Echo, Chemo, and Docto…rs

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Quick medical update on this week’s events.

I had my annual echocardiogram yesterday and saw my cardiologist. Everything looks good. Even my cholesterol is in the normal range. It’s a beautiful thing! She said I should exercise “150 minutes per week.” That could be 3 days for 50 minutes, or 5 days for 30 minutes, etc. We walk, but it could be a bit brisker for me and we probably need to be more consistent.

I wish I could say I was laying there taking a nap, but it’s impossible to sleep when the tech is jamming the wand into your ribs to get pictures of your heart. 🙄🥴😂 Fortunately I am only required to have this test annually now, and they no longer do contrast. So no pokes for blood, and a shorter time in the scan.

Today I gave blood for the second time in two days, then saw my medical oncologist. Tim went with me to that one “for quality control.” Dr. K. laughed and asked whose quality is he controlling, mine or his 😂😂🤪🤪. The doctor referred to me as “people like you” as we talked, meaning I’m off the charts in terms of lifespan with metastatic breast cancer. They don’t really know whether they are over-treating, and no one will ever do a study to determine that. As long as I am tolerating it, we are good to keep going. After this many years of treatment, he said it is easy for one to become complacent. He is always guarding against complacency, and I appreciate that.

Every time there is any little something that comes up, he sends me to see another specialist, just to be sure. First, the brain lesions are likely just increases in hot spots due to the radiated areas, but the specialists will determine that in April after my follow-up MRI. Second, I’ve had a little lung issue with spots showing up from time to time (coming and going), an ongoing cough, occasional shortness of breath and fatigue. My cardiologist said it doesn’t sound heart related. So, Dr. K. is sending me to a pulmonary specialist. No emergency. No rush. Just making sure he is covering all his bases. Third, I have had some headaches with an increase in double vision (not likely related to the brain spots). So, he wants me to see an opthalmologist. Not a bad idea; I was already considering it.

While I don’t look forward to adding more specialist visits to my list of providers, that’s what I love about my oncologist. He never assumes everything is just fine unless the specialists tell him so. He listens, and responds accordingly. It’s better to go see a specialist and discover nothing is wrong than to not go and allow it to escalate.

At this writing I’m getting my treatment (Herceptin and Perjeta), which I do every three weeks. That’s the last of my medical appointments for this week, and then we can play.

I’m wearing my Airstream shirt because we are hitching up the trailer right after this and leaving for a Bluebonnet Rally in Brenham. They got me in early today and I have a very efficient nurse, so that’s a double blessing! Looking forward to seeing some beautiful bluebonnets!

“Lord, You restored me to health and let me live.”

^{Isaiah 38:16b}

À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!

February 22, 2024February 23, 2024

Brain MRI update

It’s a bit daunting to have scans, only to be told I need to do it again in a few weeks. I was just getting used to having annual scans *sigh* 😔 . I’m not nervous or scared, mind you. Just annoyed that I have to take the time out of my busy retirement schedule to go back to the clinic (🤪😂🙄).

You may recall I had an MRI of the brain last year, as I do every year. It was in February (2023) and nothing was found. Well, I DO have a brain. They found one (contrary to some opinions 😂🤪), but there were no lesions noted. Still stable!

Shortly after my annual MRI in 2023, I had a routine vision exam. The exam showed a significant increase to my double vision, which was concerning to my eye doctor. He can’t add enough prism in my glasses to fully correct it, so my eyes fight to bring the objects together. I’ve had double vision for about 2+ years now. I can see perfectly clear; I am just doubly blessed with whatever I see 🤦‍♀️ . In some ways it’s easier to wear glasses all the time instead of always looking for my readers, so I don’t mind that too much.

I shared the vision issue with my oncologist and he repeated the MRI of the brain in April 2023. In those results, two very small lesions showed up. But, they didn’t see any cause for concern. These are in the exact same location as two of the lesions we had radiated with gamma knife back in January 2019. My oncologist said they likely showed up because of the way the MRI slices. I wrote a blog about that in May 2023 if you missed it.

