It's not over until it's over! Keep going.

[Sparkly]

Hi all! How are all of you, and your loved ones?

I'm now at the 12-month mark of the statistical "8 to 12 months" survival for my metastasis. I got to see another Christmas season, and another few snowfalls, and I've been able to watch my granddaughter -- a miracle -- begin to walk and talk.

I've started writing memoirs, but get stuck and stall each time there's a painful chapter. Discovered Dr. Brian Weiss and others, and the belief in continuity of life makes death less frightening. Some bone fractures have slowed me down, but I'll get back to things (piano, dance).

Oncologists want to stop my Herceptin infusions since the lung nodules are growing. The next therapies could be Keytruda and/or Enhertu, both of which have tons of side effects I think, and clinical trials. First, I need another lung biopsy this Tuesday so they can analyze the tumors for any new mutations.

I hate cancer, and I hate the malignant mango in the White House shutting down funding for research and support for young children of single mothers, like my granddaughter and daughter. I wish I could live to 2028 to help kick his sorry ass once and for all - preferably with a woman, but I know that's all risky "DEI" now. Whatever it takes.

If you're around for this year's election, for next year's primaries, and for the big election in 2028, please unite and fight the good fight for the rest of us!!

[Irish_Dem]

1. You are a brave and generous soul Sparkly.

Your back is against the wall yet you are looking out for everyone else.

[cachukis]

2. Peace.

[True Dough]

3. Happy for your interactions with your granddaughter!

Here's hoping the doctors can make headway against the disease you're fighting, but, rest assured, the "malignant mango" will be on his way out. He should never have been elected in the first place.

All the best to you.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Perhaps you don't realize how inspiring that is

We will fight the fight as long as it takes, and we will remember your relentless drive in the process.

[SheltieLover]

5. Healing vibes on the way to you.

Glad you are enjoying your grandaughter.

[littlemissmartypants]

6. Sending love. ❤️

[Kali]

7. good shit can happen, as easily as bad shit

I hope you will be here to see some kind of justice and more of your granddaughter's growth too.

[Klondike Kat]

8. Keep fighting!

Sending healing vibes your way!

[brer cat]

9. Do keep going, Sparkly. You may surprise yourself

and your doctors. I hope that they can keep you comfortable.

[irisblue]

10. #FuckCancer

[Grim Chieftain]

11. You are an inspiration to us all, Sparkly.

Sending best wishes and positive vibes your way.

[ancianita]

12. That's the spirit! Thank you for your heartfelt sharing.

Knowing that in billions of years of time we're a blink, we must never take our lives and spirit for granted. Keep the faith.

[NBachers]

13. An uplifting and courageous post. Thank you, we will keep fighting and your & in our names.

[1WorldHope]

14. I hope that you are around longer than the doctors predicted.

I hope that you are surrounded by love all the time. Fuck Donald Trump, he is a speck of fecal matter in the universe of space and time that has never loved or been loved. Imagine that.
I wish you much continued sparkling. 🌟!

[highplainsdem]

15. Sending hugs and healing energy, Sparkly. Thank you for this brave, inspiring post. Good for you for

writing a memoir, but re what you said here

I've started writing memoirs, but get stuck and stall each time there's a painful chapter.

please realize that you don't have to work your way through the memoir in order. Write about what you want to write about, when it comes to mind. As long as you add a note about the time period to everything you write, it will be simple to organize, and you'll probably be less likely to get stuck.

Discovered Dr. Brian Weiss and others, and the belief in continuity of life makes death less frightening.

I'm glad you have that belief. I'm not religious - left the church I was raised in when I was a teenager - but various experiences and especially time with grief support groups, and hearing about experiences others have had, left me with no doubt that we continue on, and there are reunions with loved ones, both people and pets.

I believe our spirits are much more than what we're aware of here, and especially more than any statistics that might limit us. I'm wishing you much more time with new therapies, and I think there's a good chance you'll see Trump get his sorry ass kicked.

[Fla Dem]

16. Wishing you only the best in the days and months ahead.

So sorry for you and your family going through a very difficult time in your life. Peace be with you.

[gademocrat7]

17. Stay strong, Sparkly

We are with you on this journey. Sending love and strength to you.🤗💙

[we can do it]

18. Hoping for only more good news. You are inspiring.

[Staph]

19. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

That said, I took Keytruda for 2.5 years, after my endometrial cancer returned for round three and there were no other available medical treatments.

That was six and a half years ago, and I've been cancer-free for five and a half of those years. I had my latest CT scan last month and I'm still clear.

Side effects - definitely! Within three months of starting Keytruda, I developed rheumatoid arthritis, without having any of the usual RA markers. I don't have pain in my hands, but I have had to learn to do things differently. There's no physical proof that the Keytruda caused the RA, and it was not at that time listed as a known side effect. My immune system has turned to crap - I catch every bug out there, and I've developed vocal cord warts. I've had vocal cord surgery twice in the last year. I'm fully COVID-vaccinated but I've had COVID three times. I caught the flu last winter, two months after my flu shot, and kept coughing for eight weeks. Keytruda isn't necessarily the cause of my immune system issues, though. It could also have been caused the other rounds of traditional chemo and radiation.


TL;DR. Keytruda caused some other issues. I've been cancer-free for six years. I'll take the side effects all day, any day and twice on Sunday.

[hamsterjill]

20. Sending you all the very best.

What an amazing post and what an amazing attitude. May miracles find you and shower down upon you and yours.

[mountain grammy]

21. So glad you spent time with your granddaughter

Thank you for an inspiring message. It means so much.

[iluvtennis]

22. Sending hugs 🤗. n/t

[lastlib]

23. Good luck to you in your fight.

I totally agree, cancer is horrible! I lost two sisters and an aunt to it, nearly lost my mother as well. I applaud Pres. Obama and Biden for their efforts against it, and I curse the Felon savagely for cutting the research funding; he probably thought it was another "witch hunt" against HIM, he BEING a cancer on America..........

I wish you all the best, Sparkly!

[applegrove]

24. Vibes to you and your loved ones in this hard, hard time.

[babylonsister]

25. Sparkly, so very great to see you!

I'm so happy you got another holiday with your loved ones, and pray you get some good news on your health soon.

[murielm99]

26. Cancer sucks.

You are amazing. You are strong. Thank you for posting and hanging in there.

[Clouds Passing]

27. Comfort, nurturing and healing energies to you Sparkly 💖🧡💚

[Joinfortmill]

28. God bless. I prayed for your recovery.

Hope it helps. Can't seem to get the Catholic completely out of this old girl.

[Marvin Jones]

29. Miracle

Godspeed!

[proud patriot]

30. I will

I promise .