The last few months have been tough, but I'll start with the good news.  Yesterday I had my appointments in Bismarck for labs, CT and a visit with my Oncologist. They are generally every 3 months but because of some bad weather at the end of October they were rescheduled for yesterday. My lab work and CT scan all came back status quo.  No signs of reoccurring cancer at this point. My CA 15-3, which is a breast cancer marker lab, showed improvement. Yeah! I still take my oral chemo medication, Ibrance, 3 weeks on, one week off. I do have some side effects in my labs and CT from treatment, but it is all manageable at this point.

The Triumph:
 December 2023 marks 5 YEARS! 5 YEARS since my diagnosis of Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer! At the time my diagnosis, I had set a short-term goal of surviving 5 years and still being here to watch my youngest daughter graduate from High School. Honestly, I thought there was no way that was realistic, but positivity is a great healer.  My 5-year calculations were slightly off for the graduation part, but I am close to reaching that goal. Sofia will graduate in May. I plan on being there front and center! Also, Abbey got engaged and a wedding date is set for August 2024! Easton is still working for Marathon Oil and living life. 

Recap: December 21st of 2018 I had my routine mammogram where they found initially found my cancer.  If you remember, I had a routine mammogram exactly 1 year prior and nothing was found in 2017. I knew through Christmas of 2018 that I had cancer but none of the extended family had any idea.  Only Abbey was somewhat aware and Rick had known my mammogram was abnormal. I remember taking it all in at Christmas and wondering what my future holds.  I remember specifically a hug from my dad and spending extra time visiting with my father-in-law, Richard. I would have never in a million years predicted all that has happened in the past 5 years. Take time this Christmas to slow down, enjoy family time and appreciate the loved ones in your life. This Christmas marks the first Christmas where my kids do not have any grandparents left. I pray you all have a safe and Merry Christmas. 

The Heartbreak:
My dad passed away on September 25th. As much as it was expected, I wasn't expecting it that day. I was by his side, and it was a very difficult day. That evening I realized a significant situation had taken place before he passed away. I had requested a CD player to play music for my dad as he had been quite restless. I was brought a CD with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and was told my dad would probably really like to hear that one. I set up the CD player and turned-on Chaplet of Divine Mercy.  Shortly after, the priest arrived and apologized for not getting there sooner and prayed over my dad. He stopped suddenly, looked at the CD player, looked at the clock (it was a little after 3:00 pm) and looked at me and said," you have the Chaplet of Divine Mercy playing." I could tell by his sudden change in demeanor he was deeply affected but wasn't quite sure of the why. My dad passed away within the hour. I have learned there is great significance in reciting the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3:00 pm and before someone dies and this brings me peace. It is considered the hour of great mercy.

Also, in September my niece, Hannah Schantz, was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoblastic Leukemia.  There are not any words I could possibly come up with today to describe the emotions that have followed since, nor can I put into words to do justice to everything Hannah has dealt with and will in the future. She is a senior at Beulah High School with Sofia. Hannah has her own CaringBridge acct so if you would like to follow her journey, please look her up. Please pray for this sweet girl and her family. A cancer journey is a difficult one.