My follow-up MRI for this year was done last week on Valentine’s Day, along with a follow-up CT of the chest (because of some new spots noted on the lungs in my last CT scan).

Before you read the following, please note that any hot spots in my brain are likely due to post-radiation effects. I think that means any lesions are just showing where my brain was radiated with the gamma knife, and therefore will keep showing up on the scans. There doesn’t seem to be anything to worry about, and they are still calling my body stable, but they do watch these hot spots closely in case there is progression of disease.

Bottom line, those little punctate lesions in my brain have grown since April of last year ever so slightly. Here’s the medical lingo from their impressions.

Irradiated Lesions: * Interval increase in size of an enhancing lesion within the right cerebellum status post radiation therapy which now measures 0.7 x 0.5 cm in axial dimensions (series 26 image 32), previously measuring 0.4 x 0.4 cm. Similar minimal associated T2 hyperintense signal without significant mass effect. * Interval slight increase in size of an enhancing lesion within the cerebellar vermis status post radiation which now measures 0.4 x 0.4 cm, previously 0.3 x 0.3 cm (series 26 image 36). Similar minimal associated T2 hyperintense signal without significant mass effect.
Comparison: MR brain with and without contrast dated 04/20/2023, MR brain with and without contrast dated 02/21/2023.
MRI Brain with and without Contrast
Collected on February 15, 2024 8:25 AM

(It was on the 14th, not the 15th.)

What does this mean now?

They still think these spots are most likely “post-radiation” effects, rather than disease. I have had several conversations with the radiation PA, who has also been in contact with my radiation oncologist (who did the gamma knife). They want me to follow up with another MRI in 6-8 weeks (scheduled for April 3). I can do that in The Woodlands.

After the scan, I will meet with my radiation oncologist on April 9th to discuss “treatment options.” I don’t like the sound of that, but I did ask a question about treatment if there is progression, so perhaps she is just responding to my question. I’m glad she is willing to do talk with me via telehealth, and I’m happy they have MRI in The Woodlands now. It’s so much better now that I don’t have to drive downtown.

I have been five years without any progression, and it’s not uncommon to have some spots show up when you have metastatic breast cancer. I’m not worried, and I think it’s going to be fine. Having said that, just in case there is something else going on we are praying for a miracle, e.g. these spots will all vanish in the next scan. Please join me in prayer for that miracle. Either way, we trust the Lord with whatever comes our way.

As for the CT of the chest, all the lesions they saw in the last scan are gone 😁 . I believe it was the cold I had at the time. They found some new spots, but are attributing it to “inflammatory,” meaning I have another cold. Surprise 🙄 🤦‍♀️. So that’s good news.

À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!

(I started studying Spanish as well as French, beginning in January of this year. I’ve been studying French on DuoLingo for more than four years now.)

November 22, 2023

“Just Waitin’ on You, Babe”

MD Anderson, The Woodlands. They are adding more handicap parking. I was hoping it would be done by now.

Today is scan day at MD Anderson. I just checked in and I’m waiting for my first appointment…Wow…They just called my name. Much quicker than I expected. To be continued…

I’m back. I felt so frumpy 🤪😜🤪. They gave me scrubs and the pants drag the ground. Also, the nurse didn’t like the top because it was a bit tight to access the port. She gave me a gown instead, then the next person gave me a second gown to cover the gaps 🥴🤣😂 from the first gown. But “you can wear your boots” 😂🤪🥴. Yeah, I looked frumpy 🙇‍♀️😖 . Sorry, I missed getting a picture of that 😂😂.

I got weighed, port accessed, injected with nuclear medicine, drank the raspberry flavored contrast, had my chest-abdomen-pelvis CT scan, then my port was de-accessed. A little trouble with the port being tighter today, but they decided it was okay to go on with a slower input of contrast.

After all that, I went to the Market Place on the second floor where I currently sit. I have about 75 minutes between scans, so I ate breakfast and opened my computer.

I like sitting here because you don’t have to wear a mask while you are eating and drinking. I’m waiting for the nuclear medicine to paint my body; I’m scheduled to go back for the bone scan at 12:00 and then the mammogram at 12:35.

