Ali's Health Updates

11/17/15 Update

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 21:41:15 -0500

Friends,

In visits with friends these past weeks, Ali has shared her progress and specific prayer requests. While her health challenges pose questions for everyone, answering them is exhausting to her, and there are many to which she does not know the answers. Ali is home, visited regularly by medical support, and is surrounded by family in this peaceful setting. Here is a very brief update:

Ali wants to heal, so she had another round of chemo last week in hopes that tumors will shrink and allow her to eat again. She eats ice chips by day and receives IV nutrition at night, in hopes to regain energy and heal.
Ali has challenges, taking the form of recovery from chemo, intestinal blockage, and fluid build-up in her lungs.

These are daunting challenges, but Ali is HOPEFUL, and wants to know that she is held up to God by her brothers and sisters in Christ, on the wings of eagles. She has fought very hard to get to this place, and does not want to feel alone as she continues to battle on. She shared this scripture:

“Zeriah the Ethiopian went to war against Asa with an army of a million plus three hundred chariots and got as far as Mareshah. Asa met him there and prepared to fight from the Valley of Zephathah near Mareshah. Then Asa prayed to GOD, "O GOD, you AREN’T impressed by numbers or intimidated by a show of force once you decide to help.” Help us, O GOD; we have come out to meet this huge army because we trust in you and who you are. Don’t let mere mortals stand against you!“ 2 Chronicles 14: 9-15

I asked Ali today what she is hearing from God. Not just about her health, but about being a child of God. She told me she is hearing Psalm 23, that "his rod and his staff go before me, and comfort me”… and she is hearing PEACE. What does peace look like to her right now? Ali said peace is knowing she is loved, knowing her family is loved, and knowing her community is loved by all those in her life. She wants to look beyond her health, and hear what God is doing in other peoples’ lives - “I want to know what He is teaching people, because I can still learn, too.”

Ali wants to hear from you in the form of cards, and she wants to know how God is moving in your life. She wants to know what you’re learning, how you are seeking and finding God - she wants stories! While texts and emails can be hard to read and respond to, cards can be read and re-read, and even read to her. If you have a moment, can you pause and think of what you are hearing and learning in your own life, and share it with her?

Cards can be mailed directly to the Golz home:
The Incomparable Ali Golz
280 Dorantes Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94116

With much love from Ali,

Kelly

Back on Chemo

Fri, 30 Oct 2015 00:24:24 -0400

All,
I want to share an update on Ali’s health. To prepare for her August surgery, she stopped her chemo regimine a month early per the preop instructons. Over the last month or so she has been recovering slowly and now finally it’s time to get back on chemo. For this first round back on the juice, we choose to admit her to the hospital to be monitored and to top her off with nutrition since it’s been hard for her to keep food down. Anyway, now she is back home.

We are grateful for everybody’s care and concern.

We were informed this would be a 6-8 month recovery, but were hopeful it would be quicker. Now that we’re two months in, it’s looking like that estimate was right for us too. We have been in close communication with all her doctors as she recovers and little is out of the ordinary. We’re pleased her doctors are in close collaboration.

If you want to reach out, Ali appreciates texts or emails to remind her that you are thinking of her. She reads them. She prefers no open-ended questions like, “How are you feeing” or “Is there anything you need.”

If you want to help, you can check on the Lotsa Helping Hands website to see ways to help. If you want to sign up for a meal, please know that we don’t eat much at dinner.

If you are available and want to help on Tuesdays or Thursdays, Theo has soccer practice at Franklin Square. It is from 5:30-7pm and we can’t always depend on a carpool.

You can also Pray.

Separately, we want to keep you all updated, but we don’t want it to be a duty or take away from our normal routine. We’ll do it when we can. There are two other things we would like to request. First, please do not presume access to Ali when the time could crowd out traditional hours of family time. Second, please be responsible with bits of new information you might glean about Ali’s health. Sending it down the line on your own means it may get distorted as it goes. Perhaps it could be held tight instead. We appreciate it.

Thanks for all of the love and support,
Jason & Alexes

Ain't too proud to beg!

Wed, 26 Aug 2015 23:23:57 -0400

First let me cut to the chase in case you haven’t heard. I will have surgery on Monday 8/31 at UCSD. The scope of the surgery will be determined after they get me into the OR. But several procedures are known: remove my gall bladder which his been acting up this summer, remove the fluid that has been accumulating in my abdomen and causing me pain since last fall, and remove as much cancer as they can. If Dr. Lowy believes he has removed all but the most microscopic traces of cancer then he will preform a procedure called HIPEC (but based on what he sees from my last scan, he believes there is only a 10% chance he’ll add HIPEC to the surgery). I will be hospitalized for 8-10 days.

