Update July 2009

First and foremost, I'm sorry I haven't been posting! I have been consumed with summertime activities, travel and doctor appointments. Things are good and many of you have written emails to "check" on me since I've neglected my blog. Thanks for your concerns.

Many of you received my email back in June about the "new" diagnosis, but for those who are not up to speed (since I haven't posted here since May), I have new metastasis to my lungs. I was withdrawn from the clinical study in June and finished that round of my chemo pills. I had an extra week off because I had a trip planned to KY. My oncologist is great to work with me for things like that! :)

Two weeks ago, I began my new treatment. I am now receiving my meds by infusion thru my port again. My chemo is Navelbine and it has little or no side effects. I have had two doses and get my third next Tuesday. So far so good. I am also back on Herceptin again. This drug is because my cancer is estrogen positive and it works with the chemo somehow. I also still receive the bone strengthening drug because the cancer is still in several places in my bones. Basically I go to the hospital on Tuesdays for 3 weeks, then have one week off. This treatment plan is scheduled thru December. I have an appt. with the nurse practitioner next Tues to see how the new treatment is going. I do not have any scans or tests scheduled at this point and I'm not sure when the next appt with the dr. will be. I am thinking I'll get more info on that next week.

I am still not in pain and I feel really good. It was great to visit with lots of family earlier this month when I was in KY. Thanks for all your prayers.....they really keep me going. Although I do not deal with physical pain or ill side effects from these drugs, I still continually fight a mental battle to not let cancer control my thoughts and my life. I do everything I can to continue to be who I want to be, not who the cancer wants me to become.

Also, for those of you who know about the problems I've been having with my vision. I think it has all been corrected! :) I saw the opthamologist on Tuesday and got a good report. I saw my optometrist today and was examined/fitted for gas permeable lenses. They should be in next week and I hope to not have to wear glasses all day anymore!

If you have not recently visited the family blog, I did post a few pics last week. I hope to write more at my next chemo treatment. We had a fabulous time on our travels to KY. Jeff and I had a weekend alone, and we had an extended family weekend (last wknd) at Indian Shores, near Clearwater. The whole family is sporting tans and we used SPF 50 sunblock the whole time, with several reapplications! VBS is this week at our church, so the evenings are long. Jeff's been out of town a couple days on business, but Mom's here til next week to help out.

We are having a great summer!