Merry Christmas everyone.
I (Jan) hope you are enjoying the day with your family and loved ones. Sister Terri had 44 of us for Christmas Eve last night and we had a wonderful time together. It was a blessing to have everyone there. We ate wonderful food, took the traditional family group pictures, exchanged gifts and enjoyed the company of the ones we love.
Christmas day is also sandwiched between doctors appointments for sister Kim. She had a CAT scan last Friday and will meet a radiologist this coming Friday. Two months ago, Kim's doctor found another tumor and she started treatment again. After last Friday's testing they discovered that the tumor is not responding to this type of treatment.
My niece, Becky is a nurse at UMC and was able to attend Kim's doctor's appointment. She did an excellent job of translating and explaining to us non-medical folks. I have copied Becky's notes below:
Becky Hoff wrote:
Dr. Remmenga explained to Kim that after 2 cycles of chemotherapy the avastin was not working. The larger of the two tumors that were seen on her CT scan had grown 31% from the previous scan. On pelvic exam he also felt “sandpaper” like areas which he felt was tumor. He told Kim that he would always be completely honest with her and he felt the need to change therapy. The biopsy of the recurrent tumor tested as estrogen receptor positive (ER positive). If a tumor is estrogen receptor positive it is more likely to grow in a high estrogen environment. Because her tumor is ER positive they are able to treat her with a drug called arimidex. This drug is used mostly in breast cancers. Arimidex reduces the amount of estrogen in the body. Kim’s tumors are feeding off of the estrogen in her body. For more information on the drug go to www.arimidex..com. They will follow up with a CT scan in 2 months. This drug takes a while to take affect and Dr. Remmenga fully expects some more tumor growth before the next scan.
Dr. Remmenga is also going to send tests to determine if the tumor is HER2 positive. If it is HER2 positive they would be able to add an additional drug called herceptin to her regimen. This would be given through her port once every 1-3 weeks. Herceptin is also called an immune treatment because it is made of an immune system–like antibody that blocks the HER2 protein in cancer cells. Blocking the protein helps stop the growth of HER2-positive cancer cells.
Kim asked him about other options they could look into. She has an appointment next Friday with a radiation oncologist Dr. Robert Thompson who specializes in gynecological cancers. He will evaluate her scans and tumor biopsies to see if radiation is an option for her. If so, this would be a daily treatment for Kim.
Kim also asked about surgery and Dr. Remmenga did not feel like this was a likely option due to the nature of the disease. Meaning, not only does Kim have solid tumors but she also most likely has small cancer cells in her body that are not able to be removed (or seen). With any surgical procedure they weigh the risks and benefits. The location of the tumor causes a risk to Kim’s other organs. Dr. Remmenga is consulting another surgeon to get a second opinion on the option of surgery.
The positives that I see out of this appointment are as follows:
1.Her tumor is ER positive and this allows for a different type of treatment. Had the tumor not been positive and the avastin was not working there might not have been another option.
2.Although her tumors have grown, the CT scan showed no evidence of tumor in any other organs.
3.She has a doctor who is determined to get her to an old age and is consulting with many different people to get her the best treatment possible.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
Emotions
Kim is doing well and this Friday will tell us if the new treatment is working like they hope. She will have a CAT on Friday as her next Treatment is scheduled for Monday, Christmas Eve. They need to see the tumor shrinking. If they feel the new meds are not shrinking the tumor, they may re-evaluate and may take her out of the program. They would then go back to something else. She is confident it is working, anxious for the results, nervous about the effectiveness and on a bit of a seasonal emotional rollercoaster.
She had a small melt down the other night. Partly because she felt like she was not allowed to meltdown. We had gone out to eat with about 40 extended family on the Haldeman side. She was in great spirits in front of all of us, but feeling emotional and melancholy so I noticed she had disappeared a couple of times. When I found her, she was crying and asked me not to make a big deal out of it. She said.... I have cancer and what if I don’t see another Christmas, my grandkids are so young they may not remember me and I can't have a bad day or people worry and point accusing fingers at each other for upsetting me. We cried, we hugged, we laughed, we reapplied makeup and then we returned to the party.
Jan Snyder
She had a small melt down the other night. Partly because she felt like she was not allowed to meltdown. We had gone out to eat with about 40 extended family on the Haldeman side. She was in great spirits in front of all of us, but feeling emotional and melancholy so I noticed she had disappeared a couple of times. When I found her, she was crying and asked me not to make a big deal out of it. She said.... I have cancer and what if I don’t see another Christmas, my grandkids are so young they may not remember me and I can't have a bad day or people worry and point accusing fingers at each other for upsetting me. We cried, we hugged, we laughed, we reapplied makeup and then we returned to the party.
