Goodbye, Carboplatin!

Rebekah had nasal surgery earlier this week

We had a great visit with Dr. Curley today! We started with a breast exam and he was so happy that he could not feel any evidence of the tumor in either my breast or lymph nodes. He was thrilled, and said this was a great response to the chemo so far. He ordered an MRI to reimage everything at the conclusion of this cycle.

Dr. Curley asked me several times how my fatigue was. I am very tired but keep pushing through it like most busy moms, and I try to rest when I can. We discussed the results of my blood work and he said that my red blood cells are very low, which indicates anemia. That usually won’t suspend my treatments but will require a blood transfusion. He thinks I have a 50/50 chance of needing one. Usually, he orders a blood transfusion if hemoglobin is below 7; I'm at 7.6 right now. He said he typically puts in 2 pints of blood for a transfusion and that it is very safe, even during Covid. He said to keep eating healthy and exercising, but that it's the chemo that's causing the anemia and not a lack of iron in my diet. If I need to get a blood transfusion, it will be done at another facility.

My white blood cells were higher than they had ever been at 19.4 and my platelets were 244, which is very good news! He said it was like my bone marrow decided to wake up. The Zarxio injections are definitely working. We asked him if I would need to continue the Zarxio shots next week and he said he would like to continue for the next two weeks until I finish this round with the Taxol. I may be able to stop the injections after that, with the next round of new drugs, but we will have to wait and see. I still feel a lot of bone fatigue and achiness from these shots.

I asked Dr. Curley what differences we could expect with the new drugs (Adriamycin and Cytoxan) that I start in 3 weeks. He said most of the same side effects will continue, except I'm less likely to have neuropathy, issues with vision, and changes to nails, which are typically associated with Taxol. I will most likely be hit pretty hard the first week of the treatment but then I'll  have two weeks to recover before my next dose.

I've been having terrible hot flashes and irregular menstrual cycles since starting chemo, so we talked a bit about chemotherapy-induced menopause, which doesn't necessarily mean I'll stay in menopause after the chemo stops, it may be temporary. He really can't predict how menstral cycles will be affected long term. It varies with each person.

Anyone who knows me well will not be surprised that I asked the doctor if it's OK to get my teeth cleaned at the dentist. :) I LOVE my teeth cleanings and I had an appointment coming up but the doctors said no dental cleanings until next year, after chemo is complete. Too many risks of infection and bacteria. Hope I don’t ruin my streak of no cavities! 

Last question I asked was about some vitamin supplements that were suggested to me. The doctor's advice was to stick with one good multi-vitamin. A trial has shown that too many vitamins in cases of breast cancer were connected with a higher chance of reoccurrence. Although they are not exactly certain why, their best guess is that the supplements are trying to rebuild cells that the chemo is trying to kill, so they can actually inhibit the chemo from working as effectively as it could. I can do all the supplements I want after chemo, but for now he wants me to limit what I am taking to one multi-vitamin.

My chemo infusion lasted about 3 1/2 hours. I rested, talked with the nurses, and caught up on email. We expect this to be a hard week with side effects, but we're praying for strength and the courage to take one day at a time.

Rebekah is starting to feel a little better from her nasal surgery on Monday. She's been taking Hydrocodone for pain, which makes her very tired and a little dizzy. We started to wean her off of that today and replace it with extra-strength Tylenol and Ibuprofen during the day, and Hydrocodone only at night. She has a lot of sinus pressure and congestion but the doctor called to check on her today and said she will feel much better after the stints come out on Monday.

We love you all so much and we are praying for you and your unique challenges! Thank you for your daily support.

Love, 

Diana

Happy Friday

We've been praying specifically — along with many of you — that my platelets would stay up this week for my infusion today. This was the week in my last cycle that I had to cancel chemo because my platelets were so low. The Zarxio shots are keeping my white blood cell count up, but they only last for the week, so those will have been in vain if my platelets are too low. My blood draws today showed my platelets were in the normal range and we attribute that blessing directly to your faith-filled prayers and fasting! Thank you so much. I was able to move forward with treatment today!

Glen and I had a glorious day-and-a-half in Flagstaff this week. The temperatures were almost 30 degrees cooler than in Peoria. It was so beautiful. We did as much as we could outside. We strolled through NAU campus, walked among the ponderosa pines at the Arboretum, sat outside and read, and drove everywhere with the windows rolled down! We actually had a bit of rain, which cooled things off even more.

Originally, we had planned to get away next Wednesday and Thursday, but we had to make some last-minute changes because Rebekah’s nasal surgery was changed to Monday instead of this week. She has a deviated septum, among other things, that she's having corrected before she heads back up to college. She will likely have about a two-week recovery. The first week she'll have to be in bed with stints in her nose, but the following Monday she'll have the stints removed. If she feels well enough, she can go back to her office job with no heavy lifting. She will be under anesthesia for about 90 mins at an outpatient facility. She just had her COVID test done yesterday and we will be praying that all will go smoothly without any complications.

