Less Than Seven Months After Discovery

It is with profound sadness that I write this journal entry on Fran’s behalf. Early Sunday morning her road to recovery came to an end. Her sons and I were with her as she slipped away. I know that this journal may be the first time you hear this news and so this may come as a shock, especially given the positive outlook of the previous postings.

Frances was not accepted to the clinical trial because her health rapidly declined to the point that participation in the trial was pointless. We did not tell her of this because it would have stripped away all hope she had of recovery. To tell her would have been cruel and would serve no purpose.

It was her wish that for as much as we were able to care for her, she would stay at home to the end. I am delighted to say to you all, her wish was granted.

If you have memories or photos you would like to share, or just to have a look at what others have posted, I invite you to go to a new site.

www.Glenoaks.ca

Don

Next step

Refreshments on the beach in Barcelona, Spain.

Hello again from Don. Today I thought I would bring you all up to date on what has taken place since Fran last posted to this site. She is too tired today to do this herself and I thought it is time to post again.

The tests on the biopsy were good in the sense that she is still eligible to be accepted into the trial. There is a new hard date to have her start the chemo and some further testing is required to establish a base line so the effects of the drug can be measured. Fran has had a CT scan from the neck down to the hips, a chest X-ray, blood test and an MRI of her head. She needed a blood transfusion again on Thursday to bring her hemoglobin level up from 74. It should be at 90 or better. Thanks to Dr. Bakker, her GP, we were able to have her blood drawn at the doctor’s office in Mississauga Friday so Grant could drive it to PMH instead of taking Fran downtown again. Good thinking team!

Friday night we had a big family dinner that was a big hit with her.  Linda brought the meal so no one had to do the cooking. This was such a success that we will do it again, perhaps weekly.

We toyed with the idea of going to the cottage for the long weekend but I pulled the plug on that idea. It is going to be too hot this weekend and she finds breathing difficult in the humidity. It is also a long drive for her.

Next visit to PMH is Wednesday when we will find out for sure if she can start the trial. She is still strongly determined to fight this and is ready to start the new chemo.

With the trial expected to start shortly, Fran’s team of doctors have told us rest is her number one priority so we are going to make sure she can have as much down time as possible. We ask that the visits take a temporary break until the trial has started and we see how Fran in coping.  As always, everyone’s concern is greatly appreciated and is important to Fran and our family.

July 17th - Trial Eligiblity 3?

SUNRISE - PRIANO, ITALY 



Our balcony view ... now this is how to start every morning!!!!

I can’t believe it was June 24 when I last posted to this site. The biopsy I discussed in that blog came back showing no cancer cells. Short lived as that good news was, it was because the tissue sample taken was too shallow and so did not capture any cancer cells. This meant another biopsy had to be done, completed the same day on Wed. last week while we were at PMH to have my blood work, chest x-ray completed and to see the oncologists. Fortunately my clinic trial nurse who is a sweetheart, personally ran the sample across the street to Toronto General Hospital where the analysis was done immediately. Results on Friday showed the cancers cells in the nodules are metastasized lung cancer. So we now know this for sure.

Dr Sheperd commented how good I looked considering what I have gone through. Dr Bezjak commented she could tell I was still up for the fight ahead. All are positive signs that we are on the right track for this battle.

The next step has the slides going to the US for eligibility testing to see if I can get into the clinical trial for the experimental drug ARQ197 along with Tarceva.

I remain positive that I can fight this disease. And I am thankful to everyone for their continued good wishes. Stay cool over the next few days, and I will post again when I know my status on entering the clinical trial.

Fran

Round 3 of Chemo - June 24

August 2009 - This was the reason for our family trip to Europe.  My family decided that after many years of hosting our reunion at Alma, Michigan or the cottage it was time to go to Scotland.  It was an amazing trip, one that started small - a few days to one that spanned 19 days that included Barcelona, Paris, Antibes, Genova, etc.  not bad for a quick trip to a family reunion....I love this photo (too).

As for me, this has been a long week.  I had my third round of Chemo and as predicted, it does get more difficult as the treatments continue. No big deal, I knew this going in and as the kids heard from GI Joe many years ago "knowing is half the battle".  It is now Friday night and I am moving toward feeling better again, so it works...I have already won half the battle. I had a biopsy done on one of the spots last Thursday to determine if I am eligible for another trail that has become available, however, we won't know for another 3 weeks what the outcome of that will be.  again, the knowing is half the battle stuff, it makes the wait manageable . 

I  continued to be thankful to Don and the boys, they have really stepped up to the plate to tend to me and my every need...oh no....what is going to happen when this cancer in remission and they tell me that I have to take a hike....lol, it will be a day I look SO FORWARD TO!!!

For the record, most of the people on this bus (our mode of transportation while in Scotland) travelled from Toronto, Chicago, Vancouver, and various other parts of the UK. No small feat getting this many people together for four days...what memories.  I suggest that if you have the chance to attend a family reunion of your own, don't put it off...go you wont regret it, I promise.  In fact, if no one in your family has thought of the idea...why don't you put it out their first.

