Happy New Year!

On this final day of 2009, I reflect back on the last 364 days. Some days were tough full of uncertainty and pain........the day I was officially diagnosed in February, disappointment of finding out cancer had spread to 8 lymph nodes, pain & discomfort from mastectomy surgery, the weakening effects of chemo, losing my hair, a week stay in the hospital with a high fever, painful skin rash after radiation and the countless normal things I couldn't do because I was too weak or sick. Many more were days filled with hope, love and good news........the unbelievable outpouring of support from family, friends, neighbors & even strangers, the relief that cancer had not spread anywhere else in my body, competing in the Tri for the Cure a few weeks after surgery and winning 3rd in my age group, the creation of Team SOS, a surprise greeting of friends & family on my first day of chemo...wow, all the meals and gifts of support from so many people, the cards of encouragement, the endless offers to help, rowing with a team of amazing women, "Chicks with Sticks" winning the Tempe boat parade, watching my hair grow, ditching the scarfs and healing quickly so I could get back to my new normal. It's been nothing less than a roller coaster ride this year. Through this crisis, I've learned a lot about myself, my faith, my family and my friends. I'm much stronger than I thought I would be in the face of adversity. Not even cancer will kick me down. Some people might say I'm stubborn, but I like to think I'm persistent & determined to succeed. I believe this attitude and the energizing support of the people around me is responsible for my successful treatment & promising future. Thank you to everyone who has touched my life this year....there are so many of you and I am immensely grateful for your compassion and help along the way. I look ahead to 2010 with the excitement of a new start. Great things are yet to come!

I've had 2 Herceptin doses the last 2 weeks. My treatment day is Monday mornings. I'll go every Monday for a while. After a heart check in a few weeks, we might move to a mega dose once every 3 weeks. I don't mind going every Monday......it's only 30 minutes on the IV and I'm in and out of the office in about an hour. I love the dr, nurses & staff and the office is less than 10 minutes from my house. I have no side effects from Herceptin. It's an amazing drug. It is not chemotherapy or a hormone therapy. It is called a monoclonal antibody which utilizes my natural immune system to kill tumour cells. With breast cancer there may be too many copies of a cancer-causing gene called an oncogene. This oncogene is called HER2. I tested positive for this gene. Herceptin attaches to the HER2 receptors on the surface of the cells and stops it from growing and dividing. The drug has a very specific target so it doesn't have all the side effects like chemo drugs. I need 52 doses of Herceptin. So far, I've had 11. I'll have to take a little break when I have the total hysterectomy surgery. I hope to finish in October. That will be another milestone in my healing.

My family has been exploring over the holidays. We are seeking out local things we've never experienced. On Monday, we hiked Piestewa Peak (formerly Squaw Peak) with the boys.

On Tuesday, we went to the Arizona Historical Society Museum. We were surprised to find this to be a gem of a museum. Great hands on exhibits. They have a special exhibit on Sandra Day O'Connor......she's one of my heroes. Also, on Tuesday we had a picnic at Papago Park and hiked to the Hole in the Rock. For as many times as we've been to the zoo, we've never been to Papago. Crazy! Here we are at the top.

Have you ever been at the zoo and spotted the white pyramid on a hilltop? Yes, we have, too, and said many times that we need check it out. We knew it was the tomb of Arizona's first Governor, George W.P. Hunt along with several of his family members. However, I wanted to see it. Well, it finally happened.

On Wednesday, we went to the Pueblo Grande Museum by the airport. This is a site of a Hohokam Indian ruin. The boys studied Indian civilizations in school this past quarter so it was good timing for us to visit. Here we are in a pithouse replica. Get out and explore our great state! There's so much to see and do in our own backyard.

Happy New Year! I wish you the courage to make choices that energize your spirit. Live BIG and Healthy!

Thanks for reading my blog. With much love and gratitude, srb