Jan Snyder
Friday, November 2, 2007
Approved!
Just talked to Kim and she has been approved by the final board. Karen said they are sending the Dr. a few changes they would like to happen but that those changes are usually in favor of the patient. If they can get those changes today - have the Dr. review them and send them back Kim could start with some preliminary tests she needs done before getting the first treatment. That would most likely be a CAT scan and lung test and would be done on Monday. By the time they get everything in line and the consent forms signed it will probably start treatment next Thursday. Karen calls the drug a biological agent and says it doesn't necessarily attack the tumor but the root or life line of the tumor. The drug has been used the last three years in colon cancer with success. One of the side effects they will be watching is protein in the kidneys.
Gail Bates
Gail Bates
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Studying...
We are not so patiently waiting to hear if she has been accepted into a new study.
Her case goes before 3 boards and it has gone before two and been approved by both - they are waiting to hear from the final board. If approved the study will pay for the drug - not treatment but for the drug itself - the drug is used in colon cancers and called Avastin. Apparently this drug has done wonders on colon cancer and they believe they can get the same results in her type of uterian cancer. Each dose cost $18,000.
If not approved she will still be in a study at the Med Center but it would most likely be a different chemo drug.
The PET scan was good news. The cancer is not in her bones or other lymph nodes and the tennis ball size was not 1 tumor but 3 smaller ones that were shadowing each other. She has had check ups every 3 months so the doctors were alarmed when they saw one that large in this amount of time.
I am continually encouraged and in awe of Kim and her positive attitude. She is determined.
Jan Snyder
Her case goes before 3 boards and it has gone before two and been approved by both - they are waiting to hear from the final board. If approved the study will pay for the drug - not treatment but for the drug itself - the drug is used in colon cancers and called Avastin. Apparently this drug has done wonders on colon cancer and they believe they can get the same results in her type of uterian cancer. Each dose cost $18,000.
If not approved she will still be in a study at the Med Center but it would most likely be a different chemo drug.
The PET scan was good news. The cancer is not in her bones or other lymph nodes and the tennis ball size was not 1 tumor but 3 smaller ones that were shadowing each other. She has had check ups every 3 months so the doctors were alarmed when they saw one that large in this amount of time.
I am continually encouraged and in awe of Kim and her positive attitude. She is determined.
Jan Snyder
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Cancer Returns
Kim’s doctor report was not what we wanted to hear. She will have to fight this again.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Champagne & Confetti
It has been 2 months since the last update regarding Kim’s health. In this case no news is GREAT NEWS! Many of you already know about the exceptional outcome but I still feel the need to document.
Kim’s blood counts have been pretty good through out this ordeal. But that did not stop a nasty cold from finding her and kicking her around. Her Chemo schedule was rearranged until she kicked that little bug back. With the help of some really strong antibiotics, good doctors and lots of sleep, she was able to concur the cold.
She had her 6th treatment the week after Christmas which put her in “down-time” for New Years. Kim did not want to miss ringing in 2007 with loved ones, so she and Shane brought their grandkids to our island on the Platte River near Schuyler. Typically she spends the couple of days sleeping after her treatment. We assured her that she could take over our couch and we would take care of her. Rod and Gail joined us too. It was a quiet night of celebration.
On January 8th, she turned 50. Although she did not have lots of energy for dancing or kicking up her heals, she was quoted as saying. “I’m feeling just damn glad to be alive!” We felt the same and decided that we would hold off on the big celebration until after she gained her strength back from her next and final treatment. Her friends did not let the date go unnoticed. They sent lots of cards with lottery tickets. She did have the strength to scratch and win. Her biggest payoff came in a card from “Church Lady”. It was a sure bet…a $20 bill.
Kim started her 7th and last chemo treatment with a deluge of medical test. It was a time for us to hold our breath and pray that the therapy was doing what is was suppose to do. We had the best possible news by the time she began her IV medication. No signs of cancer left! As exhausting as her treatment is, we were ready to celebrate that night. Gail prepared the food, Champagne toast and confetti. The next day she took her video camera to record some of the people and places she in which she became so familiar the last 5 months.
Dr Remmenga said Kim was a “model” patient. He was very pleased with the outcome. I too believe she is so much more than the typical “text-book” case. She may have set a higher standard for his other patients. I am sure the staff hopes for the same great outcome for everyone they treat.
