Just a quick update on my condition. I have a 1.7cm brain metastasis which will be treated with whole brain radiation. Apparently brain mets are treatable so that's good news. I also have some bone mets as well. After they deal with the brain we will look at chemo for my inflammatory breast cancer which unfortunately is spreading. But I know it is all in God's hands and I have peace about that.
Thank you all for your continued prayers.
John 13:34-35
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Monday, September 3, 2012
Hi Everyone,
Sorry I haven't updated sooner. Basically I finished chemo in May and 10 weeks later my inflammatory breast cancer came back. Because it came back so quickly it was considered treatment failure. We decided to try oral chemo Xeloda. After 2 rounds of that is was evident it wasn't working. I have developed a brain met on the left side which is affecting my right leg and my right hand (difficult to type!) I will have a few more scans next week see what else is going on. The tentative plan is brain rads. I will try to keep you updated as long as I can type!!
John 3:16,17 (NIV)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Sorry I haven't updated sooner. Basically I finished chemo in May and 10 weeks later my inflammatory breast cancer came back. Because it came back so quickly it was considered treatment failure. We decided to try oral chemo Xeloda. After 2 rounds of that is was evident it wasn't working. I have developed a brain met on the left side which is affecting my right leg and my right hand (difficult to type!) I will have a few more scans next week see what else is going on. The tentative plan is brain rads. I will try to keep you updated as long as I can type!!
John 3:16,17 (NIV)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Update
Wow how times flies when you are having fun...or not. Actually things have been good but I just haven't had the time to update on here.
After my first chemo it was decided that I needed a port as all the chemo had taken a toll on my veins. I had a port inserted under my skin as day surgery without too much pain. The problem was the IV line that the anaesthesiologist couldn't get in. After 3 attempts (1 using a pediatric cannula) and much blood he decided to wait until we got into the OR. He then decided his only option was the vein on the inside of the wrist. Well let me tell that hurts and hurts. It was the pain of the IV line that distracted me from the pain of the port insertion. In recovery it was still a problem because no one knew I had the IV there and I had to keep my wrist straight! I now have what I refer to as a golf ball. It actually sticks out just like half a golf ball. Everyone asks, does it hurt? Well it did for a few weeks but now it just aches here and there, nothing really much to complain about.
My next chemo we were unable to use the port because it was still new. Then came the bad news. I was unable to have chemo because my WBC count was too low. The next week I was still unable to have it again. So then I decided to have Neupogen injections to raise my WBC. Thankfully there is a program called the Victory Program where the manufacturer will pay for half the cost of the injections if you qualify. Some believe the manufacturer is actually just absorbing their markup (which is probably true!). Even if is is expensive I am very thankful that there is a product out there so I can get my chemo which I desperately need.
The good news is that the injections have worked and I have had 2 more chemo. The skin metastases have responded by shrinking. Thank you Jesus!
As we celebrate Good Friday I am so amazed at Jesus dying on the cross for my sins and yours sins. It really should be called Great Friday. But it is only Good Friday because he arose again on the 3rd day which we celebrate as Easter Sunday.
He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
After my first chemo it was decided that I needed a port as all the chemo had taken a toll on my veins. I had a port inserted under my skin as day surgery without too much pain. The problem was the IV line that the anaesthesiologist couldn't get in. After 3 attempts (1 using a pediatric cannula) and much blood he decided to wait until we got into the OR. He then decided his only option was the vein on the inside of the wrist. Well let me tell that hurts and hurts. It was the pain of the IV line that distracted me from the pain of the port insertion. In recovery it was still a problem because no one knew I had the IV there and I had to keep my wrist straight! I now have what I refer to as a golf ball. It actually sticks out just like half a golf ball. Everyone asks, does it hurt? Well it did for a few weeks but now it just aches here and there, nothing really much to complain about.
My next chemo we were unable to use the port because it was still new. Then came the bad news. I was unable to have chemo because my WBC count was too low. The next week I was still unable to have it again. So then I decided to have Neupogen injections to raise my WBC. Thankfully there is a program called the Victory Program where the manufacturer will pay for half the cost of the injections if you qualify. Some believe the manufacturer is actually just absorbing their markup (which is probably true!). Even if is is expensive I am very thankful that there is a product out there so I can get my chemo which I desperately need.
The good news is that the injections have worked and I have had 2 more chemo. The skin metastases have responded by shrinking. Thank you Jesus!
As we celebrate Good Friday I am so amazed at Jesus dying on the cross for my sins and yours sins. It really should be called Great Friday. But it is only Good Friday because he arose again on the 3rd day which we celebrate as Easter Sunday.
He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Luke 24:46-47 (NIV)
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Thankful
My cancer has come back but I am thankful. Thankful for almost 3 months off of chemo. Thankful that my hair has grown back. Thankful that my eyebrows and eyelashes have grown back. Thankful for the time to feel "normal" again. Thankful that I was able to work through the last chemo. Thankful for each and every day here with family and friends. Thank you Lord.
My life verse:
2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
My life verse:
2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Done
I went for my last chemo on Friday Dec 9th and waited over 2 hours for my blood work. Unfortunately due to human error (what we aren't perfect?) my blood work did not get prioritized as having chemo that day. When the blood work finally came back it was decided I could not have chemo as my blood counts were too low. So after 14 chemos my body said enough is enough. I too have said enough is enough. Although I was disappointed not to get my last chemo, on the bright side my hair will grow back a week earlier and I will feel better a week earlier! I have already started feeling better when working out. I am so thankful that my cancer responded to the chemo and it was able to take care of the skin metastasis. So many other women I know with IBC do not respond to chemo and need to keep trying different agents. I am also thankful that this chemo allowed me to continue working and living as "normal" a life as possible. Praise be to God.
A man leaves all kinds of footprints when he walks through life.
Some you can see...others are invisible, like the prints he
leaves across other people's lives.
Margaret Lee Runbeck
A man leaves all kinds of footprints when he walks through life.
Some you can see...others are invisible, like the prints he
leaves across other people's lives.
Margaret Lee Runbeck
Monday, November 7, 2011
So far so good
I have now had 11 chemos and the side effects are adding up. I have good days and bad days, just never know what kind of day it is going to be. But the bad days aren't really bad just achy hands but manageable with acetaminophen alone. The day after my last chemo I slept 5 hours then up for 2 hours then to bed for 12 hours. But the sleep is good and the next day I was up at 5:30 am (time change) and made some banana bread for Ashton and strawberry and chocolate scones for David. Then we were off to watch Ashton run her first half marathon! 1:43:50 chip time and we are all so happy for her.
Enjoying every moment. My beloved bringing me breakfast in bed is one of the sweet joys of life. Watching the leaves change colour is another. So many things to be thankful for.
I learned that life is not just a destination but a journey.
While the expedition can be long and arduous, it can be full of
beauty and pleasure as well.
-- Wayne Holmes
Enjoying every moment. My beloved bringing me breakfast in bed is one of the sweet joys of life. Watching the leaves change colour is another. So many things to be thankful for.
I learned that life is not just a destination but a journey.
While the expedition can be long and arduous, it can be full of
beauty and pleasure as well.
-- Wayne Holmes
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
3 Rounds Done
I have finished 3 rounds of chemo (9 chemos in all) and I feel like I have run a marathon. At first the chemo was fine but its cumulative effects are starting to wear on me. The tingling in the fingers and feet are coming, more off than on though. I am trying hard to fight off all the colds customers bring me. But I am not complaining. Life is good. I am thankful for the warm shower in the morning, the sun rise and all the new day has to bring me. I am thankful for each day I have here to share with family and friends. Thank you Jesus.
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