Team Todd

10/16/2025

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06/15/2025

06/15/2025

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02/23/2025

Quick Summary of Todd’s journey.

So, Todd had stomach issues since I knew him. He was on Zantac for years for it. He was prescribed pain medication, but it wasn’t until May of 2017, that he started doubling over in pain. I need to say that he had black stools too but never told me or anyone until the pain started. I immediately knew something was not right. He went to see his primary care provider and she ordered a slew of testing. Everything came back abnormal it seemed. He needed a blood transfusion. He was sent to a local oncologist because he needed iron infusions. He was only 37. He was sent to a Gastrologist. The scheduled a colonoscopy for July 5th, 2017. I knew it was to far away. I was able to get a CT scan order in the mean time. It showed the cancer. The Oncologist and GI doctor kept saying it is probably chrons disease. I knew they were wrong and just would not listen to us.

July 5th came and the could not get the camera through there was a blockage. It was a huge tumor. GI sent us to a general surgeon. The first one we called could not get us in for even an appointment for 2 weeks. We had God on our side at that moment. I contacted another surgeon who had a cancelation for the following day. After seeing him we met with the surgery scheduler and we again were looking at weeks before he could get in for surgery. I was not having that because I knew something was seriously wrong it was a gut feeling. Well God had another miracle for us. Someone had canceled surgery and we were in the next day. That is the day I learned the only thing wrong with him was full on colon cancer and it was a softball in there. The doctor removed it. Next step back to the oncologist. He needed chemo. It took forever to get that started it felt like. It was not until August or September before he got his first treatment. He had bad side effects and complained to the doctor. The doctor reduced his treatment eventually taking him off one of the chemo drugs. When chemo was over we were told he was good. He was not good the cancer was still in him growing. They ignored his complaints of pain and everything. Finally he became jaundice. I called them they sent us to a prompt care. He was immediately sent for rushed blood work. We got a call from that prompt care doctor within an hour or 2 telling us to get to a bigger hospital and to go now. This was a long hospital stay with several tests. His cancer was pushing on his bile duct. I was so mad at this point I was loud with the oncologists coming in asking how did you miss this he sees you guys every 1-2 weeks. The answer I go was it doesn’t usually transfer there. So the doctors talked the tumor board met and it was decided there was nothing they could do and he needed to get his affairs in order. BU****IT, I was not losing him yet. Our entire family got on the internet and started researching doctors and procedures and what could be done. My youngest daughter found a video of a doctor in Evanston IL and sent it to me. I watched and somehow felt like our search was over. I called Kellogg Cancer Center and we had an appointment that same week. Dr. Hogg said lets do the Whipple. Three months more of chemo to try and shrink anything then surgery. The surgery was supposed to last 6 hours it took 12. She did not give up on him. He was cancer free for 3 months. Then it came back, our doctors near home just did not have any care, they were not in a hurry to get things done. So we transferred all care to Kellogg. That was hard. All the trips and hotels away from our family. Kellogg knew so much more than Peoria. They started him back on Chemo but it was not working. So they started him on Keytruda and my husband lasted another 4 years. Towards the end of his treatment he was really tired and worn out a lot. He wanted to have energy to spend time with his family and do things. He was prescribed steroids to assist with this. We were told that the steroids could interfere with the treatment and unfortunately, I believe that is probably what happened. His cancer had spread to his abdomen and he was having to have his stomach drained several times a day from all the extra fluid his body was making because it was trying to protect. We knew that he would not be cured but the Keytruda was acting as a treatment to keep the cancer at a stand still and it did for a long time. It is similar to a diabetic they will never be cured from diabetes, but they can take treatment to control their blood sugar.

