4/24/10

Miles To Go Before I Sleep

My prognosis, by most markers of Stage IV Breast Cancer, is very poor - the highest grade of aggressiveness, fast progression, mets to organs (esp. liver), not a great level of general health.

The average lifespan for women with Stage IV BC is 15 months to 3 years.

But I got past that lower deadline (so to speak), and am now at the 16 month mark - and have no intention of stopping any time soon. My Bucket List Adventure to the ocean marked an anniversary of sorts, that of me getting past that lower limit. Now I want to set my sights on passing the upper limit of that average. And then, who knows - I might even aim at getting into that golden group who pass the five year mark. A gal can dream, right?

Thanks to the LDN, I've been able to climb stairs at Hearst Castle, hunt glass on the ocean's edge, clamber about (briefly) on rocks, and today spent 7 hours at a fiber dyeing class, most of that on my feet. Take that, hip tumors!** Thanks to the LDN, I want to live for a good while longer.

And I mean a good while. I've got things to do, beauty to see, adventures to experience, people to love, and miles to go before I sleep.


**yes, I was totally wiped out by the end of that 7 hours, but the point is that I rocked it. So there.

7 comments:

Delighted Hands said...

Sounds like a great plan....the timeline is a general thing and by no means a given! Flaunt the dates and live like you have no expiration date! (LIke we all do!)

Jane Carlstrom said...

Yay, Eileen, go girl go!

krex said...

I'm so glad that you found something that helps you....for very selfish reasons, it means I get to spend some quality time with you !

Daria said...

You go girl!

I too have a bucket list I am actively working on.

All the best to you ...

Laughingrat said...

Yes! That is awesome. Glad the &$&#^# hip tumors aren't keeping you from getting around and being active.

Nancy K. said...

What wonderful news! I'm so glad that your medications are finally making you more comfortable. I think we'd all agree that it's about time you got a break!

As of now, I am looking forward to meeting up with you at Shepherd's Harvest! Can't wait....

Richard Hickey said...

It was really good to see you here with your ma. It was a lot of fun. You looked really good. Heck, if I didn't know better I wouldn't have known you had cancer at all.

Take care of yourself. I hope we get a chance to get together again and watch the boats in the bay.

Cheers.

Rich