Two days ago my mom went to her local oncologist, who told her (with tears in her eyes) that she had “days” to live and should get Hospice to come to her home. She was ready to sign her up for Hospice while she waited. She gave her no hope. She even discouraged her from going to Tampa today, as she didn’t think a visit to Moffitt would make any difference. She said the disease had doubled in size, and she thought it would go into the brain or an artery.
But God is not finished with my mom yet! “Let’s see what they say at Moffitt.” None of us believed mom was dying, at least not yet. She didn’t let her doctor call Hospice.
I booked a flight to Tampa, and right after my plane landed I took a taxi straight to Moffitt Cancer Center where mom was already waiting. Two ladies from her church were kind enough to drive her over, and stayed with us the whole day. They took blood, did vitals, and then we waited. And waited. She finally got in with the nurse practitioner, who was 90 minutes behind schedule due to an emergency. But she didn’t rush us at all, and she gave us hope. Not false hope, but real hope.
Mom’s melanoma is Stage IIIC, and the nurse practitioner was “so sorry” for what she had heard from her oncologist. She shook her head and said “you wouldn’t believe how many times we have heard patients tell us their oncologist thought they only had a few days to live, and then three years later they are sending cards to their oncologist.” Mom’s blood work shows a high tumor marker, but she has seen much worse. Ten times worse, in fact. She has seen patients live three or even five years after being diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma. No, we are not ready for Hospice. Yes, we will discuss it if the time comes, but this is not the time. Right now is the time for treatment, and for hope.
Unfortunately the BRAF mutation test did not come back from the pathologist yet, but we should have it within a few days at the most. The nurse practitioner explained the treatment protocols if the BRAF is positive, as well as if it is negative. Either way, mom will get treatment! (I had previously thought she would not get treatment without the BRAF gene, but I was mistaken.) This was good news. So here are the options at this point.
IF the BRAF is positive, she can take medicine (a pill), which kills the cancer cells. This is about a six-month process, and then they consider surgery. There are side effects and potential risks with the medicine, but it would be worth trying. They cannot start her on this medicine unless she is definitely positive for the gene, otherwise it could kill her. No thanks, we’ll wait for the results.
IF the BRAF is negative, they will start her on immunotherapy. It’s an infusion given every three weeks for a total of four sessions. Then they re-evaluate. This medicine boosts the immunity of the T-cells, which then fight the cancer cells. It’s not chemotherapy, but it is given through IV and there are also potential risks with this drug. She could get it locally, but it’s worth the trips to Tampa to have them watch her. They give this drug 10 times a day, whereas her local oncologist may only give it one time a month. After hearing her local oncologist’s report, we are focusing on what Moffitt has to say.
The nurse practitioner did not minimize mom’s condition. It is a very serious melanoma. But she provided the hope we need. It is not false hope. We were all praising God for the good report. Mom is now ready to fight this battle, as she believes God is not finished with her yet.
She was in a lot of pain today, so they gave her an IV drip with pain medicine. This knocked out the pain and she is feeling a lot better tonight. She slept most of the way home. Now that the pain is under control we should be able to keep it that way.
So this was a very good day. We got great news, and it’s good to see her spirit lifted. She is willing and ready to fight, and she wants to stay healthy. While I’m here we will establish a routine for taking meds and making sure she eats healthy in the process. She even said she wants to try walking a little bit, to the end of her driveway and back. (It’s a long driveway.)
On another note, I’m taking care of me. I got my last dose of Herceptin yesterday, and I rang the bell. I am finally finished! No more infusions! I’m working from mom’s house for a few days, and then I go back to my oncologist for my three-month check-up. But for now, I’m looking forward to a good night’s sleep…
Thank you for all your prayers! Our Lord is good, and His mercy endures forever.
À la prochaine (Until next time) …
I will type up all the words and email them to you if you will send me your email address. Give your precious mother my love. Jan
Since I learned of Connie’s latest challenge, I was reminded of her class presentation in the class I was teaching at Warner. This was many years ago. As soon as I read today’s report, I got up to see if I could find an old cassette tape that I have somewhere. I did not find the tape, but just laying on the shelf was a yellowed piece of paper with the words to a song that she sang as the closure to her presentation. The chorus goes like this: Don’t give up – you’re on the brink of a miracle. Don’t you give in – God is still on his throne! Don’t give up -You’re on the brink of your miracle. Don’t give up -Remember you’re not alone – and – So Don!t give up – you’re on the brink of a miracle
I have remembered her presentation many times through the years as well as the words to this song. If
Wow! So encouraged with this news when things looked almost inevitable! God is in control and will always be! Give your mom a hug for me and keep looking up!