.  I have to say this was the most symptom-free expereience thus far.  I had a tremendous weekend starting with a Friday night Rays game with friends, a day spent watching the Tall Ships at Harbor Island on Saturday, a wonderful church service on Sunday morning, followed by a great brunch and afternoon swim with friends.  It was just one of those weekends that was totally relaxing and fun!

I had a follow-up visit with my Oncologist this afternoon.  The news was once again great.  My tumor marker number is now down to 8.3 (10.1 was the previous so you can update your score cards).  My Doctor listened to my lungs and my account of my weekend and he said, that I sounded and looked great!  I said I am.  I am a normal healthy person with a few crappy cells.  He says, I think you’re right and you’re gonna be just fine.  We all know there are no guarantees in this world, but I do feel fantastic and the test results are all going my way.  Whatever the future holds, I’m in God’s hands and in His plan and He has so richly blessed Frank and I.

I hope this finds each of you well.

Until my next post,

Love and God Bless…

Kathleen

Hello All,

I hope all you Fathers had a great Father’s Day yesterday.  Days like this (and many more) give me a chance to reflect on how much I have relied on my Parents both (since I didn’t post this on Mother’s Day too).  I have been so blessed to be so loved and so well taken care of growing up and even today.  Growing up I thought this was the norm, but over the years I have come to find how blessed I have been.  Thank God for parents who show an earthly example of God’s unconditional love for us.

So…I had a PET Scan last Monday, and today I recieved the results.  The 3 pelvic tumors have shrunk in size and minimized in activity.  No new areas of concern. Following that meeting which was with my surgeon, I went to meet with my Oncologist.  More good news…the Tumor Marker levels have dropped from 11.9 to 10.1.  So, everything is progressing along in the right direction.

My chemo which is normally on Mondays, due to appointments was scheduled to be on Tuesday of this week.  Again though, the Platlets (sp??) are still a little low, so we will hold off till Wednesday again and see if we can do somthing on that day.

So as far as praying…

1. Thanks for the good test results.  They are always a bit stressful to wait for even when you have good indicators that things are going well.
2. That my levels will be good to recieve chemo on Wednesday and that I can stay on schedule.
3. That my chemo continues to be well tolerated and that it continues to be effective.
4. That Frank and I will always be witnesses in the midst of all we do and all we experience.

Thank you all and blessings to you.

Kathleen

Wow….I looked at the date as I made this post and realized that as of yesterday, it is 25 years since my High School reunion.  Sometimes like yesterday and sometimes a whole lifetime ago.  Time marches on, and sometimes it feels sad, but mostly it’s glorious!  I have my husband and I have about a gazzillion neices and nephews that I would not have had if time had not passed.  Oh well…reflection time over.  Now to the updates.

The good news is that my tumor marker number is down to 11.9.  If you are updating your score card, you will note that the last one (2 weeks prior) was at 14, so we are making forward progress towards killing those nasty cells and showing that cancer who is boss.

The not so good news was that I was unable to get my treatment today.  You see, along with those nasty cells, chemo smacks at some of the good ones too, and my platelette level was just a little too low to start chemo.  It has gone this low before, but never going into treatment, only coming out of it.  So, I will be going back on Wednesday to see if my levels are better (evidentally it can increase this quickly).  If so, this round will be Wed, Thu and disconnect on Friday.  If the levels are not good on Wednesday, I will have to wait till next week.

My Oncologist mentioned that he will be reducing my chemo strength slightly…probably about 15%.  This is just so it is not quite so hard on the body.  Ironically, I feel great.  I guess we just continue to count those blessings!

For those of you who prayed for my Oncologist and his wife expecting their first child, Mother and baby are doing well.  The baby was a boy and his name is Aiden.  My Doctor showed me pics on his cell phone with pride and we celebrate with him…the baby is a total cutie!  For those who have never met my Doctor, he’s a cutie too, so I guess there are some good genes there.

I have a PET Scan on Monday to look at the progress in of the tumor shrinkage.  We have tracked by blood tests, and the scan will help us correlate those results.

So, please pray a prayer of thanksgiving that the tumor numbers continue to decline.  We also ask for prayers that my body might strengthen itself in all ways necessary to have chemo on Wednesday.  Lastly we pray for scan results that correlate what we have seen in the blood work.

You are all awesome, and I thank you so much for your love, friendship, support and PRAYER!

