Extremely Thankful!

Happy Friday everyone! 

I just want to start by thanking EVERYONE who has helped us out in the last few weeks. Ryan, my family and I are absolutely speechless with all the support we have been getting! It's hard to put words on how thankful we are, it's been absolutely unbelievable. So thank you to all of our amazing friends, family, and everyone else. We really wouldn't be able to do this without you. The financial support we have received on Go Fund Me, my Icelandic account and on Spleis (Norway) has been incredible and we are so so thankful! This is allowing us to go into upcoming challenges with less financial worries, which takes so much weight off our shoulders! In addition, we have had so many people share our story and that alone has been super helpful. So thank you so so much! All help has been so much appreciated. 

Now the update! 

Today it's been a weeks since the horrible news and things have been insane since! The fact that we (Ryan, my parents and I) have had to do all of the work ourselves to find the right care for me has been so stressful and time consuming. We have been on the phone all day every day to figure things out. During the day time in Iceland, we were able to call around in Iceland and Norway and then when the afternoon hit in Iceland, things opened up in the US and we would spend the rest of the night until midnight calling around there. It's been extremely exhausting, but of course very worth it! Because now we actually have a PLAN! 

Ryan and I are moving to NORWAY! Where I will do further treatment. 

Who would have thought?! Not me...

Long story short. We found specialists in Angiosarcoma (what we have been looking for the whole time) in Oslo, Norway that are super amazing, helpful and extremely quick. We were able to talk to one of the specialists on the phone twice for almost an hour, where we asked all kinds of questions and it just felt super comforting and it felt right in our hearts. In addition to the fact of being closer to my family! Which is so important to both Ryan and I. 

What about the US? 

The US is where we thought we would be going and honestly that was the plan until on Wednesday (the day before we had to fly there). However, during Monday - Wednesday this week, we were in contact with both Norway and many different clinics in the US and while we were "flying" forward with my case in Noway, we were pretty much getting nowhere in the US. The furthest we would get with clinics and hospitals in the US was secretary ladies that were only able to send a message to the doctors and then we had to wait on their response. On Wednesday (after a week from we first contacted the clinics in the US), we had not heard from any of the clinics if they thought they could help me. I know a week doesn't sound like a lot of time, but in my case it really is. Especially after my doctor had told us that every day counts and that preferably, I should start treatment "yesterday". We did therefore not have the time to wait around for possibly getting to see doctors in a month or two. On Tuesday night, we were down to deciding between Mayo in Minnesota and Norway (both very great places with specialty in my type of cancer). However, on Wednesday, Mayo called us and informed us that they would not want to start anything until 4 weeks after surgery (it's been 2 weeks now). They said that 4 weeks post surgery, they would start with imaging and THEN I could make an appointment with a doctor (who knows how long that would take). So yeah... like I said earlier, we do not have that kind of time at all! So that was very disappointing news. On the other hand though, it made the decision for us very easy! We were going to Norway!! 

A very quick U turn was made in the middle of the day on Wednesday! Things were turned upside down, but in an exciting way. I had "finally" found specialists for my cancer that took us seriously and worked quickly to help me as fast as possible. That's really what we wanted the whole time! aaaaand it's definitely a bonus that it's close to my family, which makes a lot of things so much easier. Within an hour, my plane ticket was changed from Iceland-Portland to Iceland-Norway for the next morning (Thursday). Thankfully my dad was flying to Norway that same day so he was able to help me on the travel (I am still not allowed to lift anything due to my surgery). Ryan kept his flight to the US and while I am writing this blog at my parents house in Norway, Ryan is in Portland figuring everything out for us there. He is packing up our house, trying to sell our van, figuring things for our dogs and so much more. The dogs will be moving with us to Norway as well (of course), but there is a lot to figure out to be able to move them here. It's in progress though and they should be able to come here later this month! I can't wait!! I could literally cry of excitement to see them!! 

Ryan is flying back from the US and arriving here on Monday. The dogs will stay in Portland until February 25th ish, where Ryan either has to fly back to get them or we will be able to "ship" them with Icelandair, but we are still looking into all rules and regulations for that. Things have moved sooo fast lately, with so many different decisions and I literally feel like I have a hard time knowing what has happened. But I am in Norway now and I have a plan for my health! and that's the biggest thing. The rest we will figure out in the coming days and weeks :) 

What is the upcoming plan?

I am now staying at my parents house while the doctors in Oslo are looking at imaging from Iceland (PET CT scan, CT scan and more), slides of samples from my spleen, and they have also requested a piece of my spleen that is being sent to them right now. During the beginning of next week, they will be looking at all this and making a plan for me and my treatment. And then next Thursday, Ryan and I will have a meeting with the team of doctors at the clinic about what they have decided and what the next steps are for me. 6 days from now! It really feels like a long time, but it's still so much better than what I was offered anywhere else. They are also doing a very detailed work on their own, which is amazing! Then they can find the right treatment for my personal needs. To find the right type of treatment is extremely important to increase the chance of my body reacting to it, which then will increase the chance of me being cured from this horrible cancer. In addition, these 6 days, give me few more days to build up strength and endurance for the upcoming challenges. 

Outside of medical stuff, Ryan and I are looking for a place to live and figuring out things around that. 

That's the update for now, it's been a rollercoaster and a very stressful time, but things are slowing down a little bit already. I have been very tired the last few days with everything going on, but I will have some time now to rest up, eat a lot and walk. The recovery from surgery is going well and I am still improving every day. Today I went on two walks and walked total of 4km (whoop whoop). 

I hope you all have an amazing weekend and again! Thank you so so much for all the support, messages and prayers. We wouldn't be here without any of you! 

Love, 

Maria

Dad! Crushing it at the airport with both of our carry on!

Trying to eat as much as I can so I had a little Icelandic snack before boarding the plane! 

Dad and I on the plane to Norway! The flight attendants for Icelandair were absolutely amazing and gave us Saga class seats so I could be more comfortable on the travel!! So sweet!

I was Indeed very comfortable! Slept like a rock the whole flight after many exhausting days 

Norway treated me like a queen today! What a beautiful day for a long walk with dad and our family dog (Roxy). So much fun and I just absolutely love being outside.