July 7, 2025

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 Never got around to updating this last week. It's been a crazy couple of weeks. 

I did do treatment last Monday, and fortunately, there haven't been issues to report. I did have a different nurse last week, a little Filipino lady named Celerina. She's so sweet! Today's nurse is Shannon. I have no issues with any of the staff here at BRCC. They all do a fantastic job of taking care of every patient. 

I will say that I have had to go on a thyroid prescription. The Keytruda (Immunotherapy drug) has the potential to mess with the Thyroid. It did. It only won for one day. the night of the 25th into the 26th I wasn't sure I could function...LITERALLY.  Luckily the script started working quickly. I noticed I was also more emotional and sensitive prior to getting the script going. Not sure if it was Thyroid related or being stressed before the wedding or a combination of both. 

Today is treatment #12 on this chemo cocktail. Next up is the same pretreatment concoction of steroids, Pepcid, and anti-nausea meds followed by 2 new chemo drugs.

I also have the mid-point checks coming up with the local and VCU breast surgeons and PCP. Hopefully there will be even better news to report after those visits. The tumors have already shrunk to the point of not being detectable by touch.

No other issues to report, Praise God!! Keep the prayers coming! They are working!!

The last few weeks we have been busting our tails getting our ranch ready for our wedding. Nathan and I decided about a month ago to get married at our farm on July 5. The task, make the farm look less like a farm.... 😐

Lots of blood, sweat and tears went in to making everything look good and presentable. Tracey spent the week with us, helping with the housework and running errands. Couldn't have gotten thru the week without her! We had around 40 people at our ranch for the weekend, celebrating the 4th with fireworks at Spring Valley Farm Friday night followed by our wedding on Saturday.

Some folks stayed at our place, others at Airbnb's or the cabins at Spring Valley. Nathan and I are truly blessed to have such a wonderful group of folks that would be willing to take off work and travel up the mountain roads to come visit us.

A few of us even ended up staying up past 2am Saturday night... the karaoke machine and music box were broken out so we were all singing, dancing, talking, laughing... was a fun night. I have realized that cancer and chemo can't keep me down and I am really too old to be partying like I'm still 25. 😂😂




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