Author: josephsikma

Well, the drug diary I am faithfully filling out, says that I have now had 13 doses as of this morning. I am thrilled to report that all is going well. The only real side effect to date from my 3 daily little pills is loss of taste, which has been reported by 100% of the study’s participants, so I guess I can take it as a sign that the drug is indeed in my system. Until the taste buds checked out, I was beginning to wonder if anything was happening at all. It is a funny place to be mentally that at this stage of the game, side effects bring a weird sense of comfort. The next thing we will be watching closely is my liver function. That too has been reported by many in the study as a possible problem. “We will let it go for a little while but not too long. We don’t want to blow your liver” was what I heard from the doctor at last week’s appointment. So far the liver is doing just fine.

As long as things continue as they are, I am scheduled to go to the clinic in Grand Rapids weekly through the end of May. At that time they will run me through the scanner to determine how the cancer cells feel about this little experiment. In the meantime, I am going to enjoy this more normal energy level, a nose that isn’t running and a digestive tract that is significantly less demanding. It also seems like a good time to try a few foods that in the past would have been a loud “No thank you”. 

As I write this, I once again find myself in awe of my Heavenly Father. 2 weeks ago I had no idea what to expect. It could have been really tough. I could be experiencing really nasty side effects. I could be tapped out on the couch just waiting for this treatment plan to be over. I could be suffering, BUT I am not.  Isn’t it just like Him to put His hand in mine and gently walk me through the plan that He has for this trial time. I know I am safe and secure and that is such a joy filled place to be. 

Thank you for your continued prayers and petitions. We feel your love and support daily. Would you join us in asking God to continue to protect my body systems, especially my liver while we wait and see how this trial drug fits into His bigger plans for us. 

In His Grip,

Jodi

Happy Spring 2026! I hope this update finds you well and ready for a good story. When telling a good story, most authors set the scene, introduce the characters and then the plot starts to thicken. I am going to jump right in and tell you that this story starts with an epic FAIL! Well not exactly epic but it feels like it. The treatment plan I started 18 weeks ago, has proven itself to have done basically very little, as evidenced by new spots that showed up in a petscan a few weeks ago. Honestly this news hit hard. We knew that when this one was done, I was running out of options. If you remember, my treatments up until now have been categorized as targeted therapies. These kinds of drugs don’t do your whole system in, they seek out whatever part of the cancer cell they are designed to find and blast it! I have had 7 different types of these drugs and there are a total of 8 for me before full on, whole system chemotherapy will be what I have left. We sat for a few days spinning with this news and headed to my oncologist to talk options. During our conversation she brought up the idea of trying a clinical trial.

 Now to be honest, clinical trials are a whole different game and I never thought I would be interested in being a lab rat, but I was willing to listen. We met this week with the people at START in Grand Rapids. They were pretty impressed that I was still alive and that I still have bone-only disease. We are all waiting for an organ or two to join the party any day now. They also saw my long list of treatment plans and said my “resume” really wasn’t that attractive to trial organizers because it was so cluttered with so many drugs over the years. However, there was a small study for a drug that targets 2 growth enzymes in cancer cells. This study would take me and my checkered past if I wanted to jump on board. Talk about a leap into the abyss! They really can’t tell me anything other than I will be closely-closely monitored as I take 1 pill a day for as long as I am in the study. They did mention that no one has died on the trial, and they have a person who is seeing their cancer shrink right now. Hmmm that’s good (eyeroll). I have no idea what side effects will be, if it will do anything to my cancer, or what it will do to the rest of my body systems, it’s all a scientific mystery! When I asked if doing this was better than just going on my last targeted therapy (which I have heard is a real doozy with side effects and has a limited effective time frame) the Doc said “Absolutely! You will always be able to try that, you have 1 shot at a trial and this is it.”

The last 5 years of my career was spent teaching science and engineering to elementary kids. I loved it! I loved teaching trial and error, figuring out how to solve problems, asking questions, making observations, designing models and collecting data. To make sure that everyone looked and felt like a scientist, we all wore labcoats, carried clipboards and tucked our pencils behind our ears. It was awesome! So here I am with the chance to “come out of retirement” to be a scientist and I have decided to take it. Starting in a couple of weeks I will join the lab rat union and embark on an adventure that so many other cancer patients have done in an attempt to help find a cure for this ridiculous disease. 

