I guess it’s game time...

Well, we finally have a plan. It's definitely not the plan I wanted, but at least we can move forward.

First - an update of all the results we have been waiting for. NIH did confirm that this new tumor was in fact

BRAF negative, which is a total change in "mutation" from my previous cancer. Despite this change, they also confirmed by genome sequencing that it is the SAME cancer...what the what, right? So basically, same cancer that spread to a new area thru the blood stream (that part sounds scary), but mutated on the way. Which literally never happens, but of course, I had be all extra with my cancer. :) So with this confirmation, the official staging is "stage 4A resected". Meaning all the confirmed cancer that scans can see has been surgically removed, but still stage 4 because of the spread to a different area.

Next, the pet scan. I would call it 98% clear. Organs are all still clear (thank you God), which is the important thing. They did see a little bit of metabolic activity in the very few lymph nodes I have left in my groin. Not enough to remove surgically, but just more ammo to support their recommendation though.

Speaking of, their recommendation... the winner is #1 (which was the combo immunotherapy...or the one I didn't want). I think I said this before, but since the BRAF mutation, choice #2 (targeted therapy), is not an option anymore. And option #3, the "watch and wait", has annoyingly been whisked off the table with the new info. :(

So now it's game time, and they aren't messing around. I am scheduled to have a mediport placed in my chest next week and my first the treatment is Thursday...ONE WEEK FROM TODAY! I will be receiving the combo of drugs for the first four treatments, which will take 12 weeks. The commercial names of the drugs are Yervoy and Opdivo. I see commercials for them on TV all the time now. After the first four treatments, they drop the Yervoy and continue with Opdivo only for the last 9 months.

So this treatment is not going to be fun. Even I can't find an optimistic way to spin this one. :) The combo of drugs stimulates your own immune system to super power strength. Which is awesome to attack the cancer, however, it can also can start attacking healthy organs in your body. I won't bore you with the long list of potential side effects, let's just say they aren't pretty. Steroids are the first line of defense for almost every issue, so I foresee a lot of those in my life. Ugh. BUT...my doctor did say, there are a small gr

oup of people that cruise through it with not many problems...so we are keeping the faith that is what will happen with me!! But just in case, we are in the process of scheduling family and friends to come out and help me during these first three months especially. I cannot say it enough how amazing my family and village of friends are. It literally took minutes to have the type A peeps in my crew to have a schedule lined up and tickets bought for this first treatment. It's overwhelming and humbling at the same time.

Well, that is everything. I am doing okay. Obviously, mad, sad, anxious and all the normal feelings. I had a huge pity party for myself the last 48 hours, but I told myself that it's okay to wallow for a couple days, but then tomorrow (which is today), you got to get up and just get this done. So that's what I am doing. Trying to prep myself mentally and physically for a rough ride in my future towards just getting it DONE!

As always, I appreciate any prayers and good vibes you can send our way. I love you all more than you even know!

XOXO,

Lacey