Welcome to Monica & Tommy’s CaringBridge Site
Sign In to Show Your SupportHi Everyone,
The surgery went well. Dr. Green was able to accomplish all the goals he had set for this procedure; namely, to give Monica relief from pain. The placement of the colostomy went smoothly and is expected to help greatly with quality of life. Most of you had heard about an unusual mass which had appeared on previous scans. This turned out to be a loop of colon that was not functioning well. As a matter of fact, Dr. Green commented that the discovery and correction of this problem likely prevented a bigger problem at some point in the future.
Even though today's surgery will not help cure Friendy's cancer, we are very thankful that it will help tremendously with Monica's quality of life by reducing the pain she has been in. Monica will start new treatments in 4-6 weeks. Dr. Green is going to send off tumor samples for analysis and decide on new chemo treatments based on feedback from that analysis. Monica will get to go home Friday or Saturday.
Thank you very much for your prayers,
Love, T&M
Hi Family and Friends,
At the time of our last update, Monica was changing IV chemo drugs since growth had occurred during that treatment. After three treatments of the new regimen, she had a ct scan. We recently met with her doctor to discuss the results of the scan. Unfortunately, there was no improvement. Pelvic lymph nodes seen on last scan are stable. There is a new mass in the center of her pelvis, but Dr. Green believes it is fluid buildup, not disease. Due to intense, chronic pain and intestinal issues, on Tuesday 11/27, Monica is going to have surgery to help eliminate these symptoms. Dr. Green plans to perform a colostomy as well as remove the new mass She will have another long scar and will spend several nights in the hospital. We dread that process, but have faith that it is going to help her feel much better!
In the below email dated 9/29/15, I shared Monica's life verse. With Thanksgiving coming soon, we wanted to share my life verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:16‑18: "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." We are so thankful for all of you and for the Lord continuing to encourage us and give us strength.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Love, T&M
Hi Everyone,
Hope you all had a fun summer. Hard to believe that Monica has been battling cancer for three years this month. She had five of the six planned chemo treatments of her latest regimen. Her CA125, ovarian cancer marker, went up substantially on the last three labs and she started having some symptoms. So, they decided to move up her CT scan which had been planned for after treatment six. The scan showed significant new growth and no improvement in the prior spots. Her doctor changed up the chemo regimen again. So, instead of having the sixth treatment of the last drug, she began a new drug paired with a drug she has had in the past. The plan is to get three of these treatments, one every four weeks. Then, she will have another CT to check progress. Please pray that this new regimen will get rid of the cancer completely and will help with some pretty major symptoms she is having. (Symptoms include intestinal issues; stomach, pelvic, and back pain.) Of course, as you know, Friendy is tough as nails with the Lord's help and keeps going, but is in pain a good bit.
Despite our disappointment of new growth occurring while on chemo, we are counting our blessings together. Blessings like the availability of another chemo, and our ability to celebrate our 25th anniversary this summer! We celebrated with two amazing trips. We went to Hawaii with a niece and nephew-in-law, and to Europe with friends. We are thankful Monica felt great on both trips. (Symptoms did not arise until about a month after we returned from the last trip.) We included a picture from each trip below.
Thank you all for your ongoing amazing support. Your prayers give us strength. Our prayer is: 1 Chronicles 16:11: "Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always."
Love, T&M
Hi Family and Friends,
We just got results from Monica’s three month CT scan. Unfortunately, the spot that was on the January CT has grown significantly. Additionally, there are two new spots that have appeared since that last scan. This coming Monday, she will go back on IV chemo and stop taking the oral chemo pill she has been on. The number of treatments she receives will be based on how she responds.
We appreciate your ongoing prayers. TYL Thank you Lord for keeping us strong!
Love, T&M
Hi Everybody,
Hope you all have been doing well. Things are going good here. No changes in Monica's treatment. She is feeling good and continues to take her daily oral chemo pill. She will have a CT scan in a couple of months. Results of the scan will help her doctor determine whether to continue current course or change back to IV chemo.
We don't have any new news to share, but wanted to pass along this video which was inspired by our last update. Our church showed this video during our service last week. The first part of the video is us sharing. Be sure to keep watching because it is followed by comments and a prayer from our dear friend and pastor, Dr. Tom Smiley.
Click on this link for the video: https://youtu.be/FMwk4rbdAas?list=PLhTk_TyF_D9eUGN2rSKVMJwRLmtSeyeXV
Love, T&M
1 Heart