Mollie Maresh

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Some of you may know Mollie's story, but since it has transpired so quickly and recently, I wanted to bring everyone up to speed. Please excuse my layman's terminology (I'm not a medical professional).

About a month ago Mollie underwent balloon sinuplasty surgery for blocked sinuses due to upper respiratory infections that had been recurring since the beginning of the year. After surgery she continued to have a bacterial infection that was unresponsive to antibiotics. During her follow up check ups and treatments, a mass was noticed below her thyroid that had grown quickly from a check up a month prior. It was biopsied and determined cancerous. After a multitude of tests and scans the conclusion was that the cause of the cancer was unclear and she was referred to MD Anderson("MDA") in Houston. Her records and scans were sent to MDA and the pathologists there concurred with the findings of her local medical team. After many phone calls and emails from friends and family, she finally received her coveted  MDA patient number (MRN) and an appointment with an oncologist (Dr. V) in MDA's Center of Unknown Causes. After meeting with Dr. V on May 2nd, we learned that over time there have been multiple lymph nodes that have joined together to form a big mass. A lot of it is below her clavicle in her chest and not obvious in her neck. Over time this has caused a deviation in her trachea, resulting in difficulty swallowing and breathing at times. The amount of disease is impinging on nerves in her chest causing a great deal of pain from time to time. Dr. V and the radiologist felt chemotherapy would be the best plan to shrink this mass and she will be teaming with the MDA Head and Neck specialists for the treatment. Mollie will receive 3 rounds of chemo ((Paclitaxel-Taxol and Carboplatin-Paraplatin) one time every 21 days, then repeat scans to see how the treatment is working. Mollie was admitted to the hospital yesterday and given her first round this afternoon so Dr. V could monitor any initial effects. Dr. V will keep her in Houston through next Tuesday to examine her and determine if she can receive the following chemo rounds in Kerrville. MDA will continue to run scans to find the primary cause of the cancer, but feel any findings will be academic and very unlikely to change the course of the treatment plan.

We are so grateful for Stephen Rowe, who accompanied Mollie and Frank to Houston and has been both of their sides(especially Frank's) the entire time. Stephen's medical education has been so helpful in asking questions and understanding medical terminology and his companionship is so valuable!

Thank you to all of our special family and friends who have checked in, sent prayers and thoughts. We are forever grateful and ask that you continue your prayers for Mollie to heal fully and quickly!