I didn't realize it had been SO long since I posted here (92 days, according to Alexa).

What a difference a year can make! On our way to our granddaughter's soccer game today the traffic jam reminded us the local Salmon Days event was in progress.  I remember walking around there last year having zingy, worrying pains.  That day I bought something with a pink label to help support breast cancer research.  I told the vendor it was in honor of my sister-in-law (true) but I was already having concerns I had not yet voiced.  A year later, I'm done with stage 3 breast cancer treatment.  Ca-razy. 

One of my favorite parts of Sofia's soccer games is seeing her jumping in a circle holding her teammate's hands.  Her joy is my joy.  It's all about seeing her friends (and not so much about scoring).  That dance reflects exactly how I feel right now... giddy! I actually tried to do that little happy dance with David last night... but it didn't have quite the same effect, as you can imagine.  We're not quite as bouncy as 5-year olds😁!

Yesterday, I felt kind of crummy, but then I remembered, "oh yeah, I had chemo yesterday".  But it was my LAST ONE! 24 of 24 done, in the books.  I SO anticipated that day (more than my birthday, as nice as it was, at 53, birthdays aren't a big deal so maybe that's not saying much).  I almost forgot my body still has another week to go as I do have to take my chemo pills four more days, but I'm breathing a big sigh of relief.  Quite literally actually.  I also had some physical therapy on Thursday on the muscles around my rib cage on the surgery side that while sore now, are moving more freely so I really can breath better both physically and otherwise.

David joined me for my final infusion and of course I got to ring the bell (video is on Facebook).  The whole day I was on a cloud.  A hummingbird came to the window a couple times--- not once in 24 sessions did that happen.  It's special because my dad really liked hummingbirds and because of a special story my dear friend Carrie told me about hummingbirds and her mom.  If you are lucky enough to know her, you should ask her about it.  I texted her from the chemo chair (sorry for making you cry, friend).  I take these little moments very personally.  As with any good love story, my Creator knows the kind of love notes and gifts I like and assures me He loves me in ways personal to us. Your love notes will look different.... are you watching for them? 

My immune system is still at rock bottom, but in the coming weeks, it will rebound.  I cannot tell you how grateful and amazed I am I have not been sick despite David and other people around me being sick.  It really is a miracle. I had to take shots last week after chemo to boost my immune system.  Good thing too because I ended up in the ER last Saturday with a fever from a diverticulitis flair.  The shots I took boosted my system just in time.  I'm also on antibiotics right now which end right when my chemo pills end.  Even though I had to be on clear liquids until the pain was gone (and then puree's and soft foods, oh joy!), there was one HUGE bonus.  I had a CT scan to confirm the pain source which means I was able to know that from the base of my lungs to my "bottom", there are no other scary things going on.  I've never had a scan to rule out cancer was elsewhere until now.  What a huge relief to confirm I'm clear of other masses! 

On my final treatment appointment, I bombarded my doctor with a lot of questions.  Her answers might also answer some of your questions about what is next.  First of all, I asked her when I can say I'm "NED" (No Evidence of Disease).  She said technically I AM NED!!!  Not the same as "cancer free" (more on that in a minute).  My tumor markers are in the normal range.  After some time, my irritated liver and other blood values and immune system will all start to improve.  Our bodies have an innate drive to heal...what a fabulous Designer we have. 

• ASAP - Detox and rebuild my body
• Next Weekend - Get away with David to celebrate!
• 2 weeks - blood draw & doctor visit re: hormones, choosing endocrine drug
• 4 weeks - More genetic testing ordered by my naturopathic oncologist
• 6 weeks - MRI and/or mammo, blood work & Dr. visit.
• TBD - Removal of catho-port (yeah!) 
• Daily for 5 years:  Endocrine hormone pill (I was 99% ER+ [estrogen positive] and 79% PR+ [progesterone positive] which are used to block circulating tumor cells still in the system from feeding on hormones to start proliferating again). There actually food and supplements I'll do to help with this too. 
• Annually:
  • Scan in late November, annually (mammogram + ultrasound and/or MRI)
  • Echo-cardiogram (sadly, radiation puts me at risk for heart issues)
  • Participate in the BioScentDX canine research group (90-90% detection accuracy of cancer by dogs... I did it once, and 4 of 4 dogs detected cancer, I'll submit again to confirm remission).   
• Blood Work/Dr. Visits:
  • Year 1 -  2 - Every  3 months
  • Year 2 -  5 - Every  6 months 
  • Year 6 -10 - Every 12 months

I'm excited to gain back all the time I've been spending for medical appointments.  I was tempted to count the number of appointments and phone calls, but I decided it's not worth my time and energy... they took more than their fair share already!  I'm ready to move on.  The number of hours I've spent reading books, scholarly (and non-scholarly articles) and watching videos and participating in online cancer groups is immeasurable both in terms of time and value... but it's time to not let cancer be my sole focus.  So beyond ready!

