The One with the Past Due Entry

Hi friends! First, let me apologize for not updating my blog in four months! I can hardly believe how fast the time has flown by. At first, I simply wanted to enjoy the summer with Jackson. Then school started, soccer season kicked in, and life just swept me up. I'm really trying to stay focused on being present with Jackson and celebrating everything that comes with his Senior year. That said, I truly am sorry for the delay in updating you all.

The last time I checked in, I shared that my scans had shown shrinkage in my liver tumors, but I had to pause both immunotherapy and the chemo pill due to bloodwork issues and side effects. The silver lining? Taking that break allowed all the blisters and sores on my hands and feet to heal—and I got to enjoy all my favorite foods again. While I was anxious about stepping away from treatment, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

In June, I resumed immunotherapy along with a lower dose of the chemo pill. The side effects were more manageable at first, so we experimented with a higher dose three times a week—but unfortunately, the blisters and sores came back.

On August 11th, I had updated scans, and they showed even more shrinkage in my liver tumors! I was absolutely ecstatic. Because of that great news, my care team decided to continue with the lower dose of the chemo pill. The side effects are still there—mainly stomach issues, poor appetite, nausea, and vomiting—but I’m learning to manage them and not let them control my life.

In other news: since January, my prosthetic has been incredibly uncomfortable, but I had been so laser-focused on my cancer treatment that I just powered through the pain. Recently I hit a point where I couldn’t take it anymore and finally started the process of getting a new socket. I’m SO excited! It’s a bit of a journey—several test sockets before the final one is made—but I’m hopeful this means I’ll be walking without pain again soon. I can’t wait to feel like my mobile self again!

Overall, I’m incredibly grateful for this update—it's full of GOOD news (minus the pesky side effects, of course). I’ve accepted that infusions every three weeks are just part of my routine now, and thankfully the infusion center staff are absolute angels. They truly make the experience as comforting as possible.

As always, I want to be transparent with my journey. The combination of immunotherapy and the chemo pill usually shows results, but they’re not always long-term—typically lasting anywhere from 9 months to 2 years. So while I celebrate the tumor shrinkage, I also know this might not be permanent. Still, that doesn’t mean it won’t be. I’m still holding out for my MIRACLE!

Please continue sending your prayers and good thoughts—they mean the world to me and I feel them, truly.

Love,

Cort