Medical Updates

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Our next big trip starts in two days, Memorial Day, so we have been busy getting all of our medical appointments out of the way, haircuts and color, purchases that are too hard to get on the road, etc. In this blog I’ll share some updates from my medical journey. And a little bit of Tim’s as well.

Dec. 23, 2024. Scan for Bone Density, known as DXA BONE MINERAL DENSITY BOTH HIPS AND SPINE. I continue to show scores in the “osteopenia” range. It does appear that my bone density is (significantly) better than previous bone scans. The bone specialist continues to do bloodwork to determine the level of Zometa I need. This is an infusion about every three months, and just adds about 15-20 minutes to my normal infusion routine. Based on recent scan and bloodwork, continue with treatment.

April 23rd. MRI of the brain. AND fasting bloodwork (CTX Beta Crosslaps). Since my vision has been changing (increased double vision mostly), my neurology oncologist has been watching my brain again. They scan it about every three months. They always find some little something, but it’s all good. If you’re into the medical lingo, here’s a snippet from my test result. No changes. No new lesions. The spots they follow are residual effects from the radiation in 2019.

1. No new or recurrent intracranial metastases. 2. Stable scattered intrinsically T1 hyperintense lesions in the calvarium may represent hemangiomas and can be followed. Scattered intrinsically T1 hyperintense lesions in the calvarium show no worrisome interval change and appear to suppress on fat saturation techniques which may reflect osseous hemangiomas.

As for the bloodwork, she looks for certain numbers to determine when we need to get my next dose of Zometa. She did another fasting CTX in May, and the numbers went up, so it’s time for another dose.

May 1. CBC (full panel bloodwork) and Hip X-Ray. I saw the doctor on this date. I’m having some hip pain, ever since I drove my daughter to her surgeon’s appointment (4.5 hours away). She ordered a full blood panel in addition to tests for my hip. The blood showed some abnormalities including low hemoglobin, low red blood cells, and low platelets. This probably explains some of my fatigue lately. However, I was sick with a stomach bug from April 28-29, so this was likely the reason for the low blood counts (and fatigue). The X-Ray was normal, with this snippet. “Focal trabecular thickening of the intertrochanteric right femur. These features were present on the radiographs of 10/27/2022 and are considered benign. No evidence of metastatic disease.” That’s good news. They did find “Osteitis pubis” which is basically an inflammation which causes pain. Rest is the treatment for that.

The doctor noted this in my chart, “No fracture or evidence of cancer on the x-ray from yesterday. We’ll wait for the results from your CT and bone scan and go from there.” She scheduled my whole body bone scan and CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis. It has been eleven months since my last body scans, and since we are traveling soon it’s probably good to get those done anyway.

May 8. Whole body scans. Also known on MyChart as CT CHEST ABDOMEN PELVIS W CONTRAST and NM BONE SCAN WHOLE BODY. This is a half-day long process, as they have to access my port, insert the nuclear medicine contrast for the bone scan (then wait two hours to do the scan). In the meantime I have to drink the CT contrast, wait about an hour and they do the CT. There’s about an hour in between scans where I typically go and eat something, since the CT is a fasting exam. If I have enough time I go off-campus, but usually there’s no time for that. I brought my breakfast this time and ate in the Marketplace on the 2nd floor.

Results: CT states “No evidence of active metastatic disease.” Also known as NEAD. They always find a few nodules in my lungs or other places, but they are stable and of “unknown origin,” so as long as we continue with the current treatment plan, there shouldn’t be any progression. Bone scan states, “Stable bone metastases involving the left fourth rib and the right iliac bone.” Mind you, the reports are much lengthier, but seeing the words “stable” and “NEAD” are what we hope for.

May 15, 2025. MOHS (Tim). Tim had surgery on his nose to remove basal cell carcinoma, and on this day he had the stitches removed. It was right by his eye, so a bit scary. However, the surgeon did an excellent job! She didn’t have any trouble closing it up, and she was able to get clean margins. You can’t even tell it was there. This is an ongoing issue for Tim as he has fair skin, thanks to his Irish blood. I believe this is his third surgery. Many of you have had this done as well. The older we get, the more we regret not wearing sunscreen as a kid.

May 15, 2025. Dental Crowns. I had two crowns put in the right molars (top and bottom) due to cracks in the teeth. I have to be very careful about what I allow dentists to do, as the Zometa can cause necrosis in the bones if they do any deep work. This dentist was well aware of my situation, and the crowns were not only the best option but they fit perfectly! I am very happy with those results.

Whew! Quite a month. Or two. We are now primed and ready for our next big adventure! More on that in the near future.

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

November 21, 2024November 22, 2024

Midnight Meditations

Today I was at MD Anderson, getting a brain MRI and seeing my oncologist. He was reminded that I came to him when he first “came back” to MDA. (He left to go into private practice for a few years, then came back after he “did that.” He told me he plans to retire from here. He is now a full professor.) I was one of his first patients. He remembers well the size of the tumor that was growing in my rib cage (7 cm). And the others in my bones, skull, liver, and lungs. And the brain metastases. All gone*.