Tim dropped me off this morning and went to Panera Bread around the corner to work while he waits. (I’m sure his lunch will be better than mine 😂🤩.) Actually, I had brunch. Oatmeal and fruit+nut trail mix. They installed a self-pay kiosk in the Market Place, but I wanted hot tea so I went to the cashier today. It will be helpful when I want a snack and the cashier is unavailable, which is quite often!

My husband is always waiting on me. He has probably completed a million games of Solitaire on his phone while waiting for me. Two reasons I can think of that lead to him saying, “Just waitin’ on you, Babe!” First, I’m slow. Second, he’s fast!

I admit it. I’m slower than most people. I’d like to say it’s because I’m old—and I probably have slowed down even further with age—but no, I’m just slow. I have a hard time getting up when I’m sitting down. My ankles and knees take a moment to get into first gear. My steps are cautious, and I think things throughnbefore making a decision. That includes where to put my foot 😂🤪.

Tim, on the other hand, is faster than most people. He completes ten tasks in the time it takes others to complete two or three tasks. And they are done well! I don’t know how he does it. His stride is long and when he gets to thinking it speeds him up. Thinking slows me down.

Some might say we are incompatible, but we’ve learned how to adjust. It does present a challenge when we walk together, and it’s sometimes a problem when we are getting ready to go somewhere. But he has learned to adapt to my speed and sometimes (albeit rarely), I speed up to match his stride.

After nearly forty of years of marriage, his mantra never changed. I doubt it ever will. “Just waitin’ on you, Babe!”

À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!

November 2, 2023November 2, 2023

Reload

Things you might hear while waiting for MDACC nurses to call your name for chemo… (Old cowboy wearing boots and hat, on his phone with a stereotypical Texas drawl):

“I have a .22 and I was wondering if you have a night vision and scope, and can you put it on there?” 😂😂

Long chemo day. One bag down, one to go. Whenever I go more than three (Trastuzumab) or six (Pertuzumab) weeks without treatment, we have to reload. That means one bag is an hour instead of thirty minutes and the second bag is ninety minutes instead of thirty. It’s been a while since I had to reload, so I kinda forgot how long it was. The infusion time is in addition to accessing the port, flushing, heparin and de-accessing the port, with a prayer that we get good blood return or additional processes have to take place. My appointment was scheduled for 12:30. I’m still here at 3:13, and just started on the ninety minute bag.

Before lunch I also saw my oncologist and his nurse, who were particularly chatty today, about books, family stuff, Netflix series and they were eager to hear about our Airstream trip. And of course we discussed medical updates, time for scans, yada yada. Honestly, I enjoy seeing them. It’s like visiting with old friends every time I go in. Today is the first time I have seen their faces without masks for over three years. (They took them off inside the room.) That was an especially nice change of pace!

Before the doc was the blood draw, which took a while to get in. This first visit to the building came with an interesting surprise as well. Funny how much can change in just a few weeks; we were greeted by large, green construction fences all along the north(?) wall. They are expanding their handicapped parking next to the building. They should have done that all along. Apparently the patients were complaining about having to walk too far from the current handicapped parking. I’m happy. More spaces for me as well.

As if that isn’t enough, we got up early this morning to take our son to the airport and then Tim went to the dermatologist (he needs another biopsy) while I sat in Panera Bread and read my book and ate breakfast. We decided to drive together, which Tim might be regretting now that he has decided to sit here in the room with me. Usually he drops me off and picks me up, a habit we never changed after the pandemic.

This evening, I’m taking two of my grandkids to dinner while Tim will be in a church meeting. We will wrap up the day saying hello to our overnight guests, who are staying at our house while we all go to the Texas General Assembly meetings this weekend.

Whew. 🥴

Funny how you can have a whole week without much to do, and then multiple things seem to all converge on the same day. Has that ever happened to you, or is it just me? That’s the way of life sometimes. Keeps us on our toes, for sure. I’m just grateful to the good Lord for giving me the energy to do it all, tenacity to keep going, and a passion for enjoying life.

