Lengthy and Long Overdue...

I don't know whether to start way back when or just skip to the good news...

Let's go back a ways....

• I'm nearly done with the proton therapy that I mentioned weeks ago. It has been amazingly tolerable. Not a single side effect that I can see. I walk backwards now, but other than that...JUST KIDDING! It has been a breeze. For awhile there were some problems, as the main "thingy" that produces the proton beam went on the fritz. I had to settle for the "Lexus" of radiation for a few days until the "Lamborghini" was repaired and running again. Ahhh...the trials of the radiated! Anyhoo...it was quickly fixed, and I was back in the proton program within a week.

By the way...I don't think I've posted this anywhere until now, but I'm their first breast cancer patient...ever...at MD Anderson in the proton treatment center! How 'bout that. Their slogan (MD Anderson's) is "Making Cancer History", and...I did!

• As for the "regular" radiation, I finished that on Friday (25th of July). I've got a great sunburn from it, but that's about it. I met some terrific patients and outstanding staff during my "radiant" summer. I have pictures and stories to post soon. Shane, Susan, and Danyel were my radiation therapists. I wish you all could meet them. They were the absolute best...very professional, yet very personable. I consider them lifelong friends now, and can't wait for Jeff to come back with me so I can introduce them to him.

So, now for the grand finale....

• I met with my medical oncologist, Dr. Booser, on Wednesday of last week. He told me that he has been reviewing the research, and sees no benefit in sending me through those 10 extra weeks of chemotherapy we had been planning on. "So, let's just move on to the Herceptin every 3 weeks," he calmly stated.

Excuse me...say that again? I'm DONE?!!! Just like that...I'm through with everything? Just Herceptin every three weeks until further notice. It doesn't even have any side effects....so...I'm through!

I was so stunned that I had to run it by my radiation oncologist, Dr. Woodward.

"What does this mean?"

"Well, basically, you're cancer free, we've done all we would do, and you've responded extremely well. We'd love to say that it'll never come back again, and we certainly hope it won't, but the truth of the matter is that there is no rhyme or reason to cancer. You are through with treatments, (except Herceptin), you are cancer free, and it's really just 'Have a great life, and call us if you need us!'"

Are you kidding me? To quote one of my father-in-law's old time preacher acquaintances...HOT HALLELUJAH!

Now, obviously I'll be going back regularly for checkups, as well as reconstructive surgery, but...HELLO...the cancer is GONE!

I know! Stunning, isn't it? Feel blind-sided? Me too! I truly believe that I've been healed, by the hand of God and his skilled physicians. I don't even know how to sum it all up, but when it's all soaked in, I'll write it here first.

Thank you all for your support, your prayers, and your love. We have been blessed beyond our wildest imagination.

Leave me a note when you read this. I'd love to hear what you're thinking about my news!

Love and blessings,
Leslie

( I realize at this point I may have failed to mention earlier that Jeff and I, along with my oncologists, feel that Herceptin only will be sufficient post-cancer treatment, and we have chosen not to participate in their Bone Marrow Transplant study at this time. In a nutshell, they still have no proof that it would be beneficial to me...especially since I'm already cancer free, and will be on Herceptin for years to come. Herceptin, a "monoclonal antibody" works by marking the cancer cells as foreign cells, and allows my own immune system to kick 'em in the tail! Developed right here at MD Anderson, thank you very much! I think I'll let them work the kinks out of the BMT before I jump right in.)