I am over the moon

Hey there Heather -

What a joy to hear some positive news.  My chemo treatment regimen has been the same as yours.  Neulasta worked better for me than the Neupogen.  It gave me less "bone pain."  And personally, I would not stop short of the full prescribed cycle.

Many of us have been on a similar "wild ride."  We know the emotional roller coaster you've been on. 

Your story gives new meaning to the old familiar phrase--"The agony of defeat and the thrill of victory!"  Thanks for sharing this news with us. 

God bless you Heather

Love Loretta 

Hi Heather,

It sounds like everything it going very well for you.  That's great news!!!  Regarding your choice to stop early on the chemo, I would recommend having a discussion about this with your doctor.  The recommended 6 rounds is based on clinical trials, which have concluded that 6 is the most effective amount.  If your doctor is suggesting you stop at 4, you may want to ask him whether he has seen success in other patients who are in a situation similar to yours.  Presumeabely, he is basing his suggestion on some sort of research or personal experience, but on the face of it, he seems to be modifying the typical treatment plan.  If you are considering stopping after your 4th cycle, it might also be a good idea to get a second opinion to help you with your decision.  Keep up the good luck!!!

Hello Marilyn,

Your “1^st-year anniversary” message was short but sweet and uplifting.  What mother doesn’t want to see another anniversary?  Now let’s just all be honest, who doesn’t have the thoughts of dying creep in often once we’ve had a cancer diagnosis?  But….are we going to let those negative thoughts crowd out the blessings we can still enjoy.  You know I make no apologies for believing in God’s word.  He has given me the inner strength that enables me to be a “survivor” with a positive attitude.   So when “fear” creeps in and tries to steal the spotlight, God reminds me that He holds me in His hand, and He will never leave me.  Each time I start to be “consumed” with “fear and what-ifs”, and from time to time, I do—He reminds me that He has not given me the spirit of FEAR.    https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+1:7&version=AKJV

So your letter cheers my heart.  I truly thought that I would never be alive 4 ½ years later.

All my children remembered me on this Mother’s Day, and even though they are all grown now, to me, they are still “my children” and there’s never a time that “our children” don’t “need” us.  (Also I admit to still telling them what to do on occasions.)  We want to be around to see all of them living on their own and being successful.  Then along comes the “grandchildren”. And now there are 3 “great grandchildren” and now’s no time to exit.  We want to see them grow up too. 

 Now I’m “old”, yes I said “old” at 78.  That’s way past middle age unless there’s a town full of folks that are still alive at 156!  So actually, there’s no perfect time to exit this life, and that’s why at some point God will just have to take me. 

My husband and I are both miracles, having lived longer than stats would indicate.  He has survived Stage III Esophageal Cancer (a killer with few survivors) for over 14 years now, and I with Stage IV Ovarian Cancer and Peritoneal Carcinomatosis.  That just proves to me that only the Great Physician actually knows my true prognosis.  Some time ago I read a good definition of “worry”. 

“Worry is interest paid on a debt that is not yet due!”

Most of us pay our bills on time, but I’m not in the habit of paying a bill before it is due.  So in my world of Stage IV cancer, I’m most at peace when I concentrate on the day I’m living in, and telling “fear” in so many words, “just stay in the back seat—I’m not into tomorrow, next week, or next year yet!”  Now, of course, I’m not closing my eyes to what the future holds for me, but I can “bury myself alive” each and every day that I let “fear” ride in the front seat and do the driving! That would “drive me” to despair.

So keep on thinking about the positive things that you can still enjoy.  Keep the “steering wheel” firmly in your hands, and put “fear in the rumble seat!”  You would have to be around my age to know what a “rumble seat” is, but it’s further back than the back seat! 

There’s plenty to be thankful for each day!  Keep on smiling.  Once more, I’m happy for you.  Thanks for checking in and sharing your success.

Wishing you and all the rest of us many more happy anniversaries!

Loretta

P.S.  Here’s a link that shows you where the “rumble seat” is on the antique cars.    https://www.pinterest.com/pin/172544229451317786/

(Some of these antique cars also had a big back bumper that would carry luggage.) 

Dear Heather,

I am glad you shared your news and want to thank you for posing your question to this group, because we just had similar good news and my wife's reaction was "can I stop early?" She had her CA 125 level drop from over 480 to 12 after the first round of chemo, and she was hoping this would mean fewer treatments. After reading everyone's response to your post, I will convince her NOT to stop (she is not in a place yet where she wants to look online for answers.  Since I just found this community, I am going to encourage her to join for support). Bless you and I hope you progress well.