Stacey’s Story

Site created on September 2, 2008

Welcome to our CaringBridge site. It has been created to keep our friends and family updated about Stacey.

Be sure to read the latest in her journal, view the photo gallery, and drop us a line in the guestbook.



Our story began around September 2006 with Stacey having symptoms of stomach cramping. After many doctor visits throughout the next year Stacy was admitted to the hospital for tests on September 5th, 2007. On September 7th we were told that she had worrisome spots on her liver and a liver biopsy was performed. We were then told by the doctor that she had Pancreatic Endocrine Neoplasm which is a rare Islet Cell tumor that is located in the Pancreas and it had spread to her liver. The tumors fall into the Carcinoid category which is why Stacey developed the facial flushing. Carcinoid tumors typically release certain hormones into the blood stream which cause the flushing and cramping. Unfortunatly by the time these symtoms were noticed the cancer has already spread to the liver. During the last year she has been taking Sandostatin injections every month. Sandostatin is the only drug available that is used to try to control the symptoms of the cancer. It is really difficult to tell if it has ever helped. She started on a targeted therapy chemo pill (Nexavar) last October. Almost immediately she felt better and no longer had the nausea that she had been experiancing. Nexavar did shrink the tumors during the first few months but the last several scans have shown some increase in size and the symptoms are getting worse. Stacey is now scheduled for a Chemoembolization on September 12th and if all goes as expected she should see symptom relief within a few days of the procedure.

Stacey has said that the cancer that will probably take her life actually gave her life and she is glad she has it. Until someone has been through this it is difficult to understand. I still can not say I am glad she is sick and may never be able to but I can say that we both are so thankful for the way her cancer has pulled family and friends together. We are most thankful for the many prayers that have literally came from all over the world. We would not be where we are today if it was not for all the prayers. We have learned that life on this earth is so fragile but with God in control we can be assured that all will be well in the end. If there is one thing that Stacey and I would like all to know is that we should live this life in a manner to prepare for eternal life with God.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Danny Higgins

Dear Friends and Family,

This will be the last post that I will make to this journal.  I just wanted to once again thank all the friends and family for their support during Stacey's illness and death.  There is no way I can ever thank you enough or explain how much all of you have meant to my family and myself.

I will ask that as we move forward that you continue to pray for us.  I am so blessed to be left with two families that have supported me through everything and I am truly thankful for both.  It is however still most difficult to move forward without Stacey in our lives.  I miss her more than I could ever explain.  In everything we do there is a emptyness that will never be filled.  Stacey was so much the rock of our lives.  With each passing day we miss her more and more.  It seems that her passing becomes more real everyday.  We have had several holidays, birthdays, and an anniversary since Stacey left us and they have all been very difficult.  We still have many tough days ahead but I think if we follow Stacey's example we will make it through them.  She lived her last 2 1/2 years with such grace and with a tremendous enthusiasm for life.  While facing a disease that destroyed her body she kept smiling and laughing and she lived life like there may not be a tomorrow.  She dedicated her Cancer to God and used it to win the lost to Jesus.  As most of you know she even gave her testimony in front of a crowded church.  The pre-cancer Stacey would have never done that but she was given a burning desire and strength to use her illness to win as many souls to God as possible and she did it!  Many of you know that she had made the comment that if she was able to save just one it would all be worth it.  Well she did that with more to come!

So as we try to to finish this race here on earth we need to tell her story.  Not of death, sadness or pain but of her life and how she used it to win lost souls to the lord and how she used the worst possible circumstance as an opportunity to live life to it fullest and to make sure everyone else was taken care of instead of herself.  

So, live life like there is no tomorrow, make sure you smile and laugh, be a witness in everything you do, have a goal of winning lost souls to the lord, put others before yourself and always look for the positive in every situation.  I know these things are easier said than done but if we can do them then we will be doing exactly what Stacey would want us to be doing.

For those of you who expressed interest in a video copy of Stacey's testimony, I have copies and will be sending them out to you.

May God bless and keep you all!

Love
Danny
  
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