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 . . .
Why October is Hard for Breast Cancer Patients
Pink!
EVERYTHING IS PINK OR HAS A PINK RIBBON IT.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m thankful for Breast Cancer research. I am. (Although the term “Breast Cancer Awareness” stumps me a bit. Is there actually an adult in the US who isn’t aware of Breast Cancer that we still need to reach????)
When I started this blog last year, one of the reasons I decided to do it, was to educate others who have never walked this path themselves or with someone else. There are things I’ve experienced, emotions I’ve had, thoughts I’ve had, that surprised me.
Where We Go From Here…
Before I get into the Dr. appointment I had with the Oncologist today, let me say a little bit more about Friday night and the PET Scan results.
I had asked the Dr. before if he would give me the PET Scan results over the phone, but he said he prefers to do that in person. On Friday, I sent Tom a text saying I was nervous about the results and wish we didn’t have to wait through the weekend. He suggested I just call and ask again. It was 4:30 pm, but I called and left a message, telling myself I wouldn’t read anything into it if he didn’t call (which I expected he wouldn’t based on our last conversation.)
Then, Friday evening, as I was sitting and watching our oldest in her dance class, my phone rang. It was a number from Renton. I knew it was him. He asked if it was a good time to talk and I said yes. He said he had some good news to start off my weekend. Woohoo!! He said the scan was totally clear. On the last scan (after chemo but before surgery and radiation) there was still a light haze over where the cancer had been. This scan, there was no haze and he said if I hadn’t had surgery, you would never have known I had cancer from looking at the scan.
PET SCAN RESULTS ARE CLEAR!
I am typing from my phone at a dance studio but can’t wait to get this news out. My Dr. called and said the PET scan was clear. Even the haziness that was there last time where the cancer used to be is gone! Praise God for this great news!
Thoughts on Being Radioactive
My PET scan is done and was uneventful. 🙂
Here was my view as I was being injected with the radioactive isotope that will light up on the scan if there are any clusters of cancer cells. read more…
Scanxiety
Scanxiety – (Noun) The feeling of terror and dread that one experiences as they await the results of a scan, once again faced with the possible return of cancer.
Scanxiety.
It’s a word I had never hear until about a year ago.
It’s real. Oh my…is it real.
Here’s how my days have gone the past few days…my mind starts worrying that the PET scan will light up like a Christmas tree, showing the cancer has returned…stop thinking that and remind myself that the Bible says not to worry, but to pray about everything. And even if the cancer has returned, remember that God will be with us through whatever treatment is ahead. REPEAT.
Medicine update and PET Scan
This is day 8 of the new medication and I’m feeling pretty good. There have been two times my entire body has been throbbing pretty badly, but so far no depression and I’m very thankful for that. I’m tracking how I’m feeling and what my activity has been around the time I’ve started to hurt. We’ll see what the next week holds.
Goodbye Cloud of Depression
So…. I switched the medicine on Wednesday morning and when I woke up on Thursday morning it was if a cloud of depression was lifted off of my shoulders.
I had no idea that it would happen so fast, but I’m very thankful. Nothing changed in my life that would have made the depression go away, except the pill. That is crazy!
The last pill took about a week before I saw any side effects, so we will see what happens mid-week. But for today I am very thankful for no side effects! 🙂
Meet Jennifer
Breast Cancer Patient, Chef Wife and Mom
Resources:
What to Expect:
