The only reason to look back is to see how far you’ve come.

Yesterday I turned 30! I had an amazing day and feel so grateful to have done it cancer free.

It’s been about a month since my last update - my body is healing well from radiation and I have started back weekly physical therapy to work through issues again with axillary web syndrome.

Last week Justin and I took a week off for the first time in almost 2 years to hike Glacier National Park. The views were unreal!

I have also had my follow up appointments with medical oncology. In a nutshell, we are happy with where I am cancer free but want to continue to be aggressive in hopes it never comes back. Here is an outline of how we pray to make this happen:

1. I will continue exemastane daily (aromatase inhibitor) for a total of 5 years. This is a tablet I take every morning which continues to keep my body in menopause and my estrogen levels low. At my lab appointment my estradiol was very very low which is exactly what we want!

2. I will continue to get zoladex injections every 28 days as well for a total of 5 years (on top of the year I already did this ... so 6 total! Ouch ! Haha)

3. I will start getting zometa infusions every 6 months for 3 years. This drug is given IV at an outpatient infusion center. It is mainly used for patients with osteoporosis. In breast cancer patients with hormone positive aggressive cancers that are in menopause it has shown for reduced recurrence risks as well as decreased chances of breast cancer recurrence in bones. The main side effect that occurs is flu like symptoms for a few days. While the evidence is still building for this treatment I am excited to have it moving forward.

4. I will continue physical therapy as my axillary web syndrome was aggravated again during radiation and I am having range of motion issues and my left arm is once again in pain. My physical therapist at UF is AMAZING. I know she will get it to go away with some hardwork and time like we did the first time!

5. I will be getting a lab level completed which will tell Justin and I was my ovary reserve is at this point in my life. As many of you know I want to be a mom but due to recent radiation and the need for at least a couple of years cancer free having a baby right now is out of the question. This lab level I will get done is not affected by the fact that I am in medically induced menopause. How cool is that! This level will tell us what my probabilities of pregnancy will be in 2 years. It is not a hard yes or no but just the likelihood that it would or would not be able to happen. We all know that lab level can say whichever and God can have other plans. We are moving forward with obtaining this now because we are interested in also adopting a child. This lab marker will help us determine what steps we will take in that journey and when.
   

Other fun post cancer life things:

1. I am on the hospital committee for planning for breast cancer this year and it’s been really cool to help plan as a survivor

2. I was invited to share my story on a podcast, when it’s available I’ll make sure to link it!

3. I am back in the gym full force and loving every second of it. Our bodies are amazing and each day I can workout fills my heart with joy. The newest favorite is crossfit :)

4. I am trying to read the whole Bible by Christmas. It’s something I have never been able to complete and I am determined this time to do this!

5. I am working with the patient advocacy group NPAF to push for legislation and stay up to date on how to best help patients with cancer related and non cancer needs. This has been so fulfilling.
   

A few years ago I could have never told you this is what the morning after my 30th birthday would look like. But God works in mysterious ways and if this is where he wanted me to be then I am grateful to fulfill that need. I am so excited to see what my 30s hold, cause I sure they are going to be full of so much family, love, friends, health, and happiness. I hope your next decade is as well ❤️

Until next update,

Sami