1.21.26

Surgery went great! I am so thankful they were able to get me in so quickly and my surgeon- Dr. Melstrom always takes the best care of me. Going into the procedure we were not sure if they would be able to do it robotically or if they would have to do it open. Since my first liver surgery was back in April, they were not sure how much scar tissue I had and that was what would determine how they were able to operate. But- they were able to do it Robotically!!! 

They removed the portion that lit up in the PET scan and also thoroughly  checked out everywhere else. They took a biopsy of one part that they were concerned about and they even put some green dye on the liver to see if anything showed up.

When I woke up from surgery I didnt have a tube in my nose so not only was I excited about that, I was happy to hear that it was done robotically. Shortly after waking up, they moved me to my own room- the facility at Duarte is fabulous- the room even had its own bathroom. 

A few hours after waking up I started to get a crazy pain in my left shoulder/ heart area- I wasn't sure if I was having a heart attack or if my collar bone broke in half but it was terrible. The nurses explained to me that when you have robotic surgery they fill your stomach with co2 and some of the gas gets trapped under your ribcage and you get a referred pain in your left shoulder. Whoa- it was intense! 

The next morning I started getting muscle spasms in my abdomen and some other pain that felt like I was having birthing contractions. Those went away with some muscle relaxers and since then my pain was very well managed.

That day my friend Lori came to visit me. We went on my first walk and it just happened to be at the same time that the service dogs were there for a visit. I was SO excited! Last time I was at Duarte I wanted to see the dogs so bad but we missed them by a couple days and I didnt get the opportunity. 

My sister in law flew in from Idaho to help my mother in law with the Kiddos while I was out and that was such a huge help because Mike was able to come visit me and the kiddos had THE BEST time. 

I stayed at Duarte for a total of 2 nights. I can't say enough amazing things about the Nurses and the Nurse assistants. They took such great care of me and I am so appreciative of people that choose nursing as their career because it is hard work! 

After surgery, I knew the best way for me to get some rest would be to go over to my cousins for a few nights. Her and her partner graciously opened up their beautiful house in Venice Beach to me and it was the perfect environment for me to be able to recover and rest for a couple extra days. They got me up and out of the house and we were able to sit at some cute coffee shops, people watch, and have some big laughs. A few of my girlfriends also stopped by to take me on short walks and go out to dinner. 

I am so thankful and grateful for the amazing people God has put in my life- weather they are friends, Drs, family, nurses, and everyone who pops on here to check in on me and read up about my journey. I truly feel blessed. 

1.8.26

Thursday night before I went to bed I could hear what sounded like water behind the wall. Sure enough the water heater in the garage had broke and there was water leaking into the house. 

Friday I had my iron infusion- I was nervous that it would make me feel off or sick but I didnt notice any difference. I am happy that we have a plan to boost my hemoglobin back up. Also, before I walked up to the infusion center I stopped to see if my PET scan report was ready and IT WAS!!!! It was such a relief to get the results back especially because I already happened to have a meeting with my liver surgeon scheduled for after my iron infusion. 

We were able to go over all of the findings and come up with a plan to remove the activity. She wants to go in robotically and cut the tip of segment 2 off and then check out the spots in segment 5. If I have too much scare tissue she will have to do it open and that will determine how long I have to stay in the hospital after surgery. But I am pumped there is a plan and am ready to do whatever it takes to get any activity out. She also said she wants to do the surgery within the next 3 weeks. 

On Monday I got a call that I would have my PATC testing on Tuesday and they were able to schedule my surgery for the following Wednesday. A friend of mine drove me up to City of Hope Duarte and they went over all of my prescriptions and how to prep for surgery. They also did an EKG. I passed the EKG so now it is time to start packing and getting things in order for me to be gone for surgery and recovery. 

Late Dec 2026

My Tempus CTdna came back really high after the initial detection so I requested a PET/CT and thankfully there was a cancellation because they were able to get me in on 1.5.26. 

The scan was easy- this was my second PET/CT- they inject you with radioactive glucose tracer, you wait about 45 minutes and then get in the machine. The scan only takes about 15 minutes. 

The next day I had my routine follow up apt with Dr. Kasi and he was able to view the images and without an official report we could see something lighting up in my liver.  It was a weird relief to be able to see something and we were thankful it was the liver and a new area. 

