Healing Rose

It is now June and many months have passed since Rose had her last radiation and chemotherapy treatments. It has been almost one year to the date since Rose was diagnosed with cancer and we have to say she has come along way from the first day she was diagnosed.

After her last PETscan in April her results showed the Tumors are still there but smaller in size. Cancer "might" be living because the scan catches the color green. The doctors cannot determine if the cancer is still dieing or in a waiting state to grow again. Good news is the tumors got smaller and decreased in size and the cancer is not spreading to other organs. We'll have to wait another 3 months before we can receive another PET scan. If they notice more color in the next scan or possible spreading, we definitely have to do more treatments. If so it could be another round of chemo and radiotherapy which would be stronger, more powerful and much more risky to Roses health than previous treatments. Upon her last follow up her doctor presented a new break through treatment with good news that it will not harm her as the chemotherapy and radiation would but instead possibly cure her 100%. Rose would have to qualify for this new therapy called Immunotherapy before her treatments start. We pray that we will not need anymore treatments and that Rose has beat the cancer once and for all.

We predict the next PETscan to be performed in the month of July. Rose has shown much improvement in her everyday physical activity. Along with keeping a positive mind, Rose has improved her diet with healthy nutritious foods and exercise.

Thank you,

Rose, Chris & Hayden

The treatments have dwindled down, routine doctor visits continue, yet, Rose’s battle is not over. After 8 rounds of chemotherapy, Rose then endured 15 treatments of radiation to blast the tumors to death. We will not know if the tumors are dead or alive until the radiation and chemo have run their full course. This usually can be determined three months after the last treatments. For now, we are in a waiting period, which seems like an eternity.

Everyday that goes by is one day closer to the results. In the meantime, with the waiting, come the side effects. It was about two weeks after her last treatment when signs of the medicine and radiation started to appear. First came the aching of the bones, knees, joints, hands and feet. Second was the numbing fingertips, burning and tingly sensations of the hands. Third, the cough reappeared, getting stronger and stronger each day. So what did the doctors say and do? Well the radiologist blamed the chemo oncology for most of her symptoms. But the cough was due to the radiation treatments. Webbing appeared in Roses upper left lungs where the radiation caused inflammation; it is almost like scarring of the lungs.

How to help this go away or get better? Doctors prescribe steroids to help the inflammation ease. They cannot prescribe antibiotics because it is not an infection nor any other medicine will help. What do the steroids do? Well they make the patient feel a lot better when they really are not fully recovered. Her doctor explained it best by calling it a ghost medicine. She said it sort of helps everything feel better, but, “you need to be careful and not over do it as it is the medicine making you feel better not your physical health.” This drug makes it even harder for Rose to take it easy, as she likes to be productive and proactive in her everyday life.

The other side effects were caused by the chemo. The oncologist prescribed more medicine to treat the nerve pains of aches, burning and tingling, but they didn't help much, as Rose would stay awake throughout most of the nights because of the pain. After weeks of almost sleepless nights from the steroids and nerve medicines they finally gave Rose sleeping medication to help her sleep. She needs to rest and sleep in order for her body to heal. Each week Rose received multiple medicines to cope with the side effects hoping she will feel better. Whenever we thought she was finished with medicine, another 2 or 3 medicines are prescribed.

This week Rose was infected with pneumonia. Being that she is on a heavy steroid and multiple other medications, makes her prone to infections. She caught this airborne and luckily was diagnosed early enough to be treated. With the healing of the inflammation from the radiation there was a new cause for the coughing to continue. Rose now visits her doctors weekly with X-rays taken to monitor the inflammation and pneumonia in her lungs. If her pneumonia and inflammation subside she will slowly be able to ease off the steroid and other medications.

When we think everything is improving we are reminded that this is not a quick fix ,nor is this a minor sickness. This is a long battle, one with many fights. With each fight fought, we are challenged physically and mentally, making us stronger and stronger. I have to say that this is the hardest battle we have ever faced in our lives. The love and support from family and friends, including our miracle son Hayden, all make it possible for Rose and I to continue fighting and living. We are anticipating early March for Rose to have her PET scan which will determine if the tumors are dead or alive and whether further treatment will be needed or not.

Thank you for all your prayers and care you give towards our family and thank you to all who participated in The St. Peregrine Novena prayers this past month. I would like to end this with the Serenity Prayer.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; taking as he did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that he will make all things right if I surrender to his will, that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with him forever in the next. Amen

Love the Mercier family in Thailand,

Rose, Christopher & Hayden

My unwanted passport!

