Hobbits at Heart
From hobbling to hobbit-ing, we go! 😂 I am writing to you today from the cutest little Airbnb you’ve ever seen. Andrew booked it forever ago, and it’s been on our calendar for a long, long time. While a road trip the morning after chemo sounds CRAZY, we didn’t really know that was going to happen. 🤷🏻♀️ I am happy to report that both my tummy and the stormy weather cooperated, and we made it safely all the way to Fairfield, Virginia. More on that later!
BIG NEWS
I forgot to mention it in recent posts, but I had scans this week! I’ll get right to it:
Old Faithful remains (as expected) but has finally cracked! 🙌🏻🤩🥳 It shrunk from 1.3x.7cm to 1.2x.7cm. The secondary tumor is also there, but holding steady at .5cm. It’s still not showing ALL the characteristics of a tumor, but has officially been there multiple scans in a row, so we’ll just call it one.
No new tumors! Rest of body is fine.
August marks 1 year on this treatment. (Apparently the clinical trial summer didn’t count) Dr. Tan says that’s the point all our “wait and see” decisions can actually be reevaluated! 🙌🏻
Dr. Tan says she’d consider dropping the chemo and seeing what happens on the immunotherapy alone, but doesn’t like the idea since the tumors are there. (Agreed) Instead, she can order a PET scan to see how “active” the tumors are. We know they’re cancerous, but they haven’t really moved. Are they dormant? Or is the chemo just holding it in check? A PET scan can help her decide. 👍🏻
In summary: smaller liver tumor, no surprises, and the hope of maybe- just maybe- less chemo on the horizon! Oh my gosh 🤩🥳😁 As with all things in the cancer world, we go forth with cautious optimism, but this the one of the most encouraging reports we’ve had in a long time!
Thank you for your continued love and prayers! ❤️ This journey can been achingly slow, but I am learning that metastatic breast cancer is a whole new ball game. Slow and boring is what we hope for!
I’ve tucked away several sweet moments lately. Poetic? Reassuring? Or one of those “thin places” you feel God’s love right where you are?
As my toe heals, I’ve slowly reincorporated walking and yoga into my days. What a blessing! I finished a yoga video in mountain pose- aka “standing” for my non-yogis out there. 😂 As I felt the 4 corners of my feet on the carpet, the narrator said, “Your breath is strong and calm, just like you.” ❤️ The biggest smile spread across my face! There I was, in such a simple pose, that has seemed so far out of reach. Not only has my toe healed, but it’s supporting me while I take care of my body. And yes, I am strong and calm! I felt such joy and peace and thanks. God made everything ok- again!
Andrew and I picked blueberries last weekend. 😊 The memories, the fun, but oh my- the July heat! I got woozy about 45 minutes in. As I sat in the shade, I noticed that the bottom of the bush was FULL of berries. They were so easy to pick! One handful, then another, and another until I *almost* filled my bucket. Such sweetness ❤️ Thank you, Jesus, for shade in a berry patch, and berries where I could reach them, and memories made with my sweet Andrew. God made everything ok- again!
This adorable hobbit hole! I will post all the pictures on Facebook, but it truly feels like we’re staying on the movie set from “Lord of the Rings.” Last night Andrew and I sailed out into the pond on our own little Buckleberry Ferry and watched the sunset. No cell service- there’s not even a tv- just us. ❤️ We face a lot of challenges people our age never will. Our life looks a little different. But you know what? There are plenty of things we GET to do, that are just our speed. Like scooting off to a hobbit hole in the middle of the week, being cozy, and loving it!
So we’re just two hobbits at heart, haha. Surrounded by sweetness and “thin places” where God continues to make the improbable doable, and the scary things ok. I pray that He continues to remind us of His love and nearness when we need it most!
*Want to read how it all started? Come on over! Earlier posts can be found at www.caringbridge.org/visit/caitlan.
