WELCOME TO "erica's struggle bus"
Hi friends! Many of you have already heard about my terrible, horrible, no good, very bad start of 2026. But I'd like to keep you all in the loop about what's going on. I promise there is snark.
Blog 2: March Mayhem - "You want me to do what?"
Blog 3: April: Chemo and Reality
Blog 4: May: Bald is Beautiful
Blog 5: June: The Halfway Point
Blog 6: July: Tiredness & Tired of This
Blog 7: August: Dog Days of Summer
In September/October: ringing the bell, next steps, & fundraiser update
That Bell!
Let's start with what you want to read about. I have OFFICIALLY finished chemotherapy! It has taken a few weeks to feel more myself. But my friends, I rang that bell. I was surrounded by my parents, my in-laws, a few friends, Joel — and many of the staff there were also rooting me on! I gave a non-speech. Something like, "I have nothing prepared because if I speak I will cry,” and I cried anyway.
The reality is that being done is a mental rollercoaster. You get so used to the schedule and seeing the people at the infusion center. I don't even know where to begin with re-acclimating to the outside world. I'm proud of myself for the mental gymnastics I have been able to endure on top of the physical ball and chain this disease has been.
I cannot believe the amount of time I have spent at home without getting too stir-crazy. And I'm still processing the fact that this year has gone by so quickly. Not something I would have told you in March when I got this diagnosis. But as fast as this has gone, I am thankful for the life slowdown. The time Joel and I have had to enjoy the small and simple things. So, I guess what I'm saying is that the bell means more than just the end of chemo.
Smile!
Starting in September we have had the pleasure of getting back to doing some photoshoots. And it feels good. The minor interactions with people on the outside have been good for my mental health. I'm a little rusty at taking photos of people, but I'll get back up to par again soon.
We also had some family visits. Joel's cousin and her son came to visit, and we got to see how Oakley does with young children. Like a true golden retriever he's great with kids — outside. Inside, he still doesn’t realize how big he is and how many things (and people) he runs into (or flies into). We also have been doing what we can to help my in-laws downsize. We had a very successful yard sale, resulting in the sale of probably 80% of what we put out. It helps when you are just trying to get rid of it!
We had some relaxation time too; I've been doing coloring books in mixed media. We sit outside in the back yard, enjoy the weather, and make our fall/winter TV watch lists.
September went quickly, and to be honest October is going quickly as well. But I feel like I’m stalling because I have great news to share!
Grateful
A few days after my last infusion, I had to get an MRI. They use this to scope out what they will see during surgery — a little preview. We kept our expectations low about what it would tell us about treatment — results can often be inconclusive, we learned. And it took weeks for the results to come back.
On October 8th, I got a phone call to tell me the results — they didn't just pop into my portal, like they are notorious for doing. My favorite nurse was on the other end of the line. She asked if I was sitting down. She said that I achieved "COMPLETE TREATMENT RESPONSE.” Meaning that there is no trace of the tumor on the MRI - the chemotherapy has done its job! I obviously started crying!
This doesn't mean that there aren't still cancer cells, and when I have surgery next week, they will have to take some tissue from the area marked by a tag and the couple of suspicious lymph nodes. But you all! There is no visible tumor!
From my understanding I will also still need radiation to make sure that it's all gone, but this is the boost I needed at the end of chemo. I was getting to the end of my wits dealing with all of this. I am forever grateful for my care team, but also for my body not giving out on me. Grateful for myself for my strong will and logic, and to the powers that be — though I'm still trying to figure out and learn the lesson in all of this. Perhaps it's just to make sure to slow down.
I still have a journey ahead of me, but as it's been put more recently — there is a light at the end of this tunnel. More than ever, I feel as though I can overcome anything.
for the future!
I am so very lucky. This chapter is not complete yet and will be on my brain for a long time going forward, every mammogram, scan or doctor appointment. But my story could have taken an entirely different turn.
The research for Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is behind, compared to the other types of Breast Cancer. The others tend to have targeted therapies that seem to work. But for TNBC, though there is a robust treatment plan, there is still a lot doctors don't know about it. Less than 1 in 5 women (10-15%), with Breast Cancer are diagnosed with TNBC. It is most common in younger women — those 40 and younger, Black women, and women carrying the BRCA gene mutation. TNBC tumors tend to grow rapidly, and have the potential to be chemo-resistant. The biggest breakthrough in TNBC has been the use of Keytruda (an immunotherapy drug). But more research is needed in order to understand what causes this type of cancer and find targeted treatments that can eliminate the cancer more quickly and keep it from spreading. And most of all, are there other genes that cause TNBC?
So, as mentioned in my last blog, Joel and I have been working on a calendar as a fundraiser. We have decided to raise money specifically for TNBC research and support for people like me going through Triple Negative Breast Cancer. The money we raise will go to the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation. We are happy to announce that the calendar is complete and will be back from the printer any day!
We are selling the calendars for $20 and $10 from each calendar sold will benefit the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation. We hope that all of you will help us get to our goal of $1,000 (100 calendars) to fight back against TNBC! For more information please visit the TNBC Foundation website.
september/October call out
My shout out this month is to all of the women who have gone through, are going through or will go through breast cancer. You are strong and you are an inspiration! YOU CAN DO IT!