My PET Scan results concluded that my tumors have decreased in size (1/3 smaller) left side from 15cm to 6.6cm and right side from 13cm to 5cm, which is the good news but the cancer is still living. My Doctor said I have 2 choices, either I continue another 4 Chemotherapy + Radiotherapy or Radiotherapy alone. We chose to move on with the radiotherapy as it has less side effects than chemotherapy. Radiotherapy has a chance of long term side effects such as breast cancer and possibly other cell damage . Although fingers crossed and lots of prayers the new technology of the equipment used will not let this happen. Fifteen times of radiotherapy, 15 minutes each time, 2 done 13 to go! We will keep fighting and win this battle! #keepfighting #healingrose #cancermom #lymphoma

Last week Rose underwent her last scheduled chemotherapy treatment. On November 7th Rose will be given a PET scan to determine if the tumors are dead or not. They will be looking for any live blood cells, if none are reported then the tumors will be considered dead and the cancer stopped. If they see any signs of life in the tumors, Roses treatment plan will be evaluated and if needed further chemotherapy maybe performed or radiation treatments will begin. We are all praying and wish for your continued prayers that these 8 chemo treatments have done it. Stopped the tumors and cancer in there tracks and killed them off. The effects of chemo are major to ones health. We believe in the lords prayers and through your prayers miracles do happen. God is Healing Rose. Amen

Christopher, Rose & Hayden

When witnessing a loved one going through chemotherapy this quote came to mind which can keep the spirit, mind and body fighting to win the battle against cancer.

Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place, and I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!"

Sylvester Stallone: Speech from Rocky Balboa (2006)

We have come along way since the beginning of Rose’s treatments. Before treatment number seven, Rose fell ill on Monday October 17th and was rushed to the nearest hospital. Rose suffered a migraine far worse than any she has ever experienced in her lifetime. She underwent a CT scan to check for any signs that were causing her migraine. After receiving her first shot to ease the pain, the migraine did not subside, so a second shot was administered. Nothing irregular showed on the CT scan and we were advised to admit her to the hospital for close monitoring. The migraine persisted and caused vomiting. Then the doctors noticed that her food was not digesting. The best action was to transfer her by ambulance to the hospital where she is normally treated.

After arriving at Sumitivj Hospital, the doctor injected a stronger pain medicine to stop the excruciating migraine. Rose was also given a stronger sleeping pill to help her rest soon after she was admitted. Rose stayed the night in the hospital and was awakened by the nursing staff at 5:30am to check her blood pressure and take an x-ray of her chest. The x-ray was to determine if the tumors had changed in size, bigger or smaller, but it was inconclusive.

Fortunately the migraine subsided and Rose was able to rest for the rest of the day. Her cancer doctor visited her around 4:30pmand after reviewing her x-ray, determined to go ahead with the next round of chemo. Rose, as always, stayed strong and was prepared to be treated once again. Before beginning the seventh chemo treatment, the neurologist double checked her CT scan and evaluated her migraines. She will be monitored for any changes in her health and if so, Rose will receive the dye and have a PT scan to look for a blood clot or other signs of caution.

Rose finished her chemo treatment around 9:00pm she became very exhausted, weak and hot inside. Rose says she has never felt this drained. It has been three days since her chemo and she is still very weak. Rose is resting and sleeping more than ever. We pray for her strength to come back soon and for her cancer and tumors to go away. Rose is scheduled for one more chemotherapy treatment on Tuesday October 25, 2016 if all goes as planned. This will be her last of eight total chemo treatments. Two weeks after her last treatment they will perform a PT scan, which will give us a 4D picture of her chest. This will determine if she is 100% cured or if she will need further treatments. If she is required to continue, she will start receiving radiation treatments, as the chemotherapy cannot be performed anymore.

Pray for Rose. Pray for Healing. Be strong and fight on!

This week October 12, 2016 Rose and I suffered an unfortunate loss of our 12 year old West Highland White Terrier named Wedding. She was one of Rose’s biggest supporters. Wedding has been with Rose through a lot of tough times. Rose loved her dearly and will miss Wedding’s loving personality. Wedding was very independent, shy but always watching. She guarded and protected Rose and will always watch over us now. We will miss her playing with her food, waking us up at night and always being by our sides as a constant companion. Her mother Maggie will continue at our sides and give us the love and comfort we need. Rest In Peace Wedding, we love you sweetheart.

With Love,

Rose, Christopher & Hayden

I have had many problems and major issues with PayPal accepting any donations from anyone for the past 3 months. Please kindly refer to this post as communication for all who wish to follow and stay informed with Roses progress & health. If anyone wishes to donate please let us know. I am sorry for any confusions or inconveniences. I will continue to try and restore this page for donations. All donations have been in Thai Baht and not in US dollars thus far.

Today is Chemo #6 for Rose. It seems as if the treatments are arriving sooner and sooner, but they are the same, each is two weeks apart. At the start, eight treatments seemed to be never ending, but now, we can see the end. The treatments may feel like they are arriving quicker but they are not; we are just getting used to the biweekly visits.