Kim remained strong throughout the ordeal. She made chemo treatment seem like a case of the flu. I am not talking about those few people who make the flu look like they are on deaths doorstep. I mean those resilient folks who rarely let anything get them down yet have to surrender to meds and rest. She made it look easy and we know it was not.
Kim continues to go in for blood work while the chemo is still working in her system. Last week she was low on magnesium so needed an IV transfusion. She will continue to wear a wig but expects her hair to start growing back in a couple of months. Her fingers and feet still tingle as though they are asleep and hopefully those symptoms will fade too. The medical staff is keeping a close eye on her. Kim will make regular appointments for check ups to make sure the cancer stays gone. In the meantime we will all keep our fingers crossed and prayers raised.
Kim has had time to recuperate and gain strength. Now it is time to celebrate her life and 50th birthday. What could be more fun than a 50’s party? So put on your letter jacket, roll up your jeans, grease your hair back and join us for a salute to all good things that came out of the 1950’s. It is February 24th, 7pm at the Syracuse Kimmel Event Center.
Jan Snyder
Kim’s blood counts have been pretty good through out this ordeal. But that did not stop a nasty cold from finding her and kicking her around. Her Chemo schedule was rearranged until she kicked that little bug back. With the help of some really strong antibiotics, good doctors and lots of sleep, she was able to concur the cold.
She had her 6th treatment the week after Christmas which put her in “down-time” for New Years. Kim did not want to miss ringing in 2007 with loved ones, so she and Shane brought their grandkids to our island on the Platte River near Schuyler. Typically she spends the couple of days sleeping after her treatment. We assured her that she could take over our couch and we would take care of her. Rod and Gail joined us too. It was a quiet night of celebration.
On January 8th, she turned 50. Although she did not have lots of energy for dancing or kicking up her heals, she was quoted as saying. “I’m feeling just damn glad to be alive!” We felt the same and decided that we would hold off on the big celebration until after she gained her strength back from her next and final treatment. Her friends did not let the date go unnoticed. They sent lots of cards with lottery tickets. She did have the strength to scratch and win. Her biggest payoff came in a card from “Church Lady”. It was a sure bet…a $20 bill.
Kim started her 7th and last chemo treatment with a deluge of medical test. It was a time for us to hold our breath and pray that the therapy was doing what is was suppose to do. We had the best possible news by the time she began her IV medication. No signs of cancer left! As exhausting as her treatment is, we were ready to celebrate that night. Gail prepared the food, Champagne toast and confetti. The next day she took her video camera to record some of the people and places she in which she became so familiar the last 5 months.
Dr Remmenga said Kim was a “model” patient. He was very pleased with the outcome. I too believe she is so much more than the typical “text-book” case. She may have set a higher standard for his other patients. I am sure the staff hopes for the same great outcome for everyone they treat.
Kim remained strong throughout the ordeal. She made chemo treatment seem like a case of the flu. I am not talking about those few people who make the flu look like they are on deaths doorstep. I mean those resilient folks who rarely let anything get them down yet have to surrender to meds and rest. She made it look easy and we know it was not.
Kim continues to go in for blood work while the chemo is still working in her system. Last week she was low on magnesium so needed an IV transfusion. She will continue to wear a wig but expects her hair to start growing back in a couple of months. Her fingers and feet still tingle as though they are asleep and hopefully those symptoms will fade too. The medical staff is keeping a close eye on her. Kim will make regular appointments for check ups to make sure the cancer stays gone. In the meantime we will all keep our fingers crossed and prayers raised.
Kim has had time to recuperate and gain strength. Now it is time to celebrate her life and 50th birthday. What could be more fun than a 50’s party? So put on your letter jacket, roll up your jeans, grease your hair back and join us for a salute to all good things that came out of the 1950’s. It is February 24th, 7pm at the Syracuse Kimmel Event Center.
Jan Snyder
Monday, January 22, 2007
Prayer Warriors
Our sister, Kim, has just completed 6 months of a very strong chemo treatment plan for uterine cancer. As of her last check-up there are no signs of cancer. Kim was originally diagnosed at a Stage IV so to say the least we are thrilled with her progress. Kim’s Dr. said she has a 50-60% chance the cancer WILL NOT return; five years ago it would have been a 10% chance. We would like to thank you for all of your prayers and ask that you say a prayer of Thanksgiving for her current diagnosis and a prayer of physical and emotional healing as she moves forward.
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