We have a diagnosis. After a failed biopsy, many scans, many appointments - we’re finally at a diagnosis of subtype and a treatment plan.

The biopsy showed HER2 Low, and negative for Hormone Receptor status. Technically, this would be considered Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer with HER2 Low.

I need the best brains on this and I need them as quickly as possible. I have a tremendous support system and connections - but if you know someone who has a success story or a doctor you know will be tenacious - share this background please.

The update no one wants to hear. My cancer is back. We are shattered and broken but rebelliously hopeful.

It’s in my bones. I’ll have a PET scan later this month to learn if it’s in other organs.

I have a bone biopsy scheduled to learn what kind of breast cancer cells set up shop in my bones.

“We’re throwing everything but the kitchen sink at this,” my oncologist recently said. Kicking off the first week of the year with an infusion of Herceptin and Perjeta, and throwing in my follow up with my oncologist, was a lot. Thankfully my mom was with me.

I took chemo in the weirdest places over the last six months. On the beach in Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Maine, and Costa Rica. In bars. In the mountains of Amherst and Acadia National Park. At dinners. At client events and meetings. At a Chris Rock comedy show. I chased chemo with water, Gatorade, and my personal favorite - a mimosa or red wine (don’t worry, my doctor said a drink here or there is fine). I’d often wonder how many people in the bar or restaurant were also dealing with the crap of cancer. Or had cancer and didn’t know. But, it’s done! I’ve made it through!!

At the very beginning of my treatments last year I had an echocardiogram to have a baseline of my heart function. Some chemo and targeted therapies can cause weakening of the heart, also known as cardiotoxicity, so we needed to ensure I was starting off strong. Which, I was! My heart was in perfect working condition.

Woo! We’re in it. Surviving. Apologies for no update - there really haven’t been any treatment updates. Just trucking along. Still on the Xeloda, chemo pills and the Herceptin+Perjeta infusions every three weeks.

It’s October, and as the leaves are changing to yellow and orange it seems suddenly everything else is turning pink. Under the guise of awareness, companies creatively color their products, logos and even cars pink.

Time flies when you’re… having fun and simultaneously battling every side effect in the book. I am still doing Herceptin and Perjeta infusions every three weeks, Lupron shots monthly, and cycles of Xeloda (chemo pills). All of that in combination with the follow up appointments post radiation, surgery, physical therapy, and oncology - it’s still a full time job on top of my full time job that pays my bills and provides the much needed health insurance.

Oh, hi! Sorry, I’ve been out here living and ignoring this blog! And if you haven’t followed along on Insta or FB, well then you might be a little lost.

My second infusion of Herceptin and Perjeta went well! No nausea follow the infusion and overall few side effects - woo!

I am back! Do I want to? No. Do I get to? Yes! This is my insurance policy to stay NED (no evidence of disease) and honestly, I’m really lucky I get this. I think a lot about what would be different if we knew my tumor cloned to HER2+ earlier. But, I’m dropping that, I can only move forward. And forward means really great targeted drugs.

WE DID IT!!!! For once, I got really damn lucky!!!! I have been flying high since the news yesterday. But, let me back up a little to better explain how we got here because I know this was a surprise to some.

I’m excited! Which is weird to say when your cancer morphed and you didn’t have a good response to chemo and now my treatment is another entire year. But, yes, I’m excited!

Although I’ll be in active treatment for another year – this treatment should be kind. Most importantly, I can live my life. And isn’t that what treatment is all about – so you can continue living?

I wish this update was different. I wish we were all popping bottles of champagne and celebrating that I’m cancer free. Unfortunately, wishes don’t work. I was going to wait on publishing an update until next steps were more clear but this in between is important too. 

Almost six months ago I embarked on the most terrifying path I’ve ever encountered. I’m not exactly sure how I feel now that chemo is over. And if you told me six months ago that this is where I’d be, I wouldn’t believe you. Shouldn’t I be thrilled that chemo is over?

Yes. Yes, I am thrilled. But, there’s an air of hesitancy to celebrate hanging over me.

Spoiler alert - SCANS ARE CLEAR!!!! I shared this news on Instagram and eluded to these scans but I didn’t really want to go into detail. We all knew how serious this was but no one wanted to say it.

This round brought less nerves and anticipatory nausea. It’s the only treatment I’ve done without taking Xanax. Not that I didn’t necessarily need it - I just forgot to take it. I guess, 15 rounds in, I’m getting used to this chemo thing.