Vincent Family Update

 

Summary:

- Severe issues with the Central Nervous System have affected Karen’s ability to walk, talk, and fully care for herself.

- Recent scans show the cancer is in remission from the neck down but continues to spread to the central nervous system resulting in tumors in the brain.

- Karen will be starting a new drug to attempt to slow down brain tumor growth and possibly undergo a third round of targeted radiation to the brain.

 

Current Needs:

- Prayers and support for Karen's ongoing treatment and recovery as new side effects and difficulties come up often

- Finding suitable and consistent help for the family to reduce stress and assist Karen and our children while Raymond attempts to reestablish working full-time

Specific Prayer Requests:

• Karen's doctors – for wisdom and discernment regarding the right treatments

• Karen's difficulties:

o coordination, balance, strength, energy

o cognitive processing of certain tasks

o vision in left eye is often blurred, damaged tear duct/glands

o hearing in right ear comes and goes

o dental pain and numbness in the lower jaw

o dexterity issues

 

Karen’s most recent scans have provided us with some great news but also a need for more prayers and support.  We are celebrating the fact that from the neck down, the doctors are saying the cancer is in remission.  This is amazing considering the first prognosis we received in the hospital last year.  Unfortunately, the cancer had already spread to her central nervous system/brain which is beyond the reach of traditional chemotherapy treatment. The latest scans also show another set of tumors in the brain for which Karen will be seeing the radiologist to discuss a third round of targeted radiation.  In addition, the oncologist will be placing Karen on a new drug in hopes that it will slow and hopefully reduce the brain tumors.

We hope to find the right help for our family and get that in place for Karen and our children as quickly as possible to reduce the stress and allow Karen to heal.  We have made many attempts to find nannies, babysitters, etc. but her ever-changing schedule makes it difficult to find help at the last minute or set up anything on an ongoing basis. We end up with help at the wrong time and not enough when we desperately need it.  We are so thankful for all those who have been able to help us out thus far.  Figuring this all out has been stressful and at times feels impossible.  

 

We have been waiting to send this update until Karen met with the radiologist to determine the course of action for the new tumors in her brain.  She met with him Wednesday, and at this time, they are too small and not concerning enough to attempt radiation.  They will continue to monitor and see how they respond to the new drug her Oncologist has prescribed, which she will receive every 3 weeks as an infusion.  Karen, however, is dealing with issues as a result of these new tumors and will be discussing their effect on the brain with her neurologist and continuing physical therapy to help with balance, coordination and strengthening her body.

 

The out-of-pocket expenses we continue to face include:

• Additional treatments

• Caregiver support

• House cleaning

• Special Formula for Alexander

• Diet/Supplements for Karen 

• Fuel

 

We kindly request you to share our story and ask for your prayers and support as we continue to navigate these ever-changing circumstances. Your assistance and well-wishes mean the world to us, and we are deeply grateful for your continued love and support.

 

With heartfelt appreciation,

The Vincents

 

RECAP:

It’s been over a year now since Karen’s health first started to decline.  What we thought were simply pregnancy-related issues, quickly became an emergency landing us in the hospital. Being induced at 28 weeks pregnant, Karen gave birth to our amazing son Alexander who spent 3 months in the NICU to finish developing and is now a happy and thriving 10-month-old. Karen immediately went through extensive scans and tests which led her to being diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer which had metastasized to her Brain, Liver, and Bones.  Two tumors and bleeding in her brain were causing severe issues with her Central Nervous System, affecting her ability to walk, talk, and fully care for herself. A second set of tumors made task and environment processing impossible for months. It has been a very difficult journey and we are so thankful for all the love and support poured out on our family.  God has given us the strength to persevere through your prayers and we are eternally grateful.

 

*NOTE: Donation button below is for the CaringBridge site and not the Vincent family. Find their GoFundMe under "Ways to Help." Thank you