Chart

This is the chart of the CA 15-3 cancer tumor markers we've been monitoring. The same test that caught the slight change back in August. Do you see how it was steady and flat until early this year when it started to rise? And then it climbed straight up as those cancer cells started multiplying. There's good news! That slight tip to the right means the cell growth is SLOWING. This is exactly what we were hoping to see as my body begins to respond to the Adaptive Therapy initiated almost one month ago. Since the cancer is advanced and not considered curable, the goal is maintain the number of tumor cells below that which causes symptoms. Like I said, this is good news! Just the beginning but it's encouraging to know that we are headed in the right direction.

I'm also happy to report that we seem to have found a tolerable combination of medications to manage my pain. Now that it is better controlled, I am actively looking into natural or less addictive options as I do not like the idea of long term use of morphine. Several of you mentioned some very helpful points on one of my previous posts, so thanks for that.

Absurdity

I'm not typically one to sit around feeling sorry for myself. I'm not even mad about having cancer again. You know gets me though? Being treated like druggie at the pharmacy. I'm paying hundreds of dollars out of pocket for multiple prescriptions while my doctor tries to figure out what works for my pain. It's not like I can return it if it doesn't work! And then I get to pay for a new one. I know the pharmacy techs are just doing their jobs, but seriously... getting "red flagged" at the pharmacy for controlled substances for cancer is absurd.

Cancer is a really expensive drug addiction, if you ask me.

Thanks

Thank you all for your prayers last night and this morning. I did go to church and I did have the elders pray over me and my family. And I am feeling better at the moment, thanks be to God. I'm hopeful this continues, at least until I get into see my doctor tomorrow to figure out what's next.

This was from this morning's message and seemed totally appropriate to share now:
"Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.'
Psalms 28:6‭-‬7

Below is the verse that immediate follows the one I shared last night. God hears💗and answers.

Blurred

This week is all blurred together. Between the pain and heavy medications I'm on for it and lack of sleep because of it, these last few days don't have much definition. I had treatment Thursday and worked that night. I was fine till around midnight and was experiencing the worst pain of my life. After hours Friday morning in the ER, I was sent home with a new combo of meds we hoped would help. I was walking without a limp and barely needed my cane but I knew it was the drugs not healing. I worked all day Saturday. By the grace of God and very helpful friends and family, I made it through. My body was screaming for my next dose 2 hours before I was supposed to take it. That was 5 hours ago. I'm still in pain. I don't think it made a difference this time. I hurt even in my teeth and my toes. This is what we were afraid of. And right now I just want to sleep.

All I know to do now is PRAY. And ask you to join me. Tomorrow I plan to be in church asking my elders to pray over me.

Emergency Room

I couldn't walk last night. I was in excruciating pain. I was severely shivering and couldn't get warm despite my electric blanket on high. I was scared. I don't think I've ever been in that much pain. My doctor sent me to the ER this morning. She suspects my body didn't tolerate the bone hardening infusion she sent me for yesterday. There was also concern there were new lesions. Xrays thankfully showed nothing new. They've been pumping me full of narcotics to try to get this pain controlled. I'm finally heading home now to rest. Please pray this combo works.

Casting for Recovery

Last weekend, I attended a fly fishing retreat for breast cancer survivors, Casting for Recovery, at Lake Creek Lodge in Camp Sherman, OR. I took my time driving out there, stopping often and finally allowing myself to process the info I'd just received, that once again I was fighting cancer.
I heard that 65 women applied to go to this special getaway but only 14 are selected each year. I'm so thankful to have been a part of this group and spend time sharing with these women. Such a huge blessing😊 The staff and volunteers took such good care of us! Especially my personal river helper 💗 I was in so much pain that last day when we finally went fishing. She made sure I still had a great time, drove me to the water so I didn't have to walk the distance, let me use her walking stick to help me balance in the water. She even paid attention to my special dietary needs and brought me a snack in case I got hungry while we were out there. Such a gift!
It was an emotional weekend for me but the timing could only have been God's.
A huge THANK YOU to each new friend I made there, for making the weekend so very special.

Stick

Me with my new stick.😉

As questions from friends and family come up, I realize that there are others who may have the same questions about my care. For instance, today I was asked if my insurance will cover my medical expenses. Yes and no. I have both a regular "conventional" oncologist and an integrative oncologist. My insurance will cover the conventional doctor and almost all conventional treaments. What are those? Chemo, hormone therapies, radiation, surgery, scans, labs, etc. They only cover SOME of my meds. All of those things affect my overall health and not always in a positive way. My insurance does NOT cover my integrative oncologist nor any alternative therapies or treatments, like hyperbaric oxygen therapy, infrared sauna, supplements, and an abundance of other modalities that have been very helpful in my healing process. It also doesn't cover the countless hours I've spent in doctor's offices instead of running my business or spending time with my family. Just the past month alone, I've spent over $1200 for doctor visits, a cane to help me walk, supplements, and out-of-pocket prescriptions to help my pain be somewhat manageable.
But whatever. I'm thankful to still be running my business and have control over my schedule. I will continue to work as long as I'm able because I truly love my work. It also helps pay these expenses.

