Countdown to Chemo. Stop #4

Throughout late 2025 as the extent of the recurrence of disease became more evident, I had one question: “Will I be able to go to the Winter Olympics as planned?” After the December surgery when even more detailed information was available and I agreed that chemo was now a relevant option, again I questioned whether or not Rick and I could still attend the Olympics. At the December 29 post-op appointment, Dr. Rossi was supportive of delaying treatment for three months in order to allow this trip to happen.

It has not disappointed.

Although I am generally disciplined with my diet day-by-day, while here in Milan I have allowed myself to enjoy so many treats, and I still need to check gelato and cannoli off my list.

There is a “small town” feel to these Games, much different than what we experienced in Paris in 2024. We’ve enjoyed getting to know different people, as well as spending time with some friends we already knew.

Today we’re off on a new adventure and on to Stop #5, but we’ll be back in Milan next week for more of the Olympic Games - specifically Team USA women’s hockey.

Countdown to chemo. Stop #3.

I've been asked repeatedly why I'm not starting chemo until mid March, and the answer is because Dr. Rossi and I agreed that following through with plans I had before this latest recurrence was a good thing.

I want to live and not just be alive.

So today Rick and I had a planned layover in London before we head off to stop #4.

Though I have been to London twice previously, I'd never been to the British Museum. That was rectified today.

No trip to London is complete without some proper fish and chips.

We walked by the River Thames and took in the sites. I can't get enough of the London Eye or Big Ben.

Trafalgar Square is another favorite spot since watching Bob Marley: One Love about 20 times. (I love that movie!)

Our time here was short, but we made the most of it.

Now, we're off to our next destination.

I can hardly wait.

To have a port or not to have a port

“What you have done differently, looking back at your experience with chemo?” I've asked this question of a number of people, and nearly everyone has had the same basic answer, “I really wished I had a port. It would have been so much easier on my veins, and it would be less stressful on me and my nurses.”

So today I had my port placement consultation, and I will be having the procedure done March 13 at Novant. I will be receiving the PowerPort ClearVUE Implantable Port. The image below is what I was showed as a model during the consultation. Mine will be titanium.

One step closer to chemo.

Countdown to Chemo. Stop #2

It has been just shy of 14 years since I first set foot in this country I have come to love as my own. I needed one last trip before chemo to see the people and places that are so dear to my heart.

Haiti does not need me. But I know with no doubt in my mind that I need Haiti.

Adding Haiti as one of my pre-chemo stops was a given, but I did not anticipate how powerful and productive this time together would be. My heart is full.

In her book, Good Enough, Kate Bowler writes, “Blessed are we, the responsible, who take a nonlinear path. Who, as the poet Wendell Berry says, ‘every day do something that won’t compute.’ Who know that right when life gets heavy or hard or too much, we must carve a path to delight. Who do something for no reason whatsoever but for joy.”

This week in Haiti has been pure delight.

I came here with the understanding that this might be my last trip to Haiti due to the potential physical limitations that are looming. But instead of acquiescing to that sentiment, I discovered I am more determined than ever to stay strong and do what I need to do to return to Haiti sooner than later.

Despite all of the difficulties and heartache this place brings, it is a part of my heart that I am certain I can not let go.

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!