In Annie’s words:

On Friday afternoon (1/31/2020) we met with the oncologist for the first time. The doctor gave us the results of DNA testing, but still didn’t have RNA testing completed on the cancer cells. We were told that the RNA results would not change the treatment plan (gamma knife radiation for brain tumors and several rounds of the kind of chemo that would make Matt feel really lousy plus a couple other supports: immunotherapy and another maintenance chemo for lung and liver tumors). Hearing words like “incurable” can be devastating, and was certainly hard for us, but our faith remained at the forefront (mostly) of our minds.

Monday night (2/3/2020) Matt finally had the courage to email workmates and long-time friends about his health news. He had delayed until he had an actionable plan to share knowing that that’s often the first question. Just after sending that email he received an email from the oncologist saying that the RNA testing was complete. It showed that there is IN FACT a genetic mutation cause for the cancer (expressed in the RNA, but not the DNA) AND that there is a treatment (a long-term oral chemotherapy) that has few/well tolerated side-effects. This treatment should disrupt the continued growth of tumors and also shrink tumors, even ones in the brain–doctors won’t say it’s a cure, but it could help get Matt on his way there!

Matt will still get a 2nd opinion on a treatment plan in Seattle on Monday (2/10/2020) as they are first-in-line with research and clinical trials, but we are overjoyed at this new possibility we heard last night!

For those who haven’t heard or that I haven’t told, Matt’s only “symptom” has been and continues to be, a hoarse voice due to a paralyzed vocal cord (no pain, no coughing, no seizures, etc.)–amazing! We both have been gaining back some of the weight that stress plus a raw plant diet took off.

Gratitude:
We are so grateful and humbled by the outpouring of love, care, prayers, encouragements (words of hope and scripture), hugs, smiles, gift cards for groceries, grocery store runs and offers to care for our pets (even cleaning horse stalls!). We thought one of the hardest things would be to tell people about our difficulties, not knowing the kind of responses we’d get, but it has ended up being a huge blessing and encouragement. So, thank you! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

We’ll go back and blog mileposts 1-11 (lots of twists and turns!) and may have to intersperse “where are we today” along the way…mileposts 13+