August 2023

Thanks for stopping by. I can see in the analytics section of this website that people are checking in here… I’ve been trying to write up all that has been going on and trying to explain all that is floating around inside of my head, but I just can’t find the right words. While I continue to search for those words, I will give a quick update.

For the past few months I’ve been on Piqray, Fulvestrant and Metformin. I’m not having the “hospital-visit” side effects, but boy am I worn out with an array of all kinds of weird side effects, big-ish to small. All the issues are making me want to stop all treatment. Yet, in the meantime, a month ago I had a PET scan that showed that these meds have greatly reduced my cancer! I haven’t really celebrated though because I’m barely out of bed. Anyway, I will probably greatly reduce the meds I’m on very soon and see if that helps me to feel better for a time.

I am trusting in God as He walks me down this road. I am learning to appreciate life without contributing to my family, friends and church like I used to. Pushing my mind and body to my limits has been a life-long pattern for me, but not anymore. Well, I still push to my limits, but those limits are close at hand at all times. I am trying to learn who I am in Christ when so much of who I thought I was is gone. It’s a hard lesson, but fruitful.

Once again, thank you for caring, for praying, for visiting, for reading and for helping. If you like, please look around the website to read more of my story, learn about my faith, learn about my cancer or even to find some fun hikes!

June 2023

Welcome back friends! If you are new, thanks for stopping by. Please poke around the website if you would like to know more about me, my illness and/or my faith. I’m going to make this update fairly quick today.

I took a two month break from traditional treatment while I waited to find out if I have a DNA marker that would allow me to use a pill-form chemo-drug called Piqray. When the test came back, it showed that I have the marker, which led to the start of Piqray, a potentially difficult drug. I have been on it for about four weeks, along with monthly endocrine therapy shots called Faslodex. So far the side effects of both drugs have been mild to moderate, but definitely tolerable. (I had decided before starting that if the SEs were too hectic, I would go off of the new medications.) I had a blood test last week which showed that my cancer marker went down significantly. This is the first time since starting treatment that it has dropped significantly! I am not going to reach any definitive conclusions about the drop until mid-July when l have a PET scan, the gold standard of cancer tests, BUT having the number drop is good news!!! (During my two month break, I continued with supplements, etc. and even added a few items to the regimen.)

I find myself having to learn to be still, to rest and to manage pain, which are all things I am not very good at!!! These assignments, so to speak, are slowly teaching me (hopefully) patience, a different kind of joy, reliance on others and reliance on God… difficult lessons, but definitely good and needed. Please pray for my upcoming treatments, for patience and for peace. I know there is much suffering in this world. Mine is a drop in the bucket. Thank you for caring about this drop!!!

After my PET scan, I plan to update here in more detail.

Thanks for checking in on me!

Julie

Kim (the bestest sister-in-in law and friend) and I in Mexico recently