Lupron+Letrozole & Physical Fitness

It is cold here in Wilmington this morning. When I checked the temperature at 6 am, it was 27 degrees. Brrrr. My first morning back at the beach in over a week, and it was below freezing.

My first thought? I don’t want to do this.

My next thought? I have to do this. Why? Because I know that if I start making excuses for why I can’t do things, I’ll make even more excuses in the days ahead.

So I got out my hat and gloves and favorite running jacket, and I ran the Loop. And it was cold. And it was harder to do that than it was a year ago. It was even harder to do than it was two years ago. It gets harder day-by-day. But, as I was running and listening to The Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast, I was reminded, “Consistency beats intensity every time.” And it’s true.

I have had a number of people tell me “I don’t know how you do it” - i.e. how can you run after surgery? How can you run being on Letrozole? How can you run being on the Letrozole-Lupron combo? I believe a big reason is because through the years, I have been consistent. I’ve never been the fastest. I’ve never been the best. But I have consistently, day-after-day, put in the time and effort.

So, when people ask how I am doing with Lupron-Letrozole, I just tell them, “I am doing the best that I can.” And I believe that each day, that is enough. I’ve come to the understanding that I’ll never get faster. In fact, I'm getting a little slower year-by-year. I’ll never have the stamina I used to have. I most likely will never go further than I’ve gone in the past.

But I can keep showing up with consistency.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 4:16

Countdown to Chemo. Stop #1

Did I have a liver resection and extensive debulking surgery exactly one month ago today?  Yes!
Did I run several miles today?  Yes!
Did I then run/ walk several miles today? Yes!
Did I then walk several miles today?  Yes!
Did I finish the WDW half marathon along with Rick? Also, yes! 🙌 (Rachel and Jared were way ahead of us! 😅)
For years I've been saying "There will come a day when I can't do this..."
But I'm happy to report, once again, that day was not today.

The December 29 post op appointment

The mitotic rate is 44 per 2 mm² (approximately 10 high-power fields).

This is the biggest takeaway from today's visit.

What does this mean?

A mitotic rate of 44 per 2 mm² (equivalent to 22 per 1 mm²) is considered a very high rate, which typically indicates a more aggressive tumor with a higher risk of metastasis and a less favorable prognosis in the context of cancer.

I was not surprised by this new information, given the spread of disease between October and December, and having this information made today's decision much easier:

We plan for me to start chemotherapy on March 13.

I am completely comfortable with this decision and in complete agreement with Dr. Rossi, based on this information. This is not what I wanted, but it would appear endocrine therapy is no longer my best option.

Get ready, World. I plan to live big between now and March 13 (many fun things planned in January, February, and the first two weeks of March), and I plan to continue to be as active as possible while undergoing Carboplatin-Taxol chemo treatments - currently scheduled for 6 rounds, spaced by 3 weeks.

An adventure awaits, but I sure hope it’s over by fall. 🍁🍂

It’s been two weeks

I am incredibly happy to share that this week I have “turned the corner” and am basically back to regular everyday life. I’m having to remind myself not to lift heavy objects, and I am trying to be intentional pacing myself so as not to overdo it. But my appetite is back, for most of the day my energy is back (cue an early bedtime), my abdomen is healing nicely, and I can concentrate on tasks (which means I am back to driving). I’ve even started back “running” - gingerly, carefully - since we do have the WDW Half Marathon in just over 2 weeks!

Thank you for all of your kind words, visits, and support during this time.

I had my 3rd Lupron injection on Monday at Zimmer Cancer Center with Dr. Robinson, and I will see Dr. Rossi at the Duke Cancer Center on Monday, December 29. I am hopeful we’ll be able to agree on a plan of action for 2026. I am going to remind her that I want to live, not simply be alive. I believe there’s a huge difference in those two things.

No, Baby Clara is not here yet, but every day brings us closer to her arrival, and we will be seeing her very soon!

This morning I read Luke 2:19, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” The question from Catching Whimsy asked, “With all the mysteries and unknowns in your life, what would it look like for you to treasure up in your heart the ambiguity God allows?”

I’ll be pondering that question in the days ahead.

Merry Christmas!

Recovery is a process

The last two days have a bit discouraging as I have seemingly hit a plateau with recovery.

Though I had been warned by Dr. Rossi that people feel “icky” after a liver resection, I was convinced that wouldn’t be the case for me, but it has been, and food aversions combined with intense hunger the last few days have made for less-than-fun moments. Fatigue is a new friend, as well.

This morning, as I sat down to read and journal, I had the conscious thought, “I am going to have to fight in order not to be discouraged. I’m so close to giving in to discouragement.”

I read a number of things each morning, but Catching Whimsy by Bob Goff is generally the place where I find the most practical, “hits me where I am” reading. Today I was reminded, once again, that we have an on-time God and He gives us what we need before we even ask.

So, if you ever hear me say I’m making saltwater taffy, you’ll know what I mean.

Little by little

It’s hard to believe surgery was last Wednesday. Since my Sunday evening update, I’ve been able to spend time with family and friends, walked the beach, received sweet surprises, and even found a little time to rest!

Recovery has been more difficult than I anticipated with food aversions and cognitive confusion topping the list of complaints, but I am thankful for family who has helped me get foods that “sound good” at any given time and given me rides to the beach in the morning.

I had really hoped to start driving again, but I recognize my brain is not quite there yet. I was able to start reading a novel yesterday (something that until that point was impossible), so I feel like I am moving in the right direction.

Thank you to everyone who has shown your kindness to me in different ways this last week.

And, yes! We’re still waiting on Baby Clara. Her due date is today!

Sunday evening update

The weekend went by quickly thanks to friends and family coming by to visit.

Today included a sunrise trip to the beach, finding a shark’s tooth, a bagel sandwich from Beach Bagels, worship at The Bridge, and the sweetest call with some of my loves in Haiti.

The blessings of this weekend won't soon be forgotten. ❤️

Saturday morning update

Yesterday was full of family and friends, and this morning Rick offered to take me down to the beach to see the sunrise. I felt well enough to walk for a few minutes, as well, and that was wonderful.

Baby Clara isn’t here yet!

I am not having to take as much pain medication, and I feel like my energy is coming back. I have to remind myself I went through a fairly substantial procedure just three days ago, and I should rest and not do too much just yet.

“The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”

— Lamentations 3:22-23