"I have a fighting chance until I'm gone." -Rhoda

A terminal diagnosis is frightening. Back in December my doctor said, "The cancer has metastasized. You are no longer curable, just treatable." Once the shock began to subside, then the pain of all the milestones I will miss came flooding to the forefront--drowning me. I was told the average Triple Negative Breast Cancer patient who has metastatic disease lives approximately two years. But, at the risk of sounding conceited, I've always considered myself to be somewhat above average in determination. This three-year cancer rollercoaster has certainly put me to the test, but I'm scrappy and I have faith. No super-intelligent, triple-doctorate-earning, socially awkward oncologist can take that away from me. Three lesions were found in my chest wall in that December scan. Although slight in size, cancer is cancer and metastatic cancer only means one thing . . . the clock is ticking. I felt torn. Should we just go with chemo or take a chance with a clinical trial? Since the past attempts at chemo, radiation and surgery clearly did not deter this cancer, I felt led toward the trial. But was quickly shut out. A few weeks later, miraculously, a spot opened up. One spot created by God--for me. The upside: the drug was having positive results in shrinkage. The downside: I'd have to travel to and from Boston weekly at first then every three weeks for as long as it was successful. The upside definitely outweighed the downside. Fast forward seven weeks: hotel costs ($1500), gas ($3000), tolls ($100) today's scan results (PRICELESS) Get this: Not only did the lesion in my left lymph node shrink nearly 20%, but the other two lesions in my right internal mammary lymph node and right pectoral lymph node are GONE! That is correct, folks . . . GONE!!! There is only one answer. The answer is prayer. God has been in every detail. And although I have had moments when I start to lose hope, He brings me back. Every time He brings me back. I know I am not cured. But I am not dying of cancer. I am living with cancer.