The Baltimore Life
Yesterday we got our final PLAN. As hard as it was to hear the news, we now have some direction and know what to push towards.
Angiosarcoma is very rare. Sarcoma makes up only 1% of all cancer cases in the US every year. Of those 1%, Angiosarcoma is only 1000 cases per year in the US-where Kevin's location could make him not just a little rare, but the most rare. He's pretty special :-) But we knew that...
Kevin's tumor is not removeable by surgery, as there are no enough margins around the tumor. With the drastic rate that Angiosarcoma divides and spreads, most times, even when surgery is an option, during the healing process from major surgery, the cells re-occur anyways.
However, this type of cancer is very responsive to chemotherapy! Kevin started a chemotherpay (taxol) drip last night at 11pm and will continue on this drip 24 hours a day for the next 6 days. They will slowly increase the dosage to slow the growth of the tumor and to rid of it.
With angiosarcoma there is no cure on the books. I'll just give you a moment to let that sink in, as we had to as well....
It was hard to hear that, but as Kevin told me after Dr. Thornton and her staff left, 'Do you believe in miracles baby?' and I nodded wholeheartedly.
Just because there isn't a cure, does NOT mean that we cannot go on leading a normal life. Kevin will continue on chemotherapy as long as he has to to rid his body of the current tumor. After that, we can go on to live a normal life, and will just keep monitoring the cells to see when/if they recur (in all cases thus far, it has recurred).
There is a clinical trial we are trying to get on for when Kevin is off the chemo to keep the cancer at bay for a longer period of time. We will go on that trial if we are approved for it!
Kevin could and SHOULD go on to live a long happy life, just with a few big bumps in the road. We believe in miracles and healing. If Kevin can have one of the rarest cancers on this earth, why he can't he be one of the rarest miracles?
We believe in healing, we believe in God's will for our lives. He has brought us through SO much as a couple, and we're moving ahead.
We are currently working out the logistics of our new Baltimore Life, but are most likely considering me relocating to the area until treatments are done, and then moving back in with my parents when we're back in Lancaster to save funds.
Our financial situation ahead is unknown, but we ask for the Lord's provisions in housing and bills.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate you.