Just What I Need
Still glowing over my last scan. It’s just what I need — great news heading into the summer. I love the first weeks after a good scan. I am filled with relief, peace, and hope. No worries till my next scan approaches. And that won’t be for six months! I will see my oncologist in two months, and I won’t get another scan for 6 months. No worries for six months! Not sure how I really feel about going six months without a scan. I know patients like to get them every three months because triple negative can be aggressive (if it comes back as triple negative), and metastasis can continue to spread, so I’d like it to be caught as soon as possible. However, with faith and the fact that my scans have been going so well, I have no reason to believe I should be scanned sooner. I just have a little fear that I will develop drug resistance anytime now since I’ve been on this regimen so long. Some patients go off of chemo and stay on the immuno., and some people go off both. Not sure how I feel about either of those options. It would be nice to go off chemo to get a break and not develop drug resistance, but this regimen is working, and I don’t want to mess with it. So, I am just trusting my doctor right now. He’s a great doctor, so I have a lot of faith in him, too.
I have a lot of things to work on and accomplish in the next six months, so my plan is to just stay busy and live my life. But I am also still trying to minimalize my life and house every chance I get too. I love the saying above. I am beginning to realize that I can die without accomplishing everything on my to-do and bucket lists. And I’m learning to live with less so I can focus on what’s really important. I’m learning to relax and enjoy more. PEACE is my word on this stage of my cancer journey now.
I’ve started writing my devotional about my journey. I wrote the first two devotions, which were writing my cancer story. It felt good to get it out and put it into words. The rest of the devotions will each focus on something I’ve learned along this journey. Some of them focus on my words — faith, hope, joy, and peace.
So, in the next six months, I will get to celebrate another birthday, I will simplify my life to the writing goals I have, and get my daughter settled into college. My mom is here from MN, and I am happy to have her with me at chemo today. I have always felt like I can do anything with her at my side. She is here for my daughter’s graduation, and my sister will come on Saturday. So, lots to look forward to now and in the next six months. Lots to live for, and I’m gonna do it!
I will write again from chemo in two weeks. Stay safe and healthy, everyone!