My Metastatic Breast Cancer Journey
I am Christine Terry, 58 years old, and live in Vancouver WA. I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in April 2019--almost six years to the day of my original breast cancer diagnosis.
INITIAL DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
In 2013, my 14-year marriage was struggling while taking care of three kids and working too many hours in Portland to keep my head above water in a job that exceeded my skills set. I was taking Humaira, an immune suppressor for psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and Crohn’s disease.
During spring break in 2013, I felt a lump in my breast and it turned out to be Stage II HER2-, HR+ breast cancer. I immediately went on short-term disability and underwent neoadjuvant care of chemotherapy followed by a double mastectomy.
I made light of the situation joking about being "perky" for the rest of my life, embracing "Survivorship" and all the rah-rah that goes along with that. However, there was nothing funny about my situation, I tried to maintain my marriage, take care of my kids, keep up with housework, go back to the office and continue cycling, my passion.
I had reconstruction in December 2013, and 2014 was one of the most difficult years of my life. My husband and I were working on a divorce rather than recovering from breast cancer treatment. Our divorce was final March 4, 2015. I said that I will "March Forth" as I tried to turn a major disappointment to a positive.
POST CANCER
Given those challenges and stress, I thought that’s why I got breast cancer and I considered cancer "one and done."
For the next five years, I focused on myself, kids, home, community and work. I took on a new role at work, helped my daughter to college, focused on my boys graduating high school, worked on trail maintenance at Whipple Creek Regional Park, and cycled as much as I could!
Oh yes, I got a dog too -- Bebe, who saved my soul!
CANCER HAS MY ATTENTION
In the fall of 2018, I was extremely fatigued, blood pressure was suddenly through the roof and I could barely breathe pedaling up a small hill in the road!
The oncologists could not find anything in terms of cancer recurrence. My blood work was normal, cancer markers were normal, no headaches, etc.
Thank God my dermatologist found a melanoma patch on my arm! As the surgeon was removing stitches from my arm, I hesitantly mentioned a tight muscle in my neck. He ordered an ultra sound, and BAM!!! There was breast cancer in my lymph nodes, spine, other bones and lungs. The Metastatic Breast Cancer Journey began.
Six months of chemotherapy cleared all the cancer except for my spine. I completely changed my lifestyle. Organic whole foods, minimal dairy and processed foods, daily light exercise, community breast cancer support, and I can now spell ‘metastatic’ without spell-check!
I am grateful for my naturopathic oncologist who recommended the two books, both of which changed my life: "Radical Remission" by Kelly A. Turner and "Cancer Fighting Kitchen Cookbook" by Rebecca Katz.
CANCER COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Pink Lemonade Project: I am forever grateful for The Pink Lemonade Project as their survivorship programs continue to assist me in recovery both physically and mentally. I also met and became friends with Penda Sidibeh whom is also living with Metastatic Breast Cancer and we support one another!
Legacy Health: Incredible cancer survivor exercise and nutrition classes, as well as support groups.
Pink Sistas: In the summer of 2021, the cancer drug side effects were very challenging for me, therefore, I took a 12-week leave of absence from work. This allowed me to participate in several Pink Sista retreats. Despite the pandemic, we warrior women got out there and enjoyed one another! You’re an angel Deb Hart!
MARCHING FORTH
I am LIVING with metastatic breast cancer! I will continue to live everyday doing what I love to do, with my ‘(dog) person’, Brooklyn!