Might be time for a nap. I do have my pillow and blanket while getting infused, after all. 🤪🤩😁🥴

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
Isaiah 40:29; Psalm 28:7 (NIV)

À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!

August 7, 2023

Baby Olivia

Baby Olivia Jade West was born to our son Bryan and daughter-in-law Bree on June 30, 2023. She was over two months early, born at 29 weeks gestation. She was 11.5 inches long weighing 2 pounds and 14 ounces at birth. She was immediately placed in the NICU, where she has been ever since. This is just a brief history of her first month of life.

She is our seventh grandchild, or as Tim likes to say, our seventh Jedi. Seven is the number of perfection, so we think this is the perfect number of grandkids. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Olivia’s APGAR scores were normal, as for any newborn, so for that we were grateful. Her lungs were strong, and Bree was relieved to hear her cry almost immediately after birth. She got to hold her for about a minute, then Olivia was whisked away to the NICU. Mommy had some hemorrhaging, which they were able to stop, but once the baby was born her body bounced back pretty quickly. It was a few days before mommy and daddy could hold her properly.

They put her in an incubator to help regulate her temperature, and hooked her up to a CPAP. Not because she needed oxygen, but to help force air into her lungs so she didn’t have to work as hard breathing. She needed all the calories to go toward growing. She also had a feeding tube down her throat, and has been fed through the tube ever since.

We got home on July 2nd and went to see her with the whole family the next day. She was SOOOO tiny.

Since then we have seen her grow to over four pounds. They have removed the top from her incubator as she is regulating her own body temperature. They just took off the CPAP and moved to a nose tube for feeding. I was in The Woodlands and stopped by after treatment. I happened to get there right before they put in the tube, so I took some pictures of her cute little face and watched that process. She did great. I held her for the first time while she was eating. I’ve never held a baby that small that I can remember.

First time holding my little granddaughter. One month old.
I had just come from MD Anderson so they covered me in a blanket. It was so cozy.

Tim and I also stopped by to see her a couple of days later.

Within a few days they told me they were going to start feeding her with a bottle. They hadn’t started yet when Tim and I went by to see her. I haven’t been back yet, so I just checked with Bree on her progress. She said they haven’t started feeding with a bottle as they put her on a nasal cannula for breathing. (This was after the CPAP was removed. It’s common for them to go off and then back on oxygen.) They want the strength of her nasal cannula at a 2 and she’s at a 4 right now. She’s doing good.

They’re also giving her a diarrhetic for a couple days to see if excess fluid is making it more difficult for her to breathe. From what they explained to Bree, as soon as she’s breathing easier they will start to try feedings, and once she takes a full feed every feed for 3 days she comes home.

From what I understand, when they start feeding her with a bottle, it will be a slow process. She has been sucking, so this is a good sign. Apparently premies get tired easily and can’t down the whole bottle at first. What she doesn’t finish they will put in the tube. The nose tube stays in until a couple of days before discharge, when she is eating a full meal on her own.

We are hoping she comes home within another week or two, but the projection has always been her due date (September 9, also my birthday). We watched Mikayla on Saturday while Mommy and Daddy spent the day cleaning their apartment and disinfecting to avoid any possible germs. They are ready! We can’t wait to see her come home!

Thank you all for your continued prayers of this little one, and the family as well.

À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!

August 3, 2023August 10, 2023

Oncology Update

Chemo Day.

August 3rd. Oncology follow-up.

Dr. Kovitz is an amazing oncologist. I inherited him when my first doctor left to go teach at Baylor and he was hired to replace her. He left MD Anderson for a season, but he told me he came back “home” and plans to retire from here. I hope he is my doctor for the rest of my life, as I will most likely be in treatment that long.

