It seems my friends and I are always talking about what is wrong with our bodies🤪😂. I thought only old people did that 🤷♀️. Oh yeah, I am one of those old people 🥴. Time flies faster than you can blink.
It’s been a while since I posted a medical update about my metastatic breast cancer journey, in case you are wondering. We’ve been having too much fun doing life. Reality hits when all the appointments occur right after we get home from having fun. Yet, I am grateful for the doctors (I have many doctors) who take care of me!
All hooked up and waiting for my treatment. This time I got Herceptin, Perjeta and Zometa, and it was a long day.
The past couple of weeks were full-on with treatment, scans, endoscopy, colonoscopy and a new acupuncture I’m trying for the neuropathy and lymphedema. People look at me and say, “you look amazing,” or “you don’t look like you have cancer.” I appreciate that! It helps boost my motivation and enthusiasm for life. However, the old adage “you can’t tell a book by its cover” is also true of the body. What we see or feel on the outside isn’t always indicative of what’s going on inside. The doctors watch me closely.
My CT scan and whole body bone scan showed my body is still stable with no progression of disease. The results continue to show evidence of where the cancer has eaten my bones, or effects of the radiation. This explains the pains and muscular spasms I get in my side. Sometimes my fingers lock up with the muscle spasms and I literally have to pull them back into place. That’s fun! Fortunately I have a high pain tolerance, and these spasms only last a minute or so. The scans continue to find some degenerative issues as well as a few other minor things–as they always do–but nothing actionable at this time. God is good!
I had a colonoscopy last week, as well as an endoscopy. The doctor put me on Pepcid twice daily along with another medication that I will take for two months and then repeat the endoscopy. I have an inflamed esophagus, which explains the heartburn and difficulty swallowing from time to time. Fortunately the prep for the endoscopy is not as bad as for the colonoscopy. That’s the worse part! I’m already noticing a difference from the medication.
I made some orange jello and ate some gummies as part of my prep.
I also went to get acupuncture for the first time in my life. Tim had it one time many years ago, so I was aware of the process. This acupuncturist took time to explain the reason it helps, all about the meridians and blood flow. Our body is very well connected. We can hurt our toe and it affects an internal organ. He is working on the neuropathy in my hands and feet, as well as the lymphedema in my right arm. I have had two treatments so far, and it seems like it’s helping but we will see how I’m doing after four. I get a good nap in when I go there!
My yearly echocardiogram and cardiology appointments are coming up this week. They watch my ejection fraction to ensure I can continue to get treatment. Herceptin is hard on your heart. They used to require this every four or six months, but I have graduated to annual visits since my heart is still strong.
Next week I will lay on yet another table while they look at my brain. This happens about every 3-4 months, and then another follow-up with my neurosurgeon for results. I continue to have some balance issues, which is likely due to the radiation they did in the cerebellum to zap those little lesions in 2019. I expect they will still say my brain is stable. I’ll keep you posted if anything changes.
You never know what kinds of fall-out you might have from all the treatment, but it’s keeping me alive!
À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!
“I am the Lord, who heals you.” ~Exodus 15:26
My relationship with Jesus Christ motivates me to keep blogging. Though I have metastatic breast cancer*, my faith helps me survive, thrive, and feel alive while staying active. Without Him, I couldn’t achieve anything. With His help, well, my accomplishments speak for themselves on my blog. If you’re interested in learning about building a relationship with Jesus, feel free to comment below. I will never sell or share your email.
*Metastatic breast cancer is Stage IV cancer. Metastatic, or metastasis, means the cancer has spread beyond the original location (breast and immediate lymph nodes). In 2016 the doctors found significant metastasis to my bones, skull, liver, and lungs; then in 2018 to the brain. However, with chemo, immunotherapy, gamma knife, and of course my faith in the Lord, it is all undetectable at this point. I continue in treatment every three weeks via infusions, and receive multiple scans on a regular basis. If you or someone you know has metastatic breast cancer, I recommend these organizations for additional support:
Metavivor and Unite for Her (also for ovarian cancer)