[NFBMT] Christie Briggs: Trying This Again

[BRUCE&JOY]

In Memory Of


Christie O. Briggs, age 68, of Helena


April 18, 1951 - June 11, 2019


BRIGGS, Christie O., age 68, of Helena, passed away on Tuesday, June 11,
2019. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 28, 2019 at
St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral, 511 N Park Ave, Helena, MT 59601. Interment
will take place following the mass, at the church cemetery. Reception will
take place immediately following the interment in the lower level of the
church. 


Service Schedule


FUNERAL MASS: 2:00 p.m. Friday June 28, 2019, St. Peter's Episcopal
Cathedral, 511 N Park Ave, Helena, Montana 59601


 


INTERMENT Following Mass, Friday June 28, 2019, St. Peter's Episcopal
Cathedral, 511 N Park Ave, Helena, Montana 59601


 


RECEPTION Following the Interment, Friday June 28, 2019, St. Peter's
Episcopal Cathedral Fellowship Hall, 511 N Park Ave, Helena, Montana 59601


 

Below is information taken from a go-fund-me page for Christie.

 

          Christie Briggs, Helena, Montana, was diagnosed in 2015 with
Neuroendocrine tumor cancer (NET).  She received specialized chemotherapy and
radiation therapy at the time, and has attempted to manage the cancer with a
monthly infusion.  However, in the last 12 months the tumors have grown. 

 

 In January 2018, the FDA approved a new treatment for this type of cancer.
Christie underwent tests in February and was approved for this treatment.
However,  how much Medicare will cover delayed treatment for several months.
Only recently did Medicare, Christie's primary insurance, indicate they will
cover some (an undetermined amount) of the treatment. She received approval
from Seattle's Virginia Mason Medical Center's Nuclear Medicine Department
and was given one of only four open slots to begin the first treatment (out
of a total of four) in early August.  Each treatment must be eight weeks
apart. 

 

The cost is not only significant (the facility, staff and two IVs
administered each time cost over $60,000).  It's still unclear how much of
the bill will be the patient's responsibility. Christie was encouraged to
fundraise to help cover her share, which is on top of her existing financial
responsibilities encumbered since 2015, as well as numerous hotel and travel
expenses to and from Seattle.  As yet, Montana has no facility that offers
this treatment.

Christie dedicated more than 20 years directing and advocating for the
Montana Talking Book Library for the Blind (and partially sighted).  Her
beloved husband, Charlie, worked nearly 40 years in community services,
committing himself to protecting vulnerable children, disabled adults and
seniors.  Both retired in 2017 and live in Helena, Montana. Christie would
appreciate being able to spend more time with her soul mate Charlie, four
daughters, one son, four grandsons (soon to be five) five granddaughters, her
church family, and many friends, near and far.  She feels extremely fortunate
to be eligible for this new treatment.

 

The fundraiser was created July 18 and raised $17,701.00.

 

Update 1 Posted by Charlie Briggs 11 months ago

How exciting, my first treatment has been scheduled for August 8th at
Seattle's Virginia Mason Medical Center! We fly August 7th to Seattle in
advance of the treatment and return home the 12th. I have to return in six
weeks for the medical team to determine the results of the treatment, before
they can schedule further treatments. Also, we learned that Medicare has
agreed to pay a portion of these treatments, the exact amount has yet to be
determined. Thanks for all your kind and generous support. Stay tuned for
further developments!

  

Update 2 Posted by Charlie Briggs 10 months ago

Charlie and I are preparing to travel to Seattle's Virginia Mason Hospital
next week for my first treatment. The wait has given us precious time to
welcome our 10th grandchild, Dawson O. in Wyoming. It was a goal I treasure
to spend time with our daughter, Emily, and her family. This is a big part of
why I am so grateful to have this treatment. It brings hope for quality of
life as well as increased longevity to further enjoy and build new memories
with all of our adult children and their families. Again, I cannot thank you
all enough for your gifts to help defray some of the medical and related
costs.

 

Update 3 Posted by Charlie Briggs 10 months ago

Good news! I successfully had my first treatment this week at Seattle's
Virginia Mason Medical Center. I've been resting, as instructed, and plan to
return to Helena on Sunday with Charlie. All in all, I feel pretty well and
very, very blessed. This has been quite a remarkable adventure and I am so
grateful for this opportunity.

 

Thank you all for your kind and generous support, thoughts and prayers.

