It's taken me a week to write this post, because honestly I am still processing everything that is happening.
On Good Friday about 40 mins after my pet scan I learned that my cancer has progressed in all areas it was. While still in the lung, liver, and bones there was uptake in all places, and larger cancer in all locations. For example, the cancer in my liver was seen by just the CT with no contrast even needed per radiologist.
Obviously, these results were heart breaking. I had been feeling so good except for the small bump on my chest I really thought my oral med was working. I am not sure how cancer can be spreading, and you get back to running post c section in 5 weeks, but I'm here to tell you it's possible!
It's been a very emotional week realizing that we needed a new game plan and accepting that this is going to be part of my story. Since early last week I've had bone pain in my back, which confirmed with pet scan it is where the cancer got worse so I am now struggling to walk and taking multimodal pain meds to make it tolerable.
Hopefully the new med will work and this will get better!!
I go back to being on chemo tomorrow. But this time I don't get to count down 6 cycles etc. If I am lucky and it works I'll be on it indefinitely. This leads me to the following - it is SO important that we continue to raise money for RESEARCH and not awareness. We are all aware of breast cancer, we need money to fund research to be able to create a space where stage IV cancer patients don't ever have to hear you may have 3 years to live. This med, ENHERTU, just became treatment line LAST YEAR when they realized a new type of marker to attack. Previously you were either HER2 positive or negative, there is now a new category of HER2low which is what I am! This chemo and monoclonal antibody uses that signaling to send the chemo to those cells and nearby cells specifically!
My sister is doing an awesome fundraiser for Metavivor (all money goes to stage IV breast cancer) if you want to buy a super awesome shirt.
https://www.fanciedinfaith.com/?fbclid=IwAR2tFlkF-UfZ25viYNZ9D2lIPtvzFe86YpGLaKR4QdDLIdC5GXZCusTr6sg
I have a plan with radiation oncology to get 5 radiation sessions to my back to help with pain.
Please pray that this new infusion every 21 days is my miracle drug and stabilizes everything. I had a few seats of being pretty upset with God because I can't see the big picture. After I got that off my heart, I spent an afternoon memorizing Psalm 23. My heart is now ready to battle again, knowing who is right by my side.
As always my work family, and home family and friends are so loving and supportive and I won't ever be able to thank them enough.
Isaiah 40:10
Don't be afraid for I am with you. Don't be discouraged for I am your God.
How blessed are we?!
Updates to come with how I feel side effect wise after treatment - thank you for the support !!
Until next time,
Sami