March 11, 2014:  Nanette had another Avastin infusion last Thursday at Huntsman Center in Day Break.  The influsion went well but when the lab work came back, her platelets were low.  They were not in the "danger" zone but in the "concerned" zone.  The doctors at Huntsman in Salt Lake told her to delay starting the chemo pill regimen which was scheduled for the next day.  She was scheduled for more lab work on Monday and the report came back this afternoon that the platelet count had, in fact, gone back up to an acceptable count.    She was told she could start the chemo pills tonight or tomorrow.  No one was overly concerned about the drop but until this week, her lab results have been good.  It was just a small hiccup in the process.  She is still experiencing fatigue, usually in the evenings but she is doing well otherwise.  Her hair is "slowly" growing back but it is a work in progress.  One of our church leaders, Elder Richard J. Maynes said, "As we temporarily endure the challenges we can solve and as we continue to endure the challenges we cannot solve, it is important to remember that the spiritual strength we develop will help us successfully endure all the challenges we face in this life."  Your continued love and concern for Nanette and the Lord's tender mercies are helping her endure this long journey.  She remains hopeful and grateful.

California

February 20:  Nanette had her Avastin infusion today at Huntsman in Day Break.  All the lab results were good and the infusion went well.  She finished her chemo pill regimen several days ago and now has 23 days off.  She is experiencing some fatigue but other that that, she is feeling well.  We had a wonderful time in California with the Abarca and Newman families.  Everyone was happy to see for themselves how good she looks and feels.  We all loved the 80 degree weather.  Every day was full of sunshine and blue skies.  Sergio's sisters Rosie and Maria and his sister-in-law Debbie took Nanette, Regan and Riley to the beach, to a swap meet, and the family gathered several times for good food and great conversation.  We all went to lots of Newman basketball games and the  girls and their cousins swam in the Newman's pool even though it was only 60 degrees.  They just couldn't resist.  Many friends and family came to visit with Nanette and her family.  Nanette's brother Tony who is a Bishop of the Ward Nanette grew up in asked her to speak for a few minutes in Sacrament meeting on Sunday.  She said how grateful she was to grow up in Ramona and how many people there had influenced her life for good.  She thanked everyone for their prayers and concern for her.  She realizes that prayers on her behalf have not only come from Tooele but from Ramona and friends in many different churches, communities, cities and states.  She knows how many people have expressed their love and concern for her and she's very grateful for all of you.  It's nice to go back to your hometown sometimes and be with such wonderful family members and friends who contributed to your "growing up" years.  She weathered the driving and trip very well.  But, as many of you know, after four or five days, Nanette is ready to "come home".  And even though she came back to more chemo and more treatments, she is home where she wants to be.

Regan and Riley turned 12

February 9:  Another good week for Nanette.  She had an Avastin infusion on Tuesday (Feb 3) and there were no side effects or complications. Her lab results were good and the infusion went well.  All the people at Huntsman in Day Break were happy to hear the good results of the MRI the week before.  The people at Huntsman become like family so they share in all the good news (and bad) right along with you. She started another round of chemo pills (5 days of double doses and 23 days in between).  She is still spending hours on the phone with the pharmacy trying to ensure her prescription arrives by the day she is to begin.  Maybe the third time will be the charm and they will come without a hitch. She is trying to reduce the steroid dosage but doing it slowly to keep free of headaches.  She has enjoyed a nice week with her family and friends.  Regan and Riley turned 12 years old this week and are out of Primary (at church) now and in to Young Women activities and classes.  The joy of having teenagers in the house again is coming quickly.  She is feeling well enough to take a short trip to California this coming week to spend time with the Newman and Abarca parts of the family living there.  A little sunshine will be a nice change and everyone is excited to see her and her family.  She has appreciated your calls and notes about the good results of her MRI.  You continue to show your concern and love for her and that means so much to her.

Blessed with good news

January 31:  It was a day to remember!  Nanette was first diagnosed with a brain tumor with an MRI and then after she finished with the six weeks of radiation, they did another MRI and said they would use it as a baseline to monitor the status of the tumor.  Today she had another MRI which they used for comparison with the previous one after radiation.  Tyler, Sergio, Frank (her dad) and I were all in the room when the physician's assistant came in before the oncologist.  He said to all of us "It has been a very long time since we've seen such a positive change in someone's scans."  We were all speechless.  Dr. Colman, the oncologist, came in with the nurse Kilee and showed us the scans and explained what had happened.  He went though it in detail for us, showing us all the pictures from different angles.  When he got to one scan in particular, we could all see that the tumor had noticably shrunk, the swelling was gone and different parts of the brain were aligned correctly again.  Dr. Colman said it was the best results we could have hoped for with this kind of brain tumor. 

 

Dr. Colman believes it is the chemo that is keeping the tumor from growing.  The Avastin infusions reduced the swelling.  The doctor's goal now is to continue the Avastin infusions for several more months, keep her on the chemo pills for six months to a year, wean her off the steroids and do MRI's every two months.  Doing the MRI's every two months will be the method of monitoring the tumor's activity.  The tumor is not gone but is considerably smaller and the goal now is to keep it "at bay" with the chemo regimen. 

 

We all walked out of Huntsman Cancer Center today with feelings and emotions far different than the first day we walked in there.  Not everyone is blessed to walk out those doors with such feelings of gratitude and relief.  We all believe this positive progress in her health is due to the prayers, fasting, Priesthood blessings, and sincere wishes and love of so many of you who read this blog and are her friends and family.

