Shirley’s journey started in November, 2021 with a trip to the doctor when something “didn’t feel right”. An initial x-ray revealed a mass that prompted a CT scan the following day, which led to an MRI a few days later. On November 24th, the first appointment took place with Dr. Johnathan Spencer, the pulmonologist, where a series of tests were run to examine lung function. A follow-up appointment on November 29th brought us to our first decision: 1) wait 6 months and see if the mass grows or 2) a bronchoscopy (lung biopsy) to see what exactly we were dealing with. Thankfully, she elected for the bronchoscopy. On December 8th, during the biopsy, cancer cells were found in the linings of her lungs. The mass that started the conversation turned out to be benign. However, two additional malignant masses were discovered, one being 2-inches in size in the L4 section of the mediastinal lymph node (between the trachea and the lung). An additional area of concern was section 7 of the mediastinal lymph node. On December 21st, we had the first oncology appointment with Dr. Kailash Mosalpuria at Nebraska Hematology- Oncology. He and his staff have been wonderful in helping us on this new path. She had her PET scan on December 29th. Additionally, a brain MRI was ordered for January 3rd. Lung cancer often will metastasize to the brain, so we wanted to rule that out. The PET scan results showed a 3rd tumor in the lymph node area but no additional spread to other organs outside of the lungs. Yay! First hurdle down! The brain MRI also revealed no spread so second hurdle down, yay! On January 4th, we met with the heart surgeon to get the green light for surgery for removal of the mass. Unfortunately, it was discovered that due to the current capacity of her lungs and location of the tumors, surgery would be too dangerous and therefore will not be an option. Not the news we wanted to hear but thankfully we have a 2nd, very viable option with chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy. On January 5th, 2022, Shirley was diagnosed with Stage 3A Adenocarcinoma, a form of non-small cell lung cancer. On January 11th, she starts the first of 6 chemotherapy sessions, to be spread out every 3 weeks. After that, there will be 6 weeks of radiation, conducted daily. After that, it will be a year of immunotherapy. So there are the black and white facts we are facing. We set this page up for our mom, wife, sister, grandma, aunt, and friend in the hopes that you, as a person who loves and cares for Shirley, will visit and share words of encouragement as she goes through this phase in her life. It will allow one central location for up-to-date information as she begins this journey. It’s not going to be easy but it’s going to be possible with the wonderful support system that already exists for her. Thank you so much for your thoughts, prayers, and words of encouragement as we start this process. The Family of Shirley Bokelmann
The funeral service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 510 S 33rd Street, Lincoln, Nebraska, on Friday, February 9, at 10:00 AM, with Rev. Joel Dietrich officiating. Interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery in Columbus, Nebraska, later that afternoon. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home in Columbus and continue on Friday from 9:00 AM until service time at the church in Lincoln. There will be a family prayer service on Friday at 9:45 AM at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Memorials are suggested as those of the family or donor's choice.
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