Hello again Friends and Family! It’s been awhile! 

One year ago today was the scariest day of our lives. It’s hard to believe one year has passed since Mom’s Glioblastoma brain cancer diagnosis. She has overcome so much and we are beyond proud of her. 

Right now, (well a couple days ago now 🤪)Mom and I are enjoying a cup of coffee together and talking about everything! Our conversation quickly jumps from one story talking about the future and remembering the past. I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to see her every month since her diagnosis even though we live far apart. Also FaceTime is a huge blessing for those weeks that we aren’t in the same place.

Since our last update, which was quite a while ago (too long, sorry!) Mom started OPTUNE (more on that later), visited Mykaila’s family in Colorado, traveled around western Colorado with Gene, traveled to Florida for a fun family vacation. She completed her 6 month round of chemo, had 2 stable MRIs, and continued physical and occupational therapy. In April, her newest grandchild was born (the best blessing of all!)

November 13th, Mom began a new therapy called Optune. The goal of Optune is to slow down the glioblastoma cell growth. “It works by creating Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields), which are electric fields that slow down or stop GBM cancer cell division.” It’s a process in which her head is shaved every few days and arrays are placed onto her head and she plugs the wires into a battery pack that she carries around with her (just like you would a purse). She wears the Optune continuously throughout the day and night only taking it off for small breaks every few days. The more it is on, the more efficient it is. The technology is pretty amazing! She tolerates it pretty well and has the best attitude. Gene and Julie have become experts on putting the arrays back on (it’s a bit like a puzzle!)

You can read more about it here if you’re interested : https://www.optunegio.com/recently-diagnosed-gbm/know-optune

As I reflect on Mom’s “one year” I am amazed by her perseverance and all that she has endured. It’s been a hard road! I’m incredibly grateful for how our family has come together and for all the memories we have made this year. God has taught us that life is full of unexpected challenges, but no matter what we are going through he will never leave us. 

-Mykaila

Here is a note from Mom:

Wow, I don’t even know where to begin, well I’m not going to start at the beginning because you already have gotten those updates from Zach and Mykaila. I have wanted to update you all myself for a while, but it is hard for me to write my thoughts.

One never knows what a morning will bring. When I woke up that day, I had no idea what was to come and how my life would change forever. 

Most of you know the rest of the story (if not, read previous entries to catch up.) In the last year I have had to relearn the basics of life. How to eat, talk, walk, process my thoughts, write, and even how to hold my grandchildren. The things that come so naturally are now more difficult to accomplish. I have a plethora of doctors from physical therapist, occupational therapist, oncologist, radiologist, etc. My week consists of many appointments! 

Last week during my routine MRI scan the doctor found another tumor. This one is smaller and on the opposite side of my brain, but otherwise the same basic make up of the original one. They will be treating the tumor the same as last time with radiation for six weeks and six months of chemotherapy. 

I am so very thankful for my wonderful team; the doctors, nurses, therapists, friends, my wonderful family and of course, the one who carries me in His arms every day at every moment. I know when I feel alone that He is always with me. 

Thank you for reading this update and for all your prayers! I’ve made it one year and while no one knows how much time they have on this earth, I am thankful for the time that I’ve been given. I will continue to live my life to the fullest; going through treatment, hanging with my family and of course loving on my grand babies. 

I would love to see all of my friends and family on team “Kelly’s Crew” at the Head For A Cure 5k walk/run on July 20th. We will be posting updates in the coming days and weeks. 

Love,

Kelly