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The Cancer is Back...

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Bad news. Today we learned that Stephanie’s cancer has started to grow again. It has been just over 5 years since her original diagnosis on September 22, 2014. Ovarian cancer has a high recurrence rate, unfortunately. So what does a recurrence of ovarian cancer mean and how is it treated? When Stephanie was originally diagnosed it was through an exploratory surgery triggered by a very large tumor growing from her ovaries. In that case, there was a large mass that needed to be taken from her body and that was the most effective way to remove the bulk of cancer. After the surgery in 2014, although the visible portions of the disease were removed, cancer still existed at a cellular level or at a concentrated level not visible to the human eye. To treat the remainder of cancer left in her system and that was visually present on organs that couldn’t be removed (like her colon), they used traditional chemotherapy. The traditional chemotherapy targets fast-growing ce
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Awareness

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September is a month to be aware. Aware of a silent but deadly disease that takes the lives of too many women. September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. In September of 2014 Stephanie was diagnosed with stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. Three years later our lives have changed dramatically. We are the proud foster parents of two lovely boys aged 4 and 4 months. We are co-owners of a growing real estate practice and investment company. We are also stronger than we ever were before Stephanie’s diagnosis. Just last month Stephanie learned that she no longer must have cancer screenings every 3-months. She now only must go every 6 months. Now after 3-years she can finally have a bit of breathing room. The biggest milestone for her disease is the 5-year mark. Statistically, being free of cancer for 5 years significantly increases her prognosis and survival. I never expected to be discussing my wife’s survival at 33 but I guess that is one of the reasons why Stephanie and I are so passi
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Gregory, Having just rocked our cranky 3 year old to sleep for a reluctant nap, I can't help but to be grateful for you and everything you've given me.   I am grateful that you have given me motherhood. You are trudging though the muddy waters of foster care with me, leading the way, and bulldozing over any obstacles that get in our path.  This is not an easy road, but you made my desire to be a mother your priority.   I am grateful that you have given me our business. I get to work everyday doing something I love and am passionate about, and I get to do it with you.  Your strengths perfectly counter my weaknesses and vice versa.  There's no way our business would be where it is today if you hadn't given up your career to join me. I'm grateful for our friendship.  You make me laugh everyday.  You call me out on my BS and you hold me accountable. You make me a better businesswoman, a better mother, a better friend, and an all around better person.
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Boobs

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We haven't updated this blog in a while and perhaps that is a good thing.  Things are starting to be a bit more normal for us.  However, we wanted to share an update on the latest development related to Stephanie's lifelong battle with cancer.   We have discussed Stephanie's genetic mutation that likely instigated her ovarian and kidney cancer. Her genetic mutation is strange and not much is known about it yet.  Genetic research is a burgeoning field of study that is just now in its infancy.  In 10 years, we will know much more about what her mutation could mean for her ongoing health and preventative treatments.   What we do know is that her mutation makes her more likely to develop breast cancer.  Actually, her chance of developing breast cancer is stronger than her chance of developing ovarian and kidney cancer.  Just a few moments ago, Stephanie was taken back for a preventative surgery to help reduce her risk of developing breast cancer.  Stephanie is having h
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New Years Eve Foster Placement

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On New Years Eve, Greg and I were with friends in Lexington, KY to ring in the new year.  We had settled in to watch a football game and were making plans for dinner.  My phone ran and I recognized the number as a state worker.  Greg and I ran into another room to take the call. Being in the evening and a holiday, the worker who was making the call was not at the office.  She did not have a computer to look up any information other than what the investigative worker told her, she didn't even know their names.  They had a baby boy and an 18 month girl old that needed an emergency placement.  The baby and birth mom tested positive for drugs, the baby was still in the hospital but the 18 month old needed a home tonight. Greg and I quickly said goodbye to our friends and headed back to Louisville.  We needed to hurry because they were hoping to place the 18 month old within the next couple of hours.  Luckily, we still had supplies left over from our first 2 year old placement.  We
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HUGE Changes for the Virgin's

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I quit my job on December 31 to grow a business with Stephanie.   Sixteen months ago Stephanie and 1 were moving forward in our lives trying to start a family, grow careers, and take the next step in live together.  Things did not go as planned and the last 16 months have been a roller coaster of surgeries, treatments, and recovery.  I like to believe the events over the last year would cause any rational person to question their lives and whether they are on the right path.   When I asked Stephanie to marry me I would never have imagined that so soon in our marriage I would be acting on the “…in sickness…” vow.  A serious illness like cancer in your wife forces you to think about precious time and how limited it could be.  It is precious time that has motivated me to do something drastic.  To do something that will allow me to savor every precious moment I have with Stephanie.  We have decided to grow a Real Estate business together! This was not an easy decision to make.
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Pathologies

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Just a housekeeping update.  We received the pathology results back from my partial nephrectomy (removing a piece of my kidney) and they were exactly what my doctors expected.  The spot on my kidney was a malignant tumor.  Specifically, it was Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma. CCRCC is one of the most common types of kindey cancer.   This is exactly what my urologist was expecting, so no surprises for us.  He was able to get all of the tumor with clear margins so I was officially diagnosed and officially declared cured simultaneously. He will still continue to follow up with me and my CT scans that I get every six months through my gynecologist oncologist, although I statistically have little to no risk of developing kidney cancer again.  (But let be real, slim odds have kinda been my thing recently.  I told someone that I didn't win the billion dollar powerball because the odds weren't slim enough on this one) I met with my geneticist and she decided to run a full cancer panel
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