I have always meant, from the moment I thought about this
blog, to use it as an update on all our travels and adventures and just all
around cool things that we have had an opportunity to do. For some reason, it just never turned
out that way.
Why? I have no idea! What I am going to turn it into now is
a way to update you all on what’s going on with me lately, health wise. There
have been some new developments in that area and I really want to share them
with you.
As you know, just after we arrived in the UK in 2015, I
found out that my breast cancer was back after almost five years in
remission. I was diagnosed with
Stage IV breast cancer that had come back in my bones; with small evidence in
my liver, lymph nodes and lungs. I underwent 6 rounds of chemo and RADICALLY
changed my lifestyle and eating habits.
I did research and traveled to a clinic in Mexico for immune boosting
treatments – it all had a fantastic effect on the cancer.
The disease shrank remarkably in my skeleton system, and signs elsewhere either
disappeared or continued to reduce.
Things were looking up. I was feeling better, more fit, and stronger
than I ever have -- like I was beginning to lead the life that God had intended
for me.
A scheduled PET scan in January of this year revealed that
some of the cancer had taken back up in a few of my lymph nodes. Although
small, they were still there and something to attack in a different way. After
lots of discussing options, we decided on a treatment of medicine from the
doctor, as well as continuing to up my game in the nutrition and supplement
way. Get re-tested in May and see what has changed. We were going forward with
our exciting plans to move to Germany and continue living the life we want to
live, doing what we feel is great for our family, Army career, and just all
around purpose. The lymph nodes were a setback, but nothing we felt we could
not beat, just as we have beat the other things before.
Last week I started to have massive headaches (that actually
puts the word headache lightly) and vomiting. Josh took me to the hospital, and
upon a CT scan we discovered that the cancer has spread to my brain. A lot
scarier, a lot more to deal with, a lot more decisions that will need to be
made due to this news. As usual, Josh and I have attacked it with lots of
research, questions, and prayers. Here is where we are now.
Josh has deferred battalion command and we will be
reassigned back to North Carolina. Back to our old neighborhood, back to our
old house, back to the girls’ old school; near the beach, near family support.
That is the best thing we can do right now moving forward for low stress and
stability. It is a huge
disappointment to give the Germany opportunity up, but it is the only thing
that we felt was right to do - and we all made that decision willingly and with
a good heart.
While there are some traditional treatment options for what
I have now, they are more limited than prior diagnoses. We have weighed options, developed a
plan, and are now prepared to go full guns ahead and find as much hope as we
can possibly find, as I attack this thing through complimentary treatment –
that is, both traditional medical treatment, and alternative therapies.
First, starting this week I will undergo three weeks of
whole brain radiation (WBR). My doctor spent an hour with us the other night
going over all these things. The goal is to stop the spreading, kill cancer
cells, and shrink it back. My side effects might be some hair loss, sores in my
mouth and tiredness. I could also have some cognitive damage and that bothers
me, but if you know of any brainteasers to help me keep sharp during this, pass
along those ideas—no kidding! I will try to prevent that loss as much as I
possibly can.
The next step, after WBR, is alternative treatments and
therapies at the Issels Immuno-Oncology Centers in Santa Barbara, California
and Tijuana, Mexico. I
don’t know if you understand how cancer treatment is changing everywhere, but
the FDA isn’t quite quick enough to keep up. There are so many things that Josh
and I have come across in our research that are more than just vitamins and
supplements (they are a KEY factor, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes cancer
needs a little something in addition). We whole-heartedly believe in these
things, they make sense to us and we feel that they offer so much hope to our situation. I will be at the Issels clinics for
about a month where I will receive an advanced oncology-focused Immunotherapy
in which they create a Dendritic Cell Cancer Vaccine from my own cells, and
then use this vaccine to attack the cancer throughout my body. Additionally, I will undergo various
cutting edge alternative therapies that compliment the Immunotherapy to beat
the cancer – you’re interested, there’s more information on the web page here: http://issels.com. We’ve done the research – this is THE
MOST comprehensive and targeted care I can get in the world. The clinic has reviewed my file and
found me to be a good candidate; we are moving forward with setting up my time
there for late April – late May of this year.
The treatments at Issels will cost us about $58,000. As you would expect, these things
aren’t covered by traditional insurance, so the financial burden falls on us,
with all costs required up front. This is not a deal-breaker; we will find a
way to make it happen. We know
that many of you might want to help in a tangible way, and cancer sometimes
takes that ability away, because you can’t change the fact that I have it. Prayer is so amazing and it truly helps
me find my courage and strength and ability to carry on knowing those prayers
are coming to me. I feel them,
there is no way they can’t be of help and we appreciate them. As another way to help, my
sister-in-law has set up “Immunotherapy
For Shannon”; hosted by GoFundMe, this site offers a chance for people to
donate towards the cost of this treatment. Please understand that this is not
an easy thing to do -- to ask for help like this -- but we know that many will
want to help, and this is truly one of the best ways. Although we are going to do this no matter what, any small
bit received will be humbling, and go directly towards my treatment.
I will keep everyone up on the progress of what’s going on
with me, where and when I am going and how I am feeling. I truly feel that
there is a future for me and that I will come back from this and really look at
it as a blessing and a lesson. What has it taught me, how has it changed me,
how has it affected others? All these things are good things that come out of
life’s challenges. All I know is
that I’m not going down without a fight.
Thanks for loving me, supporting me and praying for me.
(If interested, look for “Immunotherapy For Shannon” posted via social media – share it!)
