Update: Still stage 4, still alive, now on Enhertu

[Sparkly]

Hi DU friends!

Just checking in! I made it past another birthday, and more happily, I made it to my miracle granddaughter's second!!!

I still have serous endometrial carcinoma metastasized to my lungs. It never even reached a lymph node, but Kaiser made me wait so long for surgery from an in-network surgeon when it was first diagnosed, it got through the pelvic wall and into my bloodstream, apparently. I will never stop wishing I'd insisted harder, or offered to travel or something, anything, but I did all the pleading I could. Too late now.

Regrets aside, the cancer is still HER2-positive, which means it can be treated with Herceptin (Trastuzumab), a monoclonal antibody, but that stopped working. Enhertu adds deruxtecan, which is the chemo "payload," so it's an "antibody-drug conjugate" (ADC).

The chemo is not as bad as carbotaxol. It causes fatigue and nausea, and some people lose all their hair (mine has thinned a bit). The good news is my tumors were smaller on the last scan. Dangerous side effects happen to lungs and heart and I had a little scare there -- some odd "nodules" like bronchiolitis (?) that made me afraid they were going to stop my infusions -- but a pulmonologist said they didn't look like Enhertu caused them, and I think I'm okay.

Hope all of you and yours are doing well, too! Every day matters. Hang in there!!

[Solly Mack]

1. How wonderful to see your granddaughter's 2nd birthday! And your birthday, too!!!!

You're right, hang in there!

[blm]

2. 💐🫶🏽

[questionseverything]

3. Fuck kaiser and all private insurers that make their money by withholding treatment

I hope you get a miracle!

[hlthe2b]

4. 'Thrilled to get this update, Sparkly!

I hear you on the failure to follow-up promptly by your providers, yet I also see your positive attitude coming through. I hope you sustain that as these medical options work for you. I feel and send positive thoughts, prayers, vibes your way.

[senseandsensibility]

5. Good to hear that you made it to your granddaughter's B-day!

I hope you have many more good days ahead of you my friend.

[erronis]

6. Sending you big hugs and the best of all wishes.

Lots of us dealing with the big C so we'll all pull together for you!

[Chicagogrl1]

7. Hugs to you

[paleotn]

8. Best thoughts!!! Hang in there. We're with you!

[Grim Chieftain]

9. Stay strong, dear Sparkly

If you are the least bit dissatisfied with your doctors or insurance, fight with all your might. You deserve the best.

Take care friend, and please keep us posted. You're in my thoughts.

[Fla Dem]

10. You're certainly on a stressful and dramatic journey.

But sounds like you're dealing with the best you can. I hope you have family/friends to support you and buoy you up when you need it.

All the best to you, I hope for a successful outcome for you.

[NNadir]

11. Good luck with the treatment. I'm at a scientific meeting...

...where things I would have imagined even five years ago are pouring forth.

I'm aware of anything magic, but Her2 is still better than BRCA although there are advanced there as well.

You sound really together. It seems to me that life is more beautiful when we stare down our mortality by still taking joy in living.

Continue to live well.

Best wishes.

[LoisB]

12. So glad you are still alive and was able to celebrate another birthday and that of

your granddaughter. Hang in there, don't give up. Sending positive thoughts for your next birthday.

[Joinfortmill]

13. Oh, my. Glad you are ok. Prayed for you. Can't hurt, right?

[BaronChocula]

14. Keep that infectious spirit

Sending positive thoughts.

[sheshe2]

15. A big hug for you, Sparkly.

[SheltieLover]

16. So glad you had a happy birthday and got to see your precious grandaughter's 2nd!

Fucking ins cos...

Healing vibes flowing to you.

[spooky3]

17. Thank you for updating us! I'm happy for you that you

Saw your granddaughter’s second birthday and are doing well despite Kaiser’s bad behavior. Sending positive vibes your way!

[mountain grammy]

18. Thanks fo the update Sparkly..

Sounds positive.. Hoping for the best! Happy Birthday and to the miracle granddaughter too!

[1WorldHope]

19. It's good to see progress. It's quite an eye opener to find yourself going through this is my guess.

The treatment process kind of becomes your life. I hope you love the people you spend your treatment times with. Just keep sending out and openly receiving the love that is around you. Keep being sparkly ✨

[brer cat]

20. In such a time of stress and uncertainty, you seem to

be keeping your spirits up and staying positive. Wishing the best for you, Sparkly.