The prayer requests go out with added emphasis as I write this. Please join us in praying that my cancer doesn’t get worse (right away), I don’t have severe side effects, this drug will play nice with my other body systems, and most importantly that God will use this big blank canvas to create something that points right back to Him. 

Stay tuned for more updates from the microscope station. I will be sure to increase the frequency as we embark on this grand experiment! 

Much Love,

“Scientist Sikma”

(My students’ name for me seems to be appropriate again)

I am home sitting on the couch watching the snow falling outside and feeling peace that this season is supposed to bring so I thought it would be a good time to update you all on the last few weeks. I was able to start a new treatment the end of the November and today I had #3. Scans this week indicated that the meds have not yet kicked in, although don’t tell my body that in a few days. There definitely is a rhythm to this one with side effects. Sometime around day 5 through day 10, I have the feeling that I have been traveling nonstop with multiple days stuck in the airport. Its the best way to describe it. That fatigue along with some nasty mouth sores and altered taste buds (so thankful the jaw pain is resolved) seem to be the most prominent byproduct of Enhertu for me.The hair is certainly thinning but still holding on for now and the gut is hanging in there. The plan as of right now is to give this drug a few more rounds and then scan again the first of March. So we get to continue to practice trust and surrender with our heavenly Dad and are willing to just be held. 

I think that the goal of 2026 is to just let The Lord hold me tight. I am reading a book by Barry Adams titled Becoming Childlike Again. I really appreciate the author’s message of what having a childlike faith looks like and sounds like. Childlikeness is not a personality trait; it is the result of knowing that you are loved. It reflects a heart that has realized that God truly is as good as Jesus revealed Him to be, and that the safest place in the universe is to rest in His arms. 

Cancer (honestly life itself) has a way of robbing you of the tenderness you were born with. Rather than a heart full of trust, wonder, and rest along with a soul that is unburdened, it drains softness, dampens joy, turns wonder into worry and makes life feel pretty heavy. Living lightly in this cancer world (probably could be labeled the adult world) is my hope for 2026.

A few of my favorite thoughts so far…. (haven’t finished the book yet)

“Lightness” is not about ignoring life’s pressures. It means: – not carrying emotional burdens alone – not overthinking every possibility – not taking responsibility for what isn’t yours – not rehearsing fears – not trying to 189 control outcomes – not living in self-protective vigilance. Lightness isn’t emptiness—it’s freedom. Living lightly isn’t about less responsibility; it’s about less inner resistance and less inner strain.

Childlikeness isn’t maintained by willpower; it’s upheld through surrender. Each day, the soul must let go of burdens, regrets, fears, offenses, pressures, self-expectations, outcomes, and illusions of control. We can’t hold onto these and remain light. Surrender isn’t a one-time act; it’s a daily choice and a continuous return to the Father’s arms. Living lightly results from living surrendered

The Holy Spirit doesn’t demand instant change. He moves gently and patiently, with kindness. He teaches us lightness by: – easing our worries – reminding us of truth – comforting our hearts– lifting burdens from our shoulders – filling our inner world with peace – adjusting our expectations – grounding us in our identity – restoring our sense of safety. Childlikeness gradually develops, like a gentle sunrise illuminating the soul. You aren’t required to master it; you’re invited to embrace it

The adult heart often longs for peace but seeks it by becoming stronger, smarter, more prepared, and more guarded. The childlike heart finds peace by becoming small – resting, surrendering, letting go, being held, trusting, and ceasing to strive. 

I could go on and on… its a good read with some powerful thoughts to be considered heading into this new year. If you would like to check it out for yourself, here is the link 

https://www.onefather.com/becoming-childlike-again.html

One more thing…

If your winter fun includes puzzling, consider joining us on January 31st for the 5th annual speed puzzling event. We would love to have you either in person with a few friends or in spirit with a donation, as Team Turtle kicks off the fund raising season for BeeBrave and VanAndel Institute cancer research. Please feel free to contact me if you are looking for more information.  Here is a link to register a team for some competitive puzzling Team Registration. If racing to finish a 500 piece puzzle with 120 other people sounds awful or you are not a local supporter, we would love to accept a donation. The link for that is here donation. 

