Today Is A Very Good Day

According to my original oncologist, I should not be alive today. Little does he know that I am in Vegas and having a grand ol' time!


On June 3, 2006, I learned that I had stage 4, metastatic cancer. I wrote about this in my very first blog. My oncologist didn't even call to tell me the news. I had to read it from the paper I received in the mail, after calling three times to his office, to get the results. Two days later (he didn't have the time to see us the first day!), Denny, Julie and I met with him. That is when he told me that the large tumor I had growing on my left pectoral muscle, would continue to grow and eventually break my ribs. When I asked him how long he thought I had to live, (I always like to be organized and prepared!) he told me, "Maybe two years!" He didn't even mention any treatment and talked about "quality of life." When we asked about chemo, he talked about the horrible side effects and how my hands could become raw and some of my skin could fall off, etc. He didn't paint a pretty picture. So that is when my family got busy and started finding other places, doctors, etc. that might be able to help me. I ended up going to OHSU and Dr. Chui said I could enter a clinical trial. But at Northwest Cancer Specialists, Dr. Weinstein (My Hero), told me that my cancer was treatable and he suggested Taxotere (chemo) and Avastin. So I changed oncologists at Kaiser (I didn't have any choice but to stay with Kaiser Ins.) and I like Dr. Trubowitz. She also suggested those two drugs. And they, "did their job," since I am currently in remission and have not had any chemo treatments for 17 months!


I have lived my life to the fullest during the last 17 months. We have done a lot of traveling and have spent precious time with our family and friends. I know how lucky I am to still be here and feeling good. I would like to go into my original oncologist's office, and say, "F you!" No, I don't do or say things like that! But it bothers me, that some people might listen to him and if I had, I know that I would be dead today. So today, I am feeling very blessed and am thankful for feeling good and having such a wonderful and supportive family and friends.

Today is a very good day. Today I am lucky to be alive. Today I am thankful for all of you being in my life and helping me through my cancer journey. I know I have more cancer days ahead of me, but today is a very good day!

Love to you all,

JO