New Update from Ryan-

Hi Everyone - We've been a little quiet for the past few weeks because we aren't sure exactly how to write this update. The initial plan that we had for post radiation/chemo may need to be changed.We had a visit with my oncologist last Friday, and she told us she is really unsure what to do at this time. She explained that my liver looked really angry from radiation and she wants to do another scan to see if there has been any additional spread of cancer in my liver. She explained that they are unable to tell from the scans I had a few weeks ago, but she is concerned. Then, she said there looks to be a lymph node that is between my liver and my pancreas that lit up on the PET scan. This indicates possible cancer spread to the lymph node. Now, this could be inflammation (which we are praying for), but the doctor doesn't think that's the case. We meet with my integrative oncologist this week, and I'm on a new inflammation protocol to hopefully help my liver and anywhere else in my body that isn't happy. We continue to have to pay for this out of pocket because insurance doesn't cover these visits or additional medications/supplements. However, it's been vital in keeping me and my body healthy enough to continue fighting as aggressively as I have been.

With this possible spread, lots of questions are raised about how to proceed. The specialists out east want us to come back out there for evaluation and discussion, but we just can't hop on a plane every time there is a question in treatment. So, Brooke called up to Mayo Clinic and we are currently waiting to hear if they will accept me as a patient. We have asked for a specific doctor who works with my BRCA mutation and also specializes in pancreatic cancer. We hope that this will allow a better collaboration between my oncologist at UIHC and Mayo since it's logistically closer and we can drive there instead of flying. We are hoping they can take over my primary care and planning, and then I can still get any necessary treatment/labs/scans locally at UIHC.

Overall, I am still feeling good, and I started back to teaching in my 10th year at West High School this week. If you can, we are asking for prayers that we can get answers quickly because we know we need to stay on top of things if the cancer is spreading. If you're able to donate, we would greatly appreciate any amount as we will incur additional expenses if I get accepted at Mayo. As always, Brooke and I can't thank you enough for all of your support and continued prayers.