October 22, 2015

It breaks my heart to pass on the information contained in this update. At the time of our previous post to this blog, Marjie was in therapy at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in Sandy, Utah. She had just completed radiation treatments for a tumor on her spine.  Marjie and I have been very pleased with the care she has received at HealthSouth. The compassionate dedication of the staff here is something we will always remember.  She had been working very hard in therapy sessions.  Her balance had improved and she had regained some movement in her right leg until a short time ago when extreme fatigue set in. Marjie had an MRI of the brain and spine on October 20th. She had been declining recently in several ways, including extreme fatigue, some cognitive loss, and loss of balance.  The MRI showed the tumor has spread to multiple parts of her brain and spinal cord. This new growth has occurred over a very short period of time (since the last MRI in September) and despite ongoing chemotherapy and the best known treatment to battle this type of tumor. For reasons we just don't know, Marjie's tumor has been unusually aggressive and resistant to treatment. 

At this point, the doctors are recommending no further treatment as the potential benefit is not adequate to put her through the process. After discussing options, Marjie and Scott have decided to travel back to Twin Falls as soon as possible and arrange for hospice care at home.  We feel this decision will provide the best comfort and quality of life possible in a compassionate, realistic manner.  As Marjie and I prepare to return home to Twin Falls, we are trying to take comfort in our belief that Marjie's primary care is in God's hands now. 

I trust that all of us who know and love Marjie will continue to do what we can to support and comfort her.  She has not been in significant pain, and she sleeps comfortably much of the time. She has some cognitive issues, but during periods when she is awake and alert her memory and ability to communicate is currently quite good.  Unfortunately the chemotherapy she has been taking has caused her to lose much of her voice, so patience is needed to understand her sometimes.  Talking on the phone is no longer possible.  Our oncologist explained that if there is anything humane about this type of cancer, it is the fact that typically there is no significant pain to the patient. Sometimes headaches, but Marjie has been free of those so far. The progression is usually just a more severe version of the symptoms she is already experiencing (extreme fatigue, gradual loss of cognitive ability, weakness, and shutdown of functions.)

Marjie and I wish to thank so many people for their care and compassion.  I have time to include here only a partial list. We thank all of the staff at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital.  We are sincerely grateful to everyone at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in Sandy, Utah. HealthSouth has been our home for about the last 5 weeks.  We thank our wonderful friend Griselda, and all who were involved in honoring Marjie at the O'Leary 5K Run/Walk last weekend. And we thank all of you who have followed Marjie through this difficult journey. We are grateful for all of the love, support, good thoughts, and prayers that have been sent our way.  

Much Love to All,

Scott and Marjie. 

October 4, 2015

Hello to everyone.  We apologize for the two month delay in updating this blog.  Things were going quite well a couple of months ago at the time of our last post. Unfortunately, the last 45 days or so have been very difficult ones. During the third week of August we traveled to Salt Lake City for what we hoped would be a favorable, or at least stable, MRI and checkup. However, the MRI indicated that Marjie's brain tumor was showing some regrowth. At that time, Marjie was experiencing no new symptoms.  However, that all changed the next day.  She suddenly lost all strength and control of her left leg. This was very frustrating for her as she had gained back significant strength and use of her left leg after 6 months of hard work and therapy. We attributed this to the brain tumor regrowth that was shown by the MRI.  Marjie started a new infusion chemotherapy and we hoped and prayed this new chemo would improve or stabilize her situation.  But Marjie's situation deteriorated further a couple of weeks later when she lost the strength and use of her right leg as well. Up until this time, the right leg had been totally unaffected.  Plus Marjie's tumor is on the right side of her brain which should affect only the left side of the body.

We were back in Salt Lake City on Labor Day for chemotherapy and to celebrate Caleb's third birthday. This was about the time the right leg totally gave out.  We met with our oncologist and additional tests were ordered to try to determine the cause of the right leg weakness. We received more bad news when an MRI revealed that the tumor has spread to Marjie's spinal cord. She has several spots on her spinal cord that are "suspect", but one larger one in particular was determined to be the cause of her loss of strength in her right leg-and it would be affecting the left leg as well. Marjie was admitted to the Huntsman Cancer Hospital and immediately began radiation treatments for the new tumor on her spine.  As of this time, she has completed this course of radiation (15 treatments), and she is currently in rehab at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in Sandy, Utah.  We have actually been at HealthSouth for nearly 3 weeks. Marjie has been gradually regaining some strength and movement back in her right leg, and a small amount in her left leg as well. She is unable support significant weight, but the movement that has returned is a good sign that the radiation and other treatments have been beneficial.  We hope and pray that her leg strength continues to return, but it is impossible to predict how much improvement will occur. We are very pleased with the care and therapy she is receiving at HealthSouth. It is an attractive facility with dedicated caring staff, excellent therapists and equipment, and she even has a great view out of her window. Plus there is a small hide-a-bed in the room and they let Scott stay, participate in therapy sessions, and help where he can.  Marjie has been having physical and/or occupational therapy 3 times per day, and she even got to exercise in a swimming pool here today. An added benefit is this hospital is located about 10 minutes from Becky's house. We hope to be at HealthSouth for another week or two as we feel this is a good place for continued therapy and progress in the near term. We expect to be back in Twin Falls sometime in October.  But our exact location for the next few weeks is unknown. This will be determined on a weekly basis depending on progress and insurance decisions.

We are able to finally update this blog as we recently broke down and bought an iPad. It has been a great communications tool as it is so much easier to type on than my iPhone. And it has given us a chance to watch some of our favorite tv shows through Netflix streaming video.  We are especially enjoying the show "Longmire" and the series "How the States Got Their Names".  We are embarrassed to admit we are also "Walking Dead" fans.

We continue to be so thankful for the love and good thoughts, visits, cards, and prayers from our family and friends.  One reminder.... we love visits, but Marjie's ability to resist colds and infections has been reduced by the chemotherapy-so please keep this in mind when coming to see her, whether in Utah or Twin Falls. We sure hope the next post to this blog can be a little more upbeat. But at least we will close with some pictures that prove that even when all seems dark, there is goodness and light if you look for it. Below is a picture of Caleb on his 3rd birthday, Claire and Lucas picking out some Halloween pumpkins (with a little help from mom and dad),  Marjie enjoying the company of Matthew, Becky, and Caleb on the patio at HealthSouth, and Claire and Lucas posing with Cooper in their back yard. Our family and friends (and our grandchildren in particular) continue to be our best therapy!

Marjie and Scott