Friday, November 20, 2009

:)

Stage IV Breast Cancer is treated like a chronic disease. Treatments are tried and continued as long as they are effective. Cancer cells can adapt and change as they try to preserve their own existance. When a specific treatment no longer works, another treatment is tried. I am asked a lot why I didn't have a mastectomy or why I am not on chemo or how much time I have left. Because I still have my hair, I don't look like a cancer patient. Part of me wishes we would have hit it hard right away, but Dr. Laudi asked me a lot questions about my life and what is important to me. He felt the hormone treatment was slower, but more gentle than chemo. He knows I am a mother and he hoped that this would cause less disruption in my life.

I discussed this with Dr. laudi at my appt this morning. "People want to know when I will die."

He paused... "People don't ask you that."

"Yes, they do. I'm not offended. They are just curious. It's a valid question."

Dr. Laudi shook his head, unable to comprehend. He put his hand on my shoulder, "Sarah, you are not going to die."

So, there you go. I am not going to die. Dr. Laudi said so (and I have witnesses).

Looking through my test results, Dr. Laudi said he is happy with my response to treatment. My CA 27-29 tumor marker is down to 43.97. The masses in my left breast are shrinking. My bones are changing. The holes left behind, when the cancer cells lost their 'food supply' and died off, are now being filled in with new bone formation. My cancer is responding.

I have much to be thankful for this holiday season :)