Terri’s journey started in mid-Sept 2019 when she noticed some abnormal post menopause bleeding. She immediately set up an appointment at a Women’s Health Clinic in Spartanburg SC. At her visit, they completed several tests with one of them being a Biopsy of her Uterine wall.
About a week later we got the results and it was positive for Endometrial cancer. With that news, we set up surgery for a total hysterectomy to remove the tumorous areas.
The total Hysterectomy was completed on October 22, 2019, after surgery we were informed that cancer had spread to her Fallopian tubes and ovaries. All visible cancer was removed and they also took samples of her cavity and the saline solution used to rinse the area. These samples were analyzed and come up negative for cancer cells present.
Since the Cancer had migrated it was classified as stage 3 Endometrial Cancer. At our two weeks follow up appointment we learned of the after treatments to hopefully kill any remaining rouge cells. Terri was to have 6 Chemo treatments three weeks apart and 25 straight Radiation treatments.
In early December 2019, the treatments started.
One of the big concerns for Terri of course is losing her hair, so before that could happen on a beautiful Christmas Day sitting out on the Patio she had her mother and sister give her head a buzz cut and guess what she is still Beautiful.
On Jan 3 Terri had her second Chemo Treatment and since we had a three-week window we left on a 10-day cruise to the Caribbean, we had a great time and returned to SC to complete the 6-treatment schedule. On May 23, my loving wife got to “Ring the Bell” to celebrate the end of this terrible time span.
With a month to recover from the chemo, we started the nonstop workday Radiation treatments. After about 16 treatments Terri started to have some abdominal pain, however, she decided to push it to the end and get on with life. Unfortunately, at number 19 the pain became unbearable and she was admitted to the hospital overnight. Numerous tests plus a CT scan reviled a blocked bile duct from the Kidney to the Bladder due to an enflamed Lymph Node. Surgery was set up and completed the next Monday to insert a stent. They also suspected that the Radiation had irritated the Colon and ileum.
After two weeks of recovery time, the pain still persisted until it became unbearable so back to the hospital for two nights and more tests and another CT scan. With the pain, somewhat under control, and hoping it would improve we had a meeting with our Radiation Doctor to see why the Radiation could be the cause. At this appointment, we found out that the Cancer that was not visible on the first CT had migrated to Terri’s Liver and Lungs.
With this terrible news we set up an appointment with our Cancer Doctor, he was surprised at the news that cancer had migrated to the Liver. What he proposed was to send out the Cancer cells for DNA sequencing to find out what type of cancer could be. This would take 2 weeks so we loaded up the car and headed to MN to visit friends and family. After our 10 day visit and some precious time with our new Grandbaby Ada we headed back south, during our time in MN Terri had hurt her back and now had some back pains.
Back in SC Terri started to fade quickly until again I took her to the hospital where they found her Calcium Levels were off the chart due to the Cancer. It took 4 days in the Hospital before the Levels were lowered and she started to again able to move. They also took another CT scan and it showed the Cancer was progressing into her Lungs and Bones. The back pain was discovered to be a small fracture in a lower vertebra due to the radiation in that area and the Cancer.
With this information, we conferred with our Cancer Doctor and decided on a two-part Drug to try and slow or stop the Cancer in order to try and Build up Terri’s strength for any more Chemo.
Since this treatment did not require inpatient care Terri wanted to return to MN to be with family.
Terri’s sister Julie who is an RN flew down last Sunday to assist with this request. then on Tuesday Julie Terri and her mom Julie flew out of Charlotte back to MN.
We are currently comfortable in Brad's new digs in Carver and taking it day by day and hoping we get some positive vibes in this year of so many bad ones.
Terri sends her love to all her numerous Friends and Family out there, she is still fighting!!!!!!!!!!
Norb Kerber
For those That have asked for ways to help out we have created a Meal Train. You can find the details on the Way To Help tab.
Meal Train
https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/v12qy6(for those that are having troubles with the Meal Plan link you can copy and paste the url above or reach out to Brad via text for the link 952-607-5970)
