Two months have passed since my last post and life is (thankfully) a lot less painful and a lot more optimistic.  

We arrived at the hospital for surgery and my surgical oncologist decided (even though I had done labs to check my iron the week prior) to order one last lab check.  Much to everyone's (including my) surprise, my iron levels had actually dropped again...two points, which meant it was dangerously low for surgery.  They repeated the labs twice just to be sure and confirmed that my iron level was the lowest it has ever been.  So, with surgery halted, they admitted me to the hospital for a blood transfusion and a re-evaluation CT scan. They gave me two units of blood and bumped my iron levels up well over two points by the next day.  This drastic increase was also a surprise to everyone-normally they expect one point per unit of blood.  What a crazy, confusing body I have!!

They discharged me the next day with a plan of re-evaluating me for surgery in a week as long as my blood counts maintained.  I will admit, though I wasn't excited for surgery and recovery, it was a little discouraging to go home accompanied by the same pain as when I left.  However, we started praying about what was next and tried to trust in God's plan.

At my one week follow up appointment, Dr. M said they wanted to try a different plan.  Dr. B was uncomfortable attempting surgery because the CT scan from the hospital revealed that the lymph nodes had grown even larger since the prior scan, making the surgery more complicated.  The team decided to jump to the targeted therapy in hopes of shrinking the lymph nodes to the place where they would be safer for surgery.

Way back in 2017, my oncology team at Huntsman ordered some genetic testing on my tumor.  They were looking for a specific genetic mutation that would give us what they called "an ace in our pocket" in case the immunotherapy ever needed some help.  Well, I do have that mutation and this targeted therapy is the help my immunotherapy needs.  The pair of drugs I started taking on May 5 are called Braftovi and Mektovi.  For inquiring minds, here is a website page that describes how they work.  This treatment wasn't guaranteed to work, but my current oncology team believed it was the best plan at this time.  

Within a week of starting the therapy, I started feeling better. And by my first oncology appointment, 2 weeks after starting the therapy, I was already dropping several of my pain medications.  In addition, my iron levels had continued to increase.  

The therapy was a little challenging at first.  I was experiencing nausea and some vomiting after taking the morning dose, but it wasn't anything like what I had experienced when I ended up in the hospital, so I was thankful.  Eventually, I got used to the therapy and now I'm off all pain medications and all anti-nausea medications and I feel so much better.  

I had scans and an oncology visit last week with Dr. M.  Praise God both were fantastic!  The targeted therapy has reduced the largest lymph nodes by 50% already, so there is no need for surgery at this time.  All my labs look great, including a NORMAL iron level for the first time in months! 

I still have a few physical struggles, but nothing painful or life threatening.  Some of my insomnia has returned in the form of what is called "restless leg syndrome" (basically, my legs are uncomfortable, so I have to continue to change positions).  I am often awakened or unable to fall asleep for hours at a time.  However, again, it's not as bad as it was when I was on the steroids, so I'm thankful. Also, my hair is falling out and thinning drastically.   My oncologist assures me that it all probably won't fall out and it will most likely return once I'm off the therapy, so that's encouraging.  I remember my sweet Abby losing all of her hair after radiation and chemo and having such a brave spirit.  She used to pull out chunks and tickle Josiah with it.  I'm determined to follow her amazing example and find the good in this challenge. So, I'm going to be thankful to spend less money on haircuts for the foreseeable future and I'll divert that budgeted money to more frequent pedicures and other fun spa treatments.  

The plan is to continue this therapy, as long as it's effective and re-scan again in 2-3 months.  We are praising God for this gift of mostly normalcy right now.  God may or may not use this targeted therapy for a complete cure-we will just wait and see. We trust that whatever may come in the future, our God will be faithful to help us walk through it. He has proven Himself faithful in every step, so we have no reason to doubt His goodness.

I am always trying to maintain perspective in this journey of life and cancer.  Recently I read these verses and they were a good reminder that even in the middle of physical pain, side-effects and all that is uncertain in this life, I can be confident and certain of an eternity free from all of it because of what Jesus has done for me!

"Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:20-21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Thank you for continuing on my path with me!

Praise God for:

• Being off all pain relief and anti-nausea medications.
• Effective targeted therapy results.
• Prayers, meals and encouragement from family and friends while I'm getting back on my feet.

Pray for:

• Limiting of the side-effects of the targeted therapy.
• Wisdom as I choose when to resume my normal activities.
• Maintaining good iron levels.
• If it's God's will, that He would eradicate every cancer cell with this treatment.
• God to be glorified in my life.