Welcome to my blog

Well, file those under "words I never thought I'd type." But after receiving my third cancer diagnosis (melanoma in 2004, breast in 2005 and now breast again in 2010), I've decided to add blogger to my many titles.

Many of you who knew me in 2005 followed my journey through e-mail updates, which I have posted as blog entries below in case anyone wants the entire history.

When I first found out my breast cancer had recurred, I heard some pretty scary numbers regarding survival and prognosis. But in a direct answer to the prayers of so many, God led me to a second opinion, a new and aggressive treatment plan and one of the sweetest words ever uttered by an oncologist -- "curable."

It won't be easy, but I've got a lot to live for.


Monday, July 26, 2010

Holding pattern

I haven't posted lately because there hasn't really been much going on. Which, when you are a cancer patient, is good and bad. It's good because you get a break. It's bad because not being in treatment and wondering what is going on in all those microscopic cells can drive you crazy!

I do still take five pills a day of a drug called Tykerb. Luckily, the side effects from this one are minimal. My body is STILL recovering from the onslaught of chemo from before, but every day gets a little better.

Most of you have already heard that I fell and broke my wrist while crossing a creek in North Georgia a few weeks ago. Two more weeks in a cast and then I will have a bone density scan (since this is my second broken wrist since my original diagnosis) to see if I need to start taking osteoporosis drugs. Great.

Todd and I are flying to Houston on Aug. 1 and will see a surgeon there at 9 a.m. the following day for our surgical second opinion. I'm actually praying that the Houston docs are comfortable not doing surgery since I had such a great response to chemo. But if they have a less invasive option that can give us more peace of mind, I guess it will be back to Houston in the coming months for surgery. Looking forward to someday getting back to normal.

Two new prayer requests:

-- Please pray that the Houston surgeon has a plan we can all feel good about.

-- Please pray that my next full-body scan, on Aug. 23, comes back clear.

And while you're at it, say a little extra prayer for all those we know and don't know who are fighting the beast. I am "lucky" to be one of the ones diagnosed with a big-budget cancer with lots of money going toward research. I am also blessed to have the ability and means to travel to another state to see some of the finest doctors in the world. Not all are so lucky. Keep them in your hearts.

Love to all.