We had a wonderful Thanksgiving here on Spruce Hill. We had a house full of family, and lots of good food. It was such a nice weekend. The cousins enjoyed being together, and having a weekend long sleepover. The adults had a great time hanging out visiting, and enjoying what seemed to be an all day all you can eat buffet.
The week before Thanksgiving was a tough one for me though. I have had this cough for a while and last week had trouble breathing due to a pain in my ribs. The doctor sent me off for xrays and a CT scan to make sure I didn't crack a rib. The good news is that I didn't have a cracked rib, since then my ribs are better and I am breathing easier. When they did the CT scan however my Doctor found a new tumor in my chest that was not there on my last scan. I was due to have my next scan in three weeks. I am thankful they found it earlier. The chemo pills I have been taking for 9 weeks are not doing what they are supposed to do so we are switching my chemo.
So it's back to the infusion center for me. The chemotherapy drug that I will be getting was just approved by the FDA two weeks ago. I get my first infusion this Thursday, the drug is so new it isn't in the warehouse yet. It's due to arrive 10 days after it's FDA approval which makes it available to me by Tuesday. It's called Eribulin. Eribulin is a synthetic version of a compound derived from the sea sponge Halichondria okadai. As far as my doctor says I shouldn't lose all of my hair. So I get to hold onto that a bit longer. There are side effects such as neuropothy, anemia, and fatigue. There hasn't been a new chemo therapy approved for breast cancer in 4 years so this treatment is cutting edge. My doctor is really excited about this new treatment and we are hoping and praying that it will do the trick.
So it's back to the chemo chair for me two weeks on and one week off of a 21 day cycle. I shouldn't have too much chair time though because the drug is pushed instead of dripped. I'll be tweeting about my infusion on Thursday. Hope you can stop by and say hi!
I will continue to keep you in my prayers Sarah that this new chemo drug does the trick and kicks the cancer to the curb.
Posted by: Sunday | November 28, 2010 at 01:45 PM
Hope this one does the trick, sorry you have to go through this again. I will have you in my thoughts and prayers.
Your Thanksgiving sounds so relaxing and fun! Ours was quiet due to the weather, just too much snow and ice to get around!
Posted by: M.J. Jacobsen | November 28, 2010 at 05:31 PM
I sure wish you didn't have to go through so much. Here's hoping the new drug will work it's magic! Good thing you went in early for the scan!
Keep up the good fight Sarah. I'll be thinking of you.
Posted by: Sharon | November 28, 2010 at 05:47 PM
You know how things happen for a reason? I'm sort of glad you had that breathing issue, otherwise they wouldn't have caught it as soon. And lucky you for the new drug!
My husband's chemo, Temodar, which he's not on at the moment because he's enjoying a remission, came out in 1999. Prior to that, everyone died from brain tumors because none of the chemotherapies could break the blood brain barrier.
You have people who love you ~ and I'm sure you never forget that. Luck be with you, my friend.
Posted by: Kate | November 28, 2010 at 07:12 PM
sorry to hear about your setback ... here's hoping the new drug does the trick and sends the cancer packing.
Posted by: Two Barking Dogs | November 28, 2010 at 07:54 PM
I know I'll be one of many that will be sending up good wishes and prayers your way for you through this next round of treatment. My Mom goes in for her mastectomy on Thurs morning and thanks to couragous women like you who have gone through this before her, there are new treatments and meds! So from those of us just starting this journey, we thank you and will always continue to appreciate you and pray for you!
Posted by: Deb | November 28, 2010 at 08:39 PM
Happy Thanksgiving, Sarah and family! I'll be thinking about you next week—I'm sorry about this new tumor.
Posted by: Ginny | November 28, 2010 at 09:29 PM
Thinking of you...
Posted by: Mary | November 28, 2010 at 10:55 PM
This new treatment sounds exciting, Sarah. I've been keeping up with your posts and wishing you the best. Thank you so much for keeping us up to date with what's going on. I'm sending out positive vibes that this new treatment will do the trick.
