Hello my beautiful followers! I have been extremely lax with holding up my end of the bargain and writing to you with updates. So here is my most recent update-

I get scans every three months to check on the status of my cancer. I've been on the same IV chemo for approximately fifteen months, which is longer than I've ever done on one chemo. The new chemo Enhertu is practically made for my type of cancer, so I am unbelievably lucky that it hit the market a few years ago. Unfortunately, the side effects are brutal, so that has been the challenge. But I'm not here to talk about those today. 

Within the last two weeks, I've had a CT of my chest, abdomen, and pelvis, a full body bone scan, and an MRI of my brain. And every scan, just like the scans three months ago, showed that there are no new lesions or tumors anywhere. Some of my smaller tumors are actually shrinking. So I'm trying my best to stay on the chemo despite the fact that my body is falling apart. I've only recently realized that sometimes it's not the actual cancer itself that kills you, but the poison that we call chemo that destroys all of the previously healthy systems of your body. 

BUT, this is great news and hopefully it will continue to be for many more scans to come. So, thank you for all of the love and support you've shown me. Even by logging into this website, you show me that you care enough about my story to check in every once in a while. I have several people that help me out on a regular basis that I will highlight in a future blog. 

Just to give you a brief overview of what else is going on, I've established home health for the week after chemo. I used to go into the infusion center every MWF for two liters of fluid plus IV meds to help with the side effects. The problem with that is that by Wednesday, my side effects are so severe that I can't drive myself to the hospital for the infusion. I had to count on good friends to help me get to the hospital, which I hated asking for. Now, I can just invite those friends over and they don't have to lug me around anywhere. So, I leave my Port in when I leave chemo on Friday and give myself my own IV fluids and meds. I guess being a nurse paid off in some ways!

My pain has sprung a leak and is now many different types of pain. I have the cancer/bone pain that I use narcotics to tame, my rapidly appearing arthritis that keeps me from working out unless it's in a pool, and my tendon/ligament pain in my thoracic back that I've battled since 2014 by catching a patient from falling out of her bed. The fun new one is neuropathy. In me, it feels like a burning sensation if it sticks around for a while, especially in the evenings after I've sat down for the day. I also feel it during active days as an extremely sharp needle to one of my fingers or the soles of my feet. This one scares me quite a bit because once my feet hurt too badly, the wheelchair becomes my new toy. But I try really hard not to focus on that because I still have too much traveling to do, and a wheelchair would definitely cramp my style. 

Speaking of travel!! Jason and I are heading to Baltimore to visit friends that I've known since pre-school and never thought I'd see again until they came down to visit me last year. It was absolutely amazing seeing them, and this time we're going to their city. That happens in a couple of weeks. Then, at the end of June, Jason and I are going to IRELAND!!! This has been a bucket list item since before I had a bucket list. My mom's side is Irish, and I've always felt drawn to Ireland. My dad's side is German, but I just can't bring myself to be excited about Germany. But that's me hanging onto ugly history rather immaturely. Oh well. We're actually crossing off two bucket list items because staying in a castle is another dream of mine. Jason is such a stud that he found and booked our stay at a castle in County Cavan, which is supposedly where the McGee's are from. I'm hoping to find out! We'll be in Ireland for two weeks, so there will be lots of exploring from the wrong side of the road. 

Shortly after Ireland, we head to Texas to visit my family, which I haven't done in several years. I'm excited to show Jason campus, the co-op where I can buy as much burnt orange as I want, and most importantly, take him to FREEBIRDS!!! He thinks he likes burritos, but he's never experienced the bestest burrito ever. He will soon though. The weekend after we get home from Texas, another great friend from my childhood will come to stay with us again. She came last year, and it was amazing catching up with her. This year will be even better. Some friends you don't talk to for most of your lifetime, but once you're together, it seems as if no time has passed at all. I am so unbelievably lucky to find out that I have those friends and they're here for me at this time in my life. Honestly, I'm lucky on so many levels that it would be hard to verbalize all of them. 

I had actually sat down to write a short update because I wanted to start a blog that I've been putting off for a long time. We'll see if I can still dig down for that one. If not, I'll try to do it soon. I'm sending each and every one of you love, hugs, and all kinds of good vibes. 

Much love, 

Mer

☮ 🔆 💜