This weekend marks 3 years since the day my world changed. 3 years since I was told I had breast cancer. 3 years of fear and tears. 3 years of hidden blessings. Is this a milestone to mark or a day to ignore? I have no idea...
I just know that I trust the Lord and his plans for me... even if I don't like them... even if I don't understand them...
 |
| My beautiful family, 11 days after learning I had breast cancer. |
On Tuesday I spoke with my integrative oncologist and we finally got the results back from my liver biopsy. We were surprised to learn that the new tumors are hormone receptor positive (we expected a mutation since it was not responding to treatment). The tumor cells are also "briskly multiplying". She suspects that these cells are either resistant to the hormone blockers or the receptors themselves have been damaged in mutation. Both of my oncologists have consulted over my case and have determined that we need to change my treatment as soon as possible.
 |
| Ready for my double mastectomy |
On Wednesday I saw my other oncologist (allopathic) to determine what happens next. We are currently awaiting authorization from my insurance to start Lupron, a monthly injection that will shut down my ovaries (stop estrogen production). It's side effects are similar to what I've already experienced with Tamoxifen but I'm told they'll likely intensify.
 |
| My sister came for my first chemo |
Next, they plan to start me on Faslodex, "an estrogen receptor downregulator, this means it binds to the estrogen receptor site in competition with estrogen in the body. Once it binds to the site it causes the receptors to break down, thereby preventing normal cellular response to estrogen."
¹ These drugs will put me further into a chemically induced menopause in hopes of slowing down my tumor cell growth.
 |
| My son shaving my head when my hair started falling out in clumps |
My oncologists also plan to put me on Ibrance, a fairly new drug. It "blocks proteins in the cell called cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4 and CDK 6. In hormone positive breast cancer cells, blocking these proteins helps stop the cells from dividing to make new cells."
² The list of side effects for Ibrance are concerning to me, especially that I'll be neutropenic (low blood cell and platelet counts) putting me at risk in public and in my line of work. The high risk for blood clots in my lungs, mouth sores, and nausea... it's like chemo all over again.
 |
| Hyperbaric oxygen therapy helping me through chemo |
My oncologist is also referring me to a breast cancer specialist at OHSU. She's hoping he'll weigh in with some helpful advice.
Please pray that the trip up to Portland will be productive and helpful.
 |
| Opening my art studio in the middle of chemo. A dream come true. |
Meanwhile, I'm still trying to be MOM. My son needs me and I'm struggling to be fully present and focused on his needs while tending to my own
. For his sake, I won't go into further detail but I do request your prayers for him and for Charlie and I as we figure out how best to help him.
Please respect our privacy in this regard and do not approach or contact him, even with the best of intentions. Thank you.
 |
| From the photo shoot I was nominated for |
I'm down to teaching only 2 days a week now and business has been really slow. "Really slow" is dangerous when I'm not working as much. I'm interviewing a woman this afternoon to potentially teach at my studio. Please pray this is a good fit.
 |
| Installing my infrared sauna |
 |
| Radiation |
 |
| Discovered 10 tumors in my liver |
No comments:
Post a Comment