I am humbly asking for prayers for the most successful outcome, for peace about the surgery and recovery (which could take many months), for J and the boys to maintain a sense of normalcy, and that this would somehow bring us all closer.

I am grateful to have learned about this surgeon and be considered for surgery after so many months/years of being told surgery wasn’t an option. It strikes me as God’s sovereignty how I learned of it. So here’s a bit of back story. A dear friend, Anne Marie, who works in finance, told a colleague, Carl, who manages life science investments about my health early on. In the fall of 2013, Carl graciously offered to learn more about my health in case he became aware of a new treatment or drug that may be relevant to my disease. I’ve since been cc’d as Carl has communicated with the CEOs of the largest medical companies developing cancer therapies asking specifically if what they are developing could be relevant to how my disease manifests itself. Carl’s care and concern has been a blessing I couldn’t have even known to ask for. In February of this year, Carl suggested I ask my colon surgeon about debulking the abdominal pressure and the HIPEC procedure. My colon surgeon immediately referred me to a surgeon, Dr. Andrew Lowy at UCSD, that I since found out is highly respected by his medical peers. Upon inspection of my scans he told me I was eligible for surgery because my cancer is contained to my abdomen, they have enough history of my disease, and my body has responded well to standard chemotherapy. So I see the knowledge of this surgery and my eligibility as a miracle, especially since I was often told surgery wasn’t a viable option.

Photo

Wed, 26 Aug 2015 23:19:12 -0400

“Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. And lo, no one was there.” – author unknown

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:24:05 -0400

I had the pleasure of reading this quote recently. It was carved into a very rustic mantel over a cozy fire. The mantel was simple, sturdy and worn, but the words were scripted in gold (as all truths should be). It comforts me to know this truth in my heart. I continue to feel the absence of fear because my faith is bolstered by the love that is generously poured into my life. It is these regular doses of love that strengthen my faith and give it the courage to answer when fear knocks.

As I mentioned previously, what had been clear road signs before have proven to be open to interpretation, and I continue to try to read them as clearly and confidently as I can, even when they make little sense!

I was incredibly blessed to have an oncologist who not only provided great care, but who could communicate clearly and compassionately with me through all my questions. Dr. Hufford helped me stay in the moment for my decisions rather than spin into possible scenarios. He saw beyond my diagnosis and treatment by advocating for my quality of life. Whenever I had a fun opportunity that conflicted with my treatment, he was quick to put things into perspective and would help me coordinate my treatments around my life (not my life around my treatments). His empathy was borne of his own struggle with cancer, and he passed away last fall. While I only knew him as his patient, I was grieved greatly and appreciate the gift he was to both Jason and I.

My care was quickly and smoothly transitioned to another doctor in the same private practice office but it was difficult to lose this significant relationship a year into our own journey. While change is sometimes tricky, I am seeing the benefits of Dr. Knopf’s fresh perspective and insights. I am also grateful to have established patient relationships with doctors at UCSF and Stanford and check in periodically for 2nd and 3rd opinions. I continue to feel grateful for the high quality of care I am receiving and have access to here in the Bay Area.

Right now I am at a strange juncture. You may recall that this whole thing started when a 7 cm tumor was found in my colon, and successive tests found the cancer elsewhere, as well. Through some additional tests conducted in February to see how large the tumor was getting, the good doctors could not find the tumor and reported my colon looked healthy. While I was ready to start rejoicing, the doctor’s reactions have had me confused. They have seemed unimpressed, but I suppose they are just being cautious. I continue to learn that cancer is very mysterious and every person responds differently to treatments. Since the beginning of the year the cancer that can be measured in my blood (my CEA) has slowly been increasing. At diagnosis it was 65.5 and was as low as 2.8 in November of last year. It is currently at 16.4. I will have another CT scan at the end of this month to get further information. I don’t know what God is doing, but I know He is sovereign and is trustworthy. It may seem like abstract confidence to some, but I truly believe this to be true and my faith helps me trust when things are confusing or not headed in the direction of my choosing. My prayer is for a greater sense of his presence and peace despite the circumstances.

