Nancy's Brain Cancer Battle - an Update

[XEMON]

Im glad you guys got approved.
We all with you ...

[Jebus]

An update on Nancy 's MRI result from yesterday. We went in expecting the worst since Nancy hasn't been feeling well the last few weeks.
We were shocked when Dr. de Robles said her scan came back stable!!!

So some really good news finally, however the half dose of Lomustine chemo wiped out her Platelets and white blood cell counts completely. So, no more chemo.

That being said, Nancy will be starting Avastin infusions hopefully Tuesday! This isn't chemo, and it's not a miracle drug, but Dr. de Robles said typically 40% of patients taking Avastin gain about 6 months of life. This is a last ditch effort drug, and hoping to build Nancy's immune system back up to go back on Lomustine again.

Nancy is hoping the Avastin brings down the swelling in her Brain to the point where speaking is easier, and since Avastin doesn't affect the bone marrow, Nancy can start reducing the Dex Steroid down immediately after her first infusion. This will help a ton!

Ultrasound booked for today, extra Bloodwork on Monday to get a baseline kidney function prior to Avastin - lots of potential side effects, but the risk will be worth it.

Thanks all!!

[acrewofone]

I will say I know exactly what you are going through and how you feel. My prayers go out to everyone...

[AnarchicArctic]

Glad you got some good news. Here’s hoping for more!

[Jebus]

Good evening all!
Nancy started her first round of Avastin on Tuesday, and so far so good. There are a ton of really bad reactions, and while scary, they should be worth the risk.

We were told this isn't a wonder drug, as it is a last ditch effort. But immediately you can see the effect, which are positive.

This tempory reprieve is welcomed, and hopefully this break will allow Nancy's body to build up her Platelets again.

Another MRI is scheduled for early April, so we will find out more then.

Thank you all!!

Nancy, Chris and Gabe

[Painthappy]

Thank you for the updates!!! I always keep hoping for good news every time I open this thread. Sounds promising. All you can do is keep going!

[Jebus]

Hi All,

Another update, Nancy just had her 2nd Avastin treatment. Tolerating it well so far. Bloodwork is improving too, mostly due to the stopage of Chemo. A lot more info located here:

https://gofund.me/7e9106a5

Thank you all!!!

[Falcon16]

Glad to hear that things are improving. All the best to you and Nancy!

[Jebus]

Good Evening All!

Haven't posted in a while. Have an update finally. Nancy had her MRI yesterday, her first since stopping Chemo due to low Platelets, and her first since starting Avastin. The infusions are happening every two weeks, and Nancy is handling it really well thankfully!

We had her review with Dr. de Robles today, it was both a positive and not so positive review. The great news is the main tumor and the secondary tumors showed either a stable or very slight enhancement or growth. Her brain swelling has gone down due to the Avastin, and Nancy's Platelets are approaching a normal level for the first time in months. Also, Nancy is able to decrease her dosage of the Dex steroid down to 1mg per day, and in two weeks down to .5mg per day. So in 4 weeks, hoping to be off the Dex and Dapsone completely!

The not so great news, and Dr. de Robles called it a "worrisome" spot showing enhancement higher up in Nancy's brain. Due to Nancy's blood counts, she didn't think it was safe to start chemo back up at this point. The chances of a bleed are fairly high, and Nancy's platelets drop dangerously low with chemo. She didn't rule it out later on, depending on the next MRI - in 2 months - so we hope to build Nancy's platelets up enough to try chemo if need be.

Since Nancy's blood work is coming back up, Nancy has had more energy than she's had in months. We've started to walk outside again, slowly going a little further each day.

Our Community Angels keep surprising us, a wonderful person who shall remain nameless until you read her name - Candice - has facilitated a weekend get-away to Canmore, reaching out to some local businesses, which include Basecamp Resorts where we will be staying, Grizzly Paw, Wagashi Tea House, Rocky Mountain Bagel, Iron Goat, Banff Springs Restaurants, and a Photography session! It sounds like restrictions for dine in will still be in place, but hoping to reserve a spot on the patios! We are super excited, it's been a few years since being able to get out to the Mountains, it will be a great memory to keep. Thank you for doing this again!!

Please help support your Local Businesses, they do far more in the Community than we know ! We've been blessed to have been on the receiving end of their work, especially during Covid where it's been a struggle for everyone.

Thank you all again, we appreciate you more than we can say.

Cheers!

Nancy, Chris and Gabe

[Jebus]

Happy Mothers Day Everyone! Posting another update, things are going ok. We had a wonderful weekend getaway provided by some wonderful Community Members, and some great Local Companies. Basecamp Suites in Canmore, Grizzly Paw Brewing, Wagashi Tea House, Gord At Soffrito's and the Iron Goat. Was exactly what we needed. We did a little photo shoot, our first as a Family, so that was pretty cool. Out at Vermillion Lakes - Thank you for setting that up! Nancy has been walking more and more with the nice weather, we did our longest walk (4km) in Canmore, and it was awesome. It did take quite a bit out of Nancy the following day. We ended up needing a new mattress for Nancy, ours was too soft, so for the past almost month Nancy has bee waking up between 1-3am in too much pain to sleep. Nancy would go downstairs to try to sleep on the couch, so we haven't gotten much sleep lately, hoping it helps, it's only been 5 days since getting it - the first arrived damaged. It's been just over one year since Nancy's diagnosis and Craniotomy, we are at the start of her original 12-15 month Prognosis. Nancy is a Fighter! Continuing on with Nancy's Avastin treatment. We were finally partially reimbursed for the first two treatments, so we can pay for another two treatments - however, we are just about $10k behind to make those. Nancy's Oncologist said we can try a smaller dose (to save money) since it's over $2800 per treatment now, but we will see, would rather stay broke and get a full dose in - it seems to help Nancy, Just hoping they don't cut us off, we have an appointment on Tuesday. Nancy's Sickness benefits through EI ran out in January, so no income coming in since, Dr. de Robles filled out a Terminal Disability form we submitted on Friday, hoping to get approved, and also had an AISH form filled out. Really hoping to get approved, I don't make enough to pay rent, food and everything else on top of treatments. Again, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you thank you thank you!

[Jebus]

Hi MCB Family,

Its been awhile since posting, I've been a hot mess for awhile. Things have gone downhill in the last few weeks.

Here is today's update, just asking if you could share it on you social media. We've had a few people reach out today for funeral home recommended, just need to find a moment when I'm not crying to call them tomorrow. Just been rough this week.

Thank you all for everything. We love you!!

https://gofund.me/7e9106a5

[Rainmaker]

There aren't words, my friend. Thinking of you all 😔

[sniper97]

Wow! Hoping for better news. I am so sorry. She knew how much you loved her.

[NONOBLITUS]

So sorry about all you guys have gone through.

[maggot]

Crap, sorry to hear this, Jebus. Both my mom and my FIL seem to be losing their battles now as well. You're not in this alone.
Thinking of you.