Blog

Get Your Kicks on Route 66

This morning some of my family walked the old Chain of Rocks Bridge, originally a motor route, used by U.S. Route 66 (US 66) to cross over the Mississippi. The bridge now carries only walking and biking trails over the river; the New Chain of Rocks Bridge carries vehicular traffic to the north. The old…

Learning to Be

Before my metastatic breast cancer diagnosis I had learned to meditate on the advice of my then-therapist. It certainly wasn’t easy. I used a free app on my phone and still remember when I was proud to be able to last 5 minutes. I used meditation frequently after my diagnosis, especially during chemo treatments, radiation…

To sum it all up:

Happiness

Day 2 after chemo #65 has been a mixed bag. I was able to work with my trainer and had an appointment with my primary care doctor to get a shot in my lower spine for pain. I had a long soak in the tub with epsom salts. Things were looking up. But then I…

LXV

One week ago I was in Cancun. Today I am in St Louis at Siteman receiving my 65th treatment. For today that means Herceptin, Perjeta, and Zometa. I’m loving spring weather and more sunshine in my days. The best part of treatment day is spending time with Dave. I’m still feeling rested from my vacation…

Show Us Your Tulips

Heidi’s Hope Boxes were introduced in the fall of 2022. They were sold by Power Planter, a company owned by Greg Niewold, a dear friend of mine. Each Heidi’s Hope Box contained a pink Power Planter auger, 10 pink tulips bulbs from Abbott-Ipco, “Probably Benign,” a book by Leslie Ferris Yerger about the story of…

Necrosis Never Looked so Pretty

The Tumor Board pulled out all my previous gamma knife treatment MRIs and maps and determined that the growth they see is actually necrosis, or, death, of tumor tissue. Barring symptoms they will see me in 3 months.

Ugh

The results of my brain MRI are not what we wanted. My case is going in front of the Washington University Tumor Board next week to determine the next action. I am confidant I can get through this. Dave and the girls have been taking care of me.

LXIII

Today I have a brain MRI and my 63rd treatment. I picked Dave up from work and we are headed southwest to St Louis. We will get back to Champaign in time for me to drop him off at work and I will head home to the farm and my girls. Dave and I enjoy…