Family and friends -
We have created this website to keep everyone updated on our mom’s condition as she continues her fight against Glioblastoma.
Our journey started in September 2021 upon mom’s diagnosis of Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), Grade 4, at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital. Mom underwent a craniotomy which resulted in complete resection of her tennis ball sized tumor. After recovering from surgery, she underwent a rigorous schedule of radiation and chemotherapy. Throughout all of this, our mother has kept her resilient spirit and humor intact. As Debbie says, “this is my first rodeo." We are constantly in awe of her strength!
Fortunately, during this time, we became connected with The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University and they have been leading her treatment plan ever since. For the past several months, we have been traveling to Duke for monthly MRIs and follow up care. During our visit at the end of March 2022, her MRI showed tumor regrowth despite her continued chemotherapy. This prompted her candidacy to be enrolled in a promising immunotherapy clinical trial. You can learn more about the trial here:
http://dukecancerinstitute.org/clinical-trial/pro00104852At the beginning of April 2022, mom was hospitalized for a week at Duke to receive the immunotherapy infusion. It has been a rough road following the infusion, including two hospitalizations at Martha Jefferson. At the moment, we are unsure if her current health decline is a result of the infusion or other contributing factors. For the past week, she has needed 24/7 care, requiring us to be full time caregivers. As her daughters, we are thankful that we have such a strong support network as we have had to transition to full time laymen nurses. We are keeping our spirits up and staying positive and hopeful, and finding we make a great team. We are grateful for the gift of sisterhood and that the three of us are able to be together as a family.
We hesitated in the beginning to share Mom’s story to protect her vulnerability and autonomy, but we have come to realize it truly takes a village to kick cancer in the ass! Currently, we are en route to Duke for further treatment. We remain hopeful as we place Mom's care in Duke’s hands, as they are leading the way in the country’s brain tumor treatment and research.
We will continue to update this page throughout Mom’s journey. Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and love during this very challenging season of our lives. We continue to embody our mother’s strong and resilient spirit and are determined to fight this terrible disease. As Debbie and Ted Lasso say, BELIEVE!
- Ann Carlisle & Emily
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