Friends,
It has been quite some time since we updated everyone, but we were waiting on one last report from the oncologist to have a complete picture.

I think it is important that I preface my news by reminding everyone that we had always known my cancer had spread. After I finished radiation, there were many people who assumed I was cancer-free, but that was never the case. After my surgery last summer, we knew my eight positive lymph nodes automatically gave me the title of "metastatic breast cancer". If you don't know what that means, that's ok, here is an article: https://www.bcrf.org/blog/metastatic-breast-cancer-symptoms-treatment />
All previous scans came out clear, leading my doctors to believe the cancer was simply too small to see. The truth is, it just needed the right radiologist to look at my scan to spot it. We found out in August that I had several lesions on my liver and one on my pancreas. Knowing where to look once they saw it on that August scan, a team of radiologists and my oncologist went back to review my scans from December 2022 (after I finished chemo) and August 2022 (pre-chemo/post-surgery). All of a sudden, those "clear" scans showed the same lesions on my liver. I am soooo thankful that they were there! Here are the three positives about the liver lesions being in all three scans: 1) They have not grown since last summer, which means that they went through chemo and responded to the treatment, or they are benign growths. 2) All lesions are too small to operate on or biopsy which also means they are small enough to respond to the next course of treatment. 3) We now have an eye on them and I will get a body scan every three months. That last point is probably what I am most grateful for; I was anxious not knowing where the cancer spread but now that they would be watching them closely gives me peace of mind.

Shortly after taking my son to college, a bad tissue infection landed me in the hospital and my September 1st reconstruction surgery was put on hold until I was clear. Two weeks after that hospitalization Jay and I got to spend a few days at my friend Sarah's beach house in Cape May. It was a much-needed time of rest and incredibly peaceful down there this time of year. It also affirmed our desire to spend more quality time with friends and family and enjoy life. It's so easy to get caught up in busy schedules and the stress of work, we are going to be more intentional about making time for experiences with loved ones.

So what is next? My next surgery is on Halloween when I get new BOO-bies (hahaha), and I will start my new course of chemo 1 month following. This chemo is fresh off trials and is specifically designed for my type of cancer (metastatic, Her2-, post-menopausal). I will be on that treatment for two years but 86% of those who went on this treatment went into remission! That is my hope and prayer. I may never be cancer-free, but I am confident that with access to the latest treatments I will be able to live without signs of further growth.

We are incredibly grateful for everyone's support and checking in. My journey continues and I feel blessed that Jay, Gezahegn, and I are surrounded by friends and family who care about every detail and love us so deeply.

THANK YOU for walking alongside us in my cancer journey,
Jill