I'm getting my Zarxio shots again next M T F, and on Friday I'll meet with Dr. Curley before my drug infusion. If all goes well, that will be my last dose of Carboplatin! Thank you for fighting with us.

Love, 

Di

Together ... and with God

I was counting my blessings this morning, and Glen was at the top of my list. Twenty-two years ago today, I married Glen for forever in a temple of God. It was one of the best decisions I ever made! 

When we drove to Oregon for Glen to ask my dad for my hand in marriage, I nervously prepped him for questions that my dad may ask him (how he might handle specific financial and relationship difficulties in our marriage, etc.). I had watched older sisters go through engagements and had taken note! ;) I was more nervous for Glen to talk with my dad than he was. 

After asking how Glen would answer a possible question from my dad, he paused and said, “I am not exactly sure, but we will figure it out together and with God.” That is exactly what we have been doing for the last 22 years, through many ups and downs, which we never expected. Glen is my loyal friend, my companion and helpmeet, my protector and provider, the loving father to our children, and my cherished husband. 

Next week, after my Wednesday injection, we hope to slip away to Flagstaff and enjoy the cooler weather for a day before returning for chemo on Friday. I can’t wait!

Chemo, sleep, repeat.

At chemo now and just got the OK for treatment. My platelets were low again but high enough to move forward. This past week has been the first time to get my injections following the three drugs Carboplatin, Taxol, and Keytruda. It made for quite an adventure with all of the kids schooling at home. Lots of technical difficulties with Glen and the others all online, but with a new modem and higher internet speed, we seem to working through the kinks. 

On Wednesday when I was beginning to feel a little better, Hannah and I went for a bike ride during her recess break. She asked me, “Mom, so what do you like to do besides sleep and go to chemo?” That pretty much says it all. :)

Sabbath Day lessons (Glen)

Yesterday, our ward returned to church for the first time since March. We decided it was best that we stay home so that we could protect Di from any infections. I had a bishopric meeting in the morning to talk through how things would go — I'm so grateful for the wonderful men who support me so that I can be here with my family.

I planned to get up early Sunday morning to prepare a high-protein breakfast for Diana, and also strain the Greek yogurt I had made the night before. I thought I had woken early enough to get all of that done and shower, especially since Hannah had woken up and came to help me with breakfast. After getting everything ready — chopping the zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, cilantro, spinach, ham, and cheese — I tried to make an eight-egg omelette so that Diana, Hannah, and I would all be able to eat. Let’s just say it took a lot longer to cook than I expected. Diana can’t have any raw egg, so it was probably overdone by the time I finished. At that point, it was time to start my bishopric meeting, so I tuned into the meeting — still wearing my PJs, unshaved, and not showered — and everyone was really nice and understanding. :)

After the meeting, I talked with Di for a little while as I ate my breakfast and she rested. It was great to have that time with her while the kids took care of things. Diana hopped in the shower and I realized I needed to drop off some tithing at the church and couldn’t send it with my kids. I still hadn’t showered and was still in my PJs, so my counselor agreed to meet me in the parking lot. Of course, I ended up talking for a few minutes and saw a few members as I was leaving. It made me wonder what they must think of their bishop, who obviously wasn’t ready for church while they were arriving to go in and worship. I knew they would understand, and they probably didn’t even think twice about it, but it was a very good reminder for me to not judge.

When I got home, we all got ready for online church. (And, yes, I had showered and dressed by then!) Diana was still very tired, but determined give a talk that she had volunteered to give. She sat down near us and led everyone in a virtual discussion on the talk “The Finest Homes,” by Elder L. Whitney Clayton. As I watched her, I was so grateful for her heart and desire to teach our children. One quote that really stood out to me was: "The finest homes are refuges from the storms of life. The Lord has promised that those who keep the commandments of God 'prosper in the land.' God’s prosperity is the power to press forward despite the problems of life."

Diana has done such a wonderful job to make our home a refuge from the storms of life. We talked about the Lord’s promise to prosper us in the land and how that doesn’t mean to remove our problems or difficulties. It means He will walk with us hand in hand as we take those challenges on. He will send people into our lives to strengthen and comfort us. My testimony grew to see Diana — so tired and weak from chemo — talk about the Lord sustaining her.

We have been surrounded by angels who support us when we struggle to go forward on our own. Thank you so much, dear friends.

Love,

Glen

Infusion #7

Everything went really well yesterday at my appointment with Dr. Curley and my chemo infusion. Both my white blood cell and platelet counts were within treatable ranges and the doctor gave us the green light to get my Taxol, Carboplatin, and Keytruda infusion. Before we started, we talked with Dr. Curley about my treatment and asked questions. We continue to see changes in the size of my tumor, which the doctor is very happy with. After my 12th infusion we will re-image the diseased areas with an MRI and get an even better feel for how I am responding to the chemotherapy. I will continue to get my Zarxio injections next week on Mon, Tue, Wed, and then Dr. Curley said he is going to push pretty hard to continue with infusions the next few weeks, meaning he may be more liberal with blood count numbers. 

