Round 2 Treatment 3

As I type this I am getting treatment 3.

My new pathology report (where my oncologist asked the pathologist to take another look at my biopsies) is not yet complete. For now the 'triple negative' interpretation of my cancer stands. Although my oncologist is still suspicious that HER2+ still lurks somewhere in my body.

My revised treatment plan is ....

A discussion with the tumour board has resulted in the following 'sandwich treatment' plan.

1. Chemo and Herseptin continues as planned.
2. Surgery and reconstruction of my left arm will be booked ASAP.
3. Consult with radiation oncologist for a radiation plan to begin after surgery.
4. More chemo and Herseptin to happen after radiation.

So kind of a surgery/radiation sandwich special on chemo?  Not something I would have ever thought I would ever want!

I am still very happy and greatful that my cancer is localized. :) Life is good! And blessings abound!!

I so look forward to life getting back to 'normal' and being able to play in my garden! Yahoo!

"This is the day which The Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24

Everyday that I have will be a good day! Praise The Lord!!

Amazing News!!

Wednesday, April 10, 2013 visit with oncologist ...

The night before my oncologists appointment  I told my mom, " The best that I can hope and pray for is for the CT scan to come back clean and the new cancer to be HER2 negative".

This is what my sweet husband, Ted, and I were told ....

1. The CT scan indicates that the cancer has NOT spread to my internal organs.  The CT scan is clean!!
2. The biopsy results indicate that your cancer is estrogen negative, progesterone negative, and HER2  negative!!

At this point Ted and I were in the middle of a high five and getting ready to dance. Prayers have been answered. God is good!!

3. The tumour had not increased in size in the passed week so the chemo drugs are working!

This information was so amazing. It was almost a dream.  This means no very expensive chemo treatments, I could stay home (no traveling to the US for treatments) and that this new cancer was NOT the nasty aggressive rogue HER2 positive cancer!! Wahoo!!

My oncologists told us, "I am still very concerned. This looks like it may be a new cancer."

So his plan is to have a meeting with the pathologist to discuss and look at the slides from my biopsies and then meet with his team of oncologists to discuss the new plan. For now, chemo continues as scheduled and surgery to remove the tumour area will be booked in probably the next 6 weeks. I also will have to start using the Nulasta shots again  to increase my blood counts. So no Gemcitabine today but Herseptin is still a go. Herseptin is to treat HER2 positive cancer ... Oncologist says that we need to treat it just to be on the safe side.

In the meantime my test results continue to baffle these very well educated scientists. :) All is good. If you have been praying for me, please continue, because it is working! Dance a little, too! Life is good!!

Day 1 of Round 2

1. Muga scan done ... check.
2. Port-a-cath back in ... check
3. CT scan done ... check.
4. First chemo done this morning April 4, 2013... check.
5. Best family and friends in the world ... check. :) 
6. Sister finding out if I can get the chemo (pertuzumab) at her hospital in Portland... check.
7.  Husband checking to see if we have health insurance to cover it... check. 


Things are moving forward ... I only can continue to pray that "God's will be done".


I am so blessed.  Thank you to my sweet brother for reminding me ... 

"Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Palms 37:4


And thank you to my Aunty Fern for reminding me that NOTHING can separate us from God...

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things present, nor things to come, nor heights, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:38 and 39

And it is time for bed .... check... Good Night one and all. 

New Hope?

Yesterday, March 20, my husband and I went to the appointment to learn that my oncologist had a totally different plan.   I am to start another chemo regime in one week. After 3 rounds of chemo, I will be reassessed to see if the new cancer area is shrinking or not.  The hope is that the drugs will be able to shrink the cancer like it did during my last round of treatment.  I will be on a 21 day cycle with treatments on Day 1 and Day 8.