Christie

Update 4 Posted by Charlie Briggs 9 months ago

Dear Family and Friends,

It's been nearly three weeks since my first treatment. This recuperation
period has been fairly well managed with side affects being mainly fatigue,
which was predicted by my medical team, and other minor manageable annoyances
that are under control.

 

On September 4th, I'll be in Seattle again for tests in order to determine
how my body is tolerating the first infusion. If the results are positive,
Virginia Mason has scheduled my second infusion for September 27th.

 

We are grateful to Angel Flight West (AFW) and their incredibly generous
pilots from Washington and Montana who flew us, at their own expense, from
Helena to Seattle for my first infusion and home. They are in great need of
more pilots to help ease the burden of transportation costs for many cancer
patients. What a tremendous gift we received from pilots Michael, John and
Tony. Because of the shortage of needed pilots, these three take on a lot,
but they can't accommodate every patient's needs for transportation.
Therefore, patients are required to book back-up refundable commercial
flights. The AFW coordinating team have been incredible to work with. 

 

We have received so very many blessings that our hearts are full and
grateful. We have received visits from family and friends for which we are
deeply appreciative. 

 

For now and in all ways, we thank you for supporting both of us and our five
children and ten grandchildren through your love, prayers, support and
friendships.

 

Update 5 Posted by Charlie Briggs 9 months ago

Great news to share, we are celebrating! The September 4th follow-up tests
showed the first treatment in August is working and my body is handling it.
We are so grateful and humbled for the outpouring of prayers, good wishes,
friendship, love and support from all of you. You've helped us through the
first leg of four treatments. Thank you! 

We were so uplifted we took a harbor tour around Seattle's Elliott Bay. 

My 2nd treatment is confirmed for September 27th in Seattle.

 

Update 6 Posted by Charlie Briggs 8 months ago

September 26th was Charlie's 70th birthday, a remarkable milestone. We
celebrated in Seattle by enjoying unique ice cream flavors at the "Salt and
Straw", a local handmade ice cream shop. It was a beautiful sunny day we were
grateful to be able to enjoy together. 

 September 27th was my second treatment at Virginia Mason Medical Center. The
process went faster and seemed easier than the first, with the usual expected
side affects. This time we were able to come home the very next day and I
have been resting and recovering since. 

 We feel very hopeful and thankful for this treatment and the support of the
hospital staff, especially Dr. Kennecke, Gayle, PA, Diana, Nuclear Med.
Tech., and Randy, RN. We are deeply grateful to the Angel Flight West pilots
and team for providing transportation for us during the good summer/fall
weather, making travel easier. We'll be flying commercial through the winter.

The third treatment is scheduled November 30th. We'll have an update on my
progress in December, after a post-third treatment evaluation is completed.

Your individual and collective support is invaluable to us throughout these
treatments. Your prayers and encouragement continue to lift our spirits and
keep us moving forward with grateful hearts.

Thank You, 

 Christie and Charlie

 

Update 7 Posted by Charlie Briggs 6 months ago

Dear Friends,

 

The end of November, I returned to Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle to
receive my third treatment with Lutathera. I thought it's time to provide
more information about this treatment. 

 

January 29, 2018, the FDA approved Lutathera to treat adult patients with an
advanced cancer called Neuro-endrocrine tumors (called NET) that have spread
(metastasized) to other organs. NET is also called "carcinoid tumors". The
main NET I have originated in the tail of the pancreas and spread to the
liver. Last winter, I had a "NETSPOT" (Gallium-68 Dotatate) to determine my
eligibility for Lutathera treatment. The NETSPOT is a special type of
radioisotope PETSCAN. 

 

Lutathera, or "Lutetium Lu 177 Dotatate" is the first combination radioactive
drug approved to treat this type of rare cancer. Lutathera slows the rate of
tumor growth, eliminates new cancer cells and, in some cases, destroys the
main tumors. It can also help manage symptoms caused by the tumors.

Being a radioactive targeted therapy means that Lutathera has 2 main parts: a
radioactive part and a drug tumor-targeted part.

. The drug tumor-targeted part helps the medication fight just the tumor
cells, not the normal cells. This helps keep the medication from damaging
healthy parts of the body.

. The radioactive part uses radiation (waves of energy) to damage existing
tumor cells and kill new tumor cells.