Blessings,

Kathleen

Hello All,

I have news to report, and thankfully it is positive.  I have been through 3 of the 12 treatments so far, and have gotten to a point where I have been better able to manage some of the effects.  Doing this has highly improved how I feel following my treatments.  While this chemo is a bit harder on my system than my initial medications, I am now equipped to handle it better! 

I also got reports yesterday at my Dr. Appointment, and it appears that the chemo is proving effective against my cancer.  My Tumor marker high had been 17 ( it was probably higher, but due to the span since my last test prior to chemo and my first test following chemo, this is the number that is the highest that has been measured).  As of the reporting of my results yesterday, the number is now down to 14.  You all will remember that we are aiming for less than 5. 

It is interesting to see how everything is relative.  When I was originally diagnosed and my numbers were in the 800s following my intial surgery, this number seemed so far away.  Some of you may recall that basically, 14 was my number when we went in for my follow-up liver surgery, and we felt that we were almost clear.  The fact that I am at that number now, so early in my treatment progress just shows you how greatly I have been monitored and how early they detected the recurrance.

Somewhat ironcally, a friend from High School that I have not had contact with for some time appears to have something similar to my diagnosis.  A mutual friend has passed along her information to me so I can reach out to her.  I am hoping that perhaps I can give her information and hope based on my experiences.  If something good can come from my battle that can help someone else, that would mean so much!

So, how do we pray now? 

1. Well first, we pray a prayer of THANKSGIVING! 
2. Please say prayer for my friend and her healing and that perhaps I may be helpful to her in her battle.
3. Please pray for continued effectiveness and guidance for all of my Doctors.
4. Please pray for my ability to continue to tolerate the treatment well.
5. And lastly, perhaps on a lighter side, my most adorable Oncologist is just about to become a father for the first time in the next few weeks.  If you could say a small prayer for the safe and healthly delivery of the baby, and for his wife, that would be very nice.

Thank you all friends, and please, if you have prayer requests that Frank, I and my family can pray for, for you in return, please allow us to be warriors in your army as well!

Take care and God Bless,

Kathleen

Today I started the first day of my first chemo of the current round.  Today my husband, parents and I went out to dinner to celebrate.  Why celebrate you ask?  Well, first and foremost….I felt good, so why not!  Mostly however, this is the first day that I have had the opportunity to begin my fight against the new tumors in my body.  This is a good day!  I said this on my first day of chemo 24 cycles ago….this is the day I get to turn the tables on my cancer and begin to kick it’s butt!

We had several things to celebrate today.  For those of you who have taken the time to speak to us and to follow Facebook, you know that Frank and I had a problem with our boat that we have been dealing with for the last 2 weeks.  Today our boat was lifted out of the water, and is now in a dry storage marina for repairs.  We’ve been praying for God’s guidance as this was not an issue or an expense we were really ready for.  We’ve had positive dealings with our insurance adjuster (thank God we had insurance) as well as finding someone we feel will be just awesome in repairing our boat.  The slip owner has also (finally) gotten back to us, and our dealings with him, at least at the onset by phone have been positive.  Frank and I are finding now that since the boat is already out of the water, it’s a good time to have some other maintenance and cosmetic stuff done that has been hanging over us for some time.  It all looks good.  God answers ALL prayer, even the non life and death stuff!

So what do we pray for?

• Well, first and foremost that we take every opportunity to make a public proclamation of our Christian experience.  That we have the courage and strength to do this whatever life throws our way.
• We ask that the chemo treatments that I am currently undergoing continue to be effective and that we can continue to be victorious over this disease.
• We pray for all other people like ourselves who’s lives are impacted by cancer.
• We pray that my chemos continue to be tolerable and that Frank and I continue to lead as “normal” a life in this midst of this as possible.
• We pray for God’s continued guidance in all areas of our lives…and yes, that He continue to help us with our boat.
• We pray for the often unknown prayer requests of those who are so dedicated in praying for us.

Thank you and God bless you all, our wonderful family and friends.  You help us in our battle and your prayer and support gives us strength that we can never accurately and fully describe!

Hi Everyone,

I’ve promised to keep everyone updated by means of timely posts regarding any news on my treatment, so here it goes.

I had an appointment with my Oncologist yesterday (Monday).  At that time, my request was to start a chemo regime called FOLFIRI on Tuesday.  This treatment is similar to FOLFOX (what I had been taking) and includes most of the same drugs.  FOLFOX is no longer an option for me however, because of the mutation of the resistent cancer cells, but in testing these cells, FOLFIRI has been found to be a good match. 

