Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.
As many of you know, it was discovered that Joy had a large tumor attached to her left kidney in March of this year. She underwent surgery to remove it (along with the kidney) several weeks later. The biopsy on the tumor showed that it was non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma (chromophobe type). This is a very unusual type of cancer which is often slow growing. Unfortunately this type of cancer is also not responsive to traditional cancer treatments like chemo and radiation. The doctors were hopeful that the tumor would not reoccur or spread but they recommend a watch-and-wait approach with Joy having scans every 3 months following her surgery. With help and support from her husband, family and friends, Joy recovered well from the arduous surgery. She went back to work, traveling and going on with life.
Unfortunately, on her second scan (in late August), several metastatic tumors were discovered; two in Joy's lungs and one mass in her abdominal cavity. Treatment options were discussed and Joy chose to follow up with another renal oncologist for a second opinion. Both doctors recommended different clinical trials but told Joy that she could decide which one. It was still thought that her cancer was not highly aggressive so a time frame to start treatment in several months was decided upon.
Joy and Luke were able to visit us in Ireland and have a nice holiday although she began having symptoms of a cold/chest infection. Joy returned home still feeling like she had some cold as she felt run down and had a cough. Her GP gave her an antibiotic and Joy continued on with her work and life. In the past 3 weeks, Joy began to experience high fevers and a more serious cough. She was sent to the oncology urgent care several times with dehydration and suspected pneumonia. After giving her fluids intravenously, they sent her home with new antibiotics all to no avail. My parents arrived to help last weekend as Joy was not recovering and was very weak. Last Wednesday, (15 November), Joy was admitted to Baylor hospital after another high fever after no response to oral antibiotics.
Scans and x-rays in the hospital have shown significant growth in her lung tumors. Her cancer is now thought to be "fast-growing" which is again unusual for this type of cancer. Joy has been on several types of antibiotics in her IV along with fluids in the hospital but she is continuing to have fevers, especially at night. The doctors now think her fevers are actually being caused by her tumors in a complication called "tumor fever or Neoplastic febrile syndrome." Unfortunately this type of fever does not always respond to normal fever-reducing measures (like Tylenol or Ibuprofen). Joy's oncologist is now hurrying tests and scans to get her into the clinical trial that uses two targeted treatments to try and slow or stop the tumor progression.
We all appreciate and thank you for your prayers! We will do our best to give updates as new details become available.
Song on my heart....
""Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now
So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
Oh, Jesus, you're my God!
I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy9nwe9_xzwJana (Joy's sister)
