I’m sorry you found my blog.
HA! What a funny thing to say on a blog!! But seriously, if you landed here, you either know me, or know someone that has cancer. That’s why I’m sorry!
Cancer.
I hate that word.
I remember sitting in the oncologist’s office in my early 20’s listening to the Dr. tell me that while it was not likely I would get Ocular Melanoma like my Mom, 3 out of 4 people would be diagnosed with some sort of cancer in their life. Since all of my Grandparents and my Mom have died of some type of cancer, I knew my day would come. I just never thought my diagnosis would be the day after my 41st birthday and as a mother of a 10, 7 and 6 year old.
Fast forward 4 years (October 2019) and the cancer has returned in other bones. So here we are, ready to fight again…and looking to be on some sort of treatment for the rest of my life.
This blog is my journey as I fight to leave cancer behind and move on in my life.
I should probably back up and introduce myself . . . my name is Jennifer. I’m a Christ follower, married to an amazing man (who happens to be a chef turned Co-CEO of a restaurant), have 3 beautiful daughters and I’ve been diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer which originally spread to my sternum, but has now spread to quite a few other bones and one of my lungs as well.
I know it can be confusing when you stumble upon a new blog, so let me help you get started.
- I have a blog to keep track of my thoughts and to let friends and family know what’s going on.
- You can get to know our family or read my personal testimony here.
- As I’ve been going through different procedures, I’ve written down what it was like. You can find a list of those over in the side bar (or down at the bottom if you are on a mobile device).
- Click here to receive an email when I publish new posts.
- And finally, if you noticed above that I’m married to a chef and think that must be the MOST AMAZING THING EVER, click here and browse through my blog about what it’s really like to be married to a chef. (I love blogging. Can you tell?)
Here’s what’s going on with me right now . . .
Goodbye Dr. Leung…until I see you in 3 months!
Hooray!! After my visit with Dr. Leung, my oncologist this morning, I don’t have to go back for 3 more months!
My cancer antigen test came back in the normal range. But when I compared the numbers, it is exactly the same now as it was in September 2015 when I was diagnosed. Hmmmmmm. Apparently the test is not specific enough to spot small cancer growths, which is why they do not use the test on early stage breast cancer patients. He said it does well at picking up cancer growth when it is in multiple places and growing. Since mine has already spread once, he said it’s the least invasive test they can do to help monitor it. However, if the test did show a big jump in numbers, I would probably be experiencing some symptoms. So with all that to say…I won’t be losing any sleep over that test any more. Hopefully I explained that clearly…at least as clear as mud, right??
Have you missed me?
I have not posted in a while, because Praise the Lord, I am feeling great! I would even venture to say I’m back to feeling as good as I did before my stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis.
On Wednesday we got home from a 2 week vacation to Southern, California. We had a great time visiting family and friends. We also enjoyed a few days at Disneyland and California Adventure. I walked over 25,000 steps three times on vacation a few weeks ago. (It’s crazy how many miles you walk when you go to Disneyland!!) I am so thankful for a body that allowed me to do that. I was pretty tired the days after, but survived and had a great time with our family!
I still miss my hair
Yes…I’m writing about my hair again.
The girls and I just got back from the hair salon and every time I leave there, I’m sad because I miss my longer hair. I just saw a picture of myself in my wig the other day and actually thought about wearing it again. I just love that style so much more than the short pixie look I’m sporting right now.
I talked with the stylist again about growing it out, but I just really don’t want to deal with the horrible growing out phase, which will take so long. I’d like to grow my hair out and style it like my wig…maybe I’ll wear the wig during that time. I have no idea. But I know that I’m sad. read more…
Missing My Mom
I’ve been missing my Mom a lot the past few weeks.
This time of year brings back so many memories of the Christmas seasons I spent growing up. I’ve made her Pumpkin Bread recipe multiple times recently and the recipe is in her handwriting. I just made her sugar cookie recipe this afternoon, reminding me of all the times we decorated cookies together. Today I was also putting things on the January calendar and saw the reminder on the 23rd of the day she died. Ugh! 🙁
Then there are things like piano lessons…our girls take lessons from Jim Jansen, one of my parents good friends for many, many years. She would just LOVE to hear the girls sing and play “Do You Hear What I Hear” on the piano as a duet with Jim Jansen!!!! She would be crying if she heard it. (She cried at everything, remember Dad?)
That Infusion Hit Me Hard!
I guess I can’t complain since all but my first bone strengthening infusion have not caused any side effects. But this last one was different.
I’m not sure why.
My port was a little uncomfortable after they accessed it, but it was working great so I didn’t say anything. (Last time I did say something, they did an x-ray and it was this whole big thing…for no reason.) My labs came back great. I felt fine during the infusion.
Another Infusion and the Bike
As I type this, I am on the incumbent bike at the gym…the only exercise I am allowed to do ’til my next apt.
Sorry…had to pause for a second because I was going up a hill…
I’m back.
I saw the Plastic Surgeon yesterday for a quick apt. They changed the steri-strips and put some silver nitrate on 2 small spots that are not healing as fast as everything else. I got my first glimpse without any bandages. I am still swollen, bruised and bandaged a little again, but all is well. 🙂
Surgery is a great way to get out of cooking on Thanksgiving!
Haha! What a great excuse to not help with the cooking or dishes on Thanksgiving!! Surgery!
I didn’t do much on Thanksgiving, but the day after we did decorate for Christmas, I did some laundry and even unloaded the dishwasher. (SHHH! Don’t tell the Dr.) Then on Saturday we walked around Seattle looking at Christmas things all day. Clearly I am doing a great job of resting after surgery. Hey – I rested for one day, right?? (And I am resting today – no gym and I’ve been sitting on the sofa for a lot of the day!)
Meet Jennifer
Breast Cancer Patient, Chef Wife and Mom
Resources:
What to Expect:
