She said YES to the dress!!!

Now that I have my first progression since a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis, I find myself really thinking about the future and what this all means. As a oncology professional, I know that generally each line of treatment may last less time than the previous, but that's not so in all situations. So...I got 20 months out of first line and I plan on getting at least another 20 months out of this line of treatment. and if not, there will be other treatments waiting to be tried. In the meantime, Life is precious and I love my life. There are so many exciting things to look forward to. 

This weekend, my future daughter in law, Kayla, was so sweet and invited me to be part of her special day as she picked her wedding dress. It was so moving to be allowed to be part of this exciting day. This experience reminded me that I have such a beautiful life and so much more to look forward to. I cant wait to watch my son (my baby)  on April 24, 2021 when he sees his beautiful bride come down the isle in that beautiful dress. She is just beautiful. There will be many tears of joy. Then there will babies, They will be wonderful parents. I spent the night with them at their home in New Hampshire and as I sat watching them together, my heart was filled with joy and excitement for all the  love that they share and excitement and pride for what is yet to come. 

Then, there is my daughter and the love and support that I see from her husband and the pride that I feel when I see them caring for my beautiful grandchildren, I will be here to witness So much more, but regardless, I am proud of the part I have had in what they all have become. I made mistakes, none of us are perfect parents, but something went right.  I am so thankful that both of my children have found wonderful , caring partners. 

So, for those who are following my journey. I met with my oncologist on Wednesday. Together, we decided that I will stop my current treatment as it no longer working like it should. Time for second line....Faslodex (two big shots monthly.  Additionally, I will be having another consult visit with intervention radiologist on Tuesday to decide if it safe to biopsy my liver to see if I am eligible for another pill that is based on a specific genetic mutation on the cancer cell. If he is able to safely go into my liver, he can hopefully also do a procedure called cryo-ablation which basically means that they burn that little cancer lesion on my liver. Lets just burn that sucker right out of there. 

Thank you all my wonderful family, friends, and colleagues for all the support, thank you Kayla and Dennis for making my children so happy and I am also  thankful for your parents who raised you both to be such caring loving people.

 There is so much more to come. 

Linda (Idalina) 

Progression already? 

It's been a while since I blogged. Time to blog again as it helps to make sense of an unfair situation. 

When I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in December, 2018, It was a world wind of emotions and decisions. I started therapy with Ibrance, letrazole, and zometa with the promise that Ibrance is well tolerated and had great results with improving progression free survival on average to 28 months. Well, here I am at 20 months and progression already.

I was sure that I would be one of those people who got 4 years plus out of first line treatment. No such luck, the dreadful progression to the liver is now here. Well, time for conversations about the next steps. Time to change therapy, sooner than I had hoped, but still so many options are available and I will persevere. Life is not fair, that is true, but it is so beautiful and so worth living. Wednesday will be the next oncology appointment. second line metastatic (stage 4 ) breast cancer treatment, I am ready for you. 

Idalina