Alrighty friends, I’m long overdue in updating you on my cancer journey. It’s been 19 months since my original diagnosis and six months since my last post. In the second half of 2021 I completed six additional rounds of chemotherapy at MD Anderson in Houston. Scans show that the treatment was effective in stabilizing all but one of the spots of cancer. As such, yesterday I began three weeks of daily radiation treatment. The goal is to blast the pesky spot in my shoulder to stop it in its tracks.
Since there’s already been metastatic spread of my cancer, it means that I will unfortunately never be “cured” of this nasty disease. My situation has transitioned into a chronic illness that I must continue to monitor and fight for the rest of my life. However, my doctors are very confident that with regular scans and future treatments, we can keep things stabilized and contained to allow many more happy adventures ahead. After all the grueling treatments I’ve endured, and the difficult loss of my leg, this reality has been a challenging pill to swallow. However, with hard work and effort I’m in a good place and my heart is brimming with gratitude and hope.
The truth is, despite the cancer, I still love my life. I have a network of incredible friends, a loving and supportive family, a world-renowned medical team, a wise therapist, a sweet little dog, and a more wonderful husband than I ever dreamed possible. I have food, lodging, faith, laughter, travel, love, mobility, community, and my beard is finally back! There is an abundance of goodness in my life, despite the hard parts. And there are lots more tools in our treatment toolbox, making me a strong, determined, and resilient warrior. So, while the road ahead might not always be easy or pretty, I will fight on.
Please keep praying and sending good energy my way. Share a kind word when you think of it. And let’s find time to connect in person when the stars align. Until then, much love to you all.