That's just one of several questions I've heard lately and I'm happy to answer. I'm also extremely thankful to all who have donated to help offset these expenses. THANK YOU💗

Confirmation

1st, I just want to say THANK YOU for your prayers and support. It means the world to me & my guys.
2nd, I saw my integrative oncologist today to go over my biopsy results and next steps. The bone biopsy taken from my pelvis confirms that 1) the cancer is back & 2) it is the same type as before. I started treatment (hormone blockers) last week but now we're upping the dose to bring on a faster response. PLEASE pray for this process. I'm to expect even more pain than I'm currently experiencing but the hope is to bring that "peak" on BEFORE Charlie and I leave for our anniversary trip (not during). She now has me on morphine for the pain. As much as I hate taking both these drugs, I don't see another viable option at this time.
3rd, the questions everyone's thinking but afraid to ask:
Stage 4, what does this mean? It means I'll be "in treatment" for the rest of my life, to slow/control its growth.
It's in my bones but not soft tissue. Is that good or bad? Actually, as painful as it is, it's good. I have a longer life expectancy than if it was in my brain, liver, or lungs.
Speaking of life expectancy, am I going to die? Simply put, yes. We all will someday. The odds of me dying from cancer are now increased but my doctor refuses to put a timeline in place till we see how my body responds to treatment. Typically breast cancer survivors with bone mets can live YEARS with controlled disease. I see this as a welcomed challenge. I'm planning on decades. 😊 3 or 4 sound good.
Last of all, I need to put this out there: We (me and my guys) appreciate the love & concern from all who've walked beside us through this.

Every dime donated goes towards my ongoing health care costs to fight this beast.

Scan

Last week I mentioned that my petscan "lit up". This is what I meant. Aside from my brain, kidneys, and bladder, the rest is cancer. Multiple places in my spine, shoulder, pelvis, top of my femur, and sternum. Not a pink ribbon in sight but I'm still aware of breast cancer. How 'bout you?
Did you know that only 2 - 5% of money for breast cancer research is dedicated toward understanding metastatic breast cancer (Stage IV), or finding solutions to extend the lives of MBC patients? Something's wrong with this picture. (Learn more here: www.metavivor.org)

So remember, I'm asking you to do it differently this year when you see those pink ribbons. Let them be a reminder to:
💗SPREAD THE WORD - If you really want to jump on board the pink ribbon wagon, bring awareness to the people by encouraging self breast exams. Know what to do and how often to do it. Early detection increases your survival rate.
💗SHOW YOUR SUPPORT - If you know someone who has/had breast cancer, reach out, be helpful, donate directly to their ongoing expenses, love them, hug them...gently.
💗PRAY FOR A CURE - If you want to know exactly how to pray for someone affected by breast cancer, whether they have it or are supporting someone with it, finding a cure is of paramount importance. Honor that person's treatment choices and pray for their total and complete healing. Physically, spiritually, emotionally.

TWO YEARS AGO during October, I was in the middle of chemo and I asked you to PRAY every time you saw a pink ribbon. LAST YEAR I asked you to continue praying but to also be mindful of WHERE you show your support. If you're buying something with that cute pink ribbon design on it, make sure you know where your dollars are really going. Don't be afraid to ASK a business! If they are truly supportive, they should have no hesitation in sharing that info. Better yet, GIVE directly. Whether to an organization that is actively and honestly supporting breast cancer research or to the survivors themselves. THIS YEAR, I'm asking that your support and prayers continue. Not just for me, but for all women (and men) fighting this all too common battle.
And for those that have asked, here's my Facebook fundraising account: https://www.facebook.com/donate/279741699532634/
Or PayPal to the same account: https://www.paypal.me/TWCancerFight. Every dime goes to my ongoing health care.
Or via First Interstate Bank.

PINKtober

PINKtober =Breast cancer awareness month
I don't know about you but I am aware of breast cancer. I know all about it, more than I ever wanted to know... Not just in October, but every day, every month, all year long. I don't need a pink ribbon to remind me...nor any other color for that matter. I am aware that there are several different types of breast cancer...over a dozen actually! Each one with a different treatment, and each person responding with a different choice, each choice resulting a different outcome. For every woman that receives a breast cancer diagnosis, the hope is the same...to beat it, cure it, never have to worry about it again. So with all the pink ribbon campaigns you'll encounter this month, with all the countless donations and contributions made toward "the cause", you would think we're making progress toward curing breast cancer. But instead, the numbers continue to grow each year. The women diagnosed (and men too) are younger and younger.
But let's be AWARE, right? Spread the word, show your support, pray for a cure. Only this time, do it differently:
SPREAD THE WORD - If you really want to jump on board the pink ribbon wagon, bring awareness to the people by encouraging self breast exams. Know what to do and how often to do it. Early detection increases your survival rate.
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT - If you know someone who has/had breast cancer, reach out, be helpful, donate directly to their ongoing expenses, love them, hug them...gently.
PRAY FOR A CURE - If you want to know exactly how to pray for someone affected by breast cancer, whether they have it or are supporting someone with it, finding a cure is of paramount importance. Honor that person's treatment choices and pray for their total and complete healing. Physically, spiritually, emotionally. (Originally posted by me 10/01/17 with permission to share as you feel led.)

TWO YEARS AGO during October, I was in the middle of chemo and I asked you to PRAY every time you saw a pink ribbon. LAST YEAR I asked you to continue praying but to also be mindful of WHERE you show your support. If you're buying something with that cute pink ribbon design on it, make sure you know where your dollars are really going. Don't be afraid to ASK a business! If they are truly supportive, they should have no hesitation in sharing that info. Better yet, GIVE directly. Whether to an organization that is actively and honestly supporting breast cancer research or to the survivors themselves. THIS YEAR, I'm asking that your support and prayers continue. Not just for me, but for all women (and men) fighting this all too common battle.