I know I've been quiet for a while.  Trust me, our lives have been anything but quiet.  I just haven't had the chance to sit down at my computer to write an update.  

We met another doctor on the Huntsman Melanoma Team (along with his fabulous staff) last week.  Dr. Kenneth Grossmann (Medical Oncologist) gave us the details on what they propose for my next step, in addition to the regular scans.  (Side note-our family approves of Dr. G.  He wears a bow-tie.  How could we not be convinced of his greatness?!) We have spent time praying and seeking God's direction and feel peace about this plan.  Tomorrow I begin bi-weekly infusions of Nivolumab, an immunotherapy drug.  The idea is that the drug will

1. Boost my immune system to fight off any stealthy Melanoma cells that might be lurking around in my body.
2. Block the "false" signal any cancer cells might be sending to the T-cells that they are actually normal and should be left alone.  

This therapy has actually been used for a while, but just in the last month it became the preferred procedure for adjuvant therapy in Melanoma patients. If you like reading the long story, here is a press release comparing Nivolumab with Ipilimumab (the previously used drug).  However, for those who prefer "just the facts", essentially there was a clinical trial comparing the 2 treatments (using almost 1000 patients) which was stopped early because the results were so drastically in favor of using Nivolumab (better survival rates and fewer incidences of side-effects). The researchers initially started using Nivolumab to treat Melanoma with Stage IV patients.  They realized, after seeing how well it worked, that it made sense to give it to patients with Stage III to prevent the cancer from returning.  Initially I had Stage II Melanoma, but that annoying 1% of one lymph node boosted me up to Stage III.  

So, that's the plan.  I will be visiting Huntsman every 2 weeks for an hour-long infusion, lab work, monthly doctor visits and scans every 8 weeks. This will continue for the next year.  I am told that most patients receiving this therapy don't really notice they are in treatment.  Side effects (if I experience any at all) will hopefully be mild and treatable.  We are thanking God for His incredible sovereignty.  As we’ve now heard from both doctors (surgical and medical oncologists), this is the best time for me to have this diagnosis.  Things would have looked VERY different for me even 2 months ago-I definitely would have had another surgery and would NOT have had the best option to prevent recurrence.

Our family was blessed with a quick trip to visit the Grand Tetons for the past few days.  Unfortunately, the Tetons were being a bit shy and didn't reveal themselves to us much.  The storm system that came through the west this past weekend dropped a bunch of snow and pretty chilly temperatures.  However, that didn't spoil our enjoyment.  

We saw some beautiful sights (fall colors, mixed with snowy peaks), played games, watched movies and laughed a lot.  God is good and we are grateful!

Praises:

• Great insurance to cover much of the stream of medical bills that are starting to roll in.
• Fantastic doctors and support staff.
• Promising treatment for me as a result of current research.  God is pretty amazing! He knew I would need this treatment at this time.  
• C. R.'s great job.  They have been so supportive and understanding about his unpredictable schedule.
• My amazing family has been so patient and helpful.  I have the world's most incredible husband and children.

Prayer Requests:

• Patience and a good attitude as I wait on the final portion of my skin graft to heal. I am eager to return to the gym, have a smaller ankle and to fit into my shoes again. I'm not sure if I will see my shoes again soon, but nothing is impossible with God!
• For no side-effects from the Nivolumab.  Again, nothing is impossible for Him, but pray also for grace in my life if He allows those side-effects.
• For God to go before us and orchestrate meetings with the people he wants us to meet as I begin my regular visits to Huntsman.
• God's help to adjust to our new normal schedule.  Some of my visits will last much of the day when I have doctor appointments, scans, lab work and other appointments in addition to the infusions.