Some people call it remission, but they don’t really use that term much anymore. Basically I still have cancer cells in my body, so everything we are doing is keeping them from growing and “progressing.” Stable is a good thing. I will always be considered “terminal,” until the day I die, most likely from some other cause. I’m planning on old age. 🤩🤩🤩

We talked about how well my body is doing. He recalled the large mass (7 cm) on my ribcage completely disappearing, the lesions in my liver, lungs, bones, skull, and even in the brain that have vanished or nearly so. It’s amazing how much we have overcome. He said I am “off the charts” (in terms of lifespan) and he is still amazed at how well my body is responding. I attributed it to God, and he affirmed it. He said we are all just tools in His hands, but He is the one doing this.

Aside, I have to remind myself that not everyone is as fortunate as I am. Because I’m “off the charts,” it means I am one of the few. I realize there are many women out there with metastatic breast cancer who do not live as long as I have. Not everyone has the energy and strength to do what I am able to do. I don’t know why God has allowed me to live a longer life, but I don’t think he is finished with me yet!

I will go back for follow-up scans in November, but between now and then we will be out of town. I told my oncologist I might miss a treatment or two while we are traveling with our Airstream in September and October. “Living life to the fullest,” I smiled. He said, and I’ll never forget this, “That’s why we’re doing all of this, right? If you can’t live life, then what the he** are we doing here?” He is a colorful guy. 😂🤪😄

Yes, Dr. K. That’s why we are doing this. Thank you for that reminder! I will continue to do this as long as we deem necessary. Maybe one day the protocols will change and I can go off of the drugs, but for now, we keep on keeping on.

My body is still stable, meaning I haven’t seen any progression of the cancer in nearly four years, and everything has been shrinking or disappeared in over six years. I have very tiny punctate lesions in my brain that are so small they don’t even pick up on the MRI every time. Hot spots always show up in my bones, but that could be places that have healed or left holes where the cancer has eaten my bones. Either way, these spots have not grown and they are considered stable. I expect no changes at my follow-up scans in November.

If you’re a bit nerdy like me, and you want to know more about the drugs they are giving me, I’ve included some links where you can read more about it. I know, it’s Wikipedia, but this information is not being used for a published research paper LOL 😂🤪😂.

July 31st. Chemo Day. I continue to get infusions of Pertuzumab (Perjeta) and Trastuzumab (Herceptin) every three weeks for the HER2+ part of the cancer. Sometimes I can extend it a little longer, but if it goes more than four weeks I have to reload and the infusion time is longer. It’s a little harder on my body to do that, but it’s worth it when we are traveling or have other things going on.

I didn’t get it this time, but they do give me an infusion of Zoledronic acid (Zometa) every three or six months, or sometimes longer. My doctor said it’s not as simple as it was in the first five years. Zometa helps strengthen the bones, but if you take it for too long or too often it can actually make your bones too solid which removes their natural flexibility. We talk about this one every time I go in to see him. He’s going to do some additional bloodwork at my next visit to determine where my bones are at this point, but he said to plan a longer visit as he’s adding Zometa.

I also continue to take Anastrozole (Arimidex), which is a pill, daily. This is for the estrogen-positive part of the cancer. One time the PA explained to me that it is hard to lose weight when you are in treatment for estrogen-positive (ER+) cancer, because they have to suppress your estrogen. Estrogen is helpful in losing weight. I struggle with this now, but it helps to know it’s not all because I’m doing everything wrong. (although I could lay off the sugar 🤪🥴🤪😂😂).

À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!

May 17, 2023May 17, 2023

Puzzle Box and Chemo Day

In my last blog, I promised a demonstration of my puzzle box from Guatemala, so here it is! The video is only 3:33 minutes long, and you’ll get to see the treasures inside.

This week I have been finalizing all my personal appointments along with a few trips to the Airstream to get ready for our big road trip. One more sleep! 🤩🤩🤩

Scans (CT and Bone) were completed on Monday (my body is still stable, PTL ❤️❤️). Filled up my pill box. Got my hair done. Cleaned the house. Got my treatment (well, getting treatment while blogging). My nurse thought I was working, as many people do that during treatment. I told her I did that for many years, and I decided it was just too much. I’m so glad those days are behind me. Now I can do what I enjoy doing without the stress of the job.

