Active Treatment Complete!

We didn't get a picture of me ringing the bell, but I like this one, too. ;)

My active treatment for breast cancer is complete! Such a great sentence to be able to say. When my oncologist first discussed my course of treatment the finish line seemed so far off. Even after chemo and surgery, the 25 rounds of radiation seemed far off. But last week Friday I completed my 25th round and got to ring the Cancer Center bell to signify the end.

Great words to read on my medical papers.

The next step is a five year plan of hormone therapy. My tumor was estrogen and progesterone positive, which means it was feeding off of these two hormones that our bodies produce. To help prevent re-occurrence I will be receiving a medicine to prevent my ovaries from making estrogen and another one to block any other estrogen occurring in my body. Today I went to the Cancer center and received a short infusion of a drug that helps prevent bone lose due to the lack of estrogen. I also received my first shot of the ovary suppression drug and started my oral pill to block further estrogen. (I had one of my favorite chemo nurses for my infusion and she was training in a new nurse. We figured out that the new nurse had been one of my nurses for my surgery. Maybe a sign that I have been hanging around the hospital a bit too much.)

His mercies are new every morning!

There are of course some possible side-effects that can come from these drugs, but the fact that they are available to help in my cancer fight is a blessing that I will try not to take for granted. Throughout this journey the Lord has provided me with such good results, I will pray that they continue for the years to come.

A sweet friend blessed these kiddos with all of these wonderful Usborne books.

I can't imagine going through this journey without the wonderful support that I have received. The constant prayers that were offered on my behalf were truly answered in such positive ways. My body's amazing response to all that was thrown at it this year can only be from a divine source. While many days brought challenges, my days were also filled with blessings.

While our times continue to be uncertain on this side of heaven, rest assured, dear ones, that God is busy preparing a perfect home for each one of us in heaven. These words from Psalm 73 have been and remain a wonderful reminder.

Radiation Begins

All gowned up and ready for the treatment table.

Friends, I have been a bit quiet over the last few months. I didn’t feel that sharing the details of my little story were all that important with everything else that is going on in the world right now.  It truly felt like being over dramatic and egocentric. Then I realized that my story really isn’t about me at all. Really none of our stories are, are they? Instead our lives are being orchestrated for a divine purpose that is so much greater than our little blip on the eternal map. And while that may sound demeaning, it is actually the opposite. God is crafting our story to fit into His story. That doesn’t seem so unimportant anymore. Maybe in sharing this chapter in my life I am allowing the Lord to work through me.

Out for a daytime adventure with the kids.

I am almost completely recovered from my surgery. I still have a bit of restricted motion on that side due to something called cording. I am super thankful that through occupational therapy I was able to really improve the comfort and mobility in my right arm. Another thing to be thankful for is no sign of lymphedema at this point.

My screening sticker collection. Every morning on my way into the Cancer Center I receive a sticker to show that I have been screened. I decided that I would keep all of my stickers from radiation as a countdown of sorts.

For two weeks now I have been going in for radiation therapy. I go every weekday morning for a quick appointment. I am grateful that we live so close to the cancer center! I am also thankful that Matt continues to work from home and can be with the kids every morning. God is truly in all of the details! So far radiation is going well. I haven’t noticed any side effects yet and still have my normal energy levels and no skin irritation.

We are still streaming our church from home and this is what happened the other morning during the service.

Moving forward I will continue radiation for another 3 weeks. After I have completed radiation I meet with my medical oncologist to begin hormone therapy. I will either be on a daily pill or a combination of injection and infusion for the next five years. Either way, these treatments will block my body from making estrogen one of the things my tumor was growing from. This therapy should help me to have less of a chance of recurrence.

I go for a walk/jog everyday. This was the scene that greeted me on a path one morning. They were a little too brave in my opinion, but it was very neat to see.