Scan Results 9/23

Hey Y'all! So, I came back from Oklahoma on Sunday. I had an amazing time! It was so nice to catch up with friends, see my professors and coaches and spend time with my boyfriend! I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to make that trip. My visit gave me a glimpse as to what my last semester of college may look like so that was exciting.

The rest of the week has been a little crazy. This week consisted of routinely scans and a visit to the ophthalmologist. I never realized how scarring this whole process can be until this week. Every test and scan gives me immense anxiety. When I first got diagnosed I heard a statistic explaining that almost all cancer patients experience a level of PTSD equivalent to that of an Army soldier. I didn't really believe that until this week. Scans can be scary and overwhelming, but I am so grateful for all of you that continue to support me and lift me up during this time. Your words of encouragement, thoughts and prayers do not go unnoticed.

That being said, today I received the results from my CT scans and Brain MRI. I am extremely pleased to say that it was good news! My brain is clear and the tumors found in my liver shrunk. Additionally, other tumors throughout my body shrunk to some degree. Praise God! After today's visit the next plan of attack is to try and re-introduce immunotherapy. I will begin a new immunotherapy drug by the name of Opdivo next week. This will be used in combination with my target therapy pills in hopes to continue killing the cancer! The next few weeks I will be monitored for changes in my neutrophil count as we make this change in treatment. Overall, today was a good day. I am very thankful for positive scan results. God is good Y'all.

As far as everything else goes. I am doing well. I am grateful to be full of energy and feeling good. I am currently attempting to juggle a heavy workload in school with my new normal. It is quite challenging but I'm slowly making progress. I ask for continued prayers as I begin this new treatment while navigating school.

Specific Prayer Requests:

-That the new immunotherapy of Opdivo works for me and allows my white blood cell count to remain stable.

-That Opdivo does not present any side effects.

-That the combination of immunotherapy and the target therapy pills kill every cancer cell in my body.

-That I am able to remain on the target therapy pills for a VERY long time.

-That the BRAF gene switches back to normal.

-That I am able to juggle school and treatments.

-That I remain full of energy.

-That my family and I are filled with the peace of God during this time.

Pics from my Trip!