I will start by explaining that since I was first diagnosed with cancer in 2008 my breast cancer grew from estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR), we have worked hard to reduce the amounts of ER/PR in my body by both surgery and treatments. As time goes on cancer will learn how to change receptors and grow in new ways. When my cancer returned and became metastatic/stage 4 in 2017 it came back in my left lung and down my chest wall, wrapped around my heart. During the first few years we were able to shrink all of those tumors some with small amounts of cancer remaining. At one point I was stable for 4 and 1/2 years on my first line treatment of Ibrance. When my cancer began to grow again while on Ibrance it grew in my left lung, my local oncologist discussed clinical trials with me and after a visit to Start Midwest in Grand Rapids I decided to give them a try. That was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The first three trials worked for me for about a year each time, the side effects were minimal, and I learned so much about the advancements in cancer research. The team at Start Midwest is one of the best around and I made friends while there that will always be close to my heart. The last growth I had came fast. In an 8-week time period between PET scans my cancer grew in both of my lungs, creating tumors and fluid filled with cancer cells, bone mets to my spine and femur, and mets to my liver and many lymph nodes. This was very frightening news to hear. We haven't experienced this much growth at one time or so fast in all our time living life over cancer. I had a biopsy done last week to see if the cancer is still ER/PR positive or if it has changed. These results would determine what treatment options I would have available to me. Turns out that my cancer is still ER/PR positive and also now have a new protein that cancer is growing from called HER2. This was good news in the cancer world as scientist and researchers have learned a lot about HER2 in the past few years and this protein also gives me the most treatment options! yay! More good news, the drain tube I had placed in December did its job and I was able to have it removed!
Treatments are like a playbook in sports, in sports the talent spread among athletes on a team allows for the most options in the playbook. For me having ER, PR and HER2 allows for me to have the most treatments in my medical playbook. Having almost 4 years of success in clinical trials also saves alot of FDA drugs for me to try. My team and I decided that I would go back to an FDA approved drug for now called Enhertu. Enhertu is a newer drug, designed for ER/PR and HER2 positive patients. It does come with side effects however I had my first treatment yesterday and all is well so far. We will continue to move forward, trust in God's plan and continue to Get Busy Living!
Quick update on the kids! Bryce and his Brooke are in the process of purchasing their second home in the country where they are so excited to make memories and live in the woods. Peyton is working for Amazon and enjoying it while living in Grand Rapids. Brooke is in her 3rd year at GVSU and doing her field work at Corwell Health in Cardiac Rehab. I am so blessed to be here to watch them grow. Excited to see what the future holds for all of them.
Jeff and I are off to one of our favorite vacation places this week and so excited to relax in the sunshine, walk along the Caribbean Sea in t-shirts and flip flops and get some much-needed rest!
Go do the things, enjoy the days, there is always something good in each one of them.
#getbusyliving
Peace and Love,
Chris Stark and Family
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