Find updates on Stephanie's Journey here. For more information on her fight against cancer and the fundraiser established to help her and her family, click HERE
Stephanie posted the following update on her GoFundMe:
"Another long day almost over. I sit here sipping tea from a mystery person and I am still overwhelmed at the support. Everyone is so amazing.
So today I met with my oncologist and had blood drawn for labs and we talked about a plan.
He thinks, and the radiologist as well, that the tumor in my liver is cancerous. He wants to get chemo started as soon as we can to get things going and shrink the tumors.
So ideally the plan is this. I have an appointment on Wednesday for my liver biopsy. They'll put the port in at the same time while I'm sedated. The port is how the give chemo. They should have results by Friday. Then on Monday I'll start Chemo. Between now and then I'll meet with a Nurse Practitioner to talk more about chemo and how it works and so on.
My brain has been so overwhelmed and the emotional exhaustion is so real. I bought a journal/calendar today to bring with to appointments. I also got a little whiteboard calendar for the fridge so the kids know what's going on.
I've gotten some great gifts from folks and I love them all. Thank you to everyone. You're all amazing. I love you."
Stephanie posted the following update on her Facebook on 10/4/20:
"There is usually a moment when I wake up in the morning where nothing hurts and for a second, I don't have cancer.
Then I roll over, and the abdominal pain reminds me and my anxiety about the week clicks back on.
This week I've got a covid test, chemo learning appt and sedation for my biopsy and port placement. I'm afraid of how chemo will affect me. But I know I need to knock down the cancer that is everywhere inside me.
So today I'm going to have fun with the kids. We're going to an apple orchard that we go to every year. It's cold out. Perfect for sweaters and apple cider.
I'm going to enjoy this day, because every day is important."
"I haven't updated lately! If you follow me on facebook or twitter you may be a little up to date, but I still have news.
SO on Wednesday I had my liver biopsy and port placement. You know that it was a little rough recovery.
I am doing much better. Still a little sore around the placement site, but mostly good. I've been REALLY tired lately. Almost falling asleep when I am putting Logan to bed (though I don't fall asleep, I promise!) being completely exhausted after work and a little dizzy at times. Doc says its probably a combo of the cancer working on my body, being mentally exhausted and dehydrated. Keeping a close eyes on things though.
Important news though. Liver biopsy was positive for cancer in my liver. SO it has metastasized, and is stage 4. Nothing much changes now, I will hopefully qualify for disability quickly. Chemo starts on the 21st. I will be there for about 2-3 hours and then go home on an infusion over two days. Then when they disconnect me, I have been told those days are the worst for symptoms and side effects. SO time will tell how I handle everything. This weekend Jacqueline is coming to town to be with us, so we are going to have fun!
#friday mask and favorite shirt (Jurassic Park) for my MRI and CT today.
I'm starving and can't eat until these are both done, so probably not until lunch! (Source: Facebook)
Stephanie posted the following update on her GoFundMe:
"Another long day almost over. I sit here sipping tea from a mystery person and I am still overwhelmed at the support. Everyone is so amazing.
So today I met with my oncologist and had blood drawn for labs and we talked about a plan.
He thinks, and the radiologist as well, that the tumor in my liver is cancerous. He wants to get chemo started as soon as we can to get things going and shrink the tumors.
So ideally the plan is this. I have an appointment on Wednesday for my liver biopsy. They'll put the port in at the same time while I'm sedated. The port is how the give chemo. They should have results by Friday. Then on Monday I'll start Chemo. Between now and then I'll meet with a Nurse Practitioner to talk more about chemo and how it works and so on.
My brain has been so overwhelmed and the emotional exhaustion is so real. I bought a journal/calendar today to bring with to appointments. I also got a little whiteboard calendar for the fridge so the kids know what's going on.
I've gotten some great gifts from folks and I love them all. Thank you to everyone. You're all amazing. I love you."
Stephanie posted the following update on her Facebook on 10/4/20:
"There is usually a moment when I wake up in the morning where nothing hurts and for a second, I don't have cancer.
Then I roll over, and the abdominal pain reminds me and my anxiety about the week clicks back on.
This week I've got a covid test, chemo learning appt and sedation for my biopsy and port placement. I'm afraid of how chemo will affect me. But I know I need to knock down the cancer that is everywhere inside me.
So today I'm going to have fun with the kids. We're going to an apple orchard that we go to every year. It's cold out. Perfect for sweaters and apple cider. I'm going to enjoy this day, because every day is important."
From 10/14/20...
"I haven't updated lately! If you follow me on facebook or twitter you may be a little up to date, but I still have news.
SO on Wednesday I had my liver biopsy and port placement. You know that it was a little rough recovery.
I am doing much better. Still a little sore around the placement site, but mostly good. I've been REALLY tired lately. Almost falling asleep when I am putting Logan to bed (though I don't fall asleep, I promise!) being completely exhausted after work and a little dizzy at times. Doc says its probably a combo of the cancer working on my body, being mentally exhausted and dehydrated. Keeping a close eyes on things though.
Important news though. Liver biopsy was positive for cancer in my liver. SO it has metastasized, and is stage 4. Nothing much changes now, I will hopefully qualify for disability quickly. Chemo starts on the 21st. I will be there for about 2-3 hours and then go home on an infusion over two days. Then when they disconnect me, I have been told those days are the worst for symptoms and side effects. SO time will tell how I handle everything. This weekend Jacqueline is coming to town to be with us, so we are going to have fun!
Thank you for all the love and support. <3"
- Stephanie Doudrick