My bloodwork was also a little all over the place with my hemoglobin dropping so we discussed a plan to get that back up with a combination of oral iron and iron infusions.   

We also talked about the trial and how any surgery would take priority but that I could try to get back into it after we had a better idea of what we would need to do to get rid of any detection on my liver. 

12.25.25

The holidays came up extra quick. Christmas was mellow and small but the kiddos had the best time and I'm thankful we were able to make some fun memories with cousins and grandparents. While the kids were on winter break we did all of the fun indoor activities since it was super rainy. We went to the trampoline park, the movies, and even went ice skating. 

NYE I took the kiddos to the library for a "noon" years eve celebration with some of Scarletts classmates and it was such a fun middle of the day activity. Then when Mike got home from work he helped me put up a balloon drop for the kids and we did an early countdown. 

12.18.25
​​I am so thankful the oncologist had openings so we were able to get an appointment at MSK where they are doing the clinical trial. I booked a flight solo (bc Mike has to stay back with the kids) but my girlfriend lives out in the city and graciously said I can stay with her for a few nights. I am trying to make it into a fun trip with some girl time and maybe a show or some nice meals out. Not to mention it is a magical time to be in the city and all the decorations will be beautiful. It is hard to have to go to a big appointment solo and definitely makes me appreciate that Mike is able to come with me to almost all of my appointments in Cali.

I have a ton of questions for the oncologist.

On Thursday I had my apt with the Dr. It is a Bot/Bal trial for immunotherapy and in order to be a candidate you have to have positive ctDNA and no detectable tumors on an mri or ct scan. He also said i would get the drug every 2 weeks but the first few rounds he would like me to stay local (so about a month) in order to monitor me closely for side effects. The most common side effects are a rash, horrible diarrhea, and/or inflammation. He said they are taking 27 patients w/o measurable disease (like me) and 27 with measurable disease.

After the appointment he sent me to do a signatera ctdna blood test. These tests take about 4 weeks to get the results back. The test that I have been taking with Dr. Kasi are Tempus. And it is possible to be positive on one and not the other. From my understanding signatera won’t detect ctdna until it is over 100 when my Tempus detected it at 23- so there is a possibility I will still have a negative signatera and have to repeat it in 4-6 weeks. He also said my hemoglobin needs to be over 9 and mine is 9.1- SO I definitely need to keep an eye on that.

But the plan is- that if the signatera is positive I will have to do another ct scan and mri (within 4 weeks of getting that positive) and it will have to be clear of tumors.

Once all of those steps are checked off I’ll meet with him for another apt and start the trial within 4 weeks of getting the positive signatera.

The time away from home is a lot to have to think about, and then the flights and hotels will not be covered so i am going to work on connecting with my social worker to see if there are any other avenues of funding. For the trial the hospital will cover the drug but there is a chance I will be responsible for the cost of them administering the drug to me if insurance doesn’t cover it.

My apt ran a little late so I wasn’t able to catch a show but I got to walk around to all the fun tourist spots and grab a decaf coffee. I also rode the subway by myself which I was very proud of! It was really intimidating but after doing it a few times I loved how convenient it was!

Then once my friend Jacklyn got off work we met up and grabbed dinner and got to catch up so more. I am so thankful she opened up her space to me with such short notice and I had a blast visiting with her.

The next day was raining so we didn’t get to do everything we wanted before catching my flight but we slept in and went out for a coffee before she had to head back home to work. I went out and did some shopping, grabbed lunch and then headed back to her apt before catching an uber to the airport. There was a TON of traffic so it took longer than anticipated and I felt like I was cutting it close to get on my flight- but there was hardly anyone in the security line so I made it to my gate with plenty of time before boarding.

12.15.25
​My in laws came into town from Couer de Alene, Idaho to celebrate Christmas early and we had the best time with them. We had planned to have a little Christmas celebration at our house with Mike’s brother Matt and family and get take out then open gifts. We were thankful we planned for take out because at 9:30AM the power went out. We expected it to turn back on soon but the notice kept getting pushed later and later. Thankfully it wasn’t a day that was too hot or too cold.

My nephew kept the kiddos entertained and we enjoyed a really nice meal before the kiddos opened up some gifts.