 

This battle is not over for Nanette.  She is not uninformed or naive as to the long miles ahead of her.  But, we are grateful today for this "good news" and thankful for each day these results have given us. 

 

Elder David A. Bednar said "God expects and trusts us to face temporary mortal adversity with His help so we can learn what we need to learn and ultimately become what we are to become in eternity.  Trusting in the Lord's will and timing is essential."

 

Nanette has been trusting through this whole experience so far and will, undoubtedly, continue down the miles ahead with faith and hope.  We will continue to post her progress through this blog.  And she is grateful to all of you who have traveled this road with her so far and for your prayers, thoughts, and kind actions.. She loves and appreciate each one of you.

MOM'S BACK and making us practice!!!!

Jan 21:  Nanette received her third Avastin infusion today.  Her lab results were all good and they started the infusion which lasted only 30 minutes.  It is the same amount but a faster "drip".  They have determined that there are no negative side effects so they can do the infusion without delay.  We were in and out in two hours time (taking blood and waiting for results and doing a flush afterwards takes about 1 1/2 hours, the infusion 30 minutes.)  She has been doing very well.  Her headaches are very minimal, her energy level remains high and she has not had to take any pain medication at all.  She continues to gradually reduce the steroid dosage.  She did her first chemo pill regimen (5 days on, 23 days off) and had no side effects.  She will continue this treatment for an undetermined amount of time (possibly 6 months to a year).  She is scheduled for an MRI and appointment with Dr. Colman, the oncologist the end of January.  We may know then the status of the tumor.  We are, of course, hoping for the best results possible.  Any positive results, regardless of the scope, will be a win.  Nanette remains optimistic and in good spirits.  She has resumed a fairly normal daily routine.  She is taking Regan and Riley to piano lessons, insisting on daily practice much to their delight (?), taking the dog to be groomed, cooking meals, doing laundry, organizing closets and cupboards, and driving herself wherever she needs to go.  She is loving the more normal pace of her life and feeling fairly good every day.  She still suffers from insomnia and she has a little fatigue from time to time.  But, she is doing well and her family is delighted to have her "back".  She continues to be grateful for the phone calls, visits, prayers and concern of her friends and family.  Thank you for your caring and loving concern for all of them.  Every kindness and effort from you is appreciated more than words can adequately express.

Tender Mercies

Jan 6-11:  Nanette had her second Avastin infusion on Monday (6th) at Huntsman in Day Break.  This one took less time than the first one because they have increased the drip speed.  Her lab report was good again and so they proceeded with the infusion without delay.  She had a sweet nurse Melinda originally from South Carolina and she took good care of Nanette.  The oncologist at Huntsman wanted Nanette back on chemo immediately (5 days of double dose pills and 23 days off) but Nanette had a terrible time getting the pills sent to her.  She was on the phone for literally hours with the pharmacy (not a local one) and the insurance agency.  Every time she talked to someone, it was a different reason or excuse why they couldn't send her the pills.  It was a frustrating experience involving hours of phone time.  However, Nanette was kind and patient with everyone she spoke to and never once got angry.  The rest of us were pretty angry but not her.  She finally had to call Huntsman and ask them to be an advocate for her.  She was worn out trying to deal with everyone involved.  Doctor Colman's nurse Kiley came to her aid and got it straightened out and the pills were finally deliveredFriday morning, a week later than the doctor wanted.  Other than the trauma getting the pills, she had a very good week.  Her headaches are very, very minimal, if at all, and she has discontinued all pain medication.  She has even been able to reduce the dosage of steroids in small increments.  She is still suffering from insomnia but manages to get about 4 hours uninterrupted sleep and then she can sometimes go back to sleep for an hour or two after she has been up for awhile.  She is steady on her feet, has quite a bit of energy, and feels good.  The tremors in her hand have subsided.  Even though she is taking a higher dosage of chemo pills, she is tolerating it and hasn't had any side effects after the first dose.  And today (Friday) she drove her car for the first time in months.  Sergio did a test drive with her and said she was fine to drive locally.  So, she was off to the car wash and grocery store and beyond!  She is feeling like herself again in many ways..  We are all grateful for the good week she has had.  Elder David A. Bednar said "We should not underestimate or overlook the power of the Lord's tender mercies.  The simpleness, the sweetness, and the constancy of the tender mercies of the Lord will do much to fortify and protect us in the troubled times in which we do now and will yet live."  She is grateful for every day of progress and the Lord's tender mercies and your continued love, concerns and prayers.. 

Spoonful of sugar

January 2:  Back to St. Marks hospital but this time just for a checkup with her surgeon Dr. Pingree.  He checked her incision and said it looks good and healing well.  He told her that his part of her treatment is completed and now she will be totally in the hands of the oncologist, although he reassured her that he is always available to her for help.  Today was a far better day than the first day Sergio took her to the hospital and our family's world temporarily halted.  But, today was a beautiful day and she is pressing forward with treatments and a good attitude.  We had a fun lunch with Regan and Riley and continue to mix the pleasant experiences with the necessary and not so pleasant ones - you know, as Mary Poppins said "a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down".  She appreciates all your nice Christmas cards and gifts and especially your prayers and concern.