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Our lives drastically changed in an instant. It all started with what we thought was maybe the flu or pneumonia, but on Decemeber 30, 2014, we found out that my mom had a "significant" mass in her right lung. On January 2, 2015, through an endoscopy, a biopsy was taken and the pulmonologist told me that (with what he could see right away), my mom had non-small cell carcinoma N2. Being a first grade teacher, and knowing very little anatomy, I asked for simpler terms, and was told it looked like stage IIIA lung cancer.
On January 8, 2015, my mom met her oncologist, Dr. Wells at Lexington Oncology Associates and we recieved the official name for the type of cancer she has. It is called Andenocarcinoma. At the time, Dr. Wells' main concern was the lymph node in her neck, and they took a biopsy right there in the office. Something I was told NEVER happens.
On Friday, January 16, 2015, we met with Dr. Wells to get the results of the biopsy taken from her neck. We learned the cancer had spread to the lymph node in her neck, making her cancer stage IV lung cancer. She had a port surgically implanted January 20, and she started chemo January 22.
We have been hopeful through the entire process, but mom has not responded well to the treatments... at all. First, they tried a chemotherapy that is most frequently given to treat her type of cancer and the cancer actually grew. Then, they tried another type of chemo that was a little less intense and was shown to have a lot of success with all sorts of cancer, but again, the cancer grew. For about three weeks, she has been on a brand new immune therapy treatment in order to bolster her immune system to target the cancer.
Currently, she's in the ICU and struggling to breathe. On June, 30, 2015, she asked to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance because she had a seizure and was having extreme trouble breathing. She is now recieving a high dose of steroids, fluids, oxygen, and any meds that she needs to control pain, nausea, etc. We had an appointment with the Radiologist and she began radiation treatment on June 31, 2015. The radiation will hopefully shrink the mass, allowing her to breathe more easily before we resume the immune treatment.
She will recieve 10 total radiation treatments.
We still don't have a definite answer if the tumor is growing or if the swelling is in response to her immune treatments. We are hopeful the immune treatments are working and the swelling is an expected side effect, however the resulting labored breathing needs to be remedied before we continue.
Her struggle right now is so large, but so is her spirit. I could not be more proud of her fight.
My friend told me about a month ago that she remembers asking me in college a fear of mine and that I said, "I would hate for something to happen to my mom." My mom is my best friend and the most amazing woman I've ever known. I really can't write enough wonderful things to describe her. She brightens a room with her energy and smile. At an early age, she pointed me to Christ, and I can't thank her enough for that. He is where my hope comes from and I know through faith that whatever happens He is holding us so tightly in his hands. She is our encourager and defines the word selfless. Ever since I was little, when people asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I'd say..."a mommy (like mine)". I know if that I have half the strength of my mother, I will be okay in life.
Someone told me about this site when they first found out mom was sick. I really didn't want to ask for donations or help but multiple people told me I should. Mom is still so young, 60, and anything that will help her I will do. After months of various treatments, numerous hospital stays and in home care, medical expenses are astronomical. We are reaching out and asking for either a financial contribution, or if you aren't able to give, to join us in prayer for healing because we serve a God who can work miracles, and that is what she needs. Thank you so much for reading her story, and if you'd like to stay up to date, please visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/kathyworthy to keep up with her progress.
The whole Worthy family thanks you and loves you... love always, Hal, Kathy, Tripp, and Katie Worthy
On January 8, 2015, my mom met her oncologist, Dr. Wells at Lexington Oncology Associates and we recieved the official name for the type of cancer she has. It is called Andenocarcinoma. At the time, Dr. Wells' main concern was the lymph node in her neck, and they took a biopsy right there in the office. Something I was told NEVER happens.
On Friday, January 16, 2015, we met with Dr. Wells to get the results of the biopsy taken from her neck. We learned the cancer had spread to the lymph node in her neck, making her cancer stage IV lung cancer. She had a port surgically implanted January 20, and she started chemo January 22.
We have been hopeful through the entire process, but mom has not responded well to the treatments... at all. First, they tried a chemotherapy that is most frequently given to treat her type of cancer and the cancer actually grew. Then, they tried another type of chemo that was a little less intense and was shown to have a lot of success with all sorts of cancer, but again, the cancer grew. For about three weeks, she has been on a brand new immune therapy treatment in order to bolster her immune system to target the cancer.
Currently, she's in the ICU and struggling to breathe. On June, 30, 2015, she asked to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance because she had a seizure and was having extreme trouble breathing. She is now recieving a high dose of steroids, fluids, oxygen, and any meds that she needs to control pain, nausea, etc. We had an appointment with the Radiologist and she began radiation treatment on June 31, 2015. The radiation will hopefully shrink the mass, allowing her to breathe more easily before we resume the immune treatment.
She will recieve 10 total radiation treatments.
We still don't have a definite answer if the tumor is growing or if the swelling is in response to her immune treatments. We are hopeful the immune treatments are working and the swelling is an expected side effect, however the resulting labored breathing needs to be remedied before we continue.
Her struggle right now is so large, but so is her spirit. I could not be more proud of her fight.
My friend told me about a month ago that she remembers asking me in college a fear of mine and that I said, "I would hate for something to happen to my mom." My mom is my best friend and the most amazing woman I've ever known. I really can't write enough wonderful things to describe her. She brightens a room with her energy and smile. At an early age, she pointed me to Christ, and I can't thank her enough for that. He is where my hope comes from and I know through faith that whatever happens He is holding us so tightly in his hands. She is our encourager and defines the word selfless. Ever since I was little, when people asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I'd say..."a mommy (like mine)". I know if that I have half the strength of my mother, I will be okay in life.
Someone told me about this site when they first found out mom was sick. I really didn't want to ask for donations or help but multiple people told me I should. Mom is still so young, 60, and anything that will help her I will do. After months of various treatments, numerous hospital stays and in home care, medical expenses are astronomical. We are reaching out and asking for either a financial contribution, or if you aren't able to give, to join us in prayer for healing because we serve a God who can work miracles, and that is what she needs. Thank you so much for reading her story, and if you'd like to stay up to date, please visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/kathyworthy to keep up with her progress.
The whole Worthy family thanks you and loves you... love always, Hal, Kathy, Tripp, and Katie Worthy