The History
I felt it was timely to do a little history recap so people don’t have to read a million posts to understand the history. The orange links are all further reading from previous posts. Here it goes:
May 2000 – Misty began experiencing small seizures (just an aura and eventually slight loss of feeling in right arm) while we were at college. Local doctors misdiagnosed as various types of cysts for a few weeks.
August 2000 – We switched doctors and she was scheduled for surgery immediately. Her first brain surgery was a complete resection of a Stage II (Low Grade) Astrocytoma. After a follow-up radiation, she was in remission for a full 6 years.
October 2006 – Misty had another seizure, so she went back on seizure medicine. We knew something was up, but didn’t do an MRI because she was pregnant (many MRIs are safe for the baby, but since we knew we weren’t going to consider treatment during pregnancy, we waited)
March 2007 – A surgery to get a biopsy of the new tumor growth revealed it had progressed to a stage III. Misty began a chemotheraputic drug called Temodar (now the first line response for traditional brain tumor treatment)
April 2007 - A drug introduced after the biopsy caused Misty’s body to react. The doctors had no idea at first what was going on…it felt like an episode of the medical show “House”. It turned out to be serious (40% mortality rate) but fixable. A week in the hospital with a 105 degree fever was rough on her.
November 2007 – The MRI shows that the Temodar has stopped working. A increase in the dosage was attempted (December) with no response.
January 2008 – Brain surgery #3 goes fairly well and suggests the cancer is still stage III. Unfortunately, after close inspection, the doctor wanted to do a 4th surgery to remove a bit more of the tumor just two days later. Two weeks later, we got the pathology report indicating that she had progressed to Stage IV.
February 2008 – Misty began a new chemoregimen: CPT11 and Avastin (administered IV, every two weeks). Her veins can’t handle the chemo so she has to have a small surgery to implant a port in her chest.
March 2008 – CPT11 and Avastin combo isn’t working. A new dosage is attempted, but that doesn’t work either. Her life is visibly deteriorating. We begin to pray more and call a prayer meeting at a local church…only to have Misty break into a big seizure in the middle of prayer and need to be hospitalized.
April 2008 – Misty starts a new drug called Tarceva. Her condition is continuing to deteriorate and her speech is significantly impaired now.
May 2008 – Misty and I were discouraged. Many people who love us were as well. We set wednesday as a day of fasting and prayer for Misty. She lost all of her speech abilities. I posted about faith from suffering. I began to really believe that God would heal Misty…not just that he could. It was (and is) a process with lots of questions, but a good process. May 30, 2008 – Misty finally gets a MRI with no change.
June 2008 – Misty drops to just 93 lbs but is showing some progress for a couple weeks. An isolated seizure doesn’t worry us too much.
July 2008 – Misty has a terrible seizure and we end up in the hospital for few days. The report from the MRI doesn’t look good so the doctor gives us an option of stopping chemo, or moving to an older drug with worse side effects and less likelihood of working. The decision: no more chemo. The doctor sent us home from the hospital on July 4th, giving Misty just 1 to 2 weeks to live. Since that day, she has progressed upward (excepting a big seizure on the 14th, a very small seizure on the 17th and another on larger one on the 27th).
That’s the history up to today. Tomorrow’s entry will entail a better glimpse of where we are really at in the present.
PS…Today was good. We got out for a ride, ate well, and enjoyed the day.
12 Comments so far
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Psalm 91:1-2 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Continually in prayer for you.
with much love,
Michele
Darren and Misty
Thank you for the long term update, we have been folling Misty progress since June, it was good to get the background.
May God continue to bless your precious family.
Thank you for including the prayer needs for others, I will pass them on also to our e-mail prayer partners from our church.
Love
Coreen and Phil
Glad it was a good day. We are still praying every day for you all. Today we prayed for encouragement and strength and for God’s mercy to be poured out on you.
Cris and Chuck
Flo and I are don’t miss a night of praying for you guys.
Standing with you,
Kevin
praising God for each day that we all have here on earth. I’m thankful that you had a day that allowed you to be out and about. still praying for your family.
thanks for the update for those of us that have not been around that long.
Still praying.
Thank you for the background information. It brought me to tears to read of your sacrifices during the time of Misty’s pregnancy. What a Christlike decision you made for your child.
still praying.
Darren, I was sad to log on to catch up and find that Misty had seized again. We’ve had a couple of rough days ourselves and I got behind on reading. Not behind on praying for y’all and spreading the word though. The CaringBridge won’t let me post a banner so I added a note and your link to my e-mail signature!! Now everytime I e-mail out a request for Brenton – or anything else – people are being asked to visit this site and pray for Misty!
No matter what – DON’T GIVE UP! Breakthrough is near. God is powerful and mighty to save! He never lets go. Standing with you and waiting expectantly to see 100% healing manifest in Misty!
Darren,
The total package of what has been going on with Misty was a great post. Thanks. It’s good to hear you all had a great day. May God continue His amazing healing. Love and God Bless to you all.
Love, Aunt Amy, Grandma, and Lacey~
Darren,
It has been my privilege to have worked with Misty. She brought a smile to everyone just by being in the room. I will continue to pray for her and you also. May the good Lord wrap his loving arms around Misty, Olivia and you and bring you peace.
Linda
Darren,
I recently was introduced to your website through a nephew-in-law that is going through brain cancer as well. I spent a few hours reading all your posts, but thanks! for the summary. My prayers are with you, Misty, and Olivia even though we have never met and are miles apart…. my prayers are also for Phillip and Sara, praying that all will be healed and all of your young lives will be able to become being “normal” again…..
God bless,
Susan from Texas
Thank you for filling us in. It helps to know more about what I’m praying for. I have been deeply touched by your story and have prayed for you continually. May God continue to strengthen your faith and hold your head up through the battles.
Blessings,
Tereasa
Darren: It has been my privilege to have seen you grow into the christian man you are today!!enjoy every day with Misty as a present from God, may his grace be sufficient for you Blessings!!We open the church in Red Bank!! what a miracle! people are getting saved, healed, restored, Frank was ordained so we were able to obtain some assistance from the distric! Love in Christ! Dios te bendiga!!!