Hi friends,
A lot has happened since I have written in this space. I’ve written this blog post in my head while washing dishes, walking the dog, and even driving home from treatment. I’ve been thinking about you and all that I need to update you on. I love when you send me verses, and tell me that you are praying.
4 words: the surgery didn’t work. 4 dreaded words. On May 14, we had scheduled an IR appointment to oblate 3 tumors in Reid’s liver. We had a zoom call before with the IR doctor to go over the procedure. It seemed non-invasive, calculated with little to no risk, using a needle and CT scan and it almost sounded too good to be true. Until it was. What the doctor explained as an outpatient procedure, with only a minimal possibility of staying over night for observation, became a long procedure (3x as long as they said it would be) with a prolonged stay and some complications afterwards. Just 4 weeks later, I’m here to report that 2 tumors grew since then. That is a very fast growth. But we are doing all we can do to mitigate the growth.
On a positive note, Reid is attending an integrative oncologist for 4 weeks in San Clemente for low dose chemo and supportive IV infusions. He is overall feeling good and tolerating the low dose chemo well. Praise!
Have you heard of brachytherapy? It’s a targeted form of radiation where tiny radioactive seeds are placed directly into the liver, aimed right at the tumors. This focused approach helps minimize damage to the surrounding healthy tissue. It works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, making it harder for them to grow and divide — while sparing healthy cells as much as possible. The best part? It’s typically done as an outpatient procedure, meaning no long hospital stay.
I understand you will have lots of questions of which you can add to the comments and I’ll try to answer them as best I can.
Asking for prayers today—that this chemo does what it’s meant to do: kill every last cancer cell and stop any new tumors from forming. In the meantime, we are driving A LOT and praying for strength in this season. I’m so incredibly thankful for the loving environment surrounding Reid’s treatment, the kind and attentive nurses, and the surprising energy he’s had lately. We’re clinging to hope, leaning on faith, and so grateful for your continued love and prayers. 💛
Shalice
6 comments
I’m praying Shalice. My heart broke when I read the second paragraph, but I know there is hope. God has plans. Plans that are filled with love.
He indeed has plans! God can work and heal despite procedures that didn’t have the outcomes that we expected. I have faith!
Praying for you! Is he a candidate for y90 or even histotripsy? Might be worth asking – I am not sure of what type of liver tumors they are. Thinking of you. Know that G-d has a plan. May he be given the strength and you too – caregiving is not easy.
Thank you! He’s considering brachytherapy, have you heard of it? His oncologist recommended it. xx S
Hi Shalice, you and your family are always in my prayers to our sovereign Lord. This quote from Robert Murray McCheyne ( in the book ” Power In The Promises” by Nick Harrison) comforts me so much. ” If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me.”
Hi Sunny! Thank you for that encouragement!