That said, I must remain vigilant on all my healthy habits. Yes, there's a certain amount of possible genetic and/or lottery-losing aspects of getting cancer, but there are also many lifestyle factors that can contribute to a final straw.  For example, for me... I know (and science bares this out) decades of being overweight and sedentary were/are huge risk factors for me.  I've made strides and have a long way to go (especially with exercise) but I will continue to eat clean and nurture body, mind, and spirit to the best of my ability.  Doing so certainly helped me weather what could have been a much harder health journey.  I kept my hair, had no nausea and no fatigue! What and when and how much you put in and on your body matters. It matters a lot.  In fact, some people may falsely think the 55 pounds I lost (and kept off for the first time ever) was due to cancer and or it's treatment.  Quite the contrary.  It was because I changed my diet and lost the weight the cancer was detected in the first place.  The previous year's mammogram, due to dense tissue and my kind of cancer, hid it's ugly head. Eating whole, nutritious food, fasting and intermittent fasting was/remains huge.  It's not enough by itself to push back cancer, but it's a big piece.  Rant over. 

Before my diagnosis I never thought I'd do conventional medicine (surgery, radiation, and chemo) but it was a necessary evil.  However, it only addresses the tumor and the fast-diving cells. They do not address circulating tumor cells and cancer stem cells which still exist and in some cases, can regroup and come back with a vengeance and/or slowly grow or reactivate at a later point in time... even years from now.  Very common, sadly.  Many people go back to unhealthy ways which, in some/not all cases, were a contributing part of their disease.  Saying one is "Cancer Free" is a big fat misnomer.  Cancer really does change your life forever.  Like with anything... for both better and worse.

So.... my dear friends and a family, please take my hands (metaphorically) and join me in jumping up and down in a circle.  Turns out winning at this game of life IS largely about the friends.  In that regard, I TOTALLY SCORED and feel like the biggest possible winner.  

Not sure when I'll post here again.... of course if there's something to report I will. 

Until then, my most sincere and biggest thanks for your support, love, concern, prayers, thoughts, meals, flowers, notes, and care.  I am eternally grateful!

Fittingly, I’m off now to go eat at the SAME restaurant we ate at after Salmon Days a year ago with David and both my girls.  #BLESSED

Sheena

P.S.

Some thank you notes since last entry (in no particular order): 

• First and foremost, to David who continues to love and help me with more than just freshly brewed coffee on the weekends before I'm even awake.
• My dear friend, Debbie, sacrificed her time away from family and time in traffic to bring her massage table to my house and give me a long and much needed, wonderful massage.  Right about that time I was feeling really wilted and her healing touch and treasured company really reconstituted me. And to her husband, Don for getting us a killer deal for this weekends' get away! 
• My dear friend, Cathie-- thank you for the GORGEOUS cards (inside and out) that were such an encouragement (kind of like you!)  And of course text conversations and LOTS of prayer on my behalf.  Thank you also, for the beautiful framed saying (see pics). Wow. 
• My neighborhood book club-- Spoiled me on my birthday (our 1st mtg. of the year) with my amazing soup with the fixin's, flowers, cards, a bath bomb, socks, tea, a great cookbook, and my favorite Lily's chocolate bars.  A-mazing!
• My boss, Matt and co-workers for patience and support during my chemo brain moments and many appointments.  
• My colleague, Kari-- sent gorgeous PINK flowers to the office to celebrate finishing strong.  So pretty and so appreciated.
• My amazing mom, Lucille for all your love and support-- forever grateful and beyond words.  
• My in-laws, Larry & Suzi for dinners out and words of encouragement
• My sister-in-law, Michelle for healing session, lots of supportive conversations and our upcoming spa day.
• Friends, Carrie and Marna and Elisa and Mimi for checking in... others of you too.... I hate to forget anyone.... I do appreciate all of you!