Approved for Clinical Trial

I am very excited that I have been accepted for a clinical trial at the Georgetown cancer center.  The investigational drug is Avelumab.  According to the study report, Avelumab is thought to maybe have an effect on the immune system (especially the white blood cells) in order to cause the immune system to attack the cancer tumors.  The study is to determine whether the drug is effective in gastric cancers.  On February 16, I went in for initial testing to determine my eligibility.  They took 10 or so vials of blood and conducted a CT-scan.  It was an extremely long, exhausting day, but it was well worth it.  I began the treatment at Georgetown Medstar Hospital on February 29.   It was a long day.  I started with blood tests and an EKG, then met with the oncologist, followed by an infusion, and finally had another EKG.  Overall, it took about 7 hours.  The staff at the hospital was great.  They were well organized and very kind.

 I am really thrilled to be in this clinical trial as I have exhausted all of the other treatments for my cancer.  Also, I really have not felt well this past couple of months as the cancer has spread.  The fluid has expanded in my abdomen and around my lungs.  This has caused me to cough a lot more and to be short of breath.  I have been extremely tired.  I could sleep all day, but I don’t let myself do that because I feel that it would make me very discouraged.  My body aches and the nausea continues.  This has made exercising far more difficult.  I still try to walk three miles at least 4 times a week if possible, but I find it difficult to run because of my lungs.  Again, I just hope to get some relief with this with new treatment.

Even though I am very excited for the clinical trial at Georgetown, I am saddened not to continue to receive treatments at the Virginia Cancer Specialists’ office.  The doctors, nurses and others have been very kind to me as I received my treatments there, including the many infusions.

One thing that lifted my spirits this past week was the visit from four of my sisters, and a brother–in-law.  One sister was not able to come.   While visiting me, my sisters took great care of me.  I had hoped to go shopping because that is something we enjoy doing together.  However, as I was not feeling well, we shopped a little bit, but spent most of the time at home.  We visited, laughed and cried a lot.   We also watched a few movies together.  I feel so blessed to have such wonderful sisters.  A highlight was receiving massages from them on my back, hands, head and feet.  In fact one time, they were working on all of these areas simultaneously.  It felt so wonderful as they used their hands to serve me.  I was reminded that we help our Heavenly Father when we use our hands to serve others.  I have felt many peoples’ love as they have served me with their hands.

My sisters’ service was like angels.  I really like the following quote from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.  He said that God never leaves us alone:

“I testify of angels, both the heavenly and mortal kind.  In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face… Always there are those angels who come and go around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal.”

In my life, I have felt such angels, both mortal and immortal.  These experiences have increased during the past six months.  I am grateful to have had these angels help and comfort me.

Discouraging CT Scan

In my last blog update, I mentioned that I was going for a CT-scan on January 28.  Unfortunately, the results of that scan are not encouraging.  The cancer has grown in my abdomen and around my lungs.

 I have not felt as well lately, part of the reason being that the cancer has caused me to have more fluid around my lungs and in my abdomen.  Eating has become more difficult.  Even though I spread my eating out over the day and eat small amounts, I often feel too full to eat.  My stomach just won’t handle very much.  I get very nauseated.   I try hard to eat right, but the food often just doesn’t stay down.  With the fluid around my lungs, some nights I cough a lot even to the point of throwing up.  I get out of breath when I exert myself.  I also find it more difficult to breathe at night.

We met with my oncologist and decided to discontinue my current chemotherapy regimen.  We agreed the best approach going forward is to try to find a clinical trial for me.  We have identified one potential trial at my oncologist’s office that will be open on February 22.  We have also scheduled an appointment on February 9 with an oncologist at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown Medical Center.  He has a few trials that he wants to discuss with us.  I hope to qualify for one of these trials as soon as possible.

To keep my spirits up, I am still trying to walk as often as I can.  Also, I had a really enjoyable weekend with Stacey, Stephanie, Lee and four of our grandchildren.
I was able to join them for the play Phantom of the Opera.  My family support means so much to me.  It really lifts my spirits.  Whether through telephone calls, visits or texts/e-mails.

