The Anderson Family
Our Story
We are the Anderson family. Curt (husband), Amy (wife) and our two kids, Addie (16) and Asher (7), and our two dogs (Vizslas!) who are 14.5 and 13 and full members of our family! In February 2022, Amy was diagnosed with Stage 3 Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (Invasive ductal carcinoma—a highly aggressive, invasive breast cancer) that had spread to the axillary lymph. Care plan was identified as 1) treatment/chemotherapy; then 2) surgery; then 3) radiation. We wanted to “get at this” aggressive disease with everything we could. Amy already lived a healthy lifestyle and supported her body naturally, so we felt strongly compelled to follow an integrative plan (combining functional medicine with standard oncology) to support Amy’s body through treatment and manage pre-existing sensitivities and autoimmune disease. In June 2022, Amy completed 11 Paclitaxel+Carboplatin chemotherapy infusions, and though suffered significant peripheral neuropathy, Amy had an "incredible response."
However, an ultrasound biopsy in July 2022 showed one remaining treatment-resistant tumor to be HER2+ disease. This presented a challenge, and perplexed every colleague our oncologist consulted. At that time, we also learned that our oncologist was moving out of state and would be unable to continue our care. He recommended an oncologist from his network, and also sent referrals to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and the University of Minnesota Cancer Center for second opinions. During the next several weeks, we met with oncologists, surgeons, functional and medical doctors, seeking their advice on this new twist, while also searching for a good fit for a new oncologist that would support Amy's desire to continue integrating functional and standard care (especially since her body responded so well thus far to this approach). For every practitioner we met with, we had a different recommendation … the opinions varied wildly, and it felt a bit like starting over with a whole new cancer diagnosis. It took time to get second opinions and find a new team. During this time, we kept up the fight: Amy completed various functional therapies, including a series of antigen injections with RGCC (Research Genetics Cancer Center) aimed at revitalizing Amy's flatlined immune system and preparing for targeted HER2 treatments. In January 2023, after new baseline imaging, we established a new plan of (integrated) care with our new team.
Amy completed four HER2+ standard targeted therapy infusions of Herceptin + Perjeta in early spring 2023 for the remaining HER2+ disease with “little to no” treatment response, and an increase in tumor size. A recheck biopsy showed additional HER2 neu expression, and targeted chemotherapy (Enhertu) was ordered with hopes of better treatment response.
Amy’s strong desire is to continue to incorporate integrative therapies so long as resources are available, in order to maximize the effectiveness of treatment and help her body fight this disease well, while managing side effects. (All held loosely, based on risk of developing resistance, recurrence of the original Triple-Negative disease and risk of advancing neuropathy.)
In December 2023, it was concluded after several reviews by our care team that the targeted HER2 neu therapy was not working. Early Jan 2024, amy completed a functional treatment through RGCC called SOT (Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy). In Jan 2024 a repeat PET revealed mixed results, with some decrease in primary tumor and axilla, while some increase in axilla and one new node in the AP Window/Mediastinal area. This new node moved Amy from Stage 3 to a clinical Stage 4 disease.
We continue to persevere, with hope. What began as a "five-month" journey has continued for more than two years of active treatment, taking one step at a time. We are grateful for the medical teams who have come alongside us to help us navigate our unique situation. We have weighed numerous mixed professional opinions, and we have relied heavily on our team, and ultimately our faith to help us know what is best for “us” and best for treating Amy individually and wholly as we walk this out one step at a time.
As this journey has been much longer than we ever anticipated, we have finally found ourselves in a place of financial need. After a harder season of Curt’s business still impacted by the pandemic, and a critical job loss, we have found we can no longer keep up with our bills and some of our most critical care (Mayo Clinic, RGCC and all Functional therapies) have been out-of-network and out-of-pocket. Over the past year of this journey, we have exhausted our resources, including our entire savings, to carry us through to this point. We are grateful for the treatments we have been able to do so far, but very much appreciate any assistance to continue to receive the care that has been the most effective, and the best chance for Amy’s complete healing. We are so very grateful and absolutely could not walk this road without your help. Thank you for your support!
Family Updates
CT showed mixed results again. Progress in the lymph, but progression in liver, a little bit in lungs, and advancing lesions in the upper left clavicle and first rib (the likely culprit to my nerve issues and severe left arm pain). Perhaps mist concerning, however, is the CT indicates new, multiple areas of metastasis to the bone (increase in thoracic spine involvement as well as sternum, pelvis, upper humorous and both femurs).
We had a radiation consult last week (just in case our oncologist wanted to pivot to radiation, we wanted to be able to hit the ground running faster if we got some of the up-front stuff underway). During that appointment, the radiation oncologist explained some of the CT findings. He seemed to ficus on the noted areas of treatment response, and, minimized some of the new areas (like the humorous), saying some of those places are actually quite small. This was hopeful! Our oncologist, however, was more concerned with the bone metastasis and new areas in the liver.