He uses my story to inspire those who are newly diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. And other cancers. We can survive and thrive, and live a full life. Treatment can extend our life expectancy.

We love traveling as it is a testimony to the Lord. Even the Big Red Number (BRN) on our rig comes from Psalm 96:3…Declare His Glory**. I don’t know why God has kept me here but He must not be finished with me yet.

Not all of us are so fortunate. I never make light of cancer because it’s a horrible disease. Many of my friends and family have passed away from various cancers. Dr. Kovitz is very attentive and never brushes me off. He reminds me we can’t become so complacent with my progress that we forget. It’s a sneaky son of a gun, and we have to stay alert with scans and treatment. I am living with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer…

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

*My scans usually find “hot spots,” but my team has determined those are residual effects from the radiation, or scars where the cancer was at one time. We keep watching to make sure they don’t grow, or “progress.”

**Airstreamers acquire a number when we join the International Club. Wally Byam started this tradition when he began doing caravans and rallies, for protection and safety. The numbers can be seen on the front or back of rigs as they drive down the highway. Imagine if you were at a rally, had an emergency, called 911 and said, “we’re in the shiny silver Airstream,” and you are one of several thousand. The numbers help keep track of people, and quickly identify where they are located in a sea of silver.

Our BRN is 19963, and it was chosen for a purpose. Psalms is the 19th book of the Bible, chapter 96, verse 3. This has been our theme verse for many years. We keep ours on a solar powered display and hang it from our rock guard.

July 22, 2024

The First One Hundred Days

Children learn the number 100 at an early age, and teachers have many creative ways to help them understand this concept. Recently we had one of our grandchildren count to 100 as we made our way to a destination. By the time we got there, she was surprised to discover we had arrived, as she was “so busy counting.”

We have officially been full-time on the road for more than 100 days. We sold our house in March, and we are building another one. Well, we intend to build another one. You can read the last two house updates here and here to learn more about that story.

On this journey, we have already traveled through Texas (we providentially left the state about a week before the hurricane hit), Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and currently we are camping in Maple Grove Minnesota, which is in the greater Minneapolis area. Between work and other responsibilities, we have participated in Airstream rallies, visited state capitols, presidential libraries, national parks, and witnessed so much of God’s scenic locations. I have made several loaves of sourdough bread, and we enjoy many homemade creations. I think I’ve finally learned how to use the convection microwave, but I have to be careful not to hit “microwave” when I intend to cook in the oven 🥴🤪😳😂. Tim’s pizza was way overcooked that night.

Every time we move from one campsite to another, we start the day with a devotion and sometimes we just burst into song. We decided to start recording these random musings, and we share a singalong with our friends. One take.

So far I’ve only been sharing these on FaceBook, but I know several of our friends do not have FaceBook anymore (including my hubby), so I will add these videos to our ministry YouTube library. They are far from perfect, but we have had fun and felt inspired sharing a few words from Scripture and song.

When we started full-timing it, Tim’s workload was at an all-time low. “Let’s go up north! Let’s visit North Dakota and Montana! Let’s go…” At the time we made these plans his company was not getting a lot of business. The owner was considering staff layoffs (not the consultants). We thought he would have plenty of time to hitch the trailer, travel and site-see.

My how quickly that changed! Almost as soon as we left Texas his company started getting a lot more business. Plus, one of the primary consultants left the company, and now Tim is taking on more of those gigs in addition to making pitches and working with new clients. He is traveling for work more, and we have been diligently planning our trips to ensure we stay in locations where there is an airport, WIFI, good phone signal, and, if possible, Panera Bread 🤪🥴. I even added that to my travel spreadsheet.

I feel like a full-time travel agent on most days 😂🤩🤪.

In addition to Tim’s travel, I have to ensure my visits with MD Anderson for treatment, scans, doctor visits, etc. fit into the travel schedule as well. It’s like when someone puts a lot of sugar in their coffee, we might say “would you like a little coffee to go with that sugar?” Well, Tim and I now say, “would you like a little downtime to go with that travel?”

Aside, I was in The Woodlands for treatment, hence the travel. I also had an MRI of the brain today, and the doctor said it was an excellent scan. They have been following some residual spots, and have determined they are simply post-treatment (post-radiation) spots. They have not grown, and she is confident I am still cancer free in the brain. PTL! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Tim and I both experienced some travel saga related to the botched Microsoft patch. Tim had to cancel one of his onsite visits due to flight cancellations and no rental cars. I was a bit more lucky on the flight out, but now I am sitting in Starbucks at the Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, waiting to see if my flight home from treatment will be cancelled. It has already been delayed twice, so it will be close to midnight when I get home.

Home….is where we park it. ❤️❤️❤️

Each time we stop, we ask ourselves, “what did we break this time?” 😂😂We have had our share of drawers opening, hinges breaking, items flying around that we forgot to tie down, medicine and salt pouring out on the floor. No more spaghetti sauce sagas, fortunately. We’ve learned how to fix things on our own, and YouTube fills in the gaps. Tim is becoming quite the handyman!

Other pantry door. 🤦‍♀️
I think I forgot to slam it shut.

