We’re overdue for an update – sorry for the delay.
Maggie had an infusion of Cetuximab, her targeted therapy, in the clinic on Tuesday. We had decided to leave off the standard Folfiri drugs to give her gut more time to bounce back. She is continuing to have tummy issues – not constant but persistent enough to limit her activities, so we knew hitting her again with Irinotecan at this time could be debilitating for her. She’s tired, as her appetite comes and goes. You’d think all this would weigh heavy on her but her spirits remain in positive territory most of the time. We’re planning for her to have one more infusion of Cetuximab at Batson in two weeks before switching our efforts to the plan at MD Anderson. Her CEA (tumor marker – indicator of tumor activity) was back up over 10 this week. We hate to see it rise any but are thankful we have made the decision to transfer back to MDA and have those plans in the works. We also see it as clear confirmation this is the right decision. A continuing drop in CEA might have a tendency to tempt us to keep the present treatment plan in place for a bit longer. We know the time is right.
I continue to be amazed at the expressions of support and prayer for us. It has been a long journey. We’re quickly approaching the fourth anniversary of her diagnosis. In some ways, we can’t remember a non-cancer life. It permeates much of what we do and impacts nearly every decision we make. We can’t imagine un-knowing the people we’ve met along this road, un-learning the faith lessons we’ve seen, or un-experiencing God’s hand of mercy each day. It certainly has redirected the expected course of our lives. We have no idea what the coming days hold for us. (Look what happened before when we thought we had it all figured out!) We’re taking each day as it is given, looking for the joy within each moment, and holding our “treasures” with an open hand. We pray the same for you!
Love and prayers …..
Your journey of faith has blessed me as I have followed and prayed. Team Maggie…the Lord is with you and so are we!
It’s a joy to read your faith-words! I’m sorry that this leg of your journey is so hard but grateful to see how God works in Maggie and yall’s life. And I will continue to pray for Maggie and fam.
Hang in there! I had a small taste of the CA, but even my simple episode was severely exhaustive and hard. I hope you guys can outlast this. Many prayers!
Simply amazing. God is great.
You always leave us with such wisdom!! God bless & lead in the new plan. ????????????????????
Prayers!
Continued prayers for Maggie and the family. Maggie is such an inspiration to all! What a faith she has in Jesus! What a testimony for Jesus! The whole family exhibits faith in God. What a journey for any family to travel. Thank God for His infinite grace and mercy! Thank God for His healing power! Thank God for His love and compassion! We don’t understand, but we trust!
Praying God’s Love on Maggie and All those who are Praying….
Continued fervent prayers for Maggie and God Bless You all. Your Faith in God is such a blessing!
oh…that last paragraph!!! Totally different people since the journey began….”can’t imagine un-knowing, un-learning, unexperiencing” what grace!!!!!!!!What a merciful God, who even in the deep dark waters that threaten to overtake us, gives and gives again!
I love you so much and you have me balling tonight. FOUR years….I think about it all the time, easily marking time from that day nearly 4 years ago. I think thats what we do with those HUGE life events, we are forced to move on and keep going. Praying daily for my girl and continue to be amazed by her. SHE is the miracle…her life, her witness, her faith, her hope and all she has accomplished on this journey! I love you Maggie Hanberry. 🙂
Prayers continue.
Praying!
I continue to pray for God’s miraculous mercy and grace for Maggie and her family. I am so thankful that MDA is offering new hope with the possibility of healing for Maggie! My prayers for you will continue. Love to you, Melissa.
We left you up to the One who loves you most and holds you in the palm of His righteous hands. Praying
Praying for each of you.