Nancy Thorwardson

Welcome to Nancy's CaringBridge website. Nancy appreciates your support and words of hope and encouragement. Please note that Nancy has a go-fund-me account under "ways to help" above to assist with medical costs. See the Journal for the most recent updates. 

On November 9th Nancy learned she has cancer, later identified as metastasized breast cancer. On December 2, she  moved from a rehab facility to a friend's home in Boulder. December 12, she returned to the hospital but has been back at her friends' home in Boulder for a while. She is walking and doing very well with mobility.  --> --> -->Text Nancy to see if she's up for a visit. 

She would love to receive notes and cards at her home address but is doing a little texting and FB. No phone calls for now. 
Please send cards and notes to Nancy:
Nancy Thorwardson
2703 CR 37E
Lyons, CO 80540

Feel free to contact us:

Emily:  (tel: 303-875-7514) - call, text or email: emily2reynolds@yahoo.com
Michelle: (tel: 720-560-0122) - call, text, or email: mchyallen@gmail.com


Last Year's Updates
The following is a diary of updates in reverse chronological order; for the chronological version, please read from the bottom up.

Most Recent Update from last year: 

Tuesday, December 13: Nancy had a setback over the weekend with severe digestive issues, possibly related to medicines she's taking. After a rough weekend, she was admitted to the Hospital Monday evening with dehydration and feeling weak. The effort is to stabilize and make her comfortable, and she will return to Manor Care tomorrow afternoon after at PET scan at the hospital.  Nancy needs our good wishes! 

Friday, December 9: During yesterday's oncology appointment, Dr. Fleagle clearly emphasized that Nancy could well have an extended period of remission lasting years. This positive a prognosis hadn't been stated earlier. 

Thursday, December 8: Nancy is doing well! She has frequent afternoon appointments. Usually the appointments occur where Nancy's is staying, but occasionally she gets a ride with a friend for a doctor's appointment. She is at the table for meals and walking a bit more each day. She is also very much looking forward to visits from dear friends Norma Jean at Christmastime and Dave in the New Year! 

Saturday, December 3: Nancy is feeling right at home at her friends' home in Boulder where she has deluxe, ground floor accommodations! The transition from ManorCare to her new digs was smooth, and she is able to ride in an SUV-type car without pain. We are looking into diet and Nancy's busy schedule with daily PT, OT and a nurse assistant visit. She is comfortable and has her usual sunny disposition! Another big step in healing! 

Wednesday, December 1: Nancy will move into a friend's home in Boulder tomorrow, Friday. She continues to make big gains in all respects.

Monday, November 28 - Nancy felt good over the weekend and had lots of friends visit. She is doing great in PT, and is getting her strength back.  Also her orange nails now match her orange glasses so she is happy about that!

Saturday, November 26 - Norma Jean and Q left Friday morning and were absolute angels during their lovely visits with Nancy. Nancy makes good progress with her OT and PT every morning. 
 
Saturday, November 19 - Nancy  is now situated in a beautiful rehab facility, Manor Care in Boulder. She will be having a lot more physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) during her time at Manor Care. Your sweet comments to her here are the best therapy of all! 

Friday, November 18 - Nancy is now scheduled for radiation for the next 9 days and will be moving to the rehab center Manor Care in Boulder at 28th and Palo Parkway this afternoon. They have provided Nancy with a back brace which is making a huge difference in her pain level and mobility. 

Thursday, November 17 - Nancy is standing and walking a bit, feeling and looking great, in excellent spirits! Dr. Flaegel and his team have determined that the original cause is breast cancer which they will  treat with estrogen-inhibiters.   Nancy's longtime pals from grad school Schwab and Q arrived yesterday afternoon, and the four of them are having a lovely time seeing each other. 

Tuesday, November 15 - Some good news again today! First of all, Nancy had a good day yesterday and remains free of pain tho some pain meds have been eliminated. She is on morphine primarily. She was also able to stand up and take a few steps this morning without too much pain.  A social worker has been assigned and is looking into the next location for rehabilitation. She is seeking space at a  very highly recommended facility off Palo Parkway in north Boulder. Thord is in good spirits and loves hearing us read your comments from this site to her.   

Monday Nov. 14th - Nancy is receiving more pain meds and is feeling better. She is in good spirits and has been able to take a couple steps and sit up in a recliner, a big improvement. 

November 11, 2016 - Dear friend Betsy Harrison arrived last night from Texas  and we will probably see Norma Jean and Q before long. 
The results of the MRIs include a discovery of three more spots of cancer on her skull, ribs and pelvis in addition to the spine but they still do not have confirmation  the primary cause of the cancer. They did a bone marrow biopsy and strongly suspect breast cancer.

November 10, 2016 - Nancy had been having back problems since June and just barely managing severe, uncontrolled pain for the last couple of months. She went into Boulder Community Hospital's ICU last night and had 2 MRIs and they discovered multiple tumors metastasized on her ribs and along her spine. In addition her spine has developed several stress fractures and is therefore even weaker. She is not able to stand up without excruciating pain and is currently confined to bed rest.