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Long Overdue Update

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Historically I have never been consistent with journaling. I get behind, feel overwhelmed, and then abandon it. Recently I have been challenged to journal my experience- the more uncomfortable, the better. This is totally out of my comfort zone but I’m going to give it a try. I’m not going to wait for Dan to proof my writing so enjoy any misspellings or incorrect punctuation.   Treatment Update Step one of my treatment plan was ten sessions of Proton Therapy. I completed that with minimal side effects! Most of my side effects came from the steroid they had me on. I wasn’t getting more than four hours of sleep a night, I gained weight (my face ballooned!), and the bags under my eyes grew darker. All of my treatments were at night so during that time I only saw my kids for about 10-15 minutes before I left. But don’t you worry, they were definitely awake when I got home waiting for me to lay with each one of them.    What does Proton Therapy look like? It looks like laying on a cold surf
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Koln, Germany

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As nervous as we were to leave our kids for two weeks, we knew they were in good hands with my mom. She held down the fort, sick kids and all!  We spent our first week in Koln, Germany where I received treatment at the IOZK Clinic. I went in every day in the morning and then we had the afternoons to explore the city. We walked many miles and eventually I was able to talk Dan into taking the Lime scooters for a cruise. I loved it! Dan... not so much. While Koln isn't exactly a destination that you would spend a week in, we filled our time eating, sleeping, shopping, and checking out the cathedral. I hoofed it all the way to the top to take in the views. They did not disappoint! We were also able to reconnect with a friend of mine from my church mission who lives there!  On one of our last days in Koln we were able to experience Carnival. We still aren't quite clear on this celebration, along with my friend who lives there, but think costumes and alcohol. People fill the streets
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IOZK Koln, Germany

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 Stay tuned for Dan's debut explaining the treatment I received in Germany in November!
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New Doctor!

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 Right when we learned of my diagnosis Dan was committed to getting me the best care. We knew we needed to switch my care to a new team of doctors at a new hospital. Dan quickly set up appointments at SCCA in Seattle and at MD Anderson in Houston. Today we met with a breast oncologist in Seattle and we LOVE her! She spent an hour talking with us, listening to us, and reassuring us. We know we are in the right place.  After meeting with my new doctor our next steps are having my port placed, again. (I just had it removed last month.) Treatment will start right away once I have my port. I will receive the new drug once every three weeks for at least a year. I will also be getting scans every three months to make sure we are heading in the right direction.  My doctor will be watching out for trials that I could be eligible for. We love how SCCA works so closely with UW and Fred Hutch. I am so grateful that we live where we do so I can receive such amazing care! And we get lunch dates betw
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Testing, testing, & more testing

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These past few weeks have been filled with all of the tests. CT scan, PET scan, and a brain MRI. I've never been anxious for tests before but this time around is quite different! Thankfully I was able to have Dan with me at all of my scans. He sat with me while I drank the contrast and was able to talk me through all of my thoughts and feelings. I wish there was a sedative for those things! Waiting for the results may have been worse than the testing though. Because of Dan's persistence my doctor marked stat on all of my tests. They results all came back either same day or early next day. Dan really knows how to get things done! All of the results came back better than we could have asked for! CT Scan: No tumors PET Scan: No tumors Brain MRI: No tumors No additional tumors!!! All of my vital organs are safe right now! We are so grateful! Moving forward the focus is going to be targeting the HER2 protein. It is aggressive! In less than a year's time it created quite a mess i
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A Relaxing Reprieve

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Our summers are usually filled with trips to the lake house at Lake Roosevelt. My kids look forward to tubing behind the boat, playing in the sand, and s'mores at night. We didn't want this year to be any different so my kids were able to spend a week with my family enjoying all the lake has to offer. Dan and I made a few trips to the lake since I had to come home for some of my appointments. I am so thankful to my family for taking care of my kids so they can continue to enjoy their summer and have some level of normalcy. They are so loved! Dance party on the pontoon So proud of Jackson for trying this! No fear in this little girl!
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Our kids are so loved

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 Our kids have been so well taken care of. They have been able to stay with family and friends while I was home healing. I'm not sure they're going to want to come home after all the fun they've been having. Nothing beats some Oma snuggles Tenley was in heaven with all of the animals! Exploring the property with Oma, Opa, & Opie Will's dream coming true Poor girl fell off the bed and hit her lip on the nightstand.
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