Change Continues . . .

Connecting Again . . .

I wanted to share this today. It is "Firewalk". I completed it 5 years ago when my grandson, who was 6 at the time, was beginning months of chemo to win his fight over brain cancer. He was officially announced "cancer free" last summer after 5 years. He is now 11.

His journey has been an inspiration to me every day of those 5 years. But his words, wisdom and actions have been even more important to me in the past seven months as I have fought my own fight with breast cancer.  

I finished my "big chemo” in March. That consisted of an infused combination of chemo drugs, immunotherapy drugs, and 4 other drugs every three weeks to kill the cancer and not kill me while it was doing that. I have been plagued with debilitating anemia and have had several ER trips for some good old red blood cell transfusions. My brain, energy, and light seemed to be on permanent vacation from by body. And then, a week ago, I had my surgery - lumpectomy on the left breast and the removal of some lymph nodes. The good news is the pathology came back, the drug mixture had done the job and the cancer was gone everywhere.  So with that good news, I was encouraged by my doctors to continue with the original, best possible outcome, treatment plan for extra assurance that it will not return. I will have radiation that starts the middle of May and will continue with the immunotherapy drugs only - given through infusion. This will not be nearly as debilitating as the chemo and I am already beginning to feel my brain, energy and light returning to my body from wherever it has been.  I am so thankful and so appreciative of the prayers and positive energy you have sent my way.  

I am feeling "much, much better".  Bob says he can tell.  The "spit and vinegar" have returned and it makes us both smile and be thankful!

And Now - Next Steps  . . . 

I am not sure where this will all go as it relates to my continued blogging.  I want to continue from a place of joy.  One thing I am certain of though, I want to focus on my family, my friends and my art.  I want to enjoy being a maker and spend little time on the next steps of the cancer treatment journey. 

I am blessed in so many ways.  Thank you!

Change of Plans Here

I wanted to keep a regular conversation about my journey with this breast cancer.  As the months have gone on, it has gotten harder and harder.  Now, I am feeling a very distinct need to be more private.  At this time, I am not planning to do more entries about this journey.   

I continue to do pretty good and am preparing for the coming surgery, radiation and immunotherapy as set forth in in the original treatment plan.  

Please feel comfortable contacting me directly at any time. 

Thank you to those who have read along to this point.