Since my last update, I have traveled to California with dear friends. We visited Lake Tahoe, hiked some of Yosemite, hit some wineries in Napa Valley, went to the Coast, and San Francisco. This was a bucket list trip for me, and I have great friends that made it happen. The picture of me is in Yosemite resting on a rock over looking Sentinel Dome. One of the most beautiful places. It was so peaceful and quite here, I could of sat there for hours soaking in the beauty of the mountains.
I started new treatment in June after we found out that my current treatment of 4 1/2 years wasn't working any longer. The new treatment started off fine, then I got the stomach flu, became severely dehydrated and spent a few nights in the hospital. Ever since that time I hadn't really been able to tolerate my new treatment, it was causing my blood work to be really off, I had zero appetite and just felt crummy. So we took a break for a few weeks, my blood work went back to normal and we restarted the same treatment on a lower dose. I have been tolerating that much better, my blood work is back within normal ranges, I have an appetite again and feel better, except for the fact that I have been dealing with kidney stones for the last month.
Monday I had a CT scan to see how the new treatment is working. We didn't get the news we were hoping for. We found out that I have two new spots of breast cancer in my lungs. A new spot in my right lung where the previous breast cancer is and also now a spot in my left lung, along with some increased plural effusion. Also, imaging picked up that I my kidneys are "chucked full" as the PA put it of kidney stones. Yesterday I met with urology to discuss the kidney stones, I have one in particular that is stuck, so I will be having surgery to have that removed. (unless I pass it before surgery which is my preference) Once they have the stone they will study it and we will see what we can do to prevent future stones. Today I met with Dr. Alguire my oncologist to discuss my new progression and options that we have. So far we have a tentative plan, we are going to start with a biopsy. This will tell us what my new growth is growing from. In the past my tumors have grown off of estrogen. If that is still the case, then I will be starting a clinical trial possibly along with another treatment. If my receptors have changed then we will discuss chemotherapy options. For the meantime I will be continuing the current treatment I am on. Since I had to take a break from it, we want to be sure we gave it enough time to work. So much information, so many things to research. Cancer is complicated, it is tricky and smart, it finds ways to outsmart treatment and show up in new places. It is ugly, expensive and exhausting.
I honestly feel pretty good for a cancer patient. Of course I have side effects to my treatment that aren't pretty, but I am able to live a fairly normal life still and I am grateful for that.. Life is to short with or without cancer to spend it being sad about my progression. I will continue to do what I always do, surrendering to the Lord, he has a plan for me and all I can do is chose how I react to it. I will chose to be happy, continue to love the life I have and Get Busy Living.
Yesterday we celebrated Bryce's 21st birthday, Monday night we celebrated Brooke's induction to the National Honor Society. Peyton is still at Cornerstone and is also on the basketball team. Each week we attend Hope College Football games to watch Bryce and the team play. I am so blessed to be well enough to do these things and I won't take a moment of that time for granted.
Peace and love,
Chris Stark
