Hi there. When I was 41-years-old,I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I have three kiddos and at the time of my diagnosis, Marissa was seven, Josh was 5 and Ethan was two. I truly believe that cancer has been a blessing. I have learned so much about myself and about what is truly important in life. I love the three beautiful faces you see in the picture above more than you will ever know. They have my heart and I am so proud to be their mom.
As of today, March 25, 2017, I am still in active treatment and see my oncologist every three months. After my last appointment, I graduated to every four months. When people ask me if I’m in remission, I don’t really know what that means. My doctors won’t say anything other than “Active Treatment”. I prefer to use the term NED (No Evidence of Disease). I am constantly worried about recurrence.
Rachel,
I have an arthritic disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). I know you are not a doctor but, as I understand it, my disease occurs because I have (in effect) a natural ‘overdose’ of ‘immunotherapy’. Therefore, would it be worth you asking your medical people if blood transfusions from AS sufferers would be beneficial?
Just a ‘shot in the dark’ so to speak, but you can only ask the question, yeah? Nothing ventured…. and all that malarkey. I wish you and your family well. Much love and respect winging its way through the airways to you and (easy for me to say) but, as the great Duke Ellington once said, “There are two rules to life. No 1. Never Give Up. No 2. Never Forget Rule No 1′
Wondering if there have been any further updates since 2017? Im interested in hearing more of your story.
Hi Alexis. Ahhh.. thanks so much for your interest in my story. I’ll have to update my blog. Here is a quick version. I’m working at a place that I love and with people that I love. My kids are growing up way too fast. I’m still taking tamoxifen every day and see my oncologist every month. You have motivated me. I’ll update my blog soon. 🙂
Take care…
My wife has grade 4 metastic Breast cancer since 2007, she tried Arrimadex for a couple of months which almost killed her. So she discontinued. 3 years ago she had 2.2 cm tumours on her spine. So she turned down all treatments and went on a super health diet, after 3 months the tumours where 1.8 cm.
Last night she went to the oncologist for her scan results. The Doctor said this is unbelievable , you are so healthy and fit, “I can’t understand what is happening ” .
GUESS WHAT , he was not interested in what she was doing, did not want to hear her success formula but tried to talk her into some drugs.
At 67 she looks fantastic , still sadly, gets depressed with WHAT IF.
JOHN