Fall 2009: Jake and Nancy learned that Nancy's breast cancer was stage four. Winter 2013: They are still fighting. This is a gathering place to follow their story, offer support, love and prayers... to be by their side.



Thursday, October 24, 2013

Clear brain scan, new chemo underway

Good news, my brain scan yesterday was clear.

I started my new chemo, Halaven, today and so far, so good.  Fingers crossed it will be effective.  Halaven is a fairly new drug (FDA approved 3 years ago), so there isn't a ton of data on it.  We're a little jaded because Afinitor, the last drug I was on, was touted as a big breakthrough in metastatic breast cancer, but didn't do much to slow my cancer.  Halaven doesn't have quite the hype that Afinitor has, but hopefully will work.  It seems like I tend to get more mileage out of the chemotherapies versus the hormone therapies, so hopefully that will be the case.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Scan results - time to switch treatments again

Dear family and friends, Nancy here again.  I always feel a little funny writing posts on a blog about myself, but here goes...

My latest scan results are in and the cancer in my liver and bones is worse, so I'll be starting a new chemo this week.  The new chemo is called Halaven (aka eribulin) and word on the internet is it is not too awful in terms of side effects.  I have a brain scan this week to make sure the cyberknife was successful.  My memory is terrible, worse than usual, which is saying something for those that know me (!) and I'm having some pressure in my head, but no headaches, thank goodness.

THANK YOU for keeping up with all the ups and downs, everyone.   I'll post more when I get the results later this week.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

The latest

Dear family and friends, Nancy here again, thanks for continuing to check in.  As Jake posted on the last update, I finished cyberknife and am glad to have it in the rearview mirror.  I'll have a follow up brain scan in about 5 weeks to make sure all is well.  I also meet with Dr. Rinn this Friday to talk about my systemic therapy of Aromasin/Afinitor.  I'm sorta' anxious to have a scan to know if it is working, but will defer to her expert judgement.  I feel okay, mostly just tired.  I've had a little trouble with mouth sores, but they are getting better.  I've had a few mild headaches too, but nothing like the terrible headaches of the past few months.

We had a nice visit with my Aunt Nancy and Uncle Rich this past weekend (I completely forgot to take pictures), but it was great to see them.  My mom, who also has stage 4 breast cancer, goes for surgery on her ankle next week, so I'll be taking care of her for a change.  Fingers and toes crossed the surgery will go smoothly and she'll literally be back on her feet soon.