After it started to get dark the kiddos were getting freaked out about not having any power- Matt/ Ashley and their kids took off and Steve/ Susie and I decided to take the kiddos to look at Christmas lights to kill time in hopes the power would be back on by the time we got home.

Thankfully as soon as we started to make our way back- it turned on- at 6:30PM. I don’t think I’ve ever had the power out for that long. But it really makes you appreciate having power and I’m thankful they could fix it.

The next day we went to Knotts Berry Farm! We try to go every year when Steve and Susie are in town and it is such a fun tradition. We brought all the kiddos and Ashley and the boys came too! We hung out in camp snoopy most of the day, got lunch, rode the train and danced along to the Christmas music. To finish the night the kids got to see Santa and it even snowed. Luca didn’t nap the whole day but he had a blast and the whole day was so fun and memorable.

​The ctDNA tests take about 3 weeks to get the results for. It stands for circulating tumor DNA so it picks up particles of cancer in your blood long before any MRI or CT scan. And this last one showed detected. 😞 I kinda anticipated this happening since it spiked up when I was on break from chemo for my liver surgery but we always hoped it was completely gone.

I had my routine MRI and ct scan just a couple days after we got the news- thankfully the scans came back clear- I’ve heard of people in the 1000s and their MRI/CT scans still can’t detect it. They want to continue to monitor the punctate nodule on my lung and then a cyst showed on my ovary. There is a “band” on my liver that is likely scaring from the surgery but we will also keep a close eye on it. As far as the cyst It is still very small and I’ve had cysts in the past that just go away with my cycle. So nothing too alarming.

At my follow up appointment with Dr Kasi he wants to continue to very closely monitor me. We will do a different ctDNA blood test at my next apt and then instead of waiting 3 months for my next scans we will do them in 2.

He also suggested I try to get into a Bot/Bal clinical trial in New York. It is a trial for an immunotherapy and we all looked at the requirements and think I would be a good fit. So I booked a flight to New York.

12.2.25
​It was such an honor to be able to drop the puck at the LA kings vs Washington Capitals hockey fights cancer game.

A little back story- I spent 7 seasons working for the LA kings- I was on the Ice Crew for 3 and worked my butt off and when a position opened in the front office, I knew it was where I was meant to be. So I worked another 4 seasons in the office in their Hockey Development department. It was my first full time job and I am so thankful for my manager who took a risk with hiring me. While in the office I was a coordinator for the first couple of years managing their street team (who they at the time they called the Chariot Staff) and I also helped start their “Little King’s” learn to skate program.

Then a position opened in the same department for group sales. I worked alongside the local rinks and would sell ice time before/ at intermission/ after the game in exchange for group tickets.

I LOVEDDD my time working for the Kings but after getting engaged to Mike and moving down to Orange County, I knew it wasn’t realistic to continue working all the way up in LA. Not to mention, I always knew I wanted a family and it just wasn’t feasible to be able to raise kids while being gone for late nights and weekend games.

I met so many amazing people through the organization and have made life long friends that i am forever grateful for.

When my cancer journey started I dreamed about becoming NED and thought it would be such an amazing experience to be able to drop the puck for hockey fights cancer night.

As the season approached, I reached out to a few of my old colleagues and they said I could drop the puck with my family. An absolute full circle amazing moment.

We knew we wanted the family to comedown on the ice with me but were really nervous about our 5 yr old Scarlett and how she would feel being out there with all eyes on us. She doesn’t like to be the center of attention and even got really upset last year at her school holiday performance and her preschool graduation when she had to be up on stage. BUT she crushed it and we are so proud of how well her, Bella, and Luca handled it.

They shared a short clip about my journey as well as some photos and we all walked out to the edge of the carpet.

It was so cool being at center ice, watching the players on the benches and hearing the cheers from the people in the area.

Then Kopitar and ovechkin skated out, we took a pic and I dropped the puck. 2 future hall of famers!!

Kopitar started his career with the kings just a couple seasons before I started working for the team and I worked a lot of events next to him as well as celebrated both Stanley Cup championship games while a part of the organization. So although we don’t know each other on a personal level we have both been around each other for many years.

