Cori Brown

We know many are aware of Cori’s current health struggles, but have learned many are not.  This journey has become a bit more complicated since we began and thought that a Caring Bridge site would be the best means to keep people updated.




Cori’s current journey began in October.  She had an appointment to review a recent CT scan done of her lung which revealed some lesions in her thoracic vertebrae.  That required further testing which showed that she had a metastasis in several places in her bones and inguinal lymph node.  For background purposes, Cori had successfully fought breast cancer in 2009/10 and lung cancer in 2011/12.  She also had developed a cancerous condition called “Extramammary Paget’s Disease” last year which was successfully treated.  Of all these,  breast cancer metastasis seemed the most likely candidate for this metastasis, however, we learned a short time later that it was neither breast or lung.  They originally didn’t know where the original primary cancer was located.  They quickly learned that they were pretty certain it was gastro-intestinal related.  However, she has had many tests and procedures which have found no primary cancer.  




The medical team, although they are still searching for the primary, are not too concerned if they don’t find it as they would treat most GI-related cancers in a similar fashion.  She was set to begin Chemotherapy this past Tuesday and continue every two weeks for 6 months with a re-assessment after two months treatment to see how effective it is. We are also still waiting on some genetic testing that might help identify some other cancer markers that will be easier to target in the event chemotherapy is not effective or doesn’t remain effective.




As we’ve learned with cancer, and how it works, a plan sometimes doesn’t mean much. Cori woke up one morning, two weeks ago with excruciating pain in her right leg.  She was admitted to the hospital for one week.  During that stay we learned a lot of the metastasis was concentrated in her right leg in the bone and lymph node.  She began radiation therapy to relieve the pain as well as completed many other assessments/ procedures that were supposed to be done on an outpatient basis, so it was nice to get those done while she was there.  




Her pain was much improved during her hospital stay however, going home was a bit of a challenge as the medical staff has recommended that she be non-weight bearing on her right leg for now to reduce risk for fracture in her compromised bones.  So, she is limited to a walker which has been quite an adventure!   She came home last Friday.  She was happy to be home.  We modified some things in her house so that she could live on one level since stairs weren’t an option.  However, we were back in the hospital late Saturday night due to severe constipation which was brought on by all the pain medication she had been on during her last hospital stay.




That was quickly remedied and she returned home Monday afternoon and is getting settled in her new “normal” right now.  She is getting home health services for nursing and PT/OT.  She also is already receiving meals on a regular basis from her wonderful church community.  Some friends of hers built a ramp into her home so she can manage safely getting in and out of the house as needed.




She is now scheduled to begin chemotherapy this next Tuesday.  At least that is the plan for now. :)




Although this is not at all where we want to be right now, we are beyond grateful for the MANY, MANY who have reached out with love, support, and prayers.  We are so grateful for all those on her medical team who’ve been instrumental in her care throughout this whole process.  As difficult as this has been, there have been so many blessings sprinkled throughout.  We are now taking things day by day.  We so appreciate the prayers, especially.  Please pray that this cancer can be effectively treated.  But most importantly, we pray for the grace and strength the accept God’s Will - whatever that may be and to feel His immense peace and comfort.