Today is chemo day,
and after that we should be ready!
Aside, my doctor decided I don’t need bloodwork before my treatment anymore,
so that was one less thing to do. It’s a beautiful day outside!

I admit I’m a little tired. Time for a nap! 😴 I’ve been so keyed up at night thinking and planning for the trip, I have had some trouble falling asleep. Last night I put all our stops and parks in the calendar so we can ensure we remember where we are going, and which days we are scheduled to work (er, when Tim has to work haha). It’s a very big trip and I look forward to sharing it with you as we go.

Living life to the fullest in spite of MBC!

À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!

May 9, 2023February 23, 2024

It’s Been on my Mind (MRI Results)

Nearly three weeks ago I lay on the MRI table, once again checking my brain. The reason? I had an eye exam and my double vision has gotten much worse since the last time i was in the eye doctor’s chair. So much that my optometrist won’t put that much prism in my glasses. The double vision results in some dizziness, a few headaches, and, of course, two of everything. Some things are good to double; others…one is enough. My last MRI was in February, and usually I go annually. But my oncologist wanted to double check it.

I don’t get super concerned, anxious, or panicky when I see something show up on the test results. I respond like the line from Bridges of Spies, “would it help?” Worrying doesn’t help, but I do think about it at times.

I get my test results within a few days, before I see the doctor, so I tend to Google everything I don’t understand (which is most of it 🙄). However, I know if there is a cause for concern, my oncologist will call me at some ungodly hour of the morning or night. The dude never sleeps, but he is on top of it. I knew I had an appointment with him today, so even though something new popped up on this one, I just decided to wait and see what he thought about the result.

After three years of reading, “No evidence for intracranial metastasis,” this is the first time I’ve seen “lesions” show up in my brain scan since the gamma knife zapped those little suckers, so naturally I had a few questions brewing. They were described as “punctate,” which means smaller than a millimeter. More specifically, “there are 2 punctate enhancing lesions in the right-sided cerebellum and cerebellar vermis,” with “suspicious for metastasis” and “further follow up” written into the impression and recommendation. They are in the same spots where I was treated for lesions with gamma knife in 2019.

Dr. K. is not overly-concerned. He’s going to do the right thing, and watch them closely, but we aren’t getting too worked up about it and over scanning my brain either. He’s going to send over the images to the radiation oncologist just to be sure, but he doesn’t think I will need to be scanned for a few months or so.

He explained it this way. The MRI takes slices of your brain, and those slices are about 3mm apart. The chances of them catching something as small as these are very slim. They could have been there all along. Regardless, it’s most likely they are showing the healing in my brain from the gamma knife. Or, they could be some residual metastasis. Apparently the gamma knife decreases the size, but doesn’t typically eliminate them entirely (that was news to me 😳). It’s possible the MRI just happened to slice the brain on them this time, and the radiologist decided to write about it.

He did order my regular bone and CT scans, so I can get those out of the way before our big summer road trip. Which is NINE DAYS away 🤩🤩. He didn’t seem bothered by us Airstreaming, going out of town, or missing a treatment. In fact, they are all very happy for us to travel and enjoy life. We can continue with our adventure as planned.

We will be back at the end of July, and I can get another MRI done then if needed. If they want it sooner, I will be home in June for my grandson’s first birthday. Of course I won’t miss that!

Tim went with me to this appointment. Typically I go by myself. Whenever he goes with me, Dr. K. is very chatty. Not so much about cancer, although that’s part of it, but we talk about world politics, society, how it is changing, the extremes and the middle-ground, and how we all have to learn to just live with it. But we are also looking forward to the day when we no longer have to live with it. *Sigh* 😔

I’m reminded of the song, “This world is not my home!” Aside, Dr. K. is a Christian, too. 🥰

We talked about the visit on the way home, rain pouring over our sunroof. I told Tim I was glad to hear what Dr. K. had to say about the MRI results, and the lesions (or whatever they are) in my brain. While I don’t get overly anxious about it, I said, it has been on my mind.

“Literally.” He replied.

We both had a good laugh.

À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!

February 10, 2023May 9, 2023

She Has a Name!