 

Lutathera is administered by an approved nuclear medicine facility, such as
Seattle's Virginia Mason, and must have a license and training to administer
this treatment. It is an intravenous (IV) infusion, where medication is put
into the bloodstream through a vein over a period of time under strict
medical monitoring. Also administered at the same time is an Amino Acid IV
infusion to protect the kidneys. The process takes 5-6 hours. 

 

Lutathera treatment is given as 4 separate infusions, about 8 weeks apart,
depending on a patient's blood work results. The entire process takes about 6
months. Now that I have completed the third infusion, and before starting the
fourth and final infusion the end of January, 2019, I will have a second
NETSPOT to determine the effectiveness of the first three infusions. After
the end of the fourth infusion, I will return to Virginia Mason every few
months for follow-up. 

 

This winter we've flown commercially due to inclement weather. You, our
friends and supporters, have made this treatment and all that accompanies it
possible. We are deeply grateful to each of you for your love, encouragement,
thoughts and prayers. Thank you seems so small for having one more Christmas
to share with family and friends. Nevertheless, THANK YOU.

 

Update 8 Posted by Charlie Briggs 4 months ago

I want to give you an update as to my progress with the specialized treatment
of my cancer tumors. Charlie and I were at Virginia Mason Medical Center,
Seattle, the first week of January for a specialized PET scan (called a
"NETSpot"), which is administered with a radioisotope IV. Required for
everyone receiving the Lutathera treatment for neuro-endrocrine tumors (NET),
the purpose of the scan was to assess how effective has been the three
treatments received so far in slowing or delaying the progress of the cancer.
I was greatly relieved to learn that the treatments have worked to
significantly slow new cancer cell growth - as well as shrink the size - of
several existing tumors, which have been almost completely localized to the
pancreas and liver. I feel like I've been holding my breath and can finally
breathe. 

 

We return the end of January where I will receive my fourth and final
treatment. As you may recall, the FDA only approved this one round of four
treatments for NET in January 2018, and I wasn't authorized to begin
receiving treatments (each 8 weeks apart) until late summer. At that time, I
worried I had waited too long for this new treatment to have any benefit. We
are amazed how this has all unfolded. I'm profoundly grateful and blessed to
know the timing worked for me. 

 

I will provide another update following the final treatment, with any new
information we receive, after we return to Helena. 

 

We feel each of you walking this path beside us and will forever extend our
gratitude for your love and support. 

Christie

 

Update 9 Posted by Charlie Briggs 3 months ago

Please accept my apology for not updating you all sooner. As our Montana
friends and family are aware, it has been a very cold February and beginning
of March. Many of us have been plagued by just trying to keep warm, battling
the snow, keeping our autos running, and pipes from freezing. We count our
blessings for neighbors, friends, family, tow trucks and plumbers.

 

In the first week of January, Charlie and I were at Virginia Mason Medical
Center, Seattle, where I had a specialized PET scan (called a "NETSpot"),
which is administered with a radioisotope IV. The purpose of the scan was to
assess how effective the three treatments received so far have been in
slowing or delaying the progress of the cancer. It is required for everyone
after receiving the third Lutathera treatment for neuro-endrocrine tumors
(NET). We were greatly relieved to learn that the treatments have worked to
significantly slow new cancer cell growth - as well as shrink the size - of
primary existing tumors in the tail of the pancreas and the liver. 

 

We returned to Virginia Mason the end of January where I received the fourth,
and final, treatment. Recuperation from this last treatment has been slow but
moderately well. The side affects lasted about a month before dissipating and
my mind cleared.

 

What does the future hold? As mentioned previously, the FDA only approved
this one round of four treatments (each 8 weeks apart). There is
consideration about seeking FDA approval of a second round of four
treatments. However, we are told that could take years to gather enough data
from existing patients going through, and completing, the current treatment
round.

 

Looking back to January, 2018, a CT scan of the primary tumors showed them to
be growing again. Through a lengthy process, I was finally authorized to
begin treatments in July, 2018, nearly seven months later. I wondered if too
much time had passed for this new treatment to have any benefit. On the other
hand, it was the only other treatment available for this type of
neuro-endrocrine cancer. We are amazed how this has all unfolded. I'm
profoundly grateful and blessed to know the timing worked for me. 

 

The next step is to return to Virginia Mason in May for further tests and a
checkup on my progress. Charlie and I have found how important humor is in
keeping our perspective balanced. We know each day is a precious gift and we
are blessed by the journey. We know life does go on.

 

We feel each of you walking this path beside us and forever extend our
gratitude for your love and support. 

