Saturday, March 3, 2012

Overdue Update

Not quite sure where to start on this post since so much has occurred since we last posted. Vann has been unbelievably strong and determined since day one of being diagnosed. I can not express how proud and in awe of her strength I have been. Regardless of all the treatments Vann has endured, she has continued to remain positive and always spending as much time as possible with Ryley and Taylor. We have tried to fit in as many family activities, gatherings, and mini-vacations over the last year. Although the last two years have been hard to endure, I can honestly say we have spent a lot of quality family times together. We would like everyone to know we deeply appreciate the support and prayers that have allowed us to share this time together as a family.

As most of you know at one point in 2010 we came very close to getting to surgery, but unfortunately this did not occur due to Vann's specific Cancer becoming resistant to the Fol Fox Chemotherapy. Over the last year Vann has been on several different combinations of Chemotherapy. We were getting positive results and were making progress towards clinical remission. In addition to the Chemotherapy, Vann underwent Cyberknife Radiation and Chemo Embolization to her Liver tumors.

After these treatments Vann had a new tumor in the pelvic area that was able to grow through the Chemotherapy she was on at that time. Once again Vann underwent a different Chemotherapy and endured Tomotherapy Radiation to the new tumor. The combination of Chemotherapy and Radiation worked well to keep Vann's Cancer from progressing. Shortly after, Vann's tumor markers began to rise again and we tried some other Chemotherapy and Target Therapy drugs.

Unfortunately each time we would move onto the next promising Chemotherapy or Target Therapy drug, Vann's Cancer would continue to become resistant. Currently we have exhausted all the newer combinations of Chemotherapy and Target Therapy drugs that are available for treatment. Recently we tried to get Vann into a Clinical Trial at UCLA, but Vann did not meet the criteria for the trial. After receiving this news we met with our Oncologist last week and discussed a possible option. Vann was administered an older Chemotherapy drug that we are hoping will be able to keep the Cancer from progressing any further. There is some new testing techniques and a new form of Chemotherapy coming onto the market within a couple months. The new Chemotherapy is significantly more effective than the various combinations Vann has been given. We are hoping to be able to get the approval for this new drug and should know within the next couple weeks.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

New Year Update


Where to start on this update? Well, December was a frantic month for us. With the last PET Scan results being favorable, we moved forward with the consultations with surgeons for possible surgery. After consulting with six different surgeons in the early weeks of December we thought our game plan was coming together. Unfortunately, Vann's tumor marker numbers began to increase and we needed to get a PET Scan done to figure things out. The results were shocking due to Vann's cancer genetically altering itself to the FOL FOX Chemotherapy. The PET Scan showed the primary tumor and liver tumors as being metabolically active. In addition, it showed the cancer has now made its way into Vann's lungs.

After coming to terms with this news we discussed our options with our Oncologist and Vann is now on a different Chemotherapy regiment. Vann is currently on her second round of FOL FIRI along with a new Target Therapy drug called Erbitux. The side effects have proven to be a little tougher, along with the fact that this is now Vann's 15th round of Chemotherapy. The major side effect right now is a rash predominantly on her face and back. This is a common reaction from the Erbitux and actually is a reaction the Oncologist informed us that you want to see. Apparently, the rash is a indication that the Erbitux is achieving the desired results.

The tumor marker numbers have been going down during the first round of the FOL FIRI Chemotherapy. Right now we just need to pray and hope that this trend continues. We will be monitoring the tumor markers numbers for now and moving ahead with the new treatment plan. At some point, a PET Scan will be performed and will hopefully show some encouraging results.

On a side note, I would like everyone to know our family had a very nice Christmas Day. Ryley and Taylor had a great time opening gifts and playing all day. It was a great feeling to spend the day together as a family and see Vann so happy. There were numerous friends, co-workers, organizations, and family that made this possible. Without the efforts and generosity from all of you, we could not have made this happen. Thank you to everyone in our lives for helping us make this Holiday Season a special time.