After the puck drop, the family and I headed up to the suite where our friends/ family/ past coworkers were ready to great us. It made it so special to have everyone together in one spot to share the special night with. The kids got to run around and we all got to catch up and reminisce.

After the game the Kings Care Foundation set us up with a meet and greet with Fiala. He was very kind, signed some stuff for the kids and took a few pictures with everyone.

Kopitar was heading out but saw us standing and talking with Fiala and made a point to stay back so he could say hi to us when we were finished with our meet and greet. He came over and chatted with me for a couple minutes and then took a group photo with us and signed my MIL Susie’s jersey. She is a huge fan of his so it was really special. We all could not stop talking about what an amazing guy he is to take the time out of his night after a long game to do that.

I am so thankful for the time I spent working for such an amazing organization and am so thankful for the opportunity of being able to drop the puck and for everyone who made that experience possible.

A friend of mine was able to upload the whole video to youtube- here it is
​https://youtu.be/bAMSBJdF2Uc

11.29.25

The last week was crazy busy. I had my colonoscopy booked for about 3 months but the week before I caught a nasty cold and about 5 days before my dermatologist called and said they had an opening for surgery to get a pre cancerous mole removed- so I jumped on it. It was a lot to deal with in just a short amount of days but I am thankful it is all done with.

The mole removal surgery was quick- I was awake for it and they just numbed up the area before removing a 3 inch patch on my lower back. I got about 2 layers of 8 stitches. 

The day after was really weird- I woke up and my back was hurting from the surgery and then I started to get really dizzy and thought I was going to pass out. We took my blood pressure and it was extremely low (69/46). I was starting to worry I might have to go to the hospital. And was even more worried I would need to reschedule my colonoscopy.

Thankfully everything leveled out- I talked with my GI dr and he said I would be good to do the prep a couple days later. 

​ 

11.25.25

This colonoscopy last year (almost to the day) was where they found the mass in my colon that later was officially diagnosed to be colon cancer- so repeating this process brought up a lot of emotions. 

I started the prep drink in the morning and almost threw up after the first gulp. I knew this was something I needed to do so I decided to mix the prep drink with a little gatorade, plug my nose while chugging through a straw, and bite a lemon before I unplugged my nose. I repeated this each time until the jug was finished. It took about 8 hours. 

The next morning Mike and I woke up bright and early and headed to the facility for the colonoscopy. They took be back to get me all ready and I immediately started crying. Being in there was so strange. The nurse gave me a huge hug- we chatted for a minute and I was so comforted in that moment. 

They wheeled me back and before I knew it I was done. My amazing GI said everything was clear- no polyps, no hemorrhoids- and I couldn't be more relieved.  He said I dont have to come back for 3 years for another one!!

11.19.25

Mike and I got to attend the ribbon cutting for City of Hope's Orange County Hospital opening December 1st, 2025. The event was incredible- we were not expecting it to be such a big event but we were so thankful we were invited to attend. They had a few speakers, a musical performance, and after they cut the ribbon, there was a big tented party, followed by a tour of the stunning new hospital. 

This new hospital is going to bring so much hope to our community and I am so thankful to be getting my care from a facility that cares so much. 

Thanksgiving was wonderful. We went over to my brother in laws house in Villa Park. My sister in law cooked a delicious classic thanksgiving meal and the Kiddos got to run around and play with my nephews. 

I am so thankful for how far I have come since this time last year and thankful for everyone who helped get me to this point.  

11.17.25
I got to spend another weekend in Vegas with my amazing Aunt (Marilyn) and my sister Jen. This trip our cousin Samantha was able to join us too. We went to Kelly Clarkson the first night, then had a slow morning, shopped, ate, and went to the disco show the second day. The 3rd day (sunday) everyone had to take off early so I got to relax in the room and I strolled the strip to find an Acai bowl place a few hotels down. It was a much needed quick weekend away.

I got back Sunday night and the next morning I had my 3rd follow up appointment. We did my routine labs- which came back showing my levels to be improving even more but the only thing that was way off was my glucose. I scarfed down some lunch on my way to the appointment so we think that might have caused it. After doing my bloodwork and meeting with the PA I had my first pump refill with glycerin. Everything went smooth.

The kiddos all caught some weird stomach bug and thankfully I did not catch it but I did get a pretty nasty cold.