Since this all happened during Margenza & Gemcitabine, we stopped those treatments!
Last week I had #1 of Taxol (I had this in 2022). We will give it a try watch closely, and go from there.
I am continuing to go to Mankato twice each week for B17 infusions. I am still persisting with repurposed medication protocols, FCT/terrain and metabolic treatments, oxygen, advanced bodywork, and chiropractic to help my nerves. Something that we have been doing is working, according to the CT. So we are keeping the course on everything we can; just switching the chemo.
We truly believe we have been led to continue fighting this integratively—but with everything functional being out-of-pocket, we are tapped. We are dependent on help for every functional treatment I receive. It is tough to keep asking. But I want to fight with all that I have, for my two kiddos and my husband (who is my best friend)! We thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and any help you can provide for our medical bills right now!
Thank you for helping us bounce!
These last few months have marked the toughest season by far in this long, wearisome journey. I have maintained both oncology treatments (HER2 targeted Mergenza + Gemcitabine) as well as functional integrated treatments (FCT, Curcumin IVs, B17 IVs and repurposed medications). I am also still doing home treatments, plus HBOT oxygen and Chiropractic care as I am able). I am also using a topical cream that is cytotoxic and often used in skin cancer. Since the cancer was so near the surface of the skin when it invaded the lymph vessels around the breast, my doctor thought it was worth a try. I do seem to get a good treatment response when I use it.
I do still have an open wound that I am managing daily. The wound is showing healing progress, which is great! But the surrounding tissues are breaking down which is painful and requires additional daily wound care. We are hitting this as hard as we can. My body is tired; my axillary lymph is swollen and creating nerve pressure that is affecting my ability to control and use my left arm. (Even typing now, it is difficult--actually quite impossible--to control my left fingers.) My left vocal chord is also paralyzed so I do not have much of a voice, and I need to take it slow when drinking liquids.
The (loss of) mobility of my arm has made things more difficult for me--even mentally, because movement is such an important part of healing through body functionality. I deliberately stretch (and pray!) through the pain to try to free up bound tissues in my arm and chest. Each day, I gain some mobility (though I have not yet been able to raise my arm over my head); and each new day, I am tight and start all over again.
The daily pain has been unbearable. I have started a low-dose pain medication. My functional doctor recommends I take the lowest possible pain support in order to protect my liver and immune system. My iron is low again, along with my hemoglobin so I am easily winded and my walks are much shorter when I can do them! I am managing, but it is incredibly difficult. I am being refined by a very hot fire. I do not want to complain--I have this road marked out before me and all I can do is walk it one step at a time. And wow--it is incredibly difficult! But my God (and my desire to fight) is greater. So I press on!
Our 9yo son prayed the other night, asking God to heal me. I know God can--he can do anything! And I am surrendered to his ultimate will for my life. But I, too, am asking God to heal me, and I will do everything I can to fight as hard as I can for the sake of my kids and my husband.
I just had my 3mo CT check. I will post an update when we know more. In the meantime, please PRAY!
Lastly: We have been officially out of medical funds for the last several weeks, and rely heavily on these funds in order to continue my functional treatments. We believe these treatments are vital to my care and we hope to be able to continue without delay.
We SO SO SO much appreciate your support--everything helps!!
To hear more about our journey and all that God is doing in our lives, please click to visit our Caring Bridge site. THANK YOU for your help and especially for your PRAYERS!
Well, since my last update, I have been in bed with influenza a. Turns out my detox flu was the actual flu! So they sent me home without chemo last week. Our little guy had it too, so we were locked away upstairs all week. Which under different circumstances couldve been fun. But we were so tired and mostly slept off big fevers. But we did get that time together, and still am grateful! It was difficult but I maintained my weekly functional IVs. My labs showed very low iron so I also got an iron IV this week with hopes of boosting before retrying chemo.
We have been eager to resume chemo since they stopped me mid-December.
Quick recap from last week’s update:
Dec CT showed advancing disease—now affecting liver & area in T6 vertebrae. The rash was confirmed by exam to be cancer ripping through the tissues surrounding primary tumor. I have a 4in open wound that I manage daily, that is surrounded by painful, thick, bubbly skin on the verge of erupting. It is a lot. Bandwidth. Pain tolerance. Even purchasing dressings ($5 ea!!) that are not covered by insurance. It is a lot lately!! But God. We are trusting him!
I have continued doing everything we can functionally, to work with oncology in an integrated way. I will not stop fighting, no matter how hard it gets. For my kids. My husband. For the work I have on this earth to do. I will fight!
On that note, I am also happy to say we were able to get oncology treatment restarted this week! HER2 targeted + chemotherapy. So far so good.
I will maintain the IVs for iron and curcumin (fights cancer!!) in an effort to throw everything we can at this rapid cancer, and support my body through the fight!
Every little bit of support helps us bounce!! Thank you for sticking with us!!
-amy