Monday

January 26, 2009

It’s been kind of hard to get computer time since I got back from Colorado on Friday night. I just wanted to give a quick update. It was so nice to be able to sit down with the doctors there and have them really go over the scans with me. I learned that the mass in the center of my chest is for sure Melanoma, as is the one in the right lobe of my right lung. The thyroid cancer is still there—still active—but not spreading. Doctor Gonzales said it was quite concerning that the Melanoma is recurring and growing so quickly after such a short time since BioChemo. He said that they will not allow me to do BioChemo again as it is too aggressive. So our plan for now is to do a clinical trial. They have received the go ahead for me to participate in this particular trial as long as I pass the tissue typing (which I will find out about in the next couple of days). They were completely giddy over the fact that I passed the gene type. Only 20% of the population has the specific gene they were looking for in this clinical trial. If I pass the tissue type then I will begin the trial as soon as next week. They say that it is not as aggressive as BioChemo, but it is the same stuff that made me so crazy before. But this is our best option right now. Before I went to Colorado with my family, I researched every clinical trial they offer in Utah. Things just aren’t as cutting edge in Utah (for Melanoma—other cancer research is completely on the forefront at Huntsman and University—just not for Melanoma). I wouldn’t qualify for any of them anyway because of my Thyroid cancer. So please say a little prayer that I will qualify and that things will fall into place for us. We feel remarkably calm about things. We’re grateful for the wonderful blessings we’ve had thus far. We’re grateful for all of the time we’ve been blessed with.
I’m really grateful for my time in Colorado this time. I stayed with a friend from High School—ZCMI Teen Board—and College, Jamica McConkie Wilcox. She and her family were absolutely wonderful. Jamica and I had a fun afternoon between scans on Thursday. We went to lunch and drove through Denver. We saw some of the sights and tried to shop, but that was a bust since both of us are terrible shoppers. While searching for an outdoor mall called the 16th Street Mall, Jamica was giving directions, I was driving. She said turn right here. Without really looking I turned right and we found ourselves exactly on the 16th Street Mall (where you are NOT supposed to drive). We tried to get off as pedestrians walked around us and pointed our way off the plaza. We had a great laugh over that one. I loved being in Jamica and Bryan’s home. It was so peaceful. Their kids (all five of them) were so good, I mean really good I never saw any of them argue or scream or fight at all.
I love you all. I’m thinking of something funny or cute for next post.

7 comments:

Karla said...

Good morning Anne! I am so happy that your first match passed the test. It just makes me sick that you have to go through more distress to try and fight the cancer. I am so grateful that you and Ward are calm about everything. What a wonderful blessing to know that through it all we are being watched over and guided. You are such a wonderful, special person and I just love how nice you are to everyone.

Josi said...

Thank you for the update, I'm so glad you passed the first hurdle for the trial and will definitely add my prayers to everyone else's that you pass the tissue typing too. I'm so glad you got to hang out with Jamica, girl-time is a good thing.

Jamica said...

Anne, I got your message yesterday. Thanks for calling with your update. You are, as always, in our prayers. It's nice to know specifics about how things are going and what you are hoping for so that our prayers can be more specific.
Thanks for making my children sound so peaceful! I don't believe the word "peaceful" has ever been used in the same paragraph as a reference to my children before....so thanks for making us sound so great!!! (Although you didn't need to spill the beans about my ability to give driving directions!) I loved being able to spend one on one time with you! What a treasure! Love you!

Unknown said...

I am also glad you passed the gene type test. We will pray and pray you will pass the tissue type as well. Thanks for the updates on your blog, and let us know the results. We love you Anne!! You sure have been through a lot lately-just keep pushing forward with your great strength you have!
Let me know if you need anything! I am not that far away. Even if you need a good girls night out you can call me!! I would love to see you.

Holly said...

I am sorry Anne-- I cannot say a "little" prayer for you- I am not in the habit. We just say BIG prayers for you... Our entire family prays for you-- at breakfast, at lunchtime, at dinner, family prayers, and I personally have the sobbing kind at night sometimes. I know where your strength comes from. Your sharing it with all of us is a blessing and something I strive for. I love you. Will be anxious to hear...

John Petersen said...

Five kids no arguing, no screaming, no fighting at all. That's amazing, how do people do it?

If you come to our house you might not get a lot of arguing or fighting, but there's more screaming and running around than you can shake a stick at. It's like a constant party. Maybe it's just my oldest, Carter, he's a party waiting to happen. See the video I just posted on my blog for exhibit A.

Sounds like you had fun! Carter would be proud.

Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen said...

You are amazing! I'm so glad you're in my life. And yes, prayers are always headed your way.