Hello friends and family. We are well into March and you, like us, are experiencing the crazy weather that happens when Mother Nature is trying to change seasons. After a week of 60 degree temperatures, last week we got close to 17” of snow at our house and snow days from school (even the University closed for a day).
The view from our bedroom window just after the snow ended. We lost the little tree in the center of the photo and some of the larger bush branches by the fence.
Anyway, I’m looking at spring as a time for renewal and new beginnings. I started a new medication in February and it appears to be working based on the blood work. I’m getting IV chemo called Enhertu. It takes about 3 hours to get all the various meds dripped into me. Fortunately I’m not having much in the way of serious side effects: fatigue, some neuropathy in my hands, and gas. So, not great but overall not a big deal.
I’ve talked a lot about the tumor marker CA 27-29. It’s a way to get some data about how well a particular treatment might be working. Oncologists don’t make treatment decisions on tumor marker data alone but it’s a good proxy.
My blood is drawn and sent off to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for analysis. The results show up in my medical portal a few days later.
A number below 38 indicates no active cancer.
When I was diagnosed in July 2019 my CA 27-29 was 122.
The number had been climbing the past year, yet my scans didn’t indicate any progression.
I peaked at almost 800.
My March number was 130! Yippee!
It’s clear from this chart of my tumor marker numbers that the cancer does not like the Enhertu chemo! Let’s hope that my scans in April confirm this.
A graph of my CA 27-29 tumor marker starting in July 2019 when I was diagnosed. Any value under the red line indicates no active cancer. I started taking Enhertu chemo right at the peak on the right side. The Enhertu seems to be knocking down the cancer activity. The numbers on the x-axis are days since diagnosis
Hi everyone. It’s mid-February, time slipped away from me. The main message to you all is hello, I’m still here 🙂 working to get back to 100% and staying positive.
Last month I had 10 days of radiation (20 rounds total). The lumbar spine and S1 showed cancer growth and the recommendation was to zap it. They zapped it all right. That radiation took me out of commission for quite some time. The radiation was from my L1 down to my S1 and from both my front to back and back to front. Anyway, it was a lot of radiation and I did not do well with it.
Nancy came out for a week when Glen was traveling and drove me back and forth. I’m super grateful for that. She also helped with so much stuff around the house I can’t begin to thank her properly.
Evelyn & Keiron came home to make potstickers and visit with Aunt NancyNancy took me to Lazy Boy to order this bad boy which should arrive in a few weeksI finally have handicap placards, mostly making my drivers very happy
The second week of radiation was hard. I became nauseous and could not keep anything down for over 24 hours. I got some extra IV fluids and switched my diet which helped some. I’m still not a fan of eating right now. The further I get from the radiation the better I’m feeling.
I turned right around from the radiation to start IV chemo. I have a new medication now (previously I was taking Xeloda oral pills). This will be every 3 weeks and an infusion so I have to go in to the cancer center.
The new medication is called Enhertu (Trastuzumab deruxtecan). The type of medication I get is based on my cancer sub-type. It turns out that this medication was just approved for my sub-type in summer 2022. Read that again. Prior to summer 2022 this medication would not have been an option. This is why research for new treatments is so critically important. Since I have been diagnosed there are at least 3 new medications approved to treat metastatic breast cancer. Please continue to spread the word about the importance of research for MBC.
Dance competition season has begun and Glen was taking Maddy to Colorado Springs for the weekend for dance. We felt like it would not be a good idea to have me stay home alone after this infusion. Ann came out and took me to my first infusion and then stayed through the weekend. Fortunately, I did not have much in the way of side effects – just fatigue. So, Ann and I had a lovely visit. She also helped with finishing up some errands and doing some shopping. We are grateful for her taking the time to come (even if all we did was work and sleep!).
Ann came with me to my first IV chemo infusionMy mom knows how to make me smileCompetition season! This is the “tough” look of me with the champ.
So, today I’m feeling “ok”. I don’t have to take any medication regularly. I do have a fentanyl patch for pain. I’m mainly trying to get my right hip back in shape. The good news there is that both my physical therapist and acupuncturist think the problem is a very tight hip flexor (not cancer). If that really is the case then hopefully I’ll be walking better soon.
I’m super appreciative of my neighbors who have driven me to appointments, ran to the pharmacy for prescription pick ups, brought food or coffee, and sent cards. It all means a lot to me and my family. We appreciate you.
Tomorrow I’ll be watching the big game 🏈 (hopefully feeling well enough to attend a watch party). Of course my beloved Packers are not in the running, the commercials should at least be entertaining.
Be well, be kind and get out there and move as best you can. Sending love to you all in this Valentine’s month and beyond.
Life As I Know It 