Thank you all for the enormous amount of prayers, love, and support!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Latest News

Apologies for not posting over the last month, but we have learned throughout this journey that it is like a roller coaster ride. Sometimes you are feeling very high when receiving good news and obviously sometimes you are feeling very low when receiving bad news. For this reason we waited to post on what is going on until we really knew and understood what is occurring.

Vann was able to start the 12th Round of Chemo yesterday and will possibly be going for the 13th Round in a couple weeks. The 11th Round proved to be the hardest Round for Vann. During the infusion, Vann had a reaction with hives, shortness of breath and slight chest tightness. After the administration of medications to counteract the allergic reaction she was able to receive the rest of the infusion. During the 11th Round Vann was much more fatigued than the previous rounds.

During the 11th Round Vann's tumor marker numbers were not responding how the Oncologist expected them to. At this point the Oncologist ordered a CAT Scan to get a better idea of what was occurring. The results from the CAT Scan were suspicious and questionable to both the Radiologist and Oncologist so a PET Scan was ordered. Okay, now to the good news-the results from the PET Scan showed remarkable improvements in the primary tumor and the tumors within the Liver. When compared to the PET Scan when Vann was diagnosed, it was obvious even to us how much the tumors had shrunken. In addition, the PET Scan clearly showed how much less metabolic activity was occurring within the tumors.

Our Oncologist felt very comfortable with the results from the PET Scan and informed us we will continue with the FOLFOX Chemotherapy and the Avastin. During this appointment we discussed the next step was for Vann to be evaluated by several Liver Surgeons for possible surgery. We have gone to one appointment at St Johns Cancer Center in Santa Monica and will hopefully be making more appointments this week. After meeting with the different Dr's we will be making an informed decision with our Oncologist with how to proceed.

At this point the game plan sounds like surgery will be performed sometime in December. The first surgery would likely involve removing the primary tumor in the colon and performing the surgery on the liver. Vann is expected to be in the hospital for one week following the surgery. The dates for the surgery will depend on if Vann can continue with the Chemotherapy and also how long it takes Vann to regain her strength to endure the surgery. As you can all see, a lot of variables are involved in how this is all going to proceed.

Think that about brings everyone up to date. Please if anyone has any questions feel free to e-mail us. This has been a pretty tough time, but definitely could not have been done without all the help. It is very difficult to put into words how much it has assisted us through this time. We really appreciate all the sacrifices our family, friends, co-workers and neighbor's have done to assist our family. Thank you!

Monday, October 4, 2010

The Tenth Round

Hard to believe but Vann was administered the tenth round of Chemotherapy today! The past couple weeks have been pretty tough with Vann battling to keep her White Blood Cell count up. The toxicity of the Chemotherapy has obviously been compounded by each round and her immune system is having trouble recovering. Vann is now receiving a medication called Nupogen, which basically is designed to help her White Blood Cell count.

Our Oncologist continues to be optimistic on getting Vann ready for Surgery and the tumor marker numbers have continued to go down. The CEA Tumor Marker is down to 188 and the CA 19-9 is down to 56. We are very happy to receive these results and are hoping to see the numbers decrease even more. We should have some news shortly in regards to the surgery.

Vann is keeping busy between either her Chemotherapy, Target Therapy, Daily Hydration, Acupuncture, Massage Therapy and Yoga. The combination of this approach has proven to help minimize the side effects and been a testament to how strong Vann is. Apparently being active has the biggest impact on keeping the blood platelet count up. We are trying to accomplish this with all the treatment options and of course the activities with Ryley and Taylor.

Quick note on the girls. Ryley has made the transition to Kindergarten at Eastbluff Elementary School. Ryley is enjoying meeting new friends and shows a genuine interest in learning. Taylor has moved up a class at Child Time Preschool and is still very free spirited. We have been very lucky to keep them going to schools right next to each other. The staff at both schools have helped make this transition as normal as possible for the girls. Thank you to you all for taking such good care of our girls.