Christie

 

Update 10 Posted by Charlie Briggs 16 days ago

This is an update on my progress since the final treatment of Lutathera at
Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, late-January.

 

One of the likely affects of the course of radioisotope infusions is a lower
blood count for an indefinite period after each treatment, which was one of
the reasons they wanted me to return to the Virginia Mason Hematoma-Oncology
Department after a few months to receive blood tests and a CT scan. That was
completed mid-May.

 

The CT scan and blood work-up confirmed several things. First, numerous small
tumors in the liver, were growing. The primary tumors in both the pancreas
tail and liver have shrunk significantly from the treatments. Second, there
was also evidence of swelling in two lymph nodes that were not cancerous, but
could be evidence of infection.

 

My health was doing very well through mid-April. However, likely as a result
of my lower blood count, is that late in April I got the first of a couple
viral flu conditions, which left me weak and with low appetite. I realized I
was becoming dehydrated, and in early May remembered Dr. Thomas, my
Bozeman-based oncologist, said at some point with low blood counts I might
need a blood transfusion. I received my first ever, May 5th. Despite that,
within a few days I was quite weak again. Fortunately, my return to Virginia
Mason was scheduled the following week, with the results indicated above. 

 

When we returned to Helena, I had fever and soon began a treatment of
Tamaflu, which has made a considerable difference in how I feel, in my
energy, appetite, among other key points. The Seattle and Bozeman oncologists
concur my blood count has to improve substantially before they can consider
other treatment options. On May 22nd, I had another blood test, and will have
blood tests in Helena every two weeks thereafter until the blood count
improves sufficiently. I will also return to Virginia Mason for another CT
scan and blood count, mid-July.

 

I'll keep you all posted with further developments in my journey living with
neuro-endocrine cancer. 

 

Thanks for all the good wishes, prayers and personal support of both Charlie
and me. 

Christie

Update 11 Posted by Charlie Briggs 5 days ago

This is another update regarding Christie Briggs. Most of you probably saw
the update Christie sent out late-May from our post-treatments trip to
Virginia Mason, Seattle. Christie described some of her medical challenges
that surfaced since late-April, and that she was generally beginning to do
better.

 

Unfortunately, it turned out some internal organs were beginning to be
compromised by new cancer tumors (many micro-cellular), especially in the
liver. Christie's health continued to decline the end of May into June. She
had an increasing problem metabolizing food and became dehydrated.

 

She was admitted to St. Peter's Hospital last Tuesday, the 4th. After various
tests and scans, it became apparent by this past weekend there was little St.
Peter's - or Virginia Mason - could do for her. She agreed to enter hospice
Sunday night, and plans were made yesterday to move her home today. I must
tell you that Christie passed peacefully from this life early this morning. I
was with her to the end.

 

I know she would join me in thanking you for all your kind support, love,
prayers and affection throughout her journey with cancer. She fought a
valiant fight with hope and faith, ready to try a number of new and
innovative treatments that were nonetheless approved as scientifically valid.
For reasons we don't know, hers were ultimately not successful. She did,
however, live four years past diagnosis, with a high quality of life for most
of that time, which is a cause for much thankfulness. 

 

Christie will be missed not only by her immediate family, including her
children and 10 grandchildren, but also by so many varied people in a wide
array of community and professional settings. She has inspired and challenged
us all in so many ways and her legacy will live on. For instance, one way she
will continue to help others is that she was a registered organ donor. Today,
I authorizes a medical institution to donate her corneas for possible
transplant to someone, and possibly for additional medical research.

 

Thanks again for all your kindness, caring and support. All shall be well,
and all shall be well.

 

"All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be
well." (Lady Julian of Norwiche)

Charlie Briggs

Update 12 Posted by Charlie Briggs 3 days ago

I am getting questions about Christie's funeral. A Funeral Mass will be
celebrated 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 28, 2019 at St. Peter's Episcopal
Cathedral, 511 N Park Ave, Helena, MT 59601. 

 

Internment will take place following the mass, at the church cemetery within
the church complex. Reception will take place immediately following the
internment in the lower level of the church.

 

People are also welcome to visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer condolences
or share a memory of Christie. Once again, thanks for all your love and
support. 

 

Charlie Briggs

Joy Breslauer, First Vice President

National Federation of the Blind of Montana 

Web Site: http://www.nfbofmt.org

 

Live the life you want

 

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work
together to help blind people live the lives they want.