Heather's Blog: Waiting Around

Why Am I Writing This Blog?

There's nothing more important to me than my connections with family and friends.

So in an effort to stay connected I'll be posting updates about my treatment and health here. Of course I want to connect with you outside of this blog! But this is a quick way you can find out what's happening.

Also a request: I would appreciate it if you didn't post anything on Facebook about cancer and me.

Writing has always been a natural form of self-expression for me. So this blog is also a personal outlet, one I'd like to share with you.

February 7, 2012

Waiting Around

My appointment with a breast surgeon for a consultation is scheduled for next Thursday, Feb. 16.

Instead of feeling stressed that I have more waiting around to do until I get more information, I'm actually relieved to have some time when there's not a whole lot for me to do around this. I have a few items to look into and prepare, but it's not a big rush.

Last night was my first uninterrupted night of sleep since January 11. I'm focusing on work a lot more than last week and feel like I'm refueling and recharging a bit after a period of prolonged stress. My whole system has been on high alert for too long and I welcome this bit of a break.

Definitely one of the best pieces of advice I've received so far is to stay off the Internet (relative to breast cancer topics). I haven't found this difficult at all. At this moment I'm more interested in what my doctors have to say about my particular situation than I am educating myself about anything and everything.

Another reason it's been easier to relax is that our weather has been unseasonably warm and sunny. January was extra gloomy around here this year.

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Want to Help?

We periodically need help with meals, rides, errands, dog walking and that kind of thing. If you're interested in helping out sometime, you can join "Team Heather" online. Just go to https://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/710014/ and request to join the community.

Once you're approved, you'll receive instructions on how to log in. When we post a request for help you'll receive an email message and can sign up if it works with your schedule.

Or if you have something specific in mind to offer, just call or email B. or me! And THANK YOU.

History

2012: Stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma diagnosis. Mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation treatments. No evidence of cancer after surgery.

2013
September: Masses found in liver incidentally as part of a standard screening breast MRI. Diagnosed as the return of the breast cancer. No evidence of cancer anywhere else.

September -December: Chemotherapy.

2014
Chemotherapy (a few different kinds) throughout the entire year. Fared well and felt well most of the time!

May - cancer found in several places in my spine/pelvis. Very small, no pain.
June - December took post-menopausal estrogen-suppressing medication (and received monthly injections to create medical menopause)

2015
Jan - March: chemotherapy as part of a new clinical trial
April: starting a different chemotherapy since the disease progressed while I was on the trial.
June: The chemo is not helping, and my liver function is such that I have to take a break from chemo. Starting anti-hormonal pill plus a pill that targets cancer cells but does not damage the liver.