3-23-19 what’s happening: my own advocate
Relieved and hopeful after our appointment yesterday with breast cancer specialist Dr. Adam Brufsky at McGee Women’s Hospital! A few weeks ago I thought I had a UTI, only to learn BC fractured my pelvis and has spread to my liver and elsewhere. It’s scary to learn my cancer antigen is 332 (normal is 38), but the nurse practitioner says I can expect to be around for a long time. Amen & thanks for your prayers & good thoughts! 🙏🏻The goal is to starve tumors scattered through my body by eliminating estrogen and progesterone with injections and an oral pill. An infusion every three months will strengthen my bones against further breaks and help fight cancer cells in my bones. I started treatments right away. And I get to keep my hair. 💕
He suggests only five radiation treatments to reduce the tumors in my pelvis that caused the fracture and is causing my pain. Hope to begin those, ASAP.
I’VE LEARNED I HAVE TO BE MY OWN ADVOCATE! Encouraged by my friend Louise who has lived with metastatic breast cancer for 11 years, this week I did that in three ways:
- Changed the appointment with an orthopedic oncologist from April 3 to March 18, seeing Dr. Richard Mcgough when it would have taken weeks to get in with Dr. Kurt Weiss – then learned Dr. Mcgough trained Dr. Weiss and is the director of the ortho unit at Shadyside! Dr. Mcgough wants me walking to strengthen my bones; my fractured pelvis really hurts so when I’m out, I’m using a wheelchair.
- Scheduled an appointment (with Louise’s help) with Dr. Brufsky for a second opinion. He’s one of the top metastatic BC researchers in the country and the director of the Cancer Center at McGee. I’m now his patient and can make appointments with him when we want his opinion on anything. Yeah!
- Requested an infusion right away instead of waiting until after my appointment with my dear Dr. Ramineni on Tuesday. I already have a dose of hormone-fighting drug circulating in my body. Dr. Brufsky & he are close colleagues.
Most of these “what’s happening” posts will be shorter, I promise . . .
To God be the glory,
All will be well.
35 COMMENTS
Jan, I am so glad for hopeful news, and we continue to pray with and for you on this journey. Hugs,
Jaye
you know much, Jaye, about caring for both body & spirit… I thankful for you!
Follow you and your struggles. I went to school and graduated with Jim. What a class act you have there. Thank God for our wonderful husband’s!
Amen, Mary Ann. A class act, indeed! Thankful to hear you have one, too!
We will be praying for you during our morning devotions on a regular basis. God be with you to give you strength and courage for this journey.
Thanks, Jan. We bound together by a passion to write & a passionate God
I’m very proud of you and inspired by your actions. Contact me anytime. I’m here for you.
~Annah
Thank you so much, Annah!
Jan-thank you for sharing your journey. Grateful for your good news! Thinking of you and Jim and sending prayers. Much love!
Love you too, Barb!
Yeah! Been praying and praying!
Thanks Scherrie . . . I don’t know where I’d be without prayers!
This is wonderful news, Jan! So positive and hopeful….I know the power of prayer is helping you and will continue to help you on this journey! I am here for you in any way I can help- I will call you soon.
Love and prayers-
Cindi
Thank you for sharing your journey, Jan. I believe good things are in store for you- you are covered in Prayer and in Love-
I continue to pray for you and I would love to see you soon. You are such a strong, loving and faithful lady, and I know you are in the BEST of care. I’m so glad you are in my life- you inspire me. Love you❤️❤️❤️
P.s…. if you crave Ice Cream- I can hook ya up😜🍦❤️🙏
Cindi
please call & we’ll find a time for tea, Cindi… that would be lovely!
Somebody I’m (very) close to loves ice cream :>)
Great news to hear. Keep the faith & I’ll continue praying for you.
Thanks, Sharon. Praying all is well with you & Ken
Dear Jan, Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I’ll be praying that all that stuff running through your system kills those cancer cells strengthens those bones so you will be walking again. God is walking this journey with you and I know you are walking in faith! God Bless. ❤️🙏🏼
Thanks for being my forever friend, Claudia!
Hi Jan, your pro-active cooperation with your treatments will pay out greatly in the regaining of your health and strength! Love you. All Will Be Well.
we’ll both get through this together, Amy, our times are in His hands, no where else I want to be!
Will continue prayers for a complete recovery. Stay strong 💪
Thank you so much, Judi. God is with us!
Jan, I’m so sad to hear you have this new hurdle to deal with but so very glad you are aggressively taking the steps to fight the fight with prayers and scheduling the right doctors. You are an amazing young woman and so inspirational to many, many people, especially your enlightening newspaper column I look so forward to every Saturday. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I will be glad to help in any way.
Dear Ann, so glad to be in touch again, please stay close. You’re a role model of courage for many, including me.
Thanks you so much for update! You are constantly in my prayers!
Thank you for all your encouraging articles.
Amy has sent them. Praying also for Amy too! Becky crooks Kerna bjo on Facebook
I hope you’re doing well, Becky. Let me know how you’re doing. Thanks for your ever-prayers & support!
Dear Jan , I have been reading your column in the Gazette since day #1 and enjoy you very much even though we are not acquainted. I was so sorry to read of your most recent issues but I am uplifted by your writings here in What’s Happening. You have a tremendous support system of your husband, children, friends, and of course your faith in God. I’m confident all will be well. I feel as though I know you or Jim but I am much older (72). Indiana born & raised and still here. I’m hoping you will not be giving up your newspaper column. You’ve got a lot of followers! Sorry for rambling haha. One of my habits. Sending prayers 🙏🙏
Thanks, Elaine, it’s always fun to enter into someone else’s “rambling” I love it– and BTW, we’re close in age!
Sounds very optomistic. God is so good. Continued prayers Jan.
Amen, Norma- God is good!
So happy for the good news, Jan. God is keeping you in His hands. Love you!
Definitely, Jan. As He is keeping you
Jan, I love how our God is leading and caring for you. You’re journeying well. 🙌❤️🤗
So glad our paths crossed, Val. You are one of God’s agents of healing!
Comments are closed.