Hi all,

I haven't written in two months because--thankfully--things are slowing back down to the smooth pace of recovery. I have been on my complete estrogen blocking regimen for 3 months (and had started partially blocking it 6 months ago). Since there is no longer any doubt I can do this, I have switched to the 3-month dosage of Lupron and now I only have to get that shot once every 4 months instead of monthly. 

I have been tolerating menopause just fine since the joint pain resolved. I'm a little achey in the morning, how I imagine arthritis feels like, but it clears quickly.  I had trouble sleeping at night due to hot flashes and urinary frequency (FUN), but the FDA just cleared a new drug called Veozah for hot flashes that has me mostly sleeping through the night again. It's WONDERFUL. I didn't realize how long it had been since I'd gotten a good night sleep until a week after starting Veozah I slept for 12 hours straight! I love not being sleep deprived again.

I will start a new infusion to protect my bones sometime soon, but it should be easy. I think "infusion" is generous and it's really just slowly administered over like 15 minutes. So my chemo PTSD should be able to tolerate that I hope. 

I am sad to share that I lost another friend to breast cancer, Kyong. I learned through a heartbreaking text response from a relative after she passed. Her memorial page said she told loved ones she'd be remembered in rainbows. I will always think of her humor carrying me through training hikes for Mt. Baker. Rest in peace, my friend. 

I hope to now put this blog on pause as I again turn my attention to living to the fullest. I was even discharged from therapy last month, about 10 months after the recurrence news. A lot has changed, and I am leaning into the theme of springtime renewal. (It does not escape my attention that I say "pause" instead of "end" when it comes to this blog. . . I just know cancer too well to think I have any say in its madness.)

Thank you all again for supporting me on this winding road. 

Love always,

Andrea