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

One last delivery

The time has come. Rick and I will head to Durham in about an hour, and I have packed as much as I could into today. I am happy to report I was able to go for a run, then a walk on the beach early this morning. Beyond that, all Christmas presents are wrapped and under the tree, and laundry is washed and put away. I made one last bank transaction for Haiti Awake, and I even had a chance to do one more delivery for Moe’s. (No matter how well surgery goes tomorrow, I won’t be able to lift much until sometime in January. Therefore, I’ll be out for a while.)

This is what was waiting for me at work when I arrived. It was so unexpected. My heart was touched. Nearly six years ago when we stopped at Moe’s one night for dinner and the GM asked, “Hey! Are you interested in a little part-time job?” I’m so glad I said, “Yes!” I enjoy getting out in the community, meeting people, and bringing them food. (Who doesn’t love Moe’s?)

If you had asked me what I needed today, I would never have guessed this was it. But it was.

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

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

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

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.