Surgery is a week from today
We have to prepare ourselves for our death with the same care and attention as our parents prepared themselves for our birth. Henri Nouwen
As we walk through this Advent season, a season of hopeful waiting in the darkness, I'm reminded of the gifts cancer has given me - not the least of which has been the gift of purposeful reflection.
Today's devotional from Henri Nouwen is especially applicable to where my heart is right now.
My 2nd Lupron injection - November 24, 2025
I have to admit that being back at the Zimmer Cancer Center here in Wilmington is a little surreal, and I also feel like I have come back home. I am thankful for the opportunity to receive care locally in coordination with Duke.
Yesterday I received my 2nd Lupron injection - 21 days after my 1st. Again, it was administered in my flank, this time switching the left side. Very little discomfort, just a pinch. No noticeable side effects so far. In fact, I ran 2 miles, then walked 3 this morning and felt great.
I appreciated the opportunity to see Dr. Robinson yesterday. He is so incredibly kind and caring. I felt seen and heard.
He allowed me to have blood tests yesterday that I requested, and, at my request, he has ordered those same blood tests for December 8 - two days before my surgery with Dr. Rossi and Dr. Zani.
Further, we scheduled my 3rd Lupron injection and next office visit with him for December, as well as a follow-up visit in January before the WDW Half Marathon (which I am still hoping to complete).
Tomorrow I’ll be two weeks out from my scheduled liver resection and debulking surgery at Duke.
Today is not that day
One day I won't be able to do this, but today is not that day.
Am I on the downside to 55 years? Yes
Do I have active disease? Yes
Am I on Letrozole and Lupron? Yes
Am I facing a liver resection and debulking surgery December 10? Yes.
Did I just run a 10K with my best time in years? Yes
One day I won't be able to do this, but today is not that day.
This week’s question - Lupron
It’s been tolerable.
Many friends have asked, “So, how’s it going with Lupron?” I want to keep track of any side effects here, just like I did when I started taking Letrozole in June of 2023.
For the first seven days after taking Lupron (and continuing to take Letrozole), I did find myself feeling emotional (read: weepy) quite a bit and at times feeling a sense of dread (read: anxiety). Neither of which is normal for me, but I have had a lot going on. So, it could be the buildup of stress - or it could be the Lupron/Letrozole combo - or it could be both. The other potential side effect has been fatigue, but again. I’ve had a lot going on, and we had the return to Eastern Standard Time this weekend. That could explain the fatigue, as well.
Regardless, it has been tolerable.
October 31 update
December 10 is the new date.
I hope this is the last update on this issue.
Surgery will actually be December 10, not December 4.
My First Lupron Injection
I received my first injection of Lupron today, October 28. It was a painless injection in my hip. I really didn't feel a thing.
I'm hopeful the days ahead will be equally uneventful, but just like I did with Letrozole, I will post regular updates on how I am feeling on Lupron and (eventually) whether or not it is efficacious for me.
October 28 update
After nearly a month of feeling like things were moving so slowly, I'm happy to share that the last two days have been busy with progress.
Yesterday afternoon I got the call that Lupron had been approved by insurance and that I could come in today for my first infection. 🙌
Today I got notification that the December 4 surgery is a go, with Dr. Rossi and Dr. Zani both being available to do their parts of the procedure.
I got my first Lupron injection, scheduled my second for November 24, and also had my pre-anesthesia consultation this afternoon. I'm feeling really good about the plan and am eager to move forward.
This is what was on the wall in the procedure room today.
October 24 update
I spoke with Dr. Rossi. Currently she does not have availability to do surgery until December 4. Because we have to coordinate with Dr. Zani’s office, we are not certain if that will be the date or not.
I will be on a priority list for surgery before December 4 should something come available, but the likelihood of that is minimal since we need both Dr. Rossi and Dr. Zani in the OR.
In the meantime, we are going to start Lupron. I will need to go to Duke next week to get that shot because she cannot prescribe it at another facility.
Specific prayer requests:
A surgery date before December 4
Noticeable efficacy from starting Lupron
Patience in the waiting
