Fall 2009: Jake and Nancy learned that Nancy's breast cancer was stage four. Winter 2013: They are still fighting. This is a gathering place to follow their story, offer support, love and prayers... to be by their side.



Saturday, June 28, 2014

Updates

Dear family and friends,
I had a scan a few weeks ago and the results were mixed, some of the tumors were shrinking, but others were larger and there was a new one as well.  Dr. Rinn, as always, had a few tricks up her sleeve and a plan.  She suggested getting tissue samples from the new tumor and one of the shrinking tumors to see if there was a pathological difference between the two that might be clinically relevant. Last Friday I had a liver biopsy and got the preliminary results this week and it turns out there IS a difference.  The new tumor is HER2 positive, which means I'm eligible for additional treatments like Herceptin.

In addition to the standard pathology tests, she also ordered genomic tests on the tissue.  It will take a couple weeks to get results, but potentially, the results might indicate whether I would be a candidate for certain experimental drugs available in clinical trails or through the compassionate use clause in the FDA.  More info to come, but that's the update for now.

In other news, Kate posted about my half-marathon training, which is coming along, though last week's liver biopsy slowed me down.  I'm scheduled to run 13 miles tomorrow and the race is July 13th.

Friday, June 13, 2014

Inspiring

Per usual, Thursday was a chemo day. Nancy headed downtown after lunch and was probably joined by Wendy who just sat with her. The exception to this particular Thursday, however, was that prior to getting chemo, Nancy had just finished her 10 mile training run.

Every now and then we hear one of those stories that moves and effects us in some deep, meaningful way. And every now and then, we get the privilege to be a part of that story or run alongside the main character. And we feel inspired. This story is about overcoming circumstances and doing something big. And it's about Nancy. A month from today, despite the need to start a new attack on her cancer which is constantly on the move, Nancy is running in the See Jane Run half marathon. Now the 5k would be a pretty big deal… but no, Nancy is running the 13.1 miles!!

If you're a runner, you understand that it's not just about the race. It's about the daily focus… pressing yourself and persevering the uncomfortable. Logging a lot of miles before the race. When the weather is bad, we still lace up our shoes. When we're tired or sore, we still head out the door, --because that finish line is in sight. But what all of us can only imagine, is what it's like to have the added burden of running each training mile, and running that race, with 4th stage cancer.

Although I can't physically be in Seattle to run alongside Nancy on July 13th, my heart is there with her. Thank you for inspiring me, Nancy.

-Kate