April 2026 Cancer Updates

It's been a bit since my last update, so here is where we are with cancer right now:

My most recent PET scan showed that cancer is progressing in my body; therefore, Enhertu (the treatment I've been on since August) is no longer working. I met with my local oncologist this week on Tuesday, and it was really a pretty sad appointment. She didn't offer a lot of hope and I did not have an infusion that day. She offered two potential options for chemo--neither of which I am too excited about and may only work for a short time if they work, while potentially having a lot of negative side effects attached. It was very difficult news to hear and Drew and I spent a lot of the day in prayer and tears.

However, we went before the elders of our church for prayers on Wednesday night, and it has felt as if a weight has been lifted off of me since then. At the same time as Drew and I were with the elders of our church in prayer, many of my friends and family members were also praying for us. Thank you so much--I believe the prayers are working. On Thursday morning, Drew, the kids, and I headed to Houston to visit MD Anderson to see if there were any clinical trials for which I would be eligible. (Thanks to Drew's parents who spent time with kids during the afternoon while we were at doctor appointments.) However, my oncologist there wants another tissue biopsy before recommending any type of treatment or clinical trials. He said in the number of years I have been stage IV (about 4 years), many patients' cancer changes hormone receptor status or her2 status. It's been about 4 years since my last tissue biopsy. He said that about 25-30% of patients have a change, which affects what type of target treatment you can receive or which trials you may be eligible for. We actually asked my local oncologist on Tuesday whether I should be getting another tissue biopsy,  but she said I didn't need one since I just had a "liquid biopsy" in March. A liquid biopsy is an analysis of the circulating tumor cells in my blood. MD Anderson said though that while the liquid biopsy shows mutations that the cancer in my body has (this helps recommend specific drugs and trials as well), it does not show my hormone receptor status (ER+, PR+) or her2 receptor status. As far as we know, I am still ER+, PR+ and Her2- (but low, so Her2 low). If this status changed in any way, it most definitely affects which treatment will work. It either takes away options or gives me new ones. So, now I am waiting to get a biopsy appointment with MD Anderson (hopefully next week since I am not on any sort of treatment right now) and they also want to try to get an MRI on the same day so we can make sure my brain metastasis hasn't progressed. If the brain mets aren't stable, that prohibits me from being in some clinical trials as well. I have one scheduled for 4/30 here locally, but we need to move that up. They weren't able to move it to a sooner date locally. I have no idea what body part they are going to biopsy, as the breast cancer metastasis currently shows up mainly in the liver (biggest issue) and bones. The MD Anderson oncologist said their interventional radiologists are really good there and that they would look at my scans and figure out where they could do a biopsy easiest, whether that be liver or lymph node.

So the good news is that I am not on treatment for a while, which gives my body some time to recover a bit and feel better. The bad news is that I am not on treatment for a while and my cancer could continue to progress. However, I am to a point where my trust in the Lord is great. God is in control and loves me. My struggle is always in how much do I "plan" for? Like, should I get things in order and documented for Drew in case something happens to me. I homeschool our kids and have all these planned steps for their education and to optimize their ability to get into any college they want to get into. Is planning for me to potentially not be around showing a lack of faith or is it showing preparation? I believe God can heal me from this---nothing is impossible. But I am also a planner--should I plan for me not being around? Anyway, that is a big struggle for me right now.

Here's is where I covet your prayers:

• Complete healing and removal of all the cancer in my body forever!!!
• If that comes through a manmade treatment or protocol, that it happen seamlessly and easily and the treatment works for a very long time.
• I would love to be able to work out regularly (with lifting weights and walking, rebounding or cardio). 
• Protection and logistics for traveling to and from MD Anderson in Houston (it's a 6.5 hour round trip for us each time) .Our kids have classes and activities every day of the week. Thankfully, we are getting closer to summertime--which will also be busy but at least not like it is during the school year.
• That we are able to be glorify God in all this and that his love, glory and purpose be shown to all through this trial.

Thanks so much for your prayers. I am so grateful and I KNOW the power of prayer. As I said, after prayer with the elders and friends and family, Drew and I have felt so much better about everything. I have peace and joy and I know God is at work.