Update on Jesse by Lisa...

Hi everyone, I wanted to get on and share some news Jesse received today from his Mayo Clinic      Oncologist.  Previous to now it's been pretty much the same thing, Chemo every other Tuesday at United St. Paul and then we have multiple days where he doesn't feel great and then he slowly starts to feel better again a few days before he has to do it all over again.  It's pretty repetitive so I haven't posted as nothing has really changed.  In this world I'm learning that is actually a really good thing. 

Multiple months ago, Jesse's Mayo Oncologist decided to drop one of the 4 of his Chemo drugs.  It was the drug that was the strongest and had probably the worst side effects such as neuropathy in his feet, sores in his mouth, and very enhanced diarrhea.   Obviously, the concern isn't so much about the Cancer as it is about the Chemo that could possibly start shutting down his organs with the long-term use of it. This is why before every Chemo session they do a bunch of bloodwork to make sure everything looks good, and his numbers are where they should be.  The goal all along is to do the least amount of Chemo Jesse can get by with while still maintaining his current Cancer so that it doesn't grow. The doctor has told us that they will continue to play around with the Chemo cocktail to see what mixture they think is working the best and affecting Jesse the least. 

Jesse went to Mayo yesterday for his normal 10-week scans and update.  Unfortunately, now that I am working a job and I'm still very new at this job, I wasn't able to go with him.  This of course is very hard for me and Jesse, but I am so thankful Kim and Tim are close by and they are able to make this drive with him so that he doesn't have to be alone.  These trips are never fun having all the scanning and bloodwork done and then most times we have to wait at least 4-5 hours to meet with the doctor for the results.  This time unfortunately Jesse had to go yesterday for the scans and bloodwork and then come home and go back this morning to meet with the doctor because they couldn't get it all in yesterday.  Let's just say it made for a more tense and longer evening.

Today's news turned out to be what we are calling very hopeful news.  I would say it's the biggest options that we have had up to this point.  Of the many cancer spots that Jesse has in his body, up in his lungs, on his ribs, shoulder and hip none of those spots have changed in size.  The only spots that have had a little growth are on the Liver.  The doctor said there are three spots that had some minor growth on the Liver.  The doctor is suggesting an option where they can try a radiofrequency ablation on the three spots.  It's a minimally invasive procedure that uses electrical energy and heat to attempt to destroy Cancer cells. The doctor has submitted a request to Radiology at Mayo to see if it's something they would be willing to do.  The doctor said in the end it will be up to the Radiologist if he can have the procedure.  He said some feel that the side effects may outweigh the benefits so we are keeping our fingers crossed that it might be an option.

Another option that the doctor discussed is that there is a current trial at Mayo that is in the first stage of human testing.  They currently do not have any vacancy's right now for the trial; however, he did say that in about 2-3 weeks they most likely will have some openings.  This would be something Jesse has been put down for and we will wait for a call to see if this is even an option.  If that call comes, we will need to make a lot of decisions based on where things are at and what our options are moving forward.  A lot will need to be taken into consideration.  For example, Chemo would need to stop for a period of time before the trial to get all of that poison out of his body before he tries a new drug.  We aren't worrying about this as an option yet.  If the call comes, we will cross that bridge when we get there.

This journey for the past 18 months has been some of the scariest days of my life, yet I have never felt like I want to quit because I just continue to remind myself that whatever I'm sick of, Jesse is 10 times sicker of it.  This whole experience completely changes you as a person.  I've definitely learned how broken the medical system is.  Faith is what is getting me through this.  I have faith that God will do what is best for Jesse and our Family.  Please continue to keep saying your prayers.  They have clearly worked because Jesse's Oncologist continues to tell him what a miracle he is.

Starting this coming Tuesday 03/12/2024 Jesse will be trying a new cocktail of Chemo meds so we don't know what will happen after and how he will feel.  On those Tuesdays he spends plenty of time sitting in a chair hooked up to IV's so feel free to reach out to check in, he'd love to hear from you.  

Thank you for the love and generosity so many of you have provided for our family.  We definitely wouldn't be able to have gotten this far without all of you.

We Love you from the bottom of our heart!

Love Lisa and Jesse