Support the Goodson's - Jill's 2nd Cancer battle.

This wonderful family, the Goodson's, are strong, hardworking and fighting to keep their heads high. Jill Goodson is the mother of two beautiful children, Henry and Lola, and wife to Phil Goodson.

In 2020, Jill was diagnosed with Metastatic Melanoma and began treatment at that time, which consisted of Immunotherapy and a ton of CT, MRI, and Ultra sounds. Most recently in July an Ultra sound detected the recurrence of this cancer. In late October Jill will have surgery to remove all of the Lymph Nodes out of her left groin which will all be tested for cancer and find out to what extent. Oncology will then put together a plan for treatment. This will most likely be two kinds of immunotherapy and radiation. All and all, this surgery and treatment is four times more expensive and conciderably more invasive than her prior battle. Along with this comes serious precautions and limitations for the rest of Jill's life.

Jill's family is keeping positive and are so thankful for the overwhelming support and kind words from their community of friends and families.

This page will be updated to inform you of Jills progress.

Thank You

December 14, 2023

Yesterday Jill woke up with headaches and some vision problems. These are the exact symptoms we were hoping did not return. We rushed the the ER and had an emergency MRI done that showed the cancer in the brain might be growing. We hopped in the rig and drove to SLC. Huntsman doesn't have a bed available so Jill has to wait in the ER @ U of U till she can get up to Huntsman and around the cancer docs who are trying to figure out the next move. She has been there 12 hours.

Jill is sick, tired, sore, in pain and uncomfortable. She is heroic and fucking amazing with her strength. I have to wrestle complaints out of her. She is a beacon of tenacity and grace. We are so proud of her. I think she enjoys watching my reaction to the people in the ER.....or maybe not. I know she really likes it when I ask "What number is your headache at"? Every 8-19 minutes.....All Day.

I am shifting to the person that looks for a doctor with the narrative I want and need to hear. We had a bit of time with one today, I believe his name was Justin. I hope we see him again. Hope has a great effect on us right now. It's a glorious drug. We are holding on to it with all we have.......

December 17th, 2023

There is a confusing truth that comes with cancer. It's the "unknown". Jill spent the last (4) days surrounded by the best of the best in the fight against this disease. The conversations we have with these pro's remind us how lucky we are to have them on the team. At times, Jill's medical diagnosis seems simplistic: Her cancer moved from her groin to her spine and brain. The treatment plan is far from clear and deliberate. There are speculative dialogues from an array of doctors that can seem simultaneously conflicting and progressive. My level of comfort is being tested like never before.

As of right now, the treatment plan is going to continue with (2) chemo's daily and (1) immunotherapy injection every (3) weeks. The radiation is on the back burner. Neurologists have been folded in and have started to bring new info with everything brain related. There are moments where I have to remind myself they are in fact speaking our language, we just can't understand a lot of it. When they leave, Jill and I try to recap. Sometimes we giggle how confusing it all is. Giggling helps.

Our time in SLC has been extended. We will be here for another 4-???? days. The great news is they did discharge her last night. I booked an Air BnB in the Windsor Place District just a block away from Liberty Park. Puffy Coats and Carhartt beanies are the norm. I stick out like a turd in a punch bowl in my shorts. As strong as my disdain is for all things Vacation Rentals, I set my opinions aside to realize the importance of feeling normal. Lola and Henry have their own rooms, they have doors they can shut and Jill and I see them only when they need food or the Wifi password. Jill has a kitchen table to work from and I have (4) rooms to roam around in and complain. We are all back in our groove, just in the wrong zip code and missing our dog.

There's no place like someone else's home........

Thanks team! Keep up the good vibes!

December 20th 2023

Hoping to make it home today. Xmas fingers crossed

December 28, 2023

Jill, Bob and I had a great walk in Ponderosa Park this morning. We have our dedicated loop that is right out our front door. It's 3 miles and we hardly ever see anyone. We did see a lady today with a full length fur coat with bright red lip stick and a kick dog. I think she was lost and didn't seem to be enjoying her time outside as much as we were.

The last time we did the loop was before Thanksgiving. Jill had just started chemo and there was no snow on the ground. We usually get pretty excited about the ski season, this year is different. We enjoyed the lack of snow that allowed us to hit our trail without having to wear snowshoes, which feel like handcuffs on your feet and should only be used as a last resort.

We enjoyed a quiet Xmas that at many times felt very normal. The hike this morning felt normal. Hearing Jill type away on her keyboard upstairs, feels normal. The idea of her symptoms being minimal and her being able to do the activities she loves is what we want to enter that realm of normal.

All the details we really have right now is that Jill's precise, crazy, poisonous, expensive, robust treatment is full steam ahead and she is "white knuckling" the steering wheel with a blindfold on.

Normal is a beautiful thing.....Love to all

Cancer Blows

January 16th, 2024

Relying on Phil to relay my updates is a solid bet, but I wanted to check in.

Just got back from SLC - infusions - spinal tap & doctor visits. We're continuing on the road of Chemo and Immunotherapy with a Bajillion scans and Bloodwork to go with it. It "seems" to be working. The people at Huntsman are amazing.

A HUGE Shoutout to Mandy Renak who braved the roads to get me there this time ( a slow going winter mess ) - while Phil kept a close eye on our travels.

I completely understand now why people do "rounds" of chemo. Have definitely NEVER felt that kind of intense sick. Currently on a short break from the Chemo part, which is terrifying and lovely all at once. My liver is certainly grateful. Start back up in a couple of days.

Christmas I was sick, but relaxing was easy to do with the help from Phils Aunts Uncles & Cousins - Reeds & Hawley's and our friends the Moss' providing presents, stockings and Christmas dinner. It was amazing. The kids said they can't remember a time that many presents were under the tree. Bob even got a new favorite dog toy.

It's been really hard for me, but equally hard for my family to watch me go through this. For the most part not being able to help - holding on to any normal.

Thank you to EVERYONE for your love and support. It is beautiful and overwhelming.

I promise the next post will be by Phil - Informational AND entertaining. I couldn't have asked for a more loving husband and best friend.

February 2nd, 2024

Yo good peeps!

Jill and I are in SLC for here immunotherapy infusion.

We rolled the “Chemo Roulette”the last 2 days and blasted down to St. George for some golf. Only (10) hours out of the way. It was a quick trip and due to the gap in chemo, Jill felt pretty good and we had a blast. It felt great to be back on the course with my favorite playing partner.

We boogied up to SLC, and hope to get home tonight.

Jill has some neuropathy symptoms from the chemo that are making her feel bruised and broken. Everything just hurts. She is glad to not be struggling with fever and nausea. We hope they stay away. These symptoms are very normal but nonetheless weird and almost impossible to treat. I struggle terribly with not being able to fix them. My control issues are facing a nice learning experience.

We lucked out in St. George with both weather and the fact that Jill’s symptoms were manageable. I asked her how she felt about every (12) minutes on the (12) hour drive. She’ll be glad that I have reverted back to asking once an hour. She was a stoic warrior. It was awesome to watch. I know it wasn’t easy, but she sure made it look that way. She even drove a par 4 green at Sunbrook. Just hammered the golf ball!

So, we still don’t know much except Jill’s treatment will stay the same. One sweet thing is that her vision and headaches are normal. Shout out to seizure medicine! (We are happy to act as sponsors).

Spectacular Days to all! We sure enjoyed ours.

Cheers!