Heart

Oct 30

Well, people.  I’ve got some cardiac symptoms going on.  (Shortness of breath, chest constriction, etc.)  The medical team is on it, and I’m not in cardiac distress, which is a really good thing.  The symptoms come and go, and are not related to exertion on my part.

Since Herceptin (the drug I am supposed to get every week) can cause heart problems (and is possibly the culprit here), I did not get Herceptin this week.  Yesterday I had an echocardiogram, which is a fancy ultrasound of the heart.  Dr. Gold (cardiologist) or Dr. Wonderful (oncologist) will call me with the results later in the week.

Best case scenario: Dr. Gold adjusts my heart medicines and my heart restores to normal-enough function over the next weeks/months so that I can resume Herceptin.

Worst case scenario: My heart function has declined to the point where it is too dangerous for me to receive Herceptin, and I am done with that drug.

Since this cardiac development is neither final, nor fatal, I shall keep my chin up, and do today well.  I can handle a setback, especially a setback that does not change my No Evidence of Disease status.  The incident of the suspicious lump under my arm reminds me to have perspective and to be thankful for today.  That day, I was afraid.  Today, I am not afraid.

Today, I am as busy as every other mom in the country preparing for the costume-y goodness that is Halloween.  Today, I’ll go to radiation and keep my phone with me in case a doctor calls.  Today, I choose joy as I bounce back and forth between cancer-maintenance and my blessed life.

And if you would, please pray for my heart.  In all senses of the word.  Thank you!

17 comments

  1. Praying for your heart!

  2. Chrissie D /

    To encourage you, my mum had to stop Herceptin because of heart damage which was a fearful time.
    However, a year later she was miraculously healed of her two tumors and nearly 3 years later her heart is doing great!
    Your Father will be walking with you whichever way the results turn out, and will continue to be your strength.
    Thank you for sharing your heart with us all and may God richly bless you. X

  3. Denise O'Mara /

    Sending big hugs to you and you heart love Neecie

  4. suenitz /

    Praying for you Jen.

  5. Peggy Hyland /

    May Your Heart be Filled with an Abundant JOY, that can only come from Our Heavenly Father…a JOY that will overcome any fear of today. Praying that your Heart will be healed Quickly and Completly.
    God Bless You~Peggy Hyland

  6. Praying for good results and peace in your heart! Sending a hug…

  7. Jen ~ May your heart be healthy & lite ~ No Tricks this Halloween, Just Treats ~ Continued Prayers & Peace 🙂

  8. Rebecca /

    Praying. Praying. Praying. Enjoy your candy-filled day with your sweet girls.

  9. Kim Rourke /

    Heart hugs!

  10. Saying extra prayers for your heart. We have to stay strong ! Starting radiation tomorrow, 33 rounds, hope to be done by Christmas:)
    Loved the picture of you and the girls, that’s wall worthy!

  11. Praying for you…your heart is on my heart. (I got my last dose of herceptin last Thurs.) I am kinda scared about going about life without it. So… positive attitude(hard), proper diet and exercise(really hard), prayer and the support of those who love me(easy)! I will try to do today with faith in the journey I have been on. I share your story – you give me strength through your words. Let’s all do today well! 🙂

  12. kathleen /

    Praying for a healthy heart! You make us all realize the importance of finding joy in each day…thanks for sharing!

  13. Sharon Hajek /

    You have a healthy authentic spiritual heart. Praying, praying for your physical heart and lifting it up into God’s gentle hands to hold and heal. Believing!

  14. Praying for you today! Praying for a healthy heart for you and a fun filled Halloween with your littles 🙂

  15. Praying that your heart will grow stronger & healthier each day…the same way I pray for your entire body to return to its “PC” days (pre-cancer). Have Brad capture those fun Halloween moments for the rest of us to see!

  16. Laura A /

    You are always in my thoughts and prayers!! Praying extra hard for a healthy heart!

  17. Ginger /

    I recently watched Living Proof the movie based on the development of Herceptin – heart wrenching and inspiring. Even as a scientist, I was amazed at the time and perserverance it took to bring a life-saving drug like that to fruition. Thank God for those who sacrifice so much to give the rest of us hope.