Most patients would not receive the chemotherapy treatments biweekly. Instead, they receive them every three to four weeks. As I mentioned before, the doctors say that Rose is a rare one. Her blood counts are staying strong and her immune system keeps fighting. It is why she is able to speed up her treatments. Her doctor said he was not going to waste any time with this one. He said this, "We will go in like a boxer and fight, punch it like a boxer, beat it up fast so it can't fight back, so it won't have a chance." I have to say that it feels like I am watching a boxing match. Each round of chemo is like a round of boxing with the chemo fighting and the cancer taking punches back each round. After 8 rounds, we hope and pray for a knock out! You can do this Rose, you are stronger, smarter, and your stamina will defeat cancer.

As we reflect on our lives, where we have been and where we are now. Dealing with cancer is like an emotional roller coaster. Many questions race through our minds such as Why now? Why us? What if? and so on… which create frustrations because we do not have the answers. We put our trust in God. We believe it is God’s plan for the timing, the reasons, and the everything, just as it was God’s plan for Rose and I to meet in the middle of the ocean. Two souls from different continents met for the right reasons at the right time and at the right place to spend the rest of their lives together. It was meant to be; it was Gods plan.

We thank God that he blessed us with our son, our miracle baby. Throughout her pregnancy, as he grew, no one knew that Rose had cancer. Since the discovery of this cancer, we have been faced with limitations and deal with them day to day. We are blessed by our supporters and blessed with our biggest supporter- our son Hayden Joseph Mercier. No matter how emotional it gets or how frustrated we can be, we must keep believing. As mother said,"You will come out stronger and wiser; you will have empathy for all who endure this." As sister said, "Take some peace with that knowledge." Everything is a learning process in life. We strive to be open and keep learning as it brings new meanings to life. Our limits will be limitless and our dreams will become reality.

It is true Rose has great stamina and will not give up. As tough as the battle gets, she keeps punching and fighting. The crowd watches the fight- she never shows weakness, pain or sadness. Instead, she has the hunger in her eyes for life, the passion to live, and the goals to achieve greatness.

I cannot express how much your continued support means to us. God bless you all, God bless our family and God bless healing Rose.

Love Christopher, Rose & Hayden

Last week we received positive news that the size of Roses tumors have decreased. Meaning the chemotherapy is working. We do not have a 3D or 4D image so it is hard to say the correct size that the tumors now are. Here are 2D images of her X-rays given before she received her 1st chemo (Left image) and her 5th chemo (Right image). We believe Rose is healing because of all the support and prayers received from around the world. Keep believing, keep praying, keep the positive CAN DO attitude and we CAN beat CANcer. Love Christopher, Rose & Hayden

An update which is later than normal but some say, "no news is good news". We have made it through the past two weeks strong and with a few surprises too. We were able to enjoy a few days to getaway and refresh our minds and spirits which helped a lot. The fresh air and being away from the city and hospital made us feel normal again.

We are now back at it and today is Roses 5th chemotherapy treatment. Round five of eight treatments. It seems like we are almost there and it's almost over. Although it's not the rounds that determine when she is cured it is how her body, mind and spirit will defeat this cancer. Rose is strong and continues to show no one that she has cancer. She believes in staying positive and looking her best which seems to fool most people that she even has cancer at all. On September 11th we attended the "Fight to Lymphoma" fair at the Paragon where Rose was one of the brave guest who got up in front of a hundred people and asked the panel of doctors questions. First she stated that she was diagnosed with cancer lymphoma 2 weeks after giving birth and she is now about half way through receiving treatments. She told the doctors she has not lost her hair, she has not lost weight and her blood cells are maintaining strong. Is the chemotherapy working? The doctors each replied, "You are rare.., you are a tough one and she looks great!" The main answer they had was that Roses body was strong before she was diagnosed with cancer and this is why her body is taking it better than most others. It was really nice as everyone clapped for Rose and asked her questions after she sat down. Rose had looked forward in being surrounded by others who are also going through the same thing she is. Good information was gathered to take home and read about the types of Lymphoma and symptoms she may encounter.

Cancer is tough and for anyone who has ever had it, going through it or known a close one who has or had cancer knows the ups and downs, struggles, frustrations which are encountered and know the support, comfort and love that is needed. I ask please God heal Rose now, fast and quickly. Let her live again, let her be with her family and be able to do the things that families do. Hayden and Chris are here by her side as we pray to please make mommy healthy again.

Lastly an X-Ray was ordered today to see the progress of the chemotherapy treatments in hopes that the size of her tumors have shrunk. If so it will be a good sign that the treatments are working. I will keep you all posted as soon as we hear the results. Thank you all for your continued prayers, love and support. May God bless you all, Amen

Love Christopher, Rose & Hayden