In the past 100 days we have done several organizational changes, to make our Airstream more livable and durable. I’ve added automatic lights in all the dark cupboards and closets. Tim laughs when I (frequently) use the word “Velcro.” He thinks it’s ironic that we have to use Velcro to hold our expensive Airstream together 😂😂😂😂😂.

In addition to Velcro and zip ties, we upgraded our kitchen in the Airstream to include three gorgeous walnut pieces. We picked two of them up in Wisconsin, and had the third shipped from a friend to Minneapolis. Below are some pictures of our latest additions.

Our new custom-built dinette table. Such a beauty! Much sturdier than the one that came with the Globetrotter, and easier for us old folks to maneuver into the back of the U-bench.

This is our custom-designed sink cover. We took out the white covers that came with the rig (they looked like the ones behind the faucet). This gives us more room to work and is beautiful as well. Matches the table perfectly, and it is food-safe for cutting.

This is our stove cover/ cutting board, also food-safe. A friend of ours is getting into woodworking, so we gave him this one to do. He did a GREAT job! It matches the walls and other woodwork perfectly. I love the walnut. It’s rich and has a nice grain to it.

We used to keep our spices behind the stove on a rack, so we measured to include those behind it. However, now we keep them in the pantry. One less thing to move. If I had realized we were going to do that, I would have had him go all the way to the wall 🤦‍♀️. Lesson learned. I still love it though, and I can use that little gap for my spoon rest and butter dish.

One more piece of wood for good measure. When we were picking up our table and sink cover from Tayfun (Topics Woodworks), he wasn’t happy with how the sink cover was fitting. It was just a hair too big. So, he offered to make us a new one. Tim said no, don’t waste the wood. Can you just shave this one down?

He fixed it while we waited, and then gave us THIS charcuterie board for our trouble. He’s a great guy, honest, and a master woodworker. We would definitely order from him again.

I think that pretty well catches us up. Thanks for giving me something to do while I wait on my delayed flight. I was starting to get sleepy. 🥱

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

June 6, 2024July 3, 2024

Scans and Treatment – Update

May be an image of 1 person, smiling, drink and hospital

Cheers! I’m done with everything. Just in time for lunch. Bone scan, chemo and CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis. They had my CT scheduled for 6:00 AM tomorrow so I was so happy they agreed to do it today. Whew! 🤪

UPDATE – My oncologist called, and all my scans are still coming back good. They are watching a lymph node in my abdomen which increased slightly, but they are not concerned. My body remains stable. Stable means there is no progression. But, stage four cancer (metastatic breast cancer) never goes away, so we stick with the program.

PTL . God is so good! I don’t deserve it, but I’m so glad He’s not finished with me yet.

I am living John 10:10 (living life abundantly) the best I can. I believe God is healing me, keeping the cancer at bay, and giving me strength to continue. Could I choose to quit treatment? Yes. But we don’t know what that would do. No one has ever tested it, and likely never will because who would want the risk? My cells seem to attract hormone and protein driven breast cancer, so the treatments I get with infusions as well as a daily pill protect my cells from the invasion. I’ll never stop treatment unless the doctor says, “you’re cured,” (which doesn’t happen for the reasons I already stated). Instead, I get regular scans to ensure there is no progression, doctor visits to prevent complacency, and treatment to ward off the demons.

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

#chemoday #scanday #livinglifewithmbc

March 14, 2024

Echo, Chemo, and Docto…rs

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 28, 2023February 18, 2024

New Scan Results

Today is chemo day, so I’ll take a few minutes to write an update. Tomorrow we are leaving for Natchitoches Louisiana for an Airstream Rally at the Christmas Festival of Lights.

I’m on an annual schedule for echocardiograms, mammograms, and MRIs of the brain (is that all??🫤🤔. Every three months — or sometimes a little longer — I also get the following scans. CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis, and whole body bone scan. It takes about a half day, as they access my port, inject me with the nuclear medicine and then I have to wait two hours for the bone scan (which takes 30 minutes by itself). While I’m waiting for nukes to penetrate my body, I drink the contrast and get the CT scan over with. After it’s all done, they de-access my port. I usually need a nap after all that. 🥱🥱😴

I had my usual scans on November 22, 2023. It took a little while to get the results due to Thanksgiving. Added to that my annual mammogram (left side only). Nothing to worry about, but here are the brief impressions.

CT: “There are new indeterminate less than 5 mm pulmonary nodules. This this can be evaluated with follow-up imaging. There are stable bone metastasis.”

I have several spots in my bones that show up in the scans. Most likely it is degenerative. I do have back pain, but doesn’t everybody at my age??

Bone Scan: “1. Probably stable multifocal bone metastases. 2. Slightly more prominent activity in the lower thoracic spine is favored to be degenerative rather than metastatic, recommend close attention on follow-up studies.”

Mammogram: “There is no mammographic evidence of malignancy. Follow-up mammogram in 1 year is recommended.”

I have a cold, and coughing up phlegm. I believe those are the “nodules” on my lungs. I guess we’ll see in a few months when we do the update, but I bet they will be gone by then.

All in all, still stable! Thanks again for all your prayers.

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

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 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!