A few weeks ago, I got the results of my most recent brain MRI. It showed that there were no new spots and that all the spots that were there had shrunk. Amazing news! Yesterday I got the results of my most recent CT scan. It showed that my body (chest, abdomen, and pelvis) is NED; No Evidence of Disease. What?! I’ve wanted to hear those words for so long.
Five years. Five years ago, I had surgery to place my port because the first doctor who performed my biopsies was certain that I had Stage II Breast Cancer. Five years ago, I sat in the office with my Medical Oncologist who told me that I actually had Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer. I was in the room with my husband, my mom and my husband’s dad. We were all in shock. I couldn’t take it. I walked out of the room, into to the hallway, doubled over and cried. I was going to die.
Five years ago, after my first rounds of radiation when it was discovered that the cancer had metastasized to my brain, I looked my Radiation Oncologist in the eyes and asked him if I was still gonna be around in five years. He looked back at me and said he didn’t have a crystal ball. He did not look hopeful.
I don’t remember exactly when it was that I decided to climb out of the darkness; to stop living in the shadow of cancer. But it was pivotal. I began to treat cancer as a job. I’ve kept my calendar, shown up to all of my appointments, stayed on top of my treatments and medications. I let it become mundane. I started focusing my time and energy on my family, my friends, myself. The important stuff shifted away from cancer and back to my marriage, my kids, my loved ones. I became more open to family gatherings and outings with friends. And I found God again. I found comfort and peace and faith. I have faith.
It’s been five years and I’m still here against all odds. God did this. Prayers did this. My doctors did this. My loved ones did this. I did this. With the enormous and unrelenting help from all of you, I did this. And I plan to keep doing it.
I am grateful for all of your prayers and support. I humbly ask that you stay with me. Keep praying. Keep supporting. Keep spreading my message.
I thank you all.
❤ Amanda
PS: I get to enjoy the Holidays with no looming scan results!
PSS: Drink! Eat! Be Merry!
Cancer Doesn't Have Me 