Well goodnight all, enjoy your weekend...

- Fran

When one door closes... June 8

During our first trip to France I was fasinacated with the old doors in many of the buildings.  It reminds me that when one doors closes...look for a window...lol. 

This week again has brought some interesting events to my journey.  It seems that the weekends are not my friends.  Again, I had an issue on Sunday.  My temperature increased to 38.5 degrees, the magic number is 38 and I am considered to have a fever which entails a trip to the hospital, fortunately, the on call doctor prescribed antibiotics over the phone, my fever broke and no trip to the hospital was needed.  BUT, that being said, I have officially dropped Saturday and Sunday from my week therefore no longer running the risk of wasting another weekend in the hospital.

Monday brought two more rounds of radiation for me, my choice.  I have applied for another trial and should I meet all the requirements I would not qualify for radiation once it started.  Therefore, I took advantage of the two weeks gap before finding out my status in the trial and decided to move forward as a precaution on two spots that were bothering me.

So, now we wait.  More scans and tests might be required but we will find out as we move along over the next couple of weeks. 

So there is the update for the week ( or two, if I am lucky)

Take care and remember to always look for the window....

Fran

Where does the time go? - June 2nd

CUBA - WHAT A GREAT TIME --  Like I said where does the time go, this was 2007

Hello All, 

I know that you have been watching for updates to the blog and I have been somewhat remiss in updating it.  It seems that it was not that long ago that  I posted yet it was May 11th - wow...and to think that I have not been working...how did I fit time in for everything before? 

It has been rather a whirlwind.  I have had a second round of chemo, different cocktail than the first as it appeared that the first mixture was not working therefore my Oncologist changed the program.  I have also started and completed another round of radiation.  This time it was the tumor in the lung to shrink it, my pelvis to relieve pain and my back to prevent any growth of a spot they found.

At this point, I have had over 40 radiation treatments....talk about glowing in the dark, if I ever go missing I should be easy to find at night.

Over the long weekend, I was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) due to a pain reaction from the radiation.  I would rather have been at the cottage with the boys, however, it was in good hands.  They have got it open and ready to go as soon as I am up to it - Thank you, Boys..

This stay in the hospital was very eventful.  I was given a pain pump .. MAGIC .. no more pain, a blood transfusion ..  MAGIC .. hemoglobin back to normal, continued radiation as an in patient ..MAGIC..no more traffic!!!  I had no idea how annoying travelling to and from the city on a regular basis can be.  My heart goes out to each of you that must travel  into that city for work.  I remember why we picked an office only 7 minutes from our home...

Well, it is onward we go with this fight.  I would like to say that we have had an abundance of great news, but that is not the way with this ugly disease.  It does have it's  moments where the climb seems too high, but then I look around and see that the support I have has already pushed me half way up again. 

I will post again, hopefully not waiting a month to do so...

Again, thanks for all of your support, it makes the other half the climb easier.

-Fran

Well, it has been awhile...May 11

Look at this photo.  With a team like this, there is no way of losing this battle!!!  Don, Donald, Jason, Grant and Brad...Thanks to each of you, you make my days stronger, my world still  has laughter and I think you like being the boss of me!!!  Gentlemen, I COULD NOT DO THIS WITHOUT YOU...we are the power of 6...nothing can stop us now.

Well I really would like to post how great everything is and it is moving exactly according to plan...But, that would be a lie.  As Don mentioned I have issues with my left arm, which make typing (the Mavis Beacon way) difficult,  Also, I continue to deal with fatigue and setbacks.  So, I will manage my own expectations and will post when I can.  Don will fill in (quite well I must say) when I cannot.

You know that I was no longer eligible for the trial.  I was so disappointed, but my belief that all things happen for reasons we may not immediately understand holds true.  For whatever reason, I was not to be apart of that trial...the reason will unfold sometime in the future.

Since that time, again through a fluke test situation, it was discovered that a very small sight is on my tibia (just below the knee) on my left side...(what is with the left side???)  Radiation begins today for five rounds (no weekend treatment) and a IV bonestrengthing treatment every 4 weeks.  Hope we get that one figured out...I ended up in emerg on Mother"s Day because of the pain...what is that saying "no pain, no gain"...well, we will have to see about that before the next treatment.

But in the big scheme of things I am hanging in there. I am totally focused on becoming NED (no evidence of disease - another acronym for you)  Grant is now home, something I so needed, as well as the rest of the family and for him too...He needs us.  Like I said, we are the power of SIX...NOTHING IS GOING TO STOP US !!!

Please know how much we appreciate your emails, prayers and best wishes...one day I will see each of you in person and large hug is coming your way.

This is the most I have typed since losing control of the 3 fingers (which are slowing coming back..yeah) but I am tired and the advantage of this is I can just say "goodbye".....lol

Please take care of yourself and each other,
Fran