Holy moly. Over the last four weeks we have experienced some of the most incredible days and some of the most challenging. The blessings of people supporting us through prayers and funds have far exceeded anything I thought could have happened. I got to enjoy the incredible community through coffee, beer, and watching others workout (didn’t get in on the bungee fun unfortunately). To the organizers, I owe a debt of gratitude. To the participants, I am humbled by your generosity. You all were such a bright light in a dark situation.
Quick update on Elizabeth’s surgery/recovery: it went well (we think). After the surgery they were able to do a pathology report that showed “negative margin” of the area removed. This means the edges showed no cancer, which means they think they got the whole tumor. I have to explain everything with a grain of salt though, because there seem to be no absolutes with cancer. It fixed the obvious tumor growth, but doesn’t solve the fact that the cancer got there through the blood. So it is a good patch, but fairly sure it isn’t a permanent fix. We have all been looking like James below when talking about it…
The pathology report also showed a change in the subtype. Originally the cancer was E+P+Her2- (Estrogen positive, Progesterone Positive and Her2 Negative), but it has now changed to E-P-Her2+. That isn’t necessarily good or bad news, it just adds a new type of treatment she has to get for optimal response. Since we are on the topic of new treatment, I want to clarify a couple of things: our medical team has been phenomenal. Other than issues with one part of the imaging department, the oncology, surgical and radiation team have been wonderful. I’m not just saying that because we found out our oncologist is reading this now either (love you Dr. M. xoxo).
So why Mexico? I’ll get to that once I finish recapping recovery. Stop distracting me. Elizabeth has been an absolute champ through every treatment and procedure they have thrown her way. With a diligence towards a crazy clean diet and doing countless health boosting activities, we’ve been blown away with the ease she has coasted through much of this. Apparently cutting a chunk out of your liver is a bit more intense than anything else she’s done to date. This was brutal.
The first four days after surgery she was having severe… shoulder pain?! During the procedure they inflate her abdomen/rib cage so they can move around in there easier. After it is all sewed back up, apparently there is a good amount of air that gets trapped inside that then… rises. The added air pressure gets trapped in the shoulder causing severe pain. Kinda weird considering they didn’t touch the should during surgery.
After about a week the air gets absorbed back into the body and that pain goes away, only to have the settling of the core and ribs begin soon after. This was when her rib(s) started slipping out of place. If you have ever experienced a rib out you know it can be excruciating. For the next week she had rib issues that would randomly hit and be completely crippling. It feels like getting stabbed and the wind knocked out of you at the same time. This is one of the first treatment pains that she has had that I know EXACTLY how it feels: miserable.
Somewhere between the shoulder and rib issues we kicked the boys out of the house, and sent them to grandma and grandpa’s in Ohio. I asked super nicely for them to act like calm, responsible young adults, but my 1 and a half, 3, 5 and 8 year olds failed that assignment. I guess it was too much to ask. The quiet home for ten days then helped immensely in Elizabeth’s mental and physical recovery. At almost three weeks in she started to turn a corner and feel much better. That time felt like an eternity though.
So on to Mexico. We chose this path as a way to leave no stone un-turned. If conventional medicine had it all figured out, cancer wouldn’t be such a scary thing. But what does this place in Mexico have that we don’t have here in the States? Ultimately, they have a higher risk tolerance. In the US, if something hasn’t gone through the “proper channels” or red tape of approvals, insurance won’t pay for it. I could go down a rabbit hole of market manipulation and lobbyists preventing cheaper treatment that could oust major medical profit centers, but for the sake of keeping my peace of mind and blood pressure normal, I won’t.
Hope4Cancer is the center we will be at from mid March to the beginning of April. They play really well with others (i.e. conventional medicine). Elizabeth will continue her treatment plan with Henry Ford Jackson up until our departure and again upon return. We don’t know what is working to slow or prevent the cancer from spreading more, so we’ll keep doing what doesn’t do damage.
Upon return she will begin aftercare that will mostly look like a fancy spa type setup in our home that will consist of special lights, ultrasound, heat, cold, and supplements galore. Friends and family that come to visit will get the royal treatment of things like a sauna and steam shower. Anything that can improve the immune system and cellular response will probably end up installed in my house at some point.
We’re excited for learning and having more options. We don’t know what or if anything will work, but we’re sure going to give it try. Thank you for blessing us with the opportunity to try beat the odds.
This post is the nuts and bolts of what was and what is to come. I have many inner thoughts and spiritual musings that I will share in another. Until then, be blessed my friends and know that God is good even in the storm.