2 years on!
Two years ago today I received news that would change my life forever... I was told I had breast cancer AGAIN (almost 3 years after my first diagnosis), this time throughout both lungs.
I was told surgery was not possible due to the extensive spread of the cancer, and there was no cure...my condition was terminal. The goal was to "manage" the cancer and make me as comfortable as possible.
- Cancer = 1 / Me = 0 :(
Promptly a treatment plan was put in to place, including a specific hardcore chemotherapy that usually works really well for most patients with my type of advanced BC. The treatment was aggressive, but the cancer was even more aggressive, with the cancer quickly and widely spreading throughout my bones - in my skull, ribs, upper and lower back, hip and pelvis.
- Cancer = 2 / Me = 0 :(
So enter "Mr V". ...the new chemo drug (Vinorelbine) who was to become my best friend :) Mr V. made me feel so much better...he allowed my hair to grow back, and make me feel less sick. More importantly, in my first lot of scans, Mr V. had made an impact...small but noticeable. The cancer was contained! As the many months passed, the cancer growth gradually slowed and even began to regress, with my condition deemed as "stable".
- Cancer = 2 / Me = 1 :)
In June this year, after 16 months of chemo, my loyal companion Mr V. made for the best news possible. The cancer is now "non-identifiable"! This was again confirmed in my more recent scans last month! :D
- Cancer = 2 / Me = 2 :D
No-one is sure for how long I will continue to have these wonderful results, but for now I am truly grateful. Tomorrow I head off to the Gold Coast on holiday to celebrate my 2 years of survivorship!..Woo-hoo!
? HAPPY "CANCERVERSARY"!!?
