Lynea Oakley Team Nea

Hello Team Nea!


My name is Kate and I am Julie's mom.  Julie has been Lynea's partner for the past several years. I am starting the Caring Bridge website as a way for us all to communicate and figure out ways we can help Lynea and Julie.  They need our  support and strength  and  ideas as they brave this cancer journey together.


 Lynea was first diagnosed with stage 3b Anal cancer over two years ago.  She had a difficult journey through radiation and chemotherapy, but bravely continued through it.  Chemotherapy caused double pulmonary embolisms in her lungs, resulting in a hospital stay.  And radiation caused third degree burns all throughout the pelvic region inside and out.  I nicknamed her "WonderWoman" as I was amazed at her strength and bravery and will to survive. Lynea's cancer was in remission until last Spring when she was trying on  shirt and her rib broke. with the rib x-ray, and scan we found out the cancer had spread to the lungs and potentially the rib. And Liver.


 Then after one or two doses of Immunotherapy, she had ataxia (speech difficulty) as well as weakness in her hand and confusion.  An MRI revealed cancer in her brain in 6 different areas.  Wonder Woman bravely tackled Whole Brain Radiation (WBR) and continued with Immunotherapy, using the drug Opdiva. They also placed her on Dextamethasone, a steroid to reduce edema in the brain surrounding her tumors. Recently they tapered her off the steroid which resulted in terrible hip and back pain as well as muscle weakness and extreme fatigue. She slept for several days.


We thought this might be due to steroid withdrawal but a Pet-Scan showed that  her back, hip and rib pain is due to cancer continuing to spread through the pelvis and hips and back and into her other rib.


We welcome your energy as we wander through this confusing and scary maze of choices, sorrow and ups and downs. We need your strength and input!
KTF