Jeff is more than half way through with his chemo radiation treatments!  Three more weeks to go.  Radiation is cathching up to him.  By Friday he is wiped out.  He gets his strength back on the weekend and then back for more on Monday.  But truly, it could be a lot worse.  Oh yea, he is loosing his hair on the sides of his head.  Natalie was so happy because she wants a bald Daddy!  We buzz his hair as close as possible, so he kinda looks like a military guy – not bad:)

We saw Dr. Chen today, his neuro-oncologist-surgeon.  I am very happy to report that Dr. Chen was familiar with 3 of the alternative treatments I have researched.  In fact he has seen research that supports that they are beneficial and work with the chemo to fight cancer.  Such great news!  And the other supplements are a go as well.

So what is the plan for Jeff?  After the 3 weeks of chemo/radiation, Jeff will be off everything for 1 month to give his body time to recover.  Jeff will then have an MRI to see if there are any signs of tumor regrowth.

Best case scenario is that the scan will show no regrowth.  Jeff will be on a maintenance dose of oral chemo again, either on a low dose daily, or a higher dose 5 days then off 23 days.  I think he is going to opt for the lower dose daily since that seems to be working for him now.  Why mess with it right? Down the road if another tumor shows up there are different treatments that can be done (switching up the chemo, more surgery, or clinical trials that Dr. Chen heads) . Good news.

 So basically today was a really good day.  Jeff and I felt uplifted as we were driving home.  We believe that God is putting so many pieces together in our favor.  He is leading our way.  He is our hope.  We praise him for these little victories.

Julie

We know you have probably been anxiously awaiting how you can help the Goodrichs.  Well, the info is finally here!  For all of the information below, the corresponding fliers are here.  Feel free to print/email/distribute them on to others.

 
First and foremost, save the date!  We will all be having a fish taco party on Monday, April 20th from 3-9pm at any of the three local Rubio’s locations. (MB, PV, and Torrance).  For every person that dines in, or takes-out food during this time, the Goodrichs will get 20% of the sales.  People need to bring in the flier, so please send it out to everyone you know!  People do not however need to even know the Goodrichs, so pass it on to your soccer team, kids’ classes,  business associates, etc.. Also, we are not allowed to pass out the flier outside of the restaurant locations that night.
 
Secondly, save the date… again!  On Sunday May 31st from 12-4pm we will be having a bowling fundraiser at Gable House Bowl in Torrance.   We will need helpers at the event, as we will need people at the sign in table, the silent auction table, people checking in on the bowlers, etc.   Email me if that is something that interests you.
 
In order to have a successful event, we need sponsors!  If your family, or business, or someone else you know would like to sponsor a bowling lane, get your reservation in! The sponsorship (for either $1,500 or  $2,500) would include a reserved lane, bowling shoes, drink tickets, and light appetizers.   The most important thing on this is for you to get the word out.   Do you know of families that may want to go in together on a lane?  How about a business that may want to reward employees, or spend time with their vendors?  If you don’t feel comfortable asking them, please give us any leads!!  Spectator tickets will be available as well for $25/each. 
 
We will also have a silent auction at the event (and online prior to the event).  We would like to raise the maximum funds possible for Jeff and Julie, but we need your help!  If you have an item you would like to donate (sports memorabilia,  a time-share, services for a business, restaurant gift certificates, sports or theatre tickets, etc…), please contact me asap.  We have an auction form that needs to be returned with each item so that we can get the tax letter and a thank you to the donor. If you feel led to ask any local businesses for help, we’d love it!  However please email me first so that I know which businesses you will approach – that way we don’t double up on them.  I have already started doing this, and am amazed at how generous the community is!
 
Finally, if you know of anyone who would like to simply send in a straight donation, I know the Goodrichs would appreciate it.  100% of the money goes straight to them.
 
Thank you so much for your support!  
 
Cas and Sheri Milewski
(310) 918-2883

I am sorry I haven’t written an update in a while.  I have been doing a ton of research for alternative remedies/treatments for Jeff that he can do in addition to chemo and radiation.  Frankly, I was feeling overwhelmed and inadequate to make that decision!.  You see, I know meds and pharmacology.  I give my patients prescription meds – I knew nothing about alternative treatments!  I am very thankful to a friend  (thank you Mike) who has succeeded in beating cancer very recently.  He put me on the right track and I have wrapped my head around the best additional treatment for Jeff (well for the most part anyway).  

Jeff has completed 2 1/2 weeks of chemo and radiation.  I am so proud of him, oh my goodness.  He is more tired, but other than that doing really well.  Thank you Lord.  As for me I am getting used to our new life.  In fact this week was the best week yet:)

It is touching to Jeff and I that so many of you are still following our journey through this website, thank you for your continued love and support.

Julie

The treatments are going well and I have had very few side effects from the chemo and radiation so far. I continue to be overwelmed by the amount of support we are receiving. The e-mails, calls, and visits from you all have been great and seeing some of you that I have not seen in years has been a blast. I have been getting rides to some of my radiation treatments which has been a blessing to Julie not to have to cart me up to USC five days a week. Thanks for all the prayers, God is listening and answering them daily. In His love, Jeff

I just wanted to let you know that Jeff did really well with both chemo last night and radiation today.  I know in the weeks to come, radiation will take its toll some, but for now we are celebrating this vctory!  Praise God.

Hallelujah!

Jeff starts chemo tonight and radiation tomorrow morning.  I never thought I’d say hallelujah to that, but we are thankful all the preparation is complete and we can start killing the cancer cells!

He will eat dinner at 6pm, take the anti-nausea med at 8pm, then the chemo at 9pm.  The chemo is taken at night in hopes that he can sleep through any nausea.

Jeff is in great spirits because all of his questions have been answered and he feels confident with the radiation oncology team.  I just so admire his strength through all of this.

As for the girls, Kayla is back in school finally after having the chicken pox (yes she had the vaccine too).  Jeff got to see Natalie’s first volleyball tournament on Saturday.  Natalie’s face lit up seeing her Daddy there!

Thank you for the well wishes that keep coming in!  I will let you know how Jeff is tolerating everything.

With love – Julie