Bonnie’s Story

Site created on July 1, 2023

In late 2014, Bonnie was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. After treatment and many years of remission. the cancer has returned (2023), this time as stage 4 metastatic cancer in her spine. 

[WHAT YOU CAN PRAY FOR]
- The medical interventions to be effective at curtailing the recurrence.
- Further healing of her back and spinal pain.
- Advances in Medicine that might provide ways of reversing the cancer.

[WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR]
- MRI Brain Scan (late June) : Came back clear.
- PET Full Body Scan (07/06/23) : shows some cancer on the hip and shoulder. 
- Back Surgery (07/07/23) : Went well. The surgeon removed 80% of the tumor on the vertebrae. Other vertebrae were stabilized with screws. 
- Ten days of targeted Back Radiation, completed 08/11/23.
- Targeted Therapy Pills (07/15/23 to present) : The first drug (Verzenio) was not tolerated, as it caused a bad cough and terrible nausea. A second drug (Ibrance) begins 10/14/23.
- MRI Spine Scan (10/12/23) : Indicates no cancer progression in the spine, no new spots.
- PET Scan (04/29/24) : Indicates no further progression.

[THE MEDICAL PLAN FOR BONNIE]
- July and August 2023 : Recovery from Surgery and Radiation.
- August 2023 and beyond: Daily pill form of Chemo. Protocol Therapies. A bone-strengthening IV every 90 days. And more.

[ANSWERED PRAYER]. We are so grateful :
- Successful initial surgery to remove most of the major tumor.
- Bonnie can still sing, after the surgery and intubation.
- Bonnie's spinal cord is intact after the radiation treatments.
- No apparent progression in the spine, as of 10/12/23.
- The second cancer medication (Targeted Therapy Pills) are, so far,  more tolerable.

[FAQ]
Q: How much time does Bonnie have left?  
A : We are as curious as you are!

Q: Where on the spine is the tumor located? 
A : The major tumor was on vertebrae T6 and was 80% removed during surgery in early July 2023. 

Q : Has the cancer spread anywhere else?
A : The PET scan shows some cancer on the hip and shoulder. We hope that treatment will keep these at bay.

Q: I read about a promising treatment that might help Bonnie, how can I get this information to you?
A: Please send all ideas of this kind to her son Brent. 

Q: Do you have a GoFundMe or other Fundraiser?
A: Not yet.

Q: Why is Brent warning us not to donate to CaringBridge?
A: Because I, Brent learned that over $10,000 had been donated to Bonnie's friend on CaringBridge a few years ago, and that CaringBridge intended to keep it all, and give none to the patient. That said, we are grateful this platform exists and have already paid CaringBridge enough accordingly.

[THANK YOU]
Bonnie is so grateful for the incredible love of her church, community, friends, and family. 

[NOTE]
This site will be updated and corrected (mostly by Brent), as better information becomes available. 

Newest Update

Bonnie's Message : Ten Months After Surgery

Journal entry by Brent Knopf —

Dear Family and Friends….

Today we have a Pet Scan update 😀

My pet scan results came back this past week, showing NO PROGRESSION and STABLE.

We are so deeply grateful for the faithful prayers of those of you who have petitioned on my behalf, and encouraged me along this journey.

It is a difficult path to control the emotions of the outcomes of such tests.  My mind goes all over the place….. at any time my future could change and therefore change the days of my life. I am not offended at all for any questions, or talking about my diagnosis. As long as I have breath, I will be transparent and hope my journey could help someone else.

God knows my expiration date.
I rest in that.

I also know that medicine is always advancing, and my hope is that I have more years left than what it seems like when I google it 🤞 and maybe they might be able to reverse this awful disease called Breast Cancer.

Meanwhile, I'm pouring energy into my next album (which will be named “Thankful”) -- All the vocals are now completed! The next process is CD Art, and the strategy for releasing it to the world.  This has been such a delightful creative musical journey with Dean Baskerville, Rob Farley and Phil Keaggy.

Please know that I am so deeply blessed to feel the love of so many!
Onward…… 

Blessings to you all!
Bonnie

Read More of the journal titled "Bonnie's Message : Ten Months After Surgery"
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