Debra's Update June 15th

It's been awhile so I thought I should do an update. Last Wednesday the 11th we met with Dr. Fabian again. I got the results of my latest CT scan. Nothing has changed, which is good news. The spots are still there but very small and inactive.

We decided to stop chemo (since it did its job by shrinking the cells) and start taking a new immunotherapy drug called Tykerb. Good news... it is in pill form. Bad news... it has some unpleasant side effects. Unfortunately I always seem to fall in that less than one percent that gets the really negative effects. So, after one week I had developed a very unpleasant rash on my face, chest, back, and head. It is kind of like acne, but itches.

So, I discontinued the meds for a few days while I try to get this gone. I'll talk to the doctor in a few days to see if she recommends continuing or switching meds again. The nurse mentioned that usually the second time you take Tykerb the rash isn't as bad. I've been through a lot of side effects over the years, but this one is unbearable. So, hopefully we can find a solution for it.

I'll see my doctor again in two weeks and have another CT scan at that time. We are still hoping that the spots go away entirely. That would be an answered prayer!! This week I did some soul searching that I wanted to share with all of you. Realistically there is a very small chance that you can be totally cured when you have Stage IV metastasized cancer. But my outlook is that someone has to be that one. That one person who makes it not impossible. That less than one percent chance person. Well so far I've fallen into that category on numerous occasions.... so why not now!! Heck, my chances of getting breast cancer at age 30 was less than one percent so why shouldn't I be the one who beats Stage IV cancer. I'll gladly take that privilege.

Thanks as always for your continued thoughts and prayers!! I know with all of you behind me I can be that one!!! Please keep praying for me!!

FYI... Debra's Circle of Friends is doing the Race for the Cure again and we'd love for you to join us. If you didn't get the email just let me know and I would be glad to send it to you!! If you haven't done it before it is a great event. It raises awareness and money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. This foundation does wonderful things for breast cancer research. They are the reason that researchers are so close to finding a cure!!! Let's do all we can to ensure that cure is found SOON!!! Thank you!! Deb