Happy New Year my dear friends and family,

I hope it is a year you too can life lightly. 

Much Love,

Jodi

As they say in the movie making business, “That’s a wrap”. I am thrilled to let you know that my horror movie, Death of a Jawbone is finished! Steve may win a best supporting actor award for this one.  Our quick trip to Dallas a few days ago was the closing scene. I have been all cleared. I can eat whatever I want. I can resume regular dental visits and I just need to avoid getting any teeth pulled. Phew! What a chapter God wrote with this one. I have learned so much about myself and especially Him through this whole thing and I am sooooo grateful it is over. Now on to our next adventure. I can’t wait to see where He shows up for this one. While in Dallas, I got a call that my insurance has denied the next treatment plan on a technicality. As of today, “they” are working on it and I am just hoping and praying we can get started this week. This next one has a reputation of being more like the regular chemo treatments we all think of. I will be in Holland every 21 days for a few hours of IV meds. The port is back in my chest to save me from blown veins and we will ride this as long as there is no progression on my scans.  I am fighting the “doom and gloom thoughts” while still feeling the joy of the jaw success. It’s quite the mental party happening right now and distraction continues to be the key for me. 

I was chatting with my counselor and remembering the last time I did IV chemo. What a ride that was. I was a full time working wife and mom of a 5 year old and an 8 year old. Steve was in the height of his coaching career. We were youth group leaders at church and the list goes on.  I was bound and determined to give NO FOOTHOLD to this cancer thing. It was not going to upset my life or the life of my family in anyway (if I had anything to say about it). With the help of many of you, the Sikma ship was full steam ahead. We were surrounded with very concrete assistance and support for 18 intense months. The stories of God’s provision are the highlights of those early chapters of this story. Thinking back now on that time, I have to smile and shake my head just a bit at 34 year old Jodi. What a strong-willed, stubborn, controlling human I was (hahaha). This time around, 57 year old Jodi is in such a different place. The hustle and bustle is gone. The “have to” list is very short and time goes by slower and quieter. What I craved and needed in 2002 is not the same. Now I need connection. I need to feel like I am still a part of something. I was thinking about how I would answer the “Let me know what you need” right now and I found this list online. I have to say, I think it works well for this next season of treatment. Rather than ask me what I need, try one of these instead…

*“I’m going to be out by you, can I stop for a quick visit”?

*“Sending a text to just let you know that I am thinking about you. No need to reply”.

“I’ve got this going on, could use some prayers for ____”.

(Yes, I know I have cancer, but you have stuff going on too. Let me pray for YOU)

*“I found this verse or song, and thought of you and I wanted to pass it along”.

*“I’m free for a couple of hours, what would you like to do together?”

*“I just watched, read or listened to _____________ and I think you might like it”.

*“I was cooking today and I made some extra. I will be dropping it off”.

*“I’m going to go _________. Do you feel up to joining me”?

Last but never least, “I prayed for you today that this treatment gives you as much time as possible to be here with your family and friends”. 

I think interactions like these would be just the thing to keep me connected.

Oh, one more thing! If you are in the area consider joining us for our 5th annual Jigsaw Competition. That idea, a few years ago, to add to the way we are funding the cancer research at VanAndel seems to have stuck. Mark your calendars, link coming soon!

The summer of 2025 was both awesome and awful at the same time. I was able to spend many days with my family and friends, enjoying all the things that come with that season in Michigan, but those months also brought physical pain like I have never experienced before. Around the middle of June, I noticed what I thought was a canker sore. I am very familiar with those nasty little bugs, and so I carried on as normal. However, normal was not what it turned out to be. After 4 weeks of feeling this sore on my left lower jaw, I saw my regular dentist. A few pokes and taps later, she determined that what we were seeing along the gumline wasn’t tissue but exposed bone. My heart sank as I recalled the conversations and reading I had done when I started a drug to help with defending my bones against the cancer 6 years ago. That drug had a 1% chance of causing the death of my jawbone. Could this be what is happening?

