Vicki’s Battle to Victory
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Vicki was recently diagnosed with brain cancer that has metastasized to her spinal fluid. She is being sent to MD Anderson in Houston and will have to be off work and treatment until at this point indefinitely. We are raising money to help with the medical expenses and her personal expenses while being off work and away for treatment and future care. We appreciate all prayers and donations and will update you as her journey changes.
Full Story
On Sunday December 10 was the day Vicki's whole world changed. She was still very sick from what we thought was her gallbladder. She had it removed mid-November, but was still getting sick all day everyday. Sunday Vicki missed a call from her dad, which she never does, she missed another call from a friend and then when she did talk to her friend she could not form a sentence the made sense. Her dear friend, Lou, call another friend that lived down the street and she found Vicki alone in the dark and she had no idea who she was.
So I came into town and took her to the emergency room. I thought they were going to say she was severally dehydrated and then she would get IV's and go home. They immediately knew something was not right and thought a possible stroke so they took her back for a CT scan. They came back about 30-45 minutes later and said that it was not a stroke they found a brain mass and we had to transport to a hospital that could treat neurology.
We were sent to Wesley Medical by ambulance. There she could still not answer and follow simple commands. We stayed until almost 1 am and then we left. She was in SICU and the following morning the nurse called and said Vicki came out of the it and was able to talk and answer every question they asked and follow directions! She was having a brain lock seizure from swelling in her brain. Vicki stayed in SICU for several days. On December 13 she had a Craniotomy. They went in to take a biopsy of the mass to find out what it was. The believed it was a highly aggressive cancer, but they were not 100% sure without testing. The surgery went well, but that began the 3-5 day up to 2 week wait.
On December 15 she was sent to out patient therapy for speech and physical therapy. She was told she could be there for possible up to 2 weeks. She wanted to be home for Christmas and for Curt's wedding on New Years Eve! This was her goal! On December 20th she was able to go home. She made it for Christmas and New Years!
Vicki had her first appointment with an oncologist on the 29th. The doctor was able to provide preliminary results.
The tumor is Stage 3 cancer, but believe it is treatable. They were not able to give definite type due to Mayo Clinic still doing pathology and waiting for a for sure result.
The treatment plan is for 6 weeks of chemo pills and radiation. After that there will be maintenance chemo every three months for a year.
While all of this is preliminary information it is subject to change. The doctors believe she will be able to do the treatment plan with hopefully little side effects, which is amazing.
We will keep praying for the best results and wait for final pathology that is expected at her appointment January 9th.
On January 4th, 2018 Vicki had a spinal tap to see if the cancer had spread to her final fluid.
January 10th, 2018
Today has been a month since this roller coaster started. We also received the results from the spinal tap today. Unfortunately the cancer has metastasized to her spinal fluid.
The treatment plan has changed and we will be headed to MD Anderson in Houston for their testing and decision on how they want to treat it. She will likely have that appointment Tuesday (16th) pending insurance.
Ernie and Vicki will be heading to Houston this weekend. Our hope is they will only be gone 2-3 days and be able to come home and do treatments here in Wichita.
We truly apperciate all the love, support, prayers, calls, texts, emails and help with everything. We will continue to update everyone as this journey continues.
Thank you!
-Jess
Full Story
On Sunday December 10 was the day Vicki's whole world changed. She was still very sick from what we thought was her gallbladder. She had it removed mid-November, but was still getting sick all day everyday. Sunday Vicki missed a call from her dad, which she never does, she missed another call from a friend and then when she did talk to her friend she could not form a sentence the made sense. Her dear friend, Lou, call another friend that lived down the street and she found Vicki alone in the dark and she had no idea who she was.
So I came into town and took her to the emergency room. I thought they were going to say she was severally dehydrated and then she would get IV's and go home. They immediately knew something was not right and thought a possible stroke so they took her back for a CT scan. They came back about 30-45 minutes later and said that it was not a stroke they found a brain mass and we had to transport to a hospital that could treat neurology.
We were sent to Wesley Medical by ambulance. There she could still not answer and follow simple commands. We stayed until almost 1 am and then we left. She was in SICU and the following morning the nurse called and said Vicki came out of the it and was able to talk and answer every question they asked and follow directions! She was having a brain lock seizure from swelling in her brain. Vicki stayed in SICU for several days. On December 13 she had a Craniotomy. They went in to take a biopsy of the mass to find out what it was. The believed it was a highly aggressive cancer, but they were not 100% sure without testing. The surgery went well, but that began the 3-5 day up to 2 week wait.
On December 15 she was sent to out patient therapy for speech and physical therapy. She was told she could be there for possible up to 2 weeks. She wanted to be home for Christmas and for Curt's wedding on New Years Eve! This was her goal! On December 20th she was able to go home. She made it for Christmas and New Years!
Vicki had her first appointment with an oncologist on the 29th. The doctor was able to provide preliminary results.
The tumor is Stage 3 cancer, but believe it is treatable. They were not able to give definite type due to Mayo Clinic still doing pathology and waiting for a for sure result.
The treatment plan is for 6 weeks of chemo pills and radiation. After that there will be maintenance chemo every three months for a year.
While all of this is preliminary information it is subject to change. The doctors believe she will be able to do the treatment plan with hopefully little side effects, which is amazing.
We will keep praying for the best results and wait for final pathology that is expected at her appointment January 9th.
On January 4th, 2018 Vicki had a spinal tap to see if the cancer had spread to her final fluid.
January 10th, 2018
Today has been a month since this roller coaster started. We also received the results from the spinal tap today. Unfortunately the cancer has metastasized to her spinal fluid.
The treatment plan has changed and we will be headed to MD Anderson in Houston for their testing and decision on how they want to treat it. She will likely have that appointment Tuesday (16th) pending insurance.
Ernie and Vicki will be heading to Houston this weekend. Our hope is they will only be gone 2-3 days and be able to come home and do treatments here in Wichita.
We truly apperciate all the love, support, prayers, calls, texts, emails and help with everything. We will continue to update everyone as this journey continues.
Thank you!
-Jess
Organizer
Jess Oster
Organizer
Andover, KS
