Okay we have some catching up to do. Since my July appt. I have followed up most recently Oct 27th and the spots are still in my lungs with what Dr. Pennell calls Cancer characteristics. I am continuing on the Avastin every three weeks. He deemed my condition stable, the spots have not grown nor gone away. I am thrilled to be stable I feel great, everyday is a blessing with or without cancer. I am always praying and who knows the next visit it may be gone.
Also I have a new Dr assis. well not new to her position just to me :) her name is Tara and she is awesome. Adam and I talked her ear off and she seemed fine with it hahaha so far I have taken it easy on emailing her. She has been great and very helpful.
Katie has a new position at the Cleveland clinic, no longer in the cancer center, of course Adam and I will miss seeing her at appointments.
My friends and family walked a 5k lung cancer walk on Saturday Nov 7th for an organization called Free to breath. The walk was in Dayton,OH and the turn out was amazing. My friends and family really showed their support not to mention our team had the most donations at about $1300 to go to lung cancer research. All of the teams did great, I also had the pleasure of meeting a woman in her 70's (whom won the 3 mile run in her age group) diagnosed stage IV in 2007 spread to her bones. It is 2009 and she runs miles every morning and she looks great! What an inspiration. Not to mention she told me I could not be a day over 20 yr. hahaha I love her. Well I will have a special post for the walk once I get the pictures.
nationallungcancerpartnership.org
Well there is my update next one will be pics of the walk.
Donations
If you are interested in making anytype of donation to help me fight this cancer or my family, please email adam_alloway@yahoo.com for details. You are able to send donations via paypal or an address will be provided.
*******UPDATE********
I will have bracelets (similar to the Lance Armstrong ones) to help me raise the money needed to beat this cancer for sale in the VERY near future. They will be baby blue in color and I hope to sell them at $5each. My name is on the inside of them. Fight Against Cancer on the top and Live Every Moment on the bottom. Best picture I could manage is below.
*********Will be posting pictures of everyone wearing their bracelets to show their support in the VERY near future! We really have spread the word about this fight and the support has been mind blowing!!!************
*******UPDATE********
I will have bracelets (similar to the Lance Armstrong ones) to help me raise the money needed to beat this cancer for sale in the VERY near future. They will be baby blue in color and I hope to sell them at $5each. My name is on the inside of them. Fight Against Cancer on the top and Live Every Moment on the bottom. Best picture I could manage is below.
*********Will be posting pictures of everyone wearing their bracelets to show their support in the VERY near future! We really have spread the word about this fight and the support has been mind blowing!!!************
Bracelet
TIME LINE
October 6, 2008
Told by doctors that I have Non Small Cell Lung Cancer. HOW is this possible!!! I have not smoked a SINGLE day in my life.
October 8, 2008
I now have Stage 4 NSCLC because the cancer has spread throughout the lymph nodes in my chest and there is abnormal growth around my Brain.
October 9, 2008
I start radiation therapy to kill the cancer around my brain. I will have 15 treatments every weekday starting today. I am fitted with a mesh mask and locked to a table during treatment. Fortunately treatment is at most 7mins long.
October 28, 2008
I complete radiation therapy with little side effects. The worst being the hair loss and a little fatigue, but nothing I couldnt handle. Doctors here in Cincinnati now want me to start standard chemo on 11/03/08. The oncologist here is unhelpful to me and my family. Seems like he simply wants to treat me like a number instead of an individual. Trying to find a better facility for possible treatment.
October 30, 2008
After a trip to the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center, I feel like a ton of bricks have been lifted off my shoulders. I meet with an oncologist who I feel 100% confident in trusting my life with. Instead of chemo and making me feel like a statistic, he offers alternative treatments.
November 4, 2008
TARCEVA is delivered to me and I start this medicine today. The Doctor in Cleveland suggested this medicine and after extensive research on my part I am confident that I am on the right track to tame this cancer. I must take this medicine for a 30day trial then get tested to check results.
November 11, 2008
I check in at the Cleveland Clinic after a week of taking the Tarceva. After a week its hard to tell if it is taking effect but all blood tests come back as normal. My weight is normal and I now anticipate the date of 12/02/08, which is when we may find out if the Tarceva is in fact the right drug for me.
Told by doctors that I have Non Small Cell Lung Cancer. HOW is this possible!!! I have not smoked a SINGLE day in my life.
October 8, 2008
I now have Stage 4 NSCLC because the cancer has spread throughout the lymph nodes in my chest and there is abnormal growth around my Brain.
October 9, 2008
I start radiation therapy to kill the cancer around my brain. I will have 15 treatments every weekday starting today. I am fitted with a mesh mask and locked to a table during treatment. Fortunately treatment is at most 7mins long.
October 28, 2008
I complete radiation therapy with little side effects. The worst being the hair loss and a little fatigue, but nothing I couldnt handle. Doctors here in Cincinnati now want me to start standard chemo on 11/03/08. The oncologist here is unhelpful to me and my family. Seems like he simply wants to treat me like a number instead of an individual. Trying to find a better facility for possible treatment.
October 30, 2008
After a trip to the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center, I feel like a ton of bricks have been lifted off my shoulders. I meet with an oncologist who I feel 100% confident in trusting my life with. Instead of chemo and making me feel like a statistic, he offers alternative treatments.
November 4, 2008
TARCEVA is delivered to me and I start this medicine today. The Doctor in Cleveland suggested this medicine and after extensive research on my part I am confident that I am on the right track to tame this cancer. I must take this medicine for a 30day trial then get tested to check results.
November 11, 2008
I check in at the Cleveland Clinic after a week of taking the Tarceva. After a week its hard to tell if it is taking effect but all blood tests come back as normal. My weight is normal and I now anticipate the date of 12/02/08, which is when we may find out if the Tarceva is in fact the right drug for me.
