Summer Update

Hi Everyone!

Sorry that I have not written in a few months. Although I didn’t intend to take the summer off it turned out there wasn’t tons to update everyone on. And that is a very good thing!

I hope your summer was awesome! I certainly enjoyed the weather and sun this summer, it did my bones good. It went by so fast and just like that it’s the beginning of fall. This was my first summer home with Charlotte and we so enjoyed the pool, visits to grand-moms, play dates, ice cream and some family getaways. Charlotte started 1^st grade a few weeks ago which is a big step. Pushing Pink Elephants Inc. 5^th annual fundraising event was a huge success and an amazing night. We had over 220 people there and it was so humbling and amazing to experience the excitement and passion in the room 1^st hand.

If you remember last summer 2017, we headed out on our big trip to Colorado for 3 weeks. While there I received high dose mistletoe therapy. As we were headed home to continue treatments in DC we were so excited to keep the momentum going with this treatment. As you know from posts following that summer, things drastically took a turn for the worst in Nov/Dec 2017. Mistletoe turned out not to be a big player in keeping my cancer from growing and advancing as the months following Colorado came and went.  But what an amazing trip and adventure for us to take as a family! We were so grateful for the opportunity to try mistletoe therapy as an alternative treatment. There are lots of cases where mistletoe has really helps cancer patients heal from traditional treatments and some have even been in remission from regular treatments of mistletoe. Unfortunately for me, it wasn't as effected as we had hoped and prayed it would be.

   

Not much to update everyone on treatment wises. I am continuing with the same chemo regiment that I started in January of this year. We have had a few complications that required breaks from treatment but they have not been more than a couple weeks. Overall I have been faring well with treatments. I still have those days of exhaustion and nausea, but for the most part they are manageable. I am having more good days then bad ones which is a blessing for sure. Being home full time with Char has been so great, but I do not think I was meant to be a stay-at-home mom. I guess God and destiny have decided otherwise so we roll with the punches. She is six going on sixteen and as sweet and energetic as they come. I am so thankful for this time to be together more. I think back to my working days which were just a rush of day to day, not to mention stressful from start to finish. It is definitely nice to have slower days and take the time I need when I need it. We ate a LOT of ice cream and snow balls this summer :o)  

The most recent drama from last posts has been port related. The port (power port with is inserted under the skin connected to a main artery, used for blood drawls and IV chemo/meds) basically started pushing through the skin after just a year. This was most likely due to all the weight I lost over the winter with brain radiation and carrying heavy things on that side. We had it removed and a new one was placed back in Aug in a slightly different spot. Two new scars to add to my ever growing list of cancer related wounds. Having the port removed was not a pleasant experience. If you ever have to have one removed ask for anesthetic and don’t let them talk you out of it. It is extremely painful and I have a long acting pain med regiment. I can only imagine how painful it would feel for someone who does not. 

The humerus bone is less painful now so I am hopeful that tumor is shrinking some. The fluid building up in the arm seems to have gone down and it is less painful overall. I will still need surgery at some point to remove the tumor and reinforce the bone, but we are still waiting on a good time to break from chemo long enough for the surgery. Until then I am trying not to carry anything over 10lbs which is really, really hard. But when I do attempt to carry heavy things my back starts to hurt so the reality is I really shouldn’t be carrying anything. Easier said than done! Speaking of back pain, it’s so much improved from this time last year. I am still on long acting pain meds however. Over the last few weeks I have felt an increase in pain breaking through in my lower back. It’s especially noticeable at the end of the day, especially after a really active day. I am taking a little bit more for breakthrough then I had been. I discussed this with my Oncologist last week and we are keeping an eye on it. I was reminded to be aware of my activity and lifting as my back is not “normal” in terms of healing and endurance. I really have to be aware of my limits and just be more cautious.  I have had a couple of fractured ribs which were painful but fortunately healed rather quickly.      

My lungs continue to stay clear of fluid buildup! Woo Hoo!! This is another sign the chemo is working.

   

Thanks for all the continued prayers and support. It has been so nice to see old friends this summer and meet so many new friends. So many people have reached out to me and your support has been so amazing to experience.

Shine brightly, live happily and smile!

Xoxo - Erin