 I was referred to an oral surgeon who wasn’t willing to jump to the jaw disease just yet. It turns out I also have something called tori growing along my jaws that comes to some with age. Normally, I celebrate the signs of old age as that is what I am praying for, but this one caused its own set of problems. The oral surgeon thought this was just a scrape on the tori and it would heal itself with time. Unfortunately, the more time we gave it, the worse it got. Infection was part of what was happening and eventually I ended up in a puddle with a palliative care doctor with pain that would not quiet down no matter what I was trying. It was one night that I was up pleading with Jesus to lessen the pain that I stumbled onto the name Dr. Thomas Schlieve in Dallas,Texas through a google search. He is the leading physician with a disease called Osteonecrosis of the jaw.  I wrote his name down. A few days later, I was telling my story to a friend who is a nurse at the cancer center. She mentioned that she had a patient who had gotten the osteonecrosis of the jaw diagnosis and had great success with a doctor that she had found. I asked her to send me the name of that doctor and to see if I could talk with this patient of hers. 3 days later a text came to my phone, the doctor’s name was Thomas Schlieve. 

Hmmmm, I was starting to feel that God had something up His sleeve. Later that week we were having dinner with other friends and once again I was sharing the current state of affairs when our friend said “My nephew is doing his residency in Texas, who is the doctor there?” I dismissed the comment saying, “There are probably 1000’s of residents in Texas, what are the chances?” I gave my friend the name, and yes, you are starting to see where this story is going aren’t you? My friend called her nephew, called me back, and said, “You aren’t going to believe this”. My nephew is working with Dr. Thomas Schlieve!

I sure was seeing it now! I had no doubt we were supposed to get to Dallas. But how does that work? When God has a plan, He makes a way. We were able to get an appointment for October 22 after being told his first available was December. We were able to get a PET scan and MRI done before that initial appointment so that he would have all the information we could possibly provide. Turns out both of those tests results were misread because so few radiologists, oral surgeons and doctors see this disease. The plan continued to unfold as two other friends have family in Dallas and generously offered them up as help if needed. We were gifted lodging for our stay(s) and the flights on (Holy) Spirit were easy to manage and on time despite the current government shutdown effects on airports. This quickly turned into a community effort with friends and family. So many people were praying for me and I was praying that Jesus would give me a spirit of awe and wonder about the future rather than one of anxious dread. Awe and wonder were exactly what I got as we took each step going back and forth to Dallas this month. The Dead Bone Doctor of Dallas and his crew were amazing. They righted the ship in my jaw and have set me up for pain-free eating in the near future. Every time I tell this story, I have to smile. As I have always said, we have seen God’s fingerprints all over my cancer journey, but this one in particular felt like we were seeing His whole hand.

Steve and I just arrived back home yesterday and I am thrilled to let you all know that surgery went very well. The dead bone was removed from my left jaw and all my teeth got to stay. Yippee! Your prayers and support were felt every moment. I have to admit I was a little weepy Tuesday and Wednesday heading into this but you all just surrounded that anxious heart with so much love. Perfectly timed texts, links to songs, and scripture just poured in exactly when I needed them. Doesn’t that speak so well of our heavenly Dad?

I am loaded with antibiotics and on a “no chew” diet for the next 2 weeks. We head back for a follow up appointment on November 14th. I am believing in the plan that after that meeting I will be cleared for the start of the next treatment. If you have a few minutes, read the extended version of how I ended up in Dallas. Thanks again for following along. I love to tell stories 🙂

