Third remission

After a wonderful sister's weekend with Teri and Sam, I received news from my oncologist that my cancer has gone back to remission.  It didn't occurr to me to track remissions until now. My initial breast cancer diagnosis was in 2007 followed by remission in 2009 with reoccurrence with metastasis to my kidneys, and liver in 2019.  Hormonal treatment with Ibrance (palbociclib) combined with Faslodex (fulvestrant) put the cancer back into remission until it invaded my lungs in May 2024, but actual confirmation of treatment failure was identified in Nov 2024.  I began TrueCap (capivasertib) and Falsodex (fulvestrant) in Feb 2025 and it has brought the cancer back into remission.  Prognosis?  Most recent studies indicate that Truqap with Fulvestrant delivered an average of 7.3 months without cancer growing or spreading. Truqap without Fulvestrant, reoccurrence occurs in 3.1 months on average.  Remission is a happy Easter week surprise!!

So back to Teri and Sam.  They intended to surprise with me a "retirement" celebration, but since I had signed up for a watercolor class at Valley Vintage Girls workshop, it was necessary to let the cat out of the bag.  To my delight, Sam and Teri signed up with me for the watercolor class.  The first art class I have taken for a very long time. The class was in the paint and sip style.  I still have some skill but lack practice.  Consequently, it felt good and discouraging at the same time.  There were parts of each of our paintings we liked, but not a complete individual painting.  My strength was the detail in the faces (although the painting was intended to an impressionist style), Sam was most successful in painting the clothing, and Teri excelled in the skin tones and hair color.   The class was a good jumpstart.

Teri and Sam initiated their "lakeview drive" to Spokane with selfies at Lake Sammamish, and various water/grass/lake stops between Redmond WA and Spokane Valley, WA.  On Sunday we drove to Newman Lake for a selfie, and they concluded their lakeview drive returning to Redmond, WA.

The best part was just being together.  We played card games, talked, reminisced, caught up on current family on-goings, enjoyed dinner at the Olive Garden, then at the home of Uncle Bon & Aunt Sherrel with Rob and Cori Wright, and took an architectural discovery drive in the Manito South Hill area after visiting the Japanese gardens.  We attempted to understand Sam's job at Microsoft, which she ultimately identified as managing a lot of projects spread sheets and being paid well to do so.  Our last activity was shopping at Nordstrom Rack before saying good-bye.  We first looked at purses; I found one that I loved but was unwilling to pay the discount price of $149. We each took between 10-12 items to the dressing rooms and did our own "sisters fashion show".  Next, we discovered the shoe racks and Sam found some fantastic orange hiking/sneaker shoes, Teri found some flats, and I came away with 3 pair of shoes I had not planned on purchasing.  We couldn't recall the last time the 3 of us shopped together.  We had a lot of fun, and of course we each overpurchased with little encouragement from one another.  It was fun.

Of course, later I was listening to an Easter message that reminded me not to be concerned over what to eat or how to clothe, as God will provide.  Recognition of my indulgence caught me, but I still didn't return the items I purchased.  While I am loving the pink floral blouse, the blue-green prairie dress, and the denim shorter dress with a flounce at the hem, reminiscent of the early 1970's prairie fashion, these items are bound to go back out of fashion.  The budget is tight due to retirement, and other commitments, yet I did not return my purchases. I am a little afraid of what that says about my character,

This was an excellent transition from full-time work to retirement.  Work and cancer had left me feeling drained and low on energy.  Activities with my sisters keep me moving for 3 days and I realized I have much more ability to get out and do things.    So, my list of projects is starting to be checked off one by one.  It is a good feeling :-)

Thank you, sisters!!  

After their departure, I felt more capable, and when I stumbled, yesterday, Jo was my cheerleader helping me to jumpstart again.

I love my sisters and am so thankful we are friends!!