Happy New Year 2012

Wow, I can't believe it's been 1 1/2 years since I've written. I guess I have a lot of catching up to do. I guess the best way to write this would be to start from the beginning.

I was diagnosed with cancer in May 1st of 2008. The cancer was located in my left breast, 11 lymph nodes, my spine, and my brain. I was considered stage four with aggressive cancer. I had radiation for as long as the doctors would let me. Then I was put on chemo, which I am still on. The only difference is I am no longer on liquid chemo where I have to be in the office to receive it three times a week. I take a chemo pill three times in the morning and three times at night. It basically has the same side effects as the liquid.

The doctors removed my breast, and all my lymph nodes. They are unable to remove any lesions in the brain as there are too many. They are unable to remove the lesion in my spine, which is in my fourth or fifth vertebrae. If they attempted to remove the lesions in my spine I could very possibly become a paraplegic. Later on, I was diagnosed with cancer in my liver. Since then it has disappeared. So at this time, I have no cancer in my breast, lymph nodes, or my liver. The two cancers, brain and spine, will probably never go away completely. I have to keep taking x-rays to make sure the cancer is not spreading or getting bigger. I have been lucky as they seem to be not getting any worse. I was then diagnosed with a herniated disc near the lesion in my spine. This causes me to have headaches. Excedrin seems to help.

As far as the medications I am on, I do have different side effects. To me they are minor as they seem to be working. I will do whatever it takes to be with my family and friends. I will not give up. As far as the symptoms, I have lost a lot hearing, eyesight, balance, and I'm still a little bald. I do suffer from exhaustion and tend to get tired easily. If I get a burst of energy I use it to my fullest advantage. I do get stomach cramps and nausea. My husband, Mark, does do the cooking. He does however forget that my taste buds have changed. I cannot handle any hot spiced food, and have difficulty with just pepper.

As of right now I feel I'm at a standstill. I am on the same medication and see my doctor once a month, he checks all my levels and my reaction to the meds. Every six months, I either have a mammogram (half off, get it? ), MRIs, or pet scans. I totally trust my doctor and his PA. My doctors claim I'm a miracle. The mastistic cancer and stage I was diagnosed with made them feel I pretty much was a lost cause. My doctor confessed to me he didn't think I would have become a survivor this long. But, I'll never forgot he told me we had lots of options. He claims there had to be intervention. I know that intervention he is talking about is with the Lord Jesus Christ. I know I need to think my family, friends, and their friends, and even strangers, and their friends, for all the prayers they have sent my way. Thak you all!!!

Overall, I have to say this is not an easy journey, because I think about it every day. I try not to worry, as the load I carry is not so heavy with Jesus Christ by my side. I look on the brighter side everyday and tell myself it could've been worse. I will try to keep up my blog and keep you, my friends, updated.


As of right now, I still deal wth the symthoms everyday, never knowing which one will present itself. I do like surprises, lol. I take my meds, eat right, get rest, and try to live each day to the fullest.


I want to wish everyone a happy, healthy, wonderful New Year.
I love you all,

Cath