A rain storm of sorts

August 8, 2014: Sometimes you are gliding along and find yourself in the rain.  Nanette was gliding along fairly well but she’s encountered a rain storm of sorts.  She went for her regularly scheduled MRI last week and the doctors informed her that her brain tumor has started to grow again.  At the time of diagnosis, the tumor was 6 cm and was located in the right temporal lobe.  Over the next several months, with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, the tumor was reduced to about 3 cm and was stable, not showing signs of extension.  The most recent MRI shows that from May-July, the posterior margin of the tumor has extended into the hippocampus an additional 3 cm, forming a “peanut-shaped tumor.” The area of new tumor growth is not amenable to surgery due to the critical functions of that area of the brain.  Radiation also is not a real option, because more time is required before retreating the brain with radiation. As the tumor has shown new growth, a change in treatment is required. Nanette will continue her Avastin infusions every two weeks.   However, the Temodar (oral pills) will be discontinued.  She will start treatment with CCNU as a single oral dose every six weeks.  It is expected that she will have more side-effects to the CCNU than she did with Temodar.

We have all been discouraged a little bit that there is new growth but know that we need determination to never allow our energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by that discouragement.  Nanette had a short moment of discouragement herself with the rest of us but she quickly returned to her positive attitude and hopeful outlook.  She has had visits from her brother Tony and wife Cristie and family from California and a surprise visit from Sergio’s parents and two sisters Rosie and Gloria from California.  She was able to enjoy their company and love and support. 

I read this quote the other day and include it here along with this news about Nanette.  “Cancer is so limited. It cannot cripple love, it cannot shatter hope, it cannot corrode faith, it cannot eat away peace, it cannot destroy confidence, it cannot kill friendship, it cannot shut out memories, it cannot quench the spirit and it cannot silence courage or reduce eternal life.” Nanette’s courage has not been silenced and she is so grateful for your friendships, love and concern.

June 19, 2014:  Nanette continues with her chemo pill regimen and having very little side effects.  She is having pain in her shoulders and arms and numbness in her fingers.  An MRI indicated that she has torn rotator cuffs in both her right and left shoulders.  Unfortunately, the tears will not heal while she is on the Avastin treatments (she gets infusions every two weeks).  She has been having physical therapy which helps somewhat.  Some days she is in quite a bit of pain and other days, the pain is tolerable but unwelcome.  She had an Avastin infusion on Monday (June 16) and now they will discontinue treatments until after her next MRI which is in about six weeks.  They are hoping that stopping the Avastin infusions will enable healing to the rotator cuffs.  Surgery at this time is not an option, at least until after the next brain MRI and the oncologist can determine if stopping the infusions has an adverse effect on the tumor.  It is a roller coaster ride as they try to solve several problems at the same time.  She remains optimistic and hopeful.  Nanette, Regan and Riley and I went for a short week to visit her brother Tony and family in California.  The weather was beautiful and she enjoyed the time spent with her brother, his wife Cristie and their four children.  Tony took us out to dinner one night to a wonderful restaurant and the waitress asked if we were celebrating anything and Nanette said, “Yes, I am here.”  We explained that she is fighting cancer (as so many others are) and we were all just grateful that we could be together for a lovely evening.  When they brought her dessert, they had decorated the plate, brought two desserts for her, and didn’t charge us.  People are very thoughtful and kind in this world of ours.  Even small things make us grateful for each other

Each expression of friendship or love may be the one that makes all the difference.”

May 27, 2014:  It has been awhile since we posted an update on Nanette’s health concerns.  Every two weeks she has had an Avastin infusion at Huntsman Center in Day Break and she has continued with the chemo pill regimen of 5 days of pills and 23 days rest.  She has almost completed five cycles of this and after her next MRI, they will revisit this procedure to see if they want to continue for another 6 cycles (which would be another six months).  She has tolerated the chemo regimen with few side effects so they will take that in to consideration at her next visit with the oncologist.  She had her two-month MRI and her appointment with Dr. Colman, the oncologist, this morning.  It was good news once again.  The tumor shows no signs of growth and may have shrunk a very small bit more.  This was wonderful news for Nanette and Sergio and, of course, for all of us who have been praying and hoping for good results.  She is having a problem with pain in her right shoulder, down her arm and numbness in two of her fingers on her right hand.  Dr. Colman does not believe this is cancer related but is concerned for her pain and discomfort.  She will have an MRI to determine what the cause is and how to solve the problem.  The Avastin infusions may be hindering any healing that needs to happen but this problem will hopefully be resolved in the near future.  Many of you have called and inquired about her health and progress.  Your continued concern and interest is appreciated.  The updates to this blog have not been as frequent since she has been routinely fighting the tumor and there was nothing new to report until this last MRI.  And fortunately, it was good news once again.  This is a long battle and we will update when appropriate.   In a book I recently read was this quote by a woman battling cancer and it mirrors Nanette’s feelings well.  “We all owe everyone for everything that happens in our lives.  But it’s not owing like a debt to one person—it’s really that we owe everyone for everything.  Our whole lives can change in an instant—so each person who keeps that from happening, no matter how small a role they play, is also responsible for all of it. Just by giving friendship and love, you keep the people around you from giving up—and each expression of friendship or love may be the one that makes all the difference.”  Please know that your prayers, calls, visits, acts of kindness and love have made a difference in her life. 

April 7, 2014:  Last week Nanette had her MRI (will be done about every two months now).  She had another really good report.  The tumor has possibly shrunk about 5-10 percent more and does not appear to be growing or active.  This was very good news for her and for all of us.  We all "hold our breath" a bit when it is time to look again at the tumor.  We pray and hope for good news but when you actually hear it, we all relax and breathe a little easier.  Her platelets were again low and they decided to drop her chemo pill dosage a bit to see if they would come back up, which seems to be the normal cycle for her.  Today she had another Avastin infusion and her platelets were up again in an acceptable range.  Her infusion went well.  Dr. Colman is planning on continuing with the Avastin infusions for several more months.  She is tolerating the treatment well and so they plan to continue for awhile longer.  She will continue with the chemo pill regimen.  The doctors did tell Nanette that she is "quite unique".  We don't know if they are referring to her progress, her tolerance of treatment, or the whole experience.  We agree that she is quite unique but we think it is her positive attitude and demeanor and, most of all, her faith and gratitude to the Lord for her life.  Yesterday, we all watched the LDS General Conference semi-annual broadcast.  President Uchtdorf talked about beng grateful.  He said there is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, even joyful, and that is to be grateful.  He said it is easy to be grateful for things when life is going our way but we need to be thankful in our circumstances whatever they may be.  When we are grateful to God in our circumstances it is an act of faith in God and we can experience a gentle peace.  We know Nanette has great faith and gratitude.  We are thankful for your continued faith and prayers as we continue down the road with her.  Please know how much she loves all of you who are with her in your thoughts, prayers, and concerns.   

March 20, 2014:  Another Avastin infusion for Nanette and all went well.  Her lab report showed her platelets were up and in an acceptable range so they proceeded with the infusion.  The procedure went quickly and we were in and out of Huntsman in two hours.  She finished her chemo pill regimen and has a break now until the next one.  She is a bit frustrated because she tires easily but she is sleeping a little better at night.  Spring break in Tooele this week and she can enjoy a week with her family and friends. We cannot control the timing of the challenges that come into our lives and subsequently we cannot control the timing of when we will be delivered from these challenges or even if we will be delivered from them during this mortal life.  But the Lord puts others in our way who can run alongside us so we can finish the race and overcome the challenges and endure to the end.  Thanks to all of you who continue to show your love and concern for Nanette and her family and "run alongside her". 

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.