Here we go again

In the words of our wise, wonderful and witty pastor, "Sometimes life sucks."

It does suck, but it is what it is. Dwelling on it doesn't change it. Doctors, drugs and prayer will change it.

We found out last week that my breast cancer has returned for the third time, this time in my lungs.

The spots are relatively small and have not been growing quickly, so we are hopeful that it can be kicked to the curb once again. Third time's the charm, right?

Starting tomorrow, I will begin a new treatment regimen of three drugs, one of which is a chemo. One of the non-chemo drugs is a new one, just approved by the FDA within the past year or so to treat aggressive cancers like mine. It showed great results, and even my oncologist seemed to think we had a good chance of seeing a complete response.

I'll do three treatments (all via infusion at Emory's St. Joseph's location), one every three weeks, and then have a scan to see if we are making progress. Then, even if I have a complete response, I'll have at least three more chemo treatments and potentially continue for months on the other two drugs, which fortunately seem to have mostly minimal side effects.

Unfortunately, the chemo I'll be doing is one of the harsh ones, so I will be losing my hair again. I really hate that part, not from a vanity standpoint (ok, maybe a little bit), but mostly just because I feel like I am walking around wearing a sign that tells people I'm sick.

As always, we have lots of support from our amazing friends and family. If you feel the need to "do something," PRAY! A lot. And help me not dwell on it. For me, one of the biggest victories I can have over this disease is to not let it affect how I live my life day-by-day. I still want to work, coach soccer, play tennis, pick up my kids, teach Sunday School, etc.

Love to all. Try not to worry about me -- I hate that part.

-- Faith makes things possible, not easy.

Still in the clear!

I had another scan this morning and it still shows "No Evidence of Disease!" Love that NED guy!

This scan was scheduled for three months after I came off the Tykerb, which I took for an entire year. I went in first thing this morning and my oncologist just e-mailed me the news! It's always such a relief to get through one of these without a bad result.

I will see the doctor in person tomorrow to discuss what's next. Most likely another scan in a few months. I am also going to see my plastic surgeon in a few weeks. Unfortunately, my right side implant is not handling the effects of radiation scar tissue that well, so we'll see what he says. I suspect it may need to come out. Not sure what this means for my reconstructive future, but maybe it means I'll finally get to go bigger. Who knows? :)

Love and hugs,
M

Taking a break from Cancerland

Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were as full and blessed as ours were. We had a great time with family and friends celebrating Jesus' birth.

I saw my oncologist around the beginning of December just to check in with her after my (CLEAR!!!) scan. No real news. I will continue on the Tykerb until the end of March, which will have put me on it for a year. Then I will have a scan in June to see if NED will hang around even without the meds in my system.

When I am in the midst of treatments, scans and doctor's appointments, I often say I am stuck in "Cancerland." It's not a very fun place. So I am happy to take a break for now, until June at least. Ready to be just plain, old Michelle for a while instead of that chick who has breast cancer again!

Hugs and love to all.

Special prayers for Bill, still stuck in Cancerland. Thinking of you always, my friend.

Still dancing with NED!

Just got an e-mail from my wonderful oncologist -- no sign of disease on my scan! One node in my groin area keeps lighting up but it has already been biopsied before so we are just going to keep an eye on it.

Thanks to everyone for all the prayers. They worked!

Love to all,

M

Checking in, scan tomorrow

Good morning! Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you all were able to spend some time with those you love.

I have a PET scan tomorrow (12/2), so please pray that the scan comes back clear. For some reason, I am feeling more anxious than usual about the results of this one. I never enjoy the scans, especially the part about no food or drink beforehand, but something is bugging me about this one. Hopefully it's nothing, but you all know I am not shy about asking for specific prayers.

Please, please, please pray that my scan is ALL CLEAR!

In the breast cancer world, doctors don't use the term "cured" or "remission," but they will tell you there is "No Evidence of Disease" or NED. I'm enjoying spending time with Ned right now and I hope he is not planning on leaving me anytime soon.

Hugs to all,

M

Slightly crispy but happy

Yep, that's me. I am finished with radiation! I have one spot on my collarbone that is pretty burned and quite painful, but that's it. Not bad for getting zapped with some pretty strong radiation 28 times!

All in all, this wasn't too bad. The worst part of the whole thing was the inconvenience of driving to Midtown and back every day. All the staff in the radiation oncology department at Emory Midtown were amazing; they were so fun and made each treatment a lot more tolerable.

I am looking forward to getting some energy back; this whole thing has left me pretty drained. Thanks to all for the love and support. I couldn't do this without you.

Next up: PET scan on Dec. 2 and then appointment with oncologist Dec. 7 to determine what's next. For now, still taking five horse pills a day (Tykerb) and staying busy.

Happy Fall!

Halfway home

Today I completed No. 14 of 28 scheduled radiation treatments. I go five days per week at 2 p.m. each day to Emory Midtown to get zapped. So far, it has not caused any major skin irritation. Just feeling a bit fatigued and run-down.

Will finish radiation around Oct. 18. Then will get a break from Cancerland until another scan at beginning of December.

Hugs to all.