Dear friends and family,
I wanted to take the time to update you further since my last visit to Houston for additional testing.
MEDICAL UPDATE:
Houston has become a hard place to visit. Even with the incredible relational support system the Lord has so graciously provided and the warmer weather (which is so good for the soul), inevitably at some point we have something challenging happen. Three weeks ago, it was the news that the disease had returned to my liver and some spots in my peritoneum, preventing me from being eligible for the next surgical intervention. This week, it was the news that there are additional spots around my liver and near the primary tumor on the opposite side of my abdomen. It’s what the oncologist classifies as “widespread disease.” Not the words we were hoping for.
So, I’ll begin systemic therapy again, aka chemo. It will be all the intense drugs they used last time for four rounds. They are working to add additional measures/medication to help me with tolerating the side effects, namely, the nausea.
The treatment dates are:
Feb. 13th-15th
Feb. 27th– Mar. 1st
Mar. 13th-15th
Mar. 27th-29th
If my blood work indicates that the chemo isn’t helping to control the disease after two rounds, (this is measured by my CEA markers which shows how much cancer is in the blood) we will explore other options. I am so relieved to know this because the chemo is so, so hard on me.
After the intense chemo, I will have scans again to check the status of everything and probably receive maintenance chemo to keep the cancer from growing or spreading. My Houston oncologist is looking into clinical trials that could work for my particular mutation of colon cancer (there are dozens of different types of mutations and I happen to have a very stable, fast growing mutation).
HOW I AM AND WHAT WE NEED:
I feel sad and scared. I was so hoping this year would be different. I wish I knew how much time I am being given. I feel very medically fatigued. It’s hard to be poked all the time with needles and subject to so many tests and treatment. But I want to keep fighting and trying some things. I want to work with my care team and find ways forward together. We are contemplating getting other opinions from other cancer institutes as well – not on the immediate next steps but on my eligibility for surgeries down the road.
So, what can you do or what do we need?
What you’ve been doing for our family and me has been enough. Praying, calling, texting, visiting, encouraging, crying with us, feeding us, giving…it’s all so beautiful and healing in a special way for each of us.
Here are some random hopes and desires:
We want to get the kids a dog (it has to be a doodle mix because of allergies and small to medium in size). If you have any recommendations for who and where we can contact, let us know.
I want to get the kids to the ocean – Claire has never seen the ocean so I would love to take the family to Florida and do that this summer. Again, any recommendations, I’d love to know!
We are planning to go to Colorado for spring break – please pray the weather cooperates for us to drive out there!
I want the beautiful and dear things to draw near during this season and for me that means relationships: more laughter, more memories, more hugs!
I’m thinking of doing a Saturday morning devotional Zoom call thing – going over some of my favorite passages of scripture. If that’s something you’d be interested in email me at: mrsakolinger@gmail.com. It would be so sweet to share that time with others and pass on some of my absolute favorites.
Some have asked about giving. We still have the GoFundMe available (Click Here). Thank you to all who have already given. It means a lot and we’ve had some unexpected things come up and we were able to cover those things, no problem, because of YOU!
IN CONCLUSION
I am still believing the words of Ecclesiastes 3:11: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into our hearts, yet we cannot fathom what he is doing from beginning to end.”
So, I will do the next right thing. I will hold onto hope but also live surrendered. Again, I love you and will as long as I am able.
3 responses to “Feb. 3rd, 2023 – Detour Part 2”
I might already be subscribed, but I don’t want to miss anything you write. Maybe I’ll see you when you come to Colorado. I’m praying
Amanda,
I am so sorry for the “detours” you are experiencing May God give you grace upon grace – and my the cancer go away.
We are praying for you and your precious family.
Mike (and Nancy) Jordahl
I love you and your family oh so much! The words you wrote hit so close to home. Our prayers are for you and your family. My family and I try to go to Corpus Christi every summer and we love it every year! Last year we got to experience the Corpus Christi aquarium and battle ship as well and it was so awesome!