Healing Path

Somewhere in my memory I  recall my Mom saying in a voice a few decibels higher than normal “Shut the door, Richard!”

Close the door, Richard!

I always wondered who Richard was but I did know I was receiving much more than a hint that I had left a door open to the cold or the bugs. I found out a month or so ago that my body has ‘left a door open’ or the ‘water running’ within my genes releasing a protein that my cancer needs to survive.

I found out in January that I did not have the ALK mutation I was hoping for. A several weeks later, Dr. Alice Shaw, from MGH called to say she had sent my samples in again and a HER2 mutation was found. I don’t quite understand all of the science but it seems this trial is trying to close the door (turn of the water) to keep the protein out (or in) that causes  my cancer cells to grow.

I have a CT scan a week from tomorrow that will let us know if that process has started.

In the mean time I’m trying to live my life.

Sorry for the delay in posting. In November and December we were busy exploring  the possibility of gene mutation testing to try to pinpoint a new therapy available through a clinical trial. We visited with Dr. Alice Shaw of Mass. General Hospital who is involved in clinical trials for lung cancer there. See Genotyping at Mass General The mutation we were hoping for was called ALK for short. The woman in the video above had that mutation with amazing results using the trial drug. In mid December I had a biopsy to discover if I the ALK mutation as well as many other possible mutations that may be useful  for future trials. New discoveries are being made all the time.

I had a few complications after the biopsy which caused me to require a 5 day stay in the hospital. Because of my lung not wanting to stay inflated I had a Talc procedure done that was a little on the painful side. Thankfully all that is over. I was able to be home in time to enjoy a wonderful Christmas with my family. Mom and Dad, Bonnie’s family and Dave’s family were able to gather with us in Bon’s inviting lake house to celebrate Christmas together.

Sherri (in red) and Bonnie (in green) just crossed this bridge over 100 feet in the air. Brave huh? or Crazy!

It was a little bit of a low time as the Talc procedure set me back a little. When you are feeling well it is easy to be up. The opposite being true…it is easy to be discouraged when you are not feeling well.

Time passed and we received the news that I did not have the mutation we were hoping for. I took a few minutes to be sad and disappointed. It was time to cross the next bridge. We had been preparing ourselves for that. With the new year I started a new chemo regiment. I seem to be handling this one even better than the last two. I do not get sick, or tired (maybe 2 or 2 naps in the days following the chemo) and my thin hair seems to be filling in from the last chemo.

So to the bridge picture in this post. Bonnie and I took an adventure last week to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Our theory being that we would have to take matters into our own hands. Since I didn’t have the mutation we were hoping for we would scare the cancer out of me. We decided to take a Canopy Zip Line Tour. If you know my sister, Bonnie, you might think this is more of a ‘Bonnie Thing’ and you would be right. I did not sleep well the two nights before the tour. But I survived no worse for wear. It was beautiful to make our way through the snow covered trees in the softly falling snow whether on the ground, zipping through the air or crossing between tree platforms on a rope bridge. Along with zipping, Bonnie and I enjoyed four hours of cross-country skiing helping me to realize I had recuperated from my hospital stay.We were royally treated at the Mount Washington Resort Hotel. I especially enjoy the waffles at the breakfast buffet, the Victorian Afternoon Tea in the Princess Room, a night swim in the heated outdoor pool and relaxing in front of the many fireplaces scattered throughout the hotel. (THANK YOU Bonnie and Frank for a mostly relaxing break!!!)

Mom and Dad have been up for a visit. Last Thursday Dad, Dave (brother), Andrew (son), Angela and I had a wonderful hike up Mount Monadnock. It was a beautiful late fall day.

It took us a total of 5 hours round trip to make it up and down.

No matter your opinion research the facts and call your legislators to get some changes made in our health care system.

National Lung Cancer Foundation Petition

This is Lung Cancer-You Tube

Lung Cancer in the News…Finally

Ask Congress to support the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act of 2009

We are seeing pink ribbons everywhere. October is breast cancer awareness month. That’s great. I’m sure any cancer research helps all cancers. Let’s not forget lung cancer. Cut a little snippet of white ribbon to be reminded of those with lung cancer. Many of us have never smoked. I heard today of a boy who is thirteen with lung cancer.
If you can, make a donation to lung cancer research. Visit Lung Cancer Foundation of America to find out more.

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Lung cancer is the forgotten cancer. It is under funded, under researched, and under supported. It will kill more than 160,000 Americans this year. The Lung Cancer Foundation of America is desperately needed…

Because of a 5-year survival rate of only 15%, there are few survivors to stand up and speak out in support of the disease.

Because of the association of smoking with lung cancer, almost all money is directed toward tobacco cessation and education programs, despite the fact that 60% of new lung cancer victims are non-smokers. Visit Lung Cancer Foundation of America to find out more.

Thank you so much for your positive words and thoughts, beautiful roses and support for Dan. I’ve said before that one area that everyone seems to agree on is that being positive helps with healing. It’s hard for us to stay positive all of the time. But with all of the support we are receiving it sure is a lot easier. We will stay positive for quite awhile on your good wishes. Next time we’re feeling low we can return here and feel revived. Thank you!

This website for National Lung Cancer Partnership is full of information on lung cancer. There is one truly inspiring story about a woman with the same lung cancer that I have... bronchioloalveolar carcinoma.  Her name is Lori Monroe. If you go to Inspirational Stories and Blogs under Living with Lung Cancer scroll down a ways until you find her name and her story. It is long but it is amazing. I googled her name and she is still with us…going strong…inspiring others.

The site also has a petition to sign to provide lung cancer awareness and research.

My Chemo went well. They say the cancer is stable. I’m plodding along. . .trying to eat right, exercise and stay positive.

Andrew and I are headed up to Randolph NH. We have been asked to help some folks up there form opposition to ATV’s on a nearby Rail Trail. We have been offered dinner out and a stay at a local B&B in exchange for our assistance. All that to say….our sweet treat will be a surprise. We’ll have to see what is on the menu. I will let you know how the treatment goes and what we had for our treat! Enjoy!

It is Andrew Codispoti’s Birthday today. Twenty-five years old! Wow how time does fly. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Andrew! Thanks for all your love and support. Have a great day.