Thursday, January 15, 2015

15 January 2015 - 7:30 PM

This is Sonja.  I had the privilege of visiting Josh and Alisa tonight.  And I even happened to be here when the doctor came in.  Alisa asked me to write an update.

This morning, she went to interventional radiology to do a celiac block.  The hope was to control the pain in the front of her--and it worked pretty well.

The doctors decided not to try the embolization because of risk of infection.  If she gets an infection then she wouldn't be able to do biochemotherapy.  The other issue is that it can be very painful as the tumor dies, and she is already in so much pain.

Dr. Grossman decided the best shot to shrink the tumor is to try biochemotherapy.  They will start that tomorrow.  She will be in the hospital for at least the next five days.

Alisa's pain is controlled to an extent, but she is still fairly miserable.  In her words, "I feel so miserable, miserable in every oriface."  She isn't able to eat or drink and is a little loopy.  She isn't able to sleep and is just hoping to sleep from 11pm-6am.  "Is that to much to ask for?"

A doctor came in and Alisa asked her the hard question, "Is this the end for me?"  The doctor said that when pain is so consuming it can feel that way.  She said there was some hope that she could get a great response from the biochemo therapy, that a few people do.  But if she gets a response at all, that would be really good.  There is about a 50% response rate to biochemo, but she needs a good response.  If she gets a good response, it should reduce some of the symptoms she's dealing with like the pain and the fluids in her abdomen.   If she gets a response, they may be able to try PD1 or possibly even surgery.

But on the other hand, if nothing works, then it looks bad.  Alisa started to cry a little and explained," The problem is I have always been so hopeful.  And I'm not really good at losing hope."  And then Alisa pressed on with, "How long will I live?"  The doctor wouldn't give her a straight answer, of course no one knows.  Alisa's vitals all look really good.  If she continues with IV fluids, they can sustain her for a long time.  

She keeps saying the hardest thing for her is how fast this has come on.   She doesn't feel ready to die.  She's not ready to say goodbye.  She has so much she wants to teach her kids.   And really, that hope that has kept her going so long is hard to extinguish.

Thinking about the situation, Alisa said, "This is going to take another miracle."  And so tonight as you pray for Alisa, pray for the biochemotherapy to work.  Pray for Alisa to get a good night's sleep.  Pray for her to be comfortable and to get to eat again.   Pray for her kids and for Josh.

31 comments:

  1. Praying, praying, praying for sweet Alisa and her family. Rest tonight...all will be well. The Lord knows...

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  2. She looks so much better already! I think that block must be helping! Thanks for the update!!! Alisa, you have this miracle thing DOWN. I love you more than words.

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  3. prayers prayers prayers... hope she can get some rest, sleep and less pain.

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  4. I'm praying so hard for you Alisa! Stay strong friend!

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  5. I love you, Alisa. Many prayers for you and your family.

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  6. Praying for all those things and more. xoxo Alisa

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  7. We will be adding our specific prayers to the group! Always in my thoughts...Kath

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  9. Praying like crazy and sending love

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  10. Sending prayers at every hour at every minute at every second. ♥♥♥♥♥

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  11. Praying for a miracle

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  12. You're all constantly in my prayers, praying for more miracles and more hope.

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  13. Thank you so much for updating, Sonja. I love and admire you two so much! Praying for you all!

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  14. Prayers to you mighty warrior. May you and your family feel the love and support and prayers coming your way.

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  15. Beautiful Alisa. Praying for the biochemo to work & letting you know how amazingly well you are teaching those kids. They have your heart & strength & spirit in their very souls. Love you guys. Radmalls

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  16. Prayers are being said, prayer rolls being filled, thoughts being sent, and tulips waiting to be delivered! Stay strong Alisa and Josh. Keep fighting. We love you both dearly.

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  17. We're mustering up all of the faith, fasting, and prayers we have to offer! We love you.

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  18. There will be prayers, many of them. We love you so much!

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  19. Many prayers from your friends at school. We love you and miss your pretty face! We will watch over your boys for you until you come back.

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  20. Sending so much love xxxxxxooooo

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  21. Praying for you all. My thoughts, Hope and prayers for a miracle. I know miracles happen!

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  22. She is SO BEAUTIFUL! PRAYING WITH ALL MY MIGHT. LOVE YOU ALISA! STAY STRONG.

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  23. Thanks Sonja! She is in all that pain and all I can do is pray - absolutely I will pray. Love to you all!

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  24. Miracles happen every day. I pray for one with your family. My husband was just diagnosed with the same in Oct. I pray Josh and the boys will continue to be the Rock you need. The Lord knows you and loves you so much. Here's to the Huntsman-Dr Grossman rocks. We are at the VA-just across the street. Prayers and thoughts your way.

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  25. Love you both. Prayers from us tonight and every night as long as everybody needs them.

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  26. Alisa, you have SO many people who love you and are praying for you and your family. I know there is power in numbers! I am reminded that miracles can and do happen every time I look at Ava! I will be praying for a miracle for you!! You have been such a great example of strength and faith. I am reminded of a song by Hilary Weeks. One of the lines in it says, "when you've taken your last step and done all that you can do, He will lift your heavy load and carry you." Here's praying that your load will be made lighter. I love you!

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  27. Add me to the list of those praying for a miracle. Sending love to your family. I don't know how I can possibly help, but if I can, please let me know. I live close to the Huntsman and work in the building next door.

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