My Treatment Plan

I know that people have a lot of questions, and it has been too hard for us to call everyone with the details. In an effort to keep everyone informed, I decided to start a blog about my battle. I will try to post once a week, so you can check in every once in awhile to see how things are going. Hopefully, by doing this, people can spend their time talking to me about things other than my cancer, like the latest episode of Jersey Shore, what a good time I am, etc. etc.

I have been diagnosed with a recurrence of my breast cancer. It is metastatic, which means it is not curable. It is on the skin of my chest wall, there are small spots on the bones, and there is a small amount on the lining of the lung.

The average life expectancy for this type of diagnosis is 5 yrs., though I am certainly hopeful to be above average, as I have been in all other areas in my life (kidding!)

I have started radiation every day which will be for a course of 4 weeks. I am also on Arimidex, a hormone drug, and am receiving bone infusions to strengthen my bones and fill in weaknesses, so the cancer cannot.

My doctor believes that this course of treatment can work for a little while, maybe for a year or two or maybe even more. When this starts to fail, which it will at some point, I will need to go onto chemo, and will remain on chemo for the remainder of my life.

We did have a set back, as I had a pneumonia like infection, which had me in the hospital for 4 days. It might have been a blessing, because it showed me that I have to embrace life when I feel good, because there are surely times ahead when I will not.


You may be at a loss for what to do or say. Please just be our friend. We want to start living again---the past weeks have been so terrible--we just cannot live like that anymore, or else what is the point? My life was normal 3 weeks ago, and I would like to get that life back for as long as I can.

I hate to instruct people on what to say, but there are some things that just aren't helpful to me. Please don't ask me if I trust my doctor. I trust him with my life. He is smart and he cares about me as a person. When people ask me if I trust him, it makes me feel unsettled. Also, please avoid asking me about second opinions. Yes, I plan to get one eventually, but I will do that when I feel ready. I'd like to just get my treatment underway and then I will worry about second opinions. Look at me---I am so bossy!

I am returning to work next week, and my district has been kind enough to grant my a partial leave, so I only have to work 4 days a week. I am actually excited to go back, because the kids always treat me like good ole' Mrs. Keegan. It is a great environment for me to be in, plus they keep me super busy!

Thank you so, so much for all of the support you have given to our family so far. We have felt enveloped in love, and we truly feel blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives. Yes, I have been dealt the worst hand in poker, but it doesn't mean I am unlucky. I have had more joy and love in my relatively short life than many people have in 70 yrs. I love you all. Will update soon! Keep up the prayers or as a very wise and wonderful woman used to say, "Keep looking up."