November 17,2008- Time to go for a HUGE test. I went to get an MRI so that it can check if the previously reported abnormal growth around my brain is reduced or (what I hope) gone. After what seemed like 3hours of sitting in this machine, I am released and told to check with the Doctor in 24hrs for results. 24hrs!!! I am thinking that this first test can be a sign of things to come.
November 18, 2008- Today I heard some GREAT news. The radiation treatment that I hated to go to did exactly what the doctors wanted it to do. Abnormal growth around my brain has either been killed or reduced to a level where I need not to worry about it for the time being. YAY!!!!!!!!! I am SOOOOOOOOO happy!!! Since this is the first treatment result I have gotten and it is positive, we are all praying this is a sign of good things to come.
November 19, 2008- I have my bracelets in and have sold MANY of them. I THANK YOU all so much for your support!! I can see how many people have checked out this site and I cant stop smiling. Get with Adam via email or in person if you'd like to get a bracelet. The strong words and support from everyone is astonishing!!!!
December 2, 2008- BIG DAY for me.....I went to see Dr. Pennell this morning. Had to take a CT Scan and blood work prior to seeing him. 10:30 rolls around and its time to talk to the Doctor. He tells me that as of now the Tarceva is working!! My CT Scan shows NO SIGNS of abnormal activity within my chest. OMG!! I think Adam wanted to high five the doctor. I have to stay on Tarceva because there is still some spots around my brain but nothing to stress over. So I ask the doctor a NUMBER of times just to clarify, "I was diagnosed with Stage 4 NSCLC and told there is too much cancer in my chest to have it removed. Now your telling me that there is no cancer in my chest?" Doctor confirms that he sees nothing in my chest and as of now our main focus will be to stay on Tarceva and see him in 2 months. Am I REALLY beating this devil this quick?!!! I think it is owed to all the prayers, support, and positive attitude that I have maintained. I know that I can beat this and will do so in no time flat if it is up to me and the prayers.
December 14, 2008- My fight continues but since it is a fight I have my good times and bad times. Recently I am getting the side effects of the Tarceva stronger than I would like. The good part is it is working, the bad is that it can dry my skin out so bad that I feel like lotioning myself every 15mins!! But when it comes to winning, I will take it. I head back to the Cleveland Clinic on the 16th for an unexpected checkup. Should be just routine but I initiated the visit just to reassure myself that all is going good. On an extremely positive note......the support and love and prayers from EVERYONE has really touched me and the family!! All of our supporters have been AMAZING!! From Adam's job, to mine and all the various friends, family, and even complete strangers WE THANK YOU!!!!
January 27th, 2009- I have had a LOT going on recently and am soooo sorry I havent updated the site. I am still taking Tarceva daily. Recently me and Adam got to escape to Clearwater/Tampa for 4days and it was perfect! I needed to see if the sun would help my dry skin and it did! Told Adam we need to make a move South asap!!!
Today I went to see Dr.Pennell again. He had me do all the tests to get an understanding of where I stand. MRI, CT Scan, bloodwork done. Dr. Pennell meets us and tells me news that brought me to tears. I held back the tears but they were there and Adam even had some too. Tears were coming through because.....Dr. Pennell says that he sees no evidence of Cancer in my chest. Thats right NADA, NOTHING! Now we know its in my blood still so the Tarceva will fight that for us. He also says that the tumors that are present around my brain (which I took radiation for) continue to shrink and to this point are the smallest that he has seen them. So......Tarceva is working (even the bad side effects but I can work with those) I will keep taking it daily and now I do not see the Doctor again until late April. Thank you so much Dr. Pennell & Katie! We are so happy that I am beating this devil. God is Great and does wonders! I am sure that all of the prayers and thoughts that each of our friends and supporters send also have alot to do with me winning so far. PLEASE keep them going and I hope to do what some doctors didnt think I could do, which is beat this devil!!! Behind closed doors this fight is hard and ugly @ times. So I'd like to give a special Thank you to my husband and oldest daughter Naomi for your love, support and prayers through it all! I love you.
April 1st, 2009 -
Hi - It has been a while since I checked in. So far all is well, Adam and I have been busy looking at houses we have our top three and the bidding has begun! We are very excited about that.Treatment is going great and spring FINALLY arrived. I can't ask for much more. I will be updating the pictures soon. I go back to the Cleveland clinic on April 28th for the works, MRI, CT Scan and blood work. Oh my hair is coming back YAY - Although I still look good with little to no hair :) I will not be posting pictures of myself w/little to no hair. (sorry) lol - I am optimistic and looking forward to the future. I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the lord.Keep me in your prayers!One more thing we have so many followers but no one leaves comment/posts - Don't be shy we all could use your encouraging words or whatever you have to share.MoMo
May 1st, 2009 -
Tuesday, April 28th we get up and go to my appt at the Cleveland clinic - First test MRI during my MRI I am asking God "please just take this cancer away" I am feeling very confident about the results no fears just anxious. So I continue with my blood work and CT Scan, on to meet with Dr.Pennell and Katie. I wish you all could know them Dr.Pennell is so cool and laid back and katie is like a burst of sunshine. Dr.Pennell tells Adam and I There is NO Cancer on my scans! I said so there is no cancer on my brain? he says "The only way to be completly sure is to take your brain out and look at it" (which we obviously are not going to do) So as of right now I am cancer free. Not in remission I think that takes several months of "clean" scans. I will continue my meds. WOW the power of prayer, keep them coming. Thank you everyone for your support....Friends, family, Co-workers I could not have pulled through this without you!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
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