I am including a quote from the Ensign magazine titled “The Will Within”.  It is about running, which has been an important part of my life.   It reads as follows:
“Each of us is a runner in the race of life.  Comforting is the fact that there are many runners.  Reassuring is the knowledge that our eternal Scorekeeper is understanding.  Challenging is the truth that each must run.  But you and I do not run alone.  The vast audience of family, friends, and leaders will cheer our courage, will applaud our determination as we rise from our stumbling and pursue our goal.  The race of life is not for sprinters running on a level track.  The course is marked by pitfalls and checkered with obstacles…”
I liked this quote because it recognizes the obstacles that exist in life and the importance of support of family and friends.  I really appreciate all the love and support that I receive from all of you.  Thanks for your help, support and prayers.

Christmas Holidays

The Christmas holiday was wonderful.  Our family met at Park City, Utah for Christmas week.  Even though it was cold, we had lots of fun skiing and tubing.  For me, it was exciting as I was able to go skiing one day and tubing one day.  Even though I did not feel well, I was still able to do those activities with the family.   It took a couple of hours for me to get ready to go skiing, but after I made one run, Steve said “ it is all gravy now as you have succeed being out here”.  I was able to make a few more ski runs.  Overall, I was really happy to able to ski.  It was definitely worth the effort and pain.  It was absolutely wonderful to have been with all of our children and grandchildren for Christmas.  My niece, McKenzi, took fabulous family photos with a wonderful view from the Park City cabin in which we stayed.


Another treat while we were in Utah was seeing many members of our extended family.  A special treat was when the Felt family (my siblings and their children) met at Theresa Felt’s house in Park City.  I was able to spend time with many of my brothers and sisters and was happy to see so many of my nieces and nephews and their children.  We had a wonderful night together sharing pictures, books and stories.   We also saw some of Steve’s family, and appreciated Steve’s sister, Cheryl, allowing us to stay in their house in North Salt Lake for a few days.



In January, I returned to my bi-weekly chemo treatments.  Even though it is not fun to go for such treatments, I really appreciate the kindness and courtesy shown by those who administer these treatments.  I have gotten to know the nurses and staff quite well, and they show real concern for me.

I am scheduled to get another CT-scan this week.  It will be good to check my progress again.  We will review the results with my oncologist next Tuesday, February 2.  Even though I was blessed to be well enough to enjoy the Christmas holidays with my family, it was really difficult at times.  I still have a lot of pain in my abdomen.  Lately, I have had more nausea.  I still have headaches some days.  Eating remains a challenge due to my prior esophagus surgery.

I have felt discouraged at times.   This leads me to have an occasional “pity party” for myself.  The best way I have found to deal with this is to try to improve my attitude.   As President Monson said, “So much in our lives depends on our attitude.  The way we choose to see things or behave or to respond to others makes all the difference.  To do the very best we can, then choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment.”  I am very thankful that I have been blessed during this difficult time to help me have a good attitude.  I receive many tender mercies on a regular basis.

ENCOURAGING CT-SCAN RESULTS

December 9, 2015

I had another CT-Scan to check on the effectiveness of my current chemotherapy treatment.  On December 8, we reviewed the results with my oncologist.  Overall, the results were very encouraging.  The primary finding is that, since my last CT-Scan at the end of September, my cancer has remained stable rather than continuing to spread.  In fact, in the area around my lungs, the cancer has reduced slightly.  Thus, reducing the irritation in that area.   I will continue on the same treatment plan until my next CT-Scan two months from now.

I am so thankful for these encouraging test results.  I feel very blessed.  I have been feeling a little better lately.   However, I continue to have pain in my abdomen most of the time.  The headaches and nausea have been reduced some. Challenges continue due to my prior surgery.  I continue to experience a lot of acid reflux each night.  Eating remains challenging, as I need to eat small amounts frequently.  It is hard to identify what is causing my pain.  At times, I cannot distinguish whether it is coming from the cancer or from the changes in my stomach related to my prior surgery.

To keep up my energy and my emotional well being, Steve and I have been walking/running three miles most days, and we have been writing my life history.  These activities have lifted my spirits.  I have also been strengthened by the wonderful encouragement from my family and friends.  It was great having most of our family visit us over Thanksgiving.  My grandson, Taylor, even shaved his head to match my bald head from the chemo treatments.

