It’s been a few weeks now since our last update so I wanted to share a little bit of what’s been going on. First, I wanted to extend my endless gratitude to all of you who have been following my story, reading my blog, buying my classes and for the prayers, comments and shares. Ya’ll are so amazing and am so thankful for you. You have truly helped me through this journey.
I’m now almost five weeks post op and feeling pretty good. My appetite is back and I can get up and move around on my own now. My incision is feeling better too, although I still have some healing to do so I’m taking things nice and slow. I even filmed a new video yesterday! Robert is so used to doing everything he saw me in the kitchen making my own lunch the other day and wagged his finger… but he’s just gonna have to deal, I’m mobile now suckers! 😉
As of this week I had my third chemical infusion of an mTOR inhibitor drug and so far so good. Thankfully there are minimal side effects and am feeling pretty good afterward. We won’t really know the extent of how much it’s working for a few months so at this point we’re hoping, praying and taking it day to day, week to week. I can’t speak highly enough of our experience at Cedars. It’s been comfortable, the staff is super friendly and helpful and they make our experience there as good as it can be considering.
Did you miss some of my other updates? Here they are:
- Life Changed in an Instant… again.
- Life Changed in an Instant: Leading up to Surgery
- Life Changed in an Instant: Our hospital stay and return home
All of this doesn’t come without a seemingly constant cloud looming over us. Will the treatment work? Will these tumors come back? Will I need another surgery? There are still so many unknowns but that’s where we have to just trust our Doctors and God as best as we can.
Every time I hit the elevator button to the “7th floor – Cancer Center” I’m reminded that this is pretty serious. Robert and I seem to be on the younger side of the patients there and it can be pretty somber at times. There are all types of people battling their own cancers, every ethnicity, gender, religion and they all have different stories
I’ve decided to focus on all the things I am thankful for; I have a great team, a great hospital, my surgery was successful, our treatment is going well, my kids are healthy and getting through school, and so much more. I also feel like this time has given me the opportunity to grow in my faith, in my relationship with my family and my husband and given me a new perspective on what I want for my future.
I’ve also been using this time to research more. I’ve gone down lots of rabbit holes about my treatment, my diet, my personal mental health and am working on fighting this disease at every level.
So now we wait… we’ll be doing this infusion every week until it seems to be working, or it seems to not be working and then we will reevaluate. Waiting can sometimes be the hardest thing, but when you think about it that’s so much part of life. So I’m learning to be grateful in the moment while I’m waiting for the unknown. I know this is a hard time for so many out there… a brighter day will come! Love to you all.
Melanie and Robert
Janis Pat Sheldon
Tuesday 13th of October 2020
So sorry about your diagnose. I also have breast cancer and had surgery. A year went by and then I felt some lumps in my same cancer breast. So scary. I had a mammogram and found it to be scar tissue from the surgery, a miracle I thought. I still worry but am giving it to GOD. I am praying for you and your lovely family. You are such a great lady and I love all your information and videos. I am a beginner quilter and you have taught me alot. I hand sew everything and might get a sewing machine one day. Thank you so much.
Nancy Latimer
Saturday 10th of October 2020
I just read about your site in a Facebook crochet group, where people were recommending it as a great place to check out. And then of course, I read your posts. I am a cancer survivor, and there are many, many of us out here. Stay strong, Melanie, and stay positive. You have the right attitude, and I know full well how hard it can be to keep that up all the time. But you have much to be hopeful about; cancer treatment has certainly come a long, long way, and continues to do so. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. xo
Tracy Elliott
Tuesday 6th of October 2020
Sending loving prayers and thoughts to you and your family. I have only just recently found you and your sites. I love your spunk, beautiful attitude and your an amazing teacher. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I pray you beat the C-Monster. That’s what a friend of mine called it when she was diagnosed with cancer. She said she didn’t want to give it the power of name to her body and she was strong enough to beat monsters under a bed for years for her kids. So it was a mental thing for her to say she was fighting the C-Monster and one day it will go away, just as the monsters under the kids bed went away in time with encouraging words and prayers every night. I hope her story helps you. Ps she won her battle! God is good! You will win yours too! Love, and hugs from a sister in Christ, Tracy
K.( in PNW)
Friday 2nd of October 2020
Sending so much love and light your way. I truly pray for total healing.
MIlene
Tuesday 29th of September 2020
Melanie, You are such a warrior!!!!! Such a positive person! You and your family are in my prayers ❤️