Blessing ! From Carol!

A quick update. We have enough Nexivar to start the drug and see if it is going to work for me! It has been incredible timing in bringing things together and we know that it is circumstances that only God could have put together. Thank you, all, for the many prayers, the love, and care you have given us. There are no words adequate enough to express our gratitude.We will keep you posted and so appreciated the constant support. It would be a very hard journey without the support we have experienced on a daily basis. It has changed my life forever.
Keep Hope CRG

From Carol! New updates

First of all thanks for support from our family and friends during this difficult and uncertain time.And a special thanks to Brittany for creating the blog and keeping it updated while she is in school! We have had great meals, wonderful cards, encouraging phone calls , friends and family driving everyday to SF for appointments. Some visits and phone calls during the week have been nice. I feel bad because I don't return to many calls I am just tired in the evenings when I return from SF. But it is nice to have the greeting on the answer machine. We just found out that I have cancer in my left hip as well as my shoulder area. The plan as of today is to radiate both areas at the same time starting tomorrow. We have been treating the shoulder but the hip area was new news to us this week. I will have 10 treatments more to both the hip and shoulder and then stop. I will then go on the experimental drug called, "Nexivar". We have one months supply free - it costs about 4,000 a month. Carl and Dr. Wu are trying to get me on as a compassion case in the hopes of getting a 6 month or year supply. So pray hard for that. The drug Nexivar has had good success rates at stopping tumors from growing. That would be very beneficial for me right now.Thanks for all you support and I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving with you families. I can't wait for Paige and Brittany to come home next week. We are even excited to see all of their wonderful friends too! We will keep you posted.

Keep Hope CRG

Contacting

Hello there,
I would just like to let everyone know if you desire to help or bring over dinners, Kyle is taking over the scheduling and planning etc. so contacting him would be great for any wishes to help or questions ! If you can not reach him you can call me as well and I can relay the message and keep things updated. Thanks everyone!
Keep Hope CRG
Kyle : 831-713-9895 email: kyleinhim@hotmail.com
Brittany : 408-677-8927 email: bg.marrianna@gmail.com

Today!

Today is her very first radiation appointment, the last blog said it would be on Tuesday so I apologize for the confusion! She is as ready as she can be , it is good that this process is beginning and the Doctors are optimistic and ready to begin. Prayers and thoughts today would be great and just on going for the next 6 weeks as this will be another battle to fight, but we have the armor of Christ so we are prepared! Thank you all for the dinners and help you have provided in so many ways, it all helps so much!
Keep Hope CRG

Upcoming!

Hey there,
We have updates! This friday she will be having a mock radiation appointment to prepare her for her first appointment on Tuesday 28th. Her appointments will be in San Francisco Monday through Friday every week for 6 weeks. Most of the time she will travel back home after the appointments. The travelling will have its toll but overall being at the UCSF hospital is beneficial. The Doctors stay optimistic about this treament and so will we all! Thank you for all the help and encouragment it really is a large part of keeping positive for everyone that this affects and it would not be possible without all of you and Gods grace!
Keep Hope CRG

Some results

She had her appointment yesterday and the Doctors are saying that most likley her treatments will be in San Francisco because of the staff and availability there, and she is right there at the hospital if needed more assistance. Which is good if it means she will be getting the best treatment possible!! The last few days have been going very well, she has been responding very well to the medication and has a lot more energy and is being able to eat more and want to eat! Another update will some soon when we hear all the final results on location! Thank you all!
Keep Hope CRG

Appointments!

Update ! She has an appointment coming up on Tuesday that will determine whether the radiation treatments will be in San Francisco or Santa Cruz , we are praying that the appointments will be in Santa Cruz which will decrease the stress and finances and make Carol not have to use so much energy! I will update on Tuesday to let everyone know the decision!! Thank you for the prayers and thoughts!!
P.s. She went on her first walk around the neighborhood this week and is feeling good!
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Schedule!

Today she had her radiation consultation appointment and it went well as far as informational purposes. She is scheduled to have radiation for 6 weeks in 2 weeks, Monday through Friday in San Francisco . The first two weeks of appointments will be prep for the actual radiation. The Doctors stay optimistic so we all should as well : ) ! She is doing well now at home and is functioning and moving around and is not running anymore fevers. Thank you all!
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Being Home

Hello,
Sorry for not updating in sooner. I guess no news is good news sometimes : )! Carol is doing very well recovering and has energy and is taking walks, she just still needs to be reserving her energy to fully recover. My dad is still trying to gain his rest , prayers for him right now would be great! She was running a small fever last night , but seemed to recover, just in need of rest! Thank you all for the constant support it is so appreciated!
Keep Hope CRG

HomeComing!