I am enjoying the Christmas season.  I am grateful for the Savior.  At Church last Sunday, we sang “Away in the Manager”.  I love the third verse, which reads as follows:

“Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay

Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,

And fit us for heaven to live with Thee there.”

Best wishes for a Merry Christmas.

Surprise Visit from Justin

A real highlight since my  last blog entry was a surprise visit from my son, Justin, who secretly travelled all the way from Cork Ireland for a weekend visit.  Steve and I were home on Friday, October 23, when a knock came to the door.  When Steve went downstairs and opened the front door, he was shocked to see Justin standing there with flowers in his hand.   Steve came upstairs and asked me if it would ok if the person delivering flowers to me could come in our master bedroom.  I wondered what Steve was doing inviting the delivery person upstairs, but I said ok.  What a fantastic surprise to see Justin with the flowers.  It was like a dream.  I hugged him tightly to confirm that it was not a dream.  We had a wonderful weekend together.  As he is in medical school, it was great to have him see me and share his medical knowledge with me.  Additionally, it really lifted my spirits.

            Another fun family event was Lee and Stephanie’s family visit over Halloween weekend.   I got to see the grandchildren in their Halloween costumes and go trick or treating with them.  Also, we had a blast carving pumpkins.  It was another wonderful weekend.

           In my last blog entrance, I mentioned that we were meeting with the doctor who specializes in medications.  Although he is not sure what caused my prior incidents, he is concerned that the combination of pain medicine, nausea medicine and sleep medicine as well as the cancer treatments needs to be watched closely.  We are working with him to get the right balance.  The challenge is that my body does not seem to fit the normal treatment regimens.    

From the cancer standpoint, I continue with the same treatment.  I have felt pretty good on a few days, but most days I experience a lot of pain in my abdomen.  I always feel full so I cannot eat very much.  I try to eat small amounts often, but this has placed a lot of stress on me to plan out what I can eat.  The headaches also continue.  Lately, my acid reflux has been challenging, especially during the night.  The doctor has ordered a CT Scan for early December.  This should help us know the effectiveness of the current cancer treatment. 

            I am grateful for everyone’s support and prayers.  It means a lot to me, and I know it is helping me to deal with this situation. 

Good Trip to California, Bad Trip to the Emergency Room

On October 7, Steve and I flew to Los Angeles for a trip with our family.  Troy and Katie live in Long Beach.  Brooklyn flew down from Oregon.  Stephanie, Lee and their family joined us.  Stacey came as well.  We went to watch Troy and Katie run a marathon and Stacey run a half marathon.  We rented a house at Sunset Beach.  It was beautiful, but hot.  An unusual heat wave for October enveloped southern California.   The children and grand children had a fantastic time at the beach.  I enjoyed walking along the beach with them.  Steve enjoyed his morning beach runs.  We were glad to be able to cheer for Troy, Katie and Stacey when they ran their races.  They did well even in the sweltering heat.  I felt about the same there as I do at home.  I was very tired, and experienced the usual nausea and headaches.  The plane rides were tolerable.  Overall, I had a wonderful trip, as I was able to spend time with my family.  I did enjoy returning to my air conditioned home on Monday, October 12.

 I had another chemo treatment on Wednesday, October 14.   Working with the doctor, we agreed to eliminate one of the chemo medicines to see if that would reduce my nausea and headaches.  Thursday and Friday went fine, but on Saturday evening, the nausea and headaches returned.  My sister, Yvonne, arrived for a visit on Saturday evening.  I looked forward to spending time with her, but on Sunday I really did not feel well.  I slept most of the day, but finally got up feeling a little better in the late afternoon.  On Monday morning, I still had the nausea and headaches.  I ate breakfast with Yvonne, as Steve had taken the car to be serviced.   At approximately, 11 am he returned home.  Yvonne and I were finishing breakfast and watched TV for a few minutes before we went out for a walk.  I remember Steve saying hello, but not much more as I continued to dose off to sleep.  According to Steve and Yvonne, they took turns sitting next to me for the next few hours.  At about 2:30 pm, Steve saw that I was not responsive.  He said I stopped breathing and was not responding.  He could not find my pulse.  Yvonne hurried into the room.  Steve put me on the floor and began CPR.  He told Yvonne to call 911.  With the 911 operator on the phone, Steve was able to get me breathing again.  The ambulance arrived within 5-10 minutes. (We only live 4 miles from the hospital.)  The paramedics took over from Steve.  Within a short time after arriving at the emergency rooms, my vital signs stabilized.  I stayed in the hospital over night for observation.  They released me to go home on Tuesday afternoon.

