[NFBMT] Christie Briggs: Trying This Again

Tue Jun 18 06:06:35 UTC 2019

thank you for posting this christi will be missed.

On 6/17/2019 1:01 PM, BRUCE&JOY via NFBMT wrote:
> 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.
>
>   
>
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