Posted by: Laurie | November 28, 2010 at 11:36 PM
Will be praying for you this week. If we can be of any help, please let me know.
Posted by: !rother ;ohn | November 29, 2010 at 08:38 AM
Praying for you Sarah...
xoxo,
annie
Posted by: firefly hill | November 29, 2010 at 08:51 AM
I hope the new drug does it's job. My prayers are with you
Posted by: Dona | November 29, 2010 at 09:50 AM
Sarah - you sure have been through the ringer. I will be sure to add you in my prayers at church this weekend.
Posted by: Stephanie | November 29, 2010 at 09:51 AM
Hi Sarah. I came over to say Hello. Stephanie Coleman Chan shared your post with us on Facebook. I'm so sorry that you are having to go through this. I will think good thoughts for you.
Posted by: Ti | November 29, 2010 at 10:37 AM
One more hurdle for you to overcome. I hope it helps to know there are so many of us cheering you on.
Posted by: Elle M | November 29, 2010 at 11:43 AM
Thinking about you, Sarah! We love a cutting edge treatment protocol...
Posted by: Stella | November 29, 2010 at 12:25 PM
I'm visiting your site from a link on MWC. Please know that mothers in Sydney, Australia are pulling for you, too. Good luck!
Posted by: Jillian | November 29, 2010 at 05:57 PM
I am sending you my love to add to all the other love that your family and friends near and far have already sent and I hope that it keeps you warm as you sit in that chair.
Be brave.
Alicex
Posted by: Alice C | November 29, 2010 at 06:57 PM
Sarah, I am so sorry to read this latest news.... Be assured that my prayers for you continue every day. I stop by FB just to check up on you too.
I will think of you and hopefully, if I have wifi access at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania on Thursday, I can catch your tweets and tweet back with my iPod Touch!!
The new drug sounds like it has great potential!!!
Posted by: Dot O | November 29, 2010 at 08:40 PM
Really hope this works for you.
Sending hugs & laughs & love
Posted by: Teri | November 29, 2010 at 09:39 PM
Thinking of you even though we have never met. I have a girlfriend that has gone through two bouts of cancer over the past 2 1/2 years. She just had another scan done so waiting to hear the results.
Happy Holiday, Sarah! Stay strong.
Di
Posted by: Di | November 30, 2010 at 09:02 AM
Damn. This is so unfair. That new drug better kick some ass!
Either way, I'm here for you, you know that. We'll tweet you through those chemos!
Posted by: Kay | November 30, 2010 at 02:03 PM
Prayers!
Posted by: Farm | November 30, 2010 at 02:03 PM
I hold you in my prayers.
Posted by: magnolia | November 30, 2010 at 05:35 PM
So sorry to hear this! You will be in my prayers.
Posted by: NCarolinaAnnie | November 30, 2010 at 07:24 PM
Big ((((HUG)))! Continuing to pray for you. So thankful they were checking on other things.
Is it this Thursday a.m.? I'll be there or be square sweet friend.
Posted by: Amy | She Wears Many Hats | December 01, 2010 at 07:04 AM
Wish I could be there in person but it'll be on Twitter!
Posted by: Amy | She Wears Many Hats | December 01, 2010 at 07:05 AM
You and your family will be in my prayers!
Posted by: Shannon@Delectalicious! | December 01, 2010 at 10:18 PM
I've had a few stumbling blocks through my treatment as well, but so far there has always been another good option for treatment. Here's hoping this is true for you as well. Best wishes.
Posted by: Judy Schwartz Haley | CoffeeJitters.Net | December 02, 2010 at 01:52 AM
You are in my special prayers... I have two close friends starting chemo next week. You have such a great attitude and are such an fine example of a strong woman. Stay strong.
Posted by: Weekend Cowgirl | December 02, 2010 at 06:39 PM