FOLFIRI is considered a first line of defence drug much like FOLFOX.  Side effects are similar, with just a few differences.  In general FOLFOX is considered a bit easier from a tolerability standpoint.  My approach to this however is that I tolerated FOLFOX exceptionally well, and had a great response to it.  I anticipate FOLFIRI to be the same.  So, this is the plan…

My Oncologist understands my desire to attack this right away.  He is however working on paricipation with a clinical trial that I might qualify for.  This trial would have me taking my FOLFIRI and then the drug in the clinical study.  Though there is a chance that I could end up in the placebo group, (I will never actually know this), my patience for another week or so could mean I am attacking this with 2 drugs rather than just one.  My Oncologist wants to give me every opportunity for success in treating this as possible.

So, I will wait.  The clinical people should be contacting me at any time.  Frank and I will weigh the information I am given (assuming I qualify), and decide whether or not to take part.  My treatment would then most likely begin on Monday April 12.

So, this is everything I know so far.  As I solidify things, I will keep you all posted.  We ask that you join us in praying for God’s guidance in our decisions, and for success in the treatments given as well as for  strength and attitude necessary to deal with it and for our ability to witness in the midst of it all.

God Bless,

Sincerely,

Frank and Kathleen

As you’ll notice I’m sure, I haven’t posted in some time (my last post was in September 2009).  As I mentioned in that last post, there was not much eventful to update.  Since that time, there have been events, and I think it’s time I log it all again to keep it straight for my family and loved ones, as well as in my own thoughts.

Since my last post I had the joy of turning 42 in October.  I will never again look at a birthday or the thought of getting older as a negative.  In November Frank and I were honored to be a part of our Nephew Charlie’s wedding In Puerto Rico.  Then of course, there were the Holidays. 

In early December I had one of my routine follow-up PET scans.  At that time, there seemed to be a few areas of suspicion not noted in earlier scans, and the recommendation was to measure CEA (tumor marker numbers) for correlation.  In the meantime we made plans for a surgery to take place in February for the long-anticipated reversal of the colostomy I had to have in my initial surgery in 8/2008.

During the weeks leading up to this surgery my marker numbers started creeping up a bit.  Right about surgery time, we had a pretty good idea that something was going on.  It turns out it was fortunate that I had the upcoming surgery with the same surgeon who so effectively did my liver surgery in 6/2009.  I was in capable hands and if there was anything that could be dealt with surgically, it could be done at that time.

So, surgery #3 took place on February 8, 2010.  In that surgery I had a successful reversal of my colostomy (yippee!).  The surgeon also found and removed 7 very small spots on various locations in my abdominal cavity.  These tested positive as metestatic implants from colon cancer.

Following the surgery, I had consultations with my Oncologist.  We decided to take the wait and see approach.  The areas that were there were no doubt hold-out cells from my original cancer that had mutated and grown resistent to the chemo.  We could do more chemo, but if there was nothing to track, we would have no idea how to measure treatment success.

Since that time I have had another PET scan.  The good news was that the abdominal area where the surgeon removed the lesions was clear.  There are however 3 apparent lesion areas in the pelvis.  So, question answered, we will definately do follow-up treatment.  What that will involve remains to be seen. I have another appointment with my Oncologist next week.

God is at work in this, and I am still a miracle.  I had always questioned my need for my colostomy, and that reversal gave the surgeon the opportunity to remove a big portion of this cancer recurrance. I have come so far and what remains now is so much less than what I have dealt with since my diagnosis.  And another reason I believe God is at work - while I was in the office with my surgeon, his assistant was able to setup a consultation for radiation treatment ONE HOUR after that appointment.  Literally Frank and I had some lunch then met with another incredible Doctor.  Now will I go with radiation? It is definately an option.  There is so much to consider.  What I do know is that there has always been a path leading to the most incredible medical staff and that they continue to give me encouragement.  Nobody is shutting the door on my case and regardless of the direction we choose, we are confident that we will continue to beat this.  I have responded positively to EVERY mode of treatment since my diagnosis and I have no intention of changing that now.

So to sum up…I am well.  I have a few areas that need to be dealt with but I do not look or feel sick.  I have almost completely recovered from my reversal surgery, have no pain and my body “functions” have completely returned to “normal”.  Frank and I continue to be in God’s hands and seek every day to be in HIs will.  I am currently reading a book by Richard Stearns (President of World Vision U.S.) entitled “The Hole in The Gospel”.  In there he states “God doesn’t promise that all of His followers will be protected from hardship and suffering.  Christians get cancer, lose loved ones, and suffer financial setbacks just like everyone else.  But God can also use our tragedies to expand our territory in ways that show a skeptical world a different way to live.” 