Hey all!
We all visited her today and she is doing so much better! She was able to go on a couple walks around the hospital which is huge! As well as eating two pieces of toast and more. So we are glad with the progress and also glad to hear that she will be able to come home in the morning! Both her and my Dad need their rest, they are looking forward to a comfortable bed and just being home. Her appointment for radiation consultation will be on Oct 3rd ( next friday) , we are looking forward to that and hearing when radiation will start so we can tackle this. Thanks for all the support this last week and much much more it has been such a stronghold! Updates will be soon and current!
Keep Hope CRG

Recovery

It is the fifth day of recovery and she is struggling a bit. She has had a pretty painful last couple of days and the recovery is not as smooth as hoped, but doctors are very optimistic still with everything coming up. She has been getting a lot of rest and slowly is progressing where she should be by this stage. Thank you for the continuous prayers and thoughts!
Keep Hope CRG

Quick One

Update for the day.. Carol is in good spirits and doing well and is responsive to the pain medication. She called today and was extemley talkative and seemed herself already!! She was able to visit with her mom and her sister in law today and my Dad and kyle are there with her continuously. Paige is flying in on firday so that should lift her spirits even more and Josh will be coming home soon to stay for some time. The doctor came and spoke with her today and told her that he feels very optimistic about the radiation she wil receive for the remaining of the tumor. That was postive news to hear and well needed! Thank you all and I will update any more news that comes.
Keep Hope CRG

Ending the Day

Hello again
Update recently is that she is in the icu right now and for the night because the rooms were filled and they want to keep her there just over night to settle things. My dad is staying over night with her in the hospital so that should comfort her. Her oxygen is at a 100% intake witch is great considering the surgery's target on her lung! She should recover well for the morning and be able to process the information and eat a breakfast and drink water ( that was the first thing she said she wanted when she woke up) . Thanks for taking time to read the updates. I know you all are praying and I ask for prayer for my Dad who is the rock for our family but like any rock needs a sold foundation, so keep him strongly in prayer. Thank you all so much.
Keep Hope CRG

After Surgery

Hello,
The most current update from the Doctor is she is out of surgery and doing well , she does not have to be in intensive care so she is in recovery. The news we received was not the ideal but was not the worst, the Doctor was able to remove 95% of the tumor and the upper lobe of her left lung. The remaining 5% of the tumor moved close to her artery and neck , so our next step is consulting with the radiologist and planning when to start radiation witch will proceed for 4-6 weeks. Between the radiation and the drug nexevar there is a possibility that if we can not completley irradicate it we can stop its growth for a significant amount of time. The news has its positives and we are hopeful, the cancer is still fightable and she is a strong fighter. The prayers are needed and appreciated. I will try to be as accurate so all the questions are answered. Thank you all !
Keep Hope CRG

UCSF

First update of the day ( I will try and update through out the day today as we receive information on the surgery so it is easy access for all your questions and so you know what is going on). She just went into surgery earlier than expected at 11:15 and was in great spirits. She said yesterday she could feel your prayers at 4:30 while we were driving to the grocery store! The doctor should be updating us half way through so hopefully I can than update you. Thank you again, everyone's love and support and prayers today have been strength for the family and for all who this affects.
" Be strong and take heart, all who hope in the Lord"
Psalms 31:24
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Monday 22nd

Hello all,
The recent update for Carol is that the surgery she will be having is scheduled for Monday 22nd at 12:00 PM. She is going to be having surgery on her upper lobe of her left lung for removal of the tumor.The approximate time of recovery is 6 days. This surgery will be more intensive and a more difficult recovery but she is an amazing woman and will recuperate timely. Please keep her and the family in prayers and thoughts, and yourselves as we know this is a difficult situation for all who know and love Carol. Thank you
Keep Hope CRG

Thanks!

First thank you all for your prayers and anyway you have supported, whether in thought, prayer or action , it is all equally appreciated by our family! The most recent update is on the way !
Keep Hope CRG