In His Grip,

Jodi and Steve

10/24/25

Good Morning Friends and Family! I am sitting here looking out over our 10 acres and the sun is highlighting the brilliant colors of fall. What a beautiful time of year. It has also been a busy one and I wanted to catch you up with where things are at. My last post on September 4th introduced you to my latest diagnosis of osteonecrosis of the jaw. What a doozy this one has turned out to be. Yesterday, Steve and I returned from Dallas where we met with the leading national expert on this disease. He looked at me and said, “ I can fix this”. Thank you, Jesus! That is exactly what is happening next week Wednesday, 10/29. We are headed back to Dallas to have him remove the dead jaw bone, maybe a tooth or two, and get me back on track. He said  98% of his patients are healed up in 2 weeks. I need to be one of those 98 percenters. When I get back next Friday, I will not only be healing up but also gearing up for the next treatment plan. The oncology team has looked at my recent pet scan and feels there is just too many new spots lighting up to think that what we are doing currently is working anymore. So, I am going to start a drug called Enhertu. It is delivered by IV every 3 weeks and comes with the potential of some nasty side effects. We hope to start this on November 14th if all goes well with the jaw. Phew!  You can see that your prayers feel particularly important right now. Join us in praying that God uses this big stage to show off His power, His plans, His sovereignty, and most importantly His amazing love. His fingerprints have always been all over my story but right now we are seeing His whole hand. The way we got to see the “Dead Bone Dallas Doctor” is a chapter all its own and one that I will post soon. In the meantime, thank you for your continued support.  We feel very loved and cared for.

In His Grip,

Jodi

☑ Slow mornings in the Wonder Lodge with Jesus

☑ Spending time at the lake with the kids

☑ Visiting with friends

☑ Boat rides

☑ Easy dinners on the grill

☑ Reading at the end of dock

☑ Craft projects

☑ Naps

☐Catch COVID from who knows where

☐Learning to live with Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

As you can see, I had a great start to summer 2025, and then this last half had things I did not have on my “To Do List”. The last one on this list is Osteonecrosis of the jaw. It is one of the rare side effects of a bone-building medicine I have been on since 2019. Feel free to google it because it’s a doozy, and yes, one that I now get to claim as my own. Basically, I have exposed jawbone in my mouth, and yup, it is as yucky as it sounds. Here is the tricky part. There is nothing that can be done about it for the time being other than trying to keep it from getting infected. There is a chance over the next 8-12 months that it will heal itself and the pain that goes with it will go away too. There is a chance that it won’t. Somehow I “was ready” for chronic bone pain; back, hips, knees, ribs, all the places that the cancer likes to hang out, but I wasn’t ready for the headache and teeth and jaw pain that is the hallmark of this diagnosis. Everyone has had oral pain at some point in their lives, had a cavity, needed a root canal, knocked out a tooth, suffered a canker sore, bit their tongue, or worn braces. I know you are cringing for me right now and I appreciate it. I know that this is all in God’s plan and what is happening right now is more about my spiritual development than a throbbing jaw. Do I believe He is good? I do. Do I believe that He is good to me? I do. Do I believe that He is good at being God? I do. Can I still have joy and peace with Him despite my current circumstances? With His help, I can. Join me in praying not only for a miracle of physical healing but more importantly,  an even stronger connection to Jesus. I am understanding more and more what Paul was talking about in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.  

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

Distractions seem to be the best medicine right now. Currently, I am gearing up for the Bee Brave 5K on October 4th. Our Team Turtle will once again be there raising support for the researchers at Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids who are working on slowing this thing down. If you would like to donate, please follow the link Team Turtle 2025. 

So, how is the cancer? That is the one thing that seems to be in check right now. Routine MRI’s of my liver, stomach, and brain over the past 2 weeks were clear of anything growing there. That is huge and not to be overlooked or undercelebrated! The recent lab work is also in check. The higher dose of the current treatment plan may be fussing with my kidney, but as of right now, all is well enough. 

I hope you all got many things on your summer to-do list accomplished. The feeling of fall is certainly in the air today and it is something to look forward to. I love the change of the seasons in Michigan. Thank you for taking the time to check in. I feel the love and support so deeply. Feel free to send your favorite soup and soft food recipes. I will keep you posted as the weeks ahead progress.

