Race for the Cure 2011

Team Nicole 2011


Bryan and I


The boys and I


Sea of Pink 2011


Another year for Team Nicole at the Twin Cities Race for the Cure. It was a wonderful Mother's Day weekend, spending time with family and feel so blessed to have all of them in our life. June came and went and that consisted of another PET scan, doctor visit and labs drawn. The report came back that I was still in remission. All my blood work was in normal range. I also had an echo on my heart to make sure its not getting damage from the chemo that I'm still taking. The refraction rate was a little lower than it has been in the past, but still okay to continue the treatments of Herceptin. I will have another in August. Even if my heart does get damaged it's able to recover by taking a break from the Herceptin, so that is a plus. Many ask me how long will you be on this drug as I still continue to go in to get the infusion every 3 weeks. I think that I'm at cycle #49. I say as long as it keeps the cancer away and my body can handle it. I don't think there are alot of studies of women who go off of it and are doing well. Most women who are stage 4 continue Herceptin for life. I have read some are still getting it for 10 years or more and have no side effects and are doing well. I'm also taking a daily pill, Femera too that will continue to be part of my treatment as long as it keeps doing its job.

We are enjoying the summer as much as possible. It seems to fly by. June consisted of the boys and I attending some local parades, We enjoyed the 4th of July weekend in Iowa visiting with family and are looking forward to a trip to the MN North Shore with my mom. We are hoping that the MN state government can get the budget figured out, so we can go to the state parks while we are up there. August will be here soon too and it marks so many milestones in my family's lives. The boys will have their 6th and 3rd birthdays, Bryan and I will celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary and also my 3 year cancer anniversary. I think that I enjoy celebrating the cancer anniversary more than my own birthday as its nicer outside than when my actual birthday is and its a reflection of looking back at what I have gained from all this. I know saying that its a gift to have cancer is not what you wish for, but the experience makes you realize what is important in life and it makes you see life in a different way than you did before. So year 3 of surviving breast cancer will soon be in the books. I will keep Fighting Like a Girl and like my new shirt says that my cousin Heidi gave to me after she completed the Avon Breast Cancer Run/Walk, I will continue to Get My Pink On! Have a wonderful summer everyone and love you all!!

Long Overdue........

I am long overdue with an update again. No news is always good news!! I have met with my oncologist three times since my last entry. I am seeing him every 3 months. I had a PET scan in December and all was clear, so I still continue to be in REMISSION. My blood work has also been coming back normal and no other issues have occurred. I am still getting an infusion of Herceptin every 3 weeks and taking orally a daily hormonal pill, Femera. I had some bothersome side effects with the Femera related to joint pain in my hips and legs, so my oncologist suggested to take fish oil and that has worked wonders. I feel the joint pain here and there, but overall it’s gone. YEAH!! Another yeah is having the ability to get my infusions closer to my house at the Princeton hospital. Due to Bryan taking a management job and my job moving its corporate office further south it was very unfeasible to be going to St. Cloud to get a simple infusion that I could go elsewhere to get. I will continue to see my oncologist in St. cloud as the St. Cloud Coborn Cancer Center has done an excellent job with my treatment plan and I enjoy going there. Although due to having to go Princeton, I have to meet with the oncologist there so she feels comfortable signing off on my orders, which I don’t blame her. I would want to at least meet with the patient once if I was signing off on an order, so we will see what she has to offer. I feel very fortunate to have such excellent healthcare where I live and I also feel confident in my doctors and nurses that provide this care. They have continued to keep my cancer in remission and that is their goal. Although I’m sure they would like to cure me, but my opinion is no matter what stage of cancer you have, you are never cured. I hope that this new year continues to bring good news and that I continue to keep making lots of memories with my boys (husband and sons) and everyone else I care about. Thanks again to all of you who continue to support myself and family through this journey that we call life.


Brock and Griffin Halloween 2010


Griffin


Brock


My Brother Tom, mom Linda and I


Christmas 2010