            We are still sorting out what happened, but it appears that I had another reaction to the strong medication that I am taking to deal with the severe headaches and abdominal pains.  We met with the oncologist today to discuss the treatment plan going forward.  The next step is to meet with the doctor in their office that specializes in medications.  We are scheduled to see him this Friday, October 23.  They are also taking more labs to see if my liver enzyme levels have declined.  They spiked to more than 10 times normal when this incident occurred.  This issue needs to be addressed to determine how to proceed with the chemotherapy. 

            I am grateful that Steve and Yvonne were present when this all happened.  These incidents create yet another challenge for me in dealing with my cancer.  I continue to appreciate the love from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  I am so grateful for the prayers and support from my family, friends and so many others.  For example, as we were flying back on the plane from California, Steve sat next to a kind lady who also suffered from serious health issues, and in fact had an incident on the plane.  When she learned of my condition, she asked for my name and said she would include me in her prayers.  I appreciate everyone’s prayers.

Challenges Continue, But Chemo Having Some Positive Effect

Two weeks ago, I had my one-week break from taking chemo.  I was excited with the thought of feeling better.  Steve and I were even considering a trip together.  Unfortunately, my body did not cooperate.  I felt sick all week.  I experienced a lot of nausea, with vomiting every day.  I had some headaches and body pains.  Thus, we stayed at home for the week.  Even though I did not feel well, we tried to do a few different things.  We took a short bike ride on the W&OD trail at Leesburg.  Our children had given Steve some coupons for kayaking on the Potomac River in DC.  We enjoyed one hour on a kayak, and had lunch sitting outside the Dean & DeLuca store in Georgetown.  We took a brief walk around Georgetown. 

This week I returned to the chemo treatments on Wednesday.  When we saw the doctor on Tuesday, he agreed that I should get another CT scan of my lungs, abdomen and pelvis.  We scheduled that for Thursday, with a follow-up visit to the doctor on Friday.

Usually I feel pretty good on the day that I receive the chemo treatment as they give me extra nausea medicine and steroids.  However, this Wednesday, I did not feel well when I went to be bed.  I woke up Thursday morning with a severe headache and extreme nausea.  I could not keep the medicine down, and clearly would not have been able to drink the barium required for my CT Scan.  At 6 am, the doctor advised us to go to the emergency room at the hospital.  I went there and they gave me pain medicine and nausea medicine through an IV.  Unfortunately, this combination of medicines directly entering my blood stream caused me to go into a deep sleep.  They were not able to wake me until 8 hours later.  I was admitted to the hospital, but finally released at 8:30 pm.  Overall, it was a difficult and discouraging day.

The only good news for that day is they were able to conduct the CT Scan of my lungs, abdomen and pelvis.  As I was not waking up, they also conducted a CT scan of my brain.  The brain scan showed no tumors.  Also, the scan of my lungs, abdomen and pelvis did not show in new areas of the cancer spreading.  The oncologist found this encouraging, and we agreed to continue with the same basic chemo treatments, with maybe some breaks from one of the chemo drugs that may be causing the severe headaches and nausea.  I am glad for this last modification, as I have become very nervous and frightened taking that full treatment each week.

In addition to these specific challenges, I find it very difficult because I still suffer from the consequences of my prior esophagus and stomach surgery.  Sleep remains a challenge, as I have acid reflux several times during the night.  I am also required to sleep at an incline on my back.  My back gets very sore.  Combining the chemo treatments with these existing pains has been a real challenge.

I recognize that adversity and tribulation are part of this life.  I am grateful for the scripture in 2 Corinthians 1:4, which reminds me that Jesus Christ comforts us in all our tribulations.  I have felt that comfort so many times.  I am grateful that I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love me and provide comfort to me.