We expressed our discouragement at having to cancel infusions in the past and he said that having those delays are pretty standard. The way he looks at it is that we are going at this cancer at 120-miles-an-hour and it's pretty normal to get “pulled over” once in a while, but he would prefer to have occasional delays than to lower dosages. He feels that is more effective. We asked about a couple of other things we had read that may help with low blood counts and he reiterated that the low blood counts are a direct response to the chemo drugs and not related to what I am or am not eating, doing, or taking. However, giving the best care I can to my body through rest, exercise, and diet will help with my recovery from the chemo. I have lost most of my eyelashes and about half my eyebrows. Dr. Curley said he has some patients who don’t lose their eyebrows and lashes and he isn't exactly sure why. The extent of hair loss is different for each individual.

After my infusion, I was pretty tired and experienced the usual side effects. I typically have really bad insomnia the night after treatment due to the steroids, and I have a chemo rash on my face and neck for a couple of days that looks like a sunburn. It doesn't itch, it's just red, a little hot, and sensitive. With the Carboplatin, I usually have very bad constipation but I think we got ahead of it with lots of bran muffins, flaxseed, hemp seeds, prunes, and stool softeners the couple of days beforehand. Nausea is increasing and has been at its worst on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday in the past.

The best part of my day was tucking Hannah into bed with one of our favorite stories, “Cancer Hates Kisses.” It tells of a mama who is a cancer-fighting superhero who gets her strength from her children’s kisses, hugs, high-fives, and love. 

Sending all our love to you!

Di and Glen

Learning to trust

Last Friday, it was difficult to have my infusion cancelled due to low platelets, especially after having worked so hard to bring my white blood cells up with injections. Although I tried not to be affected, it was deflating and I felt like there was nothing I could do to influence my health and move forward. I spend most of the weekend trying to work through my feelings and find a way to stay positive.

The Lord blessed me with two experiences this week that helped me to see His hand in my life and remind me that He is in control. The first experience was on Monday when we celebrated Hannah’s 6th birthday. The highlight of her day was having a “drive-by” party organized and attended by so many loving friends and her church leaders and teacher. We sat on the driveway under our beach umbrella and Hannah waved to everyone and threw candy (or tried really hard to) through their open car windows. She felt like a celebrity and was showered with so much love. 

Glen and I gave Hannah a new bike with training wheels and she has been practicing every day in the 115-degree weather to get the right balance so she isn't dependent on the training wheels. Yesterday, she said, “Mom, I think I am ready to take the training wheels off but I'm scared I might fall.” I explained to her that all of her practice and experience was enough for her to take the next step, and that I would run beside her to help her if she stumbled.

Hannah on her new birthday bike

Later that night, this beloved scripture came to my mind: “And now, my [daughter], remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they CANNOT FALL." (Helaman 5:12)

During this sometimes difficult school of life, our Savior has promised us that if exercise and practice faith in Him, he will run beside us, steady us when we stumble, so that we cannot fall.

Paul was called to serve in Baltimore, Maryland

The second experience was on Wednesday, when our son Paul opened his assignment to serve a two-year mission for our church. Glen and I have been filled with joy by his desire and worthiness to serve as a representative of Christ in teaching His gospel. As we all guessed where he might serve and when he might begin, we realized that to us it didn’t really matter. When he announced that he would be serving in the Baltimore, Maryland mission, speaking Spanish, we could hardly contain our happiness and several thoughts came to my mind.

I remembered when Paul was diagnosed with autism when he was two-and-a-half years old. As I processed the news of his diagnosis, I wondered, “Will he ever be able to serve a mission?” While I know that serving a mission isn't necessary for Paul's eternal progression, it was nonetheless an experience I desired for him and one that was forefront in my mind as I received his diagnosis and considered his future. After 17 years of working with therapists and coordinating intervention for Paul, the most important thing I have learned by much fasting and prayer is to trust in God and to turn my son over to Him. He can make so much more of our lives than we ever can. These tender reminders helped me to prepare for my next treatment this on Friday.

When I went to the cancer clinic yesterday, I tried to have no expectations so that I wouldn’t be disappointed if my blood counts were too low. Ironically, I had been more tired this week despite not receiving any injections. Our regular nurses had the day off, so as I got my blood drawn I briefly explained what had happened the past couple of weeks to the nurse who was filling in and then she went to run the labs. My friend Meredith sat beside me and was cleared for her infusion while I waited for another 15 minutes. The nurse came to tell me that I may not be able to get treatment. My platelets had come up (182) but my white blood counts were low (.89) and usually need to be above 1.0 for chemo. She had sent a message to Dr. Curley to see what he wanted to do. His response was, “Time to treat!” I was so grateful. Infusion #6 complete. 

I will return on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for Zarxio injections to help with my white blood cell production and we will meet with Dr. Curley next Friday morning to discuss my treatment and ask questions. 

We are being sustained by your prayers and faith on our behalf, along with so much service and love to our family. We can’t thank you enough!