Chemo #12 LAST ONE!!! Aaahhh!!

Hi! 

Waiting now for my last chemo treatment. Can you believe it!? I thought for sure I would be done in October. I have learned a lot of patience to make it to Jan 23. And then to make it thru next couple of weeks and I will be the real me in no time!!!! 

Here is my next things-- My next CT scan is 2/13. Blood work, seeing Rachel and intravenous meds Herceptin and Perjeta will be this day as well and continue every three weeks. We want scans to remain clear forever, just to be clear lol. :):) 

I have big dreams of exercise and eating right once I begin bouncing back end of Feb. I cannot think about it anymore. I must do it and I will do it. 

My family went to Florida last week and it was so needed. I haven't looked forward to something so much in a long time. It was relaxing and a good boost to get thru next weeks. Recovery is taking longer each time. 

As I sit here waiting on chemo chair, this little lady who is probably at least 85 yrs old is so insporing to me right now. She is spunky. She asked her sons if the Super Bowl was happening and said she is usually more involved in watching playoffs. Lol. I love her. She had comments about Trump as well that made me smile. I like the way she thinks (I can't tell you which way as this is not the platform for that and not my style). She then offered a piece of chocolate to her son and he said I am not eating chocolate- eating low carb now. She laughed at him and said I just got a "big fat bag of chocolate".  God love her!

Love you and thank you for following me and your consistent prayers and thoughts for me. 

Love from one of your favorite cancer survivors always fighting for life, for truth, for the day, for joy in everything... we got this. ( I just sat in my chemo chair- got my favorite one today-Corner with windows. :))

Xoxo Amanda 

Chemo #11 done. ONE more to go...

Hi!  Happy New Year!! I hope you had a great Christmas!! I had a great Christmas. I was a little behind and some of it didn't come out perfectly- but it was fine! We really enjoyed a ton of Chris's family who was in. On Christmas Eve, Santa left a gift on our front porch. It's not that me or my family are in need but it was Christmas cheer brought to my home. I don't know who or what group of people came together to make this happen, but it was a huge gift and brought so much joy to us!! I have the YETI cooler sitting in my living room and it will stay there. :) I will continue to.pay this forward. Thank you Santa!!!! I am so grateful, I framed the card. My family is reminded of generosity and giving through your gift. Thank you!

Over the holiday, we also got to celebrate Chris retiring from Lex PD Homicide...finally!

I completed chemo #11 yesterday (Tues 1/3). I have ONE more chemo on 1/23!  This will be a break until it comes back. I know we are all very positively thinking that the cancer will not come back and this may be the case. But reality says it will return in maybe the next year or two or three. I am convinced that I will at least have one good year before it returns. :) I am very happy to be off of chemo! I will continue two meds intravenously every three weeks but don't mistake this for "chemo". These are drugs that will help stop the cancer from growing. Chemo kills cells. These other drugs will stop the cancer cells from talking to each other thru it's little tentacles, so that they will starve and die off.  And most importantly, I will feel good with little side effects.

My doctor put me on these 12 treatments which was a lot and more than most because she said that it was life threatening with the shortness of breath and near lungs.

I have decided to not do a second opinion until the cancer comes back.

I should be 100% by end of February. I am comitting to run a half marathon on April 29tb- assuming my muscles feel like they bounce back normally.  I will be in full swing at work. I am excited! I am determined. I am not saddened by the fact the cancer could come back. I am rejuvenated that I can be done with chemo for a while. I have adjusted to the fact that cancer is my reality and will always be a part of my life. I will live every 3 months hopeful for a clear CT scan for my forever. My next one is due in February. And then May. And then August. And then November and so on. Clear scans will be a gift from God. He can be trusted in this. He is ALWAYS good. My peace, my comfort come from His heart. I know no peace on my own. Its our prayers that he hears and that sustain me.

I think I have covered the latest updates. I am grateful for you, my friends and my family and those who read this and care for me who don't even know me.

Thanks for being on this journey with me. I will continue to update as I can and as I have more info.

Lots of love from my heart to yours.

Xoxo Amanda