Dear Friends and Family,

 

Thank you for all of the cards, notes, gifts, webpostings, and meals.  We feel very blessed by your generous outpouring of love and kindness. 

 

Quincy returned home on July 18 from UCSF after her intestinal bypass surgery.  It was probably a day or two earlier than we should have and Quincy was pretty sore, but we felt home was the best place to be.  The procedure was a success and Quincy is able to drink and eat again without getting sick and that is good news.

 

Over the past week Quincy's abdominal tumor has progressed and is now causing her a lot of pain and discomfort.  We are trying to find the right combination of medication to keep her comfortable.  She doesn't have much energy and her days now consist of lying on the couch and watching cartoons and movies and petting her kitties.

 

A few weeks ago we did have conversations with Brody and Keenan about Quincy's terminal condition.  Over the course of her treatment these past three years they have seen Quincy being very sick and then recovering and feeling better a couple of times.  It was difficult explaining and probably harder for them to accept that Quincy wasn't going to get better this time.  Both of them took this very hard.  They have been very kind and sweet to Quincy but we can tell they are clearly uncomfortable seeing their little sister having her serious bouts of pain.  We have been trying to keep the boys busy with their baseball, soccer and summer activities and really appreciate everyone's help in trying to keep their lives as normal as possible.  Nanny and Pop-Pop are staying here for the time being and we are grateful for their help.

 

Everyday seems to be more precious than the previous and even with her pain increasing, we usually find something that will make Quincy smile and laugh.  This is probably the best medicine of all.

 

Thank you for keeping our little one and family in your thoughts and prayers.

 

Love,
Roger and Lisa

Dear Friends and Family,

 

Early yesterday morning Quincy had surgery here at UCSF Hospital.  For the past week, Quincy has been vomiting every few hours, unable to keep down any food or liquids.  Her expanding abdominal tumor has caused a complete blockage of her upper intestinal track.  This has resulted in all food, liquids, stomach and liver acids having no place to go but back up.  She had a very tough week.

 

Our doctors recommended surgery to bypass the blockage.  The procedure, a laproscopic gastro-jejunostomy, was performed yesterday.  The surgeon was pleased with the way the operation went, as it was uncertain he would be able to do this due to her advanced disease.

 

We went forward with this palliative surgery to improve Quincy's quality-of-life.  We are hoping her body will begin healing and functioning better in a few days, so we may see many more smiles on her face at home.

 

Love,

Roger and Lisa

Dear Friends and Family,

 

In November 2001, Quincy was diagnosed with stage 4 Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and extremely aggressive childhood cancer.  After nearly three years of treatment she has been through multiple chemotherapy regimens, surgeries, radiation treatments, 130+ days in the hospital, biopsies, transfusions, ER visits, outpatient infusions, experimental treatments, boundless numbers of scans, countless medicines, and continuous doctor consultations in attempting to beat this disease.  Through all this treatment our little one has shown an incredibly positive spirit and never a complaint.  Today, we left UCSF Hospital for the very last time.  Quincy's cancer is out-of-control and her health is in a downward spiral.  There will be no more treatment for Quincy.

 

We took Quincy into the hospital two days ago due to uncontrolled vomiting.  This started on Wednesday night.  Quincy's doctors feel the cause for her vomiting is from the abdominal tumor at her pancreas that is expanding and pressing against her stomach and additionally causing some blockage.  A CT Scan on Friday showed that this tumor has tripled in size from one month ago and also showed there is significant tumor activity in her liver.  In addition to the growth of the sizable lump above her left knee, we can feel several more tumors on both legs.  As far as the metastasis to her brain, neurological exams show the radiation treatment to that area has been effective to date. 

 

Home health and hospice care has been arranged and will start on Monday.  Our goal is to make Quincy as comfortable as possible in these final days.  We are hoping we can have a few weeks of special family time with our little girl.

 

Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers.

 

Love,

Roger and Lisa