The Savvy Survivor

I had a telephone conversation with my Oncologist's Nurse Practitioner, yesterday. The news she gave me was amazing!! Merry Christmas to me! I've been taking Femara , since September; and she told me my tumor markers were significantly lower than when I first started taking it. Before I started taking Femara, my markers were in the mid-100's; they are now in the 70-80's range! I'm having to deal with six side effects, but just hearing the news that the drug is working, gives me the energy and determination to continue dealing with those side effects. Tumor marker levels in the 30's are considered normal; I'm almost there! No need for chemo, yet! Roughly two years ago, I told my Oncologist that I wasn't willing to go the conventional treatment route, anymore. The last drug combo (hormone blocker and chemo drug) I was on caused me 14 side effects, and I was miserable!! I told him what I had planned to do; he supported my decision, and said if I needed him...

I haven't blogged in a rather long time (sorry!), because I've been taking care of life; but today, I feel the need to speak out about feelings. First, I want to say, it's ok to express your feelings. And it's perfectly alright to be sad, anxious or depressed, at this point in time. The entire world is sick; and we're all dealing with a lot, right now. But I didn't need to be shamed, for how I feel; and that happened, this morning. A Facebook page I'm a fan of asked how we were all dealing with the Easter holiday; and I answered them. Someone thought it was their duty to scold me for not being thankful that I have someone to spend the holiday with, even though my son can't be with me. I am thankful to have my daughter and grandchildren around; but I'm dying of a terminal illness, so having my son near me, as well, is a blessing! Not counting the holidays we lived through, in separate states; this is the first holiday I've had to endur...