Thank you all once again for the continued support. We have been truly blessed to receive all the help!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Heading towards the Ninth Round

Sorry its been a little while for an update, but we just had our appointment yesterday with the Oncologist. To give everyone a better idea of how well Vann's Cancer has responded to the Chemotherapy (FOL FOX) and Target Therapy (Avastin), we decided to share the current tumor marker numbers. The Cancer Antigen CA 19-9 was at 507.7 (U/mL) at the highest point and is currently at 99.7. The Carcinoembryonic Antigen CEA was at 1798.7 (ng/mL) at the highest point and is currently at 221.8. To give a reference, the normal limits for the tumor markers are: CA 19-9 (0.0-33.0) and CEA (0.0-3.0). So as you can see we still have a ways to go, but considering where we were at the news is great!

Vann was able to receive the seventh round of Chemo a week later than scheduled due to her blood platelets being too low. We are trying to do what we can to keep the blood platelets up and Vann was able to receive the eighth round on the two week schedule. Vann is on schedule for the ninth round of Chemo to start next Tuesday.

Long term wise our Oncologist is expecting Vann to tolerate somewhere around 12 cycles of Chemotherapy and Target Therapy. For now the tracking method will be the tumor marker numbers instead of exposing Vann to the radiation associated with scans. We should know in early November what options we have for surgery and will proceed from there.

Thank you to everyone for the help, love, support and prayers. We have been so fortunate for the meals being delivered, the guys at the fire station working for me, the support from our family/friends and all the help taking care of our girls. Its very difficult to express in words how much this has helped and meant to our family. At times I am left speechless, but please know we truly appreciate everything everyone has done to help us out. Thank you!!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Quick Update

Vann went in on Friday to her Oncologist and things are looking better. Her blood platelet count has rebounded and is currently over 100 now. In addition, it seems the fever has passed, although we never really figured out what was causing it. Who really knows when you have two little ones around you all the time! So now we are looking at starting the seventh round of Chemo on Monday. Vann was given the Avastin on Friday, but due to logistical reasons the Fol Fox will be administered on Monday.

Should have a update coming next week. As usual the questions for the Oncologist are building up again. Thank you to everyone for the support and prayers!

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Seventh Round of Chemo

As usual I will briefly discuss how the last cycle, the sixth round, went for Vann. Things were a little bit tougher this round due to the cumulative toxicity of Chemotherapy. Vann has been able to maintain her weight, but her blood platelet count is starting to be low now. She is also having a lot more difficulty in sleeping now compared to the other rounds. Hopefully we will find an alternative to let her get some rest this week.

Prior to administering each Chemo round is when the blood tumor marker levels are checked. Both tumor marker numbers went down again by about one third. Vann has not been able to start the seventh round of Chemo yet due to her blood platelet count being below 100. In addition, for some reason she has had a fever and an elevated heart rate for the last 4 days. Her Oncologist has ran a couple culture tests which came back negative, but as a precaution she is on antibiotics again.

So, in the big picture of things, good news is the Chemotherapy is being effective in controlling the Cancer. The tumor marker numbers continue to decrease and we hope this trend can continue to get Vann to surgery. Her Oncologist is pleased with the results and had discussed the possibility of going to three week cycles rather than the current two week cycles. This would allow Vann's body more time to recover and maintain her blood platelet count above 100 before the next cycle is administered. At this point it is unknown how many more rounds of Chemotherapy Vann will have to do.

We will post an update on when Vann is able to start the seventh round. Right now we need to figure out the fever, the elevated heart rate and get her blood platelet count above 100.

Thank you to everyone for all the support and help! We honestly could not have done this without the generosity of our family, friends, co-workers and neighbors. Thank you all for making this tough time manageable and as normal as can be for Ryley and Taylor. We love you all and are blessed to have you in our lives.