Much Love,

Jodi

I wanted to give everyone a quick summer update. “Quick” seems to be happening all around me. I can’t believe how fast the summer is going. I recently got back my regularly scheduled scans and it seems that a few new spots have popped up in my spine and clavicle. If you remember from the last post, I had requested that we “turn down the volume” so to speak on the current treatment plan. Going to a lower dose was giving me some much appreciated relief from side effects, however, it seems that this party likes it LOUD! And since the party goers have spilled out into the lawn, we are turning it back up. The number one goal is to stay on this treatment as long as we can, so even if there is an occasional “bone only” that pops up, we will try to ride it out.  In the spirit of “Quick” we are praying these few spots bow out and go home in the next month as we hit them just a little harder with a bigger dose. As always, we continue to pray that it stays out of my organs, especially the one between my ears. Thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and prayers. Today, I am doing very well because of Jesus. If someone calls the cops on this party in the next few months, I will be sure to let you know. 

Much Love to you all,

Jodi

It’s My 6 Year Anniversary!

I had a whole blog post ready to go for day number 2,192 of my MBC cancer journey and then a song came on this beautiful spring morning that I had never heard called Flowers and I knew it needed to be a part of this post. The words so beautifully captured the last 6 years that a rewrite was in order this afternoon.  Here is the song “Flowers” by Samantha Ebert

Well, blue skies and hillsides feel so far away

And I wrote in my notebook that I’ve seen better days

Than the ones as of late

I can’t bear the weight

The rain won’t stop pouring out my windowpane

And I haven’t left my bedroom in 76 days

I wish something would change

‘Cause I’m losing faith

So I brought it up in a desperate prayer

Lord, why are you keeping me here?

Then He said to me, “Child, I’m planting seeds

I’m a good God and I have a good plan

So trust that I’m holding a watering can

And someday you’ll see that flowers grow in the valley”

So whatever the reason, I’m barely getting by

I’ll trust it’s a season knowing that you’re by my side

Every step of the way

And I’ll be okay

‘Cause I brought it up in a desperate prayer

Lord, why are you keeping me here?

Then He said to me, “Child, I’m planting seeds

I’m a good God and I have a good plan”

So trust that I’m holding a watering can

And someday you’ll see that flowers grow in the valley

Mm, mm

When I’m on the mountain and looking down below

I’ll see a valley of flowers that needed time to grow

And I’ll thank you for the rain

The hurt and days of pain

And I’ll bring it up in a grateful prayer

Thank you, Jesus, for keeping me there

You know just what I need, and you’ve planted seeds

‘Cause you’re a good God with a real good plan

And you hold my world in a watering can

So I can have peace ’cause flowers grow in the valley

The emotions of the first few years, the first few tried and failed treatment plans, all are echoed in that first verse and chorus. Those experiences are all written down in this blog and rereading them is one of my favorite things to do. I can look back and see that they are the stories of God planting seeds. The last verse of the song is exactly how I am feeling on day 2,192. I see the flowers growing in that valley and they are beautiful. 

So what else is growing these days? Besides my faith and trust that I am going to be Ok no matter what happens, not much in the world of cancer cells. The monthly labs and the spring scans done the past few weeks have proven that the treatment plan we started in October when things got a little hairy, was the right one and it has continued to be just what we needed to keep these cancer critters dazed and confused. Because of Jesus, scan reports show that all is quiet and stable. Our little critters are unable to get organized and have not set up shop anywhere new. Even their pop-up places in my liver and stomach have closed up for the season. Whooo Hooo! I have a doctor appt on Friday and am going to see about a dose reduction in hopes of lightening up these side effects. I love these drugs, but maybe we can turn the volume down a bit and still keep dancing.

One of the flowers growing in the valley is a trip planned for Switzerland in September. I am feeling the pull to travel and believe things are going to be ok enough in the next 6 months that we can head to more mountains I want to see in person. I find I have become deeply enamored by mountains, valleys and the high country over the past 6 years. Whether it is a mountain in Alaska, St. John, Idaho, or Portugal, God feels so big and so powerful as I stand in awe of them and Him, so I am beyond excited to see the Alps. 

Thank you for your continued support. I know that I am regularly prayed for by so many. Thank you for sitting at the feet of the “Great Gardener” on my behalf. My relationship with Him has grown exponentially over the past 6 years and your prayers have been a part of that.

To my friends stuck in the rain right now, I get it. It still regularly rains on me too. I hope this song gives you the same encouragement that it gives me. There will be flowers, God promised.

Much Love,

Jodi