So, what to pray for you ask? 

• First and foremost, please pray that Frank and I will remain witnesses for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 
• We ask for strength and guidance for our doctors and for us as we make treatment decisions.
• We ask for the success of the treatements administered and the continued conquering of this disease.

We keep each of you in our prayers as well.  We don’t always know you or your situation, but we know that God does. 

Blessings,

Kathleen

Hello Everyone,

So sorry that it’s been so long since posting.  The truth is that my life has been so “normal” lately that I just haven’t thought about posting much.  On a day to day basis I feel I don’t have much to share, but in looking at my last post, there are certainly great things since that time to report.

I continue to do well!  My Tumor Marker Tests continue to reflect that I am in remission.  My latest test was at 1.4.  The first test to show remission was 2.5 so this is a full point lower than that. I consider this the exclamation point on the original test.

I got the results last week of a PET Scan that I had the week prior. The scan reflects the same results of the blood tests and shows that I am completely clear!  So where do I go from here, you ask?

I have opted for an additional round of 6 chemo treatments to be sure that we get anything if there is anything microscopic out there to get. To date, I have completed 2 of those treatments with 4 remaining.  I will be done with all 6 in the third week of October. 

I am in a bit of unchartered territory here, as there just are not alot of Stage IV cancer patients that get to this point, and in such a healthy way, so we are not leaving anything to chance.  If I were to ever have a recurrence of the cancer, I have the satisfaction of knowing that I have done everything I could have.  My Oncologist tells me that I am the favorite story since he has been in practice.  He is young, so I wish him many more stories like mine through the course of his career.  Still, I feel good that he is so thrilled with my progress!

A few nights ago, Frank and I went to deliver cookies to our nurses from our first (month-long) hospital stay.  We have just passed the year mark since that experience, and it was so great to return in such good shape. These people saw me at my absolute worst, so seeing how great they think I look now is wonderfully re-assuring.  One of the nurses was so excited that she brought me into a nurses floor meeting they were having so they could all see me.  I got a big round of applause.  At some point, people will cease to applaud me just for being somewhere.  That will be nice, but I have to admit a small part of me will miss it just a bit :). 

Being a year out now has given me a bit to reflect on.  How terrible the lows were, and just how much had to be endured to get where I am now.  Sometimes it just doesn’t feel like it was me.  Other times I am only too well aware that it was.  Still, so much positive has come from it.   The love, strength and support from my family and friends (YOU) has just been so incredible!  People just don’t typically experience the full extent of this unless they had such a life altering event. 

I have changed in this experience as well.  I try more not to sweat the small stuff.  Sometimes I still fall victim to that habit, but I tend to recognize more readily.  I no longer let things like my work define me.  I hope what ultimately defines me is my strength of character and my Christian witness.  Through everything, this is what I have wanted to be evident about my life.

Thank you to all of you for supporting me and my family throughout this year.  Please continue to keep us  in your prayers, and please know that we do the same for each of you!

In God’s Love,

Kathleen

Hi again.

4 weeks out and feeling great!  I’ve had follow-ups with my surgeon’s office and my Oncologist.  All good news…things have progressed as well as we could ever have hoped.  The Tumor Marker Test results came back at 2.5.  For those of you following, anything under 5 is considered cancer-free so i am officially now in full remission!

So, from here I go to being monitored with scans and bloodwork very closely, and perhaps considering some preventative maintenance treatments, all of which I will keep you posted on as these decisions are being made.  Most importantly is getting back to life more and more normally each day. 

I am a miracle…I keep saying that to myself as it is still becoming more and more real to me.  I don’t know why me, as it is nothing that I deserve, but that’s what is so awesome about God’s grace.  It’s a gift given to us, not because we deserve it, because we could never be good enough.  It is a gift given to us out of God’s love for us…a love that cannot be measured!  This has become so real to me through this journey.

So, we thank each of you for your prayers for, and support of Frank and me.  We ask that you continue to remember us in prayer as we put the pieces back together and discover God’s plan for our future.  I think I am still to discover what new normal is, as this year has changed me as well.  With that said, I believe it impossible to go back to my life as it was prior to this.  What I do know is that God has a plan, and I’m in his hands!

Most Sincerely,

Frank and Kathleen