This week I had a MUGA scan and treatment. Treatment was uneventful as always. I am anemic, so I have some new fun vitamins to take! Unfortunately my MUGA scan showed that my heart function has dropped by 17%, and my ejection fraction (EF) is only 60%. This isn't necessary a bad EF, but when coupled with my situation it is, because if my EF drops to 55% then they will take me off of the Herceptin. Herceptin, while it has none of the typical chemo side effects, like losing your hair and throwing up, it does threaten to harm your heart. But, I am sure it will go back up...I mean, I have Angels and all and I just ran a 10k last weekend!!!! If my EF doesn't go back up then they will probably give me a little break from treatment to build up my system a little, and the new drug Tykerb is now out. It is taken in combination with Xeloda, and is very promising for those of us with metastatic breast cancer. I actually know 2 people that just started it, so hopefully it will do the job! They are in my thoughts always!
So about that 10k! Wow, that was hard(and WINDY), but it was not nearly as hard as some of the things that are going on with others right now! The pain was GOOD pain and I am SO THANKFUL that I was able to run! As inspiration to keep me running when I didn't think I could, I borrowed a permanent marked from the track trailer and wrote "Jeff" on the back of one hand. He will ALWAYS be my running partner, and although he is no longer here physically I know he is with me when I run, if only in spirit. Only the other hand, I wrote the name of a friend...may God be with her and her family. I think about them several times a day, and they are in my heart always! I guess some things are just not meant to be understood.
On a happier note, when I was 1st diagnosed with cancer, I didn't think that I would be here to see my youngest son go to kindergarten, as he was only 2 years old at the time, but yesterday I got to take him to Kindergarten Visitation!!!! Chalk that up as one of the happiest moments in my life!
What am I thankful for?! Arbor day (yep, I have the day off!), Kindergarten, running partners who are my strength daily even though they don't know it, the journals I have started for my children (I have been meaning to do that for so long), and the rain.
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6 comments:
It was great to see you and Dan this last weekend. You look great! Good job on the marathon and keep on dancin' girl!! :-)
~Brian & Lyndsy Schulz
I know you have a big heart as proven more than once so your percentage should go up in no time -- yeah for KINDERGARTEN and your ability to RUN again!! luv ya sister! and put that sign back up in your office for people to stay clear to your vitamins are back to up and running..sb
Kindergarten? You're gonna be around waiting up for those boys to come home when then they take car and stay out all night!
Congratulations! You're the best.
Dave Zeplin
I was just out walking with Nancy & Katie tonight & they told me about your site! Now I really get to know the person whom I ran so hard with at Novartis! Girl, you were a lifesaver for me that day - I would have been 5 minutes slower, I'll bet. I still can't get over your long stride - you are made for running! Keep it up! See you at the 1/2?
Jody T.
Tracy,
Your strength amazes me! I finally got the courage to read your blog and I am so glad that I did. Your spirit outshines cancer and you are amazing ! I miss seeing you at the Relay for Life meetings ! (School is almost done) Your April 3rd blog struck home with me. I have been suffering with Survivor's Guilt because I am in remission, and so many others are not. I have learned that I need to stop asking "why?" and face the fears ahead and simply be there for others. I should not question God's plan for me or others, but it is so easy to wonder "why am I still here?." I am so glad for meeting you and seeing your grace and courage through your journey.
Thank you for your honesty and spirit ! I look forward to seeing you at the Relay for Life! See you soon !
Jennifer Sorensen
Tracy –
I just found out about your blog from the alumni website and have spent the last half hour catching up on what you’ve been through… you are phenomenal. As a friend from a “former life,” I just wanted to let you know how impressed I am, first of all with your tenacity and beautiful outlook on life, and also with your ability to put it into words the rest of us can draw inspiration from.
Last September (2006) I walked in the Breast Cancer 3-Day in Kansas City. Your story reminds me why I was crazy enough to train all those long miles and walk 20+ miles a day for 3 days!!! Thank you for sharing your experience! I look forward to reading more...
Kim (Bahde) Babcock
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