We picked up our new 2023 Airstream Globetrotter today. After our “Maiden Voyage” a couple of weeks ago, we took her in for some warranty work. Here we are on the way home from Austin, where she is all put back together. AND…she has a name!

We conducted a poll of our friends and after much ado we have decided on her name. Why we think she is a female, who knows, but it seems right to us. You can learn more about the names we polled and why we did or didn’t choose a specific name by watching this silly and hilarious video.

In case you are wondering, no, I didn’t forget to wipe my mouth after I ate. 😂🤪😂 I was getting over some cold sores, so I apologize for the ugly face. They were nearly healed by this time, so you can probably imagine how they hurt. 😳🙄 Having MBC means it’s easier to catch things, and much harder to get rid of them. C’est la vie.

Anyway, I hope you like the video. Enjoy the West Airstream Adventures and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more fun and adventures!

À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!

December 29, 2022January 2, 2023

Back to Reality

Christmas is over and we are back to reality. I’m sitting here at MD Anderson getting treatment, after seeing my oncologist for the last time this year. I’m looking forward to what 2023 has in store!

I’m so thrilled to be here, SIX years after my diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. I am so blessed, and I thank my God daily for giving me the strength and life to live. My nurses are always a bit amazed at how many times I have been here for treatment.

Tim and I just returned from our “Hallmark Christmas.” We enjoyed Christmas with four of our grandkids at the beginning of the month since they would not be available on Christmas Day. Our other two have moved out of state, so it was just the two of us this year. To do something different, rather than sitting at home, we decided to go on a trip. It would be our first winter camping trip for this long of a time. It was a blast!

If you are my friend on FaceBook, you’ve seen all the updates. We shared some of our woes and joys in various videos along the way. We demonstrated our “MacGyver” trick to insulating the bottom of the trailer, fixing a flat tire, and other things. The last video has a special message of inspiration from my hubby, also known as “Padre” or “Pastor Tim.” Click here if you want to watch it. You can catch up on all the other videos on my YouTube channel, including a gift to you on my ukulele (I’m still learning).

We knew it was going to be cold, which is what we wanted for Christmas this year, but we couldn’t see the forecast that far into the future. Little did we know a Siberian freeze would be coming to town. 🤪🥶 Temperatures fell to single digits, with wind chills at – 22 (that’s MINUS 22!). Our tanks froze and we crossed our fingers and prayed that nothing was permanently damaged. They thawed out on Christmas Day, and we were able to leave two days later.

Before the miserable freezing weather, we enjoyed small town Christmas as well as Oklahoma City Lights on Broadway. We saw millions of Christmas lights, ate some great food, spent time with friends, watched movies, played games, and even put together a Christmas puzzle. And yes, we got our White Christmas! In spite of the cold, our heater worked well and we slept soundly.

Our Airstream was so pretty all decorated, with snow in the foreground.

We maintained traditions like attending a Christmas Eve candlelight service followed by a Chinese dinner, and opening presents on Christmas morning. We also read a devotional book together daily for the entire Advent season. It was one of the best I’ve read, with lots of historical references and food for thought. The emphasis was on Emmanuel, God with us. The Incarnation. I felt closer to Jesus with each turn of the page.

We left on December 9th and didn’t go home until the 27th; it was quite an adventure! It was a wonderful time camping in our Airstream travel trailer. Along with the normal gear were our Christmas decorations, lights, and of course the presents. It felt so much like Christmas the whole time we were there. The staff at the KOA (just outside of Oklahoma City) were so friendly, encouraging, and knew us by name by the time we were heading out. I gave them one of my children’s books as we were leaving.

We learned a lot of lessons on this trip. We learned a lot about winter camping that we didn’t already know. We learned that we are more resilient than we could have believed. No matter how much life throws our way, we will persevere. Our perspective on our limits has changed. For one, 30 degrees doesn’t sound as cold as it used to! Sometimes we may go through a test to determine how much our bodies (and minds) can handle. I am grateful to have the Lord and my husband beside me, and a body that keeps going in spite of my cancer diagnosis.

À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!