My oncologist, Dr. Paterson told us, "The drug you really need is Pertuzamab". This drug will increase my survival rate.  However, the issues with this is that it is not available in Canada until May 2013 (just over a month) and will cost $40,000 a treatment.  That is right ... $40,000 a treatment. He reassured us that he will fight to try and get it funded.  I think that I am going to write my MLA.

They also told us some things about my cancer. Things that made me cry. However, I am determined that I am not going to get discouraged about this because doctors have been wrong before.

I also am not going to worry about the funds for this drug.  I am going to be OK. God will help us through this.  Only he can see the future.  So far things have worked out.

Again I think of Jeremiah 29:11 ...  ^"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future".


Like my friend Cheryl told me ... "No negative thoughts!"

I choose the live by faith not fear.

The light of God surrounds me;
    The love of God enfolds me;
        The power of God protects me;
The presence of God watches over me;
   Where I am, God is!

I am a child of God.  He reminds me of this constantly from people in the grocery store to songs on the radio.  I am so bless by all around me.  I truly do have amazing family and friends.  I am not alone. God will be with me and send me angels of hope as my life journey continues.

Now I need to get my thinking cap on and try to remember all my 'getting through chemo' supplies.  I need to make a list. God Bless you all and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers.

UPDATE:  First chemo has been postponed.  Chemo will now start on April 4, 2013. 

Speed Bump #2

"Your cancer is back."
"What?"
"Your biopsies came back positive for cancer."
"What now?"
"Surgery and radiation is the plan for now."
"Wow! I was not expecting that."
"Neither was I, this is a total surprise."
"Is this a new cancer?"
"No."

....

That is how I remember the conversation going on March 6, 2013.  "Your cancer is back" are not words that I have ever expected or wanted.  In my mind, I had closed the door on cancer and was moving forward with my life. I have had enough cancer education.  However, my 'life plan' obviously has something else in mind.

Right now, all I want to do, is to just continue on as if nothing has changed.   Life continues.

I had wondered why it seemed like every television pastor (Ok I admit it.  I have become a fan of Joel Osteen) this past week had been referring on the fact that with faith that God is in control and we have nothing to fear.  Now I know.  Someone was trying to remind me that God has a plan for each of us.  Sometimes it is hard to understand but it will all work out the way God wants it.  We just need faith to carry us through.

Isaiah 41:12
For I am the Lord your God
    who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
    I will help you.

I will  follow the treatment plan as outlined by my doctors and pray for the day when I will truly be able to say 'good-bye' to cancer.  

Thank you for your support and continued prayers.  Happy Sabbath.

Journey continues ....

Last Tuesday, I had an appointment with my oncologist.  As a result, I was sent for a bone scan on Friday and will see the surgeon tomorrow.  There are two lumps under my left arm pit.  These events have played on my mind.  Somehow I have come to the conclusion, that my doctor is just taking really good care of me and that it is all going to be OK.  Surprisingly, after a restless two nights of sleep I am, now, feeling quite relaxed about all this.  I will keep you posted on the events as they happen. 

I have had a wonderful weekend.  Enjoyed church, yoga, family and even did a little house cleaning.  Strange that after finally feeling so much better, that things can change in an instant.  By the way 16 months after my aggressive chemo was done, my legs finally no longer ache. 

This week, Pastor Steve encouraged the congregation to enjoy the 'Selah' moments in there life ... moments just to stop and ponder the meaning and the beauty that is around us.

Psalms 46 

1	God is our refuge and strength,          a very present help in trouble.
2	Therefore will not we fear,          though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3	though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,          though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah

February 23,2013 update:  Bone scan came back with "no malignancy detected" (Yahoo!!) ... Still waiting on the biopsies from Feb 13, 2013. For now, life goes on. Sometimes boring is amazing. :)

Gratitude

Gratitude  <--this is a link to a you tube video

Today is a gift ..... "live it as if it were your first day of life and your last day of life"

My life experiences have cultivated in my an attitude of gratitude.  Gratitude for every day, gratitude waking each morning, and gratitude for all the amazing people that touch my life. :)