Hello family and friends,
I still am having a hard time accepting the fact that I am sending out this update to you.  I kept putting it off until we knew a bit more about what was happening, but Mom's cancer has come back and it is growing rapidly and aggressively.  After almost 2 1/2 years since her diagnosis, her last CT on April 22nd, came back to show a mass in her pelvis that is growing into her sigmoid colon, as well as multiple tumors within the liver and nodules in the peritoneum (area in the abdominal cavity lining the organs).  This has obviously been devastating news as Mom was doing so well with no symptoms. On  the day we found this out, her oncologist had suggested that Mom take part in a clinical study that pairs chemo with immunotherapy (or placebo) and we were getting her tests done to start that on June 3rd. But, now her symptoms are getting worse by the day and we are unable to wait until the clinical trial starts.  We are having to get her abdomen drained from the malignant ascites (the fluid that builds up) today, for the second time in 2 weeks, to hopefully give her some comfort.  The only chance for more time and an increased quality of life, is to start chemo this Thursday and pray that the cancer responds at least to halt the growth or shrink the tumors even a little.  This also may help dry up the ascites which would help her be so much more comfortable.  She got very sick last week and ended up in the hospital dehydrated and with a UTI in addition to the cancer symptoms.  Mom's Dr is amazing and we fully trust that she will do everything possible to help get Mom through this with the best quality of life possible.  We know that this type of cancer will not be able to be "cured" through treatment, the best we can pray for is that it will respond at all to the chemo and get us more time together.  Mom is totally on board to go through chemo if it will help her feel better, but I promised her that I will not pressure her to continue doing it if it gets to be too hard on her.  Please pray for strength for her and my family.  We are still reeling from the loss of Dad and we need every ounce of strength that you can send our way right now. 

Also, we had been planning to have a Celebration of Life for my Dad in July, but Mom decided that we should cancel it and instead she would rather have one service for both of them together when the time comes.  It is almost too much to bear, but at least I know that it gives her a sense of peace that we could celebrate and honor them together, so I am thankful that it gives her comfort.

Her chemo and care will be up here again at Siteman/Center for Advanced Medicine, and Stac, Aunt Debbie, and Aunt Linda are my caregivers who are only a text away and who have already helped us so much.  Mike and Sophie are also amazing caregivers for MeeMaw as well and we are just so thankful that we can all be together.  If anyone would like to come up and visit her, we are happy to have you as long as you are vaccinated and healthy, and as long as she is feeling good enough for visitors. Please just reach out to me at 314-882-9933.

Thank you all so much for your continued support, love and prayers.

Angie