I’m happy to report that I have continued with in-home oral treatment, and the minimal side effects I do experience are very tolerable. In January, Theo, Dietrich and I were able to tag along with Jason on his business trip to China, which was a fun adventure that we couldn’t have imagined back in August of 2011. At this time, with my ability to be home during treatments, we do not feel we need the more intense volunteer involvement that was supporting us in the first year. But with summer approaching we are hoping to enjoy more of being in the company of friends, so let us know if you are around as well.

Scan results came back with no significant changes. I can continue taking oral meds in the comfort...

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:50:38 -0400

Scan results came back with no significant changes. I can continue taking oral meds in the comfort of my own home. I can continue to have flexibility with my schedule. I have enjoyed being more involved at the boys schools this fall. I continue to be grateful for your prayers and words of encouragement. Will update more on the clinical trial when I get word.

Sojourning

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 23:27:05 -0400

A year ago we started this journey, and like all journeys, there have been many signs which need to be interpreted as the duration of the journey is uncertain. Last August, Jason and I received the diagnosis of my cancer, so at first the signs to me were clear: trust God, be as aggressive as possible in treatment, seek and embrace all the reasons to be grateful, get this all behind us in 6-8 months. A year later the journey is sometimes daunting, perhaps less clear, and yet similar: trust God, stay focused on His blessings, and rely on His strength to persevere through treatments and side effects for however long it takes.

As many of you know, between last August and April, I went to the hospital for 2 night in-patient chemotherapy treatments, approximately every other week. While I managed to handle these treatments with expected but sustainable side effects, it was challenging to be away from my family. In April, I began to hit a wall physically and mentally. I began to experience strong side effects just before my treatment began. Not knowing when I would reach a finish line made it difficult for me to mentally persevere. So I consulted with my doctors about my options to take a break from this most aggressive form of treatment and was given the option to try a milder maintainence treatment for the summer, in-home oral chemo. It has been great to not be in the hospital and have had the freedom to enjoy lots of excursions over the summer with Jason, the boys and friends. It has been great to start the school year off with me being home and getting us all back into the school routine.

Are there still side effects I have to manage? Well, yes - if you see me walking slowly like I’m on hot coals, know that my feet are tender. Is the new treatment protocol working? Well… that is yet to be determined (I will go in for a new scan tomorrow, September 26, and will await the results in the weeks to follow.) All treatments, both in-patient and in-home would be easier to tolerate if the scan results over this year had showed marked improvement - they have not. I have chosen to see the lack of progression of the cancer as a positive outcome. Regression is the hope and prayer, lack of progression is the current reality. I hope and pray that tomorrows scan results atleast show no sign that this current oral treatment hasn’t been effective in keeping the cancer cells from spreading. I’d rather continue oral treatment and be able to stay home.

I am also investigating the option to participate in a clinical trial at Stanford. I will know in the weeks to come if I am eligible and if this trial is a good option for me.

Many of you have asked about how I am doing personally in the midst of all this. I am grateful to continue to have peace about the cancer. However, I’m also weary and pray often to maintain endurance as I tire of the process, especially as the side effects become more apparent and affect the comfort in my hands and feet. I truly appreciate it when all of you ask how I’m doing, and sometimes I do want to talk about the cancer. Lots of times I don’t, as it can be healthier for me to focus on other aspects of my life and learn more about yours - thank you for understanding, and please take my sudden changes of subject in stride!

Thanks for being on that journey with me, for your prayers, words of encouragement, friendship and for being such a humbling community of support.

http://sendomatic.com/GmVk7

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:19:53 -0400

http://sendomatic.com/GmVk7:

Jason & I celebrate our 15 year wedding anniversary at the end of May. We are hosting a party on Saturday, May 26th and have been trying to get the word out. If you can join us please let us know by using the following link to RSVP.

Just got results today from scans on tues. They continue to remain the same, no cancer growth. ...

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:20:59 -0400

Just got results today from scans on tues. They continue to remain the same, no cancer growth. While this is good news, it is hard not knowing when I’ll reach finish line (be cancer free). The scans still show the same amount of cancer in my lungs and lymph nodes which means continuing with chemo treatments. I’m holding up pretty well, enjoying time at home and grateful for all the prayers and support.

I’m waiting for the hospital to call with my bed assignment for treatment. There’s much...

