It seems life is not done throwing us curve balls. A few months ago I started coughing and went to the doctor thinking I had bronchitis or something. They thought it was probably Radiation Pneumonitis, which can be a side effect of having radiation to the chest.

So, they put me on steroids to try to take care of the cough. After about 3 weeks I was not improving much and decided to go see my Radiologist. He did a bunch of scans and test and finally determined that there were some abnormal lymph nodes near my lungs that he was concerned about along with the small amount of Pneumonitis.

So, we found a surgeon and did a biopsy of the lymph nodes near my lungs. The results show that my cancer is back. They were a bit worried that it was lung cancer, but have determine that it is indeed Breast Cancer. What does this mean?

Yesterday the doctor explained it all and we made a plan. Here is what he said.

I have metastatic breast cancer, meaning it has spread from the breast to other parts of the body. At this time it is confined to my chest area, my lymph nodes around the lungs and about 3-4 small cancerous nodules within my lungs. The plan of attack is chemo therapy with a different set of drugs (CMF).

I will have chemo once every three weeks which is much less than I had it before. He does not think that the chemo he is giving me will make me really sick and I may actually keep my hair! The process will probably last around 6 months. I also need to go back in to have my infusion port put back into my chest which will be a small out patient surgery.

Metastatic breast cancer is not curable. Best case scenario, they can put me into remission and I will need to be monitored for my whole life. When it comes back, I will go through the whole thing again. Worst case scenario, the chemo does not work and the cancer continues to grow and spread. Then they have to try different things to see if they can stop it. Let’s hope for the best case scenario.

Anyway, I start chemo again tomorrow. Once it starts and I have a regular chemo day I should be able to adjust life and work accordingly. We will have to wait and see how it effects me and the best plan for me to work. I think it might end up that I work when I can and get as much done when I feel good which is possible with the job that I currently have. I can also work at home a good deal, so I can take it just a bit easier and save my strength for the days when I need to be out and about.

Well, that is about it for now. Things are not all gloomy, but they could be better. Scott and I are doing well even under the circumstances. We do not plan to let this little set back stop us! So, keep us in your prayers. We are thinking about all of you. Visitors are very welcome, come see us sometime soon. - S&S