Hey Everyone!

I hope that each one of you had a great holiday weekend.  We’re back in the swing of things at the Sciandra house.  We came off of a nice weekend.  I enjoyed seeing my family and friends so much.  Jameson had her first full day of kindergarten today and all of the kids looked way too cute in their school uniforms!

Sal and I spent some time at the oncologist’s office late this morning for a quick check-up and some blood work.  All is looking good!  The only “off” number was my platelet count, but it was minimal.  I kindly asked Dr. Saidman to give me a real dose of chemo next Wednesday instead of the obviously sissy dose that they administered last week!  We’re still waiting on the hormone receptors from my right breast and my left breast is different than I originally thought.  I am ER+, PR+, HER2+.  We spoke with Dr. Saidman about this for quite a while trying to calm my nerves.  Being HER2+ is a double edged sword.  It means that my cancer is more aggressive, but there is also an extra drug that can be used as a form of treatment.  Let’s face it.  My therapy wasn’t going to change.  It’s not like I was trying to save my breasts.  They’re going!  Both of them!  Gone!  But, I’m human – I’ve spent time researching, googling, reading, speaking to intelligent individuals, etc.  The great news is this:  the advancements that have been made with regards to cancer, breast, specifically, are unbelievable.  I strongly support the Susan G. Komen Foundation for shedding so much light on this illness.  I’m hopeful that advancements will continue to be made so that there are even more formulas that can be used to beat this terrible disease as soon as one or two years from now.

Any one who knows me knows that I’m competitive.  I love a challenge – mental or physical.  For this reason, it’s very difficult for me to put my life in the hands of others or to take the se la vie approach.  I’m a typical first born, type-A+ personality!  This journey, so far, has become very spiritual for me, as well.  I’m realizing that life, for the most part, really is out of our control so we should just live it.  I do not believe that God causes illness or suffering but that he can promote healing.  So, prayer does work.  Please keep me in yours.

I read a quote from Robert Frost a few moments ago:  In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life:  It goes on.

Guess what?  It does and it will!

LIVESTRONG and God Bless!

P.S.  I love my husand’s wit.  He told me when cancer pulls a knife, The Sciandra’s pull a gun!  Hysterical!  He’s really a very calm and kind person.