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:12:39 -0400

I’m waiting for the hospital to call with my bed assignment for treatment. There’s much procrastination on these treatment start days now. On one hand I’m anxious for the call so I can get in, get started quickly and get through it. On the other I’m glad to be in my own home & not in the hospital. Still not sure when I’ll be done with treatments. Hoping the next set of scans indicate the treatments have done their job & we are on to the next stage of healing. My CEA has dropped to 11.3 (the lower the better).

With Easter coming, I’m reminded that God works in mysterious ways, that He is in control and can redeem any circumstance.

I can choose hope over fear, trust over control, humility over power.

I’m grateful to all who have sacrificed time & resources to support us during this season. We are blessed.

Losing is GOOD too! D lost his first tooth last night.

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:15:00 -0500

Losing is GOOD too!
D lost his first tooth last night.

It's all about Perspective!

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:45:00 -0500

I tolerated the prep for these scans much better than the last scans. The results showed NO signs of regression but also NO signs of meaningful improvement. Because I was hoping for significant decline in the presence of the cancer, I was initially disappointed to get these results. After further prayer and thought, I have decided to be grateful that the cancer is still not making any progress in my body, that I have great energy in between treatments, that I get to be reminded just how much love / prayer support my family is surrounded with, and that I know the Great Comforter who gives me strength and courage to face this head on for as long as it takes. I choose not to be discouraged nor focused on the challenges of this circumstance as I am truly blessed beyond measure. There’s no date in which this season will end (treatment successfully complete), but I can enjoy each day and look forward to all that this year has in store. Hope to see more of you all in this New Year!

Enjoying Christmas

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:47:00 -0500

I am grateful for the 3 week Christmas break to enjoy my family and friends. Finished round 10 last week, it was a bit rough as I couldn’t keep much down for the 1st time. But, as soon as I returned home my appetite started to come back. Tomorrow (1/18) I have another PET & CT scan. I’m praying for scans to show the cancer has been isolated to my colon and so we can schedule a surgery removing the remainder of it.

Team Golz battles Team Bartell

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Team Golz battles Team Bartell

More Progress!

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:11:17 -0500

Starting round 9 today. My CEA is now 23.4, down from 65 in Aug. Yeah!!! The chemo is doing what it is supposed to be doing and I continue to tolerate the side effects very well. God is good!
I got a port installed just before my last round, so now I don’t have to have multiple pokes on each visit to get a good IV installed. I’ll have another CT & PET scan late January to assess how well the chemo is attacking the cancer cells. I’m taking a 3 week break after this round to enjoy Christmas and play with family & friends during the school break. Hope you all are enjoying Christmas!

Enjoying watching the sun set from Muir Beach

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 18:05:00 -0500

Enjoying watching the sun set from Muir Beach

So THANKFUL!

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

I would be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to express how THANKFUL I am and how much I have to be THANKFUL for. I am blessed to have so much support from family and friends (both near and far). I am grateful for all the prayers and kind words of encouragement. I am fortunate to live in a community that tirelessly and joyfully picks up the pieces each week so I can enjoy my family more and use my energy to play with my kids. I am fortunate to have so many concerned about my physical & spiritual health that I am reminded continuously of the prayers being spoken on my behalf. I am grateful for my doctors, nurses and the medical care I have been receiving. I am blessed to have a faith in God which sustains me and reminds me that my purpose in all if this is to trust in His daily provisions and blessings. I continue to feel strong, with minimal side effects. Thank you all for walking with me through this season, humbling me in ways too numerous to count and for giving me an abundance of reasons to experience gratitude.

Entering Brugge

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:36:32 -0500

Entering Brugge

Keep Calm & Carry On!

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:34:31 -0500

Round 7 started today after much appreciated 4 week break and a wonderful trip to London & Belgium. J had a business trip to London and I got to tag along. We also squeezed in a weekend trip to visit with my Belgian families (I was a summer exchange student in 1988). It was an amazing treat to be a tourist and not a patient. The 4 week break in between treatments also gave my body the chance to get back to feeling normal again (all side effects diminished). Feeling strong, I’m ready to get another 6 rounds behind me.
Boys continue to do well. T has adjusted to his new school beautifully. We are so grateful to have such a incredible school for the boys within walking distance. D is slowly learning Chinese and both T & E are learning to count in Chinese after hearing D recite his numbers. E can remember everything he hears, especially song lyrics even after the first listen so I have to be careful what he hears in order to avoid an embarrassing moment.

E enjoying my morning smoothie.

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:31:46 -0500

E enjoying my morning smoothie.