365 Days........

365 days ago today Dr. Hayes from U of M took time out of his vacation out east to call me and let me know that he viewed my pathology report and my breast cancer had metastasized making me stage 4.  A few days later we sat in his office and he step by step went through what metastatic breast cancer meant.  He educated us that my breast cancer had spread from my breast to my lungs, chest wall and kidneys.  He shared with us that the average life span of someone with stage 4 breast cancer was 3-5 years.  That the medication he was suggesting I take, would hopefully stop the cancer from growing, and possibly shrink the tumors.  365 days later I am still on the same treatment he suggested, some of the tumors have shrank and the side effects are tolerable.  Some days I feel like I am still adjusting to my "new normal." I feel good and still do all the things I did before, I just do them much slower, I rest a lot more, I sleep way more than I did before and I see the world in a different light.

In the last 365 days I have gone into medical menopause, gained 25 unwanted pounds, swallowed $120,000 worth of Ibrance,  traveled to the Caribbean twice, visited NYC and Las Vegas. I have had amazing conversations with my children, jumped off the Stratosphere and out of an airplane at 10,000 feet. I have turned 40 years old and truly enjoyed each day of my life.

I have made friends with many other stage 4 friends and also watched this terrible disease take the life of friends. I have had the privledge of meeting a thriver, a friend who has been living with stage 4 breast cancer for 18 years. She gives me hope that I too can be here in 18 years.

Some days I find so much joy knowing how great the last 365 days have been and others days I struggle thinking that I am a year into this 3-5 year life span that statistically I have....I have many adventures planned for the next 365 days as well.  I don't know how long I will continue to feel well and not suffer from debilitating side effects of cancer so I will continue to travel, explore, check things off the bucket list and live an adventurous life because that is what I desire and I am well enough to do it.....

I am due for my next scan anytime, I decided that I would like to enjoy the holidays without scanxiety and end 2017 knowing that for now I am stable....  I will schedule a scan for early January. Life is good today...

Peace and Hugs,

Chris and family