So I seen the question asked how come some people get surgery and some don’t. I don’t know the true medical reason for this. I can however tell you what I have learned from all that we went through. 1. Get a second opinion from the beginning even if you think your doctor knows what he/she is talking about get one anyway. This is my number one regret. 2nd find a doctor that cares about you as a person cares about YOU and wants to see you survive. Kellogg cared about my husband and I could tell that from the beginning. They cried when it was time to put him on hospice they reached out to me after he passed. They cared and that is what kept my husband alive for so long with stage 4 colon cancer. 3rd, DON’T EVER GIVE UP- Research, fight that cancer. My husband was a cancer warrior, he was still fighting the morning he passed. You must advocate for yourself or for your loved one suffering from cancer! Try and stay positive, research shows the more positive you are the better outcome you will have.
He passed away on October 24, 2023. I still feel like I will never get over missing him but that is a story for another time.

02/22/2025

Hereditary Cancer Genetic Test Results
This report is intended to facilitate a discussion between providers and their patients.
INFORMATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH A PATHOGENIC OR
LIKELY PATHOGENIC VARIANT IN THE POLD1 GENE
What this result means
Individuals who have a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant (sometimes called a mutation) in the POLD1
gene have a diagnosis of polymerase proofreading-associated polyposis (PPAP). Individuals with PPAP have
a higher-than-average chance to develop colorectal polyps, colorectal cancer (with or without polyposis),
and possibly endometrial cancer. The chance to develop these cancers is increased, but not everyone with a
pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant will develop cancer.
Cancer risk
Information about cancer risks related to pathogenic variants in POLD1 is still emerging and is likely to
change over time. Patients should be encouraged to check in with their doctor or genetic counselor on a
yearly basis so that any new information about this gene, such as associated risks and cancer screening
recommendations, can be shared.
Options for managing cancer risk
There are options for cancer prevention and early detection. The following are general guidelines for
individuals who have a POLD1 pathogenic variant. These guidelines are evolving and are not specific to
any one individual. Each individual’s gender, age, medical history, family history, quality of life goals,
reproductive desires, general health status, and other medical information should be taken into account
when developing a medical management plan.
Considerations for cancer
prevention/early detection
Colorectal Cancer
Colonoscopy
Surgical evaluation
Age to begin
25-30 years
Individualized based on polyp-burden
and clinical presentation
Frequency
Every 2-3 years or
every 1-2 years if polyps
are found
—
Source: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. Genetic/Familial High-Risk
Assessment: Colorectal. V1.2020. www.NCCN.org
What this result means for family members
Family members may have the same POLD1 variant that was identified in this individual. Parents, brothers,
sisters, and children may each have a 50% chance of having the same variant. Other blood relatives also
have an increased risk for the variant. It is important to share these test results with family members to
allow each of them to decide if they want to be tested. Some family members may only need testing for
this one POLD1 variant, while other relatives may need a more comprehensive test with multiple genes. A
genetic counselor or other healthcare provider can help determine the most appropriate testing options.
Reproductive information
Individuals interested in family planning should speak to their doctor and/or genetic counselor to discuss
reproductive options. This may include discussion of prenatal diagnosis or pre-implantation genetic testing.
Risk assessment and counseling: an important first step
A genetic counselor or other qualified healthcare professional can help explain test
results and what they mean for a patient and family members. A team of specialized
Quest genetic counselors is available to speak with healthcare providers about test
results by calling 1.866.GENE.INFO. Patients can access a directory of independent
genetic counselors at FindAGeneticCounselor.com.
Creating a plan: a checklist for patients
¨ Get a copy of your genetic test results.
¨ Talk with your healthcare provider about what this result means and the things you
can do to manage your risk.
¨ Ask your healthcare provider if additional genetic testing may benefit you.
¨ Share your test results with your family members and give them a copy. Their
healthcare provider will need this information in order to provide them with the
most accurate risk assessment.
¨ Talk with your healthcare provider regularly so that you know about any important
changes in genetic testing and cancer screening options. Be sure to let him/her
know of any changes in your family history, including family members’ genetic
test results.
¨ Consider talking to a genetic counselor about your results.
Research opportunities
Prospective Registry of MultiPlex Testing
(PROMPT) PromptStudy.info
GenomeConnect: The ClinGen Patient Portal
GenomeConnect.org
Additional resources
Hereditary Colon Cancer Takes Guts
hcctakesguts.org
Colorectal Cancer Alliance
ccalliance.org
National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable
nccrt.org
Quest Hereditary Cancer Testing Solutions
QuestHereditaryCancer.com
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
(GINA) GINAhelp.org
National Society of Genetic Counselors
FindAGeneticCounselor.com
This information is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The diagnosis or treatment of any disease or condition may be based on personal
history, family history, symptoms, a physical examination, laboratory test results, and other information considered important by a healthcare provider. Always
talk with a healthcare provider about the meaning of genetic test results and before stopping, starting or changing any medication or treatment.
The classification and interpretation of the variant(s) identified reflect the current state of Quest Diagnostics’ understanding at the time of this report. Variant
classification and interpretation are subject to professional judgment, and may change for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to, updates in classification
guidelines and availability of additional scientific and clinical information. This test result should be used in conjunction with the healthcare provider’s clinical
evaluation. Inquiry regarding potential changes to the classification of the variant is strongly recommended prior to making any clinical decision. For questions
regarding variant classification updates, please call Quest Diagnostics at 1.866.GENE.INFO (1.866.436.3463) to speak to a genetic counselor or laboratory director,
or visit QuestDiagnostics.com/VariantIQ

During the COVID-19 health crisis, fast action and trusted information matter more than ever. Find out what’s happening.

10/24/2024

11:54 am a year ago today I lost my husband, my best friend, my soul mate, my world. My life changed that day. I fight every day to find the person I now am without him. I miss him and I mean his voice his laugh even his grouchy times. I miss everything about him. I cannot believe it’s been a year since we lost him.

09/05/2024

If you were here, I would be driving you crazy waking you up telling you happy birthday we wld have dinner plans made already. Some kind of seafood. Your first Heavenly Birthday and I hope it is amazing and the best one yet. I sit here and remember the first time I took you to the Lariat for your birthday dinner and the year I made you salmon (yuck) I smile and cry thinking of these memories. I cannot even put into words how much I miss you. Nothing will ever fill the gap that came the day you left us. But I know you are at peace and that puts me to ease. You deserve peace. We were all so blessed to have you in our lives.
Happy 1st Heavenly Birthday!

07/14/2024

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/east-peoria-il/ronald-harris-11894844

Celebrate the life of Ronald Harris, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Remmert Funeral Home.

06/06/2024

It’s been 7 months since we lost him. Everyday it still seems impossible to me. Like I’m waiting for him to come home. I’m sad I’m angry I want to blame people for not doing things sooner. I blame myself for possibly making the wrong decisions at times. Every day something reminds me of him. Today it was a soccer ball. I don’t think I’ll ever be the same as I was when I was with him. I’m still trying to figure out who I am without him. I think about the last year and all that we were able to do before we got the news it had spread and it was bad and time for hospice. But I still thought we had time but it was only 3 months. I just never believed God would really take him from us. From me. He was not perfect no one is. But he was one of a kind and the sweetest thing. He cared so much about everyone his life. My cancer warrior

03/27/2024

As the month is coming to an end. I would like to remind all those 45 and older get your colonoscopy done. If you are younger than 45 and having any symptoms such as strange abdominal pains or a change in your bowel movements get to the doctor. Advocating for yourself is a must. They can’t catch colon cancer early which is so important if they don’t know your having problems. I’ve heard so many stories over the years about young men and women under 45 being diagnosed too late. Your life matters so get checked!

03/17/2024

https://www.northshore.org/globalassets/annualreports/cancer/kcc_2021_oar.pdf

03/06/2024

My wonderful mother bought me this beautiful ring to carry Todd with me. I absolutely love it. Thanks so much mom Cathe