Two weeks ago we celebrated being cancer free for one year! It was the anniversary of my double mastectomy and it’s so hard to believe it’s been a year. This morning I had a discussion with my oncologist which made me realize I never posted an update.
Today we decided to discontinue my chemo meds. Although initially I wasn’t having side effects I’ve since developed some rare ones that have been getting progressively worse. For the past two months I’ve had a hard time walking when I wake up or if I’ve been sitting for a while. It then spread to my right arm & hand and I’ve started to lose function of my right hand due to swelling and joint pain. Last week my left hand started having issues. I initially thought it was due to too much boating & riding waves out on the boat & thought I needed a chiropractic appointment. But when it got worse I talked to some friends in the medical field & looked up side effects and realized that this is and can be a rare side effect and called my oncologist. My hot flashes and insomnia have also gotten worse again as well as some anxiety & depression....all of which are very common side effects. We are going to discontinue the meds for a month and see if I improve over that time. I have bloodwork scheduled for June 5 and then an appointment with my oncologist for June 12. We will re-evaluate things then and possible try a different chemo medication. I initially cried this morning and had a moment of freak out thinking that if I’m not on the medication the cancer will come back but it only increases the chance 2%. From 9% to 11% over the course of 10 years. I’ve now been on the medication for 6 months and am suppose to be on it for another 9.5 years.
Due to the quarantine I’ve been working from home. We are waiting for summer camps to open so that the kids can have childcare and I can go back to work in the office. I’m trusting God in this season and I know He will work something out!
The kids are doing amazing. Emma just turned 10 on Monday and Joel will be 7 next Friday. They were suppose to be in VT for the month of July but it’s now looking like they will be there only for the end of the month and for 2 weeks vs 4. Everything is up in the air right now due to the COVID situation!
We’ve said throughout the entire journey we would pay it forward as we could & when we could. I’m so pleased to tell you’ve been able to do some of that! Our church has been having a good drive and not only have we been able to donate to it but we also volunteered for it last week! It is very important to us to help others in need as so many people gave to us